Nyiwoe
BANGALORE, India, 17 October 2020
This upcoming Tibetan election is crucial for deciding the future of Tibet. In the global context, the majority of the developed countries are now challenging the influence of China. The Uyghur, Hong Kong, Southern Mongolia, Taiwan, and those who are suffering under the oppression of Chinese Communist Party are getting significant attention from the international community. The situation in Tibet is getting worse. At the same time, there is a huge demographic shift in our exiled community. It is now no longer confined within South Asia. About half of the exiled Tibetan population have migrated from India to over 20 countries.
Rather than focusing on unmeasurable criteria like level of one’s faith and assumptions, we should choose our Sikyong based on who can practically handle those challenges and take full advantages from the present international politics. I believe we should choose Mr Kelsang Dorjee (Kaydor) Aukatsang.
Main criteria for the post of Sikyong
Since the Tibetan election campaigns kicked off on 5th August 2020, we have so far eight Sikyong candidates. A few have impressive work experience and achievements. Hence merely past experience will not qualify them to become a great Sikyong. Here I’m not suggesting that past experiences and achievements are not important. But more than that we should focus on their vision and plan for the future. Our Sikyong has to work in a very tough environment. He or she must be fully prepared. Looking at our present situation, a candidate running for Sikyong without a proper vision and plan is very much like an empty-handed soldier jumping into the battlefield.
Our new Sikyong steadfastly will serve and shoulder huge responsibility for the next five years. The voters have the right to know how our new Sikyong is going to lead us. It’s the duty of the candidate to let the voters be fully aware of their future. Now is the time to question what degree of democracy we are actually enjoying if we try to choose our future leader without knowing their manifestos.
The great vision
Fortunately we have one promising candidate who has come up with a timely vision. He is Mr Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, former Representative of His Holiness the Great 14th the Dalai Lama for North America and former Director of Social and Resource Development (SARD). Unlike most of the other candidates, Mr Aukatsang’s reason for running for Sikyong was not driven by others’ opinions. His profound knowledge of the responsibilities of the role of Sikyong and the needs of the Tibetan community have made him take this important decision. In a very decent and professional way, Mr Aukatsang has his campaign moving forward very actively. Despite having lots of obstacles in this global pandemic era, Mr Aukatsang has started fulfilling the basic duty of a great candidate by educating the public about his vision for the future Tibet.
Mr Aukatsang’s plans can be read and heard in detail from his campaign website and public talks. He has prioritized five major issues. The first is about elevating the Tibetan freedom struggle. Under his leadership, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) will have more activism and less administration. He has a plan to launch various campaigns about our history as an independent nation, which will help to strengthen and highlight the practical aspect of the Middle-Way approach.
Secondly, he plans to modernise CTA through digital transformation or digital governance, for which he has gained valuable experience from his previous role as the Director of SARD. This plan will not only ensure more efficiency in administration, but also help CTA to become a transnational where the major programs will reach to all the Tibetans living in the three big communities (Tibet, South Asia, and Diaspora.)
Thirdly, Mr Aukatsang plans to ensure qualitative modern education with a unique Tibetan environment. Under his leadership, Tibetan schools will be consolidated into 15 to 20 schools. Currently we have 64-plus schools for only 15 thousand students. On average there is a school for every 200 students, which results in scattering of facilities and human resources. Most of the schools are now facing challenges in getting qualified teachers, especially for Tibetan and science subjects. The admission of Tibetan students has drastically declined due to the stoppage of newcomers from Tibet and demographic changes of exiled Tibetan communities. Therefore consolidation of Tibetan schools is again a timely measure in order to provide quality-based education to the seeds of our future.
Preservation of language and culture is a core concern of our freedom struggle. In his fourth issue, Mr Aukatsang focuses on preservation and promotion of language and culture. There will be a timely revamp of the Department of Religion and Culture. He wants to increase funds on arts, language, and cultural-oriented programs.
