Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, "The Bodhisattva King"

 

Prophecy and the Birth

Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuk with his Royal Mother, Azhi Kezang Choden.
Courtesy: Passu Diary

Tertoen Drukdra Dorji, a revered ‘Treasure Discoverer’ rediscovered the sacred prophecy of Guru Rinpochhe regarding the birth of a prince in the Wood Sheep Year (in 1955). The Namthar (Treasure Book) foretold the enthronement of the prince on the throne would bring peace and happiness in the country, and the Palden Drukpa (Glorious Drukpa Kadgyu) would flourish like ever before.

Excerpt of the prophecy of Tertoen Drukdra Dorji on the birth of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Fourth Monarch of Bhutan.
Courtesy: Kuensel

The prophesied prince was born on 11 November 1955 (Male Wood Sheep Year according to the Bhutanese Calendar) to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuk.

Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuk with his late Father, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk of Bhutan.
Courtesy: Jessica J. Vernon 

Early Years of the King (Education and responsibilities shouldered) and sudden demise of his father

Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuk was educated lavishly in the country as well as outside the country. He began his schooling in India and then after his return to Bhutan in 1970, he continued his schooling in Ugyen Wangchuk Academy at Paro.

The portrait of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Fourth Druk Gyalpo
Courtesy: Ngawang P Phuntsho

The young prince accompanied his father at every important public function and royal entourages that would give him a deeper understanding of the country and its people. At the age of 16 (i.e. in 1971), he was appointed Chairman of the Planning Commission (established to guide in implementing the Third Five Year Plan).

The Fourth King of Bhutan in his early days.

A year after taking the responsibility of a Chairmanship, he was enthroned as Trongsa Poenlop in 1972. In the same year, the Third Druk Gyalpo passed away at the age of 44. Thereon, the responsibility of government fell upon the young prince.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk in his early years before the enthronement.
Courtesy: facebook

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk with his late father, Third King of Bhutan.
Courtesy: facebook

32nd National Assembly Resolution & the Coronation

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk
Courtesy: google images.

During the 32^nd National Assembly of Bhutan in 1972, the Tshogdu passed the resolution that ‘no Council of Regency’ will be instituted and resolved to enthrone the young prince on the Golden Throne. The unanimous decision was made because:

i.         His Majesty has already proven his maturity and statesmanship, and

ii.      The people had complete confidence in the young prince and in his ability to assume the reins of the government.

On 2^nd June 1974, Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Singye Wangchuk was installed on the Golden Throne (གསེར་ཁྲི) inside Trashichoedzong as the Fourth Druk Gyalpo at the age of 18. The grand celebration was witnessed by thousands of people (including foreign dignitaries) at Changlimithang in Thimphu. By then, a small Himalayan country was the only country to claim a kingdom ruled by a ‘Youngest King’ in the world.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk during the coronation.
Courtesy: google image.

The young Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk, in his coronation speech, he shared his vision about the future endeavour to take Bhutan towards progress and development.

Council of Regency

Members:

(a)  A senior member of the Royal Family nominated by the Privy Council; 

(b) The Prime Minister;

(c) The Chief Justice of Bhutan; 

(d) The Speaker; 

(e) The Chairperson of the National Council; and

(f) The Leader of the Opposition Party.

The council has been bestowed by Article 9 of the Constitution of Bhutan (2008) to function under the following conditions:

(a) The successor to the Throne has not attained the age of twenty-one years; 

(b) The Druk Gyalpo has temporarily relinquished, by Proclamation, the exercise of the Royal Prerogatives; or 

(c) It has been resolved by not less than three-fourths of the total number of members of Parliament in a joint sitting that the Druk Gyalpo is unable to exercise the Royal Prerogatives by reason of temporary physical or mental infirmity. 

(Courtesy: Constitution of Bhutan, 2008)

Planning for development

                                                 Video Courtesy: www.youtube.com

The Fourth King set 9 basic goals for the modern development of the country such as:

1.      GrossNational Happiness
2.          Social and Economic Prosperity
3.         People’s Participation
4.      Strong and Efficient Administrative system
5.      National Self Reliance
6.          Preservation of Culture and Religion
7.      Preservation of Natural Environment
8.      Planned Population Growth
9.      One Nation, One People.

