Dharamshala — As a special tribute to the Himachal Pradesh Government and its people, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile hosted a luncheon banquet for the Ministers and Members of the 12th Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh yesterday. Over 700 guests were invited for the ceremony at the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.
The Honorable Chief Minster Sri Virbhadra Singh, Irrigation & Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes, Speaker of the Parliament Sri Brij Bihari lal Butailji, Deputy Speaker Sri. Jagat Singh Negi, Representative of the BJP party Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary, Honorable Ministers and Members of Himachal Legislative Assembly and staff were among those invited.
Speaker of Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Penpa Tsering said that the lunch was a part of the celebrations of 80th Birthday of Dalai Lama and thanked the members of the State Legislative Assembly for accepting their request to honour all.
On behalf of Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, Standing Committee Members, Kalons of Central Tibetan Administration, Secretaries of Department of Information and International Relations joined the banquet.
Addressing the event, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Mr. Penpa Tsering said, "On behalf of all the Tibetan people, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is delighted to host today's lunch at Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. We remain forever grateful to the Government and people of India for taking care of the Tibetan refugees. Especially the consecutive Governments of Himachal Pradesh, leaders and people who have been very generous in making it possible for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to live here and the Central Tibetan Administration to function from here."
He went on to say, "This year we are celebrating the 80th Birthday of our esteemed leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As a part of this celebration, we are organising this luncheon with the kind permission of Honorable Speaker Sri. Brij Bihari Lal Butailji."
The Speaker was seconded by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay who thanked India and 'especially Himachal Pradesh for their kind and generous support.'
Prime Minister of Tibetan Government-in-Exile Dr. Lobsang Sangey also joined the Chief Minister along with his other Ministers including Home Minister, Garry Dolma along-with Parliament Standing Committee Members.
They thanked the Chief Minister for honouring the occasion and also the people of the state for taking care of Tibetan community.
The Hon. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Himachal Pradesh Sri. Brij Bihari lal Butail expressed his appreciation of the ideals of peace and harmony upheld by the Tibetan administration and its people.
Speaking on the shared culture by India and Tibet, Sri. Butailji said, "India and Tibet share a unique culture of peace and harmony, which can be traced back to centuries. The Tibetan Buddhism was born in India and evolved in Tibet . We as Indians, are therefore, very happy that our government has been able to preserve a little Tibet in Dharamshala."
