The Bhutanese Leading the way.
It is well known that His Majesty The Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck became the Druk Gyalpo at the tender age of 16 in 1972 after His Majesty The Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck passed away in Nairobi, Kenya.
What is less known is the sheer discipline, the will, preparation, strategy and the inner workings of His Majesty The Fourth King that led to a glorious reign from 1972 to 2006.
On how His Majesty managed so well from such a young age a source said, “His Majesty always said that it was the fear of failure because we could not afford to fail. Bhutan could not afford to fail and with that in mind His Majesty set out to never fail for his country and people and that mindset means you have to be prepared, you have to have a plan and you have to execute the plan meticulously and it takes a lot of patience and strength.”
Lyonpo Dago Tshering had joined the government in 1961 and he said there were two main things on His Majesty The Fourth King’s mind.
“Number one, he had the people on his mind to serve the people and make the people happy and prosperous as far as possible within our resources. Number two and uppermost in his mind was the security, sovereignty and our territorial integrity of the country. I saw this in 1979 when he went to Havana to attend the NAM summit,” said Lyonpo Dago.
A strict disciplinarian
His Majesty from early on was a strict disciplinarian and he was hardest on himself. Lyonpo Om Pradhan who joined government service in 1969 said, “His Majesty did a lot of physical activities and was very strict with his diet. He would never take food like cakes, creams and all that. I never saw him drinking Suja (butter tea) but he was always drinking Green Tea. He was very careful about his food intake. He never ate doma (Betel Nut).”
Another quality was that His Majesty did not partake in alcohol. Dasho Gub Gado Tshering who served His Majesty as a Changap from 1974 onwards said, “When His Majesty visited India on a state visit and he would be toasting, you will always see some juice instead of wine. He never drinks alcohol.”
His Majesty also avoided too much chilli, butter and fatty foods in his diet. Dasho Gado remembers that as the Bumthang Dzongda they used to send some buckwheat flour to His Majesty who used to make Khuley and eat them.
“His Majesty saw me eating doma once or twice and he would say I will get cancer,” said Lyonpo Om chuckling away.
Dasho Gado said that the only thing His Majesty used to take back in those days was a can of coke a day.
If there was only one vice His Majesty had it was smoking later switching to Cuban cigars sent to him regularly by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, but His Majesty even gave that up for quite a few years now.
Intermittent fasting is a recent health trend now but His Majesty was known to eat only once in a day long before this concept was ever known and he continues it to this day.
Early preparation
While His Majesty was just a teenager when he came on the throne in 1972, he did not come unprepared as His Majesty The Third King had appointed him as the Chairman of the Planning Commission in 1971 which planned and coordinated the five-year plans.
Lyonpo Om said the position gave His Majesty good initial exposure to the government, the 3rd Five Year Plan, discussion with the Government of India, assistance Bhutan was getting from the GoI and other countries. Lyonpo said he already knew what was going on in the government, knew the development plan and he was well versed with hydro project discussions.
His Majesty also knew government officials, how they functioned and the problems in the country. He was familiar with the Indian advisers and effectively had one foot already in the government.
“Then father and son would also be having close discussions,” said Lyonpo Om.
So, while His Majesty was very young the one and a half year of government experience and exposure was absolutely crucial before taking over.
Lyonpo Om said His Majesty The Third King wanted the Crown Prince to take over and so he appointed him Trongsa Penlop in 16 June 1972 with the King’s Yellow Scarf.
“The Third King already decided to handover to His Majesty and The Third King was going to move out of premises and hand it over to him but it so happened that he passed away,” said Lyonpo.
Early encounters
When His Majesty came on the throne one of the first government meetings he had was with Lyonpo Dawa Tshering (Foreign Minister), Dasho Lam Penjore and Lyonpo Om Pradhan who was then in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Forests.
Lyonpo said he was a young officer then he and Dasho Lam Penjore were so nervous that they let Lyonpo Dawa do most of the talking.
“We never considered His Majesty to be young as even at 16 we felt he was a mature person. We sat there and His Majesty discussed about revenues of the government and all that. We were so nervous,” said Lyonpo Om.
