World Youngest Democracy

1 April, 2008 - Bhutan has become the youngest member in the club of parliamentary

democracies. The peaceful elections on March 24 marked a key turning point in the smooth

transition from monarchy to democracy. With the success of this historic process, the Bhutanese

people have fulfilled the vision of the “father of democracy” the Fourth King, Jigme Singye

Wangchuck.

Outsiders, unfamiliar with developments in Bhutan, may think that democratization is a sudden

step. But Bhutanese history shows that the process started 101 years ago. In 1907, our ancestors

elected our first hereditary King. Ever since, the five successive Kings have not only safeguarded

and strengthened the sovereignty of Bhutan but also ensured that we enjoyed peace and stability.

All our Kings have worked tirelessly and selflessly in promoting the interest of the nation, while

contributing to the gradual increasing prosperity and well being of us Bhutanese.

During the 32-year reign of the Fourth King, he has carefully planned a balance between the

development of the country and preserving the environment, tradition and culture. Despite being

a landlocked country, in 2006, Bhutan’s per capita income was USD 1,321 and retains 64 percent

of forest cover. In addition, Bhutan is one of the last living museums of tradition and culture.

Consequently, we Bhutanese hold our institution of monarchy in high esteem. Two years ago, the

Fourth King travelled throughout Bhutan to chair the consultation meetings to discuss the draft

constitution. This 34 Article draft constitution paved the way for the historic March 24 election.

However, during the consultation meetings, many Bhutanese strongly raised concerns about the

proposed introduction of democracy. At that time, most Bhutanese thought the proposal was too

premature, and hence pleaded with their benevolent monarch to reconsider his advocacy of this

new system.

But now, most Bhutanese are grateful for the “shock and awe” approach adopted by the Fourth

King. I suspect the intention of the Fourth King’s dramatic approach was to raise awareness and

educate his people about the merits of parliamentary democracy in the 21st century. Soon, the

people agreed with their monarch’s vision that this new system was essential to safeguard the

identity and strengthen the sovereignty of the last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom. Situated in the

Himalayas, Bhutan is north of India, which is the world’s largest democracy. Hence,

acknowledging the strengths of democracy and the role of Bhutan in the 21st century, Bhutanese

accepted the visionary royal initiative for political change.

Two years ago, on December 9th, 2006, the Fourth King (51) stunned the nation when he

abdicated in favor of his Oxford-educated son. In doing so, he broke all royal protocol and

created history. In a special cabinet sitting in Tashichhodzong (Fortress) in Thimphu, the Fourth

King formally announced: “The time has now come for me to hand over my responsibility to

Trongsa Penlop (Crown Prince) Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck.”

Initially, all of us were shocked with this dramatic act but soon stood in complete awe. Most of us

had realized that our Fourth King had given us a special gift and empowered us to charter our

own future.

The Fourth King - a playmaker in his basketball team - has always maintained that the fate of

Bhutan should not lie in the hands of one person. He has also frequently pointed to us that a King

is born and does not become one by merit. He believed that, as long as there was a good King, the

future of Bhutan would be all right. But he always continuously questioned what could happen if

there was to be a bad King. In the words of an anti-monarchist foreign visitor, whose five minute

royal audience turned to a few hours discourse, returned home with deep reverence for the Fourth

King. He said, “The Fourth King himself never liked nor believed in monarchy.” This conviction

has been directly translated into the birth of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan.

The initial resistance of the Bhutanese people to change soon wore down. Our faith in the vision

of our monarch and widespread respect for his continual selfless acts, even to give up power,

made us realize and accept his vision for this tiny kingdom. In addition, keeping with Buddhist

philosophy that propagates impermanence and encourages change, we became more agreeable to

change. So, left with no option, the people slowly accepted the concept of parliamentary

democracy and participated with enthusiasm in this transition.

Eventually, the enthusiasm for democracy grew exponentially and spread like wildfire. In 2007,

seven out of the ten ministers, along with many capable officers, resigned from the government to

rise to the call of the nation and contest as candidates in the historic elections. Among them, two

of the ministers became leaders of the two political parties (People’s Democratic Party and Druk

Phuensum Tshogpa), that emerged in the lead-up to the elections.

