HAMIRPUR: Prime Minister of Tibetan government in exile, Samdhong Rinpoche has said that the Chinese protest to the grant of Gold Medal by the US administration to Dalai Lama doubled the celebrations of the medal all over the world.

Talking to Kangra district administration and reporters at Dharamshala today, he said, , "The strong lobbying from Chinese officials in urging each members of US Congress to vote against the resolution to award the gold medal prompted the majority of members to vote in favor of the bill."

The Central Tibetan Administration hosted a tea reception to officials of local administration, other dignitaries and local reporters in honor of the highest US civilian award to the Dalai Lama, the religious head and Political leader of the Tibetans.

He further said, without an initial plan to celebrate the event in exile Tibetan community, the wide media coverage of the award ceremony around the world culminated in a grand celebration.

The Prime Minister said the event gained major importance due to wide media coverage in US, South America and Canada .

The Congressional Gold Medal is in recognition of he Dalai Lama's steadfast endeavor to the principles of non-violence and his sense of the value of humanity, adding, the honor given by US Congress is non-partisan without an intention to denigrate the People's Republic of China, said the Prime Minister.

He conveyed the gratitude to the people of Dharamshala for their contribution to wide international recognition attained by the Dalai Lama

Speaking on occasion, Kangra Divisional Commissioner, Mr. B.K. Aggrawal said the US gold medal award to Dalai Lama will be a source of encouragement and strengthened the struggle of Tibetan people.

He said Dalai Lama was honored with the prestigious award for following the footsteps of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr. Sonam N Dagpo, Secretary for International Relations of the Department of Information and International Relations gave a briefing on the US Congressional gold medal to the Dalai Lama.