His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to the media at the Taj hotel, New Delhi. March 31, 2009/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL New Delhi, India, 1 April 2009 (By Namgyal Kunga, phayul.com) - His Holiness the Dalai lama visited various religious sites here in the Indian capital and prayed with members from other religious faiths yesterday on the 50th anniversary of his setting foot on the Indian soil which was commemorated by the exile Tibetan government as "thank you India day".
The 73 year old Tibetan leader says promotion of religious harmony among various faiths is one of his three commitments of life. The Tibetan leader spoke at a press conference attended by reporters from various national and international media. He asked the media persons to visit the restive Himalayan region themselves to find out the real situation. He said if unbiased reporting found Tibetans in Tibet to be truly happy under Chinese rule he would abandon his quest for greater autonomy. "If you really see that things are good, we will drop our struggle." His Holiness later attended the "thank you India" event at Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Thousands gathered at FICCI to listen to the revered Tibetan leader who likes to describe himself as a simple Buddhist monk. Presiding over the function as the chief Guest was Shri Rabi Ray, former speaker of Lok Sabha and union minister. Others present at the event include Dr. N.K Trikha, convenor of core group for Tibetan cause, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, and Kalon Tempa Tsering.
Speaking about India at the event, His Holiness said, "I always describe our relation as guru (teacher) and chela (disciple),so sometimes I jokingly tell my Indian friends when chela facing difficulties, guru has some more responsibilities to take care, so for the last 50 years year's experience I think guru really take serious, sincere, care of us."
"Thank you," he said with his palms touched against each other.
In an exclusive interview that was broadcast on the Indian national television channel Doordarshan, the Tibetan leader said India should take more active role in spreading the message of peace and non violence which have been traditionally rooted in the Indian culture.
The event concluded with the screening of a music video produced by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts on the occasion to thank the people and government of India.
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