Source: www.phayul.com

Dharamsala, December 17: Days after the Dalai Lama announced that he is contemplating retirement in the next six months, the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama this week said the move does not mean he will dissociate himself from the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom.

Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama (C) arrives in Pemayangtse monastery in Pelling in the Himalayan state of Sikkim December 15, 2010. The Dalai Lama is in Sikkim, which borders with China as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao begins his three-day visit to New Delhi. (REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri)

"More than 99 per cent of Tibetans in and outside Tibet trust me, so I have the moral responsibility to serve them. My call for complete retirement does not mean that I will forget the Tibetan struggle," he told reporters on Tuesday (Dec 14) at Kalimpong in West Bengal. (WATCH HERE)

"I am a Tibetan and every Tibetan has the moral obligation to carry out the struggle," the 75-year-old Tibetan leader said, adding that to resolve the Tibet issue would remain his top priority.

The spiritual leader's statement came following reports of Tibetans living in Tibet expressing anxiety and confusion over his retirement plan, the Dalai Lama's office here reportedly said.

The Dalai Lama further said some Tibetans living inside Tibet expressed anxiety and confusion over his retirement plans.

"I want to hand over the ceremonial role such as signing of legislatures and documents to the democratically elected leadership. And among some Tibetans inside Tibet are also little anxious and confused that the Dalai Lama is now no longer interested about the Tibetan struggle. No, it is not," he clarified.

The Nobel Peace Laureate had recently told a television channel that he would quit public life and hand over most of his political powers to the Tibetan prime minister-in-exile.

The Tibetan leader had arrived in Sikkim on Wednesday at the invitation of the state's Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling on an eight-day visit.

On December 18, the Dalai Lama will visit the town of Ravangla in South Sikkim where he shall address a congregation of people at the Tibetan settlement there. On the same day he is scheduled to visit the Ralong Monastery, probably the oldest monastery in Sikkim built during the late 1600’s. His itineary then includes a visit to Gangtok where he is scheduled to address a seminar.

His Holiness is expected to leave for Dharamsala on December 22.