Hail the new President of the Tibetans in exile!

[Ringo Starr]

By Lobsang Wangyal
MCLEOD GANJ, India, 2 May 2017
The Central Tibetan Administration has started using “President” as the new official translation of the title Sikyong, the highest post in the exile Tibetan administration.

Starting on 28 April, the official home page of the Administration used the term in a report describing Sangay’s call on the Minister of Culture for the Government of India in Delhi, without explicitly publicising the change.

Secretary of the Kashag (Cabinet) Topgyal Tsering said that in order to have a uniform term for the post in English, the Kashag decided to use the term “President”. He said there are various terms in use, such as, “Political Leader”, “Prime Minister”, and “Elected Tibetan Leader”.

On being asked whether it should be approved by the exile Parliament, Topgyal said that it shouldn’t matter as the basic term in Tibetan has not changed.

The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile refused to make a statement on the matter.

Discussions came soon on social media, with one Facebook user posting a cartoon poking fun at the new term.

Prior to September 2012, this office was known as Kalon Tripa. Unofficially it was designated “Prime Minister of Tibetans-in-exile”.

Sikyong is the head of the Kashag or Cabinet, part of the executive branch of the Central Tibetan Administration. Before the change of the title to Sikyong, Kalon Tripa was the Chairman of the Kashag. The term “President” has never been used before.

The title Sikyong dates back to the 7th Dalai Lama, and the name change ensures continuity and legitimacy of the Tibetan Government in Tibet, established during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1642 CE.

SOurce:

https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/05/02/cta-uses-president-as-translation-of-sikyong

[Dondrup Shugden]

This is really amusing to the point of being clownish. 

Does changing the name of Sikyong to President of the Tibetan Government in exile (CTA) gives the person better prestige.  I really do not think so.  As long as you do not serve your citizens you are just useless, sorry to say and most of all with the dire conditions of the Tibetans in exile who are still in exile after 60 years.

Crazy mentality to think that changing a title gives more respect.

[grandmapele]

It would really have sounded better to keep the title of Sikyong. After all, Tibet has been wanting the old system back, with Tibet belonging to the Tibetans, etc. The change in name will not make any difference. Afterall, as in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" line " for a rose will smell as sweet if known by any other name". And, turd will smell just as "sweet" if known any other name!! The essence is the name, the person is the same, the function is the same. If only, they will wake up and be a real democracy, then even the tit;e"Sikyong" will sound sweet.

Ala,s how very lost are the souls that think a change of name will sweeten the turd.

[SabS]

Hmmm, so the title "Prime Minister" doesn't carry as well anymore huh. By changing it to "President", I guess the Sikyong thinks that he will miraculously have more clout? After all, great countries like the United States and China which control the fate of the Tibetans in Exile are lead by Presidents. The former in terms of annual generous sponsorships and the latter their wish to return home. Alas, President Trump is already voicing out to stop America's unnecessary sponsorship of Tibetans In Exile as he implement policy of friendship with China whilst China is growing stronger in status due to generous trade agreements with almost every country in the world, making it hard for CTA to find footing in negotiation for autonomy or otherwise. Maybe the Sikyong had consulted an Astrologer and was advised to use the title "President"? Well, no matter the title, if Sikyong as head of CTA continues making bad political directional judgements, he will still be insignificant. After years of the Dalai Lama's advice to seek Autonomy, CTA had been sitting idle in their comfort of sponsorships from Western countries and playing pawn to their wishes with propaganda against China. Failing in their mission to regain Tibet, CTA imposed the ban on an authentic protector practice of Dorje Shugden to divert their people's attention with hate crimes against Shudgen practitioners. All the wrong moves that brought CTA to their little corner of delusive grandeur. When CTA had the support of the West and China was still growing, dialogue could have favoured CTA as China may conceded, to lift her image to the world. And now, by lifting the illogical ban against Dorje Shugden practice, CTA could ride on the favours of prominent Shugden Lamas who are accepted by China for dialogue. China may grant their return but with tough conditions as Chinese Government would fear the disruption that CTA could cause from within, as should be. After all, CTA has not a very good nor clean reputation, does it?! So whatever the title may be, the clout comes from respect of good governmental policies.

[Rowntree]

Whatever the title granted, it won't change the fact that Lobsang Sangay is the worst and most corrupted leader in the world. He has done nothing for Tibet or Tibetans but living a luxury life, preparing his retirement, having other country's citizenships and saving huge amount of money for himself all from the kind donations meant to serve Tibetans and their cause which is no longer clear and even existed. The CTA is clearly an agent meant for manoeuvring hard earned moneys from tax payers of foreign countries. They have function solely with political agendas and lack any form of care for its people. All I see is this greedy, useless "leader" well packed and getting ready to leave India and leave the Tibetans-in-exile behind anytime!

[Belinda Mae]

What is the different whether the Tibetan Leader in exile is call President instead of something else? Does it change the way they do things? Does it change the way they treat their people in exile? Better if they do something more relevant and beneficial to the people rather than doing all these unnecessary things. Maybe because they are trying to sway away other people's mind. Really a waste of time I must say. 

[Richardlaktam]

Does it make him a better person??? LOL! Come on, if he (Lobsang Sangay) is incapable to do things for his people, if he is unable to bring benefit to his people, no matter what title he is carrying, he is still a "useless Prime Minister" or a "useless President"! The Tibetan Leadership in exile is already being the whole world joke in these few years, now they still want to make bigger joke out of it. I don't think I have seen any country simply change their "Prime Minister" title to "President" what more to say this is not a country? What is he trying to do? Catch more attention of the world? This leadership still haven't wake up from their dream. LOL!