"I am very happy to be here once more. I seem to be physically fit,' the Dalai Lama said.
Surrounded by followers and media, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama celebrated his 83rd birthday in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh on Friday.
"This time again His Holiness decided to celebrate his birthday with the people of Leh," a spokesperson for the Dalai Lama's office was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
While the Dalai Lama said, "I am very happy to be here once more. I seem to be physically fit and if that continues I hope to spend some time here, avoiding the monsoon on the plains. You people of Ladakh have a special bond with me based on your faith and loving-kindness, of which I am very appreciative."
In a recent talk about the current global situation, he said that with lots of materialistic development,the world is passing through an "emotional crisis".
"In this respect all the world religions should stress on spreading the qualities of love, peace, forgiveness and compassion. The 21st century young generation should read the scriptures and look for themselves the relevance of 2600 years old Buddha Dharma in today's world,"
On March this year, the Centre clarified that no restrictions have been placed on the Dalai Lama in the wake of rising tensions along Indo-China border.
The assertion came in response to reports that said that senior government functionaries had been asked to "skip" year-long events organised by the exiled Tibetan government as part of its 'Thank you India" campaign to mark the 60th year of the arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The Ministry of External Affairs denied there has been any change in India's position on Tibet and that the Dalai Lama was free to travel and attend programmes across the country. "He [Dalai Lama] is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India," said MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
Earlier, media reports had quoted a note sent by the cabinet secretary on the advice of Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale to ask ministers and officials to skip Tibetan functions, lest they raise hackles in Beijing. Gokhale had particularly mentioned 'Thank You India', said the reports.
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