Prior to the March 24 election, the primary elections stipulated in Article 15 of Bhutan’s draft

constitution had to be foregone because only these two political parties emerged to contest the

election.

The Fourth King took personal interest in the drafting of the constitution of Bhutan. Over a few

years he had studied the constitution of over 200 countries and discussed them with as many

people as he could. The draft constitution has been debated and discussed with all the Bhutanese

before the 34 Articles were embraced.

Three years ago, in 2005, in the Fourth King’s last formal public address to the nation on the

occasion of the 98th National Day, he said that the introduction of parliamentary democracy was

not early, if not late, and not done in haste. It was after a gradual 26-year process of

decentralization and devolution of power to the people that parliamentary democracy was being

adopted.

In his last national day address, our Fourth King reminded and assured us that democracy was not

being introduced in haste. In his address, our Fourth King said, “As our people know, Dzongkhag

Yargay Tshogdus (state assemblies) were established in 1981, when we first started the policy of

decentralization.” Ten years later, in 1991, the gewog (district block) assembly was introduced. In

addition, administrators at the state level were empowered with administrative and financial

powers. Our Fourth King told us his plans, “During the next two years, 2006 and 2007, the

Election Commission will educate our people in the process of parliamentary democracy.”

The Kings of Bhutan were always careful to modernize but not westernize. They have been

mindful to view the world through eastern spiritual eyes, with respect to nature and human life,

and yet to embrace modern western concepts like openness, optimism and use of science. In

modernizing Bhutan, they have also carefully avoided the pitfalls of westernization like

individualism and materialism. In our region, where democracy has failed more than it has

succeeded, we hope Bhutan will help in increasing the people’s conviction in the system of

democracy.

The result of this long democratization process has been a successful one. Despite the initial

skepticism to the Fourth King’s advocacy of democracy, Bhutan has emerged from its first

elections as united and strong as it was under the rule of our benevolent monarchs. This historic

change into a full fledged parliamentary democracy was witnessed by international observers.

The EU observation mission was amongst the 107 international media personnel, representing 63

agencies, that covered the 865 polling stations.

Now Bhutan is the youngest member of the club of parliamentary democracies. The first order of

business for the newly elected parliament would be to adopt the 34 Article draft constitution. The

28-year-old dynamic King, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck will formally

became the first democratic constitutional monarch, with the primary job of upholding the

constitution and being the symbol of unity of Bhutan.

The National Flag of Bhutan

                                                             

The national flag of Bhutan came into being only in 1947. It was flown for

the first time in New Delhi on March 23 that year, when the late prime

minister Jigme Palden Dorji and his mother Rani Choying Wangmo Dorji

represented Bhutan in the first Asian Conference.

conference required all 28 countries to provide their national flag. Bhutan did

not have a flag then, so Rani Choying had designed one for the occasion. The

flag was sewn in the arts and craft section of Dr Graham’s school in

Kalimpong, India.

The first recorded evidence mentioning the Bhutan’s flag is in a letter dated

December 21, 1922. Mr (Sd.) Fraser Tytler, assistant secretary to the

government of India, wrote the letter from New Delhi to the secretary,

political department, India office, London, describing the flag. The letter is

currently in the India office library in London.

“With reference to your letter No. P.4339, dated the 2nd November, 1922, I

am directed to forward herewith two coloured designs of the flags of Nepal

and Bhutan.”

Since Bhutan did not have a national flag, Mr Tytler sent illustrations of eight

flags (see photo). “With regard to the flags of Bhutan, I am to explain that

flag No.1 is hoisted permanently near a Jong [Dzong] or fort. It is a very high

and large flag and is dedicated to the tutelary deity of the Jong [Dzong] as

well as to the gods of the elements. The picture on the flag represents the

“Irresistible Sword of Wisdom.” On the empty space, a mantra or charm

called Arya Dhwaja, which is believed to confer victory and prosperity, is

printed. Flags Nos.2 (a), 2(b), 2 (c), 2 (d) and 2 (e) are of five different

colours.”

All the eight flags carry a label in Dzongkha and are numbered in English.

