Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Dec 10 : The Tibetan exiles here celebrated the 20th anniversary of conferment of Nobel Peace prize on their spiritual leader, Dalai Lama.

A cultural programme was organised on this ocassion. The young Tibetan artists performed cultural dances, played traditional musical instruments and sang songs in front of the nuns, monks and students, who all appeared to be deeply involved and enjoyed watching the programme.

The Buddhist temple was all lit up as hundreds of exiles assembled here to enjoy the celebrations.

"One big significant characteristic of this day is the fact that his holiness, the Dalai Lama, had received the noble peace prize. So this is the recognition on the part of the international community that his holiness has made very important contributions to making the world a more peaceful place and it is also their recognition that his force of character, his holiness has kept the Tibetan struggle non-violent and peaceful, said Thubten Samphel, the spokesperson of Tibetan-government in-exile.

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989, so every year since then, December 10 is observed as an ocassion of celebration and joy.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India, after fleeing China in 1959.

The Dalai Lama claims autonomy for Tibet, putting him at differences with China, which blames him of stoking unrest in the name of seeking independence for the Tibetans. (ANI)