The celebrations marking
the 59th birth anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo is the start of a
year-long celebration to observe His Majesty’s 60th birth anniversary next
year. And celebrations were held in every glorious color and fanfare across the
country.
There are many other
auspicious interpretations connected to the number 60 under different
numerologies and religious significance, however back at home it will not be
the number that is of prime focus.
The year will be a
celebration of the person, which is the Fourth King Jigme Singye Singye
Wangchuck who steered and changed the course of this nation’s future from a
landlocked mountainous nation to that of a country that has all the
possibilities of matching any other country in global membership.
And, this great feat was
pulled to reality in the 34 glorious years of His reign.
His Majesty, true to his
title of a ‘visionary and farsighted leader’ had declared that Bhutan, unlike
other countries that hinge their measures of development on GNP or Gross
National Product would make Gross National Happiness (GNH) the yardstick for
its pace of development. By doing this, the happiness of individual citizens would
receive attention and as elaborated in many forums, the end goal of any
development activity is ‘happiness’ of one and all.
Today, after many years
under the GNH umbrella, the country is portrayed to the world outside under
this brand and thereby, its culture and tradition have received a place of
hallmark prominence.
The country remained a
shining example for the global community when His Majesty abdicated the throne,
handed over the nation’s reins to His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo, who was then the
Choetse Penlop. Following that was a decision and announcement that truly drove
sentiments of every citizen to extremely emotional levels – the fourth Druk
Gyalpo announced that the country would transition from a monarchy to a democratic
form of government.
Therefore, the country
witnessed its first parliamentary elections in 2008 to form the first
parliament of National Council and National Assembly. Today, after a successful
first term of five years completed by the previous government, Bhutan is in the
second phase of the democratic governance under the current government.
The nation has time and
again been reflected in international news, that ‘it is uniquely observed that
the process otherwise characteristic of huge political tumult and their ensuing
chaotic elements passes on like a breeze.’
To begin with, the whole
tide of democratic government in the country was , as oft mentioned, ‘handed
down from the golden throne,’ meaning that unlike the historical instances of
intensely-charged activities resulting in change of governance elsewhere, everywhere;
Here lay a shining and never-heard-of example where ‘democracy is gifted to the
people.’
His Majesty the Fourth
Druk Gyalpo is seen by the whole nation as a caring father who risked his life
to ensure the safety and security of his people and country. In 2003, His
Majesty led the Bhutanese armed forces in a military operation to defend the
country and countrymen from militants in the south.
The tributes and celebrations,
are therefore a token of eternal gratitude, everlasting wishes and prayers to
the compassionate ruler, who not just ensured a process of peace and prosperity
in His time but was gloriously farsighted in guaranteeing the same even for
future years.
Long Live His Majesty the
Fourth Druk Gyalpo!
Published as Business Bhutan Editorial on November 15, 2014
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