Dalai Lama's 90th birthday: Rituals, VIPs in Dharamshala; highlights from celebration
NEW DELHI: The 14th
Dalai Lama
, Tenzin Gyatso, marked his 90th birthday on Sunday with a large celebration in Dharamshala, his home in exile since 1959. Despite heavy rain, monks, nuns, and followers from across the world gathered at the Tsuglagkhang temple complex to honour the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The courtyard was filled with red-robed monks, traditional music, and heartfelt tributes. Tibetan artists played drums and bagpipes, and senior lamas struck cymbals as the Dalai Lama arrived dressed in a traditional maroon and yellow robe.
'I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,' he told the audience, reflecting on his journey. 'When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all.'
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh represented the Indian government. Among international guests was Hollywood actor
Richard Gere
, a long-time supporter of the Tibetan cause, who called the Dalai Lama 'the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet.'
Messages also poured in from global leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a symbol of 'love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Dalai Lama continues to inspire unity and compassion, while former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also shared personal tributes.
Celebrations in Dharamshala followed a week of events, including the Dalai Lama's announcement that the spiritual lineage would continue after his death, ending years of uncertainty.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Across Himachal Pradesh, tributes continued. In Shimla, monks at the Dorjidak Monastery offered long-life prayers, led by Nawang Tashi Rapten, a young monk recognised as the reincarnation of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. He also cut a ceremonial cake.
Tibetan monk Kunga Lama called the birthday 'a celebration of identity and unity,' saying the Dalai Lama is not only the spiritual head but also 'the guide for the entire Tibetan culture of peace and compassion.'
Celebrations were also held in Nepal and in Tibetan settlements around the world, with prayers, chanting, and traditional dances.
Born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935 in northeastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognised as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two. He took full spiritual and political authority by 1950 but fled to India after Chinese crackdown in 1959. He has since become a global advocate for non-violence, interfaith harmony, and human rights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Inside the secret military dialogue between Britain and Argentina
America's top brass worries about the South Atlantic. It is a jumping-off point for Antarctica , where Russia and China boast 15 bases between them, scrambling to lock down resources . It is linked to the Pacific by the Strait of Magellan, the only safe maritime route between the two oceans other than the drought-hit Panama Canal . Traffic through the Strait is surging, as is illegal Chinese fishing on either side. China is pushing infrastructure projects across the region. America's top generals have visited Argentina's deep south three times in the last two years. At first glance the United States is well positioned to manage any threat. President Javier Milei of Argentina is a hyper-willing ally. Britain has Typhoon fighter jets and the HMS Forth patrol vessel stationed in the Falkland Islands. But Argentina's armed forces are in bad shape. Britain's are focused on defending the Falklands (sovereignty over which Britain has and Argentina claims) from Argentina. As a legacy of the Falklands war, Britain has tight restrictions on weapons sales to Argentina. These have hamstrung the latter's efforts to improve its armed forces and pushed it towards buying Chinese planes and weaponry, alarming the United States. Now a mix of factors, including Mr Milei's unusual perspective on the islands and American enthusiasm for Argentina's military modernisation, have created an openin At first glance the United States is well positioned to manage any threat. President Javier Milei of Argentina is a hyper-willing ally. g for a new strategic arrangement in the South Atlantic. Quietly, after a long hiatus, dialogue between the Argentine and British defence ministries has restarted. Argentina wants Britain to loosen its restrictions on arms purchases. Britain wants discreet acceptance of its role in the rest of the South Atlantic even while Argentina maintains its constitutional claim over the Falklands. Britain also wants Argentina to work with it on practical matters to improve life on the Falklands. The warming began in February 2024, a few months after Mr Milei took office. British defence attachés visited the ministry of defence in Argentina for first time in three years. In September that year the British and Argentine foreign ministers met and arranged a visit by Argentines to the graves of family members on the Falklands. They also agreed to share fisheries data and to restart monthly direct flights to the Falklands from Argentina. Defence dialogue then ramped up. An Argentine delegation visited London in January. Next, a British one is expected to visit Buenos Aires. Mr Milei wants to modernise his country's armed forces with the best NATO-compatible equipment. He is cutting government spending savagely, but raising the defence budget from 0.5% of GDP to 2% over the next seven years. Last year Argentina applied for NATO-partner status. Britain is interested in a deal, too, but cautious. It shares the American concerns about the South Atlantic. Argentina's de facto acceptance of Britain's relevance in the region would facilitate closer co-operation on everything from science to security, not just with Argentina but also with its neighbours, Chile and Uruguay. But while the Argentine families visited in December, Argentina has not yet shared fishing data or restarted flights, stepping stones to progress on arms policy. The islanders are wary. 