On this joyous
National Day Celebration, I would like to pay my humble tribute to our kings
who gave us so much and sacrificed their all in the service of their people. As
we celebrate this joyous 108th National Day, may the gods and
goddesses, divines and angels, and lords and power above continue to bless our
nation with peace, prosperity and happiness for all times to come.
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| MY BELOVED KINGS |
The Buddha of all times and Realms blessed the Pelden Drukpa
with the gifts of selfless kings. All our beloved kings had a common VISION and
that is the HAPPINESS and WELL BEING of their people. All through the times and
ages they kept on persuading their common vision in chronology, and they gave
all theirs to see us smiling. Here are some instances of our kings persuading
the well being of us all
His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuk, the Founding Monarch’s letter written to the viceroy of India dated September 5, 1921. (From the book Myth & Memory by Tshering
Tashi)
“In 1914 I sent 45 boys to be taught in Kalimpong, and
started a school in Bumthang” that is the first step to remove barrier
of ignorance from my people for development. Letter continues… “the problem now is how best to utilize
them, there is a great need of medical knowledge to relieve suffering (of his people) to deal with these
epidemic I like to see at least two of them trained as doctor” in the following
lines king also requests two students to be trained as veterinary doctors to take care of
animals and three be trained in agriculture as real basis of
prosperity lies in agriculture and almost the whole population depends on it.
He also wanted six to be trained in science for initiating a
system of education for people at large.
It’s so emotional to know our king begged assistance for us “I take the liberty of asking your
Excellency’s warm interest in the welfare of my country and of laying before
you certain proposals for its development” letter ends
His Majesty Jigme Wangchuk, the consolidator’s concern for
the well being of his people (as stated
by Dr. Sonam Kinga in his book Polity Kingship and democracy)
Our second king could not tolerate to see a bit of injustice
in the society that would hamper the well being of his people in any way. He
was not happy about the interest rate of lending money in the society, so in a kasho to Gongzim sonam Tobgay he wrote, “thus far, the
interest rate for the principal sum of nu.20 is Nu. 5. This is very high and I
feel it is oppressive for the people. Thus an interest of Nu 4 be charged
hereafter”
In a similar instance the law requires a foal born to any
taxpayer’s mare be offered to government but our king abolished it and instead
granted a horse each to smaller family to help. Like his father he had great
love and care for his people and most of all he inherited king fathers vision
of creating a fair society. Therefore, he begun the tax reform from the moment
he was crown the successor to his father.
His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, The father of Modern
Bhutan’s prayers and wishes for the future. (Taken
from the book The Facts of Bhutan by Lily Wangchuk)
Bhutan and the Bhutanese were brought into the lights of
modernity and secured its independence at the international fonts with its
dream membership in UNO and still his big heart wishes more for his people. He
had two most demanding task at hand the moment he was crowned. He had to attend
to his father’s inherited vision for more just society within and pressure of
modernity from outside to open up. But with his wise wisdom he served the
people and created democratic system in the form of Tshogdu, serfdom, RAA and
council of ministers but also timely ended the isolation that his father
maintained. Country was set on planed development path and security sealed and
he had this prayers:
“If I were to make a prayer, I would ask that during my sons
reign the people of my country would be more prosperous and happy than they are
today…”
His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the visionary King (extract
from His majesty’s speech in Deothang, 2003 taken from the book Nation’s Gem by
Kuensel )
No praise or gift would ever be adequate to thank his 34
years of selfless and excellent service to the people of Bhutan. As we retrace
and relive our great fourths reign and time we just know he is the god who
chose to measure a country’s progress through the smiles of his people.
Shouldering the responsibility of looking after his country
and people from the very tender age, he taught his people to be independent; he
trained his people to govern themselves through systematic DYT and GYT
programs, sacrificed his life for the country's security, kept ready made
leaders for the people and gifted the Democracy from the throne.
Here is one touching line of our king (extract from His
majesty’s speech in Deothang, 2003 taken from the book Nation’s Gem by Kuensel
) “I
will not stay in the capital and give orders. I hold the responsibility of
safeguarding the security and independence of our nation. I am here today, to
look after the safety and welfare of our soldiers, because I worry from the
heart for you are all like my own children. This is my true responsibility”
KADRIN CHEY MEWANG CHOG.
His Majesty Jigme Khasar Namgyel Wangchuk, the people’s king
shares how he shall serve as king.
(Coronation speech on 7th of November, 2008,
Changlimithang, Thimphu)
Our beloved his majesty the king, like his
king father do not have any desires for himself except for his people.
“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.”
It’s so fascinating to know how a common wisdom is being
passed down from generation to generation, we are lucky to be ruled by the
kings whose only wish is to see us smiling…
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| Photo of Gyeltshen: A sign of Victory captured at Digap on 10/11/2015 |
Thank you your Majesties’
PELDEN DRUKPA GYALO
