Tibet House, the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, commemorated the 90th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with a special celebration that marked the beginning of a year-long observance titled ‘The Year of Compassion’. The event brought together a distinguished gathering of thought leaders, spiritual representatives, academics, and cultural dignitaries to honor the life and legacy of one of the world’s most revered figures of peace and wisdom.
Honoring a Legacy of Compassion: Opening Ceremony and Keynote Addresses
The commemorative event commenced with an opening ceremony graced by eminent guests who offered deep and heartfelt tributes to His Holiness’s lifelong dedication to humanity.
Chief Guest Shri Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former Chairperson of the National Minority Commission, Government of India, emphasized the Dalai Lama’s unique role in promoting harmony across cultures and faiths.
Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director of Tibet House, delivered the keynote address, offering a profound reflection on His Holiness’s enduring influence on global spiritual consciousness and ethical responsibility.
Guests of Honor included:
Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Director, Office of Public Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India
Rajiv Mehrotra, Honorary Managing Trustee and Secretary, Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (FUR)
Vivek Suneja, former Head and Dean, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi
Dr Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Founder President, Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India and Secretary General, Society for Promotion of Indian Education and Culture
Amarjiva Lochan, Dean of Foreign Affairs and Joint-Dean, International Relations, University of Delhi
Their remarks collectively acknowledged the Dalai Lama’s unparalleled contributions to interfaith dialogue, human values, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and Buddhist heritage.
Exploring the Dalai Lama’s Vision: Panel Discussion on His Four Principal Commitments
A central highlight of the celebration was an insightful panel discussion on the Four Principal Commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, each represented by a dedicated speaker:
- Promotion of Human Values; Speaker: Neha Bhatia, SEE Learning India
- Promotion of Religious Harmony; Speaker: Nilakshi Rajkhowa
- Preservation of Tibetan Culture and Environment; Speaker: Ven Prof Kaveri Gill, Shiv Nadar University
- Revival of Ancient Indian Wisdom; Speaker: Dr Kumud Bhansali
The panel offered nuanced perspectives on how these commitments are not only core to His Holiness’s teachings but also serve as guiding principles for a compassionate and sustainable future.
Exhibitions, Launches, and Legacy Showcases
As part of the celebrations, a curated exhibition offered attendees a moving glimpse into the life journey of His Holiness through rare photographs, a display of major international awards and honors, and an array of books authored and co-authored by him. The exhibit underscored his contributions to fields as diverse as education, ecological awareness, science-spirituality dialogue, and global ethics.
Further commemorating the occasion, Tibet House marked the launch of the third batch of the Nalanda Certificate Course (NCC3)—an initiative aimed at making the profound teachings of Nalanda Buddhist psychology accessible to contemporary learners. Additionally, new Tibet House publications were released, focusing on Tibetan philosophy, culture, and modern relevance.
A Cultural Tribute
The celebration concluded on an uplifting note with a series of cultural performances, including traditional Tibetan songs and dances. These artistic expressions captured the gratitude and deep reverence of the community for His Holiness’s lifelong service to peace, dialogue, and human awakening.
As the world celebrates the 90th year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet House’s tribute stands as a living testament to the values he has spent a lifetime embodying: compassion, resilience, humility, and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
