His Majestys SpeechesInspirations from the Throne: The source of light and hope.

2014 collection

Contents2013 January 25: His Majesty the King of Bhutangraced the64th Indian Republic Day Celebrationsin Delhi as the Chief Guest.32012 December 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the 2012 National Day Celebrations52011 December 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the 2011 National Day Celebrations82011 November 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the National Diet of Japan102011 November 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at Keio University, Japan132011 August 23: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Graduates Orientation Program172011 July 15: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Convocation Ceremony of the Royal University of Bhutan192011 July 12: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Dhar Ceremony for Gups elects212011 May 20: Royal Address to the 7th Session of Parliament232010 December 17: Royal Address delivered during the National Day of Bhutan252010 October 23: Royal Address at Doon School, Dehradun, India292010 October 21: Royal Address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Defence College, New Delhi 332010 October 05: Royal Address by King Jigme Khesar at the Calcutta University Convocation, Calcutta University, Kolkata, October 5, 2010.362010 November 19: Royal address delivered at the 6th session of the first Parliament432009 December 23: His Majesty the Kings Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture462009 July 30: Royal Address at the Concluding Ceremony of the 3rd Session of Parliament522009 February 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the 3rd Convocation of the Royal University of Bhutan542008 November 07: Coronation Address to the Nation57References59

2013 January 25: His Majesty the King of Bhutangraced the64th Indian Republic Day Celebrationsin Delhi as the Chief Guest. ThePresident of Indiahosted aState Banquetin His Majestys honour on the eve of the Republic Day. The following is theBanquet Speech by His Majesty.Your Excellency, President of India,Your Excellency, Prime Minister,Respected Dignitaries,It is with immense joy that I stand here today among great friends in a nation that we all love and with pride and honor, that I represent Bhutan at the Republic Day of India. On this most auspicious occasion, I bring with me the good wishes and prayers of my father, the Government and People of Bhutan.Your Excellencies, Bhutan has been on an extraordinary journey. For one hundred years of monarchy we nurtured the dream of democracy. And today, after such sacrifice and dedication upon the culmination of so many achievements, I am proud to be King of a young, democratic Bhutan that is on the cusp of even greater success and accomplishment. Your Excellencies, this journey of modern Bhutan was not travelled alone. From the moment of immense joy that was Indias Independence Day of 1947, it has been a journey travelled by India and Bhutan, together.Bhutans success is founded upon the sound socio-economic development over the last six decades, for which Indias steadfast support has been invaluable. The confidence and stature we enjoy as a unique nation today were born from the hard work of generations of Bhutanese, complemented by the extraordinary friendship we have with India. India will always hold a special place in our hearts.My grandfather said, The destiny of Bhutan is intimately bound with that of India and it is in our mutual interests to further the bonds of friendship and understanding. And, many decades later, in a modernizing Bhutan, my father declared, India is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. To these profound assertions of intimate bonds I would like to state, Indo-Bhutan Friendship is indispensible for the future success of Bhutan.Today, as we look ahead, we see a long journey not without its challenges but nevertheless, a journey whose road will be paved with geopolitical and historical foundations; borne on the spirit of trust, interdependence and constancy, but above all, a journey defined by India and Bhutan, together.India is truly a great nation. As a historian and philosopher once said, India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europes languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.Your Excellencies India is the reservoir of the worlds greatest religions; the cradle of great thinkers and leaders; the home of almost 20% of humanity; the guardian of more than half a billion citizens under 20 and the fertile ground for great young talent and discovery all flourishing under the worlds largest democracy. Your Excellencies, Bhutan is proud to be your neighbour and closest friend.I thank you, Your Excellency, for the great honor to my People and Nation, of being invited to the 64th Republic Day. In this moment of great happiness I offer to you my deepest, most profound affection and goodwill. My bond with India is for life for it arises from two loves my love for India and, my love for Bhutan and my People.It is, therefore, with immense joy that Jetsun and I, raise a toast on this momentous occasion to the good health and happiness of Your Excellency the President of India; to the steadfast loyalty, trust and faith that define Indo-Bhutan Friendship and to the great nation of India!Tashi Delek! And Jai Hind!

2012 December 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the 2012 National Day CelebrationsHis Majesty the Kingcelebrated the 2012 National Day with the people of Thimphu.Her Majesty the Gyaltsuenalso graced the celebrations.His Majesty the Kings National Day Address to the nation:On the occasion of the 105th National Day, it gives me much happiness to address our People of the 20 dzongkhags.This National Day is of special significance. The powers offered by our People to the King in 1907 were, after hundred years of Nation building, returned in 2008 to our People by the Druk Gyalpo. It was in that year that we held the first elections under democracy and adopted the Constitution. Today we are nearing the end of the term of the first Parliament we elected in 2008 and the culmination of the tenth and largest 5-year plan. So much work lies ahead and such immense responsibilities rest on our shoulders as we approach 2013.Yet, with capable and dedicated citizens who have great love for our country; with the guidance of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and; with the ever-stronger bonds between People and King, I have great confidence that we shall achieve our goals.Our People of Bhutan are unique. We have a sense of family, community and brotherhood that inspires us to come together in times of need. I have seen this following natural disasters and most recently in the way in which all Bhutanese came forward to offer whatever little we could afford to rebuild the historic treasure, Wangduephodrang Dzong.In other nations, difficult moments in their history are met with strife, violence and conflict as people sacrifice national interest in order to achieve individual ambitions. In Bhutan such acts and events have never occurred. Our way of life, our heritage, loyalty and values remain strong in the hearts of our People and our People stand ready, even in times of great personal hardship, to place Nation above Self. I am so proud of our People and offer my deep gratitude for the love you have shown for your Nation.It is during times of prosperity and success that we must remind ourselves of the work that lies ahead. We have made a good start in our transition to democracy but much remains to be done. Our Nation has seen great socio-economic growth but it is more important that we have growth with equity. We must raise, with all our effort, the less fortunate so that they may, at the earliest, begin to partake in the opportunities brought by modernization and progress.The government has provided education to our youth. But for the nation to prosper for all time, a sound education must be succeeded by access to the right jobs and responsibilities, so that our youth may bloom as individuals and at the same time serve their Nation well.The recent Rupee shortage is a serious problem. I feel it is a reminder that, as a Nation, we must exercise our traditional sense of caution and work even harder as we address the challenges of the time. For no matter what challenges lie ahead, it is only the Bhutanese citizen who can protect and safeguard Bhutan.Today, the most important duty for us is the upcoming 2013 Parliament elections. I would like to say that we all of us are new to this democratic transition. We have all equally acquired four and a half years of experience in democracy. Experience comes with participation, so I urge you all to come forward as candidates, members of parties and voters for 2013.Remember, achieving democracy is not the goal. The real fruits of our efforts should be that democracy brings greater unity, harmony and prosperity to our Nation. Democracy must be able to fulfill the aspirations of our People.Many hundreds of years ago, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified the nation, established the dual system and laid the foundations on which a unique Bhutan was born. This new nation was then further strengthened over the course of history by fifty-four Desis and generations of Bhutanese. The last hundred years, the Wangchuck dynasty, further strengthened the foundations laid by the Zhabdrung and handed over a special Nation to our People in 2008. All of this was possible because our People have lived as one small family, true to the ideals of the Zhabdrung and the foundations of a unique and special Bhutanese identity.As we approach the elections of 2013, we must, therefore, keep in mind these foundations of our Nation and prevent all ethnic, religious or political divisions in our small Nation. We must participate in democracy with the spirit of harmony and fraternity.In 2008, our democratic transition and the wholehearted participation by the people including the 80% voter turnout were lauded by the world. I urge you all to exercise your right to vote it comes but once in 5 years for it is an act of great benefit to the Nation.With the Blessings of the Triple Gem and our Guardian Deities and the good fortune of our People, I am confident we will conduct the second elections under democracy successfully in 2013.For me, I hold sacred the endeavors begun by my father, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. I have committed myself to bringing to fruition all the noble endeavors begun in his 34 years of service and sacrifice. I also hold sacred my duty to ensure the success of democracy and I shall work to lay the strongest foundations for a vibrant democracy within my reign.Above all, I believe that the Golden Throne is not a Throne of wealth, power and prestige. The Golden Throne of Bhutan is a unique Throne of Destiny to serve our People and Nation.As King since 2006 I have always served with complete dedication and integrity. Sometimes I may have erred. Yet, you my people, have given me even more love and support and placed your complete faith and trust in me. To our People of the 20 Dzongkhags, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and pledge that I shall give everything to be of service to you and Bhutan.In this land blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and our Fourth Druk Gyalpo, I pray that there shall be everlasting peace, prosperity and happiness.

