Bhutan, 2008 and beyond

On this day of destiny, in the blessed land of Pelden Drukpa we, a fortunate People and King, hereby resolve to bring into effect the root and foundation - the very source - of all law in our nation.

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Bhutan and Nepal, two Himalayan countries, deeply impacted by Indian thoughts, are among the last surviving kingdoms fast on their way out from monarchy to popular rule. One doesn’t know whether this would be a loss or gain to the world. But this is change which is constant, relentless and all-powerful, even if it, sometimes, has a corroding effect! The only thing anyone can do is prepare to adequately meet such changes and respond to them as best one can. If the response is adequate and correct, that society, or individual, moves forward. Failure to do so results in being overtaken by the current of events!

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in Bhutan on a 2 day state visit. Manmohan Singh is the fifth Indian prime minister to visit Bhutan, the first being Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958, 50 years ago. The Indian Prime Minister is the first foreign leader to visit the youngest democracy in the world. Among other things, the Prime Minister will address a joint session of the first elected Parliament of Bhutan.

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It is with deep personal satisfaction and happiness that I address this inaugural session of Parliament. After all, it is in a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity that we are gathered today to celebrate our nation’s historic achievement of a unique democratic transition.

Therefore, I commend the sense of duty and service that motivated the members of our first Parliament under Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. You have been a part of a transition that shall enter the history of our nation as one of our greatest endeavors.

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From the bombshell His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo dropped on his unsuspecting subjects on 9 December 2006 to the electoral rout meted out by Druk Phuensum Tshogpa on 27 March 2008, Bhutan’s roller-coaster ride from monarchy to democracy has been a run of one irony after another.

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Bhutan has become the youngest member in the club of parliamentary democracies. The peaceful elections on March 24th marked a key turning point in a smooth process of transition from monarchy to democracy. With the success of this historic process, the Bhutanese people have fulfilled the vision of the “father of democracy” the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

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Democracy is a country where politics is played 24×7. Politics has a lot of shock value and sound byte. The politicos never forget their political agenda. Their lexicon surrounds around vote-bank. There will be policy of scuttle. Petty bickering will now and then make the headlines. Few tyres will be punctured, and few chickens will be stolen. But, the leader must stand above all these. And amidst all these demo-crazy, he (used only for convenience) must be the pillar of wisdom, order and peace.

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I join my fellow countrymen in celebrating His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk’s 28th birth anniversary by sharing my favorite picture of His Majesty.

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As I am trying to settle down from the extended new year party, the world at large has been going on, and I am playing catch. Here are some tidbits that miraculously penetrated through this hazy post-new-year syndrome.

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I enjoy photography, so I am going to wish all of you a very Happy New Year with the following pictures.

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