His Holiness the Dalai Lama Welcomes Tibetan-American Aftab Karma Purewal as New Mayor of Cincinnati

Dharamshala: As Aftab Karma Purewal, an American of Tibetan-Indian descent, was sworn in as the new Mayor of Cincinnati on Tuesday, 4 January, Tibetans from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio presented the new Mayor with a letter of congratulations from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sikyong Penpa Tsering.

In the letter dated 7 December 2021, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote:

“I am pleased to learn that the Tibetan community of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio are holding a celebration to honour Aftab Purewal who is of Tibetan and Indian heritage, for his having been elected as the next Mayor of Cincinnati.”

“When we Tibetans were forced to leave our country in 1959, we were all refugees who initially settled in different parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the years that followed, some of them resettled in western countries eventually becoming citizens of their respective adopted countries.”

“In all my interactions with Tibetans, I have been encouraged to see that, despite living in new circumstances by and large they and their children are able to maintain their sense of identity while contributing to the development of their adopted country.”

“In recent years, people of Tibetan heritage have also started seeking political office in countries such as Canada, Switzerland, and the USA as a form of public service. While being dedicated in their service for the benefit of others, I hope that they will be able to show an especially warm hearted concern for the less fortunate members in their constituencies,” His Holiness wrote.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering also sent a letter congratulating the new Mayor. Expressing his good wishes, Sikyong said the win reflects the trust of the People of Cincinnati in Aftab’s leadership and urged him to continue advocating for the just cause of Tibet.