For the people ...

Several people have asked me for an English translation of the expression of gratitude that I had offered to His Majesty the King during the inaugural ceremony of the fifth session of the Parliament. A busy schedule, arising from the fifth session, distracted me from translating the statement.

But yesterday, after posting the entry about the signing of our Constitution, I suddenly decided that the translation had to be done immediately. Here it is …

Expression of Appreciation to His Majesty the King

Introduction. It’s been hardly two years since the introduction of democracy in our country. Democratic Constitutional Monarchy has started off well, and as such, our country has received considerable international appreciation and acclaim for a successful transition to democracy.

But more importantly, our people are already enjoying the benefits of the new system of government.

We have been able to achieve a great deal of development within such a short span of time, because of the blessings of the Triple Gem; the support of our guardian deities; the prayers of our clergy; the good fortune of our people; and because of the wisdom, foresight and guidance of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Most importantly, it is because of the noble deeds and exceptional accomplishments of His Majesty the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

To most people, democracy means that the complete powers of governance are in the hands of the people. And, that is correct. But in order to administer these powers on behalf of the people, our Constitution accredits a range of institutions. These are, for example, the National Council and the National Assembly, the ruling party and the opposition, the Lhengye Zhungtsho and civil servants, the judiciary, and the Constitutional Offices. The respective powers, roles and responsibilities of these institutions are enshrined in the Constitution.

But of all these institutions, that of the Druk Gyapo is, by far, the most important. According to Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution, “His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo is the Head of State and the symbol of unity of the Kingdom and of the people of Bhutan.”

All of us are fully aware of His Majesty the King’s noble deeds, actions and achievements. So on behalf of the opposition party, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude by recalling a few of His Majesty’s accomplishments during the past two years. I thank the Honourable Speaker for allowing me to do so.

One: land. In accordance with Article 2 Section 16 (b) (The Druk Gyalpo, in exercise of His Royal Prerogatives, may grant … land kidu and other kidus), His Majesty the King has, during the last two years, traveled throughout our country to grant audiences to people living in our remotest gewogs and villages, and to personally experience their living conditions and greatest difficulties.

His Majesty has already granted 40,055 acres of land to 31,293 households living in 38 gewogs. Most of the land kidu was “excess land” that our farmers could not afford to buy, nor could afford to abandon. In addition, the landless and the destitute were awarded land kidu.

As a result of His Majesty’s rural tours, the number of households in these 38 gewogs that have lagthrams have increased from 14,000 to more than 30,000. That represents a more than two-fold increase in the number of people who finally have legal ownership and title to property. That has given our people a sense of security, and drastically improved their livelihoods.

Furthermore, His Majesty has granted monthly kidu to no less than 6,000 people living in our 20 dzongkhags. The recipients are the old, the infirm, the disabled, the orphaned and the destitute, disadvantaged people who otherwise had nowhere to turn to.

Two: Disaster relief. In accordance with Article 14 Section 12 of the Constitution (The Parliament shall establish a relief fund and the Druk Gyalpo shall have the prerogative to use this fund for urgent and unforeseen humanitarian relief), His Majesty the King has personally visited the unfortunate victims of unforeseen natural disasters caused by earthquakes, floods, windstorms and fire. Already more than 5,000 households have received kidu in the form of monetary compensation, clothes, blankets, tents, CGI sheets, timber, food and labour.

His Majesty’s personal intervention, guidance and support has greatly enhanced the morale of our people and reduced their suffering.

Three: The Parliament. In accordance with Article 10, Section 1 of the Constitution (There shall be a Parliament for Bhutan in which all legislative powers under this Constitution are vested and which shall consist of the Druk Gyalpo, the National Council and the National Assembly), His Majesty the King has fulfilled His Parliamentary and legislative responsibilities with diligence, and has constantly guided and advised the Members of the Parliament. In addition, His Majesty has commanded how the National Council and National Assembly should work together, and has ensured that the proceedings of these two Houses are in line with the Constitution.

Four: extraordinary sitting. In accordance with Article 13 Section 8 of the Constitution which states that, when the two Houses are not able to agree on a Bill, “…the Druk Gyalpo … shall command the Houses to deliberate and vote on the Bill in a joint sitting”, His Majesty the King, concerned that continued delay in conducting the Local Government elections would undermine the implementation of the Tenth Five Year Plan activities, commanded an extraordinary joint sitting of the Parliament which was able to approve the Local Government Bill.

