The Central Tibetan Administration has expressed deep condolences over the sad demise of Ven. Tarha Tenzin Choenyi.

DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration has expressed deep condolences over the sad demise of Ven. Tarha Tenzin Choenyi, former secretary of the private office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He breathed his last on 14 January 2013 at 11:13 am.
The Kashag and the Central Tibetan Administration expresses its deep sadness at the demise of Tarha Tenzin Choenyi, cabinet secretary Ven Yuthok Karma Gelek said.
As a mark of respect, the administration held a prayer service this afternoon at 03:00, following which all the offices remained closed.
Ven Tarha Tenzin Choenyi was born in the Kharkha Tarha household of Gyaltse dzong in 1920. He joined the administrative services of the erstwhile Tibetan government in 1935. In 1947, he was one of the foremost officials investigating the political crisis of the time. He also took key responsibilities during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s brief stay in Dromo.
In 1952, he was appointed as a staff in the Tibetan foreign office in Beijing. He served in the capacity for about 7 months. He was also a member of the organising committee of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Beijing.
Ven Tarha Tenzin Cheonyi came into exile in India with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1959. Since 1 January 1960, he served in the private office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in various positions, most notably as secretary of His Holiness. He officially retired  in 2001 but continued to provide his services as an advisor till 1 January 2012.
Ven Tarha Tenzin Choenyi has wholeheartedly dedicated more than 53 years of his life towards the service of Tibet.