Dawa Rinchen, the current Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer, has been nominated as a Dharamshala Municipal Corporation Councillor, the first Tibetan councillor ever. Dawa is a member of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society and has good personal relations with the local Indian community; he has played a vital role in maintaining harmony between the two communities. A local government spokesperson said his inclusion will, “help the community”.