In his fifth issue, Mr Aukatsang talks about resilience of our community’s economic and development activities. From his role as the Director of SARD, we have witnessed his unmatchable capability for enhancing development activities within South Asia. His plans on resilient economics include strengthening relationships with the major donors. CTA will enter into public-private partnerships to promote development and economic self-reliance. Apart from providing financial aid to the economically needy Tibetans, CTA will move into investment and income-generation ventures which need to be more attempted, for example to expand the functions of Gang Jong Development Finance by gradually turning it into a Small Finance Bank.
Past experience and achievements
From his 23 years of service in the Tibetan freedom struggle and our communities, Mr Aukatsang has gained utmost understanding of the needs and opportunities of Tibetans in both South Asia and the West, which will surely help him in fulfilling his dream of transforming CTA into a transnational administration. His role as the special advisor to the current Sikyong has given him hands-on experience and knowledge about Sikyong’s responsibilities on a daily basis. From his role as the Representative of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama in North America, he succeeded in shifting Tibet Office from New York to Washington DC, where he served as a bridge between the US government and CTA. He successfully organised seven visits of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama to North America, which led to two historic meetings between His Holiness and President Obama.
At SARD, he took a primary role in formulating and organising various successful projects such as Five-Fifty Vision, Tibet Corps, and Gang Jong Development Finance. He was the key relationship manager with all of the large government funders for CTA. He has contributed a lot in increasing the US government’s annual funding awarded to Tibetan projects, from USD 2.9 million in 2016 to USD 12.5 million in 2020. SARD’s reserve fund increased from INR 1.27 crores (USD 170,169) to INR 37 crores (USD 4.95 million).
Apart from remarkable past achievements and future plans, there are many other reasons why we should vote for Mr Aukatsang. Let me write a few of them in brief.
Continuity of current important CTA projects
The biggest disadvantage of democracy is lack of continuation of development projects due to changes in leadership and policies. Luckily we have a great opportunity this time to avoid such disasters. Since Mr Aukatsang has taken a very significant role in the present Kashag’s administration, his winning will surely not cause any unnecessary disruptions for ongoing CTA projects. Major development principles and policies of the current Kashag are included in its Five-Fifty Vision, and he is the number one person when it comes to implementing it. We can find a lot of elements from his five major campaign slogans which are in tandem with current Kashag’s agendas and implementations.
Bringing Tibetans together with common focus
Because of his late father’s influence, his work experiences, educational background, and his personality, Mr Aukatsang has the leadership quality to lead Tibetans from all age groups and political interests under one umbrella. He has a dream to reawaken the spirit and dedication of the older generation, likewise to empower the youth by ensuring more involvement in CTA and our freedom struggle. From his campaign slogan with the five key issues, one can clearly see the importance he has given to the unity of Tibetans. He will harness the collective energy of all Tibetans by reminding us that we are One Nation, One People, and One Struggle. His administration will provide a friendly and liberal impetus to all political interests.
China policy and international relations
Mr Aukatsang has practical experience in working with various international agencies, ranging from government relations, diplomacy, philanthropic advising, community development works, and policy planning, with emphasis on strategic planning, operations, program design, research and analysis, writing, and project management. He has done his Master’s Degree in International Trade Relationships and Chinese Foreign Policy. Every aspect of the world nowadays is shaped and influenced by international trade relationships between major power holders. Hence his past work experience and knowledge of international and Chinese policies will further make him a perfect choice for our next Sikyong at this critical juncture.
There is no time for regionalism and power struggles. Our future is a mixture of risks and opportunities. We need someone at the helm who could build coalitions and secure international support through international advocacy and mobilization of resources. This is a role towards which Mr Aukatsang has already been working for many years. He has the disposition, with a track record of excellence. Hence I urge my fellow Tibetan brothers and sisters to choose the best candidate for you, for me, and for all of us. Bod Gyal-lo!
About the author
Nyiwoe is a final year BA LLB student at REVA University, Bangalore.
Nyiwoe La, Thank you very much for your aptly written piece of opinion supporting your Sikyong candidate: Mr Kalsang Dorjee Aukatsang. Even though your article has not mentioned any disparaging remarks on other Sikyong candidates. Yet it stirs up hornet’s nest of sour grapes and ingrates, even though the CTA is doing financially much better off now than 5 or 10 years ago. Kudos to you for generating most comments.