Lyonpo Dago had been sent to New Delhi in 1971 to help establish the Royal Bhutan Embassy in Delhi as the First Secretary.
Lyonpo said his first encounter with His Majesty was basically with the aim to insure Bhutan’s relationship with India is strengthened and to keep in touch with all the important people in India.
“He issued specific instructions particularly to keep in touch with MPs of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa etc which we later established friendship associations in these places.”
Despite the limited experience the early days would have been very challenging.
Lyonpo Om said that firstly being the King the burden of Kingship was there. Secondly, he had to tackle senior Government of India officials from Mrs. Indira Gandhi to everybody else. Then there were his own people, as he was the King. “Definitely there was a high degree of seriousness.”
Consultation and advisers
Lyonpo said that early on he noticed one quality of His Majesty which was that he used to consult a lot of his ministers and officials.
While the older ministers appointed by His Majesty The Third King like Lyonpo Tamji Jagar and Lyonpo Chogyal were there and they did provide advice they were not as exposed in a modern era.
Lyonpo Om said that the more exposed Lyonpo Dawa Tshering and Dasho Lam Penjore were close consultants along with Goonglen Lam Dorji. Dasho Rinpoche was also considered to be an occasional adviser given his exposure to India and his knowledge of Indian politics. Lyonpo said there may have also been other advisers he is not aware of especially on the religious side.
Lyonpo said that even if His Majesty wanted something done and one could show him good and strong reasons why it is not possible then His Majesty would not mind giving in based on the strength of arguments and logic.
No nonsense style of governance
Lyonpo Om said that even early on His Majesty was full of sharp questions on areas like forest revenue etc.
Early on too His Majesty demonstrated his love for the environment, long term thinking and a tough no nonsense style of governance.
His Majesty had given instructions to not cut down trees, but some influential people and possibly Royal relatives were involved in still cutting trees and so even the police and forest officials could not stop the flow of lumber out of Bhutan. His Majesty took this seriously and sent Royal Body Guards to the check posts and after that it stopped.
Strict but benevolent
Dasho Gado said, “He never enjoyed youth and never had his youth and from then only he maintained that the only way we could survive was to work honestly and diligently, and you can’t fool around with His Majesty.
Lyonpo Om said he was very strict but also benevolent and caring.
“I was dead scared. I used to get firing through Gup Wangchen and Toley but these were really worth it,” said Lyonpo Om.
Despite his toughness Lyonpo said His Majesty would never put his ministers and officials in a very difficult position and he took on the major challenges.
“In fact, we poured out all our difficulties to him and expected him to solve the problem. Back then every morning the ministers would go to the Dzong and sometimes Samtenling and share their issues and problems of the day and His Majesty would give decisions and orders on the spot.”
High Integrity
The toughness and wisdom also came with a high sense of personal integrity.
Lyonpo Om said he heard that His Majesty once told some of his relatives that the King does not do business. This was in response by some who suggested to His Majesty to start some personal business ventures. Things like this uplifted His Majesty’s image and to top it off the frugal life he led made all the difference.
The leadership style of His Majesty was very effective because he led not only by words but also by personal example and actions which made him a moral force too.
Culture and Sovereignty
One of the major transformations of His Majesty was from a teenager who was not necessarily very fond of wearing Gho all the time to one who wore it all the time once he became King.
Here Dasho Gado threw some light saying, “From as early as the mid 70’s he always believed that our culture and tradition is one of the main pillars of our sovereignty which was started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and followed by our Kings.”
In the 1960s and 70s the ‘hippy culture’ was all over the world and region and it was spreading here in Bhutan too. Everyone was wearing Bell Bottoms even to government offices and one could wear a suit in the Dzong.
His Majesty realized if we didn’t have an identity we would be lost and what happened to our neighbors like Tibet and Sikkim in the neighborhood was a stark reminder that we have to change our ways otherwise we would not be safe.
