The Dalai Lama is 75-years-old today. Not that the Chinese authorities are exactly celebrating. In fact, they claim not to even know it’s his birthday. the party poopers.
For those who don’t know, the Dalai Lama is Tibet’s spiritual leader, who now has to live in exile outside of the country’s border. He has done since 1959, nine years after China took the country over by marching troops in.
Ever since then, the Dalai Lama has been the focal point for a worldwide effort to secure democracy and independence for Tibet.
The Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations are obviously mixed with an element of sadness, due to him having spent 50 years peacefully fighting against Chinese rule. Still, a birthday is a birthday, and 75 isn’t a bad age to reach.