With splendid stars glittering above,
and the sun of joy shining...sum of more than seven lakhs Bhutanese' hearts enthusiastically come together to observe and celebrate our Great Day. The 60th Birth Anniversary of our Dharma King, the Great K4. Though away from home I can really feel the immense joy and passion of our people about the day. Truly an apparent 'One Nation, One People' spectacle.
Our nation has since long been blessed continuously by the Triple Gem. Sanctified and prophesied by the second Buddha, Lotus Born Guru and many other maha sidhas, the Great Magician Dharma King Ngawang Namgyal after winning the hearts of Drukpas and defeating the evils, set up a holy institution of Choesid-Lugnye. He departed to the land of ultimate bliss. Desi rule followed where some rendered hearts to people and some chaos to the nation. In the due course of time when the nation had befallen under cruelty of desis, the noble linage of Tertoen Pema Lingpa happened to establish the unshakable political paradigm- monarchy. From then on the peace in country established by Zhabdrung Rinpochhe was restored and multiplied like the unhindered rays of sun.
The good fortunes of Bhutanese must have been at summit as the God descended Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on 11th November 1955 to the fulfillment and satisfaction of the Royal family and the entire nation. His birth was the prophecy of Guru Rinpochhe as envisioned by the Tertoen Drugdra Dorji. The Crown Prince was educated and trained for the kingship by His father so early. He became aware of the in and around situation of the world. Our King was enthroned as the fourth hereditary Monarch as early as 17 years of age, the youngest of kings in the world then. The enthronement came just days after the dismiss of our gem like King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The Crown Prince then had no time to agonize his indelible personal loss of His beloved father, he had to console the deeply pained nation. He was determined and sincere in His National Address on the Coronation Day expressing his ardent love and dedicated his service to the nation. This is how our Lord was placed on the Golden Throne. Bhutanese society is known for the beauty of Le-Ju-dre and tha-dam-tsi, values in which people have unwavering faith in their leader and the Lord has limitless compassion to His subjects. We love our King truly and profoundly.
Our King's contribution to the nation building is too big that it becomes very difficult to note down, more so it is beyond the reach of description by an ordinary person like me. Yet some reforms come reverberating in my head just as my heart dances with the imagined song of 'Gawa Dugo'. His Majesty the King placed aspirations of people before His own. He did not dare to risk His own life for the good of nation. In 2003, for example the King Himself led the troops to flush out the insurgents who illegally occupied Bhutanese soil in the southern approach. This is a story, rare of the rarest. Our parents will tell us how our King painfully toured the entire nation addressing people's needs.
The Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, a unique political set up which we have today is chartered by Him. His entire three and a half decade reign as the Supreme Throne Holder revolves around the focus of decentralization of center and devolution of personal power. He had set up many democratic institutions such as DYT & GYT pursuing and motivating people to take part in planning and decision making for development of the nation. These steps taken by our King was in fact a preparation for the Bhutanese transition into Parliamentary Democracy. He shocked the nation by abdicating the the Throne in 2006 in favor of the Crown Prince. This goes to the page of World History. A selfless King.
By 2008, all the ground works for Parliamentary democratic institution was ready. Potential leaders were trained and made able enough to lead the nation. A written Constitution was for the first time drafted, citizens were consulted and their views sought and incorporated. The supreme law, The Constitution of The Kingdom of Bhutan was endorsed by Bhutan's first Parliament elect on 18th July 2008. Hence, His Majesty molded his noble vision for the country and the nation in its perfect shaped was handed over to us- the present generation. We are no unlucky though as we have the same sacred blood of same statesmanship in the form of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. Our fortunes are still so high to have the opportunity to be cared citizen of the honorable Father and Son who shower us the light of happiness as if by the Sun and the Moon.
Reforms brought about by His Majesty the king is infinite and as vast the sky. The aforementioned are the major ones. So tomorrow is our beloved King's Birthday, what best gift could we offer him? Gifts as big the most precious and exorbitant gems can never match His grace albeit He desires nothing, but one. The one is, people's fraternal unity for all time and fulfillment of His noble aspirations. What are our King's divine powered aspirations from his people?
1. Our King has always emphasized the need of preserving and promoting our tradition and cultural heritage. In fact these are the core values that identified Bhutan as unique nation among the comets of nations all around the world. Let us therefore try to understand our own culture thoroughly and appreciate its beauty like our forefathers did. Let us not be dimmed by the excessive intrusion of other cultures.Harmony.
2. Our King places special importance on the conservation of our rich biodiversity. Indeed one of the first modern legislation of ours was the Forest Act of Bhutan 1969. The National Forest Policy of 1974 and our Constitution requires Bhutan to have 60 per cent of our land covered by forest for all time to come. HM is also the winner of Champions of Earth Award (UNEP organised) in 2005. Let us not destroy our forest and animals life.
3. The significance on the need of a strong and viable economy of country was not spared. It's very much important. For this, government must exercise diligence in laying hand over the public coffer. There should have been thorough research, public must be consulted and budget be allocated well. Government should remove the regional economic imbalances. Citizens are equally responsible in keeping a keen eye on government and in giving reasonable suggestions.
4. The biggest of all gifts and the greatest of all contentment would be the ultimate successful march of democratic pedestrian. It implies good governance. The government elect should keep in mind the interest of people and ensure transparency, accountability and authenticity. Only then can people rely and have faith in government. Any government of any time should not think that it is just for a tenure of five years. King's good intent of introducing democracy in Bhutan that is to befit the best of time and for the people must for all time be respected. Inside home there should be abiding spirit of fraternity, unity and integrity. Outside, the friendly relations with foreign nations must be maintained well. Only then can Bhutan's dragon emblazoned flag of peace flutter ever high in the sky of bliss, and its name 'Paradise of Thunder Dragon' continue to be heard across the world.
If we could just join our hands in fulfilling these aspirations, King's heat son Gross National Happiness will also be achieved for these encompass the pillars of GNH.
Meanwhile, not only Bhutanese at home but also Bhutanese outside country are observing this great Day with devotion and zeal. Songs of 'Palden Drukpa' will be sung in countries such as India, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, USA etc where Bhutanese people are either working or studying. The celebration in Bhutan will be enormous. Our King's sacred name 'Jigme Singye Wangchuck' is written in the golden page of the annals of world's PEOPLE's KING.
With King's blessings in heart I also join the Tsa-Wa-Sum of Bhutan in Wishing HM the Fourth King a very Happy Birthday, and I pray...
May you be in perfect health as firm as the vajra body,
May your eloquent speech ever bespeak wisdom of Manjushri,
May your Boddhichita mind be as pure as autumn sky issuing limitless compassion,
May you live long for eons and eons.
And, may we all Bhutanese in unison rededicate our unfailing service to the King, Country and People,
May Wangchuck Dynasty be elongated for the eons where we can have all showers of peace and joy.
May our Democracy bring us the best of luck.
'Palden Drukpa, Gyalo!' ' Palden Drukpa, Gyalo,' and 'Palden Drukpa, Gyalo !!!
