Tibetans Celebrate 43rd Democracy Day
Chairman of the ATPD, Pema Jungney, addressing the 43rd Democracy Day |
Dharamsala, 3 September 2003: As the Tibetans yesterday celebrated 43 years of democracy in exile the Central Tibetan Administration held an official gathering at the Tsuglakhang courtyard to commemorate the day. It was on September 2 in 1960 that the present Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies was formed as desired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This marked the first major step taken by the Central Tibetan Administration under the leadership of His Holiness towards democracy.
As the school band of the Tibetan Children’s Village played the Tibetan national anthem the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration hoisted the Tibetan national flag.
In his address to the gathering, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa, said that the day was also an occasion for the Tibetans to express their gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama who had bestowed upon the Tibetan people a democratic system of governance 43 years ago.
Mr. Pema Jungney, the Chairman of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, pointed out that the Tibetans owe the present democratic system of governance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama who has always worked to introduce the ideals of democracy into the Tibetan Diaspora.
Cultural performances by various organisations based in Dharamsala kept the public glued to their seats.
The day is celebrated in the Tibetan communities all over the world with much enthusiasm. It is one of the few official functions of the Central Tibetan Administration. In the Tibetan settlements, the representatives of the Central Tibetan Administration and the welfare officers would read out the Kashag’s statement for the occasion which would be followed by cultural programmes.
A report sent by the Tibet Bureau, Geneva, said that the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein celebrated the 43rd anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day two days before the actual date at Rikon near Zurich. Over 600 Tibetans gathered to celebrate the day. Mr. Tsering Dorjee, Member of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, Europe, Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Jampa T. Samdho, President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and representatives of various Tibetan organisations in Switzerland, were present on the occasion. Mr. Tsering Dorjee, member of ATPD read out speech of Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairperson of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies.