By Sherab Woeser
Dharamshala, August 8: On a day which the Dalai Lama described as one of the most special days in Tibet’s 2000 years of history, Dr Lobsang Sangay took oath of office as the 3rd directly elected Kalon Tripa in Dharamshala, north India, the exile seat of Tibet, earlier today.
The former senior fellow at Harvard Law School who won the last general elections with 55% of the votes was cheered by the crowd as he entered the courtyard of Tsug-la Khang along with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche for his public inauguration.
Following the rendition of the Tibetan national anthem and the hoisting of the Tibetan national flag, exactly and 9 past 9 in the morning, Dr Lobsang Sangay took both the oath of office and the oath of secrecy from the Chief Justice Commissioner Mr Ngawang Phelgyal in front of a gathering of Tibetans and friends and delegates from over a dozen countries.
Congratulating Dr Lobsang Sangay on assuming his role as the Sikyong (Political Leader), the outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche hailed the occasion as a “new chapter in Tibetan history” and a “giant step towards a genuine democracy”, worthy of recording in the annals in “golden letters”.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision and unceasing guidance for the last thirty years to build a democratic Tibetan polity, that is not dependent on him, has finally achieved. This is a great moment for all of us,” Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said.
Paying tribute to His Holiness’ “incomparable leadership” during “the hardest and the most testing period in Tibetan history” a visibly emotional Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche remarked that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s “temporal and spiritual achievements far exceed the combined deeds of all the thirteen previous Dalai Lamas.”
As a symbol of the continued legitimacy of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) passed down since the establishment of the Gaden Phodrang Government in 1642 by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, the outgoing Kalon Tripa handed over the Kashag’s (Cabinet) seal to Dr Lobsang Sangay.
“I now handover this 260-years-old seal, which signifies the legitimacy of the Kashag. The Seventh Dalai Lama bestowed this seal to the Kashag, when he re-established Kashag in 1751,” Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulated Dr Lobsang Sangay on his new responsibilities and said that it was a proud and joyous occasion for Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet.
“I took over the political leadership of Tibet from Sikyong Tagdrag Rinpoche when I was 16-years old. Today, in the 21st century, when democracy is thriving, I hand over the political leadership of Tibet to Sikyong Lobsang Sangay,” His Holiness announced.
Reflecting on his six decades of leadership, the Dalai Lama said that “keeping the issue of Tibet alive, in spite of all the difficulties, was his own little contribution.”
Adhering to his lifelong commitment to democracy, His Holiness remarked that “the world belongs to the 7 billion people of the world and not to kings or religious heads and likewise Tibet also belongs to the Tibetan people and not to a few Kings or Lamas”.
Speaking for the first time as Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang Sangay said that he accepts his new role with “deep humility.”
“I am here not as a result of my personal achievement but as a result of the hard work and sacrifices made by elder generations in Tibet and in exile … I pledge to strengthen and sustain our movement until freedom is restored in Tibet, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns to our homeland”, Dr Sangay said to a thunderous applause from the crowd.
Reminding the Tibetan people that His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved his political power not only to the Kalon Tripa but to all Tibetans, the 43-year old former youth leader urged the younger generation of Tibetans “to stand tall and march forward to freedom”.
“Let us not forget: during our lifetime, our freedom struggle will meet the fate of justice or defeat,” Dr Sangay said.
Reaching out to “Chinese friends” with a “firm commitment to non violence” and Middle-Way policy, Dr Sangay said that his administration was “willing to negotiate with the Chinese government anytime, anywhere.”
Extending his gratitude to “the people and the government of India for offering the Tibetan people refuge”, Dr Sangay appealed to the Indian government to “treat Tibet as one of the core issues between India and China.”
Speaking directly to Tibetans in Tibet, Dr Sangay promised of a swift reunion.
“For my brothers and sisters in Tibet, I say to you with confidence today: we will meet soon.”
