King’s national day message focused on success of democracy

Thimphu, December 18: Thousands of Bhutanese residents of Thimphu and neighboring villages poured into the grand celebration of the centenary national day on December 17 under the clear sky and cold weather.

The celebration went live through BBS TV and radio expected to have watched by similar number of audiences.

Addressing the function in capital, where queens and the royal family members, the Prime Minister, representatives of the clergy, the armed forces, bureaucracy, the political parties, students, the international community, king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk paid special thanks to the fourth king who lead the country to this stage of development.

He said the day was not to celebrate 100 years of monarchy but to rejoice the socio-economic development, achievements and peace and prosperity that Bhutan has enjoyed so far under the leadership of benevolent monarchs.

Stressing the responsibility that Bhutanese now has to ensure the success of parliamentary democracy, he urged the young Bhutanese to bear in mind that they have an important responsibility of taking Bhutan forward and that country’s future will be determined by the capability, conduct and attitude of these young people.

He also urged the new politicians to build healthy democratic culture and ensure peace and unity among the people.

Khesar, who spent most of his time praising his father, expressed commitment to fulfil his duty as a king in future. To end, he reiterated the ‘one nation one people’ police crafted by his father from ethnic cleansing in the south. Bhutan News Service