Royal Wedding Bhutan 2011

Why royal wedding in October?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:58:00 +0000

The story of royal wedding in October, 1951 when Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck married to Ashi Kesang Choden Dorji was published in the National Geographic magazine made the world really discovered Bhutan and the Royal family.

The photos of the beautiful bride riding a caparisoned horse down the mountain followed by a brightly attired retinue, to meet her King was exotic, and had a fairy tale quality for a world which was out of a long war and needed to dream.

This occasion was perfect and, although Bhutanese people had no idea about this article, the country became known beyond the British and Indian spheres. The article also helped to shift the focus of attention from the King alone to the King and the Queen.

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (b. 1928) has just succeeded his father and the lady he was marrying was far from unknown to him.
Her father Gongzim Sonam Tobgay Dorji(1896-1953), from Haa valley, was the Second King’s close assistant for external affairs, he was the Bhutanese agent in Kalimpong, and her grand-father Kazi Gongzim Ugyen Dorji (d.1917 ) was a trusted confident of the First King as well as the Bhutanese agent in Kalimpong .

Her mother Mayum Chonying Wangmo Dorji also called Rani Chuni (1897-1994) was a strong woman and the sister of the then King of Sikkim Chogyal Tashi Namgyal (1914 -1963).

She was known for her religious deeds but also, like her husband, for her progressive view on education, like starting the Haa school as well as educating Bhutanese in Kalimpong. These family ties are illustrated by a wonderful 1935 New Year photo taken in Calcutta where the families are pictured together and the future Third King sits in the front row next to his future queen, respectively aged 6 and 4 years.

Ashi Kesang Choden Dorji (b. 1930) was educated at St Joseph Convent in Kalimpong, then at Loreto College in Darjeeling, and later went to England for further education in an exclusive school. The new queen therefore not only spoke perfect English but she also had a great grasp on hospitality rules and etiquette as well as a deep understanding of religion. Besides her charm and intelligence, these qualities were going to be invaluable in her new role. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Father of Modern Bhutan, understood from the geo-political situation that if Bhutan wanted to survive as an independent nation, it had to open to the world.

In 1954, Queen Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck accompanied the King during their state visit to India and a strong friendship was born between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the royal couple. It was followed by the historic visit to Bhutan in 1958 of the Indian PM and his daughter Indira Gandhi. These visits resulted in the ties with India being strengthened and in 1961 it became the first and foremost development partner.

In a span of ten years, the Queen gave birth to five children, and the heir to the throne was born in 1955. She was a great traveler and often visited her mother Mayum Chonying Wangmo at the Bhutan House in Kalimpong while upholding the name of Bhutan amongst her friends throughout the world and entertaining scores of visitors in Thimphu and Paro. She also strongly supported the King in his endeavor to establish a modern education system in the country, his development activities and Bhutan’s accession to the UN.

The queen’s kindness and élégance radiate throughout the numerous photos taken of her. She was a photographer’s delightat a time when print media ruled.

After the Third King’s prématuré death in 1972 and the coronation of their son Jigme Singye Wangchuck as the Fourth King in 1974, the Queen, who had a keen interest in the religious culture of Bhutan, dedicated more and more time to her religious practices and Works while still keeping contacts with her international friends and hosting important visitors.

Her religious devotion, encouraged by her mother Mayum Chonying Wangmo, made her the patron of many important religious masters, including His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche who presided over her annual rituals at Kyichu and Kuje temples for the prosperity of the King, the country and the people. She also sponsored religious public teachings by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and many others important lamas. Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck supervised the restoration of numerous temples and chortens ad as early as 1961, she advised the Third King to protect and establish a Buddhist Institute at Semtokha Dzong, and in the early 80s, she influenced the establishment of a National Library. She generously sponsored the constructions of new temples such as Guru lhakhang at Kyichu, as well as the Demchog and Jamyang lhakhang in Punakha Dzong, the Kagongphursum and Zangdopelri in Kuje, amongst others. She also restores temples and established monastic schools in the true line of Buddhist Queens.

The chapter that Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck contributed in Brilliant Moon (pp.239-262) reflects her unfailing dedication to Buddhism and Bhutan.

