As the exile Tibetan democracy turns 49 years old, the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) initiated a panel discussion on "The significance of the year 2011 and the status of our Democracy" yesterday at the newly built hall of the Mcloed Ganj Tibetan Day. Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Mrs Gyari Dolma, member of Tibetan parliament Mr. Dawa Phunkyi, Tibetan Election Commisioner Jampal Chosang, former Kalon Mrs. Rinchen Khando, Writer and Researcher Mr. Lukar Jam, President of Tibetan Youth Congress Mr. Tsewang Rigzin, Editor of Tibet Express Mr. Lungik Gyal and assistant editor of Tibet Express Mr. Choenyi Gyaltsen were the members of the panel moderated by radio journalist Tashi Wangchuk and NDPT’s general secretary Ytruk Tsering.

The panellists mutually agreed about the significance of the year 2011 in determining the administration of the Tibetan Government in Exile and aired pangs of anxiety over how a wrong candidate can create disarray and prove to be detrimental to the 50 years of political struggle. Panellists lamented on the sorry state of affairs in the current democratic set-up and called for radical changes. The questions coming from the audience palpably aired a common consensus on the need for more adept parliamentarians in an apparent reference to the 'walkout and boycott' during the last session.

NDPT president Chime Yungdrung emphasised on the need for more political parties and their due recognition by the election commission.

Writer Lukar Jam identified the role of the exile NGOs as having a great leverage at the grassroots level to engage the public as the active agents of change that they desperately seek within the current democratic framework.

TYC President Mr. Tsewang Ringzin appealed the voters to practice their franchise in the void of any display of regionalism and factionalism and to think purely and solely in the best interest of the Tibetan cause and struggle.

While there were signs of discomfit and discontent between the panellists on the choice between the currently followed middle way approach in pursuit of genuine autonomy for Tibet, and the goal for complete independence, but in delineating the qualities of the future Kalon Tripa, the panellists reached a common ground and collectively vouched for ‘an experienced, educated and altruistic individual’.