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On the occasion of the 105th National Day, it gives me much happiness to address our People of the 20 dzongkhags.
This National Day is of special significance. The powers offered by our People to the King in 1907 were, after hundred years of Nation building, returned in 2008 to our People by the Druk Gyalpo. It was in that year that we held the first elections under democracy and adopted the Constitution. Today we are nearing the end of the term of the first Parliament we elected in 2008 and the culmination of the tenth and largest 5-year plan. So much work lies ahead and such immense responsibilities rest on our shoulders as we approach [read more...]
My fellow Bhutanese, it gives me great joy to speak to you on this auspicious occasion marking the day Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck ascended the Throne, in 1907. Our nation has been blessed with the benevolent reigns of four monarchs since.
It is exactly five years since I became King. In these five years, we have made a successful transition to democracy. The elected government, bureaucracy and government agencies have implemented important development activities effectively and we have continued to achieve impressive socio-economic growth. Bhutan’s relations with other nations have grown more diverse and strong. I am extremely proud of these achievements and the people and I, are deeply grateful to the government, dratshang, civil service and [read more...]
With my deep respects to His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and the People of Japan, I hereby accept with great humility this opportunity to address the Diet of the nation of Japan:
Your Excellency the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Your Excellency the President of the House of Councilors, Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Excellencies, members of this august house, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I stand here before you – a young man in the presence of great wisdom, experience and achievement – in an institution of such eminence and consequence in world history. There is little that I can say to be of much use to you. On the contrary, it is I who [read more...]
Honorable President, Honourable Dean, Members of the faculty,
I thank you for conferring this honour upon me and giving me this opportunity to speak to the students of this esteemed university.
My dear students,
I have been King, but for 5 years. I can only tell you my own thoughts and experiences and hope that you take away something from it.
In contemplating how to be a good King for Bhutan, I realized one thing very early on. This world we live in is forever changing – the speed and vastness of the change is astonishing. One decade is unrecognizable from the last. What we take for granted today, was not imagined yesterday.
Take for example – our [read more...]
His Majesty the King graced the closing session of the National Graduates’ Orientation Program. His Majesty started by introducing Queen-to-be Jetsun Pema to the 1698 students.
His Majesty the King’s Address to the Graduate Students:
This is Jetsun Pema. We will be married soon. When the third King was Paro Penlop, he married in Ugyen Pelri and Paro dzong on the 1st of October. My father married on the 31st of October 1988 in Punakha. So I decided to set my date on the 13th of October. I have known Jetsun for many years. We will, as you all know, serve you and the country throughout our lives. I am happy to introduce you [read more...]
In an unprecedented and historic gesture, His Majesty the King granted dhar and kabney to the 190 Gups who were elected in the first historic local government elections of 27 June 2011. The award of kabney to Gups by His Majesty is unprecedented and symbolises the importance and apolitical nature of local governments in the new governance era.
His Majesty the King’s Address to the Gups:
I say, with happiness and great satisfaction, that in the few years since 2008, we have conducted the general elections, adopted the Constitution, and formed the houses of Parliament, constitutional bodies, and the Supreme Court. And today we have accomplished yet another milestone, in establishing the first local governments under democracy. We [read more...]
His Majesty the King graced the convocation ceremony of the graduates from eight colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan. His Majesty spoke at length to the graduates and individually awarded degree certificates to 1088 students.
On the start of democracy and its future in Bhutan
On this issue, I can only repeat what I recently told the newly elected Gups recently. Our main priorities are the peace, prosperity, security and sovereignty of Bhutan. Towards these goals, we must all work together in first safeguarding our strong foundation of unity and harmony. In our small society, divisions and cleavages can manifest themselves in very destructive ways. We have seen this in other larger countries and the great price [read more...]
It is with immense joy that we are gathered together on this most auspicious day. In these last 100 years the dreams and aspirations of our forefathers and the vision of our Kings have been fulfilled beyond all expectations.
The wise and selfless leadership of our kings, the sacrifice and hard work of generations of Bhutanese and the special bond between the People and King have given us this unique and special nation – a jewel of the earth.
Two years ago, at a time of profound change I came onto the Throne as a young King. You, my people, in the spirit of generations past, worked with me with complete faith and gave me your wholehearted cooperation [read more...]
HIS MAJESTY’S ADDRESS AT THE THIRD CONVOCATION OF THE ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF BHUTAN, PARO COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 17 FEB 2009
It always makes me very happy to meet and spend time with you. And when we do get the opportunity, we all want it to be a happy time. However, we must also understand the difference between getting together as friends to talk and laugh and then getting together to work for our people and country. At this moment, with so many senior officials gathered together, we must say we are here for work.
I can say so many good things today about the success of our country, about the hard work of our people. We have done [read more...]
On the occasion of the concluding ceremony of the 3rd session of Parliament, I congratulate the elected government of the Druk Phuensum Tshokpa on the completion of one year and four months in office. In these early days of a new political system while bearing great responsibilities you have, despite the limited resources, successfully carried out the difficult duties of government in service of the Tsawasum.
The Opposition, though comprised of only two members, has through diligence and commitment, fulfilled the important duties of the Opposition party enshrined in the Constitution.
The members of the National Council, in the interest of the country’s future, have shouldered their profound duties with accomplishment. I must express my deep gratitude and [read more...]
It is now almost three years and three months since the start of democracy. Our nation has so much to be proud of. The first years of democracy have been a great success, made possible by the blessings of the Dharma and our Guardian Deities and the fou… [read more...]
Before the Royal Address, His Majesty The King expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash in Nepal. His Majesty said that he has been deeply saddened by the loss and offered a thousand butter lamps in Tashichho Dzong yesterda… [read more...]
Since assuming Kingship in December 2006, I have travelled outside Bhutan four times – each time it has been to India. Indo-Bhutan friendship is of paramount importance and something we hold dear. We must always work to further strengthen and deepen it… [read more...]
Your Excellency Shrimati Patil, President of India, Your Excellencies, Dignitaries, Doon Alumni, Chairman Analjit, Board members, Headmaster and students of Doon School, I am delighted to be here at an important milestone in the history of an exceptio… [read more...]
Most Honourable President of India,Your Excellencies,Dignitaries,NDC family, I remember vividly my days at the National Defence College. I can recall looking at the plaque bearing Pandit Nehru’s speech at the entrance of the building, as I walked in… [read more...]
Calcutta University, Kolkata, October 5, 2010. Honorable Chancellor and members of the University, distinguished guests, and my dear students of the University of Calcutta, You may have in the past had as speakers, leaders from your society and count… [read more...]
During my year at the National Defence College in Delhi, I came to value my visits to this auditorium as a place, at which one would hear words of wisdom delivered, often very memorably. I always thought of myself as the humble listener. Even though I… [read more...]
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