Now, the Royal Grand Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck still involves herself in cultural activities and was influential in the Dragon’s Gift exhibition which toured the world. With Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the Queen’s role in Bhutan was no more confined to being the head of the royal household, a Buddhist patron, and the consort of the King but had important public responsibilities. She empowered the Queen of Bhutan with an international stature. This is a role that the present Queen Mothers have perfectly endorsed, and which has been amplified by the development of the print, audio-visual and digital media in Bhutan and the world.

When in October 1988, His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck married Ashi Dorji Wangmo, Ashi Tshering Yangdon, Ashi Tshering Pem and Ashi Sangay Choden of the prestigious Zhabdrung lineage, the event did not make headlines around the world, let alone in Bhutan.

TV was not yet in Bhutan, and there was only one newspaper. The marriage was a traditional ceremony in Punakha, followed by lunch parties at Dechenchholing palace. Few at that time would have guessed the fantastic development of the media and the extraordinary influence the Queens were going to have in the country and beyond. Most of the Bhutanese had even never seen a picture of the Queens.

From 1998, with the opening of the country to TV channels, BBS, and internet, the outlook on the Queens has changed even if the respect of privacy is kept.

They are seen on the screen, walking, travelling throughout the country and talking to the people in the remotest corners of the kingdom. Their activities reverberate through Bhutan and the world in audio-visual form.

The Queens, like their predecessors, are devout Buddhist and have restored many religious buildings.They have built several landmarks such as the Khamsum Yulley Chorten in Punakha and the Druk Wangyal Chortens and temples at Dochula. They have also immersed themselves in social work and have become patrons of charities and cultural institutions which all have a website.

Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is also an author who has greatly contributed to the history of Bhutan through her books. The Queens, now Queen Mothers, have a voice of their own and their voices are heard. They attend not only official functions but also international events where they represent Bhutan. Universally considered beautiful and charming, they are also empowered women who play a crucial role in the age of media supremacy to bring forth the image of Bhutan in the international arena and contribute to social awareness in the country.

Ashi Lemo, who walked from Kurtoe to Bumthang in 1902, was a woman of her time and the Queens who followed her played an increasing role as per time and circumstances. But nobody could have imagined even a year ago that when on May 20th, 2011, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced his wedding, the news would be immediately tweeted throughout the world.

The writer, also known as Tashi Om, has been in Bhutan for 30 years. She works with the Institute of Language and Cultural Studies of the Royal University of Bhutan, Thimphu.)

Source : bhutancreativetour.com/Undated

Royal Wedding Gossip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:25:00 +0000

The King with his royal members

31-year-old Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck abruptly announced his plans to get married late this year. Though there had been some gossips floated about the king’s marriage, the formal declaration came in a different tone than the nation is accustomed. Wangchuk’s informing to the parliament about his wedding spread across the country within minutes.

Chosen as one of the best looking country heads by some of the online medias, Khesar was crowned in November 2008 in a dramatic move of his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuk. The young Oxford educated bachelor is also the youngest reigning monarch, while Bhutan is named today as the youngest democracy in the world after having gone through the so-called political transformation from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy some months before his coronation.

Both of these ambiguous moves are apparently the wicked tactics coined by the fourth king to blindfold the international community from his impious dream; the dream of ethnic cleansing which came true in early 90s.

As like other so-called commoners throughout the world, the Bhutanese commoners respect the king and the crown with a big faith. Bhutanese people, irrespective of their religious inclinations, Hindus or Buddhists, they have a distinct culture of adoring the king as an incarnation of the God, in a way or the other. And as of today, many Bhutanese look upon to their young majesty as someone who will be able to revive the face of Shangri-La which is tarnished by the subsequent steps through suppressing the voices of people which consequently ended up with a mass exodus of its one-sixth population. Given all these realities, the marriage of the king is significantly an important deal in Bhutanese milieu.

Marriage is entirely a private matter but this necessarily does not remain the same for a king or a crown prince of a country. Many tragedies have been reported while there aroused misunderstanding in finalizing the matter for the royals. May it be 15th century Tudors in Britain or a fresh 21st century royal killings in Nepal, marriage issues had always a good part to play. Though no any significant marriage issue has been noted in Bhutanese case, a journalist in Bhutan, last year, wrote openly that the king’s marriage should be a matter of public discussion and not merely a private affair. It is a good sign that his subjects rejoiced the message of the would-be marriage of their king in Bhutan.

