Dharamshala, July 7 -- Living in exile for over 66 years now, after being forced to flee his homeland in 1959, Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, turned 90-years-old on Sunday. As the Dalai Lama attended his 90th birthday celebration at the Tsuglhakhang Temple in McLeodganj, hundreds of Tibetans, including monks, nuns, school students and foreign followers, gathered at the event. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Hollywood star Richard Gere were among those who attended the function. In his birthday message, the Dalai Lama said, "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organising events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts. While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place," the Tibetan spiritual leader said. "As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world," he added. The Kashag (cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in its statement on Dalai Lama's birthday said, "On July 2, 2025, His Holiness magnanimously announced the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama in accordance with the fervent aspirations of the people of Tibet and devoted followers worldwide. This announcement represents an unequivocal assurance for the continuity of religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet and the Tibetan people." "While the Chinese government continues to forcibly prohibit our Tibetan brethren in Tibet from engaging in even the basic religious activities, the sacred bond between teacher and disciple that is sanctified within each bead of Tibetan prayer rosary andeach syllable of the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) cannot be suppressedby tyrannical power. May the day when we Tibetans in Tibet and in exile could freelyand jointly celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday soon arise," the statement added. Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who attended the 90th birthday celebration of Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama on Sunday, said that the country feels blessed for his presence in India. The Union minister, a practising Buddhist, said the Dalai Lama is one of the most revered, admired and worshipped global spiritual leaders and the most honoured guest of India. "We feel blessed for his presence in our country which he regards as "Aryabhumi". His Holiness the Dalai Lama profoundly calls himself the son of India and he is one of the greatest ambassadors of ancient Indian knowledge. It is a matter of pride and honour for India and Indians to have you (Dalai Lama) in our midst." The Dharamshala-based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on Sunday said that the 14th Dalai Lama has affirmed the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama and any interference from China will never be accepted. The parliament in a statement issued on the occasion of Tibetan spiritual leader's 90th birthday, stated, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama has affirmed the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, held recently from July 2 to 4, any politically driven interference from China will never be accepted, as per the resolution adopted at the Conference."...