Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, today said India, where different religious traditions "live harmoniously", is a model to other parts of world, and should continue to keep this tradition.

"India is a model. Different religious traditions live peacefully and harmoniously. Please keep this tradition," Dalai Lama said at the valedictory of the year-long celebration of the 1,960 year-old Malankara Orthodox Syrian church here.

Describing India as 'Arya Bhumi', the Nobel Laureate said "we consider this country spiritually very, very important." In the last 2000-3000 years, different religious traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, flourished here."

"India has great heritage.There is harmony among different religious traditions.India is a land where people of different religious faiths can live peacefully and harmoniously here. India's tradition is very relevant in today's world," he said.

For thousands of years, India carried the message of 'Ahimsa' which was relevant even today, he said, adding, "we should ourselves create inner peace by practising love and compassion in daily life."

In the 21st century,people everywhere talk about money and material value. That is also important. Material wealth provides physical comfort. Mental comfort is possible only by faith, he said.

"A disturbed mind is very bad for health, while a healthy mind and health body go together. Material wealth alone will not bring happiness," the spiritual leader said.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam said there is need for a combination of economic prosperity and spiritual way of life.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy released the Centenary souvenir.

In his Presidential address, Baselios Mar Thomas Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan announced that the church would set apart Rs 100 crore for social welfare schemes, including lending a helping hand to heart and cancer patients, building home for the homeless and provide financial aid to poor students.

This is also the centenary of the establishment of the highest hierarchial position in the church, the Catholicate of the East, the symbol of the identity, freedom and autocephaly of the Indian Church of St Thomas.

The Dalai Lama also gave a private audience at a function organised by 'Friends of Tibet', to the beneficiaries of the 'Well-being' Tibetan medical service camp, being held in Kochi for the last two years.

Noted Tibetan Poet and writer Tenzin Tsundue recited his poems and presented the 'Compassion in Exile', a French documentary film on the life of the Dalai Lama produced by Lemle Pictures.

'Friends of Tibet' also organised an exhibition of historic photographs on Tibet and artefacts, including coins and currencies from the then Independent Tibet, a radio used by the Dalai Lama and the outlawed Tibetan National Flag from Chinese Occupied Tibet.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs K V Thomas also spoke.

Religious heads, political leaders from different parties, including BJP state president, V Muralidharan and SNDP yogam General secretary, Vellapally Natesan took part in the valedictory function.