Dharamshala: The Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, organised a prayer service today to mourn the demise of Tridu Pon Chime Namgyal, a former Vice Chairman (Deputy Speaker) of the Tibetan Parliament-in Exile (earlier referred to as the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies – ATPD). He passed away on 3 January 2022 at a hospital in the US state of Massachusetts.
During the prayer service, Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke a few words describing Tridu Pon Chime Namgyal’s service in the Tibetan Parliament. Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi of the Kashag Scretariat read out a brief biography of the deceased. The prayer service was also attended by Kalons of the 16th Kashag, justice commissioner, members of the standing committee of the Tibetan Parliament, heads of the autonomous bodies, and the entire staff of the Central Tibetan Administration. Following the prayer service, the offices of the Tibetan administration were shut as a mark of respect and mourning in honour of the deceased.
Brio Biography of Tridu Pon Chime Namgyal:
Tridu Pon Chime Namgyal was born in 1942 to Namkha Dorje and Dolkar in Yushul Tridu in the traditional Dotoe province of Tibet. He was educated in Tibetan language and has also received military training. Before becoming a member of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD), he has served as the village leader of camp no. 2 in Lugsum Samdupling settlement in Bylakuppe, South India. He also served as a member of the governing board of the Tibetan co-operative society, and a standing committee member of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk.
Tridu Pon Chime Namgyal was also a member of the 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies. Most notably, he served as the Vice Chairman (Deputy Speaker) of the Tenth Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies from 1988 – 1990.