Dalai Lama receives Ramon Magsaysay Award after 64 years; The announcement was made in 1959, then could not go to collect because of China

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was on Wednesday honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award. He was given this award for fighting for the Tibetan community and inspiring Tibetan culture. He was selected for this award in 1959, but then because of China, he fled from Tibet and came to India, due to which he could not go to receive the award.

Now after 64 years, Ramon Magsaysay’s team reached the Dalai Lama at his home in Himachal to present this award. This was the first international award given to the Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama had fled Tibet because of China
In 1959, when the Ramon Magsaysay Award was announced for the Dalai Lama, China was persecuting the followers of Buddhism in Tibet. Distressed by Chinese attacks, the Dalai Lama had fled Tibet to India in 1959. Because of this, he could not go to receive the award. His elder brother Gyalo Thonden attended the program and received the award.

This award is given in memory of the President of the Philippines
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is given in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the 7th President of the Philippines. It was established in 1957. Whoever does good work in the field of social reform, is awarded this award. It is also called the Nobel Prize of Asia. The establishment of this award is supported by the Government of the Philippines as well as the Rockefeller Society. This society is located in New York City, USA.