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His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: a Nobel Laureate and The Guru of Euphemisms

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8 years ago

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His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: a Nobel Laureate and The Guru of Euphemisms

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]His Holiness the Dalai Lama is mellowed, mild-tempered and content to be just a ‘Son of India’.

~By Dilip Bobb

There is something almost childlike about the Dalai Lama which tends to dilute the gravity and importance of the words he is speaking. He tends to break out into a giggling fit whenever he detours into one of his humorous asides, which is fairly often. He will grab the arm of the person sitting next to him and you almost expect him to start throwing high fives with those sharing the dais. It would not seem out of place. For all his stature as a Nobel Laureate and the 14th Dalia Lama, the prefix of His Holiness, and the respect, even reverence, with which he is greeted by everyone, from commoner to celebrity, he exudes an earthy, infectious charm that is both endearing and astute.  Yesterday, watching him speak at the Rajendra Mathur Memorial Lecture organised by the Editors Guild of India, the Tibetan spiritual leader’s quirky characteristics and choice of words, replete with harmless homilies, is perhaps a persona he has been forced to assume. It is one that makes him the guru of euphemisms.

For all his elevated spiritual status and enviable global profile, the Dalai Lama knows he walks a political and diplomatic tightrope every day of his life. His presence in India is a constant source of friction between New Delhi and Beijing and India often uses him as a tool, giving him permission to visit areas that it knows will act like a red flag to the bull in the China shop. His recent visit to the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is a prime example. On New Delhi’s part, it was deliberate provocation and sent the Chinese ballistic, with dire warnings and reminders of China’s military prowess. Yet, at yesterdays lecture, meant to be on the media and ethics, HH mentioned the Tawang visit only to emphasise the fact that he was growing old and that his ‘creaking knees’ had given him problems, which was why he opted to sit and deliver his lecture.  He was equally at pains to remind the audience – a mix of journalists, Tibetan groupies, and diplomats from various missions in Delhi – that he was now ‘retired’ and had no official or political role.

Having made the point, from then on, it was vintage Dalai Lama, mixing bromides with borderline politics, chiding and yet praising the media, and right through, knowing he is a guest, albeit an honoured one, of the Indian government, giving fulsome praise to Indian democracy and its stabilizing influence in the region.  He started by glancing down at the dignitaries seated in the front row – senior retired Indian diplomats and ex National Security Advisors — and greeted them with a cheery ‘hello, lots of  old friends’, adding that ‘this looks like a reunion.’’ These were people who had dealt with him in their official capacity so the bonhomie was explainable. His lecture, as is his wont, wanders from the topic listed, but if you listen closely enough, there are always hidden gems. The venue of the lecture gave him cause for some diversions. It was at the Nehru Memorial, which was where India’s first prime minister stayed while in office. HH mentioned the numerous times he had visited Nehru and their discussion about China, hinting that they did not always part in a friendly manner.  “Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation for the welfare of Tibetans in exile in India. It is only in India that all the major religious traditions exist side by side. Sometimes problems takes place, not unusual as so many varieties of traditions live here. But it is here alone that all live in full freedom,” he said. The euphemism was not lost. “Some problems’’ was his way of downplaying worrisome trends in favour of the bigger picture.

So was the case with his views on the media, where he remarked, almost as an afterthought, that “propaganda makes things complicated”, and that the media is to blame for the ‘sharp rhetoric’. He had delivered a short speech by his standards – maybe his health and his 82 year old body was to blame — after which he threw the floor open to questions, with, inevitably, the first one being on the face off between New Delhi and Beijing. His criticism of the media being responsible for the heated rhetoric was spot on, and suggests that his mind is as sharp as ever, and that he does indeed watch a lot of television news.  The other questions on China also showed why he is the guru of euphemisms. He praised President Xi Jinping for his fight against corruption, but then drew some blood by remarking that he could not stay in a place where there was no freedom (Tibet), and preferred the ‘heat of India.’ Right through the event, he kept referring to himself as a  “Son of India”, well aware that his speech, in a room full of journalists, would be given widespread coverage.

Yet, what the lecture and Q and A session suggested was that we could be seeing the last of the man who has served as an inspiration for resistance movements across the world, and the start of another – a return to the Dalai Lama’s original role – purely as a spiritual leader. He made it clear that there was no urgency to select the next Dalai Lama and indicated that the process of finding his successor, who might as well be a woman, will begin in the next two to three years. More important was his assertion that the next Dalai Lama may not have a political role to play in future and that China should not worry about his role or that of his successors.  There is no longer a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There is only the sheep.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi urges people to read Tirukkural on Thiruvalluvar Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thiruvalluvar Day appealed to people to read the Tirukkural, calling it a reflection of the humane and harmonious ideals of Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar.

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5 hours ago

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January 16, 2026

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pm modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged people across the country to read the Tirukkural, highlighting its enduring relevance and the intellectual legacy of Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar.

Marking Thiruvalluvar Day, which coincides with the Pongal celebrations every year, the prime minister paid tribute to the revered scholar, describing him as a symbol of harmony, compassion and Tamil cultural excellence.

