The Dalai Lama: An Extraordinary Life

By Alexander Norman (HarperCollins, New Delhi: 2020)

 Discussants: Mr. Tenzin Geyche, former Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Mr. Claude Arpi, writer and historian; and Mr. Alexander Norman, scholar of Tibetan history and author of the book

Chair: Shri Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary

Moderator: Shri Rajiv Mehrotra, author and filmmaker

This beautifully illustrated chronicle presents an in-depth, first hand narrative of the Dalai Lama’s life story and the Tibetan saga. From remembrances of those close to him, and a treasure trove of over 400 images of Tibet’s priceless visual heritage, it preserves a record of what it was like to create a nation from nothing, in exile, and how His Holiness rallied endlessly for his people. A rich blend of biography, history, and legacy, it captures a detailed account of the tumultuous events through which the Dalai Lama was forced to chart a path, leading to his emergence as an international figure. It illuminates as well his initiatives in the wider world to relieve suffering, overcome global challenges, and foster human flourishing through compassionate universal ethics, working hand in hand with science and ingenuity.