Every development and progress of the country would be in achieving these set goals. His Majesty believed that the effort towards achieving these would ensure the continued strength of the country’s security, sovereignty and the well being of its people.

Education Services

Health Services

His Majesty brought manifold development in terms of education in the country to create an enlightened and productive Bhutanese society. With the expansion and improvement of education:- *the total education facilities (including schools, college, institutes, shaydras, Non-formal or NFE, etc.) reached 314, *Literacy Rate increased to 54% by 1996 *Primary Enrolment Rate was 72%. By this development, His Majesty’s goals were achieved. Example: i.                    The Vocational and Technical Institutes produced a core of national skilled workers to replace foreign workers. ii.                  Teacher Training Institute and Health Institute produced increasing Bhutanese teachers and health workers, helping in reducing the dependence on outsiders. Thus, achieving the goal of (National Self-reliance and others alike). iii.                The establishment of religious schools helped to promote religious tradition and values.

Several health facilities (Basic Health Units or BHUs and Hospitals) were established. Several programs were initiated such as -Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), -Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD), -Essential Drugs Programme (EDP), -Information Education and Education for Health (IECH), -Leprosy Control, -Planned Population growth (through health facilities to ensure population growth to balance between population and development as well as the environment and natural resources and, to maintain sustainable development in the country). Achievements -Life Expectancy increased to 66 years from 44 by 1996. -Infant Mortality Rate (death of a child at birth) and Maternal Mortality Rate (death of mothers) reduced drastically. With this initiative in health services, it brought effective and timely health care as well as prevented outbreak of epidemics in the country. His Majesty’s goal of (Gross National Happiness and others. ***Sustainable Development- The process of development for longer duration without affecting the resources.

                                 Video Courtesy: WildfilmsIndia/Youtube.com

Rural development and agriculture	Environmental Concern	Communication System
80% of the Bhutanese population lived in the rural areas and, to improve the livelihood of the people in this region was one of His Majesty’s main concern. For this, the King too major developmental activities such as -construction of irrigation channels, -introduction and distribution of improved (HYV)seeds,  -mechanization of farming, -introduction and distribution of livestock breeds and adaptation of modern management practices, -introduction of cash Crop productions, -granting land to the landless people, -facilities such as education, health, transport, electrification, safe drinking water supply, etc., were provided. These initiatives enhanced the life to the rural people, thus, achieving the HM’s goal of (Gross National Happiness, National Self-reliance, Social and Economic Prosperity, People’s Participation,etc).	In the areas of environmental protections, the government discouraged the large scale industries which utilized large forest resources. In the process, plywood manufacturing unit was shut down. His Majesty personally initiated in sensitizing the people about Bhutan’s fragile environment. He had deep concern on Bhutan’s environment because, with various activities such as excessive cultivation (shifting cultivation practices) and deforestation could lead to threats of ecological disasters such as soil erosion, landslides, floods, etc. With such great concern, Bhutan managed to maintain about 72.5% of forest cover and such an approach towards environment earned worldwide recognition and support. His Majesty’s goal of (Preservation of Natural environment and alike) without doubt was achieved.  National Parks and conservation activities were systematically initiated. N.B.: His Majesty’s leadership over environment was recognized with awards such as: i. Champion of the Earth in 2005 ii. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership in 2006 iii.Kyoto Hall of Fame in 2011. iv. Blue Planet Award (2022) by Asahi Glass Foundation.	Despite limited resources and difficult mountainous terrains, several developments were introduced in terms of transport and communication in the country. i. Constructed extensive networks of Highways and feeder roads connecting all Districts. ii. Telecommunication was set up satellite networks, linking the Dzongkhags as well as with the outside. iii. National media (radio and TV broadcasting, weekly newspaper) were introduced. iv. The National airline was opened in 1983 (with six destinations) to serve as the vital link with the outside world.

Education Services

Health Services

His Majesty brought manifold development in terms of education in the country to create an enlightened and productive Bhutanese society.

