A TRIBUTE TO MY MENTOR: KUNGOE SAMPHEL LA

It is the responsibility of those who work at the CTA to do our work to the best of our ability and this will serve an example for a new generation of young educated Tibetans who wish to serve in the Central Tibetan Administration. - Thubten Samphel, March 24, 2018. 

As usual, today we had a regular meeting in the office at the foothill of Dhauladhar.  It was a normal day and I did not expect any unexpected things to happen today. However, after the meeting, my colleagues instantly shared the news of the passing away of Kungoe Samphel la. I was shocked, saddened and in complete disbelief. Yesterday evening and for three consecutive days, I spoke with him over the phone and he seemed fine and shared his immediate plans. It was always good to speak to Kungoe Samphel la and be with his company.

Thubten Samphel la as we most fondly called him Kungoe Samphel la, was a true gentleman, a man of high principle and values. He was not just a civil servant, but a scholar and a prolific writer. His understanding of world history and particularly of the stature of Tibet connects his writings even to the common readers. He had authored couple of books, written scores of articles and book reviews in many national and international medias. The most liked one was his ‘Dharamsala Diary’ which he passionately wrote in the Tibet Bulletin for couple of years. 

Throughout his youthful 40 years of services, he majorly dedicated his life to the Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration by initially working as the editor of the Tibetan Bulletin, and later as the Information Secretary. He then worked as the director of the then newly established Tibet Policy Institute, an in house think tank of the Central Tibetan Administration for 7 long years. With profound knowledge and wisdom, his words were sharp and precise while attending queries when he served as the official spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration. 

I am amongst the fortunate one who got a chance to work under his guidance, supervision and mentorship for many years and later became his deputy at the Tibet Policy Institute til the end of his formal service. Even after his retirement, he was more than ever ready to help the Institute in any capacities. I am grateful to Kungoe Samphel la for his unflinching trust upon me for all these years.

Like many of my colleagues, I have learnt many things from Kungoe Samphel la that makes me what I am now. His selfless dedication and services were supreme and exemplary. He normally uttered little words, which were meaningful and inspiring, on top of that, his down to earth personality speaks volume about his humility. 

Kungoe Samphel la as a scholar, If I may confess does not bother much about bureaucracy, neither cared much about its complexity. However, he had a reputation of being a kindhearted leader, administrator and a perfect mentor who is loved and respected by all.

At the Tibet Policy Institute, he was like a father figure to all of us. We had many dinners and discussions at night at his residence. His sacrifice and dedication set a benchmark for me to rise and follow his leadership. He was a patriot and his loyalty to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people are pure and genuine. His passion for writing on Tibet continues even after his retirement. In fact, he devoted much of time in writings and had few ongoing writing projects. 

On 4 June, he silently left this mortal world in the wee hours without pain and health complications. Adios to my mentor Kungoe Samphel la and may you be blessed by Triple Jem and be born again to inspire many more with your humility and wisdom. My heartfelt condolences and grievances to his family members and friends.

In memory of our tallest supporter George Saab

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with George Fernandes in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 10, 2007. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

Dharamshala, 29 January 2019: Today, Tibet has lost one of her dearest and most trusted friend George Fernandes, who remained the strongest voice of solidarity for the Tibetan cause. His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his condolence message expressed, “George was a great humanitarian and believer in truth. Throughout his life, his was a voice for the millions of poor and needy people of the country. He had a firm conviction in justice and wisdom. He was a real heroic leader.”1 In India, he was popularly known as a union leader of the masses, an ardent Lohia comrade, and a seasoned politician.

George’s initial relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama started when Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia requested him to teach some Tibetan youth (Lodi Gyari) about socialism. He first met His Holiness when the latter visited Parliament house to meet Dr. Lohia. In 1959, soon after His Holiness fled to India, he led a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Mumbai after they refused to take the memorandum.2

In 1967, he won the parliamentary election from south Bombay. In that year, when many prominent Indian leaders like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Prof. ML Sondhi, Acharya Kripalani and Madhu Limaye rigorously debated in favour of a resolution in the Parliament on whether the Dalai Lama should be recognized as the Head of the émigré Government of Tibet and the Government of India to extend all facilities and help to liberate Tibet from the colonial rule of Communist China, George Fernandes raised up to say Ayes for the resolution. Since the house was divided with the motion, the resolution failed to passed.3

