Dasho Lhendup Dorji laid to rest (REPRODUCTION)
2 May, 2007 – The former prime minister of Bhutan, Dasho Lhendup Dorji was cremated on Saturday April 28, 2007 in Gyazam, Thimphu.
The purjang ceremony was attended by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the royal family, the prime minister, ministers and government officials, representatives from the international community, relatives and friends who flew in from around the world.
Hundreds of well wishers gathered by the riverside at Gyazam to pay their final respect and prayers for a man many remember as an icon for an era that has now passed.
“It was a beautiful ceremony with so many of his close friends from around the world and all his family members. He has been laid to rest in a place that he enjoyed spending his time at,” said a senior Bhutanese official.
A memorial service at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, India, was held last week in honour of Dasho Lhendup Dorji and the UK based Racing Post also carried an article informing the European racing community of his passing.
Dasho Lhendup Dorji was born to Gongzim Raja Sonam Tobgay Dorji and Rani Chuni Wangmo on October 6, 1935 at Bhutan House, Kalimpong. Brother to Her Majesty the Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, he was conferred the red scarf by the Third Druk Gyalpo in 1958.
He passed away on April 15, 2007 at his residence in Lungtenphug surrounded by his family. He started his formal education in St Joseph’s College North Point, Darjeeling continued at Choate Preparatory School and finished from Cornell University, New York. He also worked with the United Nations in the mid 1950s.
Dasho Lhendup Dorji was the first Bhutanese to have studied in the United States where he excelled at boxing and took part in the Golden Gloves Tournament as a tenacious Himalayan boxer.
On returning to Bhutan from the United States, his first assignment was to measure land. He spent months travelling throughout the country with an iron chain manually calculating the terrain using the measurement system prevalent at the time. He later served as Post Master General, Paro Thrimpon, Deputy and later Secretary General of the Development Wing.
He firmly believed that it was the duty of the people to serve their King and country with loyalty above all else. He maintained this until the very end.
An outstanding sportsman by nature, he enjoyed playing archery and believed that due importance had to be given to the national sport.
In golf and tennis he was the first Bhutanese to win tournaments in Nepal and India. He continued the winning streak in Thimphu. In particular, he had a true love of horse racing and was a prominent figure within the racing circles of India and the UK.
A flamboyant man in all aspects, he was an international figure with a wide circle of friends that stretched across the globe. He socialised with political leaders, businessmen, athletes, the rich and famous, yet was equally at home with people from all walks of life. Many of his closest friends were men and women of humble backgrounds with who he was complete at ease.
Dasho Lhendup Dorji had a reputation of being highly principled, a legendary host and loyal friend to those he came in touch with.
Cancer did not stop him from living the way he wanted. He continued to be whom and what he was and kept a great sense of humour. He was a connoisseur of the good life.
A remarkable man, he fought his disease every step of the way. He did it in a manner that showed both resilience and grace.
Friends from New York summed up their thoughts, “He was such a brave and courageous man but above all he had panache, style, a steely strength and enthusiasm for life. We feel privileged to have known him. The number of people he has touched is countless and his stories and experiences will remain amongst us all.”
An inspiration to the people he met he continues to live larger than life for those who love and remember him.
Dasho Lhendup Dorji’s memory will be forever loved and cherished by his surviving wife and entire family.
By Palden Tshering in Kuenselonline
Note by apfanews editor: Dorji was acting as PM after the murder of then PM Jigme Palden Dorji by senior army officers. Lhendup is younger brother of Palden.