Probably the king was, in a way, scared and was emotional to take the message to the public. His fear should be that the queen-to-be Jetsun Pema was very young. John Elliott, a British journalist based in New Delhi reveals that the king told him that he had felt quite nervous announcing his planned marriage. “It was easier to talk about matters of state than such a personal event,” John quotes the king as saying.

Pema’s being a commoner should not be a matter of debate in Bhutan. In a grand ceremony last month, Prince William got married with a commoner Catherine Middleton. Though much of the attention focused on Kate Middleton’s status as a commoner marrying into royalty, the marriage was highly cherished around. In June last year, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden got married to her own personal trainer. Responding to a question made by Japanese Newspaper in 2005, Victoria said, “I think the general idea with the Swedes is that the modern way is to marry someone you love, not necessarily based on where she or he comes from.” In August 2001, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway married commoner and single mother Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby. Many Norwegians felt that this was very inappropriate as Høiby, in addition to being a single mother, was claimed to have involvement in Rave scenes in Oslo which included a significant drug sub-culture. Furthermore, the father of the boy she had before marriage was allegedly found culprit of drug-related offences. In a heartfelt press conference before the wedding, the Crown Princess explained about her past, saying among other things that “her youthful rebelliousness might have been stronger than most young people.” In June 1993, the then Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein (present day king) of Jordan married Rania al Yassin who was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents. Rania al Yassin (Queen Rania of Jordan) would later rank 76th in a list of the 100 most powerfully influential women in the world. [Bhutan can best be compared to Jordan with executive power in monarchy]. In all these instances, royal traditions have been sidelined with the personal choices and the comparatively strong power of love. And obviously, Bhutanese king’s choice from his heart should not be interpreted otherwise. Moreover, nothing much has been known about this young angel of 21 whose charm, modesty and compassion and “her being kind and warm in heart and character” have already rooted to the palace of the king’s heart.

The king might have gone suspicious about the people that they might be reluctant about the young age of the would-be queen. This is clear from his briefing to the parliament, “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.” Well, Princess Diana was just 20 when she got married to Prince Charles (33) and Queen Rania was 22 when she got married to Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein (31). Both of these ladies were/are very successful as royals though Lady Diana came out of the narrow walls of the palace officially ending up the knot with Prince Charles and stating that she would rather become the queen of the people’s heart, while Queen Rania continues to remain as an important international and social figure. But it should be remembered that Pema is entering the palace as a queen and not just a crown princess. As assumed by the king, every Bhutanese should wish that the time will inculcate wisdom and intellect in her and that this young lady will be appreciated both inside and outside the palace.

But what is very important for Pema to enter the palace and hearts of the people as a queen, a queen in an active monarchy?

Obviously, her wisdom, intellect and personality. Bhutanese monarchy is not a ceremonial monarchy worshipped and celebrated by the public. This monarchy has no any strong public adherence either. As of today, there are just a few active monarchs who are endowed with executive powers. The future of monarchy, that escaped a narrow slide via a culture of disrespect, violence and with use of an ethnic tool, can be at risk any time.

Bhutan is a tiny Himalayan kingdom with a population of 600,000, though some critics present the figures differently. One-sixth of its population lives in an exile as UN recognised-refugees in the camps in Nepal or as resettled refugees in different foreign countries. In proportion to its population, Bhutan tops the list of refugee generators in the world. It has also demolished the age-old culture of religious and cultural tolerance and the mutual understanding and cooperation grown among the people of every walk of life. Despite this bitter truth, the worshippers of the palace are busy selling crude and ambiguous hypothesis of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in the international markets.

As a queen of active monarchy, Queen Rania of Jordan is equally busy in domestic issues like: educating the girls, national health and community and youth empowerment. Rania has become an international figure who is successful in making her presence from global education to cross-cultural dialogues and from international forums to microfinance. Her use of social networking sites like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for creating awareness, bridging the east and the west and facilitating discussions on cross-cultural faith have been proudly applauded.

