Casket of Takna Jigme Sangpo wrapped in Tibetan National Flag.
Geneva: Tibet’s longest political prisoner Takna Jigme Sangpo was cremated today with honours and prayers in Winterthur, Switzerland. His casket was wrapped in the Tibetan National flag as a mark of respect and honour for all the sacrifices and sufferings he endured for the freedom of his homeland, Tibet.
Takna Jigme Sango passed away on 17 October 2020 at an elderly care home in Turbenthal, Switzerland, where he had been based since receiving political asylum in 2003, a year after he served 37-year imprisonment sentence in Chinese prisons.
Around 120 people gathered to pay their respects to one of the true patriots of Tibet Takna Jigme Sangpo at the funeral service organized the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Lichtenstein.
Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration Mr. Chhimey Rigzen from Tibet Bureau Geneva; Venerable Abbot Geshe Thupten Legmen of Rikon Institute; Members of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Samdo Jampa and Wangpo Tethong; President and Vice-President of Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Lichtenstein Norbu Tsamda and Phuntsok Chokchampa respectively; several executive members and section-heads of Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Lichtenstein; President of Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association Thomas Buchli and executive members; former members of Tibetan parliament-in-exile; former Tibetan political prisoners including Sonam Dorjee and Phuntsok Nyidron; monks from Rikon Institute and several members of the Tibetan community attended the funeral service.
Representative Chhimey Rigzen pays last respects.
The funeral service began at 8:30 am with public gathering and chanting of prayers.
Representative Chhimey Rigzen addressed the gathering and paid his respects to Takna Jigme Sangpo followed by sharing of personal accounts of Takna Jigme Sangpo la by his former prison cell-mate Sonam Dorjee.
People came forward to offer traditional Tibetan scarfs to the casket of Takna Jigme Sangpo which was wrapped in the Tibetan national flag.
All Covid-19 precautionary measures were taken for the funeral service which was also broadcasted live on TibetSwiss FB page.
The Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Lichtenstein will organize a memorial and prayer service in memory of Takna Jigme Sangpo on 25 October 2020 between 2 to 4 pm at Rikon Institut, Winterthur, Switzerland.
People gathered at the funeral service chanting prayers.
Representative Chhimey Rigzen addressing the gathering at the service.
Former Tibetan political prisoner Sonam Dorjee and prison cellmate of Takna Jigme Sangpo sharing his personal accounts.
Casket of Takna Jigme Sangpo wrapped in Tibetan National Flag with his hat