Washington DC: On 23 June 2024, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama safely arrived at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, following a brief stopover in Zurich, Switzerland. Upon arrival at the airport, His Holiness received a warm welcome reception from Representative Dr. Namgyal Choedup and Chinese Liaison Officer Tsultrim Gyatso from the Office of Tibet-Washington, DC.
Dr Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General; Avdhesh Kumar, Vice Consul (Estt. & Protocol); and Abhimanyu Gehlaut from the Consulate General of India in New York, along with former Kalons (Ministers) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Sera Jey Abbot Tashi Tsedar, Akya Rinpoche, and around four thousand New York and New Jersey-based reverent lamas and followers of His Holiness gathered at the airport to receive His Holiness and seek His blessings.
From the Airport, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a motorcade arranged by the U.S government drove towards the Park Hyatt Hotel, where a large number of devotees, followers, and Tibetans lined the road to greet and welcome His Holiness with goodwill messages on placards, auspicious offerings, and white scarves (khatag) and incenses in their hands.
His Holiness was then received by Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorjichang Rinpoche at the entrance of Park Hyatt, along with Gyalyum Kusho; Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh, Consul (HOC & CPIO); Rato Khen Rinpoche; Geshe Thupten Lhundup; Ven. Tenzin Chosang, the head of Namgyal Monastery; and sister of Gyalwa Karmapa Ngodup Palzom. The reception was also attended by Tibetan Parliamentarians Tenzing Jigme, Thondup Tsering, Khenpo Kada Ngedup Sonam, the Office of Tibet’s Tibetan Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi, and Norbu Tsering, President of the Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey.
In total, more than ten thousand people and a large number of media personnel from various news outlets attended the reception, making it a large and widely covered event.
However, according to His Holiness’ personal physician and the secretary of Gaden Phodrang, there will be no public engagements except for medical treatment.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
