Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday praised Indias efforts in maintaining communal harmony and said that the countrys uniqueness lies in maintaining its secularism.
"India follows a tradition which is secular; it respects all religions and also equally respects the non-believers, which is unique. It is the greatness of the nation that different religions co-exist -- in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood," he said.
The Dalai Lama was speaking at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library at the Teen Murti Bhavan here during an event co-organised by Antarrashtriya Sahayog Parishad.
"Civilisation of India has produced the most great thinkers and philosophers. The Indian community should make it clear that religious harmony is possible," the Tibetan leader added.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate also emphasised on creating strong Indian communities in other countries, adding that the diaspora should focus on making 'India Town' like 'China Town' created by the Chinese in other countries.
"Whenever I meet Indians in other countries, I always suggest them to preserve their culture and tradition. The Indian community should be active to make others know their culture, they have the responsibility to promote their centuries-old traditions," he said.
On Tibet, the Dalai Lama said that the Chinese Constitution had recognised certain areas as Tibet and these should have the same rights for preservation of language and culture.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet to India in March 1959. The Tibetan government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.
--IANS
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