Tibetans-in-exile celebrate 51st democracy day

Friday, September 02, 2011

TNN

Newly elected Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay, left, talks to Himachal Pradesh state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during a function at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. Tibetans mark this day as Democracy Day, commemorating the day a democratic system of government was introduced in exile in 1960 by the Dalai Lama. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Dharamsala, India-- Tibetans living in exile celebrated 51st democratic day at Tsuglakhang temple at McLeodganj on Friday. The Dalai Lama, prime minister Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan administration members, Himachal chief minister and other ministers of the state were present on the occasion.

Sangay congratulated fellow Tibetans saying that they elected members of parliament and had their first meeting on September 2, 1960. The day came to be known as the Tibetan democracy day.

"For selecting regional representatives, Tibetan road workers from Sikkim to Manali met on roadsides and nominated candidates by raising their hands. The elected representatives, carrying tin boxes with documents stored in them, assembled under a tree (not far from Tsuklagkhang temple) on weekends to conduct parliamentary business meets," he said.

Tibetan parliament issued a statement on this occasion: "We (Tibetans) are passing through stage where the Dalai Lama has devolved his political authorities and Lobsang Sangay has taken over responsibility of kalon tripa (prime minister). The responsibilities of kalon tripa have increased manifold in finding a resolution of the Tibet issue, preserving and promoting Tibetan language, religion and culture, garnering further international support, imparting education to younger generation and creating a more stable settlements, which only possible with the cooperation of the entire community."

An exile Tibetan in traditional costume holds a Tibetan flag during a function at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. Tibetans mark this day as Democracy Day, commemorating the day a democratic system of government was introduced in exile in 1960 by the Dalai Lama. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

It was also mentioned that Tibetans living-in-exile must put collective efforts towards creating political and democratic maturity and abide by laws of their respective countries or states.