Inaugural session

June 26, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Legislature, Monarchy
I’m posting the speech I delivered in Parliament today. I’d proposed a vote of thanks for His Majesty the King’s gracious presence during the inaugural ceremony of the third session of the Parliament. The original speech was delivered in Dzongkha. And I spoke from points I had prepared earlier. But I’ve tried my best to translate what I presented into English as accurately as possible. The photograph shows Tshering Tobgay addressing the National Assembly’s second session in January 2009 Vote of Thanks to His Majesty the King Welcome His Majesty the King On this most auspicious day, I, on…

Social risk

May 14, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
About a month ago I’d written about the Political Instability Index, EIU’s forecast of the likelihood of political unrest for165 countries. The Index ranked Norway as the world’s most politically stable country, and Zimbabwe the most volatile. 95 countries were considered “very high risk” or “high risk”; 53 countries “moderate risk”; and only 17 countries were deemed to be “low risk”. Bhutan, ranked 108, was rated at “moderate risk” to socio-political upheaval. Bhutanese Blogger expressed disappointment that I didn’t elaborate and commented: "I am disheartened that Your Excellency has chosen to blog this but do not have any opinion…

Sustaining happiness

April 29, 2009Posted inCivil society, Monarchy
I’m in Phuentsholing, on my way back from a special trip to my constituency. I went there to receive Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, who visited Sombaykha and Gakiling in my constituency, and then to accompany the royal entourage to Dumtoe and Dorokha in Samtse.Her Majesty trekked for eight straight days, from the freezing Tergo-la in Haa to the hot and humid Yaba-la in Samtse. She undertook this arduous journey – trudging in the cold winds and snow, in the rain among leeches, and in the sun in sweltering heat – to meet the people…

Nazhoen Pelri, Phuntsholing

April 15, 2009Posted inCivil society, Monarchy
Yesterday I had the good fortune of attending the opening ceremony of Nazhoen Pelri, YDF’s youth hostel in Phuntsholing. The hostel was inaugurated by the YDF President, Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. I am pleased the post Her Majesty’s address to YDF supporters, the Phuntsholing community and the youth of Bhutan.Almost four years have passed since the Youth Development Fund initiated our plan of making a hostel in Phuntsholing, a hostel which will be useful for providing the youth with low cost housing. Today, our plans have finally become a reality and we now have Nazhoen Pelri Youth…

Women warriors

March 21, 2009Posted inCivil society, Monarchy, Women
Fourteen villages in my constituency, most of them in Gakiling gewog, do not have electricity. Every night, women in these villages turn their rangthang, a traditional stone mill, grinding buckwheat, maize and millet for several hours in virtual darkness. Working the rangthang is hard work in the best of conditions. But in the dark, by a hearth that offers more smoke than light, grinding food is a lonely and backbreaking exercise. Yet is must be done, for they must feed their families the next day.So yesterday, when 35 women from similar villages across Bhutan announced that, in three months,…

Returned rightfully?

March 17, 2009Posted inGovernment, Monarchy
On 7 March, BBS reported that: “The land occupied by the Paro Valley Area Development Project was finally handed over to the landowners today. It was handed over by the Agriculture Minister Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho to the Member of the Parliament from Lamgong-Wangchang constituency in Paro, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.”The principle of returning the land to the public is right. The land was acquired by the government in 1990 and compensation paid to the farmers. But it was never put to its intended use. So though it’s been almost two decades, there is a strong case to return the land…

Happy Birthday

February 21, 2009Posted inMonarchy
Earlier today, 14 lucky students got to wish His Majesty the King Happy Birthday! I’m very happy for them.I’m also proud of them. For those 14 children, all toppers in the 2008 national examinations, gave our monarch a valuable gift – the promise “that their young little hands grow to become strong and worthy of carrying our nation to greater heights.”On the happy occasion of His Majesty’s 29th Birth Anniversary, I join those successful students, and the entire nation, in wishing our beloved king Happy Birthday! And in offering prayers for His Majesty’s long life.May peace, prosperity and happiness…

Committed vision

February 20, 2009Posted inEducation, Monarchy
“My duty is to worry every single day about our people and country. And to voice these worries frankly so that we do not get carried away, get caught unawares, or become complacent” commanded His Majesty the King to the teacher graduates during their convocation on 17th February (read full text). His Majesty then articulated his concerns about our education system with the clarity, earnestness and sense of urgency that comes from “worrying every single day”.Our education system has recently come under increasing fire. Yet seemingly little is being done. So His Majesty’s counsel is timely. No doubt, the…

Tashi Delek!

December 18, 2008Posted inMonarchy
Yesterday, Changlimethang Stadium His Majesty the King addressing his people during the Centenary National Day. (Portrait from www.bbs.com.bt) .................................................................... I offer my congratulations to the recipients of the Druk Gyalpo’s National Day medals. His Majesty the King awarded Druk Thuksey to: 1. Dasho Kunzang Wangdi 2. Aum Neten Zam 3. Dasho Pema Wangchuk 4. Dasho Pema Wangchen His Majesty the King awarded the Druk Wangyel to: 1. Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley 2. Thrimche Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye My heartiest Tashi Delek! to all of them.

The constitution of our nation

December 17, 2008Posted inMonarchy
Today, we celebrate our 101st National Day. Today will also mark the culmination of the year-long celebrations commemorating a century of peace, prosperity and happiness under our beloved monarchs. As we conclude the historic celebrations of 100 years of monarchy, we have many reasons to be deeply thankful: a secure and sovereign homeland, a vibrant culture and religion, a largely pristine environment, free healthcare and education, a unique democracy, and a growing economy. Simply put, we live longer, better and happier lives. And as we enter the next 100 years as a unified nation, we must uphold our two…

Jewel of books

December 9, 2008Posted inCulture, Monarchy
Twenty months ago the Tarayana Foundation invited Bhutanese to compose poems celebrating His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Of the more than two hundred entries, 25 poems were selected and compiled into the book “Jewel of Men”. These poems express the deep feelings – of love, affection and reverence – that all Bhutanese hold for our beloved monarch.“Jewel of Men” was launched yesterday by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, in a warm ceremony commemorating our Fourth King. Present were HRH Ashi Sonam Dechen Wangchuck, who delivered an eloquent welcome, and HRH Dasho Jigyel…

Volunteers for Bhutan

November 20, 2008Posted inMonarchy
The Coronation was a grand success! The Coronation – our coronation – showcased Bhutan’s unique culture and tradition. It also put on full display the love, affection and reverence that all Bhutanese have for our monarch. I offer my heartiest congratulations to all the people responsible for making this historic national event a resounding success: The NSCCC, Zhung Dratshang, Home Ministry, Tourism Council, Protocol Department, schools, police, Thimphu Dzongkhag and City Corporation, hospital, media, City Bus, Department of Works and Housing, utility companies, DNP, and many others. And I pay special tribute to the countless volunteers who came from…