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A very good moment for all of us that His Holiness has finally arrived in our state: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu with Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, MP, BJP taking a break for tea at Bhairabkunda on their journey by car to Arunachal Pradesh from Assam on April 4, 2017. Photo/Twitter/Pema Khandu

Bomdila: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said today that people and government of Arunachal were excited to receive the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to their state for a weeklong preaching session.

“We feel very excited to welcome His Holiness here in our state and as you can see, people are very much excited to receive him and see him in person,” he said, this morning in an interview with Times Now.

“His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama is a religious leader and His Holiness has a very huge followers not only here in state of Arunachal but in entire nation and the world. So infact it is a very good moment for all of us that His Holiness has finally arrived in our state,” the CM said.

Khandu, who accompanied His Holiness in a convoy of SUVs from Guwahati to Bomdila in an eight-hour drive, expressed that he was moved to see His Holiness’ love and concern for his devotees when the 81-year-old spiritual leader was undaunted by the strenuous trip to Tawang.

“Despite of all these length of traveling and far distance, His Holiness decided that anyhow he has to reach Tawang because lots of devotees were waiting for him there in Tawang so he said he has to reach Tawang; that’s a wonderful decision that His Holiness has taken.” His Holiness was originally scheduled to visit Tawang today on 5 April but owing to inclement weather in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, His Holiness made the first visit to Bomdila. However, he will visit Tawang on 8 April after giving two-day teachings in Bomdila and Dirang.

His Holiness last visited Tawang In 2009, when Pema Khandu’s father late Dorjee Khandu, then Arunachal CM welcomed the Tibetan spiritual leader to inaugurate a multi specialty hospital in Tawang. Accordingly, His Holiness visited Tawang, Dirang and Bombila in Arunachal Pradesh from 8 – 15 November 2009.