For me meritocracy is the basis for supporting a Sikyong Candidate, and Mr Kaydor la fits the bill: educated from top ranked educational institutions like St Stephen’s college of Delhi University (India) and the Tufts University of the USA. Also, his ability to work hard in campaigning for as in words of Dr Martin Luther King: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
One may like choice of a candidate, not the consequences of the choice: the choice of Tsoksur Penpa Tsering la as the Sikyong candidate by Chithue Dawa Tsering, Chithue Sharchok Khugta and others back in 2016 are not supporting the same now. Likewise, the choice of PT as Ari Dhonchoe by Sikyong and the consequences of the choice shows: Be careful what you wish for in ones choice. I am proud of my choices: 2011 and 2016 for Sikyong LS and 2021 for Mr Kalsang Dorjee la based on meritocracy, not on whims of cholka/choelok or other relationships.
Truth alone triumphs!
Dawa Phuntsok, I totally disagree with your comments. LS was offered a chance for Sikyong but he did not fulfill his promise during election. Tibetan people were more on regionalism then before, he always lies and treat opponent badly. That is why he lost his case. Kaydor has no qualification being a Sikyong. I heard that your son was benefited and offered a job in Office of Tibet and then Dharamshala under Kaydor. Kaydor and LS has done nothing beside benefitting self.
Kaydor talking about “more responsibility, less demand for rights, and less comments in FB etc” is the most hilarious and ironical lines I have ever come across.
For the last 9 and half years, LS and Kaydor have misused their power and position more than they have taken any responsibilities. As for comments in FB and other medium like Tibet Sun and others, LS and Kaydor are the most active. Everyone knows about it but pretends as if they don’t just to see to what extend they go on fooling the public in social media and with what sort of arguments and allegations.
Practice what you preach. More dedication, more responsibility, and more honesty. Less lies, less comments, and less controversy.
Kaydor is the last person on this earth to teach us about anything. First, grow up and get a reality check. Public of 2011 and 2016 have now opened their eyes wide and clear. Sangayish fancy talks will not do its tricks anymore. Public sab jaanta hai, mere dost!
The problem with our people is they get deceived very easyly by fancy talks. And also they think the one that makes loud noise is better without realizing the empty ones make louder noise. That’s how LS got elected. The general saying is don’t trust the politicians. They make many promises but rarely honor it. Our people got carried away by LS fancy manifestos and now our small community is in mess. So we don’t want to hear any fancy manifestos. We will use the most reliable method of trusting the person’s past and character.
Many youths are just confused by the campaign propaganda, rather than should thoroughly study what they achieved in the past by retracking the past of Kaydor. In the initial when he was posted to Ari Dhonchoe by his friend Sikyong by ignoring many worthy candidates of secretary level those served the major part of life to CTA only because of listening His Holiness advice. Prior to that Kaydor is even not a CTA staff, though he take charge of SARD at Finance dept for almost 9 yrs but he even don’t have social and leadership skill. He only interact with his colleague and don’t even manage to interact with other sections in finance department. By looking that he has no leadership quality. Heard that he can’t even unite and lead finance dept. how could he take charge of CTA?
2nd blue book is one project of SARD though he plan to degitise but he could not do that in 9 yrs and how could he digitise CTA in 5 yrs?
3rd consolidation of schools is not only his vision, that is need of time and other candidates also already said.
4th preservation of Tibetan language of kaydor is baseless point, during 5-50 he ignore CTA admin rules by kicking Tibetan language and brought in English as the medium and for that many back lashes even from Parliament. He also dismiss the portrait of His Holiness at DC Office and now using His Holiness name to beg votes.
Still many things left but by sum up he done more wrong things to Tibetans than right. Sikyong and kaydor are Tom and Jerry. Make sure that you do not make wrong choice. It’s not only future of you and those in exile but also those left under the fear of CCP.
What he doing these days are to mislead youths.
I would like to bring kind attention of Election Commissioner, that Wisconsin Tibetan Association use their official status to inform about the Sikyong candidate Kaydor la’s arrival, using Chikang (that is ok and should be allowed to every one), and also live stream his talk through official Face book, and then the President has given an introductory speech. By this the WTA board members have broken the election rules and protocol. All the votes for Kaydor received in Madison WI should be null and void. WTA President has broken EC rules by writing comments too. Where are other WTA board members, are they sleeping?