2011 December 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the 2011 National Day Celebrations

His Majesty the Kingcelebrated the 2011 National Day with the people of Thimphu.Her Majesty the Gyaltsuenalso attended the celebrations.His Majesty the Kings National Day Address to the nation:My fellow Bhutanese, it gives me great joy to speak to you on this auspicious occasion marking the day Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck ascended the Throne, in 1907. Our nation has been blessed with the benevolent reigns of four monarchs since.It is exactly five years since I became King. In these five years, we have made a successful transition to democracy. The elected government, bureaucracy and government agencies have implemented important development activities effectively and we have continued to achieve impressive socio-economic growth. Bhutans relations with other nations have grown more diverse and strong. I am extremely proud of these achievements and the people and I, are deeply grateful to the government, dratshang, civil service and private sector.In October, I married Jetsun Pema. I am grateful for the warmth and affection with which, all our Bhutanese people came together to celebrate with me. I deeply appreciate the efforts and preparations made by the government, bureaucracy and volunteers; the prayers of the Zhung Dratshang and religious community; the good wishes and blessings of our senior citizens; the joy and happiness with which the youth embraced the occasion and the wholehearted love and support of the people of the 20 dzongkhags. The strength of your love and kindness towards me leaves me deeply humbled. As a young King, I have not yet been able to serve you as my father has done but my greatest desire is that I must repay your love, loyalty, support and trust. I pledge that it shall be my life-long endeavor to do so.My dear citizens, while I am deeply satisfied with the progress of our nation, it is my duty as King to contemplate, every single day, on the challenges that lie ahead for our nation. My deepest concerns today are:Democracy we have made a unique transition to democracy. What makes this transition even more extraordinary is the short span of time within which we have done so. Yet, the true test shall be whether we have the will and commitment to sustain a well functioning and strong vibrant democracy for all time to come. Further, we have a strong, committed parliament today, but my worry is, in the future, whether our best and brightest people will forsake their careers in order to serve the nation through politics. After all, for democracy to succeed, we will always need strong, capable and upright people in parliament.Education the government over the decades has built schools in remote areas and trained teachers to man these schools. It has made immense efforts to build a strong education system. However, is the education our youth are receiving attuned to needs of the nation? And once educated, will our children find employment and realize their full potential?Corruption will we allow it, as in so many developing countries, to spread throughout society and destroy everything? Or will we meet the challenge and overcome it no matter how difficult it might be? In fighting corruption, will we remember to also fight waste, unnecessary expenditure and complacency?Self-reliance how do we achieve a measure of self-reliance that will make our growth sustainable? How do we overcome our great dependence on imports, for example?These are my concerns. But our people must be reassured that it is not only I, as King, who seeks the solutions to these problems. We have the government led by the prime minister, the civil service and members of parliament and local government, who shall all work together to address these challenges.I am confident because our people are unique. Our people are proud citizens who love our country and take it as our sacred duty to serve the nation. As Bhutanese we have so many qualities to be proud of. The manner, in which we all were united in celebration of my wedding, is a symbol of the fraternity and brotherhood among our people. It is an auspicious sign, that we will always come together, in good times and bad, in the interest of our nation. We will always, together as one, defend and protect our nation. If we are able to preserve this strength of unity and harmony, we shall overcome all challenges that may come our way.Before I conclude, in the spirit of national days past, I will present awards to those who have served our nation and people well.I end with a prayer for our nation. That the sun of peace and prosperity may always shine on Bhutan a nation blessed by the teachings of Lord Buddha a Shangrila blessed by the great Guru Rimpoche and founded by our revered and beloved parent Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal a country born from the labour of Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan.

2011 November 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the National Diet of Japan

His Majesty the KingvisitedJapanon a state visit in November, 2011. While in Japan His Majesty was invited to address theNational Diet of Japan. The National Diet is the premier legislative institution in Japan which comprises of the House of Representatives, and the House of Councillors.His Majesty the Kings Address to the National Diet:With my deep respects to His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and the People of Japan, I hereby accept with great humility this opportunity to address the Diet of the nation of Japan:Your Excellency the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Your Excellency the President of the House of Councilors,Your Excellency the Prime Minister,Excellencies, members of this august house,Ladies and Gentlemen,I stand here before you a young man in the presence of great wisdom, experience and achievement in an institution of such eminence and consequence in world history. There is little that I can say to be of much use to you. On the contrary, it is I who shall take away so much from this historic moment. For this I am grateful.Jetsun, my wife, and I also thank you for the kind invitation to Japan only one month after our wedding, and for the warmth with which we have been received. This is an extraordinary gesture that reflects the generous spirit with which you support the long friendship between our two countries.Your Excellencies, before I go any further I must convey to you the prayers and good wishes of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Government and people of Bhutan. The Bhutanese people have always held a strong affection for Japan and shared emotionally in the success of your great nation over the decades.Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March it was deeply moving to see so many Bhutanese visit temples and monasteries around the country offering butter lamps, in their humble yet genuine efforts to provide comfort and support to the Japanese people. I, myself, remember watching the news of the tsunami unfold sitting helpless and unable to do anything. I have waited ever since to be able to say to you that I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering of families who lost loved ones for those who lost their livelihoods for the young whose lives have been completely altered for the nation of Japan that must rebuild life after such great disaster.No nation or people should ever have to experience such suffering. And yet if there is one nation who can rise stronger and greater from such adversity it is Japan and her People. Of this I am confident. On your path to rebuilding and restoring of lives, we the Bhutanese people stand with you humble in our power to provide material assistance but heartfelt and true, in our friendship, solidarity and goodwill.Your Excellencies, we, in Bhutan, have always thought of the Japanese people as our fellow brothers and sisters. Our two Peoples are united by our commitment to family, integrity and honour; to placing the aspirations of the community and country before ones own desires to raising the common good above the self.2011 is a special year in our relations it marks the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. Yet, the Bhutanese people have always had a special affection for Japan that goes beyond our formal ties. I know that my father and his generation watched with pride as Japan led Asia into the modern world decades ago as you brought confidence and a sense of an Asian destiny to what was then a developing region and as you inspired so many countries who have since followed Japan into the forefront of the world economy. Japan was and continues to be a leader. Even more so today because in this globalized world Japan is an example of strength in technology and innovation, of hard work and commitment and of strong age-old values.The world always identified Japan as a people of great honour, pride and discipline a people with a proud tradition in history who approach everything with tenacity, determination and a desire to excel a people of unity in thought and action; of brotherhood and fraternity and unfailing strength and fortitude.I must humbly state, that this is not a myth this is a reality that was displayed in your response to the unfortunate economic recession of past years and to the natural disaster in March. You displayed the true qualities of Japan and her people. What would have shattered other nations and caused anarchy, chaos and lament was met by the Japanese people with quiet dignity, confidence, discipline and strength of heart, even under the worst of circumstances. In our present world, this combination of excellence with strong roots of culture, tradition and values is almost impossible to find. Every nation aspires to it yet it is an integral aspect of Japanese character. These values and qualities were not born yesterday but were born from centuries of history. They will not disappear in a few years or decades. What a great future lies ahead for a Japan that possesses such strength.For this strength has seen Japan rise again and again, throughout history, from every setback to its status as one of the most successful nations in the world. And even more remarkable is the manner in which Japan has always, without hesitation, shared her success with people in all corners of the world.Your Excellencies, I speak from the heart, and on behalf of all Bhutanese. I am no expert or academic just a simple man with a deep affection for Japan.All I am saying is that this world will benefit immensely from a Japan that defines excellence and innovation; from a Japanese people of great determination and achievement yet quiet dignity and humility; from a nation that other countries can look to as an example. And as Japan leads Asia and the world as Japans presence in world affairs reflects the great achievements and history of the Japanese people, Bhutan will cheer and support you. Bhutan not only believes in the need to expand the United Nations Security Council, we are convinced that Japan must play a leading role in it. You have our full commitment and support.Bhutan is but a small Himalayan nation of about 700,000 people. The countrys enchanting physical characteristics coupled with a richly compelling history defines every fiber of the Bhutanese character. It is a beautiful country and in spite of its geographical size across the length and breadth of its varied topography lie scattered, numerous temples, monasteries and forts, reflecting the spirituality of generations of Bhutanese. Our environment remains pristine and our culture and traditions, strong and vibrant. Bhutanese continue to live lives of simplicity and modesty that foster a deep sense of harmony among our people, as we have done so for centuries.Today, in this fast changing world, Im most proud of the manner in which we live in a caring society where our people value harmony above all where our youth have exceptional talent, courage and grace and are guided by the values of their forefathers. Our nation is in the able hands of our young Bhutanese. We are a youthful, modern nation with age-old values. A small beautiful country but a strong nation too.Thus, Japans role in the growth and development of Bhutan is therefore very special. You have not only provided valuable aid and assistance but also been the source of strength and encouragement as we strive to fulfill our unique aspirations. Your generosity of spirit and the higher, greater natural bond between our two peoples that is un-definable and yet so deep and spiritual ensures that Japan will always have a friend in Bhutan.Japan has been one of the most important development partners for Bhutan. Therefore, I am very happy to be able to thank the government and the people of Japan who personally lived in Bhutan and worked with us, for your steadfast support and goodwill for our Bhutanese people. I hereby pledge that it shall be my constant endeavor to further strengthen and deepen the bonds between our two people. Once again I convey the prayers and good wishes of the People of Bhutan to the People of Japan.With Your Excellencys permission, I would like to say a prayer in my own language May Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress enjoy good health and happiness. And may the sun of peace, security and prosperity forever shine on the beautiful Nation and People of Japan.Thank you, Your Excellencies!

