Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Apr 29 (ANI): Tibetans in-exile celebrated fifty years of their stay along with their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in Himachal Pradesh'sDharamsala town on Thursday.Scores of Tibetans in-exile living in the region today gathered at an event organized by a local organization where the Dalai Lama was welcomed as the Guest of Honour.While addressing the event, the Dalai Lama thanked Indians for providing asylum to him and thousands of Tibetans.Tibetan officials in-exile and other spiritual leaders were also present to grace the occasion."This is the programme of the Lion's Club of Dharamsala. They are honouring His Holiness and also a number of senior citizens on completing 50 years in Dharamsala, and other people and their various blessings," said Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile.Locals were also present to seek the blessings of their spiritual leader."We are here to welcome him on the completion of 50 years and for all people to be blessed by him and receive his blessings, and appreciate his contribution to the welfare of people and spiritual atmosphere, and bring Dharamsala on world map," said P Sharma, a local.The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since they fled their homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.In 1950, Chinese troops marched into Tibet and occupied it. An estimated 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, a majority of them in India and Nepal.(ANI)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Manipur ADC polls in May
Imphal, April 26: The State Election Commission today issued notification for the first phase of autonomous district council elections in Manipur.Elections to six ADCs in the state’s five hill districts will be held in two phases.In the first phase, voters will exercise their right to franchise for district councils in Sadar Hills, Churachandpur and Chandel districts. Voting will be held from 7am to 3.30pm.The notification for polling for Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati councils is expected in seven days’ time.The last date for filing of nomination for the first phase is May 3. Scrutiny will be held the next day while the last date for withdrawal of nomination is May 6.The notification issued by secretary, State Election Commission, Th. Chitra, said the election process for the first phase would be completed on or before June 16.Each of the district councils will have 24 members each and the chairperson will be elected by the new members.Chandel has 128 polling stations in five blocks, Sadar Hills in Senapati district has 169 polling centres in three blocks. Churachandpur has 255 polling booths in five blocks.Elections to the ADCs will be held for the first time in 20 years. Official sources said elections could not be held because of the process for amendment of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (Third Amendment) Act, 2008, delimitation process and revision of voter list.The amendment of the act, however, failed to satisfy the communities in the hill districts. The State Election Commission issued the notification as an economic blockade is on along the Imphal-Kohima and the Imphal-Jiribam national highways against the elections.The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, and the Tribal Youth Council, a body formed by youths from various communities in the hill districts, have also been opposing the election.The UNC termed the government’s move as “indifferent and chauvinistic attitude” towards the hill people. “We see it as a deliberate attempt to strangulate the tribal peoples of their fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Having failed to understand the sentiments and to uphold the interest and wishes of the people by the government, including the Hill Areas Committee and Council of Ministers, we find no other option but to continue with our own course of action till the undesirable Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Amended Act, 2008 is nullified and the election notification withdrawn,” a UNC statement issued tonight said. The MPP rejected the polls, maintaining that there was no reservation for women.
