Dalai Lama appeals for EU-style world unity to end violence
Tibetan spiritual leader said people should think “more broadly” and work towards “common interest” so that the whole world could be a cohesive entity.
The Dalai Lama on Wednesday pitched for a European Union-style unity to end violence in the world.
Tibetan spiritual leader said people should think “more broadly” and work towards “common interest” so that the whole world could be a cohesive entity akin to the EU.
Addressing a press conference minutes before a civic reception function in Manipur’s capital Imphal, the Nobel peace prize winner said: “I always feel that this (EU) spirit must bring in Africa to develop an African Union, then Latin American Union, then gradually Asian Union that means some kind of a union with India, China, Japan etc. Ultimately the whole world should be some kind of Union. That’s my dream.”
Even though there were differences in the past, he said, after the Second World War, the people realised that “common interest is more important than the different national interest.”
He said this realisation ultimately led to the creation of the EU.
Responding to a question on problems of North East, he appealed to people of the region to think more broadly, but at the same time emphasised that the constitutional provisions should be implemented thoroughly.
“You can criticise if the central government’s policies are not suitable,” he added.
Dwelling on the importance of conserving the environment and biodiversity of Tibet from where the major rivers of the Asian countries originates, the visiting Buddhist monk stressed on the need to take up “special care of the Tibetan environment not only for its 6 million people but also for over a billion human lives.”
Dalai Lama is here on a three-day visit to attend a public convention on the invitation of state assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand.
This is his second visit to northeast since April this year. His last visit to Arunachal Pradesh sparked strong reaction from China, which claims a part of the northeastern state as southern Tibet.
During his stay in Imphal, Dalai Lama is likely to meet Manipur governor Dr Najma Heptulla and chief minister N Biren Singh separately.
He is scheduled to meet the state leaders at Raj Bhavan prior to his departure for Dharmashala via New Delhi on October 19.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around the state capital in view of the Tibetan leader’s maiden visit to Manipur.