Election Commission should look into this.
Also Kaydor makes a big deal about physically campaigning during Covid times as nurturing democracy and criticizes other candidates for not doing so. He contradicts himself by conducting events in LA and Vermont virtually. Isn’t that being same as online campaigning that he was criticizing?
In this new normal situation that we are in, online campaigning is the only best option for the candidates as well as for the public.
It is true that online campaign has its own challenges. Election Commission must guide new and innovative ways for the public to get to know Sikyong and chithu candidates before voting.
DN won’t talk or campaign. He’s following Samdhong Rinpoche who said campaigning for election is bad, and that a real leader should shy away from responsibility, saying ‘No No, I am not good enough.’
Samdhong Rinpoche tells the story of Lo Ngodup Dorjee where the pretenders are throwing themselves forward, saying ‘I am the One’ while the real one retreat at the back.
DN is like the real Lo Ngodup.
Whether you like it or not this guy Kaydor is not a responsible man.
Firstly, during his tenure as representative in 2014 dolgyal tsogpa came just few steps away from his holiness criticising His holiness inside the hotel. Such kind of dangerous attack never happened before. My question is how dolgyal people came to know about the hotel? Why such negligence?
Secondly, when PT took charge as a new representative, why KA did not give detail information, why there was no fair hand over?
Thirdly, In the famous 1.5 million dollar issue Kaydor is involved because he was the representative then. This issue really broke our unity. I know there is no chance for KA to win but when the writer here has craftly created beautiful image of KA, it is my moral duty to show the ugly side also.
The Writer has made a good presentation for his choice of candidate.
So far the public has access to various talks by most of the aspiring Sikyongs to be. All quite promising, getting better each election time or so it seems. Even Penpa Tsering la has started & promised a weekly talk/presentation. Now it is Kasur Ngodup Dongchung’s turn. We are all waiting.
I agree with this writer that every Sikyong Candidate should talk to the Tibetan people about their vision and plan, through what methods they could be able to achieve those. DN should talk to the Tibetan People, it is not fair for Tibetan People. I believe he is great civil servant for 40 years but that does not mean that he will be good Sikyong. Every job need special skills. DN should speak to Tibetan people about his vision, plan, etc.
Much has been written and spoken about many prospective Sikyong candidates, including Kaydor la. But many people are being careful with candidates like Kaydor la, as we cannot ignore better candidate like Dongchung Ngodup, who has proven track records for over four decades.
I am not from his region and I have never ever met this gentleman before in life. But his service record and integrity is certainly one of the best among all the candidates and this is what makes him my candidate and I and my family is going to vote him. I know that he is very honest and reliable person who will not barter his loyalty to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Nation for financial and other material gains.
I and my family decided to vote Donchung Ngodup la, as we think he will not go against the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai lama and the Tibetan people. He will not deceive us by his sweet talk and indulge in internecine feuds to weaken our cause.
He is a man of words, and we trust him that the Tibet issue is safe in his hands.
Penpa Tsering is dangerous for us. He might cancel or undo everything lobsang sangay did. There are many things in progress and results are yet to come. Better vote someone who will continue the legacy.
Lhamo la, PT is a man of character and dignity. He will never undo if LS has done good for the country. As you may have heard PT speak last weekend, there is great juice in his talk. He will be talking every weekend through live stream because of Covid 19.
It is surprising to see Tibetan electorates already making their choice on Sikyong candidates when the real campaign has only started now. We need to listen and analyze every candidates, their abilities, qualifications, and future plans first and then decide where you want to vote. Be rational and not emotional! Our national interest is at stake.
Dorjee la, you brought a very good point that everyone should listen to their talks, and fact check their past performances, and then decide based on the person’s character, ability, past performance, etc, but not based on Cholkas, Choelug or others. Some are empty vessels which makes great sound but no depth. Our national interest is in high stake, please everyone think wisely, rationally but not your emotional.
