GANGTOK, April 21 — The venue radiated spiritual aura as the first day of discourse on Sem-nyid Ngalso or relaxing the mind itself by the Dalai Lama began at the Gangtok’s Guards ground today. Thousands gathered under a giant tent erected in the venue as they sat listening to their Dharma Guru.
Chants and hymns notwithstanding, conspicuous by its absence was any pro-Tibet activity that normally accompany such large gathering of Tibetans under one roof. Sources here said that special instructionshave come from the Ministry of External Affairs that prohibit any remark or activity that can possibly put Sino-Indian relations at unease.
The Dalai Lama’s first visit to Sikkim, since this hill state’s recognition by the Chinese as a part of India, couldn’t have been more uneventful as far as pro-Tibetan movement is concerned.
Also, missing from the venue were the volunteers of the Tibetan Youth Congress that has been agitating for a free-Tibet for long. A few stalls put up near the venue, however, sold literature and posters proclaiming the cause of free Tibet and Tibetans. The authorities here had apparently taken care to avoid possible embarrassment to the next door neighbour, thus there were no posters or propaganda of any other form. The Dalai Lama was nevertheless accorded a welcome befitting any head of a nation. In between his sermons, the Dalai Lama today attended a luncheon hosted by Sikkim’s chief minister Mr Pawan Kumar Chamling and was called upon by senior members of Sikkim’s government.
