Dalai Lama turns 90

Living in exile for over 66 years now, after being forced to flee his homeland in 1959, Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, turned 90-years-old on Sunday.

- Dar Ovais

As the Dalai Lama attended his 90th birthday celebration at the Tsuglhakhang Temple in McLeodganj, hundreds of Tibetans, including monks, nuns, school students and foreign followers, gathered at the event.

Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Hollywood star Richard Gere were among those who attended the function.

Will continue to focus on my commitments: Dalai Lama

In his birthday message, the Dalai Lama said, “I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organising events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts. While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said.