Parliament gives unanimous nod to six Kalons

Friday, September 16, 2011

Phayul
By Sherab Woeser

DHARAMSHALA, September 16-- Living up to his campaign promise of bringing in a mix of old and new faces in his cabinet, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay today won unanimous nod from the Tibetan parliament for his six Kalon candidates.

Under Article 21 of the Tibetan Charter in exile, Dr Sangay proposed six candidates against the seven he is provided for constitutionally.

Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Mr. Penpa Tsering delivering the opening address of the second session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The session will last for sixteen days, from September 16 to October 1, 2011, Dharamsala, India. (Phayul Photo/Norbu Wangyal)

Two former Kalons from the 13th Kashag, former Minister of Security Dongchung Ngodup and former Minister of Finance Tsering Dhondup have retained their seats.

Former member of parliament and Kalon in the 11th Kashag, Pema Chonjor is the senior most member of Dr Sangay’s cabinet.

Bringing the promised youthful and gender balance to the 14th Kashag are Tsering Wangchuk, a doctor based in Bylakuppe and two female ministers, former Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan parliament Gyari Dolma, current member of parliament from North America Dickyi Choyang.

Speaking after the unanimous election of his Kalon colleagues, Dr Sangay told reporters that he was “happy and thankful for the confidence that the parliamentarians have showed in him”.

“I thank the honourable members of the 15th Parliament and hope that my Kalons and I will have a constructive working experience with the parliament over the next five years,” Dr Sangay told reporters outside the parliament house.

The new Kalons of the 14th Kashag will be taking oath of office from the Supreme Justice Commissioner later in the afternoon after offering prayers at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple, Nechung and Gadong monasteries.

The Kalons will be attending the ongoing parliamentary session from tomorrow.

Following are the brief biographies of the new Kalons of the 14th Kashag as presented by Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay in the house.

1. Name: Mr. Dongchung Ngodup

Year of Birth: 1956

Present Address: McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala

Present Occupation: Former Kalon for Department of Security

Brief Biography: Joined Central Tibetan Administration in 1977 after completion of BA. From 1993 to 2007 Mr. Ngodup worked as Secretary for Department of Security. While holding the post of Secretary he was nominated and served as Kalon for Security in the 13th Kashag.

2. Name: Mr. Tsering Dhundup

Year of Birth: 1960

Present Address: Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala

Present Occupation: Former Kalon for Department of Finance

Brief Biography: Joined Central Tibetan Administration after completion of M.Com in 1984. From 2000 to 2007 Mr. Dhundup worked as Secretary for Department of Education and Home. From 2007 to 2011 he was nominated and served as Kalon for Finance in the 13th Kashag.

3. Name: Mr. Pema Chonjor

Year of Birth: 1945

Present Address: California, United States

Present Occupation: Former Kalon for Department of Security

Brief Biography: After arrival in India in 1959 Mr. Chonjor taught Tibetan language and history in Department of Asian Studies, Punjab University, Chandigarh for 20 years from 1964 to 1984. While in Chandigarh he founded Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and served as President for four consecutive terms. In 1974 he was elected as member of the Central Executive Committee of Tibetan Youth Congress. From 1992 he was elected as member of Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies for two terms. He was nominated and served as Kalon for Security in the 11th Kashag.

4. Name: Mrs. Dolma Gyari

Year of Birth: 1964

Present Address: New Delhi

Present Occupation: Former Deputy Speaker

Brief Biography: After completion of her studies Mrs. Gyari joined the women section of the Tibetan Youth Congress. In the following years 1986 and 1989 she was elected as culture officer and joint secretary of the Central Executive Committee of Tibetan Youth Congress. From 1991 to 2006 she was elected as member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile for four consecutive terms during which she was elected as Deputy Speaker of the House three times.

5. Name: Ms. Dicki Chhoyang

Year of Birth: 1966

Present Address: Montreal, Canada

Present Occupation: Member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from North America

Brief Biography: In 1971 Ms. Chhoyang migrated to Canada where she completed her M.A. in Central Eurasian Studies and M.Sc. in Planning and International Development. In 1990 she served as resettlement coordinator in Connecticut for the Tibetan-US resettlement project. From 1999 to 2003 she worked on community development project in Tibet. She has also worked for Pepperidge Farm Inc., and youth volunteer program for Canada World Youth. Presently she is a Community Liaison Officer for the University of Montreal Hospital Center construction project – a 2 billion Canadian dollar project.

6. Name: Mr. Tsering Wangchuk

Year of Birth: 1974

Present Address: Bylakuppe, India

Present Occupation: Medical Officer at Tsojhe Khangsar Charity Hospital, Bylakuppe.

Brief Biography: After completion of High School in 1993 Mr. Wangchuk received scholarship for further studies in Warsaw, Poland from the Department of Education where he did his Doctor in Medicine followed by two years of internship at Hospital of Warsaw Medical University. In 2003 he returned to India and joined as Resident Medical Officer at Menlha Hospital, Phuntsokling for five years from 2003 and 2008. From 2008 to 2009 he worked as Medical Officer cum In-charge of TRSHC Clinic and Hospital of Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center in Darjeeling. Since 2009 he has been working as Senior Medical Officer at Tsojhe Khangsar Charity Hospital, Bylakuppe.