SHILLONG: The excitement surrounding the upcoming visit by the Dalai Lama to the city is growing, with the maiden visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader gaining interest from within Shillong and farther afield.
The Dalai Lama will be present in the city from February 3-5 and will be accompanied by the Sikyong (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government in Exile, the Darjeeling-born, Harvard educated, Lobsang Sangay.
The religious leader will arrive in Shillong a day after attending the inauguration of the Festival of Tibetan Art and Culture in Guwahati on February 2, while Sangay will attend the closing function of that event on February 6.
The students of Martin Luther Christian University are said to be excited by the prospect of listening to the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
“There is quite a buzz surrounding the Dalai Lama’s visit,” RG Lyngdoh, vice-chancellor of MLCU, said on Friday.
“It is His Holiness’ first trip to Meghalaya, although he has often been in the North East.” The Dalai Lama came through the region after fleeing Chinese-controlled Tibet in 1959 and has visited Arunachal Pradesh and but not Meghalaya.
“People have expressed their eagerness to see him and hear his message, especially students,” Lyngdoh added.
While a widely-respected figure in much of the world, the Dalai Lama and the Government in Exile are vilified by the Chinese government and state-owned media in that country, but the University does not want to stir up controversy.
“The Dalai Lama inspires people, that’s why we’ve invited him to come to our University. He’s a Nobel laureate after all. But we want to stay clear of all controversy,” Lyngdoh explained.
While the Sikyong has no official part to play in the convocation, he will be present as a special guest and will address a select audience of academicians, officials and civil society members at a government-organised function at Hotel Pinewood on February 5 on the theme, “Democracy in exile.”
The Dalai Lama will also take part in an inter-faith meet organised by the local Tibetan community and will visit the Upper Lumparing Tibetan Monastery as well. His busy schedule will also see him conduct a spiritual teaching session at Polo Ground on February 4.
Shillong is set to witness a temporary increase in its population as a number of faithful are landing in the city from different parts of the region and the country for the duration of the high-profile visit.
People of Shillong too are keen on listening to the Dalai Lama whose expositions are widely followed even by renowned western psychologists-psychiatrists like Dr. Wayne Dyer.
One such visitor is Tenzing Dolma, a Delhi-based student, who is in the city staying with friends.
“I was born in Shillong and when I heard that His Holiness was coming here, I had to be present. We are very fortunate and blessed to have His Holiness here,” she said in anticipation of the historic occasion.