Land of Monpas set for a rousing welcome to Dalai Lama

By Utpal Boruah, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, Nov 7 : Religious fervour has descended on the snow-capped mountains in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh as Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrives here tomorrow, an occasion eagerly awaited by the people of this border district since last year.

For young Lama Dorjee Norbu and his fellow dapas (monks) of the famous Tawang monastery, their jubilation knows no bounds. These days, their daily routine in the monastery starts much before their usual timing. They are all agog at having the opportunity to interact with His Holiness and learn his teachings.

"He is our god and his writs are everything for us," commented Norbu, clad in red robes, while a few of his mates nodded in agreement.

The entire "land of Monpas" wears a spruced up look as the district administration has spared no efforts in ensuring a pleasant stay as well as elaborate security arrangements for the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Abbot of Tawang Monastery Guru Rimpoche disclosed that the Dalai Lama would inaugurate the newly-constructed monastery museum tomorrow besides offering mandala at the main prayer hall of the monastery.

"His Holiness will inaugurate the monastery school library at the Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies Hall and will give word of blessings to the monk students," he added.

The state government has constituted a 12-member state-level reception committee with monk-turned politician T G Rinpoche as the chairman and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu as its patron.

"The entourage of His Holiness will include 11 people and will land in Tawang at around 1030 hrs tomorrow," Mr Khandu told reporters here this evening.

He said the spiritual leader would inaugurate a multi-disciplinary hospital at Tawang for which he had already contributed Rs 20 lakh.

The Dalai Lama would also preach sermons and plant trees at the Yidgha Coezin ground during his stay at the district headquarters till November 12.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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