Opinions

It felt as if Jigme Namgyel finally returned to Trongsa after 135 years. As His Majesty The King and His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo accompanied by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, members of the Royal Family and representatives of the people took His Royal Highness The Gyalsey into Trongsa Dzong on December 18,

1907. December 17. When the people’s representatives signed the historic ‘Gyenja’, little did they imagine the future that they were creating for Bhutan. The journey of nation building subsequently assumed a heightened sense of purpose and clarity.

The Trongsa valley, steeped in rich spiritual and political history, has been home to momentous events as Bhutan emerged from a mythological past, overcame an era of medieval intrigue, and evolved into a modern nation state. But the spirit of the 109th National Day of Bhutan is magical even by the standards of the Kingdom’s enchanted past.

December 9, 2006, the 20th day of the 10th month of the Fire Dog year. In an extraordinary moment of Bhutanese history, two Kings sat in the Throne room of Trashichhodzong and made a sacred transition. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, handed over the reigns of governance to his son and heir, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

As Bhutan searches to find its own path to healthy economic growth, I share a lesson or two from a recent trip to New York.

Bhutan celebrates the tenth year of His Majesty The King’s glorious reign. This decade of caring reign has been a period of continued peace, prosperity and marked by a most hallowed sense of commitment to nation building. All of it in the midst of momentous change.

For many, mountains evoke powerful emotions with their breathtaking landscapes that inspire wonder. Mountains cover nearly 27 percent of the world’s land surface and directly support 22 percent of the world’s people.

Not long ago, most people living in Thimphu had to go to the vegetable market to get their provisions for the week. At the corner of the weekend bazaar, like the vegetable vendors,

The future livelihoods of tobacco farmers matter. Seeking out and securing market-based alternatives is of vital importance. 

Supporting tobacco farmers find alternative livelihoods is both necessary and proper. As demand for tobacco products among wealthier countries declines, and as measures to roll-back tobacco consumption in the developing world take effect, farming communities must have the tools needed to secure their future.

What is “FabLab”?

Many subscribers of Kuensel may remember that in the interview featured in the May 5 issue, I said: “If I may add flavour to JICA programmes, employment opportunities or ways to create jobs both in the capital city and rural areas would be interesting.