A common space for harmonic peacemakers

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva (Switzerland) - 11 August 2011

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Geneva, Switzerland early this morning. The visit’s main program is to inaugurate and consecrate the newly constructed Tibetan Buddhist Centre - Sherdurb Choekorling at Mont Saléve, France tomorrow morning.

Tibetan Community in Geneva, Switzerland welcomes His Holiness the Dalai Lama

On arrival in Zurich airport from New Delhi, Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, Counsellor from Indian Embassy and Mr. Raefel Gimalov, member of the Russian Parliament and a businessman host of the visit along with Abbot of Tibetan Institute Rikon, Presidents of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and Tibetan Women Association, representatives from the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe and Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama while addressing the leaders of the Tibetan community, he extended his greetings to the Tibetan community in Switzerland. He said that Switzerland is the first Tibetan settlement (outside India). His Holiness complimented the Tibetans in Switzerland for their dedication to the Tibetan issue as well as integration into the Swiss Community.

His Holiness said that the present situation in Tibet is very urgent but he was confident that a change for the better would definitely take place.

Over one hundred Tibetans welcomed His Holiness at the hotel in Geneva and offered Droso Chemar to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke about his decision to devolve his formal authority to the elected Tibetan leadership for the long-term benefit of the Tibetan people in a short interview with “TSR” Swiss TV French language channel. He also thanked the people and government of Switzerland for providing refuge to over 4000 Tibetans.