 “There are many who believe that it is now too late in the day to think about the freedom of Tibet. Such people belong to the category of those who have lost faith in themselves and have never understood the indomitable nature of the spirit of the human being. To them history is as static as the Himalayas appear to be, though over the ages, the Himalayas too have kept evolving and changing.” - George Fernandes, Keynote address delivered at the International Convention on Tibet and Peace in South Asia, New Delhi, 12-14 August, 1989  

On May 11, 1993 the All India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (AIPFT) was formed with the involvement and cooperation of many Indian parliamentarians representing all major political parities in India. George saab was then the first chairman of AIPFT, instrumental in forming the forum.  Under his chairmanship, he organized the first World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet in Delhi from 18-20 March 1994. Many parliamentarians from 25 countries gathered to discuss the Tibet issue, which George stressed, “it is for the first time that we succeeded in taking the Tibetan issue into a large number of parliaments in the world” and called the New Delhi convention as “qualitatively different” from the earlier conventions on Tibet.4 The forum adopted the Delhi Resolution which was based on the Ten Commandments or suggestion for actions in support of the Tibetan people.5 George, then the member of Indian parliament was vocal in condemning China when the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wu Jianmin commented with the hope that india would be careful in future in handling Tibet political activities on its soil. In response, he made a statement that New Delhi should tell Beijing, “even if it is a lesson that China’s present day leaders, with their Tiananmen Square record, may not be able to understand”.6

In 1995, he attended the Second World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the deliberations, he said that it is eminent to hold the next conference in a country which can play the most significant role, next to India. It is in his firm believe that India has to play the most significant role in the ultimate fight, which George saab stressed “fight in all its ramifications to see that Tibet achieves independence.”7

During the Third World Parliamentarians Convention for Tibet, which was held in Washington D.C in 1997, George saab iterated that India and China must talk to each other taking into consideration of the the geopolitical importance of Tibet. He argued that without Tibet as a central theme, the talks will be meaningless.8

In 1998, when George Fernandes was the defence minister of India, he openly declared China as the potential threat No. 1 of India, which suddenly raised eyebrows of all strategic pundits who were silently observing the Sino-Indian relations. In 2003, he visited China which again drew lots of media attentions. However, Bhartendu Kumar Singh wrote a piece that summed up the personality of George saab, “George Fernandes, the Defence Minister, who is pragmatic about the prospects of Sino-Indian relations, is only articulating the official viewpoint. In private, he still remains the same ‘old’ George, who continues to support the Tibetans, reveres the Dalai Lama and carries on the PSP’s perception of China as a strategic threat. George, as an individual, would still like to stand by his 1998 description of China as a potential enemy no.1.”8

In 2007, George attended the 48th commemoration of Tibetan National Uprising Day at the courtyard of Tsuglakhang in Dharamshala where he said that the struggle must continue until the full resolution of Tibet issue. He asserted that he shall remain an optimist on the Tibet issue.

In 2008, when a nationwide uprising happened in Tibet, George saab was vocal enough to call for a boycott of torch relay in India. He said that “the Olympic torch should not be allowed to come to India and that he had asked his 'colleagues' and others to make 'whatever effort' to prevent the flame's run in India.” On his 77th birthday, His Holiness attended George Abhinandane hosted by his friends in Bangalore. As a response to that felicitation, he read "The presence of Dalai Lama and others will bring more strength to go with struggle for the causes of poor and downtrodden,"9

In 2009, George Fernandes visited Dharamshala and attended the Thank you India program hosted by the Tibetan NGOs. He told the Tibet Post, ‘these refugees have human rights in India, shouting, demonstrating, and protesting are all within their rights.  Never should a Tibetan be arrested in India for exercising his personal freedoms.”10

Today, at this sad moment of his demise, Tibet has lost her trusted friend, who had consistently worked for Tibet for decades whether he be in the government or outside. Likewise, Burmese too will grief the loss of their dear friend. I vividly remember those days when we used to visit him at his MP residence during the long relay of protests in 2008. Though he was physically weak, we were empowered by his presence and his larger than life conviction.

We bid farewell to George saab, and shall cherish and remember his goodwill and legacy forever.

