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Tashi Dhondup
Photo: VOT

The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) concluded its ninth general body meeting by electing Tashi Dhondup as the new President, along with other six new members. The meeting was convened from August 20-23 and held in Dharamshala; it was attended by members from various locations together with the heads of Tibetan non-government organisations.

Tashi Dhondup has served as the NDPT’s secretary/cashier until now. Speaking to Voice of America (VOA), Tibetan service, Dhondup said that despite China being a country that occupied our nation, we have great lessons to learn from them. During the student-led Tiananmen Square massacre, thousands of students fought for democracy in the face of deadly suppression from the government. We Tibetans, he said, did not have to fight to achieve our democracy.

“Our democracy is freely given. From my point of view, the main problem faced in the Tibetan exile democratic system is that in democracy, there come rights and duties. We have been using that right but not taking the responsibilities. Today I am not shying away from becoming the President though I am young because I take it as my democratic responsibility,” said Tashi to VOA.

Tashi did his primary education from Upper Tibetan Children’s village school and completed his bachelor degree from Hansraj College, Delhi and his post graduate studies at Jawahalal Nehru University, Delhi.

Photo: VOT

The outgoing President, Tsetan Norbu, explained to the meeting how the party was founded according to the guidance and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has announced that the party has remained committed to their vision, it has not created disharmony in the Tibetan exile community and has urged its fellow members to maintain its responsibilities.

NDPT was founded in 1994 after His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance of political parties in the evolution of democratic system in the Tibetan Government-in-exile, said Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, addressing the gathering on the first day.

Following the first meeting of NDPT members, and finalising the party constitution in 1994, Mr Karma Choephel was the first elected President. The long term objective of the party is to prepare for the establishment of the political parties in a future Tibet. While in exile, the party promotes and educates Tibetan people about the significance of political parties, and of democracy, and initiates political discussion in exile.