'We feel very secure,' says Leona Roberts of the Falklands' Executive Council, 'but we would probably not be wildly comfortable with the UK supplying military equipment to Argentina.' Britain has long blocked sales of military equipment with British components to Argentina, even by third countries. Given the strength of Britain's arms industry this has been a serious constraint. In 2020 it blocked the sale of Korean fighter jets with some British parts. The stated policy is to block sales that could 'enhance Argentine military capability'. Yet there is wriggle room. Britain may allow sales that 'are not detrimental to the UK's defence and security interests'. A first step could be to interpret that clause more flexibly. The shape of things to come There are several reasons to believe a new arrangement is possible. Few consider Argentina a real threat to the Falklands. 'It's militarily unthinkable…[Britain] would wipe us off the planet,' says Alejandro Corbacho, a military historian at the University of CEMA in Buenos Aires. Britain seems more willing to reconsider its restrictions if Argentina planned to make large purchases, as that would boost Britain's defence industry. If so, that would suggest the embargo is more about politics than protecting the Falklands. Britain knows its restrictions are anyway losing bite as more countries make military kit. That the United States wants a new arrangement matters too. In public statements it has offered 'steadfast' support for the modernisation of Argentina's armed forces. In private, one American with knowledge of the matter calls Argentina 'a huge partner' but says its military is 'in very sore need of equipment and training'. But that equipment must be Western, not Chinese. Britain's embargo makes that harder. Continued intransigence could end up bolstering those in a post-Milei government that believes Argentina's future, in weaponry and politics, runs through China rather than the West. Argentina's dalliance with American adversaries is real. Mr Milei likes trading with the Asian giant. In 2023, before he took office, a Chinese firm looked set to build a large port near the Argentine entrance to the Strait. That project collapsed amid intense objections both foreign and domestic, but China, which operates a space station in Patagonia, remains keenly interested in the region. Under the last administration Argentina was 'gnat's-ass close to buying Chinese fighter aircraft', warns the American. In 2021, weeks before the invasion of Ukraine, the previous government signed a deal with the Russian ministry of defence allowing Argentine officers to travel to Russia for training. During Joe Biden's presidency the United States pushed Britain to let Argentina buy modern F-16 fighter jets with a British-made ejector seat. Britain was reluctant and an alternative was found. Argentina bought older F-16s from Denmark with $40m of American money. These did not have British parts, so its approval was not required. However, the United States still sought to explain and justify it to Britain, which accepted it. That was progress. 'The US government was also interested in whether the broader export controls could be ended,' says a former American official. A spokesperson for the British government says it has 'no current plans to review the UK's export-control policy for Argentina'. But it is easy to imagine Britain's position shifting. The Trump administration is pushy, ignores orthodoxy and is close to Mr Milei, whose pro-Western stance probably helps Britain to be flexible. His conciliatory tone and taboo-breaking on the Falklands is crucial. He openly admires Margaret Thatcher, who led Britain during the Falklands war. He admits that the islands 'are in the hands of the UK' and assures that Argentina will not try to retake them by force. Recently, he even seemed to imply that the islanders have a right to self-determination, Britain's position. Domestic politics remain a formidable barrier in both countries. Argentina appointed a new foreign minister in October. Despite enthusiasm in other parts of government, better ties with Britain seem less of a priority for the new man. For its part, Britain worries about who comes after Mr Milei. Selling arms to a Milei-led Argentina may be okay, but he will leave office in 2027 or 2031. An attempt in 2016 to reset relations was torn up after the left-wing Peronists returned to power. It would be embarrassing to help Argentina modernise its armed forces only for that to happen again. In both countries the flag-waving opposition