Reference:

1.    Condolences on the Death of George Fernandes, https://www.dalailama.com/news/2019/condolences-on-the-death-of-george-fernandes

2.    Faithful among the Faithful - Interview of George Fernandes in New Delhi by Claude Arpi, 05 June 2018 http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/faithful-among-the-faithful-interview-of-george-fernandes-in-new-delhi/

3.    Indian Parliament on the issue of Tibet Lok Sabha (1952-2005), TPPRC, 2006 pp. 279

4.    Dalai Lama-China dialogue mooted, The Times of India, New Delhi Monday, March 21, 1994

5.    World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet, A Souvenir, pp. 12

6.    India clarifies position on met on Tibet, Deccan Herald, march 24, 1994

7.    Tibet: Saving A People from Annihilation Proceedings of the Second World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet, pp. 26

8.    George Fernandes and Sino-Indian Relations, by Bhartendu Kumar Singh, IPCS, 27 May 2003 http://www.ipcs.org/focusthemsel.php?articleNo=1044

9.    George Fernandes felted on his 77th birthday, 17 January 2008 https://www.oneindia.com/2008/01/17/george-fernandes-felted-on-his-77th-birthday-1200580434.html

10. Tibetan refugees have human rights in India: Indian former minister, George Fernandes, The Tibet Post, 07 July 2009 http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/exile/249-tibetan-refugees-have-human-rights-in-india-indian-former-minister-george-fernandes

Tribute to Dr. Nandkishore Trikha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Dr. Nandkishore Trikha

When all across India jubilantly welcome the new season with  festivities of Makar Sankranti, Lohri, and Pongal, the news of untimely demise of Dr. Nandkishore Trikha, a longtime and trusted friend of Tibet has casted a shallow dark cloud of sadness that sunken me with heavy heart. It is such a great loss to the Tibetan people whom he dearly and passionated worked for Tibet till his last breathe. Dr. Saab as i usually called him  with respect, was a fatherly figure to me who was always ready to help and guide us with his unconditional love and the larger-than-life wisdom and his down-to-earth humility. 

My association with Mr. Trikha started in 2008, after I returned from a sabbatical leave, to work as the coordinator of the India-Tibet Coordination Office in Delhi.  My main job was to coordinate with the Indian supporters to organize and create awareness about Tibetan freedom movements in all parts of India. Interestingly, Indian support groups for Tibet are spread widely across India and are ideologically influenced by many great Indian leaders like Dr. Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan,  and Dr. Ambedkar. In order to have an effective campaign activities, the Core Group for Tibetan Cause was conceived during the First All India TSG conference in Chandigarh in September 2003. Dr. Trikha, was then appointed the first national convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, an apex body of Indian support groups for Tibet. On regular basis, I had frequent meetings and conversations with him either at his Press Enclave residence and  in my office. Whenever we approached his residence, his wife generously offered us with sweets and fruits. I am privileged of working with Dr. Trikha in hosting several International and national conferences of Tibet support groups, like the Special International Tibet Support Groups Conference in Gurgaon in 2008; 3rd All India Tibet Support Groups Conference in Delhi in 2009; 6th International Conference of Tibet Support Groups in Surajkund, Haryana in 2010; and the 4th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference in Dharamshala, 2012. The Core Group for Tibetan Cause, and certainly under his leadership, many seminars on Tibet was held in Delhi over the years. 

Lately, Dr. saab was diagnosed with cancer and routinely visited hospital for regular medical checkup. Recently, when the Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration hold the historic 5-50 summit, Dr. saab’s name was written as a confirmed participant and I casually informed the organizer that Dr. Saab may not attend due to his chronic illness. But I was amazed by his tireless commitment for Tibet that he attended the three days program without failing even a single session. When I saw him during the registration, I accompanied and escorted him to his allotted room and alerted the organizer to arrange an usher to assist Dr. Trikha whenever needed. In between, I inquired him of any necessities required. 

Last Friday, after returning from Bodhgaya, i had a day long transit in Delhi. I told my former colleague to make an appointment with Dr. Saab to visit him at his residence. It was on Saturday morning, i was told that Dr. Saab was admitted in AIIMS and was in ventilator. i was eager to meet, but hopelessly could not meet him. Now, I am shattered with the guilt of not meeting him during his last day.  

For years, Dr. Trikha supported us tirelessly and unconditionally, with the simple hope for justice and freedom of Tibet and dearly adored His Holiness the Dalai Lama with high respect. Tibet was so close to his heart that he dare not missed any events on Tibet, despite having  constant health issues. With the sudden and untimely demise, I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt condolences to his bereaving family members in this darkest moment of their life. More so, it gives me courage to work harder for the cause of Tibet that Dr. Trikha dearly and wholeheartedly worked for the freedom of Tibet. Rest in Peace Dr. Saab. We will dearly miss you and shall keep you in our prayers.

