National Day 18 December, 2009 - Farmers, artisans, teachers, entrepreneurs, a cleaner, a weaver and senior government officials were among the 21 Bhutanese who received the “National Order Of Merit” from His Majesty the King yesterday during the 102nd National Day celebrations in Thimphu at Changlimithang stadium.

In a surprise announcement, His Majesty also awarded the Druk Thuksey medal to a sculptor and the red scarf to four senior government officials.

Orders of Merit

Recipients of the National Order of Merit

Eleven individuals and the motions picture association were conferred with gold, silver and bronze medals for upholding dignity of labour and “for their exemplary contribution to society in their respective fields that have benefited the community”. His Majesty awarded a gold medal to the secretary general of the Tae-kwondo federation, Yonten Tharchen, and bronze medals to four teachers for excellence in quality education.

In recognising the contributions of blue-collar workers, His Majesty said that there is no such thing as a small or a big job.  He said that it doesn’t matter if you are a planner or a sweeper, as long as you fulfill your responsibilities with dedication and sincerity towards serving the nation.

Among the gold medal recipients was a 78-year-old goldsmith, Namgay Tshering.  “It’s definitely an encouragement for those in the same profession.  I never thought that people like us would ever get a medal of recognition from His Majesty,” said Namgay, who became a goldsmith 60 years ago.  “My family will always cherish this honour.”

Thuenpel, a 48-year-old farmer from Pemagatshel, said that he was scared when the gup told him that His Majesty had commanded he be in Thimphu for the National Day.  “It was unexpected,” said Thuenpel, also a gold medal recipient. “Such recognition would encourage those working in the agriculture sector.”  The father of six owns 1,000 mandarin trees and earns about Nu 200,000 annually.

The prime minister, on royal command, was directed to submit a list of candidates for the “National Order of Merit”.  The government formed a committee to delegate the responsibilities and review the nominations and shortlist the nominees.  The list was then sent to the prime minister for further review. Twenty-seven-year old Tshewang Lhamo, who runs a beauty parlour in Thimphu, also received a bronze medal.  “I received a medal for a job that even my parents aren’t aware of.  It’s a proud moment,” she said.  “It has inspired me to prove myself and work harder.”

His Majesty said that the “National Order of Merit” is also to recognise the role and responsibilities shouldered by teachers across the country in educating children.

A teacher for 34 years, Dung Dorji, said that this is the first time the efforts of teachers have been recognised.  “Teachers would be encouraged and many young people would also be inspired to pursue teaching,” said the 54-year-old language teacher in Shari school, Paro, who received a bronze medal.  A teacher from India, G H Manna, who has been teaching in Bhutan since 1979, also received a bronze medal.

Tae-kwondo master Yonten Tharchen said that he represents all the sporting leaders and coaches in the country and the medal is for them as well.  “It was unexpected,” he said.  “The recognition will make me work harder to become a role model.”  

His Majesty also awarded the Druk Thuksey medal, the highest civilian award, to master sculptor Lopen Karma for his “skills, hard work and, outstanding and exemplary contribution to the nation”. Karma, 57, is one of the finest clay sculptors in the region.  He has built thousands of images in more than 30 historical monuments like dzongs, lhakhangs, and monasteries, all over the country and in the region

The land commission secretary Dasho Sangay Khandu, managing director of Bhutan power corporation Dasho Bharat Tamang, Royal Bhutan Army’s Dasho (Dr) Tandin Dorji and managing director of Druk green power corporation Dasho Chewang Rinzin also received the red scarf from His Majesty for their “outstanding service until now and to take on more responsibilities to serve the country”.  His Majesty said the red scarf does not mean more authority but an increase in responsibility.

His Majesty the King addressed the nation from Thimphu and Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses celebrated with the people in several dzongkhags around the country.  His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo also joined the celebrations in Thimphu.

Jimzo Lopen Karma

“You may not know who lopen Karma is.  But several sacred images and statues we pray to and worship in monasteries, temples or dzongs have been built by Karma and his students.”

This was what His Majesty the King said while conferring the highest civilian award, Druk Thuksey, on 57-year-old jimzo (sculptor) lopen Karma for his long and dedicated service to the vocation and the nation.

Karma from Ramjar, Trashiyangtse, started life as a gomchen (lay monk) and then became a clay sculptor at the age of 16 after three years of training in Trashigang.

Some of Karma’s works include the images of the Guru Droley and Guru Rinpoche at the reconstructed Taktshang monastery in Paro, and Tenpa at the Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong.  Besides constructing statues all over the country, he is also training many young potential sculptors.

His Majesty, while awarding the medal, said that Karma is the country’s wealth and the best so far.  His Majesty also said he hopes that Karma’s students will prove to be better than their master.

“I’ll always cherish this moment and I feel proud to receive this highest honour,” said Lopen Karma.  “It’s also an inspiration for my more than 100 students to achieve such recognition.”

Lopen Karma has also built more than 50 images of Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Chhana Dorji and Jamyang in India and Australia. “I’d never expected to receive the honour.  It’s the achievement of a lifetime,” he said.

For long and outstanding service

(From left to right) Dasho (Dr.) Tandin Dorji, Dasho Sangay Khandu, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin and Dasho Bharat Tamang

Chief executive officer of DGPC, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, started his career in 1986 as an electrical engineer with the erstwhile department of power.

“I don’t know if I deserve such an honour, but the power sector has contributed a lot to the socio-economic development of the country.  I feel that this contribution has been recognised,” said the 48-year-old managing director.  “My humble contribution has been appreciated on such a great day.”

Secretary of the land commission, Dasho Sangay Khandu, started as a grade 8 civil servant in 1976.  “It was a complete surprise and I feel honoured to receive such a recognition from the highest level,” said 54-year-old Dasho Sangay Khandu.  “I’ve always given my best and will continue to do so.”

BPC’s managing director, Dasho Bharat Tamang, started his career as an engineer of the department of power in 1984.  “Young engineers would be inspired to work harder.  And I think that this honour is an appreciation of our humble contribution to society,” said 52-year-old managing director.

An RBA doctor for more than 33 years, Dasho Dr Tandin Dorji, is still working with the RBA on contract although he superannuated in 2006 after rising to the rank of a colonel.  “I’m very happy with the honour but I’m also worried about how best we can serve and live up to the expectations of His Majesty,” he said.