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

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7 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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Man attempting to cross India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan shot dead by BSF personnel

“We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

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13 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot and killed an individual attempting to cross the India-Pakistan border in the Ganganagar district of Rajasthan late on Tuesday, according to police.

Jitendra Kumar, the station house officer at Kesrisinghpur police station, stated that the man was trying to breach the barbed wire fence when he was spotted by BSF personnel. “They advised him to leave the area, but when he continued to advance, the BSF personnel shot him,” said the SHO.

Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the suspect was allegedly trying to enter Indian territory around midnight on December 24, 2024. Despite warnings from the BSF soldiers, he did not heed their calls, which resulted in the shooting.

The incident occurred near a village in the Kesarisinghpur area. Items recovered from the intruder included Pakistani currency notes, a cigarette packet, an identity card, and other belongings. Authorities are currently gathering more information about him.

Ongoing discussions are taking place between the armed forces and police officers regarding the incident. An FIR has been filed that includes charges of trespassing and violations of the Passports Act and the Foreigners Act, according to Kumar. “We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

This incident is one of several similar occurrences along the border. In August, the BSF apprehended an intruder named Jagsi Kohli, who had entered about 15 kilometers into Indian territory in Barmer after locals alerted authorities that he was asking for directions to Tharparkar, a district in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

In March of this year, another person attempting to cross the border in Ganganagar was shot by BSF personnel. There have been additional incidents reported in October 2022 and twice in March 2021, all resulting in fatalities among the intruders.

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Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Chandrababu Naidu among leaders at NDA meet in Delhi amid Ambedkar row

The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

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14 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu among leaders of the NDA met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss different issues including Shah’s comment on BR Ambedkar days ago in Rajya Sabha.

In attendance, apart from Shah, Nadda and Naidu, JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present.

Also present were Jitan Ram Manjhi, leader of Bihar’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) and a minister in the Modi government, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha MP, and Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena.

While the specific agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, sources indicated that discussions revolved around good governance and various political issues—principles that were central to Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

Following the meeting, Nadda shared on X, “Attended the NDA leaders’ meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains committed to realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Sanjay Nishad, chief of the NISHAD Party in Uttar Pradesh, described the meeting as “informal” and focused on Vajpayee’s legacy. He emphasised the importance of unity among all alliance members heading into future elections, mentioning that they congratulated the BJP leaders for their electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Nishad further outlined that the meeting addressed coalition strategies to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives effectively reach the populace and that electoral promises are fulfilled. He raised the topic of providing reservations for the fishing community, stating, “I presented evidence on this issue, as it was a poll promise. They will follow up with us next week to discuss it.”

Responding to inquiries about whether Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Ambedkar were discussed, Nishad said, “We are here for the welfare of the people. Our energy should focus on achieving success in that area, rather than engaging with negativity from opposition parties.”

The NDA meeting underscores the alliance’s commitment to the proposed simultaneous elections, with all members backing the initiative. A Joint Committee of Parliament, established to review two bills related to simultaneous polls, is set to convene on January 8.

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Manipur CM Biren Singh says state needs immediate peace, understanding between two communities

He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

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14 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace in the state, which has faced ethnic violence since May of last year, and called on two communities to reach a mutual understanding.

Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the state BJP headquarters, Singh expressed confidence that the BJP could restore stability to the northeastern state, highlighting the party’s commitment to coexisting harmoniously.

“What is happening in Manipur today has multiple causes. Those who seek to divide the state are now questioning the government’s actions… they are driven by a desire for power,” Singh remarked.

He mentioned several initiatives, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), designed to foster closer relationships between officials and the public. “We do not oppose any specific community. The BJP’s position is clear: we advocate for the idea of living together and have initiated efforts to strengthen ties between the police and the community,” he stated.

Singh added that the state government is diligently addressing the needs of internally displaced persons by establishing committees throughout the administrative framework. He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

“We have not made any mistakes. Our goal is to ensure the well-being of future generations. It is essential for both communities to remain calm. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should concentrate on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the foundation year for the Inner Line Permit,” Singh said.

He also highlighted the government’s commitment to acting within a democratic and constitutional framework, noting that achieving these goals will take time. “What we require now is immediate peace and a resolution of misunderstandings between the two communities,” he concluded.

The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals and left thousands homeless due to clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo groups since last May.

“Only the BJP can save Manipur. BJP leaders possess strong values of nationalism and social justice, practicing reality-based politics in the nation’s interest. If I am not nominated for a ticket by the BJP, I will remain loyal to the party,” Mr. Singh added.

He also highlighted several unity-focused projects initiated by the BJP government, mentioning that a Unity Mall featuring stalls from all ethnic groups in the state will be constructed with an investment exceeding ₹140 crores.

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