The active involvement of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette Marit in social life is worth-mentioning here. Though she sustained the character-related controversy, she has now gained public recognition to a considerable extent due to her activities for society. She is involved in a number of social and international organizations including UNAIDS and Norwegian Red Cross. A humanitarian fund has been established in the name of the couple and interestingly, she completed many university degrees after she is being married. Monarchy in Norway is ceremonial and it is a symbol of national unity.

And in Bhutanese context, the female members in the royal family have a little role to play. But in the changing circumstances in the modern society with active monarchy, the role of the queen should merely be limited to inaugurations and openings. Though my personal opinion and observations regarding the status of monarchy, that too in Bhutan, are rather conglomerated and deserves another dimensional narrative. As mentioned above, the queen can be an active member for socio-economic developments. A wise queen should help the king open his eyes from the past blunders done by the royal family. Pema Jetsun and her activities can be instrumental in reviving the image of the Shangri-La. Evidently the most challenging task for her will be to bear the gravity of the controversial concept of GNH but her activities should purely be focused for the welfare of the people. It is her choice whether to become the queen in the hearts of the people or to be caged in the four walls of the palace.

Best of Luck to the future queen!

Souce : www.bhutaneseliterature.com/Ramesh Gautam, May 22, 2011

Issue of Thai girl friend

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:45:00 +0000

Khesar with un-named lady

Earlier this month, Thailand celebrated King Bhumibol's sixtieth anniversary. Royalty from other nations came to join the festivities, and the whole event received extensive, reverent coverage throughout the Thai media. By far the most popular royal guest was Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, heir to the throne of Bhutan. Jigme has set hearts aflutter, and has become quite a pin-up.

However, there is one photo of him that can't be distributed. The most popular Thai web forum (pantip.com) and newspaper (Thai Rath) both printed the picture, showing Jigme and an un-named woman.

Thai Rath captioned it "Crown Prince Jigme Girlfiend [sic.] From Bhutan paparazzi”. Yesterday,
the police Department of Special Investigation imposed a ban on any further circulation of the image, though how they intend to enforce this remains unclear. It has been quietly removed from pantip.com's archives.

Source : blog.matthewhunt.com/29 June 2006

Irony of being young but without missing to study hard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Congratulations in advance to our young King!

In last November, when King Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck visited Jakar Higher Secondary School, he had played a lot of funs with students in their teens, some in their viable-diable age. As he spoke to them, one of his sentences was notable for many who availed a chance to listen at him.

He lucidly told them that every college student must enjoy his life of being young and unmarried, but should never miss to study hard. By that time, he was 30.

On contrary to his advice, as he turned 31 on February 21 this year, the King started preparing to disclose his relationship with one 21-year-old college girl, Jetsun Pema, as if the citizens are unaware of his relationship.

His long-time attachment with Pema was a matter of discussion among the significant population inside Bhutan. However, the nature of relations remained unascertained until the King disclosed in the seventh session of the Parliament, Friday.

Prior to this declaration, some foreign media also attempted to report on this confirming that Pema has been accompanying the monarch in most of his visits abroad. Even the state-owned Bhutan Broadcasting Service has said, “she accompanied His Majesty on royal tours around the country.”

Khesar, who decided to discontinue his Oxford-based education after his graduation to become the fifth King when his father, the fourth King, “voluntarily stepped down”, was also connected in various news reports of being so charming to Thai girls when he visited Thailand’s Honeymoon Island – Phuket twice in 2006.

Also, it has remained undisclosed if he visited the Honeymoon Island with Pema or alone.

Taking his own versa, the hottest head of state as claimed by some powerful blogs, Khesar, informed the Parliament that he decided to wed, probably during this October, but did not disclose the exact date of the royal wedding. The announcement appeared just two weeks after the renowned British royal function completed in the United Kingdom.

“As king, it is now time for me to marry. After much thought I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year,” the King told the Parliament adding, “While she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character.”

There is little information disclosed to the public about the future queen, a commoner to be respected in the highest position.

Born on June 4, 1990, Pema was born to her father Dhondup Gyaltshen and mother Sonam Chuki of Tashigang.Being the second eldest daughter in her family, Pema has two sisters and two brothers.

If the King decides to opt all Pema’s sisters as his wives, like what his father did, he would be at least sad for not wining his father in housing multiple wives.

The next suspicion is whether Pema has already become a mother or still enjoys “being so young”.

