Dalai Lama Lauds India’s Efforts to Unite SAARC Countries & Appeals All to Support the "Vulnerable"

Guwahati, March 31, 2020: 

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama lauded the Indian Government for its efforts to unite the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dalai Lama, in a special message amid rising cases of coronavirus, called for employing "science and human ingenuity with determination and courage to overcome the problems."

The Dalai Lama, 84, noted that everyone is doing their best to contain the spread of COVID-19 and said India’s efforts to forge a coordinated approach among members of the SAARC will serve as “a model for dealing with such crises in future”.

He said, “I applaud the concerted efforts of nations to limit the threat. In particular, I appreciate the initiative India has taken with other SAARC countries to set up an emergency fund and an electronic platform to exchange information, knowledge and expertise to tackle the spread of Covid-19. This will serve as a model for dealing with such crises in future as well."

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The Dalai Lama added, "Faced with threats to our health and well-being, it is natural to feel anxiety and fear. Nevertheless, I take great solace in the following wise advice to examine the problems before us: If there is something to be done—do it, without any need to worry; if there’s nothing to be done, worrying about it further will not help."

Considering the ongoing pan-India lockdown, the spiritual leader said, "I understand that as a result of the necessary lockdowns across the world, many people are facing tremendous hardship due to a loss of livelihood. For those with no stable income life is a daily struggle for survival. I earnestly appeal to all concerned to do everything possible to care for the vulnerable members of our communities."

He also extended his special gratitude to the medical staff and other personnel who had been on the frontline during the pandemic by putting their lives at risk.

“With heartfelt feelings of concern for my brothers and sisters around the world who are passing through these difficult times, I pray for an early end to this pandemic so that your peace and happiness may soon be restored,” he concluded.

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It may be mentioned here that the Dalai Lama has contributed Rs. 15 lakh to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to contain the coronavirus, saying that he has an affinity with the State that has been his home for 60 long years.

In a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday, the Nobel Peace laureate expressed his support in his efforts to control the growing threat of the coronavirus, which has spread across the world and has even broken out in this state.

“Since Himachal Pradesh has been my home for almost 60 years, I naturally feel an affinity for its people. Therefore, as a token of respect and sympathy, I am making a donation from the Gaden Phodrang Trust of the Dalai Lama to the Chief Minister’s Fund in order to contribute to providing essential supplies like food and medicine for the poor and needy members of the community,” he wrote in the letter.

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