Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh

Tibetan spiritual guru the Dalai Lama has accepted the invitation of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu to visit the state.

Khandu, accompanied by a nine-member delegation, comprising state legislators and members of Parliament, had a meeting with the Dalai Lama at the latter's official residence at McLeodganj, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, official sources said in Itanagar on Monday.

Khandu, however, said the sole purpose of the meeting was to have a 'darshan' of the Buddhist monk.

During the delegation's hour-long interaction with the Dalai Lama, the chief minister expressed unhappiness over the present situation in Tibet.

The delegation included Lok Sabha member Kiren Rijiju, state home minister Jarbom Gamlin and member of legislative assembly Tsewang Dhondup.

The Dalai Lama was invited to inaugurate a Rs 3.45 crore hospital in Tawang for which he had contributed Rs 20 lakh during his last visit in 2003.

The Arunachal chief minister had contributed Rs 90 lakh for the hospital, which was constructed by a committee led by  Dhondup.