Gangtok, 13/10/23 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama has extended a helping hand to the flood-affected people of Sikkim by donating Rs. 10 lakh to the state government. The revered spiritual leader was originally scheduled to visit Sikkim, but in light of the recent calamity, he postponed his trip as a gesture of solidarity with the affected region.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the Dalai Lama expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive property damage resulting from a flash flood in the Testa River Valley. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all those impacted by the disaster, extending his prayers for their well-being.
“I commend the State government and other concerned authorities for all they are doing to provide relief to people affected by this calamity,” the Dalai Lama affirmed in his letter, lauding the state’s swift response to the crisis. To translate his solidarity into tangible support, he requested the Dalai Lama Trust to make a generous contribution of Rs. 10,00,000.00 (Rupees ten lakhs) to bolster the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in the region.
The postponement of His Holiness’s visit to Sikkim, initially scheduled from October 16 to 22, was officially announced by his office due to the gravity of the natural disaster. An official statement from the office explained that the decision to delay the visit was prompted by the urgent need for relief efforts in the flood-affected areas.
“In view of the recent disaster in Sikkim caused by floods and the ongoing focus of the state machinery in relief efforts, the planned visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Gangtok and Salugara scheduled from October 16 to 22 has been postponed until further notice,” the statement read. The office expressed its deep regret for any inconvenience caused by the change in plans and conveyed their heartfelt prayers and support to the people and the state of Sikkim.
This generous donation from the Dalai Lama is poised to provide much-needed assistance to the flood victims, offering hope and solace during these challenging times. The swift response of the spiritual leader underscores the importance of solidarity and support in the face of natural disasters, emphasizing the significance of coming together to aid those in need.
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Gangtokian Web Team, 13/10/23