2011 November 17: His Majesty the Kings Speech at Keio University, JapanHis Majesty the KingvisitedJapanon a state visit in November, 2011. While in Tokyo His Majesty was conferred anHonorary Doctorate in EconomicsbyKeio University, for the promotion of the philosophy ofGross National Happiness.His Majesty the Kings speech at Keio University:Honorable President,Honourable Dean,Members of the faculty,I thank you for conferring this honour upon me and giving me this opportunity to speak to the students of this esteemed university.My dear students,I have been King, but for 5 years. I can only tell you my own thoughts and experiences and hope that you take away something from it.In contemplating how to be a good King for Bhutan, I realized one thing very early on. This world we live in is forever changing the speed and vastness of the change is astonishing. One decade is unrecognizable from the last. What we take for granted today, was not imagined yesterday.Take for example our mobile phones dont we all love our mobile phones? We use our phones to capture special moments in our lives, we text our friends and co-workers, it helps us to conduct our everyday business, we get to speak to our loved ones and receive emails at the same time. This ingenious technology has completely transformed the manner in which we communicate with each other, its contribution to democracy, enhancing cohesion in society, driving up our efficiency all of which is truly invaluable. When I was growing up, the closest we got to imagine the existence of such technology let alone ever using one was watching science fiction movies such as Star Trek.Can you imagine life without mobiles? Its almost unimaginable. And yet in the near future something else will come to replace this way of life.This is why I keep thinking about what our generation is going to do. How are we going to tread this world during our time? What kind of footprints are we going to leave as our generation leaves this world to our, yet unborn children?I feel in such a world, of great diversity and change one thing is clear. The independence and detachment of an individual is growing. In a technologically advanced world, the need to build small, genuine, human relationships is no longer strong. A global village we may have become, but with islands of individuals. We have the tools for communication such as the mobile phone, but not natural and intimate human bonds.The problems facing the world today they challenge all of us equally. And the solutions to these challenges must come from a real sense of concern and care for others, for all sentient beings and, for future generations. We must care about what happens to this earth. That requires something more than leadership, science or technology it requires Values. Even as I simply glance through the statistics that reflect the condition of the world today, however accurate the information may be, its not a pretty picture:First, lets talk about the environment:If you listen to these numbers, it is alarming how reckless we have been and continue to be. Something as fundamental as the environment the Earth has been forsaken for profit: Glaciers are melting, polar ice caps are thinning and coral reefs are dying. Climate change threatens the well being of all mankind. Today our consumption of renewable natural resources is 50% larger than natures capacity to regenerate. Every second, rainforests the size of a football field disappear Water problems affect half of humanity. It is quite clear now, that we will be handing to our children, a world which has been, in so many ways, made worse than when we inherited it.Now, lets talk about poverty:In a world that has seen unprecedented material growth the richest countries and people are richer than ever before: The poorest 40 percent of the worlds population accounts for only 5 percent of global income while the richest 20 percent get 75% 24,000 children die each day due to poverty About half of humanity 3 billion people live in cities of which 1 billion are confined to slums.The problems of poorer countries and people are often worsened by corruption which impedes economic growth and prevents the nurturing of strong and fair political systems both of which are key to increasing the opportunities for the poor to improve their lives. In developing countries, bribes alone total $20 to 40 billion a year imagine what it could do for health, education and economic opportunities for the poor.Even in advanced nations, corruption has taken root it is simply far more refined and sophisticated. Poverty brings hardship, suffering and untold misery. We have to be mindful that with such disparities come disharmony, conflict and ultimately instability on a global scale.What about health? 1 billion people lack access to proper health care 11 million children under the age of 5 die every year from malnutrition and preventable diseases 300 million suffer serious sickness due to malaria and 1 million die each year 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDSThen there is the global economy: The unpredictability and imperfect nature of legislations have caused instability and uncertainty in poorer countries affecting the already insecure livelihoods of their people Coupled with military spending the worlds future is even more unpredictable and dangerous. World military expenditure in 2009 was estimated at $1.5 trillion or about $225 for each person in the world The poor countries, most in need of resources are typically the ones with the weakest voice in how the global economy is shapedThus, we are only laying the groundwork for a world of inequality and resentment of future conflict over resources and livelihoods of continued strife, of terrorism and instability. The list of global problems goes on and on. And coupled with the rapid growth of the worlds population from 2 billion in 1930 to 7 billion today and 8 billion by the time we are in our mid-forties each problem will be multiplied and made worse year by year.I could summarize everything and put it simply The greatness of science and inventions, of great philosophers, of enterprise and industry has brought the world immeasurable benefits. Today we live a life far removed from that of our forefathers. Yet we face new and greater global challenges. Growth that overlooks inequality, injustice, environmental degradation, unbridled consumption is ultimately unsustainable. And it will continue to throw in humanitys way greater problems, until the day, we will not be able to repair the damage.So what do we do when faced with such great challenges?The solution to global problems will not just materialize from politics, from great leaders or from science and technology. The solution will come from us living as citizens of our communities, our societies, our countries and above all as citizens of the world. As citizens of the world, our unifying force our strength must also come from something that is not bound by nation, ethnicity or religion but from fundamental human values. Values of Compassion, Integrity and Justice. They are as old as mankind and we must bring ourselves to appreciate them and return them to their due place in our lives, our societies and in our governments.My utmost hope is that our generation with this unity of aspirations and values as human beings and equipped with this huge arsenal of science and technology and the lessons of history will seek the solutions, so desperately needed. I hope we will realize that we are at the cusp of a fundamental change of thought a social revolution that will change the way humanity will pursue growth. Our generation is called upon to rethink, to redefine the true purpose of growth. And in doing so, to find a growth that is truly sustainable.The letter from the President states that the honorary doctorate is for my promotion of the philosophy of GNH. What is GNH? Well, it is nothing other than that approach to growth and development that I have just spoken of.(My dear friends, let me repeat, our generation has to redefine the true purpose of growth. And since I know you are all students of economics I place on you the responsibility of finding this alternative growth path. You must approach this task with sincerity and great sense of responsibility but above all you must first be good and decent human beings).In conclusion I pray that you, my dear friends, will find wisdom, courage and determination to overcome challenges and grasp opportunities; to give you a moral compass towards honorable lives. I pray that at the end of it all, you will all be able to look back at extraordinary lives free of regret and full of satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment. And that I will learn, year after year, with great pride, of all the good you have done as simple human beings.Thank you, my dear friends, thank you!

