Oldest couple to bless Dalai Lama

The Tibetan parliament-in-exile has extended an invitation to the oldest couple in Himachal Pradesh to bless Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his 72nd birthday on Friday.

Dharamshala, July 5 : The Tibetan parliament-in-exile has extended an invitation to the oldest couple in Himachal Pradesh to bless Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his 72nd birthday on Friday.

A 103-year-old retired Army soldier, Thakur Pyara Singh, and his 101-year-old wife Hansa Devi, have been married for 83 years.

The couple has accepted the invitation.

According to Tibetan custom, the blessing of old people wards off obstacles from a person's life.

"On the occasion, we will honour them," said Tsering Phuntsor, Minister of Religion and Culture of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

A special panel set up by the parliament-in-exile has drawn up elaborate celebrations for the Tibetan leader's birthday.

"We have set up, a high level committee of both the Kachak and the Tibetan Parliaments, to organise special ceremonies to ward off obstacles that may come in the life of his holiness, the Dalai Lama, this year," said Phuntsor.

The couple's age has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pyara Singh said: "We are ready to offer our best wishes".

More than 150,000 Tibetans have taken refuge in India since 1959 when the Dalai Lama and his followers fled their homeland, after an abortive uprising against China.

ANI