Delhi: India has contributed more than any other nation towards the well-being of humanity, Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama told hundreds of students at Delhi University, during three sessions from August 9 to 10.His Holiness, who was delivering the Professor DS Kothari Memorial Lecture on Ethics for the New Millennium, struck an instant chord with the students with his quick wit, who broke into laughter as he recounted a series of amusing anecdotes.
According to His Holiness, India's non-alignment policy during the 1950s and 60s, which emphasised neutrality, was a manifestation of its historical emphasis on non-violence.
India's contribution to peace and well-being was much greater than neighbouring states' he said and, "except for Emergency when there was some fear," India had functioned well as a democracy, urging the Indian community to adopt a greater role in building ahimsa (the avoidance of violence) and addressing conflict.
"We need a new method of human values which can come through practice," he added.
Asked to speak on Indo-Pakistani relations, His Holiness stated, "Partition of the two countries was a great tragedy. Mahatma Gandhi had not wanted it. Present-day Pakistan would have been so much more peaceful if there had not been any partition."
The two countries would have to learn to live together and discussions could help in bringing this about, he continued, saying, "I believe this day will come."
Emphasising the need for non-violence, His Holiness stated that it should be practised even with the lowest forms of life and that a non-violent cultural heritage is useful in this regard. Pointing out that one cannot expect governments and the United Nations to do things overnight, he added: "Individuals must make the change."
On the question of China's role in Tibet, the Dalai Lama declined to comment, saying he did not want to politicise the meeting.