2011 August 23: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Graduates Orientation ProgramHis Majesty the King graced the closing session of the National Graduates Orientation Program. His Majesty started by introducing Queen-to-be Jetsun Pema to the 1698 students.His Majesty the Kings Address to the Graduate Students:

This is Jetsun Pema. We will be married soon. When the third King was Paro Penlop, he married in Ugyen Pelri and Paro dzong on the 1st of October. My father married on the 31st of October 1988 in Punakha. So I decided to set my date on the 13th of October. I have known Jetsun for many years. We will, as you all know, serve you and the country throughout our lives. I am happy to introduce you to her today.Now, as we gather together today, I want to use this opportunity most effectively. I know you are all aware of most of the things I am going to say. Nonetheless, it is with the hope that it might be of benefit to you that I will state these things again. If you have questions, feel free to ask.At this profound moment in your lives, standing poised to begin your careers, you carry the weight of your parents and your families pride and hopes in you. From me, you have my good wishes, my faith and trust and above all, my happiness in your success until today.Today, I want you to reflect on the blessing of being born in Bhutan. I have travelled across the country and am truly amazed at the beauty and spirituality of our nation. It is a jewel born from Guru Rimpoches blessings.Fundamental to the strength and beauty of our nation is our cultural heritage our traditions and customs the bond between children and their parents, teachers and elders. The trust and faith among friends, neighbours and the community. These are unwritten and unspoken values passed from generation to generation for centuries. These values are inherent in all of us. Yet, it takes proper reflection to truly understand and nurture them in this modern world.With the coming of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, each era has brought a leader of destiny to safeguard our nation and our heritage. Some nations around the world have lost not only their independence but their cultures and traditions and way of life. In our hour of great uncertainties and challenges, came our third and fourth Druk Gyalpos. With their far-sighted leadership, the steadfast friendship of India and the hard work and dedication of our people, this modern nation has been born. And the greatest fruit of all these labours has been the birth of democracy. Now, the duty of carrying this special nation to a brighter future falls on us.Do not be complacent. In this day there are so many graduates. I know that most of you will know the importance of working hard. So to the few of you, who might feel that being graduates, everything will happen for you, I must warn you. You will be left behind. If you do not have the desire to learn, to work hard and to show determination, I am afraid you will be left behind or at best outdated. One day you will suffer for this complacency. If there is anything your heart desires, anything you want to achieve, the time to start is now. Dont be afraid of challenges and obstacles. There is no merit, for an individual or a nation, to avoid or hide from challenges. As we move forward into uncharted waters, we must find solutions to challenges with foresight, wisdom and tact. Therefore, these age-old values that we inherit from one generation and pass on to the next will be fundamental to our success.In talking of our age-old values let me say a few words on one aspect of it our Driglam Chhoesum our cultural traditions of etiquette. Many educated Bhutanese today might say that these are the little things we do such as lowering our heads, or our kabneys and standing in the presence of higher authorities. That is not true. It is neither subservience nor the currying of favour that some people have reduced it to be. As you go forward in life, you will, as individuals, need two things more than anything else education and character. There is a Bhutanese saying that one can make a living from having good character. How do you speak to and treat others? Are you easy for your colleagues to work with? Do your supervisors find it convenient to place responsibilities on you? Do your friends and family place their faith and trust in you? These are very important things to consider. If you place all your hopes for your future in the education you have, it is not enough. You must also know the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, between compassion and self-interest. You must know how to live a live of moderation and balance. No matter how well educated or capable you think you are, you must also make it easy for others to appreciate you, to offer you work, or to place important responsibilities on your shoulders. In the west, they sometimes refer to it as emotional intelligence. Our Driglam Chhoesum simply applies our age-old values to our daily lives and ensures that as we pursue individual goals and ambitions, we do so in harmony with others that our individual successes will build a strong, united and harmonious nation.Lastly, because I am King and I take my duty seriously, I have no aspirations or ambitions for myself. It is your aspirations and your hopes that I adopt as my own and I will spend my life trying to achieve them. So you must have great ambitions and hopes for yourself and for our country.

2011 July 15: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Convocation Ceremony of the Royal University of BhutanHis Majesty the Kinggraced the convocation ceremony of the graduates from eight colleges under theRoyal University of Bhutan. His Majesty spoke at length to the graduates and individually awarded degree certificates to 1088 students.On the start of democracy and its future in BhutanOn this issue, I can only repeat what I recently told the newly elected Gups recently. Our main priorities are the peace, prosperity, security and sovereignty of Bhutan. Towards these goals, we must all work together in first safeguarding our strong foundation of unity and harmony. In our small society, divisions and cleavages can manifest themselves in very destructive ways. We have seen this in other larger countries and the great price they have had to pay. Ngalop, Sharchop, Lhotshampa, Christians, Hindu, Buddhist, me against you, us against them some people might resort to such useless and irrelevant classifications in their work and dealings with each other. In todays world, it is more important that we worry about haves and have-nots economic disparity. I always say, in the past, we were all equally poor. Today, with growing prosperity, we in Bhutan must be mindful of the threat posed by economic disparities within society. Its unfortunate and lasting effects can be seen in so many nations around the world.I think the beginnings of democracy in Bhutan have been very successful. However, it will take constant work and commitment to make it a lasting success. Its a long process during which we must deeply contemplate each step so that we do what is right. Mistakes we make today will be irreversible. We cannot falter on our path to a vibrant democracy with an equal and just society. There is no room for divisions and disparities in society.We must always remember that the ultimate goal of all Bhutanese is the peace, security and sovereignty of our country. I am not speaking only of the physical defense of the nation. The armed forces, without hesitation, will sacrifice their lives to protect our nation and your security. I am confident of this. I am speaking of the peace and security that comes when we, at all times, are united in our love for our country through an abiding respect for our culture, values, laws and the national interest. This is the unique unifying Bhutanese character as individuals and as a nation, which must be nurtured for all time.On Kidu for the weakest sections of the population and on Land KiduPeople must feel ownership over democratic growth. Public apathy is a democracy killer. However, for ownership to be nurtured, our people must have a stake in it. Land ownership is the ultimate share or investment that a person has in the success of his or her nation. From this can be built his or her future and the future of their children. It is for this reason that I have since my first address to parliament, always worked on land reforms in rural Bhutan.For the future, due to the limited land available and growing urbanization, I feel we must shift focus from land ownership to home ownership by families. Creating equal stake in the country for all our people will be the key to the success of democracy.On the system of Kabneys and Patangs creating inequalities in societyThe solution to inequality is not in doing away with the kabney and patang. To understand the system of kabneys and patangs, you must first understand that our nation is a unique, small spiritual nation where our forefathers viewed their responsibilities to their fellow citizen and the nation in a special way. They were deeply connected to each other and to the country. They thought of service for the greater good as their duty. Thus, into such a nation, was born a unique system of kabneys and patangs based on merit. The kabney is the namza of the Buddha, of saints. It serves to remind the bearer of the need to carry out ones duties with humility, compassion, justice and integrity. The patang is the tool of a warrior signifying the pledge that one has made to sacrifice oneself in the service of the nation. This is the tradition of patang and kabney I believe in, and the one which I hope inspires those who wear them. Being based on merit, kabneys and patangs are important in recognizing duties, achievements and values. The system is fine except for one small problem. In general, kabneys and patangs represent the office and not the individual, yet, some people continue to wear them even when their term in that office is over.The problem of inequality is a much greater issue which should be addressed through bridging economic disparities at the national level, learning to respect one another irrespective of wealth or status at the individual level, and through the great social equalizer education.On the importance of honest and frank communication between young Bhutanese and His MajestyYour views and thoughts are important to me. I want to know what they are, not change them. And while my advice and guidance to you may not always be pearls of wisdom, they will always be the truth.On building their futureAs young citizens, all of you must be contemplating with excitement, the future ahead for yourself and for Bhutan. The future of the nation rests in the hands of her individual citizens. Each of us must first be able to stand up and realize our own potential as individuals. Then we must fulfill our obligations to build loving, united and strong families.Further upon these, we then build our higher allegiance and commitment to society and the country. There is complete interdependence in the relationship between these elements of a nation. Whatever goals you set for yourself, as you go out to fulfill them, do so with the right values values that enrich your own life and the lives of those whom you touch on your journey. Gain the wisdom to achieve your personal goals and ambitions in harmony with others as they strive to achieve theirs. Acquire the right skills and knowledge but remember that learning is a lifelong process. Utilize the experience that comes from your personal efforts as you go but do not forget to use the vast experience that exists in history. I hope these words will be of use to you at the start of this new chapter in your lives.

