Sangay sworn in as Tibet's PM-in-exile

Dharamsala, Aug 8 (PTI) Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay
was Monday sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Tibetan
Government-in-exile, succeeding the Dalai Lama as the
movement's political leader.
43-year old Sangay, who replaces Samdong Rimpoche as
Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of Tibetan Central
Administration, was administered oath by Ngawang Phelgyal, the
Chief Justice Commissioner, at a public function presided over
by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Over 5,000 Tibetans, including community leaders settled
outside Tibet and India, braved heavy showers to witness the
ceremony.
In his brief speech, the 76-year-old Dalai Lama expressed
his gratitude to the Tibetans in exile for participating in
the democratic process by electing the Kalon Tripa and members
of the Tibetan parliament.
"We have handed over all political responsibilities and
all the powers now vest in democratically-elected leadership
of Lobsang Sangay," the Dalai Lama said in his speech in
Tibetan language.
The Dalai Lama remains the spiritual head of the
Tibetans.
A senior fellow of Harvard Law School, Sangay steps
into the shoes of 73-year-old monk-scholar Samdhong Rinpoche,
who was elected twice as Kalon Tripa and held the post for the
past 10 years.
Rinpoche, in his address both in Tibetan and English
languages said, "This is a new chapter in Tibetan history and
a joint step towards a genuine democracy".
Recalling the sacrifices made by his elders, Sangay in
his first speech said, "I am here not because of my personal
achievement but as a result of the hard work and sacrifices
made by older generations in Tibet and in exile and today I
pledge to carry forward and build upon the great legacy of our
elders".
Thubten Samphel, a spokesperson for the government-in
-exile, said Sangay took oath at an auspicious time decided by
him at 9 am (IST), nine minutes and nine seconds and it was a
great event attended by the Tibetan diaspora settled across
the globe, including Taiwan, Japan, Belgium, Mongolia and
Nepal.
Sangay is the first elected prime minister to shoulder
the political and administrative responsibilities which were
earlier carried out by the Dalai Lama.
With legacy of the Dalai Lama behind him, the new Kalon
Tripa has a daunting task to measure up to the expectations of
Tibetan people and win the trust of the people.
The Dalai Lama had shocked Tibetan people by announcing
his decision to relinquish all responsibilities and confine
himself only to the spiritual role in his address on Tibetan
uprising day on March 10 and formally conveyed the decision to
Tibetan Assembly of Deputies on March 15.
The Dalai Lama, who had taken refuge in India after
fleeing Tibet in 1959, spurned all requests to reconsider his
decision and directed the assembly to suitably amend the
Tibetan Charter to pave for transition of political powers to
a democratically-elected leadership.
The elected members of 15th Tibetan assembly had taken
oath on May 30.