Tawang eagerly awaits Dalai Lama's visit

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Oct. 7 (ANI): Residents of Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh are thrilled over Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's visit to the place, considered as one of the last vestiges of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.

Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the 400-year-old monastery in November.

This will be the Dalai Lama's fifth trip to Arunachal Pradesh since he entered India in 1959 after escaping from Tibet through Tawang.

"Everyone is happy here. Dalai Lama's visit is precious. It's after a long time he will visit here. He had to visit last month but it was cancelled. We have made all preparations for his visit this month. All the villagers and leaders are happy," said Gurbu, Chairman of Tawang Monastery.

The Dalai Lama's last weeklong trip to the state was in 2003. In November, he will be in Tawang for three days.

China has opposed Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Tawang.

However, Gurbu said that he doesn't believe that the visit of Dalai Lama to Tawang will create tension between the two countries.

"Through media reports I came to know that if Dalai Lama visits here, a war could happen between India and China. However, I don't believe in all this. Tawang is a part of India and government has given permission to Dalai Lama to visit the region. I am confident that China can't claim the region," Gurbu said.

Dalai Lama will open a modern hospital in Tawang during his visit. (ANI)