In a message shared on social media platform X, Modi said Thiruvalluvar’s works and ideals continue to inspire countless people even today. He noted that the philosopher envisioned a society rooted in compassion and balance.

The prime minister encouraged citizens to engage with the Tirukkural, a classical Tamil text that deals with various aspects of human life, ethics and governance, calling it a window into the profound intellect of Thiruvalluvar.

Thiruvalluvar Day is observed annually to honour the philosopher-poet, whose literary contributions remain central to Tamil culture and thought.

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BJP, Thackerays or Pawars: Maharashtra civic body poll results awaited today

Counting of votes for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the key BMC and Pune civic bodies, begins today, with BJP, Thackerays and Pawars awaiting crucial results.

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5 hours ago

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January 16, 2026

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The political balance in Maharashtra’s urban centres will become clearer today as votes are counted for elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state. The results are keenly awaited amid high-stakes contests involving the BJP, the Thackeray cousins and the reunited Pawar factions.

Polling was held for 2,869 seats across 893 wards, with 3.48 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 15,931 candidates. Counting is scheduled to begin at 10 am.

Mumbai and Pune in sharp focus

All eyes are on Mumbai, where the contest for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has drawn statewide attention. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray joined hands after more than two decades in a bid to reclaim control of the country’s richest civic body.

The BMC, which has an annual budget of over Rs 74,400 crore, went to polls after a nine-year gap, following a four-year delay. A total of 1,700 candidates contested the 227 seats.

Exit polls suggest a strong performance by the BJP–Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) alliance in Mumbai. An aggregate of multiple surveys projects the ruling alliance ahead, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and allies trailing, while the Congress is expected to secure a limited number of seats. Exit polls have also indicated possible voting consolidation among Maratha and Muslim voters behind the Thackeray-led alliance, while women and young voters may tilt towards the BJP.

The last BMC election in 2017 saw the undivided Shiv Sena retain control of the civic body it had dominated for decades.

In Pune, the spotlight is on the unusual alliance between rival NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar. Exit polls indicate the BJP could emerge as the largest party in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), with both NCP factions and the Shiv Sena also expected to secure a share of seats.

Statewide counting underway

Apart from Mumbai and Pune, counting will take place in several other key municipal corporations, including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nagpur, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Amravati, Akola, Jalgaon, Malegaon, Latur, Dhule, Jalna, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Nanded-Waghala, Chandrapur, Parbhani, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Ulhasnagar, Ahilyanagar and Ichalkaranji.

With major parties treating these civic polls as a referendum on their urban appeal ahead of future state and national elections, today’s results are expected to shape Maharashtra’s political narrative in the months to come.

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Supreme Court flags risk of lawlessness, pauses FIRs against ED officers in Bengal case

The Supreme Court paused FIRs against ED officers in the Bengal I-PAC raid case, warning that obstruction of central probes could lead to lawlessness and seeking responses from the Centre and state.

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20 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a sharp rebuke to the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, pausing FIRs lodged against officers of the Enforcement Directorate over searches linked to political consultancy I-PAC. The court said the case raises serious questions about interference in investigations and warned that failure to address them could lead to “lawlessness”.

A bench of Justice Prashant Mishra and Justice Vipul Pancholi sought replies from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Personnel and Training, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress government on the ED’s plea. The central agency has also sought the suspension of Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, and a probe by the CBI. The matter will be heard next on February 3.

The ruling follows a standoff between the ED and the Bengal government after the agency conducted searches at premises linked to I-PAC, which manages election campaigns for the Trinamool Congress, in connection with a corruption case.

Court questions obstruction of central probes

Recording its prima facie view, the Supreme Court said the petition raised a “serious issue” concerning investigations by central agencies and possible obstruction by state authorities.

“There are larger questions which emerge and if not answered shall lead to lawlessness. If central agencies are working bona fide to probe a serious offence, a question arises: Can they be obstructed by party activities?” the bench observed.

Earlier in the day, the court also expressed disturbance over scenes of chaos in the Calcutta High Court during a hearing related to the same dispute.

ED alleges interference, seeks action against top cops

The Enforcement Directorate accused the West Bengal administration of interfering with its searches and investigation. Appearing for the agency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alleged that evidence was removed from the residence of an I-PAC co-founder and argued that such actions could encourage state police officers to aid and abet obstruction. He sought suspension of senior police officials.

Describing the disruption in the Calcutta High Court on January 9, Mehta called it “mobocracy”, saying a group of lawyers unconnected to the case disrupted proceedings, forcing an adjournment. The bench asked whether the high court had been turned into a protest site, to which Mehta responded that messages had circulated calling lawyers to gather at a specific time.

Banerjee’s counsel defends move, cites election confidentiality

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mamata Banerjee, questioned the timing of the ED’s presence in Bengal ahead of Assembly elections. He said the last development in the coal scam case dated back to February 2024 and argued that I-PAC handled election-related work under a formal contract with the Trinamool Congress.

According to Sibal, election data stored at the premises was confidential and critical to campaign strategy. He said the party leadership had a right to protect such information.

Representing the Bengal government and the DGP, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi referred to the January 9 disruption but argued it could not justify parallel proceedings in different courts. The bench responded that emotions “cannot go out of hand repeatedly”.

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