Because LS and Kaydor duo have been so corrupt in their ways and fooling the public with fake promises, “first ever” in the Tibetan history type of flashy announcements and events, and have greatly depleted the morale of the community with bullying antics, almost 90% of the educated Tibetans are wary and concerned about their leadership.
We are nearing the end of this despotic regime of the last ten years of negativity, controversies, and communal unrest, most of the educated lots are worried about the continuation of such legacy for another ten years through Kaydor. Voters, be very very wise!
Ex-Libtard, nobody is living in a free world and your notion of free world is very small horizon thinking only Dharamshala. So many conditions have to be fulfilled before travelling to any countries in the world. I am telling fact and nobody could deny or dispute the fact. Tibetan culture and language is disintegrating faster in exile and in the west than in Tibet because our leaders are taking good attention. 5 and 50 is just a mirage to ignorant Tibetans in exile.
I have seen a video where Lobsang Sangay was giving a talk to a Tibetan gathering at a Tibetan settlement. His main speech was on two points – how much money he got from US and the other was he was planning to send 5,000 Tibetans to the USA. There was no talk about inspiring and encouraging the Tibetans to fight for our cause. At that time Kaydor was his advisor. This is how LS spent his whole two terms with Kaydor.
The top candidates are all good. They are experienced in their own way and are highly motivated. I have nothing but respect. The vile that is spewing around by people bearing Tibetan names are either jealous or are feeling very insecure about the prospect of their candidate, or they are the CCP trolls who are masquerading as Tibetans.
If you don’t like a candidate, you don’t have to vote. Period. Why do you have to vent your spleen on them like these shameful low lives who are indulging in personal attacks and baseless accusations? This is totally uncalled for unless you are hired by the CCP at character assassination.
What has children got to do with the candidate? Casting aspersions about their family shows how low these people are stooping!!! They are coming here to stir the pot of regionalism and sectarianism. I regards these low lives CCP agents. A Tibetan who follows the Dharma and the Dalai Lama wouldn’t do such shameful things. THIS IS UNTIBETAN!!!!
Anybody, who brings cholka and Choeluk issues will be attacked mercilessly. This is not in the interest of Tibet and the Tibetan people. Those who indulge in them are the agents of CCP bandit.
We are electing a leader to lead us to fight ENEMY NUMBER 1, that is communist China who is occupying our nation. Anyone who detracts from the real issue and play with Choelka and Choeluk is serving the vested interest of facist China and not the nation of Tibet.
You win by fair play and not by disparaging and character assassination of your opponent. We Tibetans have such a thing as ཡ་རབ་སྤྱོད་བཟང་(decency) which the Chinese commies don’t have. As Buddhists we strive to lead a life based on non-harming (ahimsa). That’s why the Tibetan struggle is based on non-violence…
I have been watching Kaydor’s activities and his involvement in Tibetan affairs. It is for sure KAYDOR IS AN OPPORTUNISTIC POLITICIAN. If you look at his history, until his friends and master Lobsang Sangay came to power, Kaydor has no history of involvement or participating in Tibetan activities. He didn’t care for Tibet issues. Why did Kaydor agree to work under Lobsang Sangay, first he was offered job where is paid in US dollars, unlike everyone working at CTA. Kaydor was the only one who was paid in US dollars. Another reason, he is running for Sikyong is to control and divert money for his and his sister’s benefit. With growing conflict between the US and China, the US is providing millions of dollars in funding to CTA. This is perfect opportunity for Kaydor gets his hands on millions of dollars. We can see dollar signs in his eyes. The man has no ethical and moral value, he has several families with children, who we never see or hear. Have you ever seen photo of his children and wives? DO NOT EVEN THINK OF VOTING FOR SUCH CORRUPT MAN!
Nigwoe la,
If you are serious about thinking of globalist attitude as you are trying to state in your first two sentence, you should know what is the opposite of globalist. Do you know what it is ? T r i b a l i s m !
Instead of following in the foot steps of Agu (Chithue) Lobsang Dhakpa of Case no: 20; read about Gandhi (the lawyer) read about Dr Bhim Rao Ambedekar (the lawyer who framed the draft of constitution of India)
I know I am going to be harsh on you, but the best medicine is always bitter. It is pathetic that only role model you can see is LS (Scam artist) Kaydor, (the fake) and their dummy lawyer Agu Lobsang Dhakpa.