With the expansion and improvement of education:-

*the total education facilities (including schools, college, institutes, shaydras, Non-formal or NFE, etc.) reached 314,

*Literacy Rate increased to 54% by 1996

*Primary Enrolment Rate was 72%.

By this development, His Majesty’s goals were achieved.

Example:

i.                    The Vocational and Technical Institutes produced a core of national skilled workers to replace foreign workers.

ii.                  Teacher Training Institute and Health Institute produced increasing Bhutanese teachers and health workers, helping in reducing the dependence on outsiders. Thus, achieving the goal of (National Self-reliance and others alike).

iii.                The establishment of religious schools helped to promote religious tradition and values.

Several health facilities (Basic Health Units or BHUs and Hospitals) were established. Several programs were initiated such as

-Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI),

-Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD),

-Essential Drugs Programme (EDP),

-Information Education and Education for Health (IECH),

-Leprosy Control,

-Planned Population growth (through health facilities to ensure population growth to balance between population and development as well as the environment and natural resources and, to maintain sustainable development in the country).

Achievements

-Life Expectancy increased to 66 years from 44 by 1996.

-Infant Mortality Rate (death of a child at birth) and Maternal Mortality Rate (death of mothers) reduced drastically.

With this initiative in health services, it brought effective and timely health care as well as prevented outbreak of epidemics in the country. His Majesty’s goal of (Gross National Happiness and others.

***Sustainable Development- The process of development for longer duration without affecting the resources.

Rural development and agriculture

Environmental Concern

Communication System

80% of the Bhutanese population lived in the rural areas and, to improve the livelihood of the people in this region was one of His Majesty’s main concern.

For this, the King too major developmental activities such as

-construction of irrigation channels,

-introduction and distribution of improved (HYV)seeds,

 -mechanization of farming,

-introduction and distribution of livestock breeds and adaptation of modern management practices,

-introduction of cash Crop productions,

-granting land to the landless people,

-facilities such as education, health, transport, electrification, safe drinking water supply, etc., were provided.

These initiatives enhanced the life to the rural people, thus, achieving the HM’s goal of (Gross National Happiness, National Self-reliance, Social and Economic Prosperity, People’s Participation,etc).

In the areas of environmental protections, the government discouraged the large scale industries which utilized large forest resources. In the process, plywood manufacturing unit was shut down.

His Majesty personally initiated in sensitizing the people about Bhutan’s fragile environment. He had deep concern on Bhutan’s environment because, with various activities such as excessive cultivation (shifting cultivation practices) and deforestation could lead to threats of ecological disasters such as soil erosion, landslides, floods, etc.

With such great concern, Bhutan managed to maintain about 72.5% of forest cover and such an approach towards environment earned worldwide recognition and support.

His Majesty’s goal of (Preservation of Natural environment and alike) without doubt was achieved. 
National Parks and conservation activities were systematically initiated.

N.B.: His Majesty’s leadership over environment was recognized with awards such as:

i. Champion of the Earth in 2005

ii. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership in 2006

iii.Kyoto Hall of Fame in 2011.

iv. Blue Planet Award (2022) by Asahi Glass Foundation.

Despite limited resources and difficult mountainous terrains, several developments were introduced in terms of transport and communication in the country.

i. Constructed extensive networks of Highways and feeder roads connecting all Districts.

ii. Telecommunication was set up satellite networks, linking the Dzongkhags as well as with the outside.

iii. National media (radio and TV broadcasting, weekly newspaper) were introduced.

iv. The National airline was opened in 1983 (with six destinations) to serve as the vital link with the outside world.

Drugyal Zhipa as REFORMER 

The following are some of the salient reforms in terms of improving economic status in the country by bringing more participation of the people in the various economic activities. Economic Reforms

1.      336 Megawatts of Chukha Hydropower Project was commissioned and starting exporting to India. 2.  Foreign Trade was increased and diversified. Beside agriculture products, the export of electricity, cement, chemical products, etc, help generate revenue and improve in the balance of payment. 3.      Establishment of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) ensured the economic policy formulation in the country and emphasis on the private sectors. With this, liberalization of Bhutanese economy came into full swing. The privatization was strictly monitored through: i. Strict guidelines were laid to ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of privatization. ii. Existing monopolies (including the company held by the government) were dismantled. iii. Promotion of new large scale enterprises was scrutinized to ensure broad-based mass participation. 4.   Privatisation of government-owned enterprises. Private entrepreneurs were provided free training, liberal financing (accessibility of loan), etc, to encourage the growth of private sectors and thus, there were increase in the number of (proliferation) cottage, small and medium-sized private sector enterprises.

