| His
Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
| The 5th Druk Gyalpo |
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Bhutan Royal Family The King |
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Bhutan Royal Family |
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A
nation, a King, a shared mandate
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"I
believe this momentous occasion is a time for reflection. For deep in our
hearts, as Bhutanese citizens, we will be able to see beyond the pain of
His Majesty's selfless act and find that this special nation built by His
Majesty is left to none other than the people of Bhutan. Such devolution
is a source of great optimism for our future. I share His Majesty's complete
faith in the people and I believe that we will, as His Majesty has bestowed
today, leave to our own children such a gift in 30 years.
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| the 5th Druk Gyalpo, HM Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
| In
gentle, measured tones, the fifth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Khesar
Namgyel Wangchuck, expressed his own commitment and outlined a broad mandate
for the Bhutanese people in his National Day address on December 17, his
quiet confidence conveyed to all corners of the kingdom through a live
broadcast. |
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Members
of the royal family, representatives of the clergy and the government,
and thousands of people who were gathered in the capital for the historic
event listened to the young Monarch, their faith growing with every word.
Around
the country men, women, and children gathered around radio and television
sets to watch and to hear history come alive.
Only
three days back the fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck,
had told the nation that there could not be a better time for this happy
transition as he handed over to his royal heir the responsibility to provide
leadership for the nation's future.
After
the National Day celebrations, reports from around the country confirmed
that the young Monarch's natural empathy with the people had left the older
generation re-assured and the youth inspired.
"I
have carried a sense of loss since His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo announced
his abdication in our Dzongkhag last year," said Namgay Thinley, a carpenter
in Trashiyangtse. "Today, it disappeared. I feel somehow that the only
difference is the name of our King. Everything else is the same."
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| Characteristically,
His Majesty himself appeared to prefer the public spaces to the royal podium
during the celebrations and images of the royal figure among the people
stirred nostalgic memories in many observers. "His father did exactly the
same in 1974," said a government minister. For a moment I had to shake
myself to remind myself that I was looking at our new King." "I was overcome
with emotion," said a former Dzongda in Sha Rubesa. "Having served under
three Monarchs I couldn't believe I was watching another King address the
nation." |
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His
Majesty the King also outlined the priorities for the country. "Henceforth,
our responsibilities will always be first and foremost, the peace and tranquility
of the nation; the sovereignty and security of our country; the fulfilling
of the vision of Gross National Happiness and; the strengthening of this
new system of democracy." To achieve these objectives Bhutan had to build
a strong and dynamic economy, His Majesty added.
His
Majesty reminded the people that the future of the country had been placed
in their hands and its destiny was now their responsibility.
According
to Jigme Choden, who is training to become a teacher, this was not difficult
to do. "I will dedicate myself to my work," she said. "I will teach my
students everything that I know. If each one of us makes a small difference,
we will make a big difference together."
His
Majesty spoke to the youth of Bhutan. They responded and, across the country,
young people welcomed their new King.
"I
couldn't stay home and watch the ceremony on TV," said Tandin Wangdi, a
16-year old student of Drugyal Higher Secondary School who joined the crowd
in Thimphu. "I wanted to be a part of the historic change. I love my King."
"I
have never experienced a more exciting time than today," said Dechen, a
NIE student. "The old order is yielding to the new generation. We are looking
forward to working under a new young King."
Tandin
Wangchuk, a student at the celebrations in Samdrup Jongkhar, said that
he was excited to be one of those persons who will get to serve the new
King. "He is the King of our generation and, somehow, I feel equally empowered
and responsible."
In
Mongar a former civil servant told his family as they watched the celebrations
in Thimphu: "Our King is attentive to the common people. That way he knows
and understands the kidu of the poorer sections of society. That is the
ultimate quality of a good King."
Pragmatic
citizens around the country indicated that the change will be smooth. "Fathers
always hand over their responsibilities to their sons," said Dechen Pema,
a 34-year old housewife in Haa. "Like His Majesty himself said, there is
no better time than today for handing over the responsibilities. The Crown
Prince will have to take over one day anyway, so why not now when the time
is ripe?"
Wangda,
74, lives in Thimphu. "It is not a stranger coming in our midst," he told
Kuensel. He was our own Crown Prince. Just as each King was succeeded by
his heir our fourth King, in his wisdom that has never failed us, has decided
to hand over the reigns to the fifth King. So here he is. Let us fold our
hands and welcome him."
As
Bhutan turned an important page in its history, it was a Bhutanese event
for Bhutanese people. But the world watched, with some astonishment, much
interest, and even admiration.
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| India's
ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Sudhir Vyas, said that it was a privilege to
witness such historic developments in the country. "I was deeply struck,
emotionally struck, by the significance and weight of this particular day,
this particular celebration," he told Kuensel on National Day. "I, as an
observer, could experience such strong emotion. I can only begin to appreciate
what this may have meant to the Bhutanese people this morning. I also see
a very bright future for our two countries, bilateral relations, cooperative
programmes, and for our aspirations for the well being, happiness and prosperity
of our people during the reign of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Wangchuck." |
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"I
feel it was a very sad day to see the King step down but, on the other
hand, it was also an important and happy day in the sense that it was a
coming of age for Bhutan and an important step towards the institution
of parliamentary democracy," said the UN resident representative, Mr. Nicholas
Rosilini. "I could see the emotions of the people gathered around and also
that he will continue the tradition of his father to be with the people."
Visibly
overwhelmed, the representatives of all sections of Bhutanese society pledged
their support for the transition that represented a new milestone in Bhutanese
history.
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| the 5th Druk Gyalpo, HM Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
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The
Prime Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, said that Bhutan had been blessed
with the rule of the Wangchuck dynasty and would continue to enjoy peace
and prosperity during the reign of the fifth Druk Gyalpo.
"As a mark of
gratitude to His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and unflinching loyalty
and dedication to our beloved Monarch, the fifth Druk Gyalpo His Majesty
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, we offer our solemn pledge to assume, as
commanded by His Majesty the King during his address to us on National
Day, the sacred responsibility of ensuring the security and sovereignty
of our nation and nurturing and carrying forward the peaceful and prosperous
nation that His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has bestowed upon us." |
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The
Chief Justice, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye, said that the judiciary of Bhutan would
look upon His Majesty, the new Head of State, to protect and uphold the
judiciary and for his wise guidance to strengthen accountability, transparency
and the just dispensation of the functions of the judiciary as mandated
by the Constitution.
The
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dasho Ugyen Dorje, pointed out that the
fifth Druk Gyalpo would have to shoulder greater responsibilities than
past Monarchs with a new parliamentary democracy to be introduced in 2008.
"Nevertheless, under the dynamic leadership of His Majesty, the country
will enjoy peace and prosperity and his relentless efforts will always
be cherished by the people," he said. "The people are committed to serve
the country with even greater efforts in the new era."
His
Holiness the Je Khenpo said that it was because of the merit and good fortunes
of the Bhutanese people that such an auspicious transition was taking place.
His Holiness said that it was a significant moment in history that a new
King was taking over the responsibility at a time when the country was
introducing important changes. "It is a sign of unprecedented peace and
prosperity," he said. "I offer my sincere prayers and wishes so that the
sun of happiness will always shine on our young dynamic King and on the
Bhutanese people."
| This
article was contributed by Kuensel, Bhutan's national newspaper, 2006 |
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Tashichhodzong
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