The People's King

Our elders believe that the words of our kings are droplets of gold. They believe that to carry out a king’s command is to undertake a task that’s heavier than a mountain. They also believe that to ignore a king’s command is to waste an opportunity more precious than gold.

Our kings do not say much. But when they do, what they say is important; what they say has far-reaching implications. And what they say is gratefully received, studied and carried out with a sense of great urgency.

Our King has spoken. In his Royal Address, on 17^th December, our National Day, His Majesty shared his “deepest concerns” with the nation: that we must strengthen the foundations of our democracy; that we must make education more relevant so that it leads to jobs; that we must step up the fight against corruption; and that we must build a self-reliant, sustainable economy.

Our King has spoken. Now will we, like our elders, accept his command as droplets of gold? Will we, like our elders, receive, study and execute his command, even though they weigh heavier than our mighty mountains? Or will we, unlike our elders, ignore and waste that what’s more precious than gold?

Supreme Commander in Chief

The Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Body Guards, Royal Bhutan Police, and  militia and Desung volunteers celebrated Armed Forces Day yesterday. To commemorate the important day, I’m reproducing a translation of the motion of thanks that I proposed during the opening ceremony of the sixth session of Parliament about a year ago, on 19 November 2010.

Introduction

It has been almost three years since Bhutan became a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. Throughout this period, His Majesty the King has continuously favoured the first elected Parliament with counsel, guidance and unconditional support. As a result, neither misfortune nor hardship has been able to trouble the two Houses of Parliament or any of its 72 honourable members. And for that reason, we, the members of Parliament, have been able to fulfill our respective responsibilities, and work towards establishing a strong foundation for our democracy.

Earlier this year, during the inauguration of the fifth session of the Parliament, I had the opportunity to report to the Honourable Members that, from the day His Majesty the King ascended the Golden Throne, His Majesty has worked throughout the country, and worked tirelessly, for the benefit of the nation and the people. More specifically, I drew attention to the fact that the selfless service rendered by His Majesty were in accordance with the duties of the Druk Gyalpo as enshrined in the Constitution.

My report, however, was very brief. In fact, since I covered His Majesty’s accomplishments in a range of areas, I could not do justice to any one of them. So today, as I, on behalf of the Opposition Party, respectfully submit this Motion of Thanks, I propose to focus on just one aspect of His Majesty’s work.

To do this, I would like to draw the attention of our Honourable Members to Article 28 Section 1 of the Constitution which states that: “The Druk Gyalpo shall be the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the Militia”.

Our Armed Forces

Our armies and militia have served our kingdom admirably throughout our history, and over many centuries. All of us know this well. Under the able leadership of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Gongsar Jigme Namgyel and our successive monarchs, our armed forces have successfully defended our kingdom’s security from all outside threats and dangers. That is why Tibetan armies from the North could not challenge our sovereignty. That is why the English armies from the South could not make any inroads. And that is why militants and anti-nationals could not disrupt our peace, and compromise our independence.

In the 1990s, for example, Indian militants entered our kingdom and established their camps throughout our land, from Sipsoo in the East to Diapham in the West. The presence of these heavily armed militants in our country for many years seriously undermined the sovereignty and independence of our kingdom. So in 2003, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, personally led his soldiers, and forced the militants out of the country, and thereby further strengthened Bhutan’s security and sovereignty.

Today we enjoy unprecedented peace, security and sovereignty. These are precious gifts from His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo to the people of Bhutan. To cherish and safeguard these gifts, we, the people, must continue pay the highest tribute to our armed forces.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

His Majesty the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. And as Supreme Commander in Chief, His Majesty has fulfilled his Constitutional responsibilities in the most successful manner. For this, I, on behalf of the opposition party, and all the people of Bhutan, I offer our sincere gratitude to His Majesty the King.

All of us know very well that, since the introduction of democracy in the kingdom, the Armed Forces, under His Majesty’s personal leadership, have safeguarded our nation’s security from both external and internal threats.

External threats

Even today, our Armed Forces continue to address repeated threats of armed militants and anti-nationals. There are many such encounters. Too many, in fact, to recount all of them here. So instead, I will limit my observations to only the few reports that were covered by the newspapers.

In January of 2008, for instance, the Armed Forces confronted 26 armed antinationals who set up their camp in Tsirang. One antinational was apprehended. The others retreated out of the country.

In February 2008, the Armed Forces apprehended six antinationals in Singye Gewog, Sarpang.

Also in February 2008, the Armed Forces encountered antinationals attempting to establish a camp within our nation. Two of them were arrested.

And recently on the 14^th of March, the Armed Forces exchanged fire with militants in Sukan Taklai, Sarpang. One militant was apprehended.

