City gearing up for Dalai Lama

Nisha Lahiri
BBC News, Nottingham

Tashi Kangpo is excited about the Dalai Lama's visit

They are flocking from across the globe - to hear the words of a man who has not set foot in his own country for almost 40 years.

And, while the visit of the Dalai Lama has given Nottingham something of a security headache, it was one city officials were happy to suffer.

The preparations are now in place for the talks by the religious leader which will see a total of 15,000 people pack into Nottingham's Trent FM Arena over five days.

He has already arrived in the city after travelling by train from London.

One woman who is especially looking forward to seeing the Dalai Lama is Tashi Kangpo, who was born as her parents fled to India from Tibet in 1962.

She grew up as a refugee in Dharamshala - the same town which the Dalai Lama himself settled in after he too had left Tibet.

He had been recognised when he was two years old as the reincarnation of the 13 previous Dalai Lamas and was subsequently enthroned.

I am very excited about listening to his holiness. This is very important for us and a good opportunity for everyone to hear his wisdom Tashi Kangpo Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.

But in 1950, when he was 15, the troops of Mao Tse-tung's newly-installed Communist government marched into Tibet.

When Tibetans took to the streets in 1959 demanding an end to Chinese rule, troops crushed the revolt and thousands of protesters were killed.

The event sparked a mass exile from Tibet and ever since, the Dalai Lama has highlighted the plight of Tibetan people to governments around the world.

But he has never shifted from his stance of peaceful resistance and in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

His campaign has inspired many, including Ms Kangpo, who eventually emigrated to Switzerland, became a nurse and now runs a shop in her spare time selling Tibetan handicrafts and Buddhist paraphernalia.

She has come to Nottingham to listen to the Dalai Lama, sell her wares and raise awareness on Tibet and Buddhism.

She said: "I am very excited about listening to his holiness. This is very important for us and a good opportunity for everyone to hear his wisdom."

About 15,000 tickets have been sold for the Dalai Lama's talks at the arena

Experience Nottingham, the main body promoting tourism, said city hotels - with a total of about 7,000 beds - are almost full and visitors are having to find accommodation on the outskirts.

For an event of this scale, security is a concern.

It was only last month that pro-Tibet protesters nearly hijacked the Olympic torch on its journey through London.

But this time, it will be Chinese students "protesting the Dalai Lama's involvement in Chinese politics" according to a police spokesman.

Another protest is planned for Tuesday. The police have said they are working with the organisers on security.

There will be disruptions to the tram service as a section of track is repaired, with replacement bus services laid on.

But John Healey, chief executive of Experience Nottingham, said it is a problem he is happy to have on his hands.

"Having events like these puts you on the international map. It builds up the image of the place and raises the profile of the city. Hundreds of people from all parts of the country and the around the world will be coming to Nottingham," he said.