Dharamsala : Trusted old friend of the Tibetans hollywood star Richard Gere flew into the hill town of Dharamsala in northern India to meet the top brass of the Tibetan government-in-exile .
Prominent refugees at the Gankyi stadium in Dharamsala gave the actor a thunderous applause as he walked in to address the gathering late Tuesday . He was flanked by Lobsang Sangay , prime minister of the Tibetan government–in-exile .
Recounting how he came into contact with the Tibetan cause , Gere said his curosity and quest for happiness landed him in Kathmandu in 1970 .
“After reading John Avedon’s ‘In Exile the Land of Snows’ the book raised my passion to go to Dharamsala to know more about Tibet ,†he recalled .
“It struck me very deeply when the Dalai Lama told me that the Tibetans need help help from him and other Western friends,†Gere said .
He said Tibetan people have won deep and heartfelt friends across the world for contributing greatly through their rich culture and religion .
“We consider you the best of who you are .We can never repay what the Tibetans have contributed to the world,†he said .
When asked about changes in the Tibetan movement he said it was of paramount importance to keep the community united .
“The hearts of the Tibetans have remained unchanged .The three generations of Tbetans have done very well, especially in education and health ,†he added .
He then said the failure is actually in Tibet .So we should try to improve the lives of Tibetans in Tibet that is the challenge .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
