Dharamshala: The 16th Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration on Saturday, 13 November hosted a dual event celebrating the farewell of Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo and congratulating the three newly sworn-in Kalons of the 16th Kashag.

The celebration held at TIPA was attended by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel (17th Tibetan Parliament), Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering, Justice Commissioners, Heads of the autonomous bodies, Secretaries of Kashag and Home Department, and the participants of the 8th Agriculture and Cooperative Conference of 18 agricultural-based Tibetan settlements across India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Sikyong in his key-note address outlined some of the major tasks performed by his administration over 5 months since assuming the role of executive leadership, noting that the tasks performed by his administration were entirely as per the wishes and aspirations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and in abidance of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile.

Following Sikyong’s key-note address, each of the newly sworn-in Kalons addressed the gathering.

Education Kalon Tharlam Dolma in her address pledged diligence and honesty to faithfully fulfil the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and serve the aspirations of Tibetans.

Security Kalon Dolma Gyari who had also served as Home Kalon during the14th Kashag stated that she was committed to dedicating life-long service for the oppressed Tibetans inside Tibet. She pledged fairness and transparency throughout her duties as the Kalon.

Kalon Norzin Dolma of Information and International Relations (DIIR) professed gratitude to the Tibetan people for embedding the trust in her to serve the Tibetan cause. She thanked each and everyone in the gathering and also the former officials of CTA, honoring them for their extensive services of many years. Meanwhile, she urged the younger generations to attentively study historical events of Tibet and to learn from the experiences of the generations before them.

The event finally concluded with the felicitation of Chief Justice Commissioner, Sonam Norbu Dagpo by Sikyong for his 40 long and dedicated service in various roles and positions within the exile Tibetan community.

On 23 September 2019, Sonam Norbu Dagpo was elected the Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission during the eighth session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.