LHASA CONSENSUS: WILL IT MATTER?

The forum on the development of Tibet is held
in Lhasa on 12 August 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

By Tenzin Lekshay

Series of programs and activities are happening these days in Lhasa under the initiative of PRC government to present and promote Tibet as a sanctuary of Peace and Harmony. After the recently concluded "2014 Forum on the Development of Tibet, China," the Lhasa Consensus was adopted. PRC sympathizers like N. Ram and others were invited to speak in favour of PRC's policies inside Tibet, slammed His Holiness the Dalai Lama and espoused the Lhasa Consensus. For them, it was a usual business of patronizing PRC and a red carpet picnicking in Lhasa. China feels that they shove their propaganda to the new height by letting foreigners to judge what is happening inside Tibet. Is propaganda really necessary if China really works in favour of Tibet? Will this helps China to tighten their iron grip over Tibet? Will China open Tibet to all the foreigners and Medias?  And above all, who should really decide the fate of Tibet, PRC; Foreigners; and Tibetans? With such questions, the credibility of Lhasa Consensus needs to check whether they have done justice to Tibet or else merely fulfill the objectivity of Chinese propaganda.

Introspection on The Dalai Lama's 2009 Tawang Visit

PM Manmohan Singh's response to China on Dalai Lama's
visit: Only India will decide Hu and Wen can visit TAWANG..!
The Economic Times' Cartoon. By Salam

By Tenzin Lekshay

In 2003, India became jubilant when China agreed to not just remain mum over Sikkim but also went ahead in removing Sikkim as an 'independent nation' from their official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The gesture, which Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee after returning from China justified by saying that he extracted concessions from Beijing on Sikkim without offering anything new on Tibet in exchange.

Even after more than 60 years of establishing diplomatic relationship, India and China faces unprecedented challenges on its Himalayan borders. There has been a contest on the recognition of the Line of Actual Control and considers whole stretch of Himalayan border as a disputed zone. Analysts say that China wants to keep the status quo over border issues, which would help in maintaining China's leverage over India in their chase for power politics. Therefore, it is evident to find ever increasing transgressions along the borders.

On Tibet, Will Xi Leave the Last Word on Tibet to a Dead Man?

By Thubten Samphel*

Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, during the
 third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC 
Central Committee in Beijing Photo: AP/XINHUA

The international verdict on the outcome of the third plenum of the 18th congress of the Chinese communist party held from 9 to 12 November is out. The verdict both within China and outside is positive. The breadth of reforms to be introduced is ambitious. If carried through despite stiff resistance from vested interests, these reforms will improve the lives of the ordinary Chinese. The proposed reforms include doing away with the one-child policy, the forced labour camps,  loosening the household registration system, putting more emphasis on market forces so that private enterprises could find more level playing ground to compete with the giant state-owned enterprises and the creation of a national security agency to co-ordinate the activities of China’s sprawling and powerful domestic security apparatus, which during the reign of Hu Jintao posed a distinct challenge to the top leadership.

Mohan Singh and Tibet connection

By Tenzin Lekshay

Tibetan Parliamentarians led by Speaker Penpa Tsering 

meet Mr Mohan Singh, (3rd from right) senior member of 

Indian Parliament in New Delhi on 15 October 2011

After the untimely demise of Mohan Singh, an eminent socialist leader and a member of Parliament, Tibet has yet again lost one of her oldest confidante. As soon as I received the shocking news, I called upon a small contingent of Tibetans based in Delhi to visit his residence at Pandara Road, Delhi. We paid homage to our dear friend, along with scores of Indian who thronged to condole his passing away. When we arrived, the gentleman who was coordinating the last rite announced the gathering to remain silent when the Tibetan monks recite monlam prayer. In the midst, he told us that Mohan Singh ji stood up for the Tibetan cause. He was right!  Mohan Singh has been one of our oldest friend who unflinchingly supported us throughout his life.

Over the years, I had a privilege of meeting Mohan Singh ji on several occasions. Even though, he was physically unwell for years, I saw him interacting with groups of people all the time. He was receptive and always tolerate our presence with his benign gesture whenever we visit him. While lying on bed with a simple white kurta, he would tirelessly inquire about the latest development inside Tibet. He had a deep interest on Tibet and was always ready to show his solidarity with Tibet.

