HIMANCHAL PRADESH: The Dalai Lama has won his first Grammy Award for the spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, bringing pride to Tibetans in exile and admirers worldwide.

The 90-year-old spiritual leader, who has lived in exile in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh of India, since 1959, was honored at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Tibetan parliament-in-exile Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering said the recognition will help spread his message of compassion and universal brotherhood.

Created with sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, the album blends reflective spoken word with music.

The Dalai Lama said he views the award not as personal but as a call to shared human responsibility.

China criticized the award, claiming it could be used for ‘anti-China activities,’ a charge Beijing repeated following the win.