Five: the Judiciary. In accordance with Article 21 Sections 4 and 5, 11 and 12 His Majesty the King appointed the Chief Justice of Bhutan, Drangpons of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Drangpons of the High Court, and thereby strengthened and completed the establishment of the Judiciary.

Though the Constitution empowers His Majesty to appoint these members of the Judiciary, the identification and selection was delegated to a Royal Commission to promote transparency and decentralization in the process.

Six: civil servants. In accordance with Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution (His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo is the Head of State …), His Majesty has granted audiences to more than 2,000 civil servants to guide and motivate them, and to allow them to express their grievances.

Similarly, His Majesty has granted audiences to gups, mangmis and tshogpas to discuss local development issues, and the aspirations of the people. His Majesty has also visited many schools and institutions, interacted with the youth, and, like a parent, counseled them on character development, importance of education, and their future.

Seven: defense. In accordance with Article 28 Section 1 of the Constitution (The Druk Gyalpo shall be the supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the Militia) His Majesty the King has improved the organization and administration in the armed forces. In addition, His Majesty has enhanced the morale and capabilities of our soldiers so that they are more able to guard Bhutan’s security from external as well as internal threats.

The media has recently reported that the salaries and benefits of the armed forces may soon be increased. This will further improve the quality and preparedness of the armed forces.

Eight: religion. In accordance with Article 3 Section 2 (The Druk Gyalpo is the protector of all religions in Bhutan), His Majesty the King, on the very day He ascended the Golden Throne, commanded increases in the monthly allowances for lams, lopens and monks of the Central Monastic Body, thereby ensuring that the teachings of the Buddha will continue to flourish in Bhutan.

Additionally, during the Royal Tours, His Majesty has granted separate audiences to the local monks and gomchens to discuss how they can serve their people and their communities.

Nine: decorations. In accordance with Article 2 Section 16(a) of the Constitution (The Druk Gyalpo, in the exercise of His Royal Prerogatives may award titles, decorations, dar for Lhengye and Nyi Kyelma in accordance with tradition and custom), His Majesty the King awarded dar for Nyi Khelma to public servants who have rendered outstanding service to the country and people. In addition, His Majesty has recognized the important services of everyday workers and awarded special decorations to teachers, farmers, craftsmen, health workers and manual workers.

Ten: media. In accordance with Article 2 Section 16(b) of the Constitution (The Druk Gyalpo, in the exercise of His Royal Prerogatives may grant citizenship, land kidu and other kidus), His Majesty the King established the Bhutan Media Foundation on His birth anniversary last year, thereby highlighting the important role free media plays in creating a vibrant democracy for our country.

Eleven: foreign relations. In accordance with Article 2 Section 17 (The Druk Gyalpo may promote goodwill and good relations with other countries by receiving state guests and undertaking state visits to other countries), His Majesty the King has improved our friendly relations with other countries and international organisations. As a result, our country has benefited from international good will and generous assistance.

In addition, His Majesty’s visit to India further strengthened and cemented the friendly relations that our two countries enjoy.

So today, although Bhutan is a landlocked country with a small population and a very small economy, there is growing international recognition for our country. Tellingly, when most foreigners think of Bhutan, they immediately think of our monarch.

Conclusion. His Majesty the King’s accomplishments are so many that I cannot continue to enumerate them. To summarize, however: His Majesty the King has worked tirelessly, and with complete conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of our people. This is the real reason why our people have remained confident and optimistic in the face of unprecedented social and political change during the last two years.

So, on behalf of the Opposition Party – the People’s Democratic Party – I offer our heartfelt gratitude and pledge our complete loyalty to the Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Destiny.

Thank you.

Photo credit: Kuensel

Profound

On this day, two years ago, His Majesty the King, by warrant under His hand and seal, sanctioned the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

To commemorate the historic event I visited the Tashichhodzong earlier today. In its Kunrey – the sacred chamber where the Constitution was signed and officially took effect – I offered butter lamps and prayers, and reflected on how we, parliamentarians, have served or failed our Constitution so far.

My statement, expressing the opposition party’s gratitude to His Majesty, is available here.

Flying kisses

Business Bhutan carried an interesting story last week. It was about a young student’s fantastic encounter with His Majesty the King.