She is said to be currently a student at the Regents College in London. However, considering the time she has been spending with the King, one can easily guess that she is not a regular student, and probably has been missing to “study hard”.

But, the King is committed. He said that Pema is uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful.

Khesar, who might have seen the British wedding on recently introduced television, internet or someone might have briefed him about the grand function, has asked the government not to plan for similar “grand celebrations” saying that the happiness of his beloved father and the blessings of the people would give him the greatest joy.

How the young King’s wedding function would take place, despite how so ever calculated now, is yet to be seen. But a majority of Bhutanese citizens, including their well-wishers across the world, might have been wishing that the king would not head down the way his father, former King, paved: marrying ‘multiple’ wives?

Source : Bhutan News Service / TP Mishra, May 2011

Royal wedding in October

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:51:00 +0000

His Majesty the King announced to the nation at the opening of the 7 session of parliament today that he will marry in October this year. “As King, it is time for me to marry. After much thought I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year,” His Majesty announced.

Before revealing the name of the future Queen of Bhutan, His Majesty said, “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.” What is most important for Queen, His Majesty said, 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,” His Majesty announced. “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.”

Jetsun Pema, the future Queen of Bhutan, was born in Thimphu on June 4, 1990. She received her education from Regents College in London, the UK; the Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh and St. Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong, India; and Changangkha Lower Secondary School and Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Jetsun Pema’s father, Dhondup Gyaltshen, is the grandson of Trashigang Dzongpon Dopola. Her mother, Sonam Chuki, comes from the family of Bumthang Pangtey. Jetsun Pema has two brothers and two sisters. She is the second eldest.

His Majesty said that his wedding with Jetsun Pema did not mean that he was starting his own family. “From the very day I received the Dhar Ngay-Nga [five-coloured scarves] from the sacred Machhen, the people of the 20 Dzongkhags became my family,” His Majesty said, adding that 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,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty announced that the wedding will be in accordance with age-old tradition, to seek the blessings of the guardian deities. He, however, said, “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.

In recent times, Jetsun Pema has begun to accompany His Majesty on royal tours around the country.

In the parliament hall, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and the members of parliament expressed their happiness on the announcement of the royal wedding and highlighted the pivotal role of the Throne in Bhutanese nationhood. They offered good wishes to the future queen of Bhutan.

Outside the parliament hall, a wave of excitement and joy swept across the country as the people of 20 dzongkhags watched His Majesty announce his wedding on live television. The feeling of joy at the news is palpable on every face.

Even as His Majesty announced the wedding, people across the kingdom shared the news real-time on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites. Some excitedly text-messaged the news to their friends and relatives living in remote pockets of the country where television and internet have not yet reached.

In the capital, the news of royal wedding is a talking point wherever – in the offices, on the streets, in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Source: Bhutan Observer, May 20,2011

Your gift to the Royal Couple

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:14:00 +0000

King Khesar with royal bride Pema

As excitement builds in anticipation of the forthcoming Royal Wedding of His Majesty the King to the Royal Bride Jetsun Pema, many citizens maybe keen to embrace such a joyous occasion by not being mere spectators but engaged citizens expressing their happiness. To enable such a platform for citizens across the country to take part, the Bhutanese media community is planning a series of opportunities where citizens can participate which includes the Royal Wedding Book of Congratulations and an activity that will involve couples and families to rededicate themselves to their loved ones as their gift to the Royal Couple.

In the Royal Wedding Book of Congratulations, messages are being compiled from citizens across the country through print, audio and visual in different languages and dialects. Messages are also being collected in the form of art, poems and loezey on the theme, My King and My Queen. These messages will be presented in a uniquely published book as a token of the people’s symbolic gift.

The other gift titled, ‘Gifts from the Heart; A Pledge of Love and Happiness to Their Majesties,’ will provide another platform for citizens to participate. It will be an occasion where couples, families, citizens can take part by renewing their family values and rededicate themselves to their spouse, children and families. For the Peoples King there couldn’t be a better gift than a small effort in making ones home happier, by being loving and responsible to ones parents, children and spouse.

More information on being part of the above initiative to pay tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen on the Royal Wedding can be obtained from Bhutan Media Foundation through phone at 77274277, 331705, 331709 or email bhutanmediafoundation@gmail.com.

Source : Bhutan Today