Gandhian philosophy of non-violence is solution to all world problems

* How difficult has it been for you to effectively discharge your duties as a prime minister and bring change even when in exile? Is being a prime minister in exile a contradiction in terms?
* Difficult and easy are relative terms. More as a difficulty to me,it is a difficult situation for the people in Tibet as they are facing constant fear and insecurity. In 20 years,over 12 lakh people have been brutally murdered and executed. In the continuous destruction of historic monuments,libraries and educational institution,it is the people who suffer the most. We,in exile,are much comfortable but trying to bring changes in such situation is certainly difficult.

* You have started your search for the next Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister). With the prevailing political unrest in Tibet,what are you looking in the next leader?
* When I was selected,people did not apply their mind and voted in a casual way since I was a well-known person in Tibet. His holiness,the Dalai Lama,once mentioned that with the implementation of the democratic way of polls,people will elect a younger energetic person. It is the time for the younger generation to lead and we are looking forward for younger and energetic people who can handle the turbulent political situation.

* You have also launched a website (www.kalontripa.org) for choosing the next Kalon Tripa for 2011. This is for the first time in any democratic country where a person can directly nominate himself as a prime minister. What is the purpose and how has been the response?
* We had approached a young member of parliament in Canada to formulate the website where people can suggest competent young leaders. This is how a democracy works where the people are in power.

* Many Tibetians are worried about the period after the Dalai Lama steps down and before the 15th Dalai Lama takes over. Will the hiatus affect the situation in Tibet? Have you thought how to keep up the spirit?
* The situation has not come all of a sudden and His Holiness was perfectly aware of the situation. But even before the lacuna,the Tibetian administration has been shaped in such a way that the people are not left orphaned.

* Did Karlon Tripa rise envisaging this situation?
* Yes. Absolutely.

* Thousands of students leave Tibet every year due to lack of quality education and the major issue of unemployment. They are also not eager to return to their homeland due to the political,social unrest. What are doing to handle such a situation?
* Yes,with this situation the younger generation is afraid of living in Tibet. Though the border security has been strengthened,there is a lot of unrest in Tibet because of which they are moving to various parts of India and we cannot blame them.

* You are an ardent follower of the Gandhian philosophy. India too has been following the non-violence mantra. But with the rising terrorism,communal strife and the history of bloodshed in Gujarat,do you think silently tolerating is the solution. How effective can be Gandhian non-violence as a practical way of dealing with ruthless terror?
* At present,the world is facing one of the most turbulent situations. Terrorism,recession,environmental degradation and cultural strife,everything has disturbed the world order. But Gandhian philosophy of non-violence is the only solution to all problems. They say majburi ka naam Mahatma Gandhi par majburi mein Mahatma Gandhi ki kaam aate hai.