His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, hosted breakfast in honour of the visiting State Government and HP Legislative Assembly for Winter Session at Dharamshala at his residence at Mcleodganj, Dharamshala today morning.
Welcoming the Chief Minister, Speaker HP Vidhan Sabha, leader of opposition and other dignitaries he said that he was indebted to the people and Government of Himachal Pradesh for the love and affection they had showered upon him and the Tibetans during the 50 long years they had been co-existing a most harmonious and friendly manner which had made them feel at home while living in exile in Himachal Pradesh. He said that Indo-Tibetan relations were centuries old since Tibet had been closely knit with Himachal, its immediate neighbour for various trading, cultural and other relations.
He said that Buddhism had spread to Tibet from India through Himachal Pradesh since all prominent Buddhist preachers had entered Tibet through Himachal and above all there were two top Buddhist monks belonging to Himachal Pradesh. He said that the Tibetan Government in Exile had experienced and learnt the true democratic process while living in India. He said that Himachal Pradesh and its people had special place in the hearts of Tibetans since they had spent important years of their lives with them. He thanked the CM for all the cooperation and assistance state had been lending to the Tibetan Government in Exile in its smooth functioning and Tibetans in general.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, said that it was one of the most sought after opportunity for him and his cabinet colleagues to seek blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama while they were to attend the Winter session of HP Legislative Assembly at Tapovan, Dharamshala. He said that people of Himachal Pradesh were blessed with the benign presence of HH the Dalai Lama at Dharamshala. He said that since HH the Dalai Lama was living Buddha who had large followers the world over and was universally acknowledged Peace Leader and Nobel Prize conferred upon him for such a rare achievement. He said that Himachal Pradesh had age old traditional ties with the Tibetans who had been closely knit in the Barter trading system prevalent during the yester years. He said that the State Government had been extending all possible help to the Tibetan Government in Exile in its smooth functioning. He assured the HH the Dalai Lama of continuation of the support and cooperative in all fruitful endeavours of the Tibetans while living in exile in Himachal Pradesh. He also presented a souvenir to HH the Dalai Lama on the occasion.
Smt. Vidya Stokes. Leader of Opposition in HP Legislative Assembly, also addressed the gathering and thanked HH the Dalai Lama for the blessings.
Smt. Dolma Gayari, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries and thanked them all for their visit and cooperation they had been receiving from the State Government since past five decades.
Shri Tulsi Ram Sharma, Speaker, HP Sate Legislative Assembly, Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister, Shri R.R.Koundal, Deputy Speaker, Members of State Legislative Assembly, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Heads of the Departments and other senior officers, Shri R.S.Gupta, DC, Shri Diljeet Thakur, SP, were also present on the occasion.