The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In 2006, when His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo travelled across the country to personally speak to the people about Bhutan’s transition to democracy, every gathering became a moment of profound emotion and inspiration. For many Bhutanese, those words were more than a royal message, they were a call to take responsibility for the nation’s future.
Among the thousands who gathered to hear His Majesty’s historic announcement was a young woman from Paro, then only 26 years old.
Today, she is known as Sangay Lhamo the Gup of Shaba Gewog, Paro. Nearly two decades later, she still remembers that day at Paro NIE College as if it were yesterday.
“His Majesty said he would be handing over the country to its people by forming democracy, and stepping down from the throne for his son. People were weeping, pleading to him that it was still early for democracy and that we are content with monarchy. But His Majesty told us that Bhutanese are capable, and that each of us must take responsibility. Those words instantly courage me,” Gup Sangay Lhamo said.
It was a message that would quietly shape the rest of her life.
When democracy was introduced in 2008 and Bhutan’s first Local Government elections began to take form in 2011, Sangay found herself returning again and again to His Majesty’s words.
Further encouraged by the Election Commission’s advocacy for women’s participation and guided by that inner voice of duty, she decided to take part.
“I wanted to serve, but I also wanted to live up to His Majesty’s faith in his people,” she said.
She first contested for the position of Mangmi, narrowly losing by a few votes, yet the experience only strengthened her resolve.
When her chiwog lacked a candidate for Tshogpa, she stood up again, this time winning by a landslide.
Despite her successful tenure as Tshogpa, Sangay’s journey was far from easy. When her five-year term ended in 2016, she once again decided to contest, this time for the post of Gup. Backed by strong community support and encouraged by her earlier experience, she entered the race with optimism.
“My people had faith in me and told me I could do even more for the gewog,” she said.
But in the final election, Sangay fell short, finishing second. It was a difficult moment, but not one that broke her spirit.
She said, “Losing was painful, but His Majesty’s words always echoed in my heart, ‘that responsibility lies with each one of us’. I reminded myself that even without a position, I could still serve my community.”
During the years that followed, Sangay continued contributing to her gewog in any way she could. She volunteered in community development works, and took part in training programs organized by the Bhutan Network for Empowering Women (BNEW), which encouraged women to take leadership roles.
When the next Local Government elections came in 2022, Sangay’s determination had only grown stronger. Encouraged by her community and motivated by her earlier defeats, she decided to contest again, this time against a former Gup and Mangmi.
Her perseverance was finally rewarded. Sangay won by a comfortable margin, becoming the first woman Gup of Shaba Gewog, a moment that symbolized not only her victory but also the fulfillment of His Majesty’s vision of empowered citizens taking the lead in their communities.
“Every step of my journey was guided by His Majesty’s belief in his people. He gave us democracy, but more importantly, he gave us confidence that we are capable of leading, serving and carrying the nation forward,” Gup Sangay Lhamo said.
“As a mother and a Gup, I always tell my children that leadership is not only about position, but service. That is what His Majesty taught us to take responsibility and serve with heart,” she added.
Her story is a quiet tribute, a living reflection of a King’s enduring gift.
Today, as Bhutan celebrates His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 70th Birth Anniversary, Sangay’s story stands as one among thousands, stories of citizens inspired to lead, to serve, and to uphold the sacred responsibility entrusted to them.
His Majesty’s 2006 Message: Handing the Nation to Its People
In 2006, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck embarked on a historic tour across all 20 dzongkhags to personally inform the people of his decision to abdicate the Throne and introduce democracy.
His Majesty announced that he would hand over the responsibilities of governance to the people through a system of Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, ensuring that citizens themselves would shape Bhutan’s future.
That moment marked the beginning of Bhutan’s transition to democracy, often described as “a gift from the Throne”, culminating in the adoption of the Constitution in 2008 and the first democratic elections.
His Majesty’s vision of empowering citizens to lead continues to define Bhutan’s governance and its people’s collective sense of duty today.