2011 July 12: His Majesty the Kings Speech at the Dhar Ceremony for Gups elects

In an unprecedented and historic gesture,His Majesty the Kinggranteddharandkabneyto the 190Gups who were elected in thefirst historic local government electionsof 27 June 2011.The award of kabney to Gups by His Majesty is unprecedented and symbolises the importance and apolitical nature of local governments in the new governance era.His Majesty the Kings Address to the Gups:I say, with happiness and great satisfaction, that in the few years since 2008, we have conducted the general elections, adopted the Constitution, and formed the houses of Parliament, constitutional bodies, and the Supreme Court. And today we have accomplished yet another milestone, in establishing the first local governments under democracy. We have, therefore, laid all the founding pillars of democracy in Bhutan so early in my reign, as I fulfill the vision of my father, His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, of a vibrant democracy.Today on this most auspicious occasion, let me take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts with you.It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate the representatives of the gewogs of the 20 dzongkhags and to thank them for having come forward to serve their communities. I am also grateful to the Election Commission of Bhutan, civil servants, armed forces and volunteers. With your hard work and the prayers of the Dratshang, we have conducted the historic first local government elections under democracy. I appreciate the efforts made by many people to travel and vote in their constituencies, in the spirit of democratic participation.As a symbol of the independence and importance of local government, I am awarding your kabneys from the Throne. However, as you carry out your duties, remember you are not there to seek status, wealth or fame. Your primary goal is to serve the people without prejudice and bias and to always hold the interest of the nation above all. As citizens of a spiritual nation, be compassionate and fulfill the aspirations of the people with the highest standards of integrity.We elected officials, government and the King are all here to serve our nation and people.I must remind you that in democracy there are no winners and losers. Those who are capable and desirous of serving their country and people should come forward and stand for elections. Those, whom the people choose, must then serve without fear or favour. If we can do this, then democracy succeeds and the nation wins.Democracy did not come to us overnight. It was a carefully planned process full of hard work and sacrifice, led by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo. Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdus were established as far back as 1980 and Gewog Yargay Tshogchungs in 1990. Decentralization and empowerment of the grassroots has been a constant process, culminating in the transfer of powers from the Throne to the people under democracy. In the exercise of these powers, local governments are invaluable to the people.That is why, first of all, I want to dispel a false perception. Local government is NOT the lowest level of government; it is the nearest and closest level of government for our people. For rural Bhutanese, local governments are indispensible avenues for participation in democracy and development. In the long run, the success of democracy in Bhutan will be determined by the success of local governments.We are a small landlocked country, and our highest goals are the peace, prosperity, security and sovereignty of our nation. It is an important responsibility of Gups to ensure a harmonious and united society. In standing for elections, you sought the votes of the majority. In carrying out your duties you must gain the trust and faith of all the people. You must have intimate knowledge of the daily lives of the people in your constituencies; work in constant and close interaction with them and nurture cooperation, consensus and close-knit communities. In a largely rural country you are important not just in carrying out vital duties towards achieving development objectives of the people, but also in bringing about a harmonious and united society.You might think that I have detailed your duties and responsibilities and the importance of local government, but have said few words of felicitation and praise for your success in the elections. Your work is yet to begin, and praise will not solve any of the problems facing our people. If, after five years, I find that you have served your constituencies well, that you have worked hard and without prejudice, and that above all, you have not hurt the sentiments of my people, I will be the first to commend and praise your achievements.

2011 May 20: Royal Address to the 7th Session of ParliamentIt is now almost three years and three months since the start of democracy. Our nation has so much to be proud of. The first years of democracy have been a great success, made possible by the blessings of the Dharma and our Guardian Deities and the foundations laid through the selfless efforts of our forefathers and Kings and the good fortune and karma of the People of Bhutan.Our generation embarked on a profound process of democratization, with little experience but armed with the strength of our unity of vision and aspirations. Our people, government, religious institutions and bodies, private sector, media, legislature, constitutional bodies, judiciary and the armed forces have all served the country well under this new system, and have worked to slowly shape a strong and effective democracy. Through your hard work, it has been possible in the midst of such a dramatic transition to oversee the vast socio-economic development plans and projects we had in the 10th 5-year plan.The government has worked tirelessly in all sectors such as hydropower, tourism, agriculture and industries. Remote villages are being connected with roads and electricity is being made accessible to villages while education and health facilities are being broadened or improved. Our traditions and cultural values continue to be strengthened and rural lhakangsare being renovated. The government has moved with intensified efforts to renew foreign relations according to the changing times. I am happy that our relations with India are as strong as ever. The people of Bhutan must appreciate all these efforts being made by the government.In spite of all our achievements and the peace and prosperity we have experienced for so long in fact because of this success we must remember to never be complacent. If even a small fraction of the problems that plague other nations appear in Bhutan, our small society will be forever afflicted and we may never regain our jewel of a nation.As we move forward, we must be guided by the most sacred and unchanging national goals the security and sovereignty of our Nation and the peace, unity and harmony of our People. Today, as I have said before, our immediate and foremost duty is the success of democracy. That is our foundation for the future success of Bhutan. But democracy can only flourish if all Bhutanese uphold the rule of law; if there is good governance; if corruption is eradicated and if the delivery of public services is fair and effective.As a small landlocked nation, the only way for us to fulfill these is to carry out our duties through cooperation, sharing and consultation. I know that each ministry, government institution, parliamentary body or public agencies has its own mandate. Still, you must work together, not in competition. Henceforth, I ask all of you to establish the practice of meeting regularly, sitting face to face every now and then, so that you will always be in collaboration as you carry out your separate responsibilities. And all problems may be resolved without being allowed to fester and grow. Such shared effort will be in the true spirit of Gross National Happiness.Today, at this auspicious gathering, I would like to make a short announcement to all the people of the 20Dzongkhags.As King, it is now time for me to marry. After much thought I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year.Now, many will have their own idea of what a Queen should be like that she should be uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful. I think with experience and time, one can grow into a dynamic person in any walk of life with the right effort. For the Queen, what is most important is that at all times, as an individual she must be a good human being, and as Queen, she must be unwavering in her commitment to serve the People and Country.As my queen, I have found such a person and her name is Jetsun Pema. While she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character. These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation.This union does not mean that I am starting my own family. From the very day I received theDhar Ngay-Ngafrom the sacredMachhen, the people of the 20Dzongkhagsbecame my family. Such is the duty and privilege of all Kings of Bhutan. It is through this union, that I shall have a Queen who will support, and work with me, as I serve the People and Country.The wedding will be in accordance with age-old tradition, to seek the blessings of our Guardian Deities. I ask the government not to make any plans for a grand celebration. The happiness of my beloved father and the blessings of our People will give me the greatest joy and happiness.