This year on 1^st of February, RBA soldiers put their own lives at risk when they successfully defused a bomb that had been placed in Gelephu town.

On our part, we, the people, must be aware of and appreciate that the security services rendered by the Armed Forces involve considerable dangers and risks. Last year, for instance, on 12^th of October, bombs planted by antinationals and Bodo militants seriously injured two of our soldiers.

And more recently, on 11^th of September, a group of soldiers were ambushed by armed militants. One solider lost his life during the encounter. And two others were injured.

As the Royal Bhutan Police is also an important part of the nation’s security force, they too have been involved, alongside the RBA, in defending against security threats from antinationals and militants.

These are just a few examples. Even so, they clearly show that the Armed Forces, under His Majesty’s leadership, have successfully safeguarded the peace, security and sovereignty of our nation.

Relief and support

But in addition to taking care of the nation’s security, the Armed Forces have also provided important relief and support to our people, especially during times of natural calamities.

For example, when an earthquake struck the eastern part of our country last year inflicting tremendous hardship on our people, His Majesty the King personally visited all the affected areas, provided immediate relief, and commanded the Armed Forces to help the victims rebuild their lives and homes.

Shortly after the earthquake, a fire destroyed much of Wamrong town and left most of its residents homeless and desperate. But the army rebuilt every home, and thanks to them, today, all residents live in brand new houses.

Similarly, recently, on 26^th of October, a fire raged through most of Chamkhar town in Bumthang. His Majesty the King personally visited the destitute victims and provided them with cooking utensils and cutlery, blankets and clothes, rations and temporary shelter, and financial support. In addition, more than 330 soldiers were mobilized to rebuild each and every house at the specific command of His Majesty the King.

Salary increase

The Armed Forces have served the tsa-wa-sum selflessly and with total dedication. As such, the Opposition Party is overjoyed and extremely grateful to His Majesty the King for increasing their salaries and allowances.

There’s no doubt that the salary increase will benefit our soldiers and their families immensely. But it will also improve morale, and further motivate them in the service to our nation and people.

Conclusion

Bhutan is a small, landlocked country. In spite of that, our sovereignty is intact and strong. And we, the people, continue to enjoy unprecedented levels of peace, prosperity and happiness. All this has been made possible because of the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Majesty the King.

In conclusion, I, on behalf of the opposition party, humbly thank His Majesty the King for selflessly serving the nation and people, and respectfully congratulate him and the Armed Forces for their continuing successes.

Tashi Delek!

UPDATE: During the past year, the armed forces have engaged in even more encounters with militants and antinationals. They have also fought numerous forest fires, helped fire victims, and provided relief and support to victims of the earthquake in western Bhutan.

Truly amazing!

The heavens descended on Dochula yesterday. Boddhisattvas and gods, enchanting goddesses and spirits, guardian deities and demons, and Milarepa himself, meditating and levitating in the freezing cold, appeared before the thousands of pilgrims who had gathered to witness the inaugural Druk Wangyel Tsechu.

The tsechu was inspired, guided and supported by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honour the armed forces for their bravery and selfless services in protecting the peace, security and sovereignty of our nation.

Photo credit: “Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival” by Dasho Karma Ura, the festival director who composed and choreographed the dances.

To him, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, The Great Fourth, architect of Bhutan’s peace, prosperity and happiness, role model and hero, embodiment of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, I offer this humble tribute to cherish and celebrate his precious legacy:

The Royal Wedding celebrations moved to Paro yesterday. The festivities, which took place on the historic grounds of the Ugyen Pelri Palace, marked the end of the week-long official celebrations and were hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen especially for the people who had worked to ensure the success of the Royal Wedding.

The Royal Wedding and the accompanying celebrations were indeed a resounding success. And we, the people of Bhutan, owe our gratitude to the hundreds of people who worked round the clock to make them so.

First and foremost, we must thank the Prime Minister, the working committee and the cabinet ministers for a job well done. They were the ones who successfully planned, coordinated and oversaw the once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.

Second, we are extremely grateful to HH the Je Khenpo and the Dratsang for offering prayers throughout the country. They secured the benedictions of the Triple Gem and invoked our Guardian Deities to protect and bless the Royal Couple and the people of Bhutan.

Third, we must acknowledge the important contributions of our civil servants, most of who worked long hours through the many weeks leading up to the celebrations. And during the actual celebrations, instead of joining the festivities, they continued to work, with even director- and secretary-level officers guiding the public and chaperoning guests and dignitaries.

Fourth, we thank our students and their teachers. They organised a wide range of events throughout the country, so that our people, in every district, could take part in the celebrations. And through their innocence, they conveyed the love and affection of the entire country to the Royal Couple.