Forget about globalist players, Just name us 10 living Khampas who are true nationalists – one who think of the interest of whole of Tibetan nation? Try it. After listing ten names you will be gasping for air like fish out of water.
Khampas who got martyred, died fighting China. Do you think with exception of few, the Khampa Chithues realize who butchered and still enslave our people back home? It does not seem to me from the way they act.
I have three advice for you: Read, read and read about freedom and revolution of America, France and others. Tribalism is nothing but suicide.
It is not just you, the creature by the name of Daveno is same. Try not to be popular with your tribes, you may end up like lawyer and Chithue Lobsang Dhakpa. I wish a better future. Sky is the limit, young man, just go and touch it.
Jamyang Tashi la, your point doesn’t make any sense. You are simply trying to install your own dirty mindset in this youth. But I bet you can’t do that. Nyiwoe la is a knowledgeable person. His support for Kaydor was revealed clearly with very strong and valid points in his essay. Try to prove him wrong on those points instead of exposing your own dirty and tribal mindset.
Tribalism on the one side and new wave of Utsangism on the other. One has aggression and mob mentality as its characteristics and the other as manipulative and untrustworthy sweet talkers. Both are equally dangerous in their intentions and plans to elect their own candidates based on where they come from and not on what they can and will do for Tibet. Rise above both in this election and think big and think more as a Tibetan. Vote for Tibet and not for khampa, utsang and Dhomey!
Kaydor’s manifesto is on point. He sets the strategic direction of the CTA clearly, and major policy initiatives are outlined in five points, which are then elaborated further. Kaydor gives a clear picture of how his government will look like, and how it will function. He manages to show the voters who he is, what he thinks, and minces no words about his plan to build on Lobsang Sangay’s legacy.
We should applaud kaydor for his forthrightness. Other claimants to the sikyong sit are vague. The other candidates, except Tashi Topgyal, has no manifesto, except their pledge to work honestly and follow the wishes of hh dalai lama. Working honestly and follow the wishes are not really manifestos, they are something that is a given.
Plus kaydor is the only one actively campainging, travelling the world, with covid-secure arrangements, rivalling the energy of Trump and Pence during their energetic campaign trial. Dongchung ngodup is a reluctant candidate, he needs to be pushed and nudged to the seat. Penpa Tsering declared he’s not visiting places due to Covid. Others are using facebook to campaign from the comforts of their chair. Covid-19 is no excuse, all countries are running their elections as usual, with mask on and 2 meters apart, and meetings are held.
Penpa Tsering’s excuse of covid-19 looks cheap, more like a dig at Kaydor and Gyari Dolma who are travelling places.
I agree with Penpa Tsering’s decision to not physically campaign during the Covid-19 period for purposes of public health safety. This is a wise decision from a responsible leader. Unusual times require unusual methods of campaigning and at this time, online campaigning seems like the best option.
Even with the physical campaign, the audience turnout was so low in Kaydor’s event due to Covid. He had the LA event virtually. So, his physical campaigning does not really serves the purpose it claims to be. In the course of this physical campaigning, hope Kaydor does not become super spreader of Covid 19 among our community.
Nyiwoe la, it was a great piece. Without any baseless accusations towards other candidates, you have set the best example of looking into the criteria of Sikyong. Your article gives me a hope that we still have people who can compromise small personal things for a bigger causes.
As Ari Dhonchoe, he put His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life at risk. Watching that shugden nun in the hall confronting His Holiness the Dalai Lama telling His Holiness straight to His face to “stop lying” gives me shivers to this day.
Utterly incompetent. I sat through one of his power point presentation and came out with impressions that this guy has never sat near the feet of elder Tibetans including his late father to learn anything about Tibet and Tibetan history, and intricate yet very sophisticated nature of our inner operations. His presentation was so dry that when I left, I felt like I sat through a retirement planning session.
We need a national leader. Not a insurance salesman like Kaydor or Henny Penny like Dongchung Ngodup.
