The 17th Karmapa Ugen Trinley Dorjee and Mr. G.S Bali, the Minister for Transport, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, and Technical Education Minister in Himachal Pradesh graced the Dalai Lama's 79th Birthday celebration function at Tsuklagkhang, main Temple, Dharamsala, India on July 6, 2014.
At the function, Lobsang Sangay, head of the Tibetan administration in exile, and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel recalled the responsibilities and hardships the Dalai Lama took for the Tibetan people from a very tender age.
“The 14th Kashag is observing 2014 as the Year of the Great 14th Dalai Lama to express our boundless appreciation of the Dalai Lama’s great accomplishments for the cause of Tibet and the promotion of peace, inter-faith harmony and humane values throughout the world," said Sangay while speaking about the policy the Dalai Lama has advocated. "It is our hope that the new Chinese leadership will soon realize the fact that the Middle Way Approach is a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibet problem," he further added.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker thanked Tibetan supporters worldwide, and especially Indian for hosting us for the last 55 years and urged them for stronger support to solve the grave situation in Tibet. He added that "Under the current leadership and system in Tibet where happiness remains unknown, around 130 Tibetan men, women and religious persons have carried out self immolation protests from February 2009 as of 15 April 2014. These protesters were of one voice in raising their slogans, demanding “Invite the Dalai Lama Back to Tibet,” “Give Freedom to the Tibetan People,” and so on. This being the continuing situation in Tibet, I take this opportunity to pledge more efforts than ever before, with reinforced vigour, towards realizing these common desires of the Tibetan people in Tibet and in exile."
Mr G. S Bali the chief guest of the celebration ceremony conveyed birthday greeting of Chief Minister to the Dalai Lama and said 'the best present to him is to follow his teachings and take his message to the masses'
As a gift on his birthday, Bali announced that his ministerial has sanctioned Rs. 3 Crore to contruct road from Dharamsala to the Dalai Lama's residence. He also donated 1 lakh Rupees to Tibetan Children's Village as a gift for the school.