Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav meets Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Expresses support for Tibetan Cause

Dharamshala, September 7, 2024:  Samajwadi Party leader and Member of Parliament, Dimple Yadav, visited Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday morning during her visit to Dharamshala. Yadav expressed her admiration for the Dalai Lama and pledged her support for the Tibetan people's ongoing struggle. “I have come here to meet His Holiness and express my solidarity with the Tibetan cause,” she stated during her visit to the main Tibetan temple.

Earlier that day, the Dalai Lama participated in a special Long Life Prayer ceremony organised by the Monpa community of Arunachal Pradesh. The ceremony, held at the main Tibetan temple, was attended by a large delegation from the Tawang region, led by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The Chief Minister, along with other leaders, presented offerings on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, symbolizing their respect and devotion to the Dalai Lama.

The event drew a strong presence from the Tibetan exile community and high-profile leaders from Arunachal Pradesh, including MP Tapir Gao, Arunachal Education and Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee, and MLA Zingnu Namchoom. The Monpa community's prayers and offerings emphasized the deep spiritual and cultural ties shared with Tibet, particularly through their reverence for the Dalai Lama.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has been in Dharamshala for a couple of days, has held various meetings with officials from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan government in exile. On Friday, the CTA hosted a special ceremony to officially welcome the Arunachal Pradesh delegation and express gratitude for their solidarity with the Tibetan cause.

During the welcoming event, Tibetan President (Sikyong) Penpa Tsering expressed his heartfelt thanks to the leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, praising their consistent support for the Tibetan people. He highlighted the long-standing bond between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet and acknowledged the cultural and spiritual connections that have united them for generations.

In his address to the gathering, Chief Minister Pema Khandu spoke of his recent audience with the Dalai Lama and praised the CTA’s dedication to advancing the Tibetan cause. He reaffirmed the commitment of Arunachal Pradesh to supporting Tibet, underscoring the historical and cultural significance of their relationship. “This event symbolizes the deep bond between our people,” Khandu remarked, adding that the ties between the Monpa community, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tibet continue to grow stronger.