2010 December 17: Royal Address delivered during the National Day of BhutanBefore the Royal Address, His Majesty The King expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash in Nepal. His Majesty said that he has been deeply saddened by the loss and offered a thousand butter lamps in Tashichho Dzong yesterday. His Majesty said that the Zhung Dratshang would conduct prayers for the departed. His Majesty also thanked the Nepalese people and government for their wholehearted support following the air crash.~My dear people,As King, I have been deeply blessed by the satisfaction of seeing immense achievements in four short years, made possible only by the harmonious bond between the people and government, as we worked hand in hand.We have conducted our first general elections, formed the government and opposition, instituted the National Assembly and National Council and above all, following elaborate deliberations by our honourable members of Parliament, we adopted our sacred and historic Constitution. We have all worked together towards strengthening our democratic institutions and this year established the Supreme Court of Bhutan.As a developing country, socio-economic development efforts are vital. In this regard, the Prime Minister and the government have not only worked hard on successfully implementing the crucial 10th 5-year plan but have also initiated many new projects for the benefit of our people.For the peace, happiness and prosperity we enjoy today, I take this opportunity to voice on behalf of our people, gratitude to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. On my own behalf, I shall never forget the kindness, loyalty and faith with which you, my people, have supported me at the beginning of my own reign.In times of such peace and prosperity, as good Bhutanese, we must reflect on our responsibilities in further strengthening our nation. We all know that we shoulder responsibilities based on our professions whether they be in the civil service, business or even as parents and teachers. We know we must excel in these duties in order to succeed as individuals and as a nation.However, there is a higher responsibility not written in any legal document but instead enshrined in humanity and history a natural responsibility and duty that we all must shoulder equally, irrespective of who we are. Of paramount importance to the strength of a nation, is the ability of her people to live as one united family a community in which interaction is marked by trust, understanding and cooperation.What is this natural responsibility?I am young, but as King it is my duty to offer, after deep reflection and prayer, my own thoughts and guidance on how we strengthen our nation as a unique Bhutanese people. To me, natural responsibility means upholding values such as integrity, justice and compassion and above all living by that unwritten but absolute code of right over wrong, no matter what it is we are trying to achieve as individuals or as a nation. After all, while the objectives are important, the manner in which we achieve these objectives is a far more important indicator of our strength as a nation. We must achieve everything as a united harmonious family. I truly believe that it would be a great service to the nation if, as individuals, we always treat each other with respect and dignity.This is why natural responsibilities are important, for if we understand and fulfill them then, it is only normal that we will be a society in which there is complete trust in each other. And once this becomes the character of society, then regard, faith and respect will come naturally.I have always said these unwritten, unseen but profound values have been a part of our heritage inherited from our forefathers. However, I have also said that we face the danger that they might be weakened and lost over time, in the face of so many changes in the world and our nation. A family in which there is deep discord between parent and child or brother and sister is unlikely to achieve anything that leads to lasting happiness. As a nation, it is no different. Today we have great aspirations the peace, stability, security and sovereignty of the nation; strengthening of our new democracy; equitable socio-economic growth to achieve GNH and; nurturing our youth to one day lead a nation greatly strengthened by our hard work and commitment. To achieve all this we need trust and faith in our relationships between the government and people; between institutions of government and; between people ourselves. With the harmony and unity born of these relationships, we will achieve our aspirations and find peace, prosperity and gross national happiness.In short let me say, if we uphold values such as unity, harmony, integrity, trust, justice and peace if we respect their great importance then it will be reflected in a strong civil society. A strong civil society is a fundamental pillar of democracy.In 2008 when I became King, I promised you that, throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.I have always taken every decision and carried out every action with this promise in mind. In all my work, I consider my personal interactions with the people to be of greatest importance. Wherever I travel, I make it a point to enter every household and meet every family. Besides this, I have also tried to meet every day, small groups of people from all walks of life. In the two years since 2008, I have met about fifty thousand such people in my home. It is a source of great happiness for me that I am able to meet you, my people. With the old, I have the satisfaction of being able to express personal gratitude for their long service to the nation. With the young, I build the beginnings of a life-long relationship through which we will serve the people and nation together.During one such meeting, a young civil servant asked me what is our country going to be like in the next 15 years?. I told him that while fifty or sixty years hence is unknowable, the next fifteen years are easier to contemplate. After all, it is in this period of time that the fruits of our actions today will take shape. Our generation has immense tasks ahead of us the foremost being the building of a vibrant democracy, the foundations for which have been built by the fourth Druk Gyalpo.Let us nurture what we have begun so well, so that our nation shall reap the rewards of strong democracy for all time to come. Secondly, we must ensure equitable distribution of the fruits of our nations rapid growth and progress. Third, we must never set each other apart based on religion, regionalism or ethnicity. We must always refer to ourselves as citizens of Bhutan, all equal and all alike. If we can fulfill these tasks then the nations future in fifteen years is not only bright but we will have paved the road for even greater success in the decades beyond.Lastly I end with a prayer for our nation. That the sun of peace and prosperity may always shine on Bhutan a nation blessed by the teachings of Lord Buddha a Shangrila blessed by the great Guru Rimpoche and founded by our revered and beloved parent Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal a country born from the labour of Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan.Tashi Delek!

2010 October 23: Royal Address at Doon School, Dehradun, IndiaYour Excellency Shrimati Patil, President of India, Your Excellencies, Dignitaries, Doon Alumni, Chairman Analjit, Board members, Headmaster and students of Doon School,I am delighted to be here at an important milestone in the history of an exceptional institution. We have all heard of Doon but I see the true worth of the school, in the presence of such a large number of alumni here today and in the commitment with which Doon Alumni of all ages, serve their alma mater.

