Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 8: Former Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Tsering Dhondup Yangdhar, passed away at his residence in Dharamshala on the morning of September 7, following a prolonged illness. He was 65.
The late minister, who held the Finance portfolio in both the 13th (2007–2011) and 14th (2011–2016) Kashag (Cabinet), also briefly served as Minister of the Department of Security in 2016. A prayer service in his honor was held on Monday afternoon, attended by the leadership and staff of the CTA.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of my dear friend and colleague Kasur Tsering Dhondup la. He was a true gentleman and patriot who devoted his entire life to the cause under the leadership of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. My profound condolences to his dear wife and children. I last met him in June of this year in Dharamsala,” wrote former CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay in a tribute shared on social media. Under his tenure, Tsering Dhondup served as Finance Minister from 2011 to 2016.
Born on July 1, 1960 in Rongshar, Tsering Dhondup began his career with the CTA on December 1, 1984, as a Senior Clerk in the Office of the Auditor General. He rose steadily through the ranks, promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1991, Joint Secretary in 1993, and Additional Secretary in 1998, when he was transferred to the Department of Education.
He went on to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education (2000) and later as Secretary of the Department of Home (2002). In recognition of his dedication and service, he was appointed Minister for the Department of Finance in October 2007 under the 13th Cabinet, and reappointed in September 2011 under the 14th Cabinet. His brief tenure as Minister of Security extended from April to May 2016.
