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| Dalai Lama draws crowds in unlikely visit to Aldershot | Dalai Lama draws crowds in unlikely visit to Aldershot |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| By Roz Tappenden BBC News, Aldershot | By Roz Tappenden BBC News, Aldershot |
| The small Hampshire military town of Aldershot is more used to welcoming home soldiers from conflict zones rather than spiritual leaders. | The small Hampshire military town of Aldershot is more used to welcoming home soldiers from conflict zones rather than spiritual leaders. |
| So when it was announced the Dalai Lama was paying an unlikely visit, it was a chance thousands did not want to miss. | So when it was announced the Dalai Lama was paying an unlikely visit, it was a chance thousands did not want to miss. |
| Crowds began gathering early in the drizzle at the 7,000-capacity EBB Stadium, where the town's football team hosts League Two games, to catch a glimpse of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader. | Crowds began gathering early in the drizzle at the 7,000-capacity EBB Stadium, where the town's football team hosts League Two games, to catch a glimpse of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader. |
| Addressing the crowd in broken English, the Dalai Lama spoke of mutual respect and religious harmony. | Addressing the crowd in broken English, the Dalai Lama spoke of mutual respect and religious harmony. |
| 'A miracle' | 'A miracle' |
| As he spoke the heavens opened, but he still managed to do a lap of honour around the pitch as it eased. | As he spoke the heavens opened, but he still managed to do a lap of honour around the pitch as it eased. |
| He was mobbed like a rock star as he left, with people massing around his car as it drove away. | He was mobbed like a rock star as he left, with people massing around his car as it drove away. |
| The large local Nepalese community ensured the visit was a colourful affair, with many in traditional dress. | The large local Nepalese community ensured the visit was a colourful affair, with many in traditional dress. |
| A Nepalese man, who did not want to be named, described the visit to the town as "nothing short of a miracle". | A Nepalese man, who did not want to be named, described the visit to the town as "nothing short of a miracle". |
| Former Gurkha Captain Balkrishna Gurung, 47, from Folkestone, Kent, said he had realised a lifetime ambition by seeing the Dalai Lama. | Former Gurkha Captain Balkrishna Gurung, 47, from Folkestone, Kent, said he had realised a lifetime ambition by seeing the Dalai Lama. |
| 'Just awesome' | 'Just awesome' |
| He added: "I think it was a very good visit. A lot of the Nepalese community have enjoyed this." | He added: "I think it was a very good visit. A lot of the Nepalese community have enjoyed this." |
| Ann Grainger, 57, from Aldershot, said: "This has been good for the community because there are people here from many different faiths. | |
| "I'm a Christian and I came to hear him because any religion that teaches peace and harmony is important." | "I'm a Christian and I came to hear him because any religion that teaches peace and harmony is important." |
| Renu Rokka, 23, from Plumstead, south London, hired a bus along with 32 other people to attend the talk. | Renu Rokka, 23, from Plumstead, south London, hired a bus along with 32 other people to attend the talk. |
| She said: "It was great to be here. We have never been so near to him. | She said: "It was great to be here. We have never been so near to him. |
| "It was a dream come true." | "It was a dream come true." |
| Val Wilkie, 67, who travelled up from Teignmouth in Devon on Wednesday, said: "I've come to see him because of the history he has in world peace." | Val Wilkie, 67, who travelled up from Teignmouth in Devon on Wednesday, said: "I've come to see him because of the history he has in world peace." |
| Dave Freestone, 47, from Portsmouth, who attended with Paula Slater, 48, from Aldershot, said it was an "auspicious occasion" and he was hoping to walk away with some "spiritual guidance". | Dave Freestone, 47, from Portsmouth, who attended with Paula Slater, 48, from Aldershot, said it was an "auspicious occasion" and he was hoping to walk away with some "spiritual guidance". |
| "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm planning to go to India where we were hoping to catch him over there but this was guaranteed," he said. | "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm planning to go to India where we were hoping to catch him over there but this was guaranteed," he said. |
| "It's a strange place for the Dalai Lama to be, but in Aldershot where else could he be [then the stadium]? It's the only place." | "It's a strange place for the Dalai Lama to be, but in Aldershot where else could he be [then the stadium]? It's the only place." |
| The cost of hosting the event has been put at £60,000 to £70,000 so organisers, Buddhist Community Centre UK, said it had no choice but to charge for entry. | The cost of hosting the event has been put at £60,000 to £70,000 so organisers, Buddhist Community Centre UK, said it had no choice but to charge for entry. |
| Thirty VIP seats were sold for £100 each, while a seat in the ground cost £30 and a standing ticket was £15. | Thirty VIP seats were sold for £100 each, while a seat in the ground cost £30 and a standing ticket was £15. |
| Any profits made will be split between Buddhist Community Centre UK and the Dalai Lama's charities. | Any profits made will be split between Buddhist Community Centre UK and the Dalai Lama's charities. |
| The Dalai Lama is nearing the end of an eight day visit to the UK during which he has given talks on non-violence, dialogue and universal responsibility. | The Dalai Lama is nearing the end of an eight day visit to the UK during which he has given talks on non-violence, dialogue and universal responsibility. |
| He lives in exile in India, travelling the world to seek support for more rights for Tibetan people. | He lives in exile in India, travelling the world to seek support for more rights for Tibetan people. |