could paint an agreement as a concession and use it to whip up anger. In Britain, Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is surging in the polls and could easily pressure the government over any new arrangement, framing it as a betrayal of the war dead, perhaps. In Argentina the Peronists have already attacked Mr Milei for his stance on the Falklands. With mid-term elections in October he and his team may prefer to steer clear of the issue for now. Yet the overriding logic of Mr Milei's foreign policy is airtight alignment with the United States (notwithstanding trade with China). Britain has a similar, if less absolutist, tradition. The Trump administration is so exercised about Chinese influence in Latin America that it threatens to seize the Panama Canal. It is also clear about the threat in the South Atlantic. If it pushes harder its two allies may draw a similar conclusion—and act accordingly.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Reuters X account restored in India after suspension over legal demand
HighlightsThe Reuters News account on the social media platform X was restored in India on Sunday after being suspended due to a legal demand, with the platform indicating compliance with local laws. The Indian government's Press Information Bureau clarified that no agency had requested the withholding of the Reuters account and that officials were collaborating with X to resolve the issue. The 2000 Information Technology Act allows government officials to demand the removal of content deemed to violate local laws, which has led to ongoing tensions between X and the Indian government over content removal requests. The Reuters News account on X was restored in India on Sunday, a day after the social media platform suspended it, citing a legal demand. "At this time, we are no longer withholding access in INDIA to your account," X said in an email to the Reuters social media team, without elaborating. Representatives for X, Reuters and the Indian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the restoration of the account. Earlier on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Indian government's Press Information Bureau told Reuters that no Indian government agency had required withholding the Reuters handle, adding that officials were working with X to resolve the problem. A Reuters spokesperson had said the agency was working with X to resolve this matter and get the Reuters account reinstated in India as soon as possible. Reuters World, another X account operated by the news agency which was blocked in India, was also restored late Sunday night. The main Reuters account, which has more than 25 million followers globally, had been blocked in India since Saturday night. A notice told X users that "@Reuters has been withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand". In an email to the Reuters social media team on May 16, X said: "It is our policy to notify account holders if we receive a legal request from an authorized entity (such as law enforcement or a government agency) to remove content from their account." "In order to comply with X obligations under India's local laws, we have withheld your X account in India under the country's Information Technology Act, 2000; the content remains available elsewhere". Reuters could not ascertain if the May 16 email was linked to Saturday's account suspension nor could it determine what specific content the demand referred to, why its removal was sought or the entity that had lodged the complaint. While the email did not specify which entity had made the request or what content they sought to remove, it said X had been advised that in such cases, a user could contact the secretary of India's Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The secretary, Sanjay Jaju, did not respond to requests seeking comment. The 2000 law allows designated government officials to demand the takedown of content from social media platforms they deem to violate local laws, including on the grounds of national security or if a post threatens public order. X has long been at odds with India's government over content-removal requests. In March, the company sued the federal government over a new government website the company says expands takedown powers to "countless" government officials. The case is continuing. India has said X wrongly labelled an official website a "censorship portal", as the website only allows tech companies to be notified about harmful online content.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
20 minutes ago
- First Post
Pakistan's dirty Kargil skeletons tumble out, Asim Munir pays tribute to soldier disowned in 1999
