A Tribute
I had the great honour and privilege of serving His Majesty since his days at school in North Point, Darjeeling in the early 1960s, until he became the Crown Prince in 1972 at the tender age of sixteen.
Hence, I take pride in saying that I have served His Majesty for a lifetime.
I stood in great awe of our King. His concern fro the people from all parts of the country, his compassionate vision and drive to improve people’s welfare, well-being and livelihoods are most admirable. The King respected all religions and especially Buddhism and Hinduism. He always wanted to do what was right and not what was simply popular. I sincerely believe that had it not been for the direct intervention of His Majesty in the early 1970s, the national Monk Body would have been what it is today, the environment and forests of Bhutan may have been damaged seriously, and the national foreign exchange reserves and the exchequer may have been frittered away. He was deeply concerned with children’s education and would go to great lengths to ensure the health and well-being of the people, even if medical treatment had to be obtained at great expense to the ground.
My family and I will always fondly and respectfully cherish the personal consideration shown to us throughout our lives by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth Druk Gyalpo and Their Majesties the Queens.
Lyonpo Om Pradhan, Former Minister Source: The Legacy of a King