“My personal experience on the night of May 17, 1959, after escaping from the Summer Palace, makes me feel connected to the Brahmaputra. I crossed the river in Tibet. I feel the same every time I come close to the river. I have told the chief minister that the river festival reminds me of the sacredness of the river,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said.
“The lives of crores of people depend on these rivers. So, you have the right to express your concern about the environment in Tibet as well,” he said.
Underlining the need to keep all rivers clean, the Tibetan leader said, “In Tibet, whenever we are thirsty we can drink water from any river. But outside, people say one cannot drink water from certain rivers because of pollution. I realize that the environmental issue is very serious. Water is the basis of our lives – not just for human beings but also for animals, birds, plants and fishes.
The Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang, from April 4 to 12 has been strongly opposed by China which has said the visit would put the bilateral relation in danger. Anti-talks Ulfa (I) has also appealed to the spiritual leader not to say anything against China, in public or in private.
