To End Leprosy Discrimination: Dalai Lama to Visit Leprosy Colony in India
Location: Kasturba Gram Kusht Ashram, Leprosy Complex, Tahirpur, New Delhi
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.
1. Date & Time
March 20, 2014 (Thursday); 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. (local time)
2. Location:
Kasturba Gram Kusht Ashram, Leprosy Complex, Tahirpur, New Delhi
3. Schedule (Tentative)
9:30-
Arrival of the Dalai Lama and Yohei Sasakawa
Presentation of song by children of the leprosy colony
Bouquet presentation
9:50-
Address by Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination
Speech by Vagavathali Narsappa, President of Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL)
Speech by representative of the Tahirpur Leprosy Complex
10:12-
Address by the Dalai Lama
Interaction with the Dalai Lama and state leaders
Interaction with the media
Vote of Thanks by Guntreddy Venugopal, Vice President of Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL)
Photo session (concluding at 11:00)
Contact
Public Relations Department
The Nippon Foundation
- Tel
- +81-3-6229-5131
- pr@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp