DHARAMSALA, August 8: Commemorating his first year in office as the elected head of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay and his cabinet colleagues today led a day-long busy schedule, meeting the public, the press, and the staff members of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The 14th Kashag began the day seeking audiences with state oracle Gadhong and Tsering Che-nga. In one of his first interviews as Kalon Tripa, Dr Sangay had told Phayul that being a Tibetan rooted in Buddhist traditions, he will be consulting the state oracles, while reserving the decision on whether to follow their divinations.

At 11 am, Katri Dr Sangay, along with four of his cabinet colleagues, addressed a brief press conference.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Sangay announced that there is at present a general sense of stability, following the first anxious moments when he took oath of office last year soon after His Holiness devolved his entire political authority.

“There was a bit of anxiousness among the people, including myself and the members of the Kashag but in retrospect,” Dr Sangay said, “cumulatively, its fair to report that there is a sense of stability and a sense that we have lessened the anxiousness among the Tibetan people.”

Dr Sangay said that the Tibetan side was ready to have dialogue with the Chinese government “anytime anywhere.” He noted that his administration was ready to appoint special envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama whenever Beijing is willing to engage in meaningful dialogue.

At 1.30 pm Kalon Tripa held an exclusive meeting with the staff of the Central Tibetan Administration. In his address, he thanked the staff members for their hard work and cooperation with the policies of the 14th Kashag.

Later in the afternoon, CTA organised a public prayer service in solidarity with the critical situation inside Tibet at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple.

Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche presided over the prayer session which was attended by officials of the exile administration and thousands of Tibetans and supporters.

Dr Sangay in his public address following the prayer session reiterated the 14th Kashag’s guiding principles of “unity, innovation and self-reliance,” and paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the elder generations.

“Whatever little progress the 14th Kashag has made so far is because of the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the hard work of the elder generations and the Indian government and the Indian public,” Kalon Tripa said.

Beginning his second year in office, Dr Sangay pledged to build on the legacy and sacrifices of the elder generations and promised to carry on with his hard work.