Arunachal Pradesh gears up for Dalai Lama's visit

New Delhi, Nov.7 : Ahead of the much awaited visit of Tibetans' spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Sunday, Arunachal Pradesh has geared up for His holiness's welcome here.

Indian journalists have been allowed to cover the Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama's visit in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. However, the foreign journalists are yet to be allowed.

“We are yet to decide to give visas to foreign journalists,' said MEA sources.

Sunday's visit will be Dalai Lama's sixth visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

Tawang is perched at a height of 10,000 feet.

Posters with pictures of the Tibetan spiritual leader in a colour presentation and flags are all set to greet visitors to the place, where Dalai Lama had landed in 1959 after his escape from Tibet.

Tight security arrangements have been put in place around the area, located between - China and Myanmar, with the Tawang district administration making all efforts to ensure a peaceful visit of the leader.

China has raised objection to Dalai Lama's visit to Tawang area.

Dalai Lama is scheduled to hold discourses in the three centuries old Tawang monastery and at nearby Dirang from November 9 to 12 and another at Bomdila before leaving for Itanagar.

Last week, Dalai Lama reportedly contended that he was travelling to Arunachal in connection with teaching his beliefs. He also said that Tawang held great memories for him, as this was his first stop 50 years ago when he was forced to flee Tibet.

He is scheduled to visit Tawang monastery to deliver spiritual discourse to his followers at the invitation of local leaders and also dedicate a new hospital.

To China's objection over Dalai Lama's visit to Tawang, India made it clear that the Tibetan leader was free to travel any part of India, but he was not allowed to indulge in political activities.

--ANI