The Times of India April 1, 2009
DELHI, India -- The Dalai Lama speaks during a news conference in New Delhi on 31 March 2009
marking 50 years since the failed uprising against Chinese rule
The Dalai Lama speaks during a news conference in New Delhi on 31 March 2009 marking 50 years since
the failed uprising against Chinese rule and his flight into exile in India. He accused the Chinese government of painting a rosy picture of Tibet when actually, Tibetans living there are in great distress.Reuters/B Mathur/India
Speaking on the occasion of the completion of 50 years of his stay in exile in India, Dalai Lama on Tuesday accused the Chinese government of painting a rosy picture of Tibet when actually, as he claimed, Tibetans living there were in great distress.
The spiritual leader, who claimed that he had no regrets about any decision he made during the past 50 years, said the problem with China was that it was focusing more on discrediting him rather than on the main issue of the rights of 6 million Tibetans.
"The real problem is that Chinese government continues to insist that the issue is Dalai Lama and not the rights of Tibetans. They say there is no problem even when there are 50 tanks in Lhasa ready to shoot any time. I want to appeal to the Chinese government to allow international media to visit Tibet and see for themselves the plight of the people," Dalai Lama said.
Dalai Lama, who prayed at eight separate religious places in Delhi on Tuesday to thank India for its support, also emphasised on ahimsa and compassion saying that India had been the source of Tibet's rich civilisational heritage. Asked about Tibetans resorting to violence to meet their demands, he said more than 99% of Tibetans believed in non-violence.
On reports about hacking of computers of the Tibetan government-in-exile and other countries through Chinese servers, Dalai Lama said the matter should be investigated. He said China seemed to have information beforehand even about
his movements. "You should investigate. If you don't have money, borrow it but please investigate," he said.
He also brushed aside the recent denial of visa to him by South Africa, which led to the cancellation of an international conference there, saying that the development brought him good publicity. He said he was grateful to China as their protests against his travel plans had given much publicity to the Tibetan cause.
"Ultimately, I have to thank the Chinese government. Because of their protests we have got publicity," he said pointing out that had he visited South Africa, his visit may have gone unnoticed. In an apparent reference to the economic downturn, he said market forces and greed were responsible for the crisis.
On the dialogue with China, Samdhong Rinpoche, the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said he was looking forward to pursue the process but no dates had been suggested for the next round of talks. He said it would take time, just like India's border disputes. The Dalai Lama prayed for India at eight different shrines, including the Laxmi
Narayan temple, Nizamuddin dargah, the Cathedral Church of Redemption and Judah Synagogue.