Parliament Pays Rich Tribute to Late Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister[Thursday, 26 May 2011, 11:25 a.m.]

The 14th Tibetan Parliament observe a minute’s to mourn the sad demise of Arunachal Pradesh chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, during its 3-day additional session which opened today/Photo by Namgyal Tsewang/Tibetonline TV

DHARAMSHALA:
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, which opened its three-day additional
session today, paid rich tribute to the late Arunachal Pradesh Chief
Minister Dorjee Khandu, describing him as “faithful friend and
supporter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet’s struggle for
justice.”“The late Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Dorjee
Khandu is a faithful friend who supported and took interest in the
Tibetan people’s quest for justice and their democratic polity.
Moreover, he is a person of great merit owing to his utmost devotion
and respect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the House said in a
resolution.“On behalf of the Tibetan people both in and outside
Tibet, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile admire his achievements and will
never forget his gratitude. We offer our prayers for his noble rebirth
and condolences as a mark of solidarity with his family members,” it
noted. The House also extolled the accolades, including a
silver medal, that late Dorjee Khandu had earned for his remarkable
social service and others in the field of public welfare, religion,
culture and environment among others.The House observed a minute’s silence to mourn his sad demise.Speaking
on the resolution, two MPs, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok and Karma Choephel,
remembered the friendly and warm reception which the late chief
minister extended towards the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation during
the latter’s felicitation of the incumbent elected members of Indian
Parliament.Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok praised the late CM Dojee
Khandu for his personal initiative and support for the continuation of
an effective Indian Parliamentary Support Group. Kalon Tsering
Phuntsok, Kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture, informed
the House about his visit to attend the funeral of late Arunachal CM as
the representative of the Kashag. “The late chief minister
would be remembered for his visit to Dharamsala in 2008 to show his
solidarity with and concern for the Tibetan people inside Tibet when
their peaceful uprising against the Chinese government’s repression was
brutally suppressed,” Kalon Tsering Phuntsok said.Late Dorjee Khandu perished in a tragic accident after the helicopter carrying him went missing on 30 April. He served as member of the state legislative assembly and later as cabinet minister and then as chief minister in 2007.