Centenary Celebrations in 2008
About Centenary Celebrations in 2008
Bhutan will celebrate centenary celebration of its dynamic hereditary monarch 0n 17 December 2008. Although Bhutan came out in the modern platform only before 40 years from now, Bhutan was consolidated and unified as an independent nation when its first monarch sir Ugyen Wangchuk ascended the throne on 17 December 1907 up on unanimous agreement of the general people and clergymen of Bhutan.  Since then Bhutan climbed up through its progressive ladder and now it is landed on a prosperous destination that shines towards the world outside. So, the celebration would be one of the wonders of the world. Hence, each and every walk of lives in Bhutan prepare for the centenary celebrations.
 

About monarchy

Bhutan's Monarchy is very young in comparison to other nations of the world. However, it is God gifted and the people of Bhutan are very much fortunate to be the subject of this dynasty. Our beloved present King 4th in line, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk is not only our King but he is our God the savior.  It is evident that Bhutan paved road to socio economic development within 40 years due to His Majesty's selfless endeavor whereas other nations took 100 years to reach at this level.  His Majesty's noble philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the soul of every Bhutanese and it is even topic for the meditations for rest of the world. There is no King borne like His Majesty who now hands over everything to the people and he prepares for abdication from the throne. The world may not have heard in the history that a King had abdicated from the throne willingly


Formation of new Government

Formation new government (Democratic) is quite a concern for every citizen as it is taking place first time in the country. There is chance and risk appearing along side of the show. However, under the dynamic hands of HRH Choetse Penlop and incredible guidance of His Majesty the King, the formation would not take a wrong path. If taken so, it would be a big chaos in the country. Bhutanese never expect in bad sense, it is always an optimistic. It will be change for better, given the shared responsibilities to all citizens, after all the new government is to pave stronger and broader road to GNH.


Enthronement of  5th king

On December 17, 2005, His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuk announced that from 2008 he will be abdicating the throne to the Crown Prince of Bhutan coinciding with centenary celebration of Monarch in 2008. The message as follows:

“I would also like our people to know that the Chhoetse Penlop will be enthroned as the Fifth Druk Gyalpo in 2008. As it is necessary and important for a King to gain as much experience as possible to serve his country to his fullest capacity, I will be delegating my responsibilities to the Chhoetse Penlop before 2008. It is my wish and prayer that during the reign of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Palden Drukpa will remain strong and glorious, that our country will achieve greater prosperity with the sun of peace and happiness shining on our people, that all the national objectives of the country and the hopes and aspirations of our people will be fulfilled and the Bhutanese people will enjoy a greater level of contentment and happiness”.   --Source: Kuensel  


Other important activities to be celebrated are:

1. Launching of formidable Lord Buddha statue (Toenpa Dordenma) installation in Thimphu, Capital of Bhutan.

2. Odiyana project in Takela Lhuentse, installation of Hugh Guru Nagsid Zilnon statue with 132 fts of height.

3. National Arts and Crafts Exhibitions etc.

“Celebrate centenary of Hereditary Monarchy of Exotic Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan with the people of Bhutan. Plan your holiday to Bhutan with Bhutan Lhuethag Adventure to join the BIG CELEBRATIONS”



KINGS OF BHUTAN            

The First Druk Gyalpo Sir Ugyen Wangchuck (1862–1926

Ugyen Wangchuck (1907-1926 AD) was the son of Jigme Namgyel. He was born in 1862. He was an able administrator and a wise diplomat. From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck had defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions in 1882-1885. In what was an epochal year for the country, in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the heredity king of the country by the people. For his services to the Francis Younghusband expedition to Lhasa in Tibet, he was knighted by the British in 1904.


The Second Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Wangchuck (1905 – 1952)

King Jigme Wangchuck (1926-1952 AD) was born in 1905. He continued to maintain almost complete isolation from the outside world, with the United Kingdom, then the Colonial power in India responsible for foreign affairs. This responsibility was transferred to India in 1949, shortly after that country gained independence. He was succeeded by his son, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.


The Third Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928 –1972)

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1952-1972) was born in 1928. He ended his country's isolation, introduced modernity, and took the first steps toward democratization. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on October 27, 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism in the country and released all of the remaining serfs. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheeled vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually. In 1959, the People's Republic of China occupied Tibet, a country with which Bhutan had a long-established relationship. This encouraged the king to foster stronger ties with the outside world and culminated with Bhutan joining the United Nations in 1971. At the same time, he empowered the National Assembly to remove him and his successors with a two-thirds majority. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck suffered his first heart attack at the age of twenty, and made frequent visits overseas for medical treatment.  He died in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was receiving medical treatment on 21 July 1972, and was succeeded by his son, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

The Fourth Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (1955 - 2006) The fourth hereditary and the current King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (1972 - 2008) was born on 11 November 1955. The Present King succeeded to the throne at the age of 17, in 1972, after the last breadth of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. He was formally crowned on June 2, 1974 in a coronation noted for inviting foreign dignitaries, thus signaling the end of the long isolation of the country. He is also called "Druk Gyalpo", meaning "Dragon King". He was educated in Bhutan and the UK. He has continued his father's policies of slow modernization while still trying to preserve Bhutanese culture. In 1988 he instituted the policy of Driglam Namzha (Etiquette and Manners) which required all citizens to wear traditional clothing while in public, and established the requirement of teaching Dzongkha (the national language) in schools. In 1998, he voluntarily reduced the scope of his absolute powers, and now formally rules with the advice of his government. In late 2003, he ordered Bhutan's first military campaign in well over a century, to roust Assamese separatists who were using Bhutanese territory to launch raids against targets in India (see History of Bhutan). Campaigns have also been launched against Nepali separatists in the south of the country. By all accounts, he maintains a simple lifestyle preferring to work in a small log cabin above the capital, Thimphu, rather than in the fortress-like palace used by his four queens (all of whom are sisters) and the National Assembly. In the West, he has become noted for his stated goal of seeking to maximize "Gross National Happiness" for his country rather than "Gross National Product".  


The Fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (2006 -  _____    ) 

On December 17, 2005, His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuk announced that from 2008 he will be abdicating the throne to the Crown Prince of Bhutan coinciding with centenary celebration of Monarch in 2008. The message as follows:

"I would also like our people to know that the Chhoetse Penlop will be enthroned as the Fifth Druk Gyalpo in 2008. As it is necessary and important for a King to gain as much experience as possible to serve his country to his fullest capacity, I will be delegating my responsibilities to the Chhoetse Penlop before 2008. It is my wish and prayer that during the reign of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Palden Drukpa will remain strong and glorious, that our country will achieve greater prosperity with the sun of peace and happiness shining on our people, that all the national objectives of the country and the hopes and aspirations of our people will be fulfilled and the Bhutanese people will enjoy a greater level of contentment and happiness”.-Source: Kuensel

 
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