Himachal Government to Give Special Status to Mcleod Ganj

1. Maj. Mankotia presenting a souvenir from Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society to Kalon Thupten Lungrig.

Dharamsala, 11 December 2003: As the Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide celebrated the 14th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala entered into a festive mood as hundreds gathered at the Tsuglakhnag courtyard to commemorate the day which started off with an official function attended by Tibetan Justice Commissioners, Vice Chairperson of the Tibetan Assembly, Indian dignitaries and Tibetan officials.

Maj. Vijai Singh Mankotia, Tourism Minister of Himachal Pradesh, was the chief guest for the occasion. Maj. Mankotia Singh told a huge gathering of Tibetans, Indians and foreign tourists that the State Government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to give a "special status" to Mcleod Ganj in Upper Dharamsala. "On behalf of my Chief Minister, Shri Vir Bhadra Singh, we have great pleasure in announcing a special status to be given to Mcleod Ganj because of the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama," Major Mankotia Singh said. It is said that this special status administrative authority for Mcleod Ganj will be finalised after the State Chief Minister calls upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss this new development plan for the area.

A performance by TCV Mcleod Day School children

Kalon Thupten Lungrik, minister for education and religion, delivered the address of the Kashag. Mrs. Gyari Dolma read out the speech of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies.

Troupes from Punjab, Shimla, Chamba and various Tibetan associations, Mcleod Day School and the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) took part in the cultural show that followed.

Maj. Mankotia promised to provide Mcloed Ganj with many amenities to make the hill-town worthy of residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The improving relation between the Tibetan and Indian communities was witnessed as Maj. Mankotia and Kalon Thupten Lungrik swayed to Bhangra music alongside dancers from Patiala, Punjab.

Maj. Mankotia inaugurated ‘Peace Pilgrim’, a visual biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, after the function. Organised by the Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations, the photographic exhibition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life gave the visitor who turned out in good number a quick journey through the life of the 1989 Nobel laureate and the political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.

The day filled with events did not seem to end. The Press Club of Tibet held a modest function at the Radio Free Asia office to launch its website www.presscluboftibet.org Mrs. Gyari Dolma, the chief guest, inaugurated the website.

Later in the evening, the 9th International Himalayan Festival, organised by Indo Tibetan Friendship Association and sponsored by Tourism Department, Himachal government, and the Central Tibetan Administration, began at the backyard of Bhagsu Hotel. Cultural performances by various troupes went on throughout the evening. The three-day festival will end tomorrow.

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