Don’t get me wrong. Even Sikyong Candidate Tashi Topgyal who unnecessarily trivializes himself as shepherd oozes more leadership quality than Kaydor and Dongchung Ngodup.
LS strategically placed him as Ari Dhonche to build his political profile; and his so-called achievement is such that His Holiness couldn’t even recall Kaydor’s name and in a rather angry speech ended up calling him that “guy from Chamdo who misused my name” – meaning Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Does this tell you something?
So for me, I say not in million years. LS has fooled Tibetan nation enough. Kaydor’s misfortune is that Agu Tenpa (LS) has already taught many people hard knock lessons already; and for Kaydor to be pied pier of Hamelin now, only few naive and sad college students are left to lead them to cave. Although I will say this that this pied piper of Tibetan Hamelin is not as evil genius as LS.
I also know that it is his right to stand for power; and our duty is to choose the best! So, No to Kaydor la. No to Dongchung.
Can you please answer one simple question, can you name a President or Prime Minster of a country, who does not know how to read or write in his or her national language? How can you have a President of exile Tibetan Government a man who can not read or write in his own language? How are we to reply to Chinese government who say the Tibetan language is useless and can not deal with modern world, when the exile elite barely know their own language. So, Nyiwoe, can you reply here, give me the name of a country in the world where the President or the Prime Minster can not read or write in his own language?
We will see below what these five main criteria in this article for Sikong post claims about Kaydor and what will be the actual reality.
1a) The great vision on blah blah (claim)
1b) The vision to control CTA for another 10 years with LS (Reality)
2a) Past experience and achievements (claim)
2b) Past experience and achievements in lies, controversy, nepotism and power misuse
3a) Continuity of current CTA important projects (Claim)
3b) Continuity of power misuse and lies (reality)
4a) Bringing Tibetans together with common focus
4b) Greater disunity and division in society (reality)
5a) China policy and international relations (claim)
5b) Legal scholar Dr Sangay and advisor Kaydor could not re-connect Sino-Tibetan dialogue for the last ten years and Kaydor’s tenure as Ari Representative in diplomatic role was a disaster (reality)
Bonus claim – Grand return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Potala Palace
Reality – Got a Potala name road sign in Mcleod Ganj
What the Tibetan people need right now is hope, not ugly buildings in Dharamshala. Being able to beg more money from the US government is not measure of success. We need a leader who is able to inspire us and ensure that the Tibetan nation is not being discarded into history. Turning CTA into a non-profit organization with heavy donors is missing the point. We need a leader to inspire us to great heights so that the Tibetan nation would survive.
Think about Obama, how inspiring he is. LS and Kaydor has turned TGIE into their own little non-profit shop that is heavily financed by the US govt. Let’s not be naive: what they need to do is to engage the Chinese about the future of Tibet, not turn Tibet or Tibetans into a plaything for the US and India. It’s too easy. So smart Tibetans would make the right decision. They want to make Dharamshala into a Tibet Fund.
CTA under Kaydor is doing Tibet Funds job now. That’s why Lobsang Nyandak is running because Tibet Fund is being marginalised. Otherwise Lobsang Nyandak will happily stay there with 10k usd per month.
Okay we agree that money is not a big deal and CTA should not function as an NGO like LS and Kaydor does. We also agree “we need a leader to inspire us to great heights so that the Tibetan nation would survive”.
Who among the present Sikyong candidates do you think have this inspirational quality and aura that would even result in the survival of our nation itself. If you can name the candidate and share his or her inspiring qualities, it will help us to judge and make a decision to vote for that inspirational candidate. After all, the survival of our nation seems to be at stake if we are not able to vote for this candidate. I wish to vote for this inspirational candidate.
Tash-la: Of course, utlimately it is for the individual voters to decide. Since you have asked, I think Gyari Dolma is far more inspiring than the coterie of Lobsang Sangay and Kaydor who seem to be too busy writing grants. Also there is Penpa Tsering of course who has the idealism to help survive the Tibetan cause, not merely make it into an NGO or a non profit with highly paid Tibetans running it.
Dorje la, thank you for sharing your views. Every candidate has their own set of strengths and skill that are helpful to the CTA such as administration, foreign relations, funding, India relations, etc. All these skill sets are equally important for us.
