Wow Bhutan

Bhutan, the world’s youngest democracy, hands Raven Crown to 28-year-old King

The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan crowned a 28-year-old Oxford-educated bachelor as its new King yesterday, six months after reluctantly transforming itself from an absolute monarchy into the world’s newest democracy. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck became the world’s youngest reigning monarch when he was handed the Raven Crown by his father, the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in an elaborate ceremony in Thimphu, the capital. The former King, who is 52, abdicated two years ago as ...

Singye refutes ACC indictment

Almost three weeks after the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) implicated senior officials of the department of roads (DoR) and Singye Construction for serious lapses in the construction of the Thimphu expressway, Singye Group of Companies responded to the media refuting the ACC findings. In a written submission, signed by the vice chairman, Ugen Tsechup Dorji, they said that the investigation report compiled by ACC and publicised in the media was absolutely “absurd, false and immoral”. ...

Overland to Thunder Dragon land

Twenty adventurous Dutch and eight cars hit the roads for Bhutan to be a part of the celebrations long before the preparations took off here. The Road to Bhutan rally drove 15,000 km for 67 days through Italy, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India, “making music” along the way, and entered Bhutan from Gelephu on November 20. Their rally flagged off on September 26. Director of Road to Bhutan, Arnold Pilon, who has done ten world tours, called the journey “heavy traveling”. “This 11th journ...

Keeping Bhutan Green

With the objective of protecting and preserving our environment for the betterment of life on earth, “Keep Bhutan Green” campaign was observed on 19th November 2008 at CICCC ground, Thimphu. The campaigned is jointly organized by Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), National Environment Commission (NEC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Bhutan Trust Fund (BTF). The occasion was graced by Her Royal Highness, Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck. Also present were Deputy Minister of NEC, Dasho Nado Rinchen...

Lessons in Gross National Happiness

Many Americans are likely unaware of the other historic election of 2008. Bhutan, once an absolute monarchy, became one of the world's newest democracies in March. Most Americans are probably not thinking about Bhutan right now. Sure, some are aware of that tiny Buddhist nation sandwiched between China and India. But Bhutan can seem a universe away. It didn't have television until the late 1990s. Its main export is electricity. Instead of focusing on gross domestic product (GDP), Bhutan meas...

The Raven Crown

The Wangchuck dynasty is among the most colourful in the history of modern Asia. The first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was a masterful warrior-diplomat who was able to crush constant clan warfare and woo the British overlords in neighbouring India. London approved his proclamation of a kingdom in 1907. When the British withdrew 40 years later, India replaced it as Bhutan’s protector. That role continues today: India is Bhutan’s biggest investor and customer. The new king is an unexpecte...