The letter also describes the functions of these flags. “These are carried in

front of an army when going out to fight. The five different colours represent

the five different elements. The blue stands for heaven, yellow for earth,

green for air, white for clouds or water, and red for fire. These flags indicate

that the army is invoking the elements to befriend it. Flag No, 3 is called a

Ru-dar or regimental colours. Flag No. 4 is called Tsan-dar. This is dedicated

to a fierce spirit called Tsan, and is also carried before an army, thus

invoking the help of this spirit also.”

The national flag of Bhutan was first mentioned in print in 1927 when it

featured in the Japanese home encyclopedia, “Nippon Katei Dai Hyakka”.

Here too, a prayer flag was depicted as the national flag.

In 1936, the India office in London received another letter, requesting for

information about the flag of Bhutan from a Greek scholar, Engel Doublis,

from Athens. The letter was written on May 16. Doublis, who was researching

the flags of the world for his book, had already studied and collected lot of

data on the history of the ensigns and flags of many countries and was keen

to obtain information on the Bhutan flag. He assumed Bhutan was a state of

India.

The librarian of the white hall, of the India office, Mr JC Walton could not

provide specific information to the scholar. Walton replied stating that the

country did not have a national flag. “Regarding the National Flags of Nepal

and Bhutan, I am directed to inform you that Bhutan does not appear to

possess a National Flag.”(India Office Library, British Library, London)

Instead Walton showed a set of illustrations of the various flags used in

Bhutan, most likely that the illustrations were the one mentioned earlier. The

children’s encyclopedia had it in their book. (Published by Fleetway House,

Farringdon Street, London)

Walton wrote to the foreign office in Simla in India seeking clarification on

the political status and confirming if the country had a national flag. A month

later, on 19 June 1936, the office clarified that Bhutan was not an Indian

state. The letter stated that Indian states did not have national flags.

Although, Bhutan was an independent country, it did not have a national

flag. “I am to explain that Nepal and Bhutan are not Indian states.” The

letter confirmed that Bhutan did not have a flag until 1947. “Bhutan does not

appear to possess a national flag.” (India Office Library, British Library,

London)

Absurdity of human life

                                     

Absurdity of human life

Life is uncertain but death is, yet we human beings wittingly fritter away our transient life carelessly and thoughtlessly. Are humans aware that our lives are numbered right from the birth? As each day passes and each season changes to another, we are heading one step closer to abyss of death. Death is waiting silently and it is attached with every human being like a shadow, counting down the number of their host.

We are afraid of death, yet we don’t realize until our last moment until when faces are wrinkled, hairs turned white, all the youthful energy drained out, and enthusiasm or zeal for the life is completely exhausted. As we walks steadily towards the abyss of death, we are gripped by the fear till we breathe our last. It’s too late at the last moment to retrospect over our lives and feel remorseful over our deeds and actions. Death keeps on pressing us with its ineluctable force; we are left helpless and powerless.

Hence, we should be aware of death and always welcome it without fear and anxiety. We should embolden and armor our souls with bravery and fortitude. But how do we do that? Is the poser that everyone should ask and quest for? It’s not simple and easy way to face and accept death fearlessly and willingly. It takes hearts and souls that have transcended beyond the realm of death, which has fortified and hardened them with layer and layer of spiritual deeds and actions. Contrarily, who cares about being devoted spiritually and religiously, when our souls are young and energetic? Hardly finite number of people, but infinite portion of the humanity still prefers to remain in darker sides blinded by veils of ignorance, anger, greed, jealousy and attachment. We are deeply engrossed in unrealistic materialistic quest, nobody seem to be aware that materialism is meaningless and govern by nature of impermanence. We are born alone in this world and we shall egress this world alone, leaving our endearing bodies. When death comes, we are not entitled to even take our own bodies. Those wealth, fame and glory, garnered and horded with much toil, sweat, blood and handwork are to be renounced, because we have no power and authority to take those things with us, when death separate our souls and bodies.

Our ephemeral lives are running like a flowing river, waning like a crescent moon, disappearing like illusive clouds and receding like melting snow, yet humanity greedily and longingly keeps on amassing the wealth, fame and glory. So, let us denounce our quest for materialistic wealth and embrace spirituality as our true companions for the present and future.       

                                                                                           courtesy: Nopkin