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Ready for epic journey to Lhasa: new Tibetan PM |
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Written by IANS
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Monday, 08 August 2011 14:32 |
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DHARMSALA:The Dalai Lama was ready to embark on an epic journey back to Lhasa, Lobsang Sangay said Monday, as he took over as the new prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile. He also said that Tibetans would resist as long as China repressed them.
"Though I have never been allowed to set foot in Tibet... My late father, like many of our parents, could not return to Tibet. Together, we will ensure the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet, reunite our people, and restore freedom in Tibet," 43-year-old Harvard educated Sangay said in a message read out during his oath of office in this northern Indian hill town.
"We are always ready to embark on this epic journey from Dharamsala, the abode of Dharma, to Lhasa, the abode of Gods. From the town where the Dalai Lama lives, to the city where he belongs," said Sangay, who taking over as prime minister for a five-year term.
The ceremony was presided over by the 76-year-old Dalai Lama, who draped only his spiritual robe.
Addressing a gathering of more than 5,000 people, the Dalai Lama said in his native dialect: "Now we have handed over all political responsibilities to the democratically-elected leadership of Lobsang Sangay."
In May, the Dalai Lama had devolved his "formal authority" to the elected leadership of the exiles.
A senior fellow of Harvard Law School, Sangay took over the reins of the government from 73-year-old monk scholar Samdhong Rinpoche, who held the post for the past 10 years in two five-year terms.
Rinpoche in his address both in Tibetan and English said: "This is a new chapter in Tibetan history in which a joint step is taken towards a genuine democracy."
For a peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue, Sangay, once dubbed a "terrorist" by China because of his earlier association with the radical Tibetan Youth Congress, is now pursuing the Dalai Lama's advocacy of genuine autonomy for the people of Tibet.
"Despite the tragedy in Tibet, we want the world to know, especially Chinese friends, that we remain firmly committed to non-violence...we will continue the 'middle-way policy', which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet within China.
But he said, "As long as Tibetans are repressed, there will be resistance, and waning respect for China."
Sangay thanked the US, Europe, international community and Tibet support groups for extending support to their cause. "We appeal to them to continue to stand with us and to persuade Beijing to resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully.
"Our struggle is not against the Chinese people, nor is it against China as a country. Our struggle is against hard-line policies of the Chinese regime in Tibet."
According to Sangay, born in a refugee settlement in the eastern Indian hill town of Darjeeling in 1968, the political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalisation and environmental destruction in Tibet was unacceptable.
"But three years ago, in 2008, Tibetan men and women rose up against the Chinese rule in Tibet. They spoke out against Chinese oppression... Let me be clear, the Tibetan administration does not encourage protest."
Sangay said China was lacking in moral power. "Moral power cannot be bought in the market or forced with military might. It has to be earned."
Sangay studied law from Delhi University before moving to Harvard for his doctoral studies. He has been chosen in the third direct elections for the Kalon Tripa that were held March 20.
He polled 55 percent of the votes cast by Tibetans around the world.
Some 140,000 Tibetans now live in exile, over 100,000 of them in different parts of India. Over six million Tibetans live in Tibet.
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