Dharamshala: Kasur Alak Jigme Thinley Phuntsok, who worked prominently as a Kalon and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, passed away on 26 July 2012. He breathed his last at Shri Balaji Hospital at Kangra due to illness. He was 72.
Kasur Alak Jigme was born in 1939 at Rebkong in north-eastern Tibet's Amdo province. At the age of 7, he was recognised as the reincarnation of Jigme Tulku of Rebkong Ringpo monastery.
In 1955, he went to Lhasa for pilgrimage and to seek audiences with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the 10th Panchen Lama. On the advice of His Holiness during the audience, he joined Gaden Jangtse Monastery as a novice monk.
He came into exile in 1959 and received numerous teachings from various teachers including from the abbots of Sera, Gaden and Drepung monasteries at the Tibetan transit camp in Buxar, West Bengal.
In 1966, he was elected as a member of the 3rd Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Domey. He served as the deputy speaker and the speaker of the 5th and 6th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile respectively.
In 1980, he was appointed as the director of the Audit General of the Central Tibetan Administration. At the same time, he served as the chairman of the Public Service Commission.
In 1985, he visited Tibet as Vice-chairman of the 4th fact-finding Tibetan delegation.
In 1986, he was appointed as an advisor to the Kalon and later appointed as Kalon for the Department of Home till 1990. From 1990 to 1996, he served as the chairman of the research and analysis section of the Central Tibetan Administration.
In 1996, he was directly appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Auditor General. He retired from the post in 2004 at the age of 65.
Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay has expressed his condolences and deep sorrow at the passing away of Kasur Alak Jigme Lhundup. As a mark of respect and mourning, a prayer service was held and all the offices of the Central Tibetan Administration remained closed in the afternoon.
