Leuven: The Domey Association of Belgium celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday in Leuven, an eastern city in Belgium, yesterday on Saturday, November 6. The delayed celebration is due to the world that has been turned topsy-turvy by the pandemic. The uncertainty and danger still lurk as Europe is in the grip of the fourth wave.
After the portrait of His Holiness being enthroned and scarves being offered, Mr Tsaye Kelsang, President of Domey Association, paid rich tributes to His Holiness. He reminded the members of the primary objectives of the association. The first is the avowed stand that it would carry out His Holiness’ advice and guidance with diligence. The second is the promise that it would uphold the Central Tibetan Administration and that it would carry out all its instructions and policies. Of course, to look after the well being of its members being the third objective, among others, he added.
Representative Tashi Phuntsok, chief guest, in his key-note address, recalled the enormous difficulties that His Holiness has borne to churn out a respectable place for Tibetans in its most tragic history following the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He said that His Holiness XIV the Dalai Lama is the greatest of all our leaders and that in a way the current generations of Tibetans are fortunate to be in his lifetime. His legacies can be protected and nurtured by future generations of Tibetans by being responsible and not merely paying lip service. Therefore he called for the younger generation to take more responsibilities as they have better education and exposure in the country, he remarked.
The Representative then gave certificates of recognition to former board members of the Association, as requested by the organisers.
This was followed by a series of cultural items presented by children. The coordinators of the cultural session presented themselves with the poetic narration of their role and equally with their elaborate attire. Over 300 members who had made it to the rather remote venue had indeed a remarkable evening of joy and happiness.