The first mega power project. Chukha Hydropower (Copyright- CHPC)

Courtesy: google images.

Bhutan trade link (Courtesy: The Sun)

Administrative reforms

1. His Majesty relinquished the Chairmanship of RCSC and established a ten-member commission. 2.     Royal Advisory Council was revitalized with additional responsibility. 3.    The Fourth Druk Gyalpo initiated the policy of decentralization of functions of the government through: i.                    Establishment of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogchung (DYT) in 1981, and ii.                  Establishment of Gewog Yargay Tshogchung (GYT) in 1991. The main reason His Majesty stressed the process of decentralizing the power was:- 1. To encourage the people’s participation directly in the planning and implementation of development activities that affected their own lives, 2. The civil servants working at the Dzongkhag and Gewog level are in the best position to understand the need of the people.

                                                            A King in the service of his people 
                                                                     www.youtube.com

Labour Reforms

1.      Abolished Goongda Woola (compulsory labour contribution by each household) and, 2.      Introduced Zhabto Lemi (Voluntary labour contribution) in 1995. 3.      Mobilization of labour contribution was decentralized to the GYTs. Such reform was initiated by His Majesty to:- i.  Encourage people’s participation through labour contributions in the development activities ii.   Reduce dependence on the import of foreign labour iii. Develop a sense of dignity of labour in the people iv.  Produce a national workforce.

Legislative Reforms

Judicial Reforms

i.            Introduced the system of “secret Ballot” to ensure a free and fair election.             ii.            National Assembly was empowered to approve the Royal Government’s Five-Year Plans and the National Budget.

Consolidated civil & criminal court procedures & the Bhutan Penal Act/code. It created easy access to justice and was effective & responsive to the needs of the Nation. Many offences were decriminalized (Legalized) & made compoundable. Introduced unscheduled hearing to clear out the backlog of pending cases by1991. District & sub-districts Thrimkhangs were established. Separate Judicial Cadre was created ( JC-10) Developed legal profession with training, study tours and degree courses in Law. A National Legal course was established

Culture & Religious Reforms

Established Dratshang Lhentshog & Kadzin Lhentshog, together called Council of Religious & Cultural Affairs. It formulates policies to preserve & promote national culture & religion.      1. Dratshang Lhentshog: Established: 1984 Function: It is responsible for the management & guidance of the     Monastic communities. Achievements: ·         1995- Rabdeys were established in all districts. ·         Empowered the monastic communities to become more self-supportive & capable of rendering spiritual & social services to lay communities. ·         English & mathematics were introduced for Monastic education.        2. The Kadzin Lhentshog (in 1986)  and later renamed as Solzin Lhentshog (in 1995): ·         Aim:  Preserve the diversity of Bhutan’s various religious & ethnic cultures. -          Develop & promote Zhungkha & Driglam Namzha. -          Preservation & maintenance of national treasure & monuments. ****Today, both the bodies are under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.                                      Video Courtesy: Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan.

Foreign Relations during the Great Fourth's reign

His  Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk initiated in the establishment of several external links, thus, taking Bhutan further into more interactions with the World Members.

Developed bi-lateral diplomatic relations with several countries. (Besides, Bhutan also maintains several multilateral relations with the world countries through different organizations,  today). In 1983, the Indo- Bhutan agreement on Trade was signed. India opened its airspace to the fledgeling Bhutanese national airline & microwave telephone link was established. 1973- Bhutan became the member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). 1985- Bhutan became the member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). Bhutanese embassy was stationed in India, Bangladesh, Kuwait & the UN in Geneva.                   Fig. Fourth Druk Gyalpo arrives in India.                             Video Courtesy: Youtube.                            Video Courtesy: SAARC/Youtube                           Video: NAM/Youtube