Published by: World Tibet Network News Thursday, December 18, 1997

Dalai Lama concerned about deteriorating values

Dharamsala, December 11, 97, (Express News Service) -- Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today expressed concern over the deteriorating moral standards and advocated a culture based on human values. While talking to artists from different Himalayan regions at the international festival underway at McLeodganj, he said the artists should take the lead and pave the way for a value-based society.

The spiritual head observed that the West had lost the human values in the race for scientific advancement.

"This is a dangerous development as the Western part of the world is now embroiled in its family problems, more than any other sphere," he said and called upon the artists to hold frequent cultural shows for exchange of values and thought.

He lauded the efforts of the 200 folk performers, who had converged at the Tibetan township. Participants of the Himalayan Fest said they were committed to Tibetan struggle against Chinese high-handedness in destroying its cultural identity. "We wish freedom comes fast to Tibet and it is released from the inhuman shackles with world support at the back," they said, appreciating the Tibetan spiritual leader for his ideals and global thought for peace.

The cultural fiesta continued in two sessions with teams from Tabo and Sirmaur also joining in.

Even as the Japanese troupe, comprising a single artist left the audience spellbound with his performance 'Youzuru, varied folk dances by other groups attired in the best of traditions clothes depicted the essence of their respective cultures.

Apart from the variety of forms, the Fest depicted the Tibetan struggle and its cause with a striking touch through paintings showing the Chinese invasion in Tibet, the destructive policies being implemented in the enslaved nation and the environmental degradation set-off by the Chinese agencies. The exhibition also focussed on the 'Chinese Threat to India' by way of Tibet.

There was detailed literature on display at the venue, which threw light on

various historical truths about Tibet and the complications erupting, of

late, the Indo-Tibetan border due to the Chinese invasion.

Forwarded by Karma Thinley of DIIR