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Wednesday November 24, 2010
Dalai Lama may give up ceremonial duties by 2011 - aide
By Abhishek Madhukar
DHARAMSALA (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama is considering plans to retire from his role as the figurehead of the Tibetan parliament next year, but will remain the Tibetans' spiritual leader, an aide said.
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</td></tr></tbody></table> Speculation has surrounded the possible retirement of the 75-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner for years, and Tibetans fret what shape their struggle for greater autonomy will take after he dies or retires from public life.
The Dalai Lama has considered himself as "semi-retired" with the full establishment of an exiled Tibetan political leadership in 2001, an aide said on Tuesday. The leader would like to withdraw from duties such as attending political functions, ceremonies and inaugurations.
"What His Holiness is saying is that he is considering discussing his retirement with the parliament," said Tenzin Taklha, a senior aide of the Dalai Lama, in response to a question about a TV interview where the retirement issue arose.
"Dalai Lama as a person cannot retire, he will continue to work as a leader and for all humanitarian purpose," he said.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. He now lives in exile in India and advocates "meaningful autonomy" for Tibet within China. Beijing regards him as a dangerous separatist responsible for stirring up unrest in Tibet.
""A decision will only be made only after he consults with the parliament which is not until March 2011, and after he consults them, then in six months there is a possibility, that within six months of that he could retire," Taklha said. The exiled Tibetan parliament in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala will be in session to discuss the annual budget in March.
Copyright © 2010 Reuters
