Answering Sonam...

Sonam’s question generated a good deal of discussions. And, most of you argued that we, elected officials – ministers and MPs alike – should not wear our kabneys and patangs after completing our terms in office.
Similarly, almost all of you who took the poll that asked, “Should elected MPs and ministers continue to wear their [...]

Visiting Sombaykha...

“It must be very difficult”, I’ve been told more than once, “having only two members in the opposition.” Yes, it is difficult. And frustrating. But it is enjoyable too.
What do I enjoy most about my work? Visiting my constituency. Trekking through Sombaykha, Gakiling and the parts of Samma that don’t have motor roads are a [...]

Hijacking democracy...

BBS reports that the Prime Minister, in his National Day address in Mongar, cautioned the people about threats to our democracy.
On democracy, the Prime Minister said the threats to democracy are mainly from within, reminding the people to be aware of divisive politics for personal gain. He said in many countries in the world, democracy [...]

Paying attention...

When did you first know that democracy would be introduced in our country? That was the question I asked in my last entry. No one ventured a definite date. One reader, however, admitted that it was a “tough question” while others questioned the relevance and importance of the question.
Relevant or not, I think I first [...]

When did we know?...

HM4

Last week, Bhutan successfully hosted the first Regional Conference on Deepening and Sustaining Democracy in Asia. The Centre for Bhutan Studies and UNDP Bhutan organized the event together.
That Bhutan, the world’s youngest democracy, led a major international discussion on deepening democratic values is commendable. It shows how much we’ve matured, politically, since the introduction of [...]

Your opposition party...

Part two of the speech I would have delivered to the 2009 graduates:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Many people think that the opposition party is ineffective. That’s okay. After all, we are most probably the world’s smallest opposition. With only two members – Dasho Damcho and I – against the ruling party’s 45, we can easily be overwhelmed in the [...]

Promoting democracy...

The panel discussion may have been too short. Politicians may have dominated the discussions. And the exchange of views and ideas may have been less than thorough. Still the interactive session, between students and MPs, that was organized by BBS to mark the International Day of Democracy was useful. At the very least, our students [...]

Better party...

That a group of people in Thimphu are forming a political party comes as very good news. Our two existing parties – one ruling, the other in opposition – cannot offer sufficient choice for democracy to take hold in our country. So we should be excited about the prospects of a third party. And we [...]

Our democracy...

bridge

Yesterday, HRH Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck inaugurated a workshop entitled “Democracy in our Place”. During this important workshop, participates will discuss various concepts about democracy and good governance.
In her royal address, HRH observed that many of us readily declare that “democracy must succeed in Bhutan.” But for democracy to succeed, HRH commanded that “…it must [...]

Royal address...

Law makers

ROYAL ADDRESS AT THE CONCLUDING CEREMONY OF THE 3rd SESSION OF THE PARLIAMENT, 30 JULY 2007
On the occasion of the concluding ceremony of the 3rd session of Parliament, I congratulate the elected government of the Druk Phuensum Tshokpa on the completion of one year and four months in office. In these early days of a [...]

Page 1 of 3123