BORN GREAT
On November 11, 1955, the Triple Gem bequeathed a precious gem to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan, in the form of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who was born at the Dechenchholing Palace in Thimphu.
When His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck passed away in Nairobi,, Kenya, on July 21, 1972, the task of taking the country forward fell on the young shoulders of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. On June 2, 1974, at the age of eighteen, His Majesty formally took over the reins of governance as the world’s youngest Monarch. Since then, Bhutan witnessed tremendous progress and joined the bandwagon of modern states and then a democracy.
Last Friday (November 11), the country celebrated the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 56th birth anniversary. Bhutan TODAY’s Sangay Rinchen brings forward words from various people about the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
The Minister of Works and Human Settlement Yeshi Zimba called His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo “a giant among world leaders.” “His Majesty was not only a great King but an enlightened human being,” Lyonpo said. He added that His Majesty’s “thoughts and deeds were extraordinarily profound and great and his life style most simple and ordinary.” “A true indication of a great soul, Bhutan is truly fortunate and blessed to have had such an enlightened and wise leader at one of the most critical periods of its history” Lyonpo said.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay said that His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo has immortalized Bhutan in the history of the world. “His Majesty took great pains to save the country from danger and bestowed the Constitution to secure liberty and freedom for his people.” Lyonpo said. “In words he imprinted us by leading through example, and in body he defined the sovereignty and security of the Kingdom. His inspiring life and exemplary action has fostered and secured the nation’s future,” the Chief Justice said.
“When the virtues of the land, the blessings of the divine, and the good fortune of a people unite, the consequence has to be the Abode of the Peaceful Dragon. And when the excellence of body, speech and mind combine, the result has to be our Wangchuck Kings. If the role of King is to match the soul of Majesty, the sublime effect is Pel Miwang Jigme Singye Wangchuck,” the Education Minister, Thakur Singh Powdyel said.
Lyonpo added that “Bhutan and the Bhutanese people will never be able to repay to our King of Destiny for what our beloved Druk Gyal Zhipa has done for us.” “Humble token of a grateful subject, I would to offer the most sacred prayers of my heart for the long life, good health and happiness of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Happy Birthday to You, Most Gracious Majesty, today and for all times to come!”
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader wrote in his blog: “History has not witnessed a King, who, at the peak of his glorious reign, renounced the throne to bequeath a functioning democracy to his people. In this, and all others, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, who has dedicated his body, speech and mind in the service of his people, is beyond comparison. To him, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, The Great Fourth, architect of Bhutan’s peace, prosperity and happiness, role model and hero, embodiment of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, I offer this humble tribute to cherish and celebrate his precious legacy.”
Calling the Fourth Druk Gyalpo “a truly visionary leader who has positively transformed Bhutan and placed it at a very respectable place on the world stage,” the Chief Executive Officer, Druk Holdings and Investment (DHI), Karma Yonten, said that His Majesty has “strengthened what it means to be Bhutanese.” “His Majesty’s enlightened view on development, distilled in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, has drawn interest and admiration for Bhutan from all over the world,” the CEO continued. “We are forever indebted and grateful to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for personally ensuring the security of our country, for the peace that we have enjoyed, and for taking care of the welfare of our people. As we celebrate the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 56th birthday we would like to wish him a very long life, good health and happiness.”
“We are here because of the path that His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo made,” Ugyen Tshering, Budget Officer, Department of Budget and Accounts, Thimphu, said. “The Wangchuck Dynasty is our jugular vein and as we celebrate the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 56th birthday, we are reassured that His Majesty the King is there doing exactly what his father has done.”
Source: bhutantoday.bt