Published : Aug. 8, 2011 - 18:17
DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) ― Lobsang Sangay, a 43-year-old Harvard scholar, was sworn in Monday as head of the Tibetan government in exile, replacing the Dalai Lama as the movement’s political leader.
In an historic shift from the dominance of Tibetan politics by religious figures, the new prime minister, who has never set foot in Tibet, will assume the duties relinquished by the Dalai Lama in May.
New Tibetan Premier Lobsang Sangey. (AFP-Yonhap News)
Although the 76-year-old monk will retain the more significant role of spiritual leader, as well as his hold on major policy-making decisions, the transition makes Sangay a far more prominent figure than his predecessor.
The challenge he faces is daunting.
The Dalai Lama casts a long and iconic shadow and Sangay is little known outside the narrow confines of the exiled community.
He has publicly backed the Dalai Lama’s policy of seeking “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet under Chinese rule, but his age and former membership of the pro-independence Tibetan Youth Congress has fuelled speculation that he may harbor a more radical agenda.
Monday’s ceremony, presided over by the Dalai Lama, was held in the Tsuglagkhang Temple, the spiritual center of the Indian hill town of Dharamshala where the government in exile is based.
After traditional offerings of tea and sweetened rice, Sangay took the oath of office at exactly nine seconds after 9:09am ― the number nine being associated with longevity.
Born and raised in the northeast Indian tea-growing region around Darjeeling, Sangay went on to study at Delhi University before completing a master’s degree at Harvard Law School.
He took up residency in United States and became a senior fellow at the school.
His profile is not unusual among the new generation of exiled Tibetan activists who, while observant Buddhists, see their professional qualifications as a crucial asset for leadership.