Sat Jul 12 07:00:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, presented as it might appear in *The Hindu*:
**The Hindu: News Article**
**Dalai Lama’s Journey to India: From Fearing Chinese Rule to Finding Refuge**
**Dharamshala, July 12, 2025:** As the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, recently celebrated his 90th birthday, The Hindu looks back on the pivotal events that led him to seek refuge in India and establish Dharamshala as the center of the Tibetan diaspora.
In 1950, the People’s Liberation Army occupied Tibet as China sought reunification of the region. A 17-point agreement in 1951 granted Tibet regional autonomy, but in practice, control remained with the Chinese authorities. Tensions escalated following armed struggle in Tibet’s Kham province in 1955. By 1959, fears for the Dalai Lama’s safety prompted thousands of Tibetans to gather in Lhasa, protesting Chinese rule. Shelling near the Norbulingka Palace on March 17th, 1959, triggered the Dalai Lama’s flight from Tibet.
Accompanied by family and officials, he embarked on a treacherous 15-day journey across the Himalayas. Under strict censorship at the Tibetan border, private communications were limited to three words: “We are safe.”
On March 31, 1959, the Dalai Lama crossed into India and sought political asylum. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru granted him refuge, first in Tawang, and later in Mussoorie where he met with Nehru.
Since 1960, Dharamshala has been the Dalai Lama’s residence, earning the moniker “Little Lhasa.” He has since established the Central Tibetan Administration, the ‘Tibetan government-in-exile’, and a Tibetan Parliament in Exile.
India continues to provide a home for thousands of Tibetan refugees. The Dalai Lama’s journey represents a complex history of political upheaval, religious resilience, and the enduring relationship between India and the Tibetan people.
**This story draws from The Hindu archives, with special thanks to K. Arunkumar and K. Prabhakaran.**
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