Entries Tagged '4th King' ↓

Kuensel editorial from the 19 December issue titled “From vision to reality” sums up what all of us felt about the 2007 National Day:

It was a moment that carried the weight of Bhutanese history. On the morning of December 17, 2007, exactly 100 years after Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck began the reign of the Wangchuck dynasty, the fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and His Majesty the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, bowed to each other, their Royal Scarves lowered in the traditional gesture of respect.

Continue reading →

His Majesty had the following words to say after announcing his decision to step down from the throne. “In taking note of the progress that our nation has made over the past thirty four years, I would like to state that whatever we have achieved so far is due to the merit of the people of Bhutan.” His Majesty has also repeatedly reminded that “the future of the nation lies in the hands of the people.”

Continue reading →

The geographical location of Bhutan provided a safe haven for the militants from across the border. The country had been a hideout to the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO). These insurgents who were up in arms against the Indian government had established several bases in the Bhutanese forests.

Continue reading →

“Bhutan must move with the time to ensure that the nation not only overcomes all internal and external threats, but continues to prosper in an atmosphere of peace and stability.” These were the words of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck on November 30, 2001, during the launching ceremony of the drafting of the Constitution.

Continue reading →

His Majesty is one of those conscientious leaders who believes that service to the people comes before everything else. He regularly traveled to each of the Kingdom’s 20 districts, meeting with both people and their representatives, in order to discuss development priorities and needs.

Over the last quarter of the century Bhutanese society has come to depend greatly on His Majesty’s immense leadership abilities. Interestingly, he has always steered the country toward the system of governance that is not dependent on a single individual, saying that such dependence is “the main drawback of a monarchy.”

Continue reading →

His Majesty the King is widely traveled and has paid state visits to a number of countries, particularly while attending meetings of the Non-Aligned States and the South Asian Association for Regional cooperation.

Continue reading →

The Late Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck said that the goal of development is to make “the people prosperous and happy.” The importance of “ prosperity and happiness” was highlighted in his address on the occasion of Bhutan’s admission to the United Nations in 1971. This vision was elaborated by the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck who declared in the first years of his reign that, “ Our country’s policy is to consolidate our sovereignty to achieve economic self-reliance, prosperity and happiness for our country and people.” His Majesty’s subsequent pronouncement that “Gross National Happiness is more important that Gross National Product” has captured the imagination of scholars and policy makers across the world.

Continue reading →

A few days after the Crown Prince lost his father, he took the reins of the government and the nation. At the age of 17, he became the youngest monarch in the world to shoulder the daunting responsibility of steering the nation on the path of progress.

Continue reading →

In 1979 His Majesty The 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck married Their Majesties Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. Their Majesties the Queens are the daughters of Yab Ugyen Dorji, a descendant of both the mind and speech incarnations of Bhutan’s founder, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and Yum Thuji Zam. A private Royal Wedding ceremony was held in 1979, followed by a public ceremony on October 31, 1988, in Punthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang (the Palace of Great Bliss).

Continue reading →

Born to His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the only brother to four sisters, Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Ashi Pema Lhadron Wangchuck and Her Royal Highness Ashi Kezang Wangmo Wangchuck. His birth on November 11, 1955, in Dechenchholing Palace (the Palace of Great Bliss), corresponding to the Wood Sheep year, not only ensured an heir to the throne, but augured well for a bright and secure future of Bhutan.

Continue reading →