CTA marks third anniversary of successful democratic transition, reaffirms commitment to Middle Way Approach
DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala yesterday marked the third anniversary of the successful democratic transition following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s complete devolution of political authority to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership.
The Tibetan leadership led by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, organised a prayer service on the occasion to pay tribute and express solidarity with all the Tibetan self-immolators and those who continue to suffer under the oppressive Chinese regime.
Over a thousand Tibetans, including members of the Kashag, members of the Tibetan Parliament and the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission; and staff of the Central Tibetan Administration attended the prayer service, presided over by Thomtok Rinpoche, abbot of Namgyal monastery.
Speaking at the prayer service, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said it’s been three years since the devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to an elected Tibetan leadership to fully democratise the Tibetan polity. Sikyong attributed the peaceful and successful democratic transition to the concerted effort and trust of the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet, in the new Tibetan leadership.
Sikyong Dr. Sangay also reaffirmed the Central Tibetan Administration’s firm commitment towards the Middle Way Approach to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue. He said the international community strongly supports the Middle Way Approach as the most viable and pragmatic solution to address the problem of Tibet.
Sikyong also highlighted the immense contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the elder generation of Tibetan people towards sustaining the Tibetan freedom struggle.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay took over as the political leader of Tibet on 8 August 2011, taking the oath of office in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans and friends of Tibet.
He has proclaimed that restoration of freedom in Tibet through the Middle Way Approach, and the return of His His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet as two of the most important goals of his tenure.
The 14th Kashag also announced earlier that it would observe 2014 as the “Year of His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama” to express deep gratitude to his remarkable achievements for the cause of Tibet and promote his ideals of non-violence and human values.