Lobsang Sangay Takes oath as Kalon Tripa

Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay was elected prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile and would take over the political duties relinquished by spiritual leader the Dalai Lama . He had defeated his nearest rival Tethong Tenzin Namgyal by 8,646 votes. He succeeded Samdhong Rinpoche, who was in office for two terms of five years each.

• Sangay is a research fellow at the Harvard Law School.
• Under Chinese pressure, voting was not allowed by authorities in Nepal and Bhutan.

The newly elected Kalon Tripa (prime minister-in-exile) of Tibet’s government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has taken oath of office recently at the central courtyard of Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Dharamshala. His swearing-in is seen as a “step towards genuine democracy”. At the ceremony, attended by Central Tibetan Administration, seal of the Kashag (the cabinet) was handed over to Sangay. The seal has been used since the time of the seventh Dalai Lama (1708-1757) in Tibet.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2011