Here’s another story…

When Galek came home from school recently, she excitedly announced that she had met His Majesty the King. She explained that our monarch had visited Thimphu Primary School that day. And, she recounted every detail of the royal visit, from the stories that His Majesty had told them and the soelra that they had received, to the songs that they had sung and the flying kisses that they had exchanged.

“Our King told us a story about a carpenter”, broadcast Galek. “A rich man ordered a poor carpenter to build a house. And when the house was complete he unexpectedly gave it to the carpenter. The carpenter was very happy. But after a few years, his house started crumbling. The carpenter regretted that he had not built the house well. The moral of story is that we must always work hard and work honestly!”

“When our King was a young prince”, she continued gushing, “His favourite superhero was Superman!”

Later that evening, before her bath, she carefully placed two invisible objects on the dressing mirror. And, immediately afterwards, she plucked the invisible objects off the mirror and gently put them in her pocket.

Seeing her exaggerated movements, her perplexed mother inquired, “What was that all about?”

“Flying kisses”, answered Galek. “Our King blew us flying kisses. I caught two of them!”

She went on to explain that the students had blown flying kisses to His Majesty the King. He had collected all of them, promising to use them for energy while trekking across high mountains and low valleys to meet our people who live in remote villages. In return, His Majesty had given them flying kisses.

About a week later, Galek’s mother opened her closet, and discovered that her daughter had secretly decorated two portraits of His Majesty the King with her prized stickers

“The flying kisses are there,” she pointed. “They remind me of Superman and the carpenter.”

Sombaykha Dungkhag

Sombaykha is the latest of our country’s 16 dungkhags. It was established barely two years ago to serve the two remote gewogs of Sombaykha and Gakiling. The offices of the dungkhag, which consists of three makeshift houses, are located in Sibthang along the banks of the Amochu.

Last Sunday, on 21 February, farmers from Gakiling and Sombaykha, descended on their dungkhag to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birth anniversary.

This week’s banner features the dungkhag office. More photographs of the festivities are in the gallery.

Tashi delek!

Yesterday, during the National Day ceebrations, His Majesty the King conferred red scarves to Dasho Sangay Khandu, Dasho Bharat Tamang, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, and Dasho Dr. Tandin Dorji for their dedicated services to the tsa wa sum.

Congratulations!

While conferring the important award, His Majesty commanded that their scarves, which represent the Buddha’s garment, must constantly remind them to serve the people with humility and compassion. And, that their swords must remind them to always defend the security of the people and sovereignty of the nation.

This is a powerful reminder to all of us – but, especially to politicians – who enjoy the power, prestige and privilege of the patang and kabney.

Very important people

Teachers and blue-collared workers throughout our country must be celebrating. Good. They have reason to rejoice.

Yesterday, during the National Day celebrations in Changlimithang Stadium, His Majesty the King paid special tribute to our teachers and blue-collared workers. And, in recognition of their important services to the tsa wa sum, His Majesty awarded the National Order of Merit to 16 educationists and blue-collared workers. One craftsman, Jinzop Karma, Bhutan’s foremost traditional sculptor, was bestowed the Druk Thugsay.

My heartiest congratulations to them.

And, to the countless teachers and blue-collared workers all across our Kingdom, I say: thank you.

Photo credit: BBS

The first is that the delay in establishing the Supreme Court was deliberate. It was meant to make the “… new democratic institutions learn to work together in harmony, and with unity of purpose, in the interest of the Nation and People.”

The second is that, His Majesty the King has devolved his authority and created an even more transparent process of establishing the Supreme Court. Though Article 21, Section 4 of the Constitution authorizes the Druk Gyalpo to appoint the Chief Justice of Bhutan in consultation with the National Judicial Commission, His Majesty’s kasho empowers the Royal Commission to recommend “…one person to assume the post of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”

Durung

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9^th November, 2009: RBA soldiers dismantling a house that had been damaged by the earthquake in Durung, Trashigang.

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Haa

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22^nd November, 2009: RBA soldiers dismantling a house that had been damaged by the fire in Haa town.

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From Trashigang in the east, to Haa in the west, the Royal Bhutan Army has played a crucial role in providing relief to the victims of disasters. They dismantled houses that were dangerously damaged by the calamities, they built temporary shelters, and, perhaps most importantly, they provided a sense of security.

Now they have started helping our farmers rebuild their homes.