Dalai Lama greets people of Sikkim for 'Thank You India' festival

Shimla, Nov 7 : Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has sent his greetings to the Tibetan community in Sikkim on the occasion of a five-day 'Tibet Festival' in Gangtok.

A communique released by an official of Tibetan Government in exile said speaking of the close relationship between Tibetans and Sikkimese throughout history, the Dalai Lama dwelt on how Buddhism contributed to the evolution of the Sikkimese identity.

This Buddhist cultural heritage encourages the cultivation of such ideals as compassion, peace and non-violence, which have a role to play in the development of the Sikkimese society, the communique added.

Therefore, one way of getting the benefit from this heritage and preserving it is to incorporate its message in the educational system, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in a message.

''I am, therefore, pleased to send my greetings on the occasion of a Tibet Festival that is being held in Gangtok from November 6 to 10, 2009 by the Tibetan Community in Sikkim to express their gratitude to the state government and the people of Sikkim,'' the Dalai Lama added.

It is befitting that this festival is being held to coincide with the 50 years of the Tibetan people’s life in exile, His Holiness said.

--UNI

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