For All Time to Come
Just before sunrise on this tropical island that is my adopted home, the ocean breeze is translucent, gentle rain showers blessings, and birds sing their hearts out in anticipation of a beautiful day. It is my favourite time fro a quiet reflection. And this morning was especially quiet and more reflective than ever.
The last Kasho (royal decree) of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo arrived on my laptop screen this morning. The Kasho’s content did not surprise me. My sixth sense had told me – with an unusual clarity some time ago – that I must expect such an announcement, not in 2008, but on National Day 2006. This insight hit me like a thunderbolt, but I reflected on it a little and thought it quite logical, most reasonable and exceedingly wise.
In other words, I was fully prepared.
It is the singular hallmark of a great leader to know when to leave and to act on the knowledge when the time is right – and to do so for nothing other than a higher purpose, bigger than life.
There has been quite a few so-called ‘great leaders’ in the world’s history. But, whether in business, politics or anything else, few ever managed to complete their leadership in this sterling manner.
I wish for the people of Bhutan to know how rare and precious this Kasho is in the entire written history of mankind. And I especially want the youth of Bhutan to know it, for the future of the nation is in their hands.
It is my ardent prayer that every Bhutanese citizen cherishes this final official act of their great leader. Cherish it and guard it with ‘your body, speech and mind’. *Hold it high, as the precious and practicable yardstick against which to measure everything you do from now on and ‘for all time to come’.*
That, I dare say, is the wisest and most satisfying reply to the ‘faith and belief in the people of Bhutan’ *entrusted by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo ‘to look after the future of our nation…’.*
May the Heavens continue to smile on the people of Drukyul!
*Quote from the Royal Kasho
Meiko Nishimizu
Former Vice-President, The World Bank
Written on December 15, 2006
In the British Virgin Islands
Source: The Legacy of a King