By R.K Prashar
Dharamsala, July 6 – The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, turned 69 Tuesday amidst reports that China was hardening its stance on his demand for internal self-rule in Tibet and was even looking for his reincarnation to succeed him.
Throughout the day, Tibetan officials, local dignitaries and prominent citizens streamed through the quadrangle of the central cathedral at McLeodganj in uptown Dharamsala to felicitate him on the occasion.
The entire Tibetan community, including several hundreds from various parts of the country and abroad, assemble in front of the central cathedral for a glimpse of the Dalai Lama and to receive his blessings.
Prayers for the long life of the Dalai Lama were conducted on the occasion.
The celebrations were held against the backdrop of several attempts by the Dalai Lama’s aides to build bridges with Beijing and begin a dialogue on the issue of Tibet.
Two Tibetan delegations are likely to visit China, the first later this month and the other in October though it was not immediately clear which officials they would interact with or what their agenda would be.
Tibetan officials here said the visits were aimed at creating an environment conducive for dialogue “in accordance with the wishes of the Dalai Lama”.
Last year, a 10-member delegation was proposed to be sent to China and Tibet but this fell through. Only recently did Chinese officials explain that it would have been difficult to make arrangements for a group of 10 but said they could receive a group of five, the officials said.
Gyalo Dhondup, the Dalai Lama’s elder brother, is coordinating the visits with the Chinese authorities.
The Dalai Lama’s envoys had visited China twice in 2003 but Beijing was angered by several high-profile overseas visits by the Dalai Lama later in the year.
These included a visit to the US, where he met President George W. Bush and other officials.
Beijing lodged an official protest at the visit and called on the US to keep its promise of acknowledging Tibet as a part of China and not to support the demand for Tibetan independence.
The Dalai Lama has always favoured greater autonomy for the Tibetan people and during visits overseas, has expressed strong concerns about the “cultural genocide” the Chinese have conducting in his homeland.
Beijing retaliated by rejecting the idea that Tibet could enjoy the “one country-two systems” arrangement of Hong Kong and Macau.
The two territories, it contended, had been colonies but China, “since ancient times”, had exercised control over Tibet.
“It is hoped that the Dalai Lama will look reality in the face, make a correct judgement of the situation, truly relinquish his stand for ‘Tibetan independence’ and do something beneficial to the progress of China and for the region of Tibet in his remaining years,” said a white paper issued earlier this year.
Tibetan officials, however, said, the fact that China was prepared to receive two delegations representing the Dalai Lama indicated Beijing’s flexibility on Tibet.
Other Tibetans apprehend this is only a delaying tactic.
They say Beijing is only looking at the eventual death of the Dalai Lama and searching for his reincarnation so it can install a successor tuned to its views.
