Oldest building of CTA being demolished
By Yungdung Tsomo
DHARAMSALA, 8 June: The oldest building of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA) is being demolished to give way to a staff residence and hotel here in the Central Tibetan Secretariat.
The old building was constructed by Britishers and it served as the first Kashag Secretariat of the exiled Tibetan government.
“Recognising the history that is associated with the old building, It was declared a heritage by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche during his tenure as the political head of the CTA. Hence the plan to demolish the building was scrapped,” a source familiar with the development said.
Similarly, former CTA President Lobsang Sangay also decided against flattening the building during his tenure.
Having served as offices of various sections and departments of the CTA, the building was last used as the ‘History Documentation and Interim Placement Section’ office, of the Kashag Secretariat. The section compiles documents on the Tibetan struggle and reconstruction post-1959 period of the Tibetan Government in exile.
The oldest building in the CTA that stood tall since the early days of Tibetans in exile will now soon be replaced by a new staff residence and hotel.
