"World Tibet Day 2013 in Mumbai"
(Report: Friends of Tibet, Photograph: DNA / Salman Ansari)

Mumbai: July 6, 2013: The 78th Birthday of the spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama which is also the worldwide event of World Tibet Day was observed by Mumbai-based Friends of Tibet on July 6, 2013.

A colourful event celebrating the birthday HH the Dalai Lama was held at the Bahujan Buddha Vihar, Parel, Mumbai and was attended by local Tibetans and the Indian supporters of the Tibet cause. The event started at seven in the evening by lighting candles followed by a Buddhist prayer in Pali meant for Universal Peace led by Indian Buddhists. And a prayer for the long-life of HH the Dalai Lama was offered by local Tibetan leaders Smt TT Dolkar and Smt Tenzin Kalden.

Shri Indrajit Mohite of the Buddhist Society of India spoke to the gathering of Indians and Tibetans highlighting the need for every Indian to support the cause of Tibet and in their fight against the Chinese might. Shri Rohit Singh, Campaigns Coordinator of Friends of Tibet which is the principal organisers World Tibet Day across the country explained the traditional role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the society and the political significance of the day. The Event was then marked by Cutting a "Free Tibet" cake by Smt TT Dolkar which was followed by thanks giving speech by Smt Tenzin Kalden.

World Tibet Day was initiated in Chicago in 1997 at an informal meeting between Tendzin Choegyal, the Dalai Lama’s younger brother and Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history and a former correspondent from the US Senate. Rosenkranz proposed the concept of WTD, saying it could become an annual worldwide event, designed to help the Tibetan people regain essential freedoms. He also suggested this event could be a way to showcase and celebrate the unique value of Tibetan culture and thought. Enthusiastic about the idea, Tendzin Choegyal suggested WTD should be held in July, linked to his brother's birthday - in order to increase potential support among Tibetans. Believing that the proposed event held great promise, they offered the idea to His Holiness – who gave them his blessing and his warm support.