From: World Tibet Network News. Friday, July 7th, 1995

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 60th Birthday was celebrated in London yesterday by members of the Tibetan community in the United Kingdom and some 250 friends at the October Gallery. The reception was organised by the Office of Tibet in London. The gallery and the courtyard was filled with Tibetan national flags as well as prayers flags. A speical altar was created for the celebration.

The members of the Tibetan community offered khata to His Holiness' throne. Lama Thupten Zopo Rinpoche, the head of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition lead the Long Live Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mrs Kesang Y Takla, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's representative briefly addressed the gathering about the significance of the celebration. The Indian High Commissioner Dr L M Singhvi and his wife were the chief guest. Dr Singhvi in his address spoke in the highest respect and praise for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He said he met His Holiness on several occasions and shared his personnal experiences on these meetings. The Tibetan children from Pestalozzi Children's Village in Sussex sang two song in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Another celebration dinner cum dance - Tango for Tibet - was held at the Battersea Park. This was jointly organised by the Tibet House Trust - London and the famous BBC Television journalist Sue-Lloyd Roberts to raise funds for Trust projects in India and Nepal. Over 420 people attended the funding raising dinner and another 100 joined in for the dance. Chris Jagger [the brother of Mike Jagger of the famous Rolling Stone group] and other groups played live music for the dance.

Several important celebrities were present. There were stalls selling Tibetan handicrafts and the Tin Tin [in Tibet] were also selling souvenirs.

Items donated by famous celebrities were auctioned during the event. Richard Gere who has supported the work of the Tibet House Trust, sent from New York a photograph of a elderly Tibetan monk taken during his visit to Tibet. A guitar signed by the members of the Rolling Stone was sold for #3800.

Tibet House Trust is a registered charity in the United Kingdom and His Holiness inaugurated the trust during His Holiness' visit to the United Kingdom in September 1995.