THE PRIME Minister of Tibetan government in-exile, Minister of his cabinet and other senior official of the Central Tibetan Administration along with Dalai Lama were also present to welcome him in courtyard of the temple in the presence of large crowd of Tibetans and foreigners. Tibetan songs and dance was also performed. Media persons from across the world were present to record the moment.
As the felicitation ceremony drew to a close, the crowd broke into an impromptu birthday song. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, looking surprised and elated, waved to the gathering before retiring into the residence of the Dalai Lama for a brief lunch. Archbishop Tutu, who is currently on a five-day visit to India along with his wife Nomalizo Leah Shenxane, as part of The Elders, to create awareness on an initiative "Girls Not Brides" a global partnership to end child marriage, left Dharamshala later in the day.
“Please, you leaders in Beijing, please we beg you, allow Tibet to be what the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China commits. The Constitution allows for autonomy and that is all His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his people want, he says.
“We beg you and at the same time remind you too that this is a moral universe. There is no way in which injustice, oppression, and evil can ever have the last word,” Archbishop Tutu said in his message to the Chinese leadership.To the Tibetan people, he said: “We will visit you in Tibet. We will enter a free Tibet,” reported the Hindustan Times.
Earlier, Tibetan and Indian community in Dharamsala felicitated South Africa’s Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a close and good friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at a public ceremony in Dharamsala. His Holiness the Dalai Lama welcomed Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Kangra Airport in the morning, reported Hindustan Times.
“I welcome a great person today. He is a great and world renowned personality. His contributions are not limited to one scope or in just one field. His greatness is accumulated as a result of a lifelong effort to create happiness and well being for others,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his welcome address. “He is a person who strongly advocates the importance of love, compassion and equality. Even in his own country South Africa, he along with Nelson Mandela, have worked wholeheartedly through non violence for equal rights and genuine democracy in their country,” His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama appealed to his fellow Nobel Laureate to pray for the cause of Tibet.
Presenting a stupa as a memento to Archbishop Tutu, His Holiness said in the citation: “In recognition of your exemplary contribution to justice, equality, non violence, conflict resolution and reconciliation, I present to you this stupa, a Tibetan Choeten, symbol of wisdom and compassion with my prayers that your good work may continue for many years to come.”
The entire Central Tibetan Administration headed by Prime Minister of Tibetan government in exile Dr Lobsang Sangay attended the felicitation ceremony. A colorful cultural performance was also presented to welcome Archbishop Tutu on his first visit to Dharamsala.
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