DHARAMSHALA: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay was honoured with the Takasu Award today in recognition of his notable contribution towards the welfare, education and resilience of the Tibetan people at a ceremony held this afternoon at Gangchen Kyishong.
The prize was conferred by Takasu foundation, an aid group based in Japan. The foundation was established by Dr Katsuya Takasu, a renowned plastic surgeon and philanthropist who flew in all the way from Japan especially to present the award.
Presenting the award to Dr. Sangay, Dr Katsuya Takasu expressed his deep admiration and respect for the Central Tibetan Administration led by Dr Lobsang Sangay. The prizes include a medal and an amount of 100,000 USD. President Dr Lobsang Sangay decided to allocate the prize money of $100,000 to the department of education.
Empathising with the challenges facing Tibetan people, Dr Takasu iterated the importance of continuance of the Tibet cause through non-violence. He assured his continued support to the Tibet issue and promised to contribute towards the welfare and developmental activities of the Tibetan administration.
Dr Takasu highlighted the importance of good education and a righteous upbringing of the children for an abled generation, a generation in which we can place our hope.
Lauding Dr Sangay as an able leader, Dr Takasu encouraged the new generation of Tibetans to become like Dr Sangay. “You are all lucky to be blessed with a leader like Lobsang Sangay,’ said Dr Takasu.
CTA president Dr. Sangay, in his acceptance remarks, dedicated the award to the hard work and determination of CTA workforce: the three pillars of democracy and the staff of the Central Tibetan Administration.
“I am just one person. One person alone cannot achieve much. It is with the support of my colleagues in the Kashag and the full strength of the CTA structure that we can make a difference in our work. Therefore, I believe this prize is a recognition of our collective effort and contribution,” he said.
“The success of the Central Tibetan Administration is due to its deep commitment to its democratic principles, represented in the harmony of the three pillars of the judiciary, legislature and executive and the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Citing his meeting with Dr Takasu during his past visits to Japan, Dr Sangay elucidated and admired Dr Takasu’s reverence to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and support to the Tibet cause in particular to the educational endeavours of the CTA.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Justice commissioner Kargyu Dhondup, Speaker of TPIE Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, members of the Kashag, members of the standing committee of Tibetan Parliament and the entire staff and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Dr Katsuya Takasu presenting the medal to President Dr Lobsang Sangay. Photo/Tenzin Phende/ DIIR
CTA dignitaries at the conferment of Takasu prize to President Dr Lobsang Sangay. Photo/Tenzin Phende/ DIIR
President Dr Lobsang Sangay delivering his acceptance remarks at the conferment ceremony. Photo/Tenzin Phende/ DIIR
Staff and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration at the conferment ceremony. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR