His Majesty the King, in his address to the Nation on the 106th National Day, today, highlighted the economic and social challenges that Bhutan faced in the past, and will face in the future. His Majesty said hydropower alone will not meet the expenses of the country and that there is a need to diversify the economy.
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His Majesty also pointed out many issues, such as unemployment and drug abuse, plaguing the Bhutanese youth, and the need for solutions.
His Majesty said 20,000 jobs would have to be created to address the unemployment problem. His Majesty, however, said that any challenge could be dealt with if Bhutanese were to come together and find solutions.
Awards and recognition
His Majesty the King awarded the Druk Thuksey to former Drapi Lopen, Kinley Gyeltshen. Lopen Kinley Gyeltshen joined the monastic community at the age of seven and was the first principal of Chari Shedra.
He served as the Drapi Lopen from 1999 to 2002. He was also a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee. Lam Kinley Gyeltshen is currently serving as the Principal of Laksey Jurney Shedra in Punakha.
R.N Anil, 80, the founder and Secretary General of the India-Bhutan Friendship Association, was also awarded Druk Thuksey. Under his initiative, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Association was formally established in 1978. He worked with the association for 40 years.
His Majesty awarded a Red Scarf and patang to Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 50, of the Supreme Court. Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk was the only recipient of the Red Scarf, today. He joined the civil service in 1987 as a legal officer.
Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk had served as the Justice of High Court from 2006 to 2010. Before that, he was the Judge of Samdrup Jongkhar District Court. He was appointed as the Justice of Supreme Court, his current post, in 2010.
The Principal of Ugyen Academy in Punakha, Norbu Gyeltshen, received a white scarf without fringe and patang. He is the first serving principal to be given such an honour. Norbu Gyeltshen has been an educationist for the last 25 years. He was also the Royal tutor for 12 years.
His Majesty awarded lifetime service award to 261 public servants who superannuated from the service on May 20, 2011 till June 30, 2013.
His Majesty awarded the National Order of Merit (Gold) to 121 educationists, today, who have been in the service for 30 years. Medals of Appreciation were also given to Maina Kharga and Kaka Tshering.
Maina Kharga has been with the education ministry, serving in different capacities,for over 30 years. She is currently the Deputy Registrar of the South Asian University in New Delhi, established by SAARC countries. She taught His Majesty the King when he was a student at the erstwhile Yangchenphug High School.
The other recipient of the Medal of Appreciation is Kaka Tshering, 56. Kaka Tshering is the Chief Forest Officer in Paro. Kaka Tsehring joined the Ministry of Forests and Agriculture in 1982 as a forest ranger.
National Day
Thousands of Bhutanese filled the Changlimethang stadium, and hundreds were seen waiting in queue even after the day’s events had begun.
His Majesty the King remarked that he did not recall seeing so many Bhutanese gathered at any other National Day.
December 17 marks the enthronement of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan in 1907. His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers, other Members of Royal family, Prime Minister and other dignitaries were present at the Changlimethang ground to mark the day.
At the end of the National Day celebration in Changlimethang, songs and dances were performed and games were played. There was even a lottery organised.
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