Dalai lama in South Asia Centre

Hyderabad February 13: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said some meaningful words here on Sunday in south Asia center Hyderabad.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama was in attendance. And he took the opportunity to reiterate just how much ancient Indian thought and wisdom, in his trademark witty style filled with wisecracks. And no one was immune to his sense of humour -- not the guests, not the delegates, not even IT Minister KTR who shared the stage with him.



"In this country, the concept of atma was born 3000 years ago. They had known that there was more to life beyond body and mind. I call myself the messanger of ancient Indian thought. I think I speak more about the ancient Indian knowledge than Indian leaders do," he said, pointing at the dias where KTR and deputy CM Mohammad Mahmood Ali sat. That got the whole audience roaring with laughter. KTR, who seemed rather lost, had to ask the members of His Holiness' team to narrate what he had missed.

"Furthermore, someone asked me why do conisder yourself the son of India, continued the Dalai Lama. "All of my brain is filled with ancient Indian thought, while all of my body is the result of eating Indian dals, Indian chapathi, Indian rice. Therefore, mentally and physically, I am a son of India," he asserted.

The friendly, fun banter between KTR and Dalai Lama did not stop there. The Dalai Lama said, "I am 82 years now. This July is my birthday. (Points at the audience) Young girl, you tell me, how old do I look?" KTR chose to answer that: "22... I think you still look like you're 22", cracking up the Dalai Lama, who went on to add, "That's an exaggeration, I would say."