Overview

• Thousands of devotees braved heavy monsoon rains at Tsuglagkhang Temple in Dharamshala to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s milestone birthday.
• The Gaden Phodrang Trust launched a ‘Year of Compassion’ to promote universal values, interfaith harmony, cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.
• The Dalai Lama affirmed that the institution will continue after his death and designated the Gaden Phodrang Trust as the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation.
• Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, regional leaders including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and actor Richard Gere joined the gathering to honor his message of service.
• Video messages from former US presidents and Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his global influence even as the Chinese government reiterated its claim to control his succession.