A plantation drive programme was organised today at NIT (Namgyal Institute of Tibetology) along with 33 associations to commemorate the 87th anniversary of 14th Dalai Lama and to celebrate the birth centennial of the 12th Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal.
The advent of NIT goes back to the fellowship between Dalai Lama and the 12th Chogyal of Sikkim. 200 medicinal plants and 200 saplings from Varanasi and Dharamshala were planted within the institute premises. This gesture symbolised Dalai Lama’s environmental activism and his affiliation with the institute.
“I want to assure to you, that for the rest of my life I’ll be fully committed to servicing humanity and working to protect the climate condition”, said Dalai Lama as his birthday message to the people.
The 2nd son of late Chogyal P.T Namgyal, Prince Wangchuk Namgyal together with Lachung Rinpoche and forest minister Karma Lodey were the guests of this auspicious second quarter monsoon event.
“Today was a very good day as Prince Wangchuk Namgyal and Lachung Rimoche was here with us. This world environment day marks the 87th anniversary of his holiness, and this plantation drive programme was a success.” stated Kiran Rasaili, the coordinator of the programme.
“His holiness is the personification of kindness compassion and tolerance. We hope he stays with us for many more years to come. I was almost 8 years old during the reign of Palden Thendup Namgyal. People were content at that time, despite of limitations. We are living in a different time where people are not satisfied, there’s violence and competition is prevalent in every nook and corner. We can only hope that we will stay disciplined like old monarch times.”, said Karma Lodey, forest minister of Sikkim.
Report: Rhea Chhetri
