Under the guidance of the Dalai Lama, the "government in exile" is functioning in India with its headquarters in Mcleodganj near Dharamshala.
Their Prime Minister Professor Smadhong Rimpoche, also known as Kalon Tripa, is a monk and a scholar who heads the Cabinet with seven ministers belonging to finance, health, home, security, information, education and religious ministries.
They look after some 50 resettlement colonies and agriculture co-operatives spread all over India.
Chinese or Tibetans in China don't have democracy, but the government in exile does have Indian-style elections for the political post.
They have the Tibetan Supreme Justice commission and also the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies with 46 members, out of whom 43 are elected.
They have a Tibetan Administrative exam to select cadres to run the government in exile.
The government in exile is, of course, completely under the shadow of the Dalai Lama's towering personality, but there are numerous organisations functioning here with a different worldview than his and a different approach to the Tibet issue.
A highly active organisation is the Tibet Youth Congress, led by Tsewang Rigzin.
Students for a Free Tibet is quite well-connected with the West and has an American chapter with international headquarters in New York's 14th street in Manhattan.
Its executive director Lhadon Tethong is Tibetan. She speaks with an American accent and has a fair grip on art of communication. She is currently in Mcleodganj organising protests, rallies and media coverage.
Image: Protests in Dharamshala on Sunday
Also read: The legend of Nathu La
Advertisement
