To End Leprosy Discrimination: Dalai Lama to Visit Leprosy Colony in India

As part of its efforts to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy, the Nippon Foundation and the Dalai Lama will jointly visit a leprosy colony in New Delhi, India, where he will meet the residents of the complex who are affected by leprosy and their families. There will also be time for the Dalai Lama to interact with the residents and representatives of Association of People Affected by Leprosy, a nationwide organization engaged in the empowerment of people affected by leprosy in India.

The Dalai Lama is keenly interested in issues related to leprosy, and donated part of the prize money awarded with his Nobel Peace Prize to a leprosy facility in India. This visit is in response to an invitation extended by Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, at an audience with the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala, India, in August 2012.

Many members of the local media are expected to attend this event. We hope it will bring global attention to the situation that persons affected by leprosy face today and help to eliminate prejudice and discrimination.

March 20, 2014 (Thursday); 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. (local time)

Kasturba Gram Kusht Ashram, Leprosy Complex, Tahirpur, New Delhi