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Penpa Tsering

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Penpa Tsering
President-elect of the Central Tibetan Administration
Preceded byLobsang Sangay
Speaker, Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE)
In office
2008–2016
Monarch14th Dalai Lama
Preceded byKarma Chophel (14th TPiE)
Succeeded byKhenpo S Tenphel (16th TPiE)
Personal details
Born1967
Bylakuppe, Karnataka
Political partyNational Democratic Party of Tibet/ Independent
Alma materMadras Christian College

Penpa Tsering (born 1967) is a Tibetan politician.[1] He is the second democratically elected Sikyong (President) of the 17th Parliament-in-Exile of the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile).[2][3] As President-elect, he will succeed the current President Lobsang Sangay.[2][4] Penpa Tsering was the speaker of the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan Parliament in Exile) for two terms between 2008 and 2016.[5]

Early life

Penpa Tsering was born in a refugee camp in Bylakuppe in the Indian state of Karnataka in 1967.[6] After topping his schooling, he graduated in economics from Madras Christian College.[6] Following stints in the Tibetan Freedom Movement and the Nigerian-Tibet Friendship Association during his college days,[7] he went on to serve as the executive director at the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC) in Delhi between 2001 and 2008.[6] TPPRC is a joint project of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation and Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, with a mandate of "promoting the political programme of the Tibetan administration".[8]

Political career

A session of the Tibetan Parliament in Dharamsala, 2013. Penpa Tsering, Speaker, is visible on the right. Lobsang Sangay on the right.

Penpa was elected to the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for two terms from 1996 and 2006.[9] Following this he became the speaker of the 14th and 15th Parliament between 2008 and 2016.[5] In July 2016, he was appointed the 'North America Representative of the Dalai Lama, Representative to Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C.' for a year.[9][10][11] He formally took charge on 29 August 2016.[7] As Representative, his duties involved meeting leaders and officials,[12] chairing cultural events related to Tibet, and addressing Tibetans and Tibet related issues.[13][14]

Penpa was runner up in the Sikyong election in 2016.[15] He announced his candidacy for 2021 election on 3 September 2020.[16] During the 2021 CTA general election, Penpa secured 34,324 votes, 5,417 more than Kaydor Aukatsang (Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang) who secured the second highest votes; a total of 63,991 Tibetans voted.[17][18] Penpa has spoken about "resolving the issue of Tibet", "taking care of the welfare of Tibetans in exile",[19] pursuing "all possible ways to communicate with China,"[20] "facilitat(ing) a visit of the Dalai Lama to China,"[21] and advocating for the release of "Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and all other political prisoners".[22][23]


NDTV May 27, 2021 : Dharamshala:

Penpa Tsering was sworn-in as president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Dharamshala-based Tibetan government-in-exile on Thursday. Penpa Tsering said he will reach out to the Chinese government to find a "mutually beneficial" and non-violent solution to the Sino-Tibet conflict. Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo administered the oath to Penpa Tsering, the second democratically-elected Sikyong (president) of the 17th Parliament-in-Exile of the Central Tibetan Administration, at a small ceremony held in Dharamshala, amid the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Penpa Tsering succeeded Lobsang Sangay.

He said his government will tread the path of "middle way" espoused by the Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama. "Based on it, we will reach out to the Chinese government to find a mutually beneficial, negotiated, non-violent solution to the Sino-Tibet conflict. We hope that this in turn shall set a good example in resolving conflicts around the world," Penpa Tsering said.

He said the main responsibility of his Kashag or Cabinet will be to address the critical challenges faced by "endangered Tibet" and sufferings of the Tibetan people. Penpa Tsering added it is of "utmost importance" to all Tibetans to abide by the guidance of The Dalai Lama.

"We are very fortunate to be blessed by the virtual presence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama at the inaugural function. The executive will make every effort to make sure that we follow and act in accordance with the path shown by His Holiness," Penpa Tsering said.

The Dalai Lama attended the swearing-in ceremony virtually and extended his greetings to the new president of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Penpa Tsering, 53, was the Speaker of Parliament of the CTA for two terms between 2008 and 2016. He was the runner-up in the Sikyong election in 2016. He had announced his candidacy for the 2021 election on September 3 last year.

