On Monday though, “aloo paranthas” served with hot spicy Tibetan pickle, were an add-on menu just for the day, as sales hit abysmally low during most part of the year.
Curious visitors, including foreign nationals, had been thronging the venue since early morning hoping the Dalai Lama’s right to retire will not see the light of the day. That they were unclear on how things would shape up for the Tibetan struggle for autonomy only mounted to their fears.
Deputy Speaker of the House Gyatu Dolma found it difficult to hold her emotions, albeit she fell short of crying as she talked on the issue to Deccan Herald. “We knew it was coming. But its difficult to sit on judgment on such an issue. I feel a sense of pride in our leader,” she said.
Dolma, who was initially in the race for the prime minister’s post for which the elections are scheduled to be held on March 20, explained how it was a session of pin-drop-silence inside the House, something which she had never experienced as a parliamentarian.
House Speaker Penpa Tsering said he hoped the House will get a sense of direction in the coming days. Tibetan activist and local writer Tenzin Tsundu said the promise of change, which the Buddhist spiritual leader has exhibited, should be seen in the right spirit. “We must take up the challenge he has given us. He will still remain the tallest leader, irrespective of his role,” Tsundu said.
There was a sudden rush, even from the local Tibetans, towards the entrance of the parliament secretariat as one of the officials started to hand out a translated text of the Dalai Lama message to newspersons.
Many journalists scribbled on the text hurriedly scrolling down each carefully written word on the page. That the decision and deliberations had been put off for another day only added to the somber mood.
‘Setback for freedom movement’
Prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Prof Samdong Rinpoche said the decision of the Dalai Lama to quit political mentorship has come as a setback for the Tibetan struggle movement, DHNS reports from Dharamshala.
He said there are fears in the mind of the people who are clearly concerned. “At least I am not ready for this change. The people of Tibet are also not ready. The people have not been able to digest this decision. But, the Dalai Lama is unlikely to go back on his decision,” the PM said.