One must appreciate such a special lifetime bond between a school and her students. Even in my own country, I always ask people, whether they are civil servants or businessmen, to maintain close links with their old schools in rural Bhutan. With personal attention, they would be able to do so much more for their school and for the young students graduating from it. Doon school is of course different but the essence is the same. You give back to the institution that nurtured and shaped you and in doing so you share the fruits of your education with those that come after you. The bond between Doon school and her students has far deeper meaning than one sees at first, and the need for such bonds extends beyond Doon to other academic institutions, to societies and to nations. I commend the Old Boys of Doon and say to you, that your example is one to be emulated.To the students of Doon I will keep my words short so you can enjoy the rest of your special day with your friends and family.Youth is all about energy, action, playfulness, fun, mischief, learning, friendships so many wonderful things. I envy you you have so much to look forward to your first kiss for some of you; first girlfriend; true love; riding a bike or driving a car or travelling away from home for the first time; the freedom of university life; the innocence and purity of youth I envy you and I urge you, live your youth to the full. Celebrate these joyful urges. Enjoy everything that student life and youth have to offer.When it is time to study study. If you are going to play sports, do it with full drive and energy. Approach everything you do with passion and absorb and enjoy the experience whether youre learning to play a guitar, climb mountains or hit a cricket ball. Enjoy your school life to the full. This is your time.In this modern world, there is the danger that the force of competition and eagerness to overcome challenges ahead will take out the joy in learning and growing. I know there are certain realities we face as children and as parents and that we are all trying to adapt to a changing world but challenges are a part of life as you grow older life is going to bring enough of them: university admissions; getting the right job; failure; sorrow at the loss of loved ones; trying to keep up with your neighbours and colleagues; betrayal; sickness; the list is endless. But the fact that life is full of challenges does not mean that you should stop being young. Someone said, Life is a marathon, dont make a hundred meter dash today! You will burn out early on in the race. Pace yourself wisely and remember it is not how you begin the game that matters it is how youve played it in the end. Yes, I know, all of you want to get into a good university but there is a big difference in preparing for university and preparing for life. In the preparation for life, there can be nothing better than a well-rounded education and wholesome growth of character. For that you have to live your life as a young man to the full.Now, I must have read this many years ago in some magazine or on a greeting card. Live each day as if it is the first youve ever seen and the last youll ever see. I dont think it means we should leave everything behind, be irresponsible and reckless and do whatever we want. No, it means, every day gives us the fresh chance to strive for something important to us that its never too late to strive for greatness.And if we imagine each day as the last day well ever see we gain the confidence to make the right choices in life to aim for what our heart truly desires; we gain the confidence not to be carried by the current of other peoples thoughts; the guts to do what is right; to withstand the fear of failure or embarrassment; to push away the distractions and focus on what is truly valuable to us. You will even find the courage to finally speak to the girl of your dreams!Today everything is about success. Everyone wants to be successful and in this day and age success is inevitably equated with money and power. But is that success? What is true success? This is a question philosophers might vex over! For me real success needs so many ingredients: a happy school life; true friendships; good health; a job one loves; a sense of worth to oneself and others; strong family relationships, good marriages; the ability to appreciate nature; living in harmony with others around us; so many things.To make young boys crave for success in life today is to ask too much. But to ask young boys to be good human beings that I think is the right education.You see, success in not an individual thing. As a student how successful are you really if you do not have true friendships and experiences that help you grow as young man? As a man, how successful are you if happiness as a son, father or husband eludes you? And finally as an Indian how can you truly succeed unless Mother India and your fellow Indian brothers and sisters succeed? As human beings we have an inherent duty to others. Thus, we will most likely find true success and happiness when we combine our ambitions and goals with being a good human being.Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you want to achieve? What would make you happy when you turn 50 or 60 and look back on your life? Is it going to be one full of satisfaction and fulfillment or will it be one of regrets? I dont know.But the one thing I can tell you is that you are at the beginning of a long journey. You are young life will be full of opportunities but as your life unfolds you will find life is not without challenges. The question is, at the end of it all, what is story of your life going to be?Let me share my experience with you.I always imagine my life as a book, not a real book but a book that I am engaged in writing. When I do this, I find that every moment brings the urge and energy to do something special, something worthy to write into the book. When I am confronted by some challenge, I find the opportunity to write a wonderful tale of hardship, suffering, hard work, determination and commitment. When faced by the temptation to take short cuts and cheat, the book serves as my conscience.Doing this gives me wonderful perspective. I find that success does not go to my head and failure does not crush me. As events unfold, I am able to keep my eyes on the ultimate goal to live a life without regret a life that would make wonderful reading. After all, like anyone else, I want the story of my life to be as good as possible.Please try it for yourself. It would make me so happy if it helps you even a little. I pray that each of you will be a good human being leading honorable lives on which one day you will look back with great pride, satisfaction and fulfillment. Above all, I pray for your personal well-being and happiness.Finally, to the families of students, I hope you do not mind that it is a young man from Bhutan who has stood here speaking to your children about life especially as I have no children of my own! Let me say I may not be an expert, but memories of my own childhood are very vivid while yours might be fading! I am of course joking.On a serious note, even as King, I have no other duty than to work for the long-term future of my country. And because the obvious fact is that the future of a country must mirror the quality of her younger citizens, I spend most of my time with students and youth. It is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work. I want to thank all the parents for giving me this opportunity to speak to your children, who no doubt, I will one day meet as leaders around the world.Thank you all for listening to me. Students, I will be spending this evening with you. I look forward to conversing with you about whatever interests you have and things you want to talk about.Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you everyone.

2010 October 21: Royal Address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Defence College, New Delhi Most Honourable President of India,Your Excellencies,Dignitaries,NDC family,I remember vividly my days at the National Defence College. I can recall looking at the plaque bearing Pandit Nehrus speech at the entrance of the building, as I walked in on my first day. From that moment on, every time I attended classes, presentations or various NDC activities, I was constantly reminded of Pandit Nehru. Not simply the words on the plaque though profound they are.Its the spirit of Nehru one can always sense the complete dedication and commitment to country in Pandit Nehrus every word and action. And throughout my stay here, I found that the institution of NDC, embodies that noble spirit.There is a sense of purpose in the establishing of the NDC, the activities it undertakes and the manner in which every senior Indian official who attends NDC approaches their stint here. This singular purpose is the strengthening of Mother India. I have great admiration for the institution and for the people who have been through its doors and gone on to serve India so well.The high standards of achievement, experience and commitment shown by those at NDC are a direct result of the achievements of India as a nation, and herald the immensely bright future ahead.I came to NDC as the Crown Prince of a friendly country. I came to learn and to be a part of the Indian family. Yet, I shall remember my year in Delhi at the NDC for one thing optimism. Why? I saw, up close, in my interactions with leaders in government, civil service or private sector my daily work at the NDC and personal experiences throughout the city the immensely bright future for India. And as Indias closest friend and neighbour, this bright future augured nothing but the best for Bhutan as well. I came to India in early 2005 as a friend of India, appreciative of the role of India in Bhutans progress. I left a year later, as the staunchest proponent of Indo-Bhutan friendship as the key to Bhutans future, even in this new globalized world.Your Excellency, my dear friends, India is a world leader. It is not her economic or military might alone above all, it is the character of the Indian nation her commitment to democracy, to engendering global equality among nations, to liberty. This noble Indian character is directly reflected in the unique steadfast friendship she, a giant of a nation in every respect, has forged with a small Himalayan neighbour.My friends, when I came to the NDC, I had no idea at the time that my father would abdicate in 2006. So I had a year in which I had the freedom and time to experience the social and cultural life of Delhi; and the good fortune to meet and learn from many of Indias senior leaders in government and business and above all, to make friends for life. When I look back, I feel it was destiny that gave me the most wonderful opportunity to spend my final year before becoming King, in India. Thus, coming to NDC is one of the best decisions I have made. My love and affection for India and her people was further strengthened by a complete faith in the greatness of India and the bright future ahead for our two nations.Before I conclude, I must say, Your Excellency, that it is a special honour to be in the presence of the President of India for whom I have the highest regard and respect. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Government of India for the warmth and kindness with which they have received me and arranged my visit. I thank the Commandant of NDC and its esteemed faculty for the excellent preparations and for inviting me. I am delighted to be back, especially to have been reunited with my friends from the 45th Course. What a wonderful time we had yesterday evening.Ladies and gentlemen, you know that I consider myself a part of the Indian family and nothing makes me happier than being able to return to India. So I thank you for having me here and I look forward to many more meetings in the future.Long live Indo-Bhutan friendship!

