Dalai Lama Expresses Gratitude and Hope as Trekkers Retrace His 1959 Escape Route

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed deep emotion and gratitude in a special message to the 300 trekkers who retraced his 1959 escape route from Tibet to Tawang, India. The six-day Freedom Trail ended on April 5 at Dzongtse Pungteng, where His Holiness first stayed after reaching India. In his letter, the Dalai Lama recalled the relief and freedom he felt upon arrival and praised the journey as a reaffirmation of India-Tibet cultural ties. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu shared the letter, calling the trek a moving tribute to peace, unity, and spiritual resilience.