Top News
India willing to issue visa to Karmapa Lama
New Delhi, Dec 27 (IANS) Amid speculation of return to India of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, one of the two claimants to the title of 17th Karmapa Lama, it is now reliably learnt that New Delhi is willing to issue a visa to him if he applies for it.
Dorje, who has been living in the US since May 2017, was supposed to attend the 13th Religious Conference on Tibetan Buddhism that was scheduled to be held at Dharamsala from November 29 to December 1.
However, he did not come and the conference has also been indefinitely deferred resulting in much speculation about whether his absence had anything to do with the postponement.
However, those familiar with the development said on Thursday that though the Indian government does not recognise Dorje as the 17th Karmapa Lama, New Delhi is not averse to issuing a visa if he applies for it.
But Dorje, who now holds a passport of the Commonwealth of Dominica, a small island nation in the Caribbean, has not even applied for an Indian visa, it is learnt.
The recognition of the 17th Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, has been the subject of much controversy.
Since the death of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, in 1981, two candidates have been put forward: Ogyen Trinley Dorje, born in 1985, and Trinley Thaye Dorje, born in 1983.
Both have already been enthroned as 17th Karmapa, and both independently have been performing ceremonial duties in the role of a Karmapa.
While China and the 14th Dalai Lama have given recognition to Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi.
Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa at Tsurphu Monastery in Lhasa when he was aged seven, in December 1999, eluded his Chinese minders and escaped over the Himalayan mountains to live in exile in India.
As the Indian government saw him as a normal Tibetan refugee in India, he was issued an identity certificate (IC) whenever he wished to travel abroad.
However, after having acquired a Commonwealth of Dominica passport, he did not inform the Indian government and the IC issued by India has also become invalid.
Now, if he wants an Indian visa, he will have to apply for it through his Commonwealth of Dominica passport.
It is also learnt that Indian missions abroad have been directed to issue him a visa if he applies for it through that passport.
–IANS
ab/prs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.