This week
is celebrated as ‘Special Dedication Week’ to His Majesty the fourth Druk
Gyalpo on His 60th birth anniversary in Bhutan. Every day–for–a–week, we are having different
messages and programs. We light butter lamps for the king which is arranged (a
small altar) in front of the assembly ground. We sing Zhabten(a special prayer
for long life). Many students’ speakers spoke about the fourth king in the
morning assembly. There were also quiz questions based on the fourth king’s life.
We solemnize
this week to our living legacy. We express and show our gratitude, honor, homage,
accolade, commendation, felicitation, wish, pledge, gratefulness, thankfulness,
appreciation, greeting and pay tribute, and we pray for his happy and long
life. To honor the occasion, I recounted a short fact about the fourth Druk
Gyalpo during one of my a week duties (Teacher on Duty)
King Jigme
Singye Wangchuck
was born at Dechencholing Palace, Thimphu on 11 November 1955, to the Third
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Her Majesty Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang
Choden Wangchuck.
The mantle of leadership, when Bhutan was at a crossroads both domestically and internationally,
fell on him, on June 2, 1974, when he became the king of Bhutan at the age of
18.
He married
to the four queens, Ashi Dorji Wangmo
Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and
Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, who all are daughters of Yab Ugyen Dorji and Yum
Thuji Zam.
He brought many landmarks
developments, like construction of Chukha Hydropower Project, road networks,
decentralization of administrations, opening to tourism, became a member of many
organization like WHO, UNESCO, World bank, IMF, SAARC, established RIM in Bhutan,
established Gewog Yargay Tshochung, etc…
During his reign, he firmly
established our status as an independent, sovereign nation.
During his reign, King Jigme Singye
Wangchuck expanded diplomatic relations with many foreign countries. His Majesty
foreign policy deepens Bhutan’s relations with many countries especially India.
Bhutan also received many high-level foreign visitors including various Prime Ministers
of India; Yasser Arafat; Prince Naruhito of Japan, the King Birendra of Nepal,
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh, and I.K. Gujral; and Prince
Charles of Wales, to name a few.
The country overcame the militancy
of the southern rebels in the 1990s. His Majesty led the "operation flush
out" team against ULFA, KLO and NDFB militants. The well-armed militants
from Assam and Bengal had illegally entered jungles of southern Bhutan and camped in some 30 locations while carrying out attacks
back in Assam and Bengal. Our King personally headed the military operation and
flushed them out in three days, which might have brought a security threat to the
country.
The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, also drafted
the Constitution of Bhutan with his people, providing the legal framework for a
democratic, political system for Bhutan. The drafting of the Constitution for
the kingdom of Bhutan is an exemplary stride towards democracy. In many
countries, the changes in the system of governments were brought externally
through revolution and public strife. However, the Bhutanese are fortunate
since the change came as a gift to the people of Bhutan from the Throne. The
Constitution was offered to the people at a time when the country enjoyed
unparalleled peace and stability with total harmony and unshakable fidelity
between the King and the people.
The fourth king abdicated the thrown
for the people in 2006 and in favor
of his son Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
A larger than life figure, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is a national hero of different historic dimensions and aspects of national status and life. His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the creator of GNH (Gross National Happiness) and the Father of the Nation.
I
also recited a short oath to our king which I have written very recently:
Our
joy ring, we sing
Long
may our land be bright
With
freedom’s holy light
Great
God, our king.
King
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
United, peace
and spring of development brought
Thank
you.
Long
live our beloved king.
May His Majesty enjoy many years of
happiness and may the flag of Pelden Drukpa continue to flutter high under the
reign of his son, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Long live the Fourth Druk Gyalpo!
Palden Drukpa Gyelo!
Not
only me, our students also read so many beautiful messages and tributes to our
king.
One
of these messages is written below; which was read out by Mr. Dawa Thsering of
class V B. I wrote this piece for him.
My King: The Jewel of our Country
My
king, my country’s king. He is helpful to all the people. He worries about his
country. He makes good decisions to help people when any problem comes.
I
am glad to have a smart and brave king. He guides our small nation with great
love and affection. He is guiding us to the realms of modernity without
sacrificing our great tradition. He is our guardian.
My
king is my parent. He is very popular everywhere. He has built many schools and
hospitals, roads, electricity, etc, for his people.
I
have my poem here for you, Your Majesty.
You
are the bud of love
And
country’s king
You
are so special
You
are the king of many great hearts
And
jewel of our country.
