By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, September 6: A new Chief coordinator for Tibetans in Nepal has been appointed. A small handing over function was held in the presence of over twenty important Tibetan officials representing various Tibetan institutions in Kathmandu.
Mr Jigme La, the secretary handed over the responsibility to the new Chief Coordinator, Mr Trinley Gyatso. Till now Mr Jigme has been entrusted with the dual responsibility of being the Secretary and Coordinator for the welfare of Tibetans in Nepal.
In his handover speech, Mr Jigme thanked all the concerned individuals for their valuable civil service and requested everyone to ender same assistance and cooperation to the newly appointed Chief Coordinator in carrying out his responsibilities.
The latest move comes as the Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet) based in Dharamsala, India, found it necessary to have a separate Coordinator in Nepal, where an estimated 20,000 exiled Tibetans live.
Mr Trinley Gyatso, while accepting the new role delegated onto him said his long experience in Exile Tibetan Government services in Nepal capacitates him to take up the new responsibility.
Mr Trinley has served the Tibetan Government at various capacities for more than 20 years and affirmed that he still has firm confidence and faith to continue his service in the Tibetan Government.
He has last served as the Chief Coordinator of the Tibetan Refugee Settlement in South India.
In his address at the function, Mr Trinley said “I request everyone to extend your support to the office more than before during these difficult times”. Mr. Kelsang Chung, chief of the Tibetan Reception Center was present during the function and said it took over 9 days to complete the whole handover process and noted that everything was carried out accordingly.
People present at the gathering congratulated the new Chief Coordinator and presented traditional Khatas (traditional ceremonial scarves) to him.
The Tibetan Welfare Office (Office of the Dalai Lama’s Representative in Nepal as it was formerly known), which had been administering the welfare of Tibetan people in Nepal for decades, was closed down in January 2005 following an order from the Nepalese Government purportedly under diplomatic pressure from China. The ban has not been officially lifted so far despite appeals from International communities.
Since then a different approach had to be adopted by the Tibetan Government to oversee the welfare of Tibetan people in Nepal.
