Shimla/Dharamshala, February 18 The Tibetan community in Himachal Pradesh celebrated their traditional Lunar New Year, Losar, on Wednesday by offering prayers for world peace, prosperity, and the longevity of the life of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
This year marked Losar 2153, the Year of the Fire Horse.
Members of the community gathered at prominent monasteries in the morning for "special worships" in accordance with tradition, initiating the three-day celebrations.
A large number of Tibetans joined the prayers at the Thupten Dorje Drak Monastery in Panthaghati, near Shimla, to celebrate the New Year, an important religious and cultural festival.
Lama Lopen Lodos of the monastery said, "On the first day of the New Year, we lit the lamp and held special prayers for world peace, chanting mantras and praying for the welfare of mankind and the prosperity of Himachal Pradesh."
On the occasion, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, head of the cabinet (kashag) of the Central Tibetan Administration, or the Tibetan government-in-exile headquartered in Dharamsala, delivered a message to the community members both inside and outside Tibet.
"We, the Tibetans in exile, belong to one family, share the same language, religion, culture, and homeland, the vast and sacred plateau of Tibet. When we unite and pool our collective strength, there is nothing we cannot achieve," Tsering said in a statement posted on the website tibet.net.
He said that the Tibetans inside Tibet continue to face numerous challenges due to the oppressive policies of the Chinese government.
"The Chinese authorities are systematically attempting to erase Tibet's unique identity, language, religion, culture, and environment, with the ultimate goal of Sinicizing the Tibetan people. Despite these hardships, the Tibetans inside Tibet remain steadfast and undaunted, continue to cherish and preserve their language, faith, and cultural heritage. Their pride as Tibetans has only grown stronger in the face of adversity. We deeply admire their resilience and unwavering spirit," Tsering said in the message.
He said that the global political landscape is undergoing significant change today, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
"We must seize these opportunities with wisdom and determination and work together to fulfill the vision of the Dalai Lama. This Losar marks a new beginning," he said.
On Losar, US Senator Marco Rubio reaffirmed America's support for Tibetan rights and announced the appointment of a senior official to oversee Tibetan issues.
Extending his warmest greetings to all those celebrating Losar, Rubio said, "The United States remains committed to supporting the unalienable rights of Tibetans and their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage."
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) warmly welcomed this.
Expressing its gratitude to the US leadership, the CTA said it hoped the appointment would strengthen efforts to protect Tibetan religious, cultural, and linguistic identity and promote dialogue on Tibet.