DHARAMSHALA: President Dr Lobsang Sangay of the Central Tibetan Administration congratulated India on the 71st anniversary of its Independence Day at a brief ceremony held at the Kashag secretariat today. The ceremony was attended by Kalons, secretaries and senior officials of all the departments.
Following the hoisting of the Indian national flag to the tune of the Indian national anthem, President Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed his greetings to the people and government of India.
“On the 71st anniversary of India’s independence day, I would like to express my heartiest greetings to the government and people of India,” President Dr Sangay said.
“This administration is observing the day with the wish and prayer that India becomes the greatest country in the world. We hope India’s economy flourish and its stature enhanced in the world, and the people of this country are able to reap the benefits of their country’s progress,” he said.
“Taking this opportunity, I would also like to thank India for hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people for over five decades since 1959. No country has done more for Tibetan than India and for that, the Tibetan people remain constantly indebted to this great nation,” he added.
Tea and sweets were distributed after the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Sikyong left for Police Grounds in Lower Dharamshala where the local Indian administrative office is hosting a similar ceremony to mark the occasion. The chief guest at the ceremony was Shri Sudhir Sharma, minister of Himachal state government.
Tibetan representatives at the ceremony include Kalon Karma Yeshi, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, Tibetan Parliamentarian Ngawang Tharpa and Kashag secretary Topgyal Tsering.