Will China Be True To Their Constitution?

By Tenzin Lekshay

Current Chinese Leaders

Last month, after I wrote an article on Yu Zhengsheng, I met Mr. Dawa Tsering, former colleague who is currently based in Taiwan. He is one amongst the small contingent of Tibetan bureaucrats in exile, who has prolific knowledge on China. While we discussed briefly about the current Chinese leadership, I asked his expert opinion on Yu's remark on Middle Way Policy. Though, our meeting was short, he made a very good observation by saying that the current Chinese leaders are presently emphasizing on the importance of constitution and the rule of law. If they stick to their words, then it may generate a possibility in resolving the Tibet problem. This gave me space to acknowledge that despite painfully traumatized by the Chinese intruding forces for more than 5 decades, Tibetans are keeping faith in hope and optimism. Mr. Thubten Samphel, former Information Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration confirmed that the hope is the best friend of the Tibetans.1

100 Essays on Tibet from 1850-1950

1904 Lhasa group photo Sir Charles Bell, Henry Martin,
W. P. Rosemeyer, Kaziman Nepalai

By Tenzin Lekshay

Over the years, I have been collecting articles written on Tibet. Interestingly, with the growing inquisitiveness in Oriental studies over the last two centuries, few foreigners ventured into Tibet. Though Tibet was earlier known to be the forbidden land, the foreign activities inside Tibet remained diverse ranging from missionary works to political establishment. Some went explore the heights of the mountains while others visited for scientific excursions. it is therefore evident that early write-ups on Tibet are mostly travelogues. 

Here is the collection of 100 essays on Tibet within the span of 100 years in between 1850 to 1950. The purpose of making such references is to make it easy for the students and the Tibet observers to find the literatures and the source materials in a more convenient way. All the essays given below are in accordance with the years of the publication.

30 Books to Read on Contemporary China

Part of my small personal library

Yesterday, Prof. Jon Sullivan, China specialist and a political scientist at the University of Nottingham released a reading list of 30 books on the introduction of contemporary China in his website. While going through the list, I felt that he chose nearly all the issues that are essentially connected to China, but he missed a very important issue, which China believes as one of their core interest. For China, Tibet is not just merely a so called  Western Treasure House, but also holds a very important strategic position in the political field. I have requested Prof. Sullivan to include Tibet, or else the minority issues in his reading list, which I believe he is receptive of the idea. He responded to my tweet asking for some Tibet related books.

Irrespective of whether Tibet be included in the reading list or not, I think his recommendation of 30 books on the introduction of contemporary China is a great collection which consist diverse issues and hence are worth to read, especially the students and the China observers. 

Can India Provide Balanced Multipolarity in Southeast and East Asia? (AUDIO)

By Tenzin Lekshay

Maj Gen. Vinod Saighal (retd.)

On the humid evening of 21 August 2013, Major General (retd.) Vinod Saighal gave a detailed and insightful lecture on "Can India Provide Balanced Multipolarity in Southeast and East Asia?" at the Annexe Lecture Hall of India International Centre, Delhi.

As usual, the audience were mixed baggage of different professional background, which include over a dozen of foreign diplomats with few ambassadors, ranks of serving army personals, experts and some young educated Tibetans who are notably interested on that issue. As I wrote in the beginning, though Delhi weather was bit humid, the speaker makes every one attentive to this burning topic.

To layout the talk in a nutshell, he spoke about the progress of China in 3 ways i.e. 1) Implosion Model, 2) Expansion Model and 3) Dynamic Expansion Model. Later, he focussed his main talk on the basis of 4 components that are categorized into 1) China Factor, 2) ASEAN, 3) India and 4) Environmental Factor. While speaking on China, he stressed that there is a lack of governance legitimacy in China.

In his stand alone talk, he raised Tibet issue many times with concerns to environmental degradation, militarization, resource exploitation, damming, and border disputes.

The talk was jointly organized annually by Eco Monitor Society and Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre, Delhi.