The building codes of traditional architecture, Gho and Kira wearing and all that was started so Bhutan could have a distinct identity. In this area, His Majesty looked up to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel as what Zhabdrung did for Bhutan was there to be seen even 400 years later. During this time cultural influences like even Television and Internet were kept away and everything was timed to be introduced only when the people were ready, including even democracy, which was introduced after people were educated and the level of education reached a certain level.
Determined to serve as an example, His Majesty used to be in Namzha (Traditional Dress) even while playing basketball.
Lyonpo Om also agrees that culture was tied to sovereignty.
He said, “My feeling is that His Majesty thought this was one of the ways to ensure the sovereignty of Bhutan. To be different, to hold on to the past values and customs of Bhutan is what makes us different from the countries around us. So, he went all out to do this. Making southern Bhutanese wear Gho and Kira was due to this to make sure that Bhutan has its own identity in every respect and all these customs were strengthened during the Fourth King’s time.”
Lyonpo feels the traditional element was helped by the fact that His Majesty was groomed by the Third King. The Third King under court Driglam Namzha (traditional etiquette) would never talk in any other language other than in Dzongkha with the Fourth King who also always had to be in Gho in the Third King’s presence.
Lyonpo said, “His Majesty The Fourth King made it a point that even if there was any dilution in the culture, His Majesty tried to take it back again.”
While His Majesty was a sticker for tradition and culture he also did not hesitate to bring changes if required.
Dasho Gado said, “When he used to make these plan talk visits, Dzongkhags have to do Chipdrel. Earlier we used to do Chaa (prostration) three time and offer Da (silk scarves) and then do Chaa three times and do Chawang (bow). In 1991 I remember when His Majesty had come for the first round of the 7th plan I received him up in Geta village in Chumi Gewog under Bumthang and it was raining. I did the Chaa as usual and my white kabney was all brown and wet. The same evening His Majesty commanded General V. Namgyel to tell all the 20 dzongkhags that from henceforth they will not prostate to their King. There will only be khadar (silk scarves) to receive His Majesty.”
A husband and father
His Majesty had a private wedding ceremony with Their Majesties the Queen Mothers in 1979 and from 1980 onwards till the 1990’s His Majesty became a father to eventually 10 Royal Children.
Lyonpo Om said that becoming a husband and father did not distract from his Royal Duties.
The genius behind GNH
Lyonpo Om said the Gross National Happiness (GNH) policy of His Majesty was an ingenious policy as it served both internal and external purposes.
Within Bhutan it gave the same guidance to everyone . “You couldn’t misinterpret it. You know there are four pillars etc and so His Majesty need not have to repeat what exactly the policies were,” said Lyonpo.
Externally, Lyonpo said GNH tremendously improved the international image of Bhutan. Lyonpo said before GNH, Bhutan was seen as this small and landlocked Himalayan kingdom. However, with the GNH policy being announced the international community got a completely different picture of Bhutan. Bhutan got rebranded now as a small country preserving its and natural environment and virgin forests.
Added to this, His Majesty insisted on providing free medical and education services to people and this was something the international community again viewed with amazement because a small country in the least developed category was going all out to give key welfare benefits in education and health to its people.
Lyonpo Om said it was due to His Majesty and his policies that Bhutan got an international image as a peace loving country, green country and one that really looks after the benefit and welfare of its people. Bhutan also became an example to the rest of world in environmental preservation.
Lyonpo Dago said during the Third King’s time they launched the Development Wing in 1961 and the main objective then was BHN or Basic Human Needs.
“So, we emphasized on education, schools, health, agriculture, drinking water. GNH was continuation of BHN. His Majesty The Fourth King handled it so beautifully and everybody was impressed,” said Lyonpo Dago.
Border negotiations and China
Lyonpo Om said another important foreign policy development during this time was that His Majesty desired we should start border negotiations with China in 1984. This year was a big turning point in Bhutan’s history. There was official Chinese contact for the first time and the first delegation went to Beijing and came back and the next one came to Thimphu next year in 1985. The Chinese delegation, while in Thimphu. called on His Majesty and the Chinese leaders assured Bhutan of respecting its sovereignty and independence. These were fantastic developments because for the first time Bhutan got direct assurance from the Chinese and this was due to His Majesty’s initiative.
