Dharamshala: - The Central Tibetan Administration had offered a long-life prayer to His Eminence Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, according to an official report of CTA media 'Tibet.net.' During the ceremony, His Eminence Sakya Trizin Rinpoche expressed happiness and thanked CTA's long life prayer offering.

The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration organised a long life prayer ceremony (Tenshug) for His Eminence Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, the head of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, on 17 December.

Kalon Pema Chhinjor presented to Sakya Trizin Rinpoche auspicious offerings for his long life at a grand ceremony held at the Sakya Centre at Rajpur near Dehradun.

In his address, Sakya Trizin Rinpoche expressed happiness and thanked the Central Tibetan Administration and the Department of Religion and Culture for organising the Tenshug ceremony.

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Parliament in exile Tuesday warmly congratulated Park Geun-hye on her election as the next President of the Republic of Korea.

In his congratulatory letter to the newly elected President Ms Park Geun-hye, the Tibetan Parliament Speaker Mr Penpa Tsering urged Ms Park Geun-hye to voice her concerns over the long standing issue of Tibet.

"On behalf of all the Tibetan people, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile wishes to congratulate you and your party for the emphatic victory in the recent state elections," said Mr Penpa Tsering.

"We wish you all the success in your endeavour," Mr Penpa Tsering added.

"We are sure you are well informed about the situation in Tibet and we seek your support in peacefully resolving the long standing issue of Tibet," Mr Penpa Tsering further stated.

Dhaaramshala: - The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile today congratulated Senator John Kerry for being nominated as the next US Secretary of State.

Tibetan Parliament Penpa Tsering in his congratulatory letter to Senator Kerry said: "We are very happy for your appointment as the Secretary of the State of the greatest nation on earth. On behalf of all the Tibetan people, we wish to congratulate you on assuming the onerous responsibility.

"We have always been very appreciative of your interest, concern and support for the Tibetan cause. With your new responsibility, we feel encouraged that you will seek a justified solution for the issue of Tibet.

"We also wish you a very successful and Happy New Year 2013."

Dharamshala: - On December 10th, International Human Rights Day, the Tibetan Parliament in exile delivered a petition to United Nations officials in Delhi showing more than 357, 000 signatures from around the world in favor of the UN intervening in the Tibet issue.

The petition was signed by citizens of more than ninety nations including politicians, as part of the Tibetan Parliament's Flame of Truth Relay. This movement, started in July of 2012, was put in place by the Tibetan government in exile to raise awareness about the increasing number of self-immolations inside Tibet.

The petition, which filled 119 books, was delivered to UN officials, with hope that the UN will help foster a solution for the situation in Tibet. The petition encouraged the UN to act on past resolutions regarding Tibet and to send observers into Tibet to further investigate the situation.

Dharamshala: - The 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Thursday, September 20, 2012 amended the title of Kalon Tripa to Sikyong (Political Leader) in Article 19 of the Charter of the Tibetans in exile and relevant articles.

However, after this amendment, title Kalon (minister) for the remaining members of the Kashag (cabinet) will continue to remain the same.

The landmark charter amendment motion, tabled in the floor of the House was unanimously approved after deliberations by members of the Parliament.

The charter amendment bill number 39 was introduced by Kalon (minister) of security Dhongchung Ngodup on the seventh day of the fourth session of the 15th Tibetan parliament-in-exile.

The name change has been effected following His Holiness the Dalai Lama's speech on August 8, 2011. Following the devolution of his political authority to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership, the Tibetan spiritual leasder had said that he was handing over the political leadership he inherited from Taktra Rinpoche to Lobsang Sangay, the first democratically-elected Sikyong.

"I took over the political leadership of Tibet from Sikyong Taktra Rinpoche, when I was 16 years old. Today, in the 21st century, when democracy is thriving, I hand over the political leadership of Tibet to Sikyong Lobsang Sangay," the Tibetan leader had said.