Dharamshala, India – His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet has written to Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, to congratulate her on her 65th birthday, today June 20, 2023, and to express his sincere gratitude to the nation and its generosity on behalf of the Tibetan community.
Droupadi Murmu was born into a Santali family on June 20, 1958. Initially named Puti Tudu at birth, she was renamed Droupadi by her teacher. She was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 26, 2022. She is the first person from the tribal community and the second woman after Pratibha Patil to hold this position. She is also the youngest person to hold this position and the first president born in independent India. His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote a letter to congratulate her on her birthday. His Holiness wrote: "I wish you good health and much success at the helm of this great and ancient nation".
“India, with its longstanding traditions of ‘karuna’ and ‘ahimsa’, remains a model for others, a country where people of different faiths live together in peace and harmony. Democracy, the rule of law and freedom thrive in India because of these age-old values and traditions," His Holiness wrote, appreciating India and its diverse culture.
“Your Excellency represents the greatness of India, a nation where someone from a remote village has the opportunity to prosper and become the head of state," he said, enshrining Droupadi Murmur's achievements and her journey to success and glory coming from a minority in this vast nation.
“We Tibetans feel a special reverence for India as the source of our spiritual culture. The traditions of Nalanda University had a powerful impact on our development from the eighth century onwards. One of our own great scholars alluded to this when he said that, despite being a Land of Snow, until the light of India was brought to Tibet, it remained in the dark," the spiritual leader of Tibet added, acknowledging India's influence in making Tibetan Culture flourish.
“This year marks the 64th year of our life in exile. We Tibetans are immensely grateful to the government and people of India for their generosity and kindness to us. As the international community becomes more aware of India's stature, not only as the world's largest democracy, but now also as the world’s most populous nation, we feel proud of India's strength and emerging leadership. I firmly believe that India is poised to make a significant contribution to the creation of a more peaceful, more compassionate world,” said His Holiness, thanking the nation for its hospitality and kindness.
His Holiness concluded his letter by offering his prayers and good wishes to the President.
