(TibetanReview.net, Nov22, 2017) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was received by the Chief Minister of India’s Odisha state and honoured by an organization dedicated to providing holistic quality education to some 27000 tribal children with its Humanitarian Award for his exceptional contribution to society during his visit over Nov 20-21. The Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS) presented to the Dalai Lama the KISS Humanitarian Award 2017 at a ceremony held in Bhubaneshwar, capital of the state, on Nov 21. KISS Society President Ms Saswati Bal presented the award.
In his acceptance speech before a huge audience of KISS students, the Dalai Lama noted that the modern educational system was not adequate as it leaned towards materialistic acquisition of knowledge. He called for the inclusion of secular and human values like compassion in the educational curriculum.
“Real world peace can be achieved through inner peace and a secular education can contribute to inner disarmament and encourage human values that promote compassion, warmth, mutual respect and sense of wellbeing of others,” he was quoted as saying.
The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted in 2008. The Institute was founded by Dr Achyuta Samanta with the aim to empower the disadvantaged sections of the society through holistic education and by providing them with sustainable livelihood.
The day before, the Dalai Lama was welcomed at the Biju Patnaik Airport on behalf of the State Government by Mr Surya Naryana Patra, Minister for Civil Supply & Consumer Affairs; Ashok Panda, Minister for Culture & Tourism; Mrs Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary for Tourism, and Nitin Jawale, Director of Tourism. Prof Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and KISS and who had extended the invitation to the Dalai Lama, was also present.
The Tibetan leader, who was provided Z-plus security cover, was then received by the state’s Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik at his residence, the Naveen Niwas.
The chief minister later tweeted: “Honoured to receive His Holiness the Dalai Lama at my residence today. Discussed many issues of contemporary importance and sought his blessings and guidance for working towards our state’s development and welfare of the people.”
Addressing the press the same day, the Dalai Lama has said India and China, being neighbours, had no option but to live peacefully and help each other. He was later to visit Chandragiri in the state’s Gajapati District where there is a settlement of Tibetan refugees.
