The world has just witnessed the bloody mess in the Arab world where dictators insist on retaining power despite having become enemies of their people. Juxtapose this to the smooth transition of political power from the Dalai Lama to the young Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay as the future ruler of the Tibetan Government in exile. This has everything to do with Buddhism and the tenets of peace preached by that religion and faithfully practised by its adherents. On Monday, August 7, Lobsang Sangay was sworn in as the new prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, succeeding the Dalai Lama as the movement’s political leader. 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. The 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. The ceremony saw the attendance of over 5,000 Tibetans, including community leaders settled outside Tibet and India. Sangay is the first elected prime minister to shoulder the political and administrative responsibilities which were earlier carried out by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, known as a proponent of peace leaves behind a legacy that Tibetans are proud of. Indeed the new Kalon Tripa has a daunting task to measure up to the expectations of Tibetan people and win their trust.
Rinpoche, in his address rightly stated that this is a new chapter in Tibetan history and a joint step towards a genuine democracy. Recalling the sacrifices made by his elders, Sangay had earlier written an article in leading newspapers that he is where he is not because of his personal achievements but as a result of the hard work and sacrifices made by older generations in Tibet and in exile. He pledged to carry forward and build upon the great legacy of his predecessors. Earlier, 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, this year. He 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.