Guwahati, November 8
Despite strong objections raised by the Chinese government, the Tibetan spiritual leader-in-exile Dalai Lama today arrived at the bordering Buddhist monastery town atop Arunachal Himalayas much to the glee of thousands of his disciples and monks.
Accompanied by former Arunachal Pradesh minister and chairman of the organising committee TG Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama arrived in a civilian chopper from the Guwahati airport in Assam around 10.30 am.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu was among the dignitaries who received the Tibetan spiritual leader at the helipad at Tawang where locals dressed up in the best of their colourful attires were waiting alongside the 10-km road stretch from the helipad to the 400-year-old Tawang monastery to have a glimpse of “His Holiness”.
Sources in the Tawang monastery said the Dalai Lama’s convoy was whisked to the safety of the monastery amid tight security amid loud greetings by the people, who believed their hill town would be blessed and lasting peace would prevail there following his visit.
On reaching the monastery, the Dalai Lama inaugurated a museum and offered special prayers. He also inaugurated a library of a school in the monastery and addressed students.
A monastery official said the usually sleepy Tawang woke up very early this morning braving the chilling cold weather as people streamed out on the road between the helipad and the monastery to occupy a vantage spot to welcome the Dalai Lama. They lighted incense sticks as a mark of respect to the Dalai Lama. Religious flags “daryangs” were put up all along the road. At the monastery, hundreds of monks lined up to welcome the Dalai Lama.
“We are delighted that “His Holiness” has come here after a gap of six years,” said Lama Thupten Chodak hoping that his visit
would bring about lasting peace to Tawang and the state as a whole.
“We are blessed that he has come here. The people here regard him as God,” said Khiren Rijiju, former BJP MP from the frontier hill state and now a Congressman. The Dalai Lama would inaugurate a hospital at Tawang tomorrow before settling down for a day-long session of religious preaching from the “Yidghachoezin” (a place of worship), adjacent to a football ground. The spiritual leader had donated Rs 20 lakh for the construction of the hospital.
He will be at Tawang for four days before travelling down to Bomdila, Dirang and state capital Itanagar. He will leave the state on November 15.
