Some year-end thoughts
29 December, 2007 - We started 2007 with a royal visit to India and the signing of the updated India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, symbolizing a new era of political stability. We end the year with the first stage of our parliamentary elections. In between we had much to talk about and much more to think about.
The talk was mostly politics. With the Draft Constitution updated, 47 constituencies finalized, the National Assembly as well as the Lhengye Zhungtshog dissolved, and two political parties registered, democracy was on its way. Although democracy was symbolically defeated when yellow party won, hands down, in the mock elections, the goal now is a vibrant democracy. Women joined active politics this year.Discourse seemed to regress as the electoral process progressed. Today, political discussion is confined to who is doing what to whom and who is saying what about whom. Only months after the start of the electoral process some of us are wondering, ‘What did we talk about at dinners and gatherings and even in offices all these years?’
What we talk about, of course, is less important than what we think about or, more important, what we should be thinking about. Politics itself has raised more questions than answers, starting with “Can there be clean politics?”. If we said “yes” we might not believe it ourselves. But we still need the conviction and determination to do it cleaner than others.
But it is not just politics. Political discourse is just beginning and will, inevitably, expand in length and depth. The discourse on democracy will have no beginning and no end. There is much else to think about as another calendar year comes to an end.
Where will economic development reach if we build roads like the Babesa freeway? What will be the national impact of the Punatsangchu project? With the north-eastern belt of India booming, how are we responding in terms of industrial development? Will DHI come up with a substantive strategy for economic growth?
We have in the back of our minds the growing youth population looking for jobs - 7,200 at the end of 2006. There are more than 125 HIV positive cases detected and some of them are dying of AIDS. Is ACC’s voice being drowned by the louder noises in the anti corruption discussions? And how about the growing global concern over climate change?
These are just some of the problems we are looking at.
His Majesty the King has outlined a number of priorities for the nation in the perspective of Bhutan as a state. Speaking to college students, university graduates, Assembly members, and the public, His Majesty’s message has been consistent. “… my goals for Bhutan are simple. We will build a vibrant democracy founded on a strong economy. This will be the means through which we will achieve Gross National Happiness and fulfill the aspirations of our people.”
With all these on the plate we have very little time for petty politics.
It’s not perfect, but to me, on balance, Right Now is a lot better than the Good Old Days
Source: Kuensel Editorial