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Dalai Lama flags off Jamsenpa's 4th Everest expedition, to visit Tawang on 6th; India tells China to respect our sovereignty

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 04, Apr 2017, 16:17 pm IST | UPDATED: 04, Apr 2017, 17:33 pm IST

Dalai Lama flags off Jamsenpa's 4th Everest expedition, to visit Tawang on 6th; India tells China to respect our sovereignty Guwahati: The Dalai Lama on Tuesday flagged off Everester Anshu Jamsenpa’s fourth expedition to the world's highest peak, prior to leaving Guwahati for his nine-day 'teaching' trip to Arunachal Pradesh.

Jamsenpa, who hails from the Himalayan State, had earlier scaled Mount Everest thrice – two of them in 10 days.

Having known her mountaineering feats, the spiritual leader said, “Your achievement is testimony to your hard work, firm determination and a strong belief in yourself.” He also blessed her for her future endeavours.

Tsering Wange, president of Arunachal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Association, offered the Indian tricolour to the Dalai Lama which he handed over to Anshu, who will unfurl it on top of Mount Everest. Anshu presented a photo frame of her earlier successful summits to the Nobel peace prize winner as a token of love and respect.

He also blessed her two teenage daughters, Passang Droma and Tenzing Nyiddon, with a personalised message.

Later, Jamsenpa told media, “Meeting the living Buddha and getting his blessings in person was one of the most treasured and blessed days of my life. I shall cherish it. It will motivate me and infuse strength in me to overcome my struggles of life”.

Anshu Jamsenpa is in a quest to better her own national and international mountaineering records. Since Mountaineering being one of the costliest adventure sports, some corporate houses and PSUs have come forward to support her.

Meanwhile, inclement weather caused by incessant rains forced the Dalai Lama to postpone his trip to Tawang, which China claims as its own.

He left Guwahati by road for Bomdila, also in Arunachal. After attending functions here and then at Dirang and Lumla, the spiritual leader is expected to reach Tawang on either April 6 or 7.

The Dalai Lama is now expected to reach Tawang, home to one of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries, on 6 April. Last month, China warned of "severe damage" to relations with India and increased regional instability if the Dalai Lama proceeds with his trip to the state. To this, Dalai Lama told The Times of India that it was normal and he had no problem if China objected to his visit.

On Tuesday, India said that the Tibetan spiritual leader has visited the state six times earlier and no "additional colour" should be given to his visit. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, holding a press conference, said, "India has never interfered in internal affairs of China. We never questioned their sovereignty. We respected their 'One China' policy. So we expect China to respect our sovereignty. We are a free country, we cannot restrict flow of religious leaders."

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader was to arrive at Lumla, near Tawang on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am, but his helicopter couldn't take off because of heavy rain in Guwahati. The 81-year-old is now travelling by road. Bomdila, which is 180 kilometres away from Tawang, will be his first stop, Hindustan Times reported.

"Whenever I come to the North East of India, it feels like a reunion with people here," the Dalai Lama said on Saturday, "When I revisit Tawang, I am reminded of the freedom that I had experienced for the first time (in 1959). That was the beginning of a new chapter in my life."

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to consecrate a temple and give blessings to his followers during his week-long stay in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Express reported that members of the Tibetan refugee community and residents of Bomdila were cleaning up the roads in anticipation of his visit. Tawang Monastery, where the Dalai Lama is expected to stay, has been decorated with religious flags and coloured clothes with mantras inscribed on them. 800 monks will welcome their spiritual leader in the 400-year-old monastery, India's largest.

According to a report in the The Financial Express, the Dalai Lama is also slated to visit the Ngingmapa Monastery and the local authorities have been busy making improvements.

Dalai Lama passed through this region when he fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising against Communist rule over Tibet. Moreover, the sixth Dalai Lama was born there in the 17th century. The government-in-exile is based at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. It is not recognised by any country.

The Dalai Lama last visited Arunachal Pradesh in 2009. China protested against that trip, but there was no major impact on relations with India. China has, once again, protested his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which it considers a disputed territory.

On Sunday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India from Tibet after a "failed armed rebellion." China rejected his remarks that he had no other option but to escape due to increased Chinese military action. "As it is known to all, the 14th Dalai Lama is an anti-China separatist who have long lived in exile following a failed armed rebellion by the reactionary group of high-ranking feudal serf-owners in Tibet in March 1959," the statement said.

In a press conference on 31 March, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang expressed concerns on the Dalai Lama's visit, calling China's position on the issue of the eastern part of China-India border clear-cut and consistent. "India is very clear about the seriousness of issues related to the 14th Dalai Lama and the sensitivity of its border issues with China. Under such circumstances, India still invites the 14th Dalai Lama to visit disputed areas of China-India borders. This will gravely damage the peace and stability of the border regions between China and India and China-India relations," Kang said.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Rijiju, in his press conference, also added, "The status of Arunachal Pradesh as a full-fledged state of the Union of India is indisputable. The people of Arunachal Pradesh are upset at others showing that Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed territory.

The people of Arunachal Pradesh  are looking forward to cooperation from China. When Dalai Lama ji is in Arunachal Pradesh, he will be confined to religious matters. He is not there to make any political statement or with any political motive. We appeal to China not to rake up this issue."

Rijiju also stated that the Arunachal Pradesh government accorded the Dalai Lama the status of a guest and all the facilities were being arranged by the government. Striking a more personal tone, Rijiju added, "The Dalai Lama is coming to my village. If someone comes to my home it becomes my duty to welcome him."
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