As His Holiness the Dalai Lama took the short drive to the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) this morning, small groups of members of the public gathered on the road to see him pass. Once he had taken the turning to the school, children and then a line of adults dressed in traditional Tibetan attire, sang and danced to greet him on the side of the road. Close to the stage dancers in yak and snow-lion costumes welcomed him.

His Holiness and other guests and dignitaries, who included the Leh DC, Santosh Sukhadeve, the CEC of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Tashi Gyaltsen, Presidents of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) Thubten Tsewang and Ven Tsering Wangdus and the Chief Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Dhondup Tashi were assembled in a small marquee. This overlooked the school sports ground where sat a 5000 strong audience. Everyone stood while the Tibetan and Indian National Anthems were played.

CRO Dhondup Tashi welcomed His Holiness and thanked him for kindly taking the time to talk to this gathering of Tibetans in Ladakh. He mentioned that there are 5200 Tibetans in the Leh area and another 2000 nomads in the Chang Thang. He expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the local Union Territory (UT) administration for all the help they provide the Tibetan community. He also acknowledged the guidance and support the Tibetan community in Ladakh receives from the CTA headed by Sikyong Penpa Tsering.

The CRO mentioned that he had compiled a more extensive report that he had submitted to His Holiness in writing. He prayed that His Holiness live long.