Bhutan, 2008 and beyond

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck our beloved 4th King turns 52 today. 11th of November is a very special day for all of us because His Majesty means so much to all of us. Trying to blog about what His Majesty means to me has been very difficult – there is just too much to talk about. After many unsuccessful tries, I finally gave up, and scoured the web for an appropriate post for this important day. I came across this article by TsheringG posted on kuzuzangpo.com on the 6th of September 2006. Enjoy reading, and join me in wishing His Majesty a very happy birthday.

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This years Lha Bab Due Chen fell on the 1st of November, 2007. I visited the Thimphu Dzong and Dechenphug.

Not many people were at the Dzong - I had a very relaxed time, enough time to chat with the Koeners (monk care-taker) about statues and wall paintings.

Dechenphug was a different story. There was a queue starting from the parking lot, which snaked around and into the Lhakhang. A majority of these visitors were young boys and girls. People talk about our youth not being religiously inclined. Think again…

Thimphu Dzong

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On the 16th of June, 2007, the logo for the historic events of the Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations in 2008 were publicly unveiled, after holding a national design competition, with a very handsome cash prize.

The following is the official logo for Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations in 2008.

4 months have passed by, and being a designer myself, I am surprised not to see much activity by the Bhutanese entrepreneurs in designing products and services for 2008 centered around the logo. This has led me to look at the logo closely.

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There are only three things that I always keep in mind when I am working – three things that influence all decisions that I take. The first is the peace, security and prosperity for Bhutan now and in the future. Second issue that I consider very important for our country’s future is the achievement of the goals of Gross National Happiness. The third is building a vibrant democracy for our country.

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