People from all corners of the globe came together to celebrate the 88th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader of Tibetan in exile and in Tibet, admired by millions, was overwhelm with warm wishes, heartfelt messages, and long life prayers from individuals, organizations, and world leaders alike. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to the Dalai Lama to convey his greetings on the special occasion.
PM Modi tweeted, “Spoke to His Holiness @DalaiLama and conveyed heartfelt greetings to him on his 88th birthday. Wishing him a long and healthy life.” The exchange of phone calls and public announcements between the Indian Prime Minister and the Tibetan spiritual leader hold significant diplomatic importance due to the strained relations between Beijing and the Dalai Lama.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of Tibetan in exile tweeted “The Kashag on behalf of Tibetans inside & outside Tibet pay our deepest obeisance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the auspicious occasion of His 88th birthday. May H.H live for aeons & may we soon witness His return to the Potala Palace & our reunion with Tibetans inside Tibet.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Kindness and humility serve as an inspiration to many around the world. He also said in a statement the United States is unwavering in our commitment to support the linguistic, cultural, and religious identity of Tibetans, including the ability to freely choose and venerate their religious leaders without interference.
“I extend my warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 88th birthday, an auspicious day for the Tibetan community”, he greeted.
Furthermore, Honourable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the occasion as Chief guest and greeted “I am honored to come to Dharamshala to extend warm birthday greetings and best wishes to His Holiness the Dharma Guru, the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is a true symbol of peace and compassion, his teachings continue to inspire millions across the globe. I am sure That his teachings and guidance will lead us to a brighter future.We wish him a healthy life and long life.
Honourable Minister of Science Shri Kiren Rijiju also pays his warm wishes to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his 88th birthday. “My deepest reverence, prayers and wishes for a long and healthy life of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama on the auspicious occasion of his 88th birthday. His thoughts and teachings are the guiding light towards love, peace and compassion for the entire humanity”, he tweeted.
The celebrations of His Holiness birthday highlighted the profound impact he has had on people's lives, promoting peace, compassion, and mindfulness. Followers gathered in different countries to mark the auspicious occasion, showcasing the deep connection they feel towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his teachings.
Numerous events were organized to celebrate the special day. In Dharamshala, India, where the Dalai Lama has resided in exile for decades, a grand celebration took place, attended by thousands of Tibetans and supporters from different backgrounds. The atmosphere was filled with joy, as cultural performances, prayers, and traditional ceremonies unfolded throughout the day.
Edited and collated by Team TRC