Dharamsala, August 14 – Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche greeted veteran Indian politician and long time friend of Tibet, George Fernandes, on his getting elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament.
“We are delighted to learn that you have been elected unopposed to the upper house of the Indian parliament. On behalf of the Kashag, please allow me to express our heartfelt congratulations to you,” Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said in a letter. “We feel that the Rajya Sabha has gained an enormous asset by your presence.”
The Tibetan parliament exile also congratulated Fernandes in a letter that read, “The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile wish to express our heartfelt best wishes and congratulate you on joining the August house of the Rajya Sabha.”
Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari said in the letter, “Your presence in the Indian Parliament continues to encourage and raise the expectation of people’s world wide who believe in freedom, democracy and human rights. Our prayers and best wishes are always with you.”
The former defense minister of India assumed his seat in Rajya Sabha after Janta Dal(U) leader Sharad Yadav resigned the seat on getting elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house.
Fernandes, 79, was sworn in as a Rajya Sabha member on August 4, 2009.
Fernandes paid a visit here in June during which he met with members of the Tibetan parliament and Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
