Global brotherhood,key to human rights protection: Dalai Lama

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Tibetans' spiritual guru the Dalai Lama has said that the ethos of global brotherhood, compassion and love hold the key to protection of human rights. It is these ethos which will help develop a more civilized society and curb violation of human rights on the basis of poverty, caste, religion and social disparity.

The Dalai Lama was speaking at a symposium here today on the topic 'Human rights through universal responsibility'. The symposium was held under the aegis of MP Human Rights Commission at Vidhan Sabha auditorium. The function was presided over by Governor Shri Rameshwar Thakur while Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the guest of honour.

The Dalai Lama said that all are equal despite following different religions, speaking different languages and living in different regions. He said that money and wealth alone cannot bring about happiness in life. They can neither help one to gain wisdom. For attaining these virtues, a human being must imbibe spiritual and human values. The life of the people of the countries, which have best of material facilities lacks inner quality. Their young generation has gone wayward. Life cannot experience the real pleasure if one is gripped by the feelings of jealousy, disparity and isolation.

The Dalai Lama said that individual freedom is a valuable, which is necessary for development of creativity. No society or community can be creative without it. Democracy and creativity are prospering in India because there is individual freedom in the country. India is the only country where the entire world is considered one family. The principle of non-violence has been in practice here since times immemorial and it was non-violence through which Mahatma Gandhi had attained India's independence.

The Dalai Lama thanked Chief Minister Shri Chouhan on the announcement of establishing a Buddhist university saying that it will help in the spread of Buddhist concept and philosophy.

Presiding over the function, Governor Shri Rameshwar Thakur said that the Dalai Lama is a strong votary to human rights in the modern world. He said that it was astonishing that human rights violations are on the rise despite spread of education, science and technology. He said protection of human rights is the responsibility of the entire world, which should stand in unison for protection of human rights.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that protection of human rights is intrinsic in India. Ages ago, the Indian civilization had recognised the world as a family through its principle of 'vasudhaiv kutumbakam'. Shri Chouhan said that his government is striving to tread the path of development and progress while protecting human rights. The state government's efforts to wipe tears from the eyes of have-nots and providing them social security stem from this very notion.

Shri Chouhan described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an emblem of human rights protection. He said that the Dalai Lama, who commands respect and devotion of lakhs of people, is not a mere state head, but also a spiritual guru who shows the path of religion and spirituality to people.

In his welcome address, MP Human Rights Commission chairperson Shri DM Dharmadhikari said that Lord Buddha gave the message of peace, love, purity of mind and strived all through his life to end social disparity. It is the uniqueness of India that it has assimilated all the religions and philosophies. He thanked the Dalai Lama for attending the symposium. On this occasion, the quarterly magazine of Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission and the book 'Human Values and Human Rights' written by Shri Dharmadhikari were also released.

At the outset, Dalai Lama and other guests garlanded a portrait of Devi Saraswati and lighted a lamp. Saraswati Vandana was also recited on the occasion.