PM Modi Extends Birthday Wishes to Dalai Lama
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warmly greeted the 14th Dalai Lama on his 91st birthday, praising his lifelong dedication to global peace and harmony. In a post on X, Modi highlighted the universal appeal of the Tibetan spiritual leader's teachings and his moral influence on the international stage.
"Warm birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His message of peace and harmony has been a guiding force for people across the world. His moral and spiritual strength and his commitment to global good are commendable. Wishing him a long and healthy life," PM Modi stated.
Tibetan Monks in Shimla Offer Special Prayers
Concurrently, Tibetan Buddhist monks-in-exile and residents gathered early in the morning at the Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, to offer special prayers and participate in religious rituals dedicated to the longevity and global message of their spiritual leader.
This worldwide reverence traces back to his early life in Tibet. Born to a small farming family in Takster on July 6, 1935, he was originally named Lhamo Thondup, which literally means "Wish-Fulfilling Goddess," according to the Dalai Lama's website.
Early Life and Recognition as Reincarnation
At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and was brought to Lhasa in October 1939 before being formally installed as the head of the State of Tibet on February 22, 1940. Named Tenzin Gyatso at the age of six, he officially assumed full temporal leadership of Tibet on November 17, 1950, in a ceremony held at the Norbulingka Palace.
However, his leadership took a dramatic turn in March 1959 when, following the suppression of the Tibetan National Uprising, the spiritual leader was forced to escape into exile in India along with more than 80,000 refugees.
Enduring Symbol of Struggle and Faith
More than six decades after he first entered exile, the anniversary serves as an enduring symbol of the broader struggle over faith, identity, and legitimacy. This remains a complex geopolitical and cultural challenge that Beijing has still failed to solve. This event, organized systematically every year by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), remains a major draw for followers worldwide.
Highlighting his physical absence from the main public stage this year, his office stated that he traveled to Delhi in early June to undergo a left knee replacement operation, which preceded his scheduled stay in the Ladakh region during the summer.
Year of Compassion Campaign
The celebrations also follow closely on the heels of last year's initiatives, which were highlighted by the launch of the "Year of Compassion" campaign by the CTA. That initiative focused heavily on environmental and cultural preservation through widespread tree-planting campaigns and the promotion of the Tibetan language, ensuring that his legacy remains active even during his recovery.
