A rare public recognition for one of the most trusted and discreet figures in the service of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet

London, 20 May 2026 – In a rare public recognition of a life spent largely behind the scenes, Tenzin Taklha was honoured at Thiksey Monastery on 20 May 2026 during celebrations marking the 84th birthday of the 9th Thiksey Rinpoche. The longtime aide to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama received a commemorative citation and medal in recognition of more than three decades of devoted service to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Tibetan community in exile and the wider Himalayan world.

For many Tibetans and those who have worked closely with the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the recognition carried particular significance. Taklha, who has served as Chief of Security since 1996 and as Secretary to His Holiness since 2014, is widely regarded as a calm, disciplined and deeply trusted figure whose work has q...