2010 October 05: Royal Address by King Jigme Khesar at the Calcutta University Convocation, Calcutta University, Kolkata, October 5, 2010.Honorable Chancellor and members of the University, distinguished guests, and my dear students of the University of Calcutta,You may have in the past had as speakers, leaders from your society and country whom you could identify with and might even wish to emulate. Sometimes you would have had speakers from beyond India, who were nonetheless familiar as famous leaders in their respective fields. I fit in neither of these categories. Still, I feel so much at home and among friends as I stand here today. After all, India is Bhutans closest neighbour and friend and beyond that, the great state of West Bengal has been Bhutans partner and comrade since time immemorial. I feel privileged to be here at this august institution and I feel a deep sense of happiness in being among so many of Bhutans young friends. I thank you all for this opportunity.Today, I am here to share my thoughts and experiences with you, people of my own generation, who face the same challenges and opportunities that I do. I am here for a simple conversation, and only hope you will take away something from it.I dont want to talk about what the world should do or what countries should do or about great subjects and issues and what leaders must do. Instead, let us talk about what we, the youth, should do and how we should live our lives as individuals about how we are going to tread this earth during our time. What kind of footprints are we going to leave as our generation gives way to that of our yet unborn children?To do so, first of all, lets get an idea of the kind of world we have been born into the one you are entering after this convocation. It is not a pretty picture, I must warn you.Now, these facts and figures that I quote are easily available anywhere, and one quick glance on the web will give you much more information than I can read out to you today.First, lets talk about the environment:If you listen to these numbers, it is alarming how reckless we have been and continue to be. Something as fundamental as the environment the Earth has been forsaken for profit: Up to 70% of the worlds known species risk extinction if the global temperatures rise by more than 3.5 degrees centigrade. Every second, rainforests the size of a football field disappear Water problems affect half of humanity Glaciers are receding Often as a direct result of the disrespect for the environment, natural disasters become more frequent and forceful. Very recently, disasters have struck Ladakh and most parts of Pakistan The costs of natural disasters can set back a community or nation by decades not to speak of the lasting emotional damage inflicted on the people affectedYet, sadly, there is not much hope for quick global action that is so essential. As we all know, the efforts to build global cooperation towards a lasting solution have been failing regularly. It seems the interests of humanity always lose out when faced with the interests of individuals.It is quite clear now, that we will be handing to our children, a world which has been, in so many ways, made worse than when we inherited it.Now, lets talk about poverty:In a world that has seen unprecedented material growth: The poorest 40 percent of the worlds population accounts for only 5 percent of global income while the richest 20 percent get 75% More than 1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day 24,000 children die each day due to poverty About half of humanity 3 billion people live in cities of which 1 billion are confined to slums. The problems of poorer countries and people are often worsened by corruption.In developing countries, bribes alone total $20 to 40 billion a year imagine what it could do for health, education and economic opportunities for the poor.Poverty brings hardship, suffering and untold misery to the poor. But those in richer communities or nations should be mindful that with such disparities come disharmony, conflict and ultimately instability on a global scale.What about health? 1 billion people lack access to proper health care 11 million children under the age of 5 die every year from malnutrition and preventable diseases 300 million suffer serious sickness due to malaria and 1 million die each year 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS of which only 4 million have access to antiretroviral treatmentAll this in a world that prides itself on scientific achievement. We can send people to the moon but we cant find out how to get essential medicines into the hands of those who need it the most.Then there is the global economy: The unpredictability and imperfect legislation of advanced economies has caused instability and uncertainty in poorer countries affecting the already insecure livelihoods of their people Coupled with military spending the worlds future is even more unpredictable and dangerous. World military expenditure in 2009 was estimated at $1.5 trillion or about $225 for each person in the world The poor countries, most in need of resources are typically the ones with the weakest voice in how the global economy is shapedThus, we are only laying the groundwork for a world of inequality and resentment of future conflict over resources and livelihoods of continued strife, of terrorism and instability.The list of global problems goes on and on. And coupled with the rapid growth of the worlds population from 2 billion in 1930 to 6.8 billion today and 8 billion in the next 10 to 15 years. That is something to think about.I could summarize everything and put it simply The greatness of humanity, of science and inventions, of great philosophers, of enterprise and industry has undoubtedly brought the world immeasurable benefits. Today we live a life far removed from that of our forefathers. Yet, we face new and greater global challenges. Why? Because growth that overlooks inequality, injustice, environmental degradation, unbridled consumption is ultimately unsustainable. And it will continue to throw in humanitys way greater and greater problems, until one day when we will not be able to repair the damage.So what do we do when our generation is faced with such great challenges? I suppose we must first acknowledge, even as we contemplate the sad statistics that define our predicament that one lesson history has taught us is that we are the authors of our own global problems.I believe that every generation has faced its great challenges as far back as we can find the history for. And every generation has ultimately realized, often too late that humanity faces its darkest moments when we forsake the very characteristics that make us truly extraordinary living beings our human Conscience our Values.As we begin to play our role from the moment you leave this hall let us not speak of world leaders and great nations let us demand answers from ourselves, as individuals. What is our role? Did we ever sit down and think about this while at university? Some of us will have done so but most of us feel limited in our capacity to make real change most of us would think we are young we are not billionaires or world leaders or famous celebrities we are students fresh out of college it is difficult enough for a young person to survive to make a living shouldnt it be world leaders who make a change in the world?This is the flaw this waiting for saviors why must the world wait for a few individuals to be born?In a way, the environment we live in inculcates in us this outlook to life those words we use so often at university competition, future, jobs, income, investment and other such words nothing wrong with the words except that we have slowly become their victims not their masters. In the absence of other ways to qualify and evaluate success in education, we equate success with money or power. Even Mahatma Gandhi during his time felt that we had no idea what education really meant and how to put a value to it. It is the same today. We know what we get if we work hard, a good degree and find a good job we get a nice car, nice house and the appreciative admiration of others. We dont know what we get exactly from being honest, just and compassionate. The benefits from this do not accrue so easily or visibly.But as Gandhiji said, an education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other, is a misnomer.For our generation, no matter what we have all studied in university or where we are from, we have been born into a world where it is more likely that we will pursue material rewards more than what is morally right that we will follow the path of individualism at the cost of community and fraternity. This is the direction we have been pointed towards by the kind of growth the world has pursued.How unfortunate for if we take this path then no matter how much scientific or material progress is made in our lifetimes, global problems will prevail, in fact multiply and we will continue to endanger each other and the future of our children.But how wonderful if we decide today that we will make the effort, as individuals, to try and solve global problems, to make the world a better place for our children and for the less fortunate among us. If we decide to change the way we are expected to think and behave. If we, in this room, seize this chance to do things differently. If we act without waiting for great leaders to be born. If we can believe in the extraordinary potential of simple human values then . We can be the generation that made the difference the generation with a conscience the generation that the world has waited for, for so long.None of us here may have, today, the wealth or skills to combat natural disasters or plug the ozone layer or remove world poverty. But we know that there is one thing we can change that is ourselves. That is the most important thing that is the one obvious starting point in our quest to find a solution to global problems ones self. As Gandhiji said, Be the change you want to see.Do not feel alone, small or inconsequential. Too often leadership is associated with one great person giving an inspiring sermon to the masses and leading them to greater heights. I would be happy with this version of leadership if only it happened enough. By enough I mean if great leaders led millions everyday all over the world and solved all our problems. But that is not going to happen. We need millions of Mahatmas but history has given us only one.Therefore, even if all of us cannot own billions or rule the world what we can do for certain is we can touch the life of one person at a time that is what is humanly possible and that is the great equalizer whether you are the richest woman in the world or an ordinary man making a living you have the same power to truly touch someone with kindness, compassion and care.When I speak about kindness, compassion and care I know I may sound naive but the fact is that I believe in what I am saying. What I am saying is that in this global village on a daily basis we are not fighting world wars or military conquest every single day we are fighting the consequences of simple human negligence, complacency, lack of compassion, inequality. What we need is not a Leader to lead the Masses we need Leadership of the Self.This is my message today. I do not know how to find the cure for diseases and I cannot tell governments or multinationals to respect the environment but I can assure you with all confidence that each of us can be better individuals better human beings. Whether we become farmers, scientists, inventors or bureaucrats, the one thing we can all do alike is to live our lives according to the values of kindness, integrity, justice we can be good human beings.How does Leadership of the Self being better human beings translate to a better world?Well, there are hundreds of us here today and thousands more under the University of Calcutta. Some of us will become scientists, some corporate leaders, some national leaders and teachers so on. The difference will be that as good human beings we will be scientists who make the right inventions and cures; corporate leaders who do business with ethics; national leaders who keep in mind the weakest sections of society and the welfare of future generations; teachers who nurture and build good people. Imagine all the good we can do with the skills that our education provides, the tools that science and technology offer and all the resources of the world.See, throughout history, we have always had the resources, the technology and science to not only solve but also actually prevent the problems that have plagued our world. What we lacked at certain moments is the Conscience to direct these resources to their right and noble use. When 24,000 children die every day due to poverty, we spend $1.5 trillion dollars on arms and ammunition. So now we can direct a missile at a target on another continent with the simple press of a button, but we cannot yet bring safe drinking water to half of humanity. We always had the resources. We lacked steadfast commitment, conscience and compassion.I hope you see why I have kept speaking about the need to develop ourselves as individuals before we seek change in the world. We live in a highly globalized and interdependent world, a world where problems facing humanity like poverty, disease, war, strife do not recognize borders of nation, ethnicity or religion. It affects all of us; it affects every part of the world.The solution to global problems will not just materialize from politics, from great leaders or from science and technology. The solution will come from us living as citizens of our communities, our societies, our countries and above all as citizens of the world. As citizens of the world, our unifying force our strength must also come from something that is not bound by nation, ethnicity or religion from fundamental human values.Values shape the future of humanity.Values are the root of our character if we do not tend the roots, the character that springs from it no matter how much wealth, power and fame surrounds it will bring little benefit to oneself, the lives of others and to the well being of the planet.All these buildings, monuments, this life that we hold so dear all of these must give way and perish not Values Values of kindness, integrity, justic