PROFILE:
• Born in the Tibetan village of Surtso in 1956
• Exiled to Solukhumbu, Nepal in 1959
Education:
• Attended the Central School for Tibetans (Dalhousie)
• Earned his BA (Hons) in Political Science at Delhi University
Work History:
• Assistant Office Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Acting Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’s Department of Security (1977-1993)
• Secretary of the Department of Security (1993-2007)
• Minister (Kalon) of Security (2007-2016)
• Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi (2016-)
Key Points:
• Supports the Middle Way Approach*
• Encourages an ethical election based on voter research
While committing himself to candidature for the 2021 Sikyong elections, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi Ngodup Dongchung says he does not plan to launch any campaign activities prior to the election. “I don’t have any intention to make unrealistic slogans and engage in an unethical and extravagant campaign to procure votes,” he tells Voice of Tibet, “I leave the choice with each individual to vote after thorough research using their own intelligence.” Ngodup also requests his supporters “to not engage in any untoward and malicious methods” as they campaign for him.
Supporters of Ngodup Dongchung endorse him based on several factors, such as his diverse expertise in working in the Central Tibetan Administration, his ability to establish connections with Tibetans within the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and his reputation of promoting equity amongst Tibetans in his policymaking and everyday interactions. In a Tibet Sun article, Tsewang Rigzin, a researcher at Columbia University, argues that Ngodup has gained experience in multiple “capacities and levels” during his 40years of service in the CTA, pointing out his extended involvement with the Taskforce on Sino-Tibetan negotiations. Lobsang Tendar Ngamring, a former researcher at the Educational Development and Resource Center of Tibetan Children’s Village, writes in his article for the Tibet Sun regardingNgodup’s service in ensuring the safety of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the longest-served secretary of the Department of Security.
Ngodup Dongchung’s experience in connecting Tibetans in TAR with the CTA has also won backing amongst his supporters. Rigzin alludes to Ngodup’s mission to Tibet in 1983, where he established means of communication between the administration and underground activists in Tibet. Ngamring also refers to this mission in his article, explaining that it has “awarded [Ngodup] with the trust and respect from people across all three provinces of Tibet.” Both Rigzin and Ngamring argue that the Tibetan movement is founded on the loyalty of the Tibetans inside Tibet for the CTA and, therefore, that Ngodup’s positive reputation amongst this population is an invaluable asset for the administration’s next leadership.
Finally, many proponents of Ngodup Dongchung support him based on his commitment to sustaining equity amongst Tibetans of diverse backgrounds and regions both within and outside Tibet as well. In his article for Tibet Sun, former civil servant Kelsang Tsering notes that a diverse range of political prisoners have publicly endorsed Ngodup due to his indifference towards regional and sectarian affiliations when aiding political prisoners to safety as Secretary of Security. Along similar lines, Ngamring also commends Ngodup’s dedication to equity within the administration, pointing out that, due to his treatment of others “irrespective of their status, regional background, or other attributes […] he holds the trust and confidence of all members in the CTA.” Notably, in this election itself, Ngodup urges voters to refrain from intolerance over divisions and affiliations and to vote based on the candidates’ competency in carrying forth the leadership of the Tibetan community.
*The Middle Way Approach refers to the policy proposed by His Holiness Dalai Lama and endorsed by the CTA which seeks “genuine autonomy” of Tibet under the Peoples’ Republic of China rule.
For more about the election click here
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