Dalai Lama hails Fernandes as a great humanitarian

Bangalore, Jan 17 (UNI) Tibetan spiritual head Dalai Lama today hailed Former Defence Minister and Socialist Leader George Fernandes as a great humanitarian, who has been striving throughout his life, lending a voice to millions of voiceless in the country.

Speaking at a function to felicitate Mr Fernandes here, the Dalai Lama said '' Mr Fernandes has stood for the cause of millions of Tibetans and has carried firm conviction for justice and wisdom.'' Recalling his long association with Mr Fernandes, senior BJP leader L K Advani said they both had struggled hard to break the hegemony of the Congress and succeeded in 1977.

''My association with Mr Fernandes goes back to 1967, when he had defeated Congress stalwart S K Patil in Mumbai,'' Mr Advani said.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charnjit Singh Atwal, Karkataka Speaker Krishna, former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice Venkatachalaiah were also present among others.

Thanking his well wishers, Mr Fernandes said ''the presence of Dalai Lama and others will provide him more strength to continue with his struggle for the cause of poor and downtrodden.'' UNI MV LS RAI2133