By IANS,
Dharamsala : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Monday said his long-cherished aspiration has been fulfilled, with Lobsang Sangay in place as the new prime minister of the government-in-exile.
Addressing a gathering at the swearing-in ceremony of Sangay, the elderly monk spoke about his efforts to fully democratise the Tibetan polity in Tibet and in exile.
“Today is a proud day for all the Tibetan people who had participated in the democratic elections. My most cherished aspiration has been fulfilled. Most importantly, the Tibetans in exile have taken great initiative and interest and shouldered huge responsibility to take part in the elections.
“As a result, we have been able to elect a leader with high standard of modern education. So I would like to thank the general public for their diligent work.”
The 76-year-old Dalai Lama will now only hold a spiritual role. “I have passed on the political responsibility to Sangay, the democratically elected Kalon Tripa.”
The monk had in May devolved his “formal authority” to the elected leadership of the exiles.
Harvard-educated Sangay, 43, is the first to become the political successor to the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since 1959 when he fled his homeland after a failed uprising against Communist rule. His government-in-exile is based here but is not recognised by any country.