Dalai Lama meets flood victims in Leh

LEH - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama urged victims of the cloudburst in Ladakh not to lose hope and rebuild their lives.

The Tibetan spiritual leader toured the devastated terrain in Ladakh and expressed his grief at the natural calamity.

“Those who passed away will not return. So, it is better to look forward. The disaster has already happened. Now there are many people, including many concerned governments, who are helping. Now utilise these resources and build your new life with confidence and vision, and look forward,” said the Dalai Lama.

Highlighting the heartwarming global response to the disaster, the Dalai Lama said gestures shown by international governments were examples of a world united in adversity.

He also praised the media for its stupendous role in catalysing such actions.

“I think due to information…about what happened in some area, becomes immediately known to the rest of the world. So, the response to the disaster…such as in the tsunami and the Haiti (earthquake)…the worldwide response…helping…is really very, very encouraging,” he said.

He also cautioned that natural catastrophe were results of man’s apathy and disassociation with nature.

Highlighting the need for having a healthy planet to sustain the thriving ecosystems of the planet, the Dalai Lama appealed people to become more bionomically sensitive in their practices.

“We really need more awareness about the importance of taking care of our ecology. This (planet) is our own home. This is the only planet where we can live,” he said.

Last month, the picturesque Ladakh region was left reeling under a destructive deluge of flash floods, caused by a sudden cloudburst.

At least 183 people, including 35 army men, 18 Nepali and Tibetan workers, three French, one Spanish and one Italian tourists were killed.

More than 7,000 soldiers were conducting rescue and relief work in the region.

The deluge in Leh destroyed homes, uprooted telephone towers and deposited boulders and mud up to 15 feet high on highways, cutting road links with the rest of India.

Five villages - Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglamsar and Shapoo were the worst hit by the flash floods. (ANI)