SAARC
SAARC was established and His Majesty went to Dhaka as one of the founding members. SAARC made a dramatic difference to Bhutan as till then even for countries which were near like Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan, we did not have diplomatic ties with them and only after SAARC diplomatic ties were established, their ambassadors came to Bhutan and then there were cultural exchanges and trade and even if trading was not much the opportunities were there. It made a big difference to Bhutan’s image.
ULFA/Bodo
Another major development was that India greatly appreciated His Majesty’s role in eliminating the ULFA/Bodo problem. Lyonpo Om said India and many other countries in the beginning did not believe that Bhutan could do it alone and that Bhutan’s Army had no chance against what were experienced and sophisticated guerilla forces, but it was done and gave a different image of Bhutan.
Lyonpo said all these accomplishments not only enhanced Bhutan’s image on the world stage, but it also really strengthened the sovereignty and independence of Bhutan.
The 1990’s problem
A major challenge that was tackled by His Majesty was the 1990’s problem which started as an attempt to deal with illegal immigration along Bhutan’s porous southern borders and then snowballed from there turning into a question of Bhutan’s sovereignty and even territorial integrity.
Lyonpo Dago who was the Home Minister at the time said this was a rather difficult phase of development in the country because as much as His Majesty wanted to ensure happiness of the people and prosperity in every district, there were certain people who probably had been incited and had difficulties in going along and it was not very easy for His Majesty.
Lyonpo Dago said His Majesty had clairvoyance on what to do and he took the right decision at the right time to bring about one people and one country.
“It was upper most in his mind to keep the country and people together and work together and serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum together. We had to ensure that our sovereignty and territorial integrity is protected and strengthened,” said Lyonpo Dago.
Lyonpo recalls His Majesty met with people wherever there are problems. “His Majesty went to Tsirang and Gelephu. Some of the people were leaving and he went there and asked why are you leaving. He appealed to them to go back to their villages and whatever they need he will ensure that it will be fulfilled. His Majesty promised to resolve whatever problems they have and launched a big appeal to not leave.”
Lyonpo said he was the interpreter of His Majesty’s speech in Gelephu and he felt so emotional listening to His Majesty’s appeal to the people to not leave, that after a while he had difficulty even translating.
Lyonpo Dago said this was the most moving and emotional moment for him in his entire tenure of service and it remains with him till this day.
Lyonpo said the events of the 1990’s came as a complete surprise as the government was in the midst of decentralization and had formed the Gewog Yargay Tshochung (GYT) in 1991 and Lyonpo himself was tasked with ensuring gewog Gups are elected and committees are formed so that they can prepare themselves for their needs and development activities in their own place.
The reasons behind Democracy
An important development during His Majesty’s reign was the introduction of democracy but there is still some degree of mystery around this.
Lyonpo Om said it was a very rare occasion in the history of the world, asking which powerful leader will want to give up his powers.
Lyonpo Om said his view is it all begins with the policies initiated by His Majesty The Third King. “If you look at the Third King, he believed that Bhutan should have a degree of democracy and was also influenced by India and the Western world. Western democracies during that time like USA were fighting against Communism and promoting Liberal governments and democracies and these also influenced His Majesty The Third King, and that is partly why the Third King established the National Assembly and then the Royal Advisory Council whose job was to advise the King and even advise the King if he was wrong in taking a decision. “
He also introduced voting in the assembly for if they want the King or not and it took place twice (under His Majesty’s insistence). The process of democratization had already been introduced.
Lyonpo says when it comes down to His Majesty The Fourth King, he decentralized Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu (DYT) in 1981 and GYT in 1991 and gave power to the people to decide on their own projects and developments. And so, this was gradually giving up of governance of the country to the hands of the people who were involved. This was followed by the elected council of ministers in 1998.
Lyonpo said His Majesty always intended to bring democracy and was very liberal minded but there also some contradictions as democracy is fine and he had trust in people but at the same time there was a worry Bhutanese may split up along various lines once democracy was introduced.