Granted Gyari Dolma has more experience in India relations and Penpa Tsering has more legal experience as Parliament Speaker, and those abilities are to be appreciated. Yet those skill set or experiences alone do not make them any more inspirational than the other candidates and prove their abilities to make our nation survive.
If Kaydor and LS has the skill set to write winning grants and secure funds for the CTA, it is to be appreciated. If Lobsang Nyandak is willing to forego his $10k salary per month to serve the nation, it is to be appreciated.
I am still listening to what all the candidates have to say about their plans and agenda for Tibet. At this stage, I am still listening to what all the candidates have to say about their plans and agenda for Tibet. I am yet to make a decision where to cast my precious vote. I am keeping an open mind on every candidate.
Voting Aukatsang would be like nightmare we already experienced and continuing still now with Lobsang Sangay’s two terms. And this would be like dejavu of LS’s third term.
Gullible people must not be distracted or enticed with Aukatsang’s high sounding cyber net working, transnational working etc. etc. which we already heard during Lobsang Sangay’s campaign. The basic thing he doesn’t have is ingredients needed from a Tibetan leader with language and cultural background. On top of this he has tarnished reputation of handling money matters and is part and parcel of disunity wrought havoc by LS’s team. Hell, no votes to him.
@ Khampa Warrior, I agree that Kaydor is not an ideal choice, but if the final match up happens to be between Kaydor, the nightmare as you describe and your most ideal, flawless candidate Dongchung Ngodup, I will vote for Kaydor without sweating a thought. And, I am not even a Khampas. So, before you accuse others of tribalism, you should try to think about, how puny is your “us-same-toepas” small mindedness is.
I read all the postings. You often talk of “pan national or pan Tibet.” I used to think you are a broad minded and highly educated guy. But when I saw you promoting Dongchung Ngodup like a rabid dog, your previous talk about “pan-Tibet” vaporized in thin air like a stinging fart of undigested bad dinner. You need to walk the talk.
Jamyang Sonam:
To the best of my knowledge and to the discerned and many impartial people Dhongchung Ngodup is the ideal candidate for the Sikyong post, as is evident in numerous writings in this web site and unblemished record of the candidate’s long public life. If you find mine and their findings tribalism either you suck it up or just ignore it.
In the earlier days of our exile life people would not even contemplate to criticize His Holiness the Dalia Lama now the ethical level or quality of our people are so down degraded that we find many such lowlifes in our midst. So I don’t mind people criticizing a Sikyong candidate who had dedicated almost all his life in public service and without any slightest of mishaps or corruption allegations or sorts.
Worst Sikyong candidate in the history of Tibetan politics. If we elect this person as a leader, then all that His Holiness and our elders have done to build this community and our cause is surely going to go downhill.
Kaydor is the least deserving, incompetent, and morally corrupt candidate. We don’t need anymore of the LS regime. We have had enough of disunity, toxic politics, and mismanagement for the last ten years. No more Kaydor! ENOUGH! Vote wisely please
Nyiwoe la,
The future of Tibet will be decided by CCP, not by exile Sikyong. Until now, Tibetan language and culture in Tibet is proudly flourishing far more better than in exile due to tirelessly hard work of 10th Penchen Rinpoche and other dedicated Tibetans in Tibet. Penchen Rinpoche had negotiated and persuaded CCP to open Tibetan schools every nook and corner of Tibet, even in Beijing too. Practice of Buddhism (not Lamaism) is encouraged by Chinese leaders and financial assistance is given to many Gonpas for the students in monasteries.
Many Sikyong in exile had elected and gone in the past but none of them have brought any change in Tibet. The present Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay, has brought good change in Tibetan modern educational system in India but nothing new good idea is seen to upgrade in Tibetan language and culture, especially in the West where Tibetans are loosing interest in Tibetan language and culture in a material competitive world. For them, dollar, good house and expensive car is more important than Tibetan language and culture in their future. Tibetan representatives in the West are holding the big title and do nothing is their fashion.
Adruk Tenpa,
Why are you living in the free world? Why don’t you go back to CCP ruled China, mother of Wuhan virus?