Dalai Lama to NE people: Unite and work together like EU does

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 18 (EMN): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has called upon the Northeast Indian peoples to work together but on “common interest” in the way the European Union (EU) does. The EU is a political and economic union of 28 member states in Europe.
Replying to a question about problems of in Northeast India, he appealed to the people to think ‘more broadly.’ India is a great democratic country, he said and ‘we all can criticise to central policies.’ He appealed to the people to work on “common interest” as in European Union (EU). Even though there were differences in the past, he said, after World War II the people realised that common interest was far more important than different national interests.
Speaking to media persons at the City Convention Centre at Imphal in Manipur this morning, the Dalai Lama spoke about the need to change the world starting from each individual then to family members, neighbours to community, to the country and then the world. Modern India has the potential to be a bridge for the world through its ancient values. Thus, India can contribute a lot to bring a peaceful and compassionate world, he said. He called upon the masses “to promote sense of oneness” to prevent ‘self-created conflict’ and violence.
‘For this we need to revive the spirit of love and compassion as human being is losing these qualities these days. Have more compassion in thought and non-violence in action,’ he added.
The Dalai Lama also spoke about his purpose for visiting Manipur: it was to promote unity. He said compassion was the ultimate source to bringing inner peace and happiness.
Appealing to media, the Nobel Peace Prize winner said that he had been telling the media “to promote sense of oneness of seven billion people and promote sense of concern of well being of entire human beings. That’s very important.” At the same time, media should educate the people on ‘basic human nature and compassion,’ which he said was the ultimate source to bringing inner peace, the spiritual leader added.
Stating that he retired from political activities, he said the Tibetans also decided not to raise the issue of Tibet to the UN since 1974 following serious discussions. The visiting Buddhist leader also appealed to take up special care of the ‘Tibetan environment not only for six million Tibetans but over a billion human lives.’
The 82-year old Buddhist spiritual leader also gave a lecture on peace and harmony minutes after the press conference.
The speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Khemchand also spoke during the occasion which saw the attendance of many dignitaries including former chief minister RB Koijam, former Union Minister Th Chaoba, ministers and legislators, religious leaders and civil society leaders.
The Dalai Lama is here on a three-day visit to the state to attend a public convention at the invitation of assembly speaker Khemchand.
He is scheduled to meet state leaders at Raj Bhavan prior to his departure for Dharamshala via New Delhi tomorrow. Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up in and around the state’s capital in view of the Tibetan leader’s maiden visit.