By Sherab Woeser
“I don’t see the need for a change in the already amended name ‘U-Bhoemi Driktsug’” said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche yesterday dismissing reports of his support for a planned motion in the next sitting of the house effecting a name change to include the Tibetan word ‘Shung’.
While stressing that the amendment to the name was a “good step beneficial for the present and future of Tibet”, the outgoing Kalong Tripa maintained it was not a change per se, but a logical step conforming to the in-use ‘Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’ in English since 1960.
Speaking exclusively to Tibetan journalists at the request of the Association of Tibetan Journalists, Kalon Tripa gave credit to the sacrifices made by Tibetans inside Tibet for the positive developments that the Tibetan freedom struggle has witnessed over the years.
“80% of the credit for our achievements must go to the brave Tibetans inside Tibet who have boldly led our freedom struggle risking their life and security”, said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
Responding to a question, the man who led the exile administration for the last ten years said that the CTA’s financial independence and the already implemented education system were amongst his top policy achievements.
“Today we are able to independently meet the CTA’s expenses and the money we have is all legal. There is no black money”, said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche who had earlier implemented a hotly debated disinvestment policy.
Expressing hope that the Indian government will constitutionally receive Tibetan as a regional language in the next couple of years, Kalon Tripa said Tibetan children currently studying the entire syllabus in Tibetan language under the CTA’s education policy should not face qualification issues in the future.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche who began his services as a teacher in the early 1960s’ asserted that a century or so later people will realise the real importance and significance of the basic education policy which is yet to receive wide acceptance from Tibetan schools.
The outgoing Kalon Tripa who is due to hand over the reigns to Dr Lobsang Sangay on August 8 revealed that one of the most daunting challenges that he would be passing over was a shortage of staff at the CTA.
On being asked about his future plans, the 73-year old monk pointed to his grey hair and said, “every human being has the right to retire”.
