
Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok lighting the auspicious butter lamp at the 5th working committee meeting of National Democratic Party of Tibet.
Dharamsala: Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok attended the 5th Working Committee Meeting of the National Democratic Party of Tibet as its chief guest at New Delhi.
The Deputy Speaker met with eminent Indian ministers during his official visit from 9 – 12 September.
On 9 September, the Deputy Speaker met with long-time supporters of Tibet cause including Swami Agnivesh, former minister of Haryana government, Gerald Daly, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Bhutan, Mithilesh Prasad, Janata Dal United and Sanjay Kumar, President of Yuva Janta Dal (United).
He apprised them on the political situations of Tibet and later met with Shri Sharad Yadav, former Minister and member of Rajya Sabha. He presented the Indian MP with books published by of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Addressing the 5th Working Committee Meeting of the National Democratic Party of Tibet on 10 September, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok said, “This political party was founded on 2 September 1994 in keeping with the advice offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the establishment of political parties during the meeting of Tibetan Youth Congress in 1990.
“Since its inception, the party has engaged in admirable activities by creating awareness about Democracy amongst the Tibetan community and contributed significantly to the cause of Tibet as well as in fulfilling the duties of societal obligations,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok addressing the 5th Working Committee Meeting of the National Democratic Party of Tibet at Delhi.
He further spoke about the evolution of Tibetan Democracy in exile. “Following His Holiness’ advice in February 1960 to set up an elected body of administration comprising representative from the three traditional Tibetan provinces and schools of religion, on 2 September, the representatives were duly elected and took their oath as the first parliamentarians. On that historic day, ‘Democracy’ was established. The successive evolution and transformation in the exile Tibetan democracy is but solely by the grace of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.”
He also explained in detail the amendments in the evolution of democracy brought about by the respective parliamentarians tenurial and stressed that the success of the Parliament depends on the fulfilment of the responsibility by its members.
On 11 September, the Deputy Speaker met with Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Honourable Minister of State of Finance, Ven. R.Sumiththananda Thero, Assistant Bhikku-in-Charge of the New Delhi Centre of Mahabodhi Temple and Shri Gejendera Singh Shekhawat, Honourable Minister of State of Agriculture and Family Welfare.
He also met with Dr. N.K.Trika, former Director of Press Council of India and the former National Convener of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause, to thank him for his constant support to the Tibetan cause. Dr. Trika showed his unwavering support by offering his advice and guidance for the cause of Tibet.
On 12 September, the Deputy Speaker met with Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Honourable Minister of State of Health and Family Planning and Shri Arun Srivastav, Secretary of Janata Dal United.
– Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat –