DHARAMSHALA, July 27: A former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and a former minister with the exile Tibetan administration, Alak Jigme Thinley Lhundup, breathed his last on July 26 at a hospital near Dharamshala. He was 72.
Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed his condolences and deep sorrow at the passing away of Kasur Alak Jigme Lhundup.
Born in 1939 in Rebkong, Amdo, northeast Tibet, Kasur Alak Jigme was recognised as the reincarnation of Jigme Tulku of Rebkong Ringpo monastery at the age of 7.
While on a pilgrimage to Lhasa in 1955, to seek audiences with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the 10th Panchen Lama, he joined Gaden Jangtse Monastery as a novice monk on the advice of the Dalai Lama.
Following Tibet’s occupation in 1959, he escaped into exile to India.
In 1966, Alak Jigme Lhundup was elected to the 3rd Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and served as the deputy speaker and the speaker of the 5th and 6th Parliament respectively.
He was appointed as the director of the Audit General of the Central Tibetan Administration in 1980 while also serving as the chairman of the Public Service Commission.
In 1985, he visited Tibet as Vice-chairman of the 4th fact-finding Tibetan delegation that visited Tibet.
In 1986, he was appointed as an advisor to the Kalon and later appointed as Kalon for the Department of Home, a post which he held till 1990.
He continued to serve as the Auditor General, after being directly appointed by the Dalai Lama in1996, until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 65.
As a mark of respect for Kasur Alak Jigme Lhundup, CTA held a prayer service this afternoon, following which all offices remained closed.
