On the eve of President Droupadi Murmu’s birthday, the Dalai Lama extended warm wishes and praised India’s ancient wisdom and democratic values. He reflected on his exile, India’s hospitality, and his mission to promote compassion and peace, while expressing deep gratitude to India and wishing Murmu health and success.
On the eve of President Droupadi Murmu’s 67th birthday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended his warmest congratulations and heartfelt wishes for her continued good health and success in leading the nation. The President of India, born on June 20, 1958, received a personal message from the revered Tibetan spiritual leader, who expressed deep respect and affection for both Murmu and India.
In his congratulatory message, the Dalai Lama wrote, “As you know, after being forced to flee Tibet following the Tibetan people’s uprising against the PRC authorities in March 1959, I have spent the major part of my life in India.” This reflection on his exile highlighted the profound bond he shares with India—a country he has called home for over six decades.
The Dalai Lama acknowledged India’s immense contribution to global peace and wisdom, describing it as “the most populous country in the world, and the largest democracy,” rich with “a vast resource of ancient wisdom.” He emphasized his belief that India’s ancient spiritual heritage, when combined with modern education, has the potential to contribute significantly to global peace and the betterment of humanity.
Reaffirming his personal mission, the Nobel Peace laureate noted, “I am specifically committed to encouraging a deeper awareness of the profound, ancient Indian understanding of the workings of our mind and emotions.” He believes that such knowledge can help individuals attain inner peace, cultivate compassion, and overcome negative emotions such as anger, fear, and hatred—emotions he describes as major obstacles to creating a peaceful and compassionate world.
The Dalai Lama expressed profound gratitude towards India for its enduring hospitality and support extended to Tibetan refugees. “As Tibetans, we are deeply indebted to the government and people of India for the warm hospitality they have shown us for more than 66 years. We are also most grateful for the generous support we have received in our endeavours to protect and preserve our Buddhist culture that is founded on India’s age-old values of karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence),” he wrote.
His message concluded with a warm blessing for President Murmu’s continued happiness, health, and success.
The Dalai Lama’s life has been deeply intertwined with India since 1959, when Chinese military forces brutally suppressed a national uprising in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa. Fleeing imminent danger, the Dalai Lama undertook a perilous three-week journey through the Himalayas before finally reaching India. He was granted asylum and initially settled in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, before relocating to Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, where the Tibetan government-in-exile remains headquartered today.
Dharamsala has since become the spiritual and administrative center of the Tibetan diaspora, housing thousands of exiled Tibetans who continue to preserve their cultural and religious identity while advocating for genuine autonomy in Tibet under Chinese rule.
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The Dalai Lama’s birthday message to President Murmu underscores the deep historical and spiritual connection between the Tibetan exile community and India. It also highlights the enduring respect the Tibetan leader holds for India’s democratic values and philosophical traditions.
As President Murmu prepares to celebrate her birthday, the Dalai Lama’s blessings serve as a poignant reminder of India’s long-standing role as a refuge and spiritual ally for the Tibetan people, as well as a beacon of compassion and non-violence in an often turbulent world.