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir paid a tribute to a soldier, whose body the country once refused to accept during the Kargil War. Here's a story of Captain Karnal Sher Khan. read more Pakistan's newly appointed Field Marshal and Army Chief Asim Munir on Saturday paid a 'heartfelt tribute' to Captain Karnal Sher Khan on the occasion of his 26th 'martyrdom' anniversary. However, it is learnt that Khan was the same soldier whose body Pakistan refused to accept when it was found on Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector during the Kargil War. Munir, along with other senior Pakistani officers, paid tribute to the fallen soldier for what Islamabad described as his unwavering courage and patriotism during the 1999 Kargil War. According to the press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, back on July 15, 1999, Karnal Sher was one of the two soldiers whose bodies Pakistan adamantly refused to accept. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At that time, this was seen as Pakistan's way to evade acknowledging the involvement of the Pakistan army regulars in the misadventure in Kargil. The country vehemently denied Khan's identification by India through correspondence found on him, stirring major controversy amid the war. It is pertinent to note that this was not the first time Captain Karnal Sher was honoured in Pakistan. Interestingly, he is still the sole recipient of the Nishan-i-Haider award from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In 2020, while Pakistan celebrated the 55th Defence Day, a massive procession was taken out to honour the Pakistani captain. Since then, he has often been referred to as a 'Kargil Hero'. What was India's take on the matter? According to the press release by the Indian consulate in Washington, in July 1999, the Indian authorities found the bodies of two Pakistani soldiers on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kargil. As per the statement, the body belonged to Capt. Imtiaz Malik of the 165th Mortar Regiment and Capt. Karnal Sher of 12 Northern Light Infantry. The Indian Army took possession of the bodies, and on July 12, they conveyed the development to the government of Pakistan. 'We informed the Pakistani authorities that we would like to hand over the bodies to them. We did not receive any response,' the statement reads. After the notification was sent to the Pakistani government, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) approached the Government of India on July 13. In its letter, ICRC maintained that Pakistan had requested them to contact India for the handing over of the bodies of the two officers. However, in that letter, the names of the two officers were not mentioned. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India then provided ICRC with this information, along with the photographs of the bodies and copies of correspondence found on the two soldiers. The Pakistani government later conveyed through 'ICRC that the material we had furnished was 'insufficient' to establish the identities of the officers, and that they would like the bodies to be handed over and taken to Islamabad for verification.' 'It is clear that this was again an attempt to obscure and evade the fact that these were bodies of officers of the Pakistan Army involved in the Kargil operation,' the embassy said in the statement. In response to this, India offered that it would be willing to receive a Pakistani representative and even the family members of the soldiers to visit the country and identify the bodies. India pointed out that it would have been unprecedented and unheard of for bodies to be sent abroad before their nationality and military identity are determined. 'If Pakistan doubts them, it is for their representatives to come and see the bodies. We have not yet received a response from Pakistan through the ICRC,' the embassy said at that time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, how were the bodies handed over to them? Tired of Pakistan's refusal, India eventually set a deadline of July 15 for Pakistan to claim the bodies of the soldiers. 'The Government of India had conveyed to the ICRC that, because of the weather conditions, the condition of bodies is deteriorating and the ICRC should come back with the response from Pakistan by 1100 hrs. IST on July 15,' the statement from the Indian side read. Eventually, the Pakistani authorities conceded and accepted the bodies of the army personnel. On July 17, the two bodies, draped in the green Pakistani flag, were handed over to an official of the International Committee of the Red Cross at the army base hospital in New Delhi. The Red Cross official named Dennis Allistone checked the bodies and documents of the two soldiers before taking them to the Palam airport. Both soldiers were eventually flown to Karachi. The two soldiers received full military honours from the Rajputana Rifles. How an officer in India helped Captain Karnal Sher in receiving Nishan-e-Haider While Pakistan initially abandoned Captain Karnal Sher, it was Indian Army officer, Brigadier M.P.S. Bajwa (now retired), who honoured the soldier in his way. Bajwa, who was commanding the 192 Mountain Brigade at that time, was so impressed by the Pakistani soldier's valour that he wrote a citation for him and placed it in his pocket while handing over the body, which eventually led to his recognition. Before Captain Karnal's body was dispatched to Delhi, Bajwa informed his General Officer Commanding of Khan's bravery and expressed the desire to write a small citation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A piece of paper with a handwritten citation was placed in his pocket. Initially, Pakistan refused to take his body, saying that their soldiers had never fought, but later the body was accepted,' Bajwa told The Print in 2019. 'It was heartening news that he was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. I received a letter of thanks to the Indian Army from his father," he added.
