Dharamsala, October 29: The Kashag (executive cabinet of the Central Tibetan Administration) today hosted a brief function-cum-tea session with local Indian dignitaries in the evening at Himachal Tourism’s Hotel Dhauladhar for celebration in honour of the US Congressional Gold Medal being awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) Prof Samdhong Rinpoche presided over the evening celebratory function. Members of his cabinet, senior Tibetan officials and officials from local Indian administrations and several media people were present at the gathering.
Kalon Tripa arrived in Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, last week from United States where he attended the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington on October 17.
Speaking on the occasion, Kalon Tripa said that the special evening celebration was being hosted since he could not be in Dharamsala at the time of Congressional Gold Medal celebrations.
Calling Dharamsala the hometown of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kalon Tripa said that the people of Dharamsala, both Tibetans and Indians have equal reasons to be proud of the recognition conferred on His Holiness.
Mr Sonam N. Dagpo, International Relations Secretary, Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration read out the detail background of the US Congressional Gold medal being awarded to the Tibetan leader.
“Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet, and our friends and supporters around the world celebrated with joy and festivities for the occasion in the past weeks,” Mr Dagpo said.
“Today we are gathered here again to celebrate the occasion and share our joy among our Indian friends,” Mr Dagpo added before concluding his speech.
Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Mr B. K. Aggarwal addressing the gathering said that People and the government of Himmachal Pradesh are very proud of the Dalai Lama’s achievement.
“For His Holiness the Dalai Lama it may be a minor achievement personally, but for Tibetans and their cause it is a hugely significant achievement to realize freedom” he said.
The dignitaries sat over tea and snacks following a brief speech session and before concluding the evening programme.
Dharamsala is the exile residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
