Shimla, July 24 - A book on Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, written by scholar and educationist Som P. Ranchan, was released here Friday by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

ReleasinG 'Dalai Lama - A Study', Dhumal said: 'The book would help research scholars understand Buddhism better. It has always been a pleasure and a dream come true for any person to share some moments with His Holiness.'

Born on July 6, 1935 at Taktser hamlet in northeastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso. He fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, basing his Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent campaign for democracy and freedom in his homeland. Ever since he fled to India, he has spent his time in exile pushing for autonomy for Tibet.

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been following a 'middle-path' policy that seeks 'greater autonomy' for Tibetans rather than complete independence.

A total of 140,000 Tibetans now live in exile and of them 100,000 stay in different parts of India.