Fifth, we owe our gratitude to our security forces. The Army, Police and Body Guards worked together to assure law and order, and to maintain the security of our country.

Sixth, we thank the media for spreading the celebrations and keeping our people informed. In particular, we applaud the BBS for taking the sacred ceremonies and colorful festivals in Punakha and Thimphu to every Bhutanese home through their excellent live TV and radio coverage of the celebrations.

Seventh, we are grateful to the many private businesses and corporate agencies who organized activities and released a range of souvenirs and mementos.

And most importantly, we, the people, are deeply grateful to His Majesty the King for giving us a Queen, and for dedicating the Royal Wedding to the people of Bhutan. The celebrations bought the entire nation even closer together and, during the past week, every one of us felt like we belonged to the same big, happy family.

Your Majesties – on behalf of the people of Bhutan: thank you, and tashidelek!

Bravo!

25 additional colonels make our armed forces that much more stronger. His Majesty the King, who is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, granted promotions to the accomplished officers this morning.

I thank the officers for their outstanding services to the tsa-wa-sum, and wish them and their families a very hearty Tashi Delek!

People's gift

“Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son …” so pledged His Majesty the King during the coronation two and a half years ago.

His Majesty the King has kept his promise.

His Majesty has traveled the length and breadth of our country and personally granted land kidu to tens of thousands of farmers. He has walked – sometimes for days on end, in the sun, rain and in the snow – to meet our remotest villagers, and has cooked for them, slept in their houses, and granted kidu to the destitute, the needy and the infirm.

He has visited almost every school, from community schools to colleges, to talk with, to play – at times even barefoot – and to guide our students.

And when disaster has struck – earthquakes in our East, floods throughout the country, fire in many places – His Majesty the King has rushed to be with His people; to console them and to support them; and to help them rebuild their homes and their lives.

His Majesty has kept his promise – He has protected us as only a parent can; cared for us as a true brother; and served us as a devoted son. He is the People’s King.

The People’s King has already touched the lives of thousands upon tens of thousands of ordinary Bhutanese. And yesterday, when he announced that, “it is now time for me to marry” His Majesty touched the hearts of an entire nation.

The joyous announcement did not come as a Royal Command. Instead, His Majesty informed the nation personally, without formality and without any attempt to hide his complete sincerity, much like a son informing his parents and his siblings.

Our future queen is Ashi Jetsun Pema. And the royal wedding will take place this October.

The entire nation, like one big family, is already celebrating.

Strengthening Bhutan

Yesterday, during our 103^rd National Day celebrations, His Majesty the King reminded us, His people, of our collective responsibility to strengthen our nation. That, His Majesty explained, meant excelling in our workplaces. But that, His Majesty emphasized, also – and more crucially – meant “… upholding values such as integrity, justice and compassion and above all living by that unwritten but absolute code of right over wrong…”

Below is the official transcription of His Majesty the King’s National Day address.

My dear people,

As King, I have been deeply blessed by the satisfaction of seeing immense achievements in four short years, made possible only by the harmonious bond between the people and government, as we worked hand in hand. We have conducted our first general elections, formed the government and opposition, instituted the National Assembly and National Council and above all, following elaborate deliberations by our honourable members of Parliament, we adopted our sacred and historic Constitution. We have all worked together towards strengthening our democratic institutions and this year established the Supreme Court of Bhutan.

As a developing country, socio-economic development efforts are vital. In this regard, the prime minister and the government have not only worked hard on successfully implementing the crucial 10^th 5-year plan but have also initiated many new projects for the benefit of our people.

For the peace, happiness and prosperity we enjoy today, I take this opportunity to voice on behalf of our people, gratitude to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. On my own behalf, I shall never forget the kindness, loyalty and faith with which you, my people, have supported me at the beginning of my own reign.

In times of such peace and prosperity, as good Bhutanese, we must reflect on our responsibilities in further strengthening our nation. We all know that we shoulder responsibilities based on our professions whether they be in the civil service, business or even as parents and teachers. We know we must excel in these duties in order to succeed as individuals and as a nation.

However, there is a higher responsibility – not written in any legal document but instead enshrined in humanity and history – a natural responsibility and duty that we all must shoulder equally, irrespective of who we are. Of paramount importance to the strength of a nation, is the ability of her people to live as one united family – a community in which interaction is marked by trust, understanding and cooperation.

What is this natural responsibility? I am young, but as King it is my duty to offer, after deep reflection and prayer, my own thoughts and guidance on how we strengthen our nation as a unique Bhutanese people.