For listening the full talk (94.17MB), Click here
To download the talk (94.17MB), Click here

10 Point Similarities between Indian and Tibetan Freedom Movement

By Tenzin Lekshay

Happy 67th Indian Independence Day

Yesterday, 67th Indian independence day was observed in all over India as well as in abroad. As a Tibetan, I would like to wish and congratulate this great nation for their triumph in cherishing freedom from the clutches of Great Britain. It is on this joyous moment that makes worth of all the bloods and sweats of thousands of Indian freedom fighters. I salute them for their unwavering courage, determination, and the dream of swaraj that makes them immortal in the historical chapter of Indian freedom movement. At this present moment, we, Tibetans are living in such traumatic era of foreign invasion, which resembles that of India during the British rule. Over the last six decades, thousands of Tibetans sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of attaining the sacred freedom, and continue to do so. As Subhash Chandra Bose rightly said, "Freedom is not given, it is taken". So far, while observing China's iron fist control over Tibet, it is obvious that they will not let it go easily, despite the fact that the truth is not in their favor. They continue to distort the Tibetan history and adopt policies that annihilate every bits of the existence of tibetan culture and identity.

Yu Zhengsheng on Tibet: Following the footsteps of his predecessor

Xi Jinping joins a discussion with deputies from TAR,
who attend the first session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing,
March 9, 2013. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

By Tenzin Lekshay

Over the last two years, there were lots of speculations on China's position on Tibet with the change in the Chinese leadership. As many believed that Xi Jinping, the incumbent heir of the Chinese leadership would show softness in handling the Tibet issue, because of his reformist father who had some connections with Tibet. Bao Tong, former aid of purged Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang said that “To understand what kind of leader Xi Jinping will be, one must study his father’s (policies)," and he confirmed that “No (Chinese) Communist will betray his father.”¹ Some even felt that his wife's cultural background might influence him to handle Tibet in a possibly better way. But, many remained skeptical of any ground breaking changes in Tibet due to the prevalence of hard-line party policies inside Tibet. It was however, in mid July 2011, during the 60th Anniversary of so called 'peaceful liberation of Tibet' in Lhasa, Xi Jinping declared that "We should fight against separatist activities by the Dalai group, rely on cadres and people of all ethnic groups, seek long-term policies and take measures that address the root cause, and completely destroy any attempt to undermine stability in Tibet and national unity of the motherland."² Such rhetoric statement of Xi Jinping prior to becoming the President of People's Republic of China (PRC) clearly determined that he will adhere strictly to the party line.

1989 Statement of the 10th Panchen Rinpoche (Audio)

10th Panchen Lama Choekyi Gyaltsen

By Tenzin Lekshay

Early January 1989, the 10th Panchen Lama Lobsang Trinley Lhundup Choekyi Gyaltsen visited Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet and had consecrated a memorial stupa of the past Panchen Lamas, which were earlier destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. During the ceremony, he spoke in length on the current situations inside Tibet, which were critical of Chinese government's policy on Tibet. Four days after the ceremony, Panchen Lama died mysteriously at the age of 51 on 28 January 1989.

Virtues of Tibet's Resolution on China

By Tenzin Lekshay

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay

Over the last few decades, exiled Tibetan administration under the political leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama pursued Middle Way Policy to resolve Tibet's long pending crisis with People's Republic of China. In 2011, Sikhong Dr. Lobsang Sangay after succeeding His Holiness the Dalai Lama when latter voluntarily devolved Tibet’s political authority pledged to continue embracing Middle Way Policy. Since day one, Sikyong called for dialogue anyway and anytime. But the Chinese government did not respond positively despite having been complimented by many Chinese people. Even many world leaders urged China to resume the dialogue, which went deadlock in 2010. It is particularly interesting to know why China is indifferent yet continues to enforce hard line policies inside Tibet. As a result of such repressive policy, we have witnessed widespread demonstrations in 2008 and a wave of self-immolations that continue to burn Tibet, calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tibetans in Exile: Democracy and Activism

By Tenzin Lekshay

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Dr. Lobsang Sangay
(Courtesy:Harish Tyagi/EPA) 

Since the devolution of political leadership by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, then the newly elected Kalon Tripa was bestowed with the authority that the former inherited from Tagdra Rinpoche. However, in 2012, the Tibetan parliament decided upon changing the title of Kalon Tripa to Sikyong, which literarily means political leader. Some amongst the Tibetan critics raised skeptic questions about the legitimacy of change in title, which they fear are misleading and undemocratic.  It is therefore, important to understand the all over democratic process in exile, that emanated such transfer of power.