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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti meets Dalai Lama

by IBNS 31 Jul 2017, 09:13 am

Leh, July 31 (IBNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama who is currently on a visit to Leh in connection with an annual Buddhist function.

Addressing a large gathering on Sunday, the Chief Minister highlighted the pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir and described it as the abode of different faiths and cultures. 

She said people living in amity and brotherhood is the specialty of the state and underlined the need for strengthening the bonds among various sections of the
society.

Mehbooba Mufti praised Dalai Lama for his recent statement in which he had criticized the elements who were out to label Muslims as terrorists. 

The Dalai Lama had asked people to follow the path of harmony and amity with each other. 

She said the statement from such a towering personality was the need of the hour.

The Chief Minister wished Dalai Lama a long life and good health. 

She hoped that he would continue to visit the State in future and bless its people.

The Chief Minister said it is the intention of her Government to attract more and more tourists to Ladakh and market it appropriately in the tourism market. 

She said she has proposed to have annual Kailash Mansarovar  Yatra through Leh which would increase the tourist footfall in the region by a great measure. 

She appreciated the people  of Leh for maintaining a hygienic environment despite heavy tourist rush.

The Dalai Lama, in his address, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for her visit. 

He appreciated her massive public outreach saying that he is of the belief that she can get the State out of the difficulties with her sincerity, dedication and zeal.

Later, the Chief Minister had a one-to-one interaction with the Dalai Lama.