To me, natural responsibility means upholding values such as integrity, justice and compassion and above all living by that unwritten but absolute code of right over wrong, no matter what it is we are trying to achieve as individuals or as a nation. After all, while the objectives are important, the manner in which we achieve these objectives is a far more important indicator of our strength as a nation. We must achieve everything as a united harmonious family. I truly believe that it would be a great service to the nation if, as individuals, we always treat each other with respect and dignity.

This is why natural responsibilities are important, for if we understand and fulfill them then, it is only normal that we will be a society in which there is complete trust in each other. And once this becomes the character of society, then regard, faith and respect will come naturally.

I have always said these unwritten, unseen but profound values have been a part of our heritage inherited from our forefathers. However, I have also said that we face the danger that they might be weakened and lost over time, in the face of so many changes in the world and our nation. A family in which there is deep discord between parent and child or brother and sister is unlikely to achieve anything that leads to lasting happiness. As a nation, it is no different. Today we have great aspirations – the peace, stability, security and sovereignty of the nation; strengthening of our new democracy; equitable socio-economic growth to achieve GNH and; nurturing our youth to one day lead a nation greatly strengthened by our hard work and commitment. To achieve all this we need trust and faith in our relationships – between the government and people; between institutions of government and; between people ourselves. With the harmony and unity born of these relationships, we will achieve our aspirations and find peace, prosperity and gross national happiness.

In short let me say, if we uphold values such as unity, harmony, integrity, trust, justice and peace – if we respect their great importance – then it will be reflected in a strong civil society. A strong civil society is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

In 2008 when I became King, I promised you that, ‘throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.’

I have always taken every decision and carried out every action with this promise in mind. In all my work, I consider my personal interactions with the people to be of greatest importance. Wherever I travel, I make it a point to enter every household and meet every family. Besides this, I have also tried to meet every day, small groups of people from all walks of life. In the two years since 2008, I have met about fifty thousand such people in my home. It is a source of great happiness for me that I am able to meet you, my people. With the old, I have the satisfaction of being able to express personal gratitude for their long service to the nation. With the young, I build the beginnings of a life-long relationship through which we will serve the people and nation together.

During one such meeting, a young civil servant asked me ‘what is our country going to be like in the next 15 years?’ I told him that while fifty or sixty years hence is unknowable, the next fifteen years are easier to contemplate. After all, it is in this period of time that the fruits of our actions today will take shape. Our generation has immense tasks ahead of us – the foremost being the building of a vibrant democracy, the foundations for which have been built by the fourth Druk Gyalpo. Let us nurture what we have begun so well, so that our nation shall reap the rewards of strong democracy for all time to come. Secondly, we must ensure equitable distribution of the fruits of our nation’s rapid growth and progress. Third, we must never set each other apart based on religion, regionalism or ethnicity. We must always refer to ourselves as citizens of Bhutan, all equal and all alike. If we can fulfill these tasks then the nation’s future in fifteen years is not only bright but we will have paved the road for even greater success in the decades beyond.

Lastly I end with a prayer for our nation. That the sun of peace and prosperity may always shine on Bhutan – a nation blessed by the teachings of Lord Buddha – a Shangrila blessed by the great Guru Rimpoche  and founded by our revered and beloved parent Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal – a country born from the labour of Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan.

Tashi Delek!

For the people

During Question Hour today, I requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to report on the status of the Relief Fund. In particular, I asked him if he, as the minister in charge of disaster management, would propose legislation to establish the Relief Fund.

According to Article 14 Section 12 of the Constitution:

Parliament shall establish a relief fund and the Druk Gyalpo shall have the prerogative to use this fund for urgent and unforeseen humanitarian relief.

Bhutan’s first Parliament has already met five times. And the sixth session is currently on. Yet, and in spite of the opposition party’s repeated appeals, the Parliament has not established the Relief Fund. In fact, the Parliament has done no work to establish the Relief Fund. So the first elected Parliament risks defaulting on this important responsibility.

On the other hand, a spate of natural disasters – floods, earthquakes, storms and fires – have struck various parts of the country during the last two years, and have caused unprecedented hardship to countless people. In almost every case, His Majesty the King has personally provided immediate relief, and overseen the rehabilitation and recovery process. And, during the opening of the Parliament’s sixth session, His Majesty spoke of His pledge to victims of the Chamkhar fire that:

… even though our nation may be a small, landlocked country without the great wealth of others, in their moment of great suffering, the King and government would do everything to find the resources needed to alleviate their pain and restore happiness to their lives.

Obviously, there’s a real need to establish the Relief Fund urgently.

So I was happy to hear the home minister report that his ministry and the Ministry of Finance have jointly drafted a proposal to establish a relief fund, and that the proposal would soon be discussed in the Cabinet.

And I was even more happy to hear the Hon’ble Speaker decide that the home minister will submit a motion in the National Assembly to introduce the proposal to establish the Relief Fund.