I am just a simple
Bhutanese man and I am not wise or I may know very little, but I know
gratitude. So, I have words of gratitude, prayers and well wishes to our
great Wangchuck dynasty. I am here to
remember and show appreciation to the legendary monarchs, be grateful to the
present kings, and to wish for a magnificent Bhutan for the future monarchs. I take this platform as a fellow
Bhutanese, taken in by the excitement of the Royal Wedding.
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| Photo courtesy: Kuensel |
After the days of
Zhabdrung, the dual system of government became feeble with internal feuds
among regional leaders. Ultimately, the system failed to unite the nation and
posed an immense threat to the independence of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
So, in order to correct this dreadful situation, the Black Regent, Jigme Namgyal,
came to the rescue; he united the nation.
Sir Ugyen Wangchuck followed and further unified Bhutan by putting an
end to civil war culminating with the Battle of Changlimithang. The people of
Bhutan joined hands believing that the country would remain at peace with a preamble
of hereditary monarchy. Hence, on 17th December 1907, at Punakha
dzong, the populace of Bhutan crowned Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk as the country’s
first hereditary monarch. Since then, peace and development have flourished in
the soils of Drukyuel through the guidance of our majestic kings.
Bhutan developed at a
fast pace under the rule of the second king, His Majesty King Jigme Wangchuck.
The relationships between citizens were strengthened and Bhutan opened its
first school.
The father of modern
Bhutan followed, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Our third king graciously opened the isolated
doors of Bhutan to the outside world and welcomed modernisation. In 1953, the
National Assembly/TshogduChenmo was established as the chief legislative organ.
This strengthened the political branch of Bhutan, while simultaneously moving
toward decentralization, by allowing the people participation in decision
making processes. The Lodroe Tshogde/Royal Advisory Council was introduced soon
after which marked a milestone in the advancement of Bhutan towards democracy. This council was entrusted with the
responsibility of advising the king and the council of ministers on matters of
national significance. Soon after, the
lhengye Zhungtshog/Cabinet was formed which comprised of the King, ministers,
and representatives of different government bodies, including the grass root
level representatives. Schools, hospitals, telephones, road networks, and other
infrastructure soon found a place in Bhutan.
Development reached an
even greater height under the astonishing reign of our fourth Druk Gyelpo, Jigme
Singye Wangchuck. Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung and Geog Yargye Tshogchungs were
initiated to involve citizens in the formulation of developmental plans. This was
also a landmark towards decentralisation and parliamentary democracy. Citizens enjoyed the right to forward their
plans, needs and problems to the government. Subsequently, in 1998, His Majesty
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck handed over the reign of government to the cabinet
of elected ministers. Our 4th Druk Gyelpo also founded the concept of Gross
National Happiness, which has been internationally acclaimed and is gaining
great popularity. Every Bhutanese citizen, government organization and private
organization is guided by the holistic approach of happiness.
The fifth king, Jigme
Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and the Tsa-thrim Chenmo/Constitution of Bhutan
transformed the Bhutanese system of government on 18th July 2008. This sacred
document outlines our systems of parliamentary democracy and is equally
important for the drukpas. It is a
document of great significance as, we open the constitution with a solemn
pledge to strengthen sovereignty, secure liberty, ensure justice and enhance
the unity, happiness and the wellbeing of the people and the country. Now we enjoy
a dynamic democracy with a king that is always there for us. The fifth king has
done, and is doing, much for the people of Bhutan. Land for landless,
educational aids for the less fortunate, and enhancement of international
relationships are among a few of the initiatives that our king is pushing
forward.
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| Photo courtesy: Kuensel |
Yet, despite all great
things that blessed the soils of Bhutan, We are once again making history. The
world will have its eyes and ears on Bhutan. News of joy will spread. The
Thunder Dragon will roar again, and like always, she will roar of happiness and
jubilation. The Royal Wedding is the source.
The fusion of the fifth dragon king with his queen will be grand. This
event will bring joy to the people of Bhutan for years to come. Excitement and joy will fill the days.
Our children will read it in their history books. We will live history in our
own lifetime.
The preparations are
equally invigorating. Students are tapping away to the tunes of newly composed
songs; songs of love, appreciation and joy. Expressions are on the way and some
are already published. Different
organizations are publishing Message books and a handful is producing trademark
goods. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, are packed with groups and
pages dedicated to the Royal Wedding. Bloggers are doing their part by writing about
the event. This wedding is truly a great occasion as Bhutan will have a
beautiful queen who will be of great significance in the lives of Bhutanese
people.
On my part, I’m not doing
anything of great significance. I am simply offering my well wishes and prayers
of wellbeing to the Royal couple. I pray for the everlasting happiness and
unfailing prosperity of Bhutan. Let us hope to give an always peaceful and
beautiful Bhutan to our children. May the royal couple enjoy unparalleled love
and affection and let us hope that their happiness will radiate all over the
world.
I would like to pray
for unprecedented peace and prosperity in Bhutan under the thoughtful guidance
of our Dragon King, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. And may his royal consort
aid His Majesty in doing so. Let Bhutan truly fulfill its title of the last
Shangri-La.
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