Click to play videoDharamshala: Tintin has become the first comic book character to be honoured by a religious leader.
The Dalai Lama has honoured Tintin for introducing Tibet to the world through the comic book Tintin in Tibet.
The honour has come upon Tintin almost five decades after the comic book was first published.
Tintin in Tibet is the story of Tintin's friend who goes missing in Tibet after a plane crash.
Tintin sets out in search of his friend and his journey takes him close to the Tibetian way of life.
Tintin is one of the most widely read comics in the world and author Herge's writing of Tibet, at a time when the world was not as connected as it is now, made the land famous amongst the millions who read the comic book.
Says Information Secretary, Tibetan Government in Exile, Thubten Samphel, "I think Tintin in Tibet has done a lot to introduce Tibetan culture and the way of life of the Tibetan people to the international community. The comic book is a part and parcel of every school boy and girl's life and it has enormously enhanced the knowledge of Tibet to the outside world."
In fact, such was the popularity of this particular story that China tried to introduce their version of the story called Tintin in Chinese Tibet. However, this was vehemently opposed by the Herge Foundation that publishes the comics.
Nonetheless, many Tibetans wonder what will the awareness lead to and whether it will be of any help in the Tibetan quest for an independent nation.
Says a book shop owner and Tibetian radical, Lhasang Tsering, "After all this awareness, now what? We are no longer doing anything about our struggle. There is a lot of interest in Tibet and care for Tibetian people but like I always say, no body can help a student who refuses to go to school. So when we today refuse to fight for freedom who can help us?"
However, for Tinitin fans, things are not this bleak and they are now looking upon Tintin in Tibet in a new light.
Says Sonam, an avid Tintin comics reader, "When I was in school, I used to read different types of comics but Tintin was one of the best. Now that His Holiness has honoured the book, it has just become more special, more than just a comic book."
Tintin was the boy detective who never grew up, remained the same age in all his comics and all his adventures.
However, the new honour conferred upon him by His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made him something more than a comic hero. He is no longer confined to the realms of comics but goes beyind that.
(With inputs from Jasbir Singh)
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