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Tibetans to thank Himachal for 50 years of home

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

The Dalai Lama arrives in Mcleod Ganj, India, on 30 April 1960.File photo/Nowrojee Albums/India

Exile Tibetans will mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Dalai Lama at his exile headquarters in the north Indian town of Mcleod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh with a ‘Thank you Himachal’ event. The Dalai Lama arrived in the hill town 50 years ago on 30 April 1960.

After coming in to exile in 1959, the Dalai Lama established the Tibetan government-in-exile in Mussoorie, where he was temporarily sheltered. The exile government was later shifted to Mcleod Ganj.

The Dalai Lama will open a two-day programme ‘Thank you Himachal’ during which he will honour local Indians who have witnessed the arrival of the Tibetan leader in the area 50 years ago. Among the locals include 99-year-old Buta Ram from Mcleod Ganj, 90-year-old Nanak Chand from Bhagsu Village, Luxman Singh from Dharamkot, Ram Kishan from Kala Pool, and others who are in their 70s and 80s.

The chief minister of the state Prem Kumar Dhumal will grace the first day of the programme on 30 April at Dari ground, and the Union Minister of Steel and the former chief minister of the state Virbhadra Singh will grace the second day of the event at Tsugla Khang in Mcleod Ganj on 1 May.

The event organised by the Tibetan government-in-exile will feature a photo exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi’s and the Dalai Lama’s message on ‘Peace and Brotherhood’ at the Museum of Kangra Arts in Dharamshala. Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute (Men-Tsee Khang) will organise a free medical camp at Dari ground.

Since the Dalai Lama adopted Mcleod Ganj, which is in the suburbs of Dharamshala, as his exile home, the place has become a favourite destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. There are about 15,000 Tibetan refugees living in Dharamshala, spread between Mcleod Ganj, Forsyth Ganj, Sidpur, Sidbari and Khanyara.

Himachal Pradesh is home to around 23,000 Tibetan refugees living in 13 different settlements.

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