OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: As Bhutan crosses over a century of the establishment of Monarchy on December 17, the country celebrated its 117th National Day on Tuesday across the country with solidarity and patriotism. The Sarpang Dzongkhag also celebrated the day with various programmes at Gelephu HS School, Gelephu field where hundreds of citizens gathered enthusiastically to hear the address of their king to the nation.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the celebration in Thimphu while former Assam Minister Chandan Brahma attended the celebration at Gelephu on behalf of Chief of BTR Pramod Boro.
The address of the king to the nation in Bhutanese language was translated to Hindi before the Indian guests by General Secretary of Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA) Dawa Penjor in Gelephu. The complete address of the king was broadcasted through an audio system before the people who heard his speech with patience.
In his address on the occasion of National Day, His Majesty, the king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the 5th Druk Gyalpo emphasized on the necessity of raising more children as the country has witnessed low fertility rate. He said that the National Day was a sacred occasion for Bhutanese people, a time to pay tribute to their visionary Monarchs and forefathers for their sacrifices in building this precious nation, and to collectively reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening the unity, peace, security, and sovereignty of the country. He said that this past year, the country was blessed with peace and stability, free from the turmoil seen in many parts of the world. He also said that the elections for both houses of parliament were conducted smoothly, and the new government has successfully launched the 13th Five-Year Plan. He extended his Tashi Delek to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and all Members of Parliament as they take on these important responsibilities.
In his long deliberation, Wangchuk said, “Our aspirations to build a strong country can only be realized with a capable citizenry. To support a dynamic economy, we must either boost our fertility rates and improve productivity, or, ideally, achieve both. For a small country of just 7,00,000 people, enhancing education and skills is crucial. If every Bhutanese improved his or her productivity tenfold, we could function like a country with seven million people. This productivity boost is essential to achieving higher incomes and improving living standards.”
He added that what they lack in numbers, they must make up for with discipline, devotion, hard work, loyalty, and intelligence. He also said that he was deeply encouraged by the support from Bhutanese people living abroad, particularly from those in Australia, the US, and Canada who have pledged nearly USD 140 million to the airport project in Bhutan. This amount will only grow with contributions from Bhutanese in other countries, he said. “My love for Bhutan and the extraordinary character of our people inspires me every day. Together, we share a vision of a bright future, carrying our legacy into the 21st century. Because of this, I will never tire, never lose hope, and never hesitate. I am confident in our nation, its people, and our collective ability to succeed,” he added.
Wangchuk said that recently, his family visited Australia with him, where they were warmly welcomed by thousands of Bhutanese in Sydney, Canberra, and Perth. He said that it was a bittersweet experience, as on one hand, it was heartening to see how our people, after many years away from home, are thriving, working hard to support themselves and their families, and upholding our traditions and values with pride and on the other, their deeply emotional welcome showed how much they miss their home and loved ones, and the difficulty of being apart.
“This is why I am determined to create the conditions that will allow Bhutanese all over the world to return home and enjoy the same opportunities they have sought abroad,” he said. “I have visited India several times this year. During these visits, I always had fruitful interactions with the Indian leadership. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for the continued support and friendship extended to Bhutan, including full support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). In all our endeavours, our primary goal is to ensure that the blessings and legacy of Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal, which have shaped our precious and blessed nation, endure for thousands of years,” he added.
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