The largest Tibetan Settlement in exile, last afternoon, witnessed a major Panel Discussion on, "The Significance of 2011 & The Status of Our Democracy” organized by National Democratic Party of Tibet.
Despite a hot early summer afternoon, Dekyi Larsoe Tibetan Community Hall in Bylakuppe was thronged with over 800 people to participate in the panel discussion on the topic that currently adorns every Tibetan discussion.
The latest awareness campaign on the promotion of democracy focussing specially on the upcoming Kalon Tripa and Chitue election and the means for further advancement of democracy in Tibetan exile and its' system and the structure concluded successfully after over 3 hour-long discussion including hectic and interesting Q & A.
The panelist for the current discussion by NDPT included Choekyong Wangchuk, Tibetan MP and Executive Director of TPPRC, Kirti Dolkar Lhamo, Tibetan MP and President of Tibetan Womens Association, Pema Delek, Former Tibetan Parliament member, Lukar Jam, Independent Research Scholar, Lobsang Yeshi, Former Vice President of Tibetan Youth Congress and Independent Researcher and Chime Youngdung, President of NDPT. The Panel discussion and the Public debate was moderated by Utruk Tsering, General Secretary of NDPT and Geshe Loga from Sera Mey University.
President Chime Youngdung in his introductory address briefed the audience on the importance and the objectives of the awareness campaign. Besides speaking about the founding of the Organization in accordance with the advice and the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr President also stressed on the significance of 2011 and the responsibility of the Tibetan people for making the upcoming events historic and a success in the annal of Tibetan democracy and Tibetan Struggle.
Choekyong Wangchuk in his presentation emphasized that year 2010 is equally important as year 2011 in Tibetan struggle, so everyone must prepare for the both events; Kalon Tripa election and the Chitue election. While stressing on the Tibetan Democracy as the gift from His Holiness, he also assured that compared to the other democracies of the world, Tibetan democracy has achieved greatly and one should not be so much perturbed with certain unpleasant developments. He also stressed that in any democratic country in the present world, there isn't any that is a partyless democracy. Mr Choekyong concluded that those who wish to stand for the elections in Kalon Tripa and Chitue should declare openly and present themselves before the public.
Kirti Dolker Lhamo: Under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we are gifted with democracy with three perfect democracy pillars. So we should not waste this gift and utilize it to perfect the present democracy. We should also act accordingly to the time. Today, our foremost duty is to search a perfect candidate for the Katri and Chitues. Mrs Dolkar made major stress that the next Kalon Tripa should be a one that follows Middle Path as their stand and who understand the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Pema Delek: While mentioning the gradual progress of Tibetan Democracy in exile and the development of the exile Government structure etc under the blessing of His Holiness, Mr Delek stated that the perfection of our Democracy depends fully on the Tibetan people. We shouldn’t force our people to vote for a particular candidate but it is important to create awareness among the people for the importance of voting and election. We need to elect someone who is more responsible and sincere. He explained that our democracy could be termed both as Parliamentary Democracy as well as Presidential Democracy given the present structure and power distribution.
Lobsang Yeshi in his address stated that Democracy in Tibetan exile which is a blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is one great achievement that we can fluent against China. The undemocratic China still remains one reason why world supports us and hates China. Democracy in China could also be a major turning point for freedom and independence in Tibet. He further stated that looking back, Tibetan democracy has attained great strides towards perfection. And if there still are drawbacks in our democracy, a major reason could be that we have failed to follow every other advice and guidance of His Holiness on the same.
He further stressed that another reason that ails our democracy is that despite huge and unprecedented awareness campaign, there is fewer population involving in the processes of democracy. Even those who are actively involved in the elections, their final verdicts are driven by affiliations and affinity. The upcoming Kalon Tripa and the Chitue election is yet again a test of our democracy and commitment of Tibetan people towards their country and the freedom struggle.
Chime Youngdung in his speech stated that Tibetan democracy is far from having realized perfection as Tibetan Parliament still has only one house. He stressed that for a democracy to be called genuine we must have 2 houses of Parliament and also build multi party system. In the present environment, public do not know even the 43 Chitues as the interaction and the commitments is almost non-existent. We need to share the burden of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and work towards contributing to its perfection. To implement His Holiness's wish, Our Parliament must initiate measures to work towards realization these goals. Until then we cannot call ours a perfect democracy.
In the future eventualities of absence of His Holiness, perfect Tibetan Parliament consisting of 2 Houses involving representatives directly elected by people would carry forward the struggle to its fruition.
The final speaker, Lukar Jam in his deliberation stated that while mentioning the Democracy as a gift of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we must remember the contribution and sacrifices made by numerous Tibetan patriots, scholars and writers like Dawa Norbu and Jamyang Norbu etc. Our next Kalon Tripa being an open minded as well as sincere, must be a strong advocate of Rangzen. We must to put it straight vote for a candidate who aspires and fights for Tibetan Independence. Until a candidate for a Kalon Tripa comes out specifically with a clear declaration of his intentions to fight election and the presents various views on issues related with Tibetan struggle, we must not vote for anybody. I will not vote for anybody and I appeal everyone not to vote for anybody.
He further appeal the monks to shurn politics and not to engage in politics. If possible vote only for the religious sect candidate and not the regional.
This talk was followed by intra-discussions and Q & A wherein speakers clarified each others views and questioned each other.
This was later followed by hour-long Q & A from the public. Later a thank you speech and souvenirs for the speakers were presented by the President Chime Youngdung.
Report issued by Central Executive Committee of National Democratic Party of Tibet
Date: 28 February 2010
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