30 November 2006
Dalai Lama awarded Kalmykian honour
(Interfax) The Dalai Lama, has been presented with a White Lotus order, the highest award in Russia's republic of Kalmykia, "for his outstanding merits and considerable contribution to the spiritual revival and prosperity of the republic", the Kalmykia president's press office told Interfax. The awards ceremony is expected to take place at the Dalai Lama's residence during Kalmyk President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov's visit to Dharamsala in December, the press office said.