The Tibetan community at McLeodganj,joined by the locals,on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lamas arrival in Himachal Pradesh in 1960. Chief Minister of Himachal Prem Kumar Dhumal,who reached Dharamsala on Thursday,said the Tibetan spiritual leader was the symbol of peace,humanity,love and tolerance,and said the 50 years of his stay in Himachal was a matter of pride for the people of the state. Union Minister of Steel Virbhadra Singh,who had been the state chief minister for five times,will join the celebrations tomorrow. Reciprocating the gesture of Himachal Pradesh in allowing Tibetan and the Tibetan government-in-exile to settle,the Dalai Lama said the Tibetans will remain highly indebted to the people of Himachal for their support,hospitality,love and regard accorded to Tibetan community residing here during these 50 years. He praised successive state governments for providing all facility,support and assistance to the Tibetan government in exile. He said he strongly believed that the Indian philosophy,culture and living style always remained as source of energy for him all these years for motivation,inspiration and meditation. I really appreciate the fraternity bond flourishing and growing between the people belonging to various community and religions in India from centuries, he said.
