HH the Dalai Lama turns 70

Thousands of Tibetan exiles have celebrated the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala. A Tibetan dance and music festival is being staged in honour of the event. The Dalai Lama has lived in India since he fled from Chinese troops in 1959, basing his government-in-exile in the hill-top town.

He began Wednesday's festivities by unveiling a book on India's independence hero, Mahatma Gandhi. The Dalai Lama's personal secretary, Tensing Takala, told the BBC that various celebrations were planned. ...............