During the 2021 CTA general election, he secured 34,324 votes, 5,417 more than Kaydor Aukatsang (Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang) who had secured the second highest number of votes. Earlier, Penpa Tsering spoke about "resolving" the Tibetan issue, taking care of the welfare of "Tibetans in exile" and pursuing "all possible ways to communicate with China."

He has also said that he wants to "facilitate a visit of the Dalai Lama to China" and push for the release of "Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and all other political prisoners".

"I extend my good wishes to all my Tibetan brothers and sisters inside and outside Tibet, and all freedom and truth loving Tibet supporters. I also take this opportunity to thank Hounorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the US Congress, the State Department, Taiwan foreign minister, parliamentary friends of Tibet, Tibet support groups, organisations and individuals for their support," Penpa Tsering added after the oath-taking ceremony.

Comments"To conclude, I take this opportunity to thank all freedom-loving governments, parliaments and Tibet supporters around the world and in particular India and the United States for their love and support for Tibet and the Tibetan people," he added.

References

  1. ^ Bhatia, Ashwini (14 May 2021). "Penpa Tsering elected president of Tibetan exile government". Washington Post. AP. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  2. ^ a b "Penpa Tsering New President Of Tibetan Govt-In-Exile". Outlook India. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Lhamo, Choekyi (2021-05-14). "Penpa Tsering to become the next Sikyong of CTA". Phayul. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Sikyong Lobsang Sangay congratulates Sikyong-elect Penpa Tsering, offers full co-operation in transition of power". Central Tibetan Administration. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b "Successive Chairman and Speaker | Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile". tibetanparliament.org. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  6. ^ a b c Thakur, Naresh K (2021-05-14). "Penpa Tsering is president-elect of Tibetan government-in-exile". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b "New Representative Mr Penpa Tsering Takes Charge of OOT, Washington". Central Tibetan Administration. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC)". Tibet Online. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  9. ^ a b Mohan, Lalit (8 February 2021). "Penpa Tsering emerges frontrunner in first round of elections for post of Sikyong". The Tribune India. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Penpa Tsering appointed as Representative of Dalai Lama to US". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2016-05-07. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  11. ^ "Sikyong Briefs Media on Appointment of Speaker Penpa Tsering as Representative of OOT, Washington". Central Tibetan Administration. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Representative Penpa Tsering Meets US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Sarah Sewall". Central Tibetan Administration. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Representative Penpa Tsering chaired Tibetan Language and Cultural School's Conference and met with important leaders in Portland". Central Tibetan Administration. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Representative Penpa Tsering Discusses Tibet with Chinese Democracy Activists". Central Tibetan Administration. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Joint Press Conference by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Speaker Penpa Tsering (Express Apology and Appeal for Unity)". Central Tibetan Administration. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Lhamo, Choekyi (2020-09-03). "Former Speaker Penpa Tsering announces candidacy for 2021 Sikyong". Phayul. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Penpa Tsering elected president of Central Tibetan Administration". The Times of India. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ Bhatia, Varinder (2021-02-04). "Elections for Tibetan Parliament-in-exile". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Ngodup, Pema (19 April 2021). "Projected Winner in Vote for Tibet's Exile Leader Vows Hard Work, Asks for Unity". Radio Free Asia. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ Lodoe, Kalden; Wangchuk, Tashi (7 April 2021). "Final Vote For Exile Tibetan Leader Set For April 11, With Frontrunners Pledging Greater Foreign Outreach". Radio Free Asia. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Ahuja, Namrata Biji (2 May 2021). "Will work to restart the Sino-Tibetan dialogue". The Week. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Kranti, Vijay (2021-04-26). "Release of Panchen Lama and political prisoners will be a top agenda of the new Sikyong of Tibet". Phayul. Retrieved 2021-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Release of Panchen Lama, political prisoners top of Tibet Sikyong's agenda". The Sunday Guardian Live. 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-05-15.

Further reading

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