Lyonpo said, that before that His Majesty tried to bring the one nation and one people concept, of everybody wearing Gho and Kira and everyone being one family looking after each other’s Kidu and the promotion of Bhutanese culture which was already diluting including all the songs and dances.
“So, he tried to promote it before democracy to see if we could hold the Bhutanese nation together. If you look carefully at the constitution every effort has been made to avoid disunity, as political parties cannot be based on regionalism, religion and ethnic basis as he was trying to avoid fractionalizing of the country. The party people would be splitting up the country. His Majesty somehow managed to implement it.”
While democracy has been a resounding success, some of the fears of His Majesty have come true in terms of the entry of regionalism in voting and voting along regional lines.
On why His Majesty introduced democracy Dasho Gado said, “I think His Majesty wanted to make Bhutan into a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy as he kept telling his people including the government that you can’t always depend on one individual.”
Dasho said His Majesty also felt that every Bhutanese and the government must take responsibility and also take ownership into what RGoB is putting into infrastructure in the Dzongkhags and Chiwogs.
“People always say this is a government structure, hospital and RNR and there was never a sense of responsibility and even when irrigation and drinking water was concerned. That is what my experience was as a Dzongda over the years,” said Dasho.
Another example that Dasho gave was during the ULFA and Bodo crisis when His Majesty came around the Dzongkhags and everybody said that they will volunteer but of the around 7,000 expected volunteers only 700 showed.
“His Majesty was left with 3,000 soldiers, 700 volunteers and he himself leaving behind all the Queens and children behind and risking his life for the security of our nation.”
“I feel the people and government must take ownership that we are all responsible to have a sovereign and independent country in the future. This is my reading. People want the government to do everything, but if you ask them to pay a little extra tax then they will grumble,” added Dasho.
A source giving an additional perspective said His Majesty felt that democracy, even though flawed, would be a good system for Bhutan as it would not be not safe for a small nation like Bhutan, in between giant neighbors, for everything to be dependent on one pair of hands.
“It is not a miracle we managed to survive between China and India. It took His Majesty The Fourth King to achieve it and His Majesty thought of Bhutan’s survival and place in the world into the future,” added the source.
Some years ago, another source offering more perspective said in an absolute Monarchy a foreign power needs to pull the carpet from under just one person which is not possible under a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.
Lyonpo Dago said, “Basically his main objective was to empower the people through decentralization and ensure that the people decide what they need to have in their areas as they know best and it was not to be top down, but was to be a process of bottom up development. Then it came slowly to the democratization and the drafting of the Constitution.”
His Greatest Quality and the 2003 operations
Lyonpo Om commented on what he saw as the greatest quality in His Majesty.
“I noticed this during the ULFA/Bodo problem. I noticed that firstly he never took a decision without detailed knowledge of the situation and from all sides. Then only after that when he decided then he took over the leadership role,” said Lyonpo.
He said before that every aspect was decided on the consequences like relations with India, relations with Assam and the local people. He then looked at the problem with our armed forces , the lack of weapons, lack of night vison googles, how to not prolong the problem and when we start how to finish in a few days and weeks.
His Majesty also outlined what role everyone would have. Apart from these His Majesty studied the capability of his own people and the armed forces.
“All this was in detail and then he made the assessment,” said Lyonpo.
“Even if you gave information to His Majesty that there is a camp and tent is like that, he would verify, check and find out. Subtle operations were carried out to ensure that he gets the truth and what it was. This was very important. Dewathang was almost his headquarters and Dewathang was also the army headquarters. Even if GoI told him something about the strength of ULFA and Bodo His Majesty would personally verify to find out the truth of the matter. So, this was one of his great qualities which you can’t take away. His Majesty would never act on impulse,” said Lyonpo.
Lyonpo Dago said, “My observation is he is a person with clairvoyance and whatever he said and decided the results were foreseen. If he needed to do this, it had been foreseen and it had to be done. Whatever instructions or decisions he has taken, it came true. He thinks a lot and really sees things that needs to be done. He thinks well in advance.”
Courage and compassion
It was not just planning, preparation and clairvoyance but also a whole lot of courage.
