Lobsang Sangay elected to head Tibetan Government In Exile

20110428-094804.jpgLobsang Sangay, a Harvard educated scholar, defeated his two rivals for being elected to head the Tibetan Government in Exile.

Election commissioner of Tibetan Government in Exile, Jamphel Choesang announced the results of the election today at Dharamshala, declaring that Sangay had won by securing 55 % of the votes polled.

Tenzin Tethong, a former representative of the Dalai Lama in New York and Washington secured 37.4 % votes and Tashi Wangdi, the other aspirant got just 6.4 % votes. About 50,00 Tibetan voters took part in the election.

With His Holiness The Dalai Lama firm on taking a backstage from leading the Tibetan movement that aspires for a settlement to the decades old struggle for a honourable return to homeland Tibet, the 43 year old Sangay has a difficult task cut out before him as he tries to fill the gap.

Sangay election marks a break from the past as the elected Prime Minister was born outside Tibet and has never been to Tibet either. Being born in North East India, he went onto specialize in international law at Harvard.

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3 Comments

  1. says: Avnish Katoch

    I was following this election very closely. The way all the details were covered, all my praise to Tibetan community! There were various debates and election related events across the globe. Here in US also the community organized so well with all the elements of US electioneering system. A well educated and deserving candidate finally won!

    Why same is not possible for India’s election system?

    1. Mr. Katoch,

      lemme briefly try to answer your question. “Tibetan Community” is a small closely knit community; with a common goal, strong set of values and community centric interests. Whereas on the other hand we “Indian” are a humongous club of communities; with personal goals, missing values (or should I say convenient and self pleasing values), and self centric interests.

      Note: It’s not the current state of affairs that scare me / make me afraid, but it’s the uncertainty of not knowing when it would end, that frightens me.

      1. says: Avnish Katoch

        Prashant, you are so right.

        I though at least our small hilly state would be different and people would join hands together. Lots of hope from this new Internet savvy generation but only if there is right leadership.

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