Dalai Lama receives Mother Teresa award

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was on Thursday conferred the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice.

The Nobel laureate was presented the award for his contribution in defending human rights and working for the welfare of the Tibetan people. The award was received from actress Rani Mukherjee and sisters of the Missionaries of Charity at a function in New Delhi.

In his acceptance speech, Dalai Lama recalled his first visit to Mother Teresa's center in Calcutta where he said he was touched by the spirit of Mother Teresa which was still alive even in her absence.

"Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun whose inner strength came from her Christian faith," he said, adding "faith not only brings individual well-being but also the willingness to serve others."

He stressed on the importance of cultivating inner values, saying material values only provided physical comfort while a calm and compassionate mind brings inner well-being.

Dalai Lama also welcomed the release of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi from prison on Nov. 13 after seven years of house arrest.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abraham Mathai, Vice Chairman of State Minorities Commission, Maharashtra, said the award honours Dalai lama for being a "worldwide icon of conscience" and a "global voice for peace and social justice."

Thursday's function also honoured a host of other NGOs and individuals for their contribution towards peace, tolerance and social justice.