By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 14: The Central Tibetan Administration today inaugurated a temporary exhibition on evolution of ‘Tibetan Democracy in exile’ at the Tibet Museum near Tsuglakhang here. Taking the looming election season into account, Minister of Information and International Relations (Kalon) Dickyi Chhoyang inaugurated the temporary exhibition, which the Department said is mainly targeted to educate the youth about Tibetan democracy and its evolution.
“With the upcoming general elections, we see this as a perfect timing to exhibit and explain the evolution of our democracy in exile. We divide the evolution in four parts. The first Tibetan members of parliament in exile in 1960, the adoption of the Charter in 1991, when Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche in 2001 became the first directly elected prime minister of the government in exile, and the His Holiness’s formal relinquishment of his political powers to a elected political head in 2011,” Kalon DIckyi Chhoyang said. Accompanying the minister were Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary (International Relations) and Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary (Information).
She also expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his guidance that led to flourishing of Tibetan democracy in exile. “I hope that maximum number of people from all over the world and Tibetans, especially the youth, to see the exhibit.”
Tenzin Phende, DIIR Photographer, said, “The main reason for organizing the exhibit is to make the youth aware of our democracy in exile. Personally I feel that it is hard for the Tibetan college students to take part in voting or the participation is minimal. So through our initiative we hope to disseminate information to them and make them aware.”
Choephel, an elderly Tibetan who was present at the inauguration, feels that the older generation Tibetans are now physically incapable, so the youth have to take responsibilities. “Looking at the pictures, I felt an overwhelming sense of vigilance of His Holiness over the years and those who will carry on the responsibilities have a big shoe to fill,” he said.
The Tibet Museum was established in 1998 to serve as a remembrance of the loss of Tibetan culture and lives; to collect photographs and life histories of Tibetans; to present the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people.
