His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrating the newly built and renovated buildings of the CTA, Dharamshala, India, November 28, 2019. Photo: CTA/DIIR/Tenzin Jigme

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Dharamshala, India — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), saying "Very good changes have taken place. Good job!” and expressed his fascination with the infrastructural developments that had taken place in Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, India where the CTA offices are situated.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, flanked by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, accompanied with other top officials while performing the consecration of the newly built and renovated buildings of the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration, previously known as the Government of Tibet.

This came after His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over the valedictory session of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference on Friday as the key-honored guest. The most top religious leaders of Tibet attended the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference have affirmed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s sole authority in his reincarnation while illegitimizing China’s meddling in religious affairs, particularly historical authenticity of reincarnation system of Tibet.

On his arrival at Gangchen Kyishong where lies the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, His Holiness expressed his fascination with the infrastructural developments that had taken place at the CTA headquarters as he was being accompanied by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay who described the arrangements of the newly built and renovated office buildings and the upcoming well-equipped Tibet Museum among others.

Commending the leadership of the CTA, His Holness said, “So many buildings have come up that it is unrecognizable. Very good changes have taken place. Good job!” At Sikyong’s request, His Holiness blessed and consecrated the newly built and renovated buildings of various CTA departments before leaving for his residence.

When His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama devolved his political authority to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership in 2011, he had said: "I took over the political leadership of Tibet from Sikyong Taktra Rinpoche, when I was 16 years old. Today, in the 21st century, when democracy is thriving, I hand over the political leadership of Tibet to Sikyong Lobsang Sangay. In doing this I have fulfilled my long-cherished goal."

The communist-totalitarian state of China began its invasion of Tibet in 1949, reaching complete occupation of the country in 1959. Since that time, more than 1.2 million people, 20% of the nation's population of six million, have died as a direct result of China's invasion and occupation. In addition, over 99% of Tibet's six thousand religious monasteries, temples, and shrines, have been looted or decimated resulting in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of sacred Buddhist scriptures.

More than 100,000 Tibetans have been forced to flee their homeland and now live in Exile communities around the world. Until today, the rule of law or basic human rights is non-existent in Tibet. Surveillance, repression and arbitrary arrests are daily routines. Despite the continued suppression, the Tibetan people choose the path of non-violent resistance and for that, they deserve our utmost respect and full support.