On one occasion before the 2003 Operations His Majesty was surveying the militant camps in the southern jungles and they happened upon some camps. Some militants immediately pointed their guns at His Majesty’s chest and said he could go no further. The attendants with His Majesty became very nervous and even scared.
However, His Majesty unmoved and bold stood his ground and said he is the King of Bhutan and he can go anywhere in his country and moved forward to see the camp despite the guns.
While His Majesty was bold and resolute he was also compassionate in how he treated the same militants once they were defeated. The way in which His Majesty conducted the 2003 Operations ensured the foes were defeated in battle but there were no hatred and backlash along the border due to the compassionate and fair way the captives were treated by Bhutan. In many aspects it brought peace to the region after many years.
Zhung Dratshang
His Majesty The Fourth King also played an important role in reviving the Zhung Dratshang not only in form but also in substance.
Lyonpo Om said the monk body would have deteriorated tremendously had His Majesty not taken action as discipline was becoming lax and people in the monk body were doing various thing from the past like running shops and doing things which was not purely religious.
His Majesty set up religious committees under the Je Khenpo to reform such issues and the Kidu of the monk body was looked into to improve the living conditions of monks.
Lyonpo said His Majesty ensured monks are to be more dedicated to religious studies and conducting religious ceremonies and prayers for the good of the nation.
Lyonpo said the Shedras and Universities like Tango Cheri are becoming famous now and now even foreigners come and join them due to the studies that are being done there.
His Majesty also got rid of the death penalty in 20th March 2004 in a Royal Kasho by His Majesty, however, even before that and in the height of the 1990’s problems the death penalty was never used.
Frugality
His Majesty is famously frugal with his simple log cabins in Samtenling and his simple lifestyle.
Here Lyonpo Om said that His Majesty followed in the footsteps of the former Kings who all basically led lives of ordinary people.
“It is only today that if we look at the houses of ministers today and compare to previous Kings, the ministers are living in greater luxury than even past Kings. Look at the Wangduechholing Dzong where I stayed and the bathroom was from the old style. There was nothing, as Kings lived like that almost like ordinary people. We did not have the means and maybe the King rode a horse with a nice blanket but basically it was the same food except for some more meats and basically, we wore the same clothes,” said Lyonpo.
Lyonpo said it started changing as we got more well off.
“Maybe Kings had more Ghos. We always led a simple life. Look at the lifestyle of the Third King. The Third King was so simple and sat and ate by hand with the people. That is what His Majesty The Fourth King inherited,” said Lyonpo.
Lyonpo said in the first part of His Majesty’s reign His Majesty used to travel in an open jeep be it rain or sun and it was only towards the latter half of his reign Bhutan could afford some Toyota Cars and then ministers were also driving Toyota cars.
Lyonpo said His Majesty The Fourth King’s personality was always very simple and everything was frugal.
“We were camping in simple tents and maybe His Majesty had more Kusung soldiers. That is all,” said Lyonpo.
Lyonpo said now things will change as we are exposed to outside world and we have more revenue and a higher per capita income.
“Look at how even we travel to Bangkok and go for holidays. This was not there before. We were all simple people but now we are getting enriched,” added Lyonpo.
Direction for the future
A lot of people wonder about what His Majesty The Fourth King wanted for a future Bhutan.
Here Lyonpo Om said His Majesty has already laid down the guidelines in the Constitution itself.
“It is very clearcut. Number one is the system of governance is a Constitutional Democratic Monarchy. Number two there is 60% land forests cover and no elected government can change that. Number three current expenditure has to be met from internal revenue and aid is only for capital intensive projects. Number four education and health are free of cost to the people. Number five Bhutan is a Buddhist State. Number six the courts are independent and the government cannot change it. Number seven the RAA is not with the government and the ACC keeps a close eye on what the government is doing. There are many aspects any elected government cannot change but it is forced to flow a particular path as these are all laid down in the constitution. You can see very clearly beyond this Bhutan’s leadership cannot go,” said Lyonpo.
He said another is the connection and relations with India through the 2007 treaty signed by His Majesty The King.
Lyonpo said that even GNH is an integral part of the constitution.
