By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 15: The exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama granted a special in-person audience to the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering on Wednesday. This is the first meeting between the octogenarian Tibetan leader and President Penpa Tsering since he assumed office in May this year. He had several virtual audiences with the Dalai Lama over the course of the last few months.
The CTA President told RFA Tibetan service on Wednesday morning that he was delighted to have this personal audience with the Dalai Lama at his residence, and reasserted his pledge to work for the resolution of the Sino-Tibetan conflict and to serve the Tibetan public.
“For the last one and a half years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not met any member of the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From today, His Holiness has resumed in-person meetings with the public and the first audience was granted to me as the Sikyong. And I would like to express my deep gratitude for that. Gradually, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will start granting audiences to one or two members of the public, although it would still not be possible for the large majority of the people,” he said after the meeting.
The last time the President received a virtual audience with the Dalai Lama was with the newly appointed cabinet members, Tharlam Dolma (Education), Gyari Dolma (Security) and Norzin Dolma (DIIR) on Nov. 19, a week after their swearing-in ceremony.
“For the last four and a half years, I have not received any in-person audience with His Holiness although I have received four online audiences recently. So, I feel fortunate to have received this first in-person audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama today. I also pledge to perform my duties with the blessings and advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve the Tibetan public and our common cause,” he further added.
