Dialogue only way to resolve any issue: Dalai Lama

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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who is on a private visit to Kashmir, on Saturday said dialogue is the only way to resolve any issue as violence is in no one's interest.

"Kashmiri people should live peacefully and if there is any problem, dialogue is the only way (to resolve issues). Violence is in nobody's interest...peaceful way is essential," the Dalai Lama told reporters after visiting the Tibetan Public School in Hawal area of the city here.

The Dalai Lama, who is on third visit to Kashmir, said he could not visit the Valley for the past 24 years due to the turmoil.

"(But) Now the situation is better and peace is returning to Kashmir. People want a happy life and the basis of happy life is peace," he said.

The spiritual leader said one should not harbour anger and negative feeling as it only takes away peace of mind.

"Anger and negative feeling remain for years...these are animal instincts and we should overcome it," he told a gathering of students and people at the school.

The Dalai Lama, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said, "We should use our intelligence. You can take counter-action without anger and it is more effective."

The spiritual leader emphasised the need for introducing moral and secular education from kindergarten level to universities for achieving these goals.

He asked the people not to be materialistic and instead focus of seeking knowledge.

The Dalai Lama was all praise for the Chief Minister, his father and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and grandfather Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah.

"He (Omar) is young, energetic and visionary leader," he said.

He said the third generation of the Abdullah family is ruling in the state due to their contribution to it. "When I visited the first time Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was here, second time Farooq Abdullah was here and now Omar Abdullah...it is because of their contribution," he said.

During the visit, the Dalai Lama interacted with the Tibetan school authorities and the refugees living in the area.

During the visit, the Chief Minister said he was happy to see communal harmony in the Tibetan Public school where both Muslim and Buddhist students study together.

Omar also assured school authorities that the government will replace the school bus that was destroyed by a mob during the 2010 summer agitation.

Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora and MoS Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani were also present at the function.