Bhutan's Crown Prince Rise

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The Chhoetse Penlop

Posted on Friday, October 22 @ 20:28:41 CDT BST

 

22 October 2004 - Having completed his formal education in

institutions at home and abroad and having received the traditional

Bhutanese process of instruction under the close supervision of His

Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Dasho Jigme

Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, assumed the revered historical position of

Chhoetse Penlop on October 21.

 

Born on February 21, 1980, His Royal Highness thus received full

exposure to an environment of global learning without losing touch

with the traditions and disciplines of the royal household, the rich

religious and cultural heritage of Bhutan, and the current realities

that the kingdom is going through. Growing up in Bhutan and studying

in Bhutanese schools, His Royal Highness developed a close rapport

with Bhutanese youth and came to know first hand their concerns and

their aspirations for the future.

His Royal Highness became the Chief Patron of the Scouts Association

of Bhutan and, at an early age, played a public role in giving

direction to the youth of Bhutan. In his interactions with the

scouts and students His Royal Highness always emphasised the need to

preserve traditional values which stress commitment and loyalty to

the spiritual leaders, the royal government, to teachers and

parents, and the important role youth would have to play in the

country's future.

 

After completing early schooling in Bhutan, His Royal Highness

completed high school and graduated from the Cushing Academy and the

Wheaton College, USA. In 2000, His Royal Highness continued further

education in Magdalen College, Oxford University. His Royal Highness

completed the Foreign Service Programme and a M Phil programme in

Politics at Oxford University.

 

With an unwavering interest in youth issues and the well being of

Bhutanese youth, His Royal Highness opened the first juvenile

rehabilitation complex in Tsimalakha in June, 1999. His Royal

Highness noted that, while juvenile crime was not widespread in

Bhutan, it was an unfortunate reality that young people were

dropping out of school, leaving their village homes for the

attraction of urban life, and being caught up in some aspects of the

emerging social problems.

 

His Royal Highness traveled extensively in attendance to His Majesty

the King. His active public role in Bhutan included the Plan

meetings and close interaction with the Bhutanese people.

 

His Royal Highness made his first National Day address in Trongsa on

December 17, 2000. "We are enjoying the fruits of the hard work and

sacrifices made by our forefathers who served the nation and the

people with loyalty and dedication," said His Royal Highness,

addressing the people of Trongsa. "We must now strive to fulfill the

sacred responsibilities we have inherited and take the nation

forward into the future."

 

In 2001, when His Royal Highness celebrated National Day in Punakha,

80-year old Namgay Tshering of Umtekha village said, "We are

fortunate to celebrate National Day so informally with the great son

of a great King. I have had the honour of seeing his royal ancestors

and, just like them, he will truly be a people's King in the future."

 

In August 2001, His Royal Highness made his first official visit

abroad on the invitation of the government of India. During the 12-

day visit His Royal Highness called on the then President of India,

Shri K.R. Narayanan, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, the President of the

Congress (I) and held wide ranging discussions with senior officials

of the government of India.

 

On May 8, 2002, His Royal Highness represented Bhutan at the 27th UN

General Assembly, during the "UN special session for children", one

of the most important international conferences ever held to create

a "World Fit for Children". Addressing the leaders of the 190 member

countries, 200 parliamentarians from 77 countries, 2000 delegates

from non-governmental organisations, 350 child delegates from 150

countries, celebrities and an array of leaders from the business

world, the arts and culture areas, and academics, His Royal Highness

said that poverty, disease, hunger and pain affected all societies.

 

"My first thought on this issue remains my guiding priority today,"

he said. "It is our duty to build a future which ensures that every

child will be free of these afflictions. To achieve this we must all

work together in a spirit of commitment, trust, and mutual respect

while taking great care to plan - not just a few years ahead - but

generations into the future."

 

In August 2003, His Royal Highness visited India again on the

invitation of the Indian Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh

Shekhawat. During the visit a memorandum of understanding was signed

between the two governments to establish an India-Bhutan Foundation,

to "enrich and expand" bilateral relations through more interaction

between the people of the two countries.

 

During the visit His Royal Highness called upon the President of

India, Shri A.P. J. Abdul Kalam, the prime minister, Shri Atal

Behari Vajpayee and the vice president, Shri Bhairon Singh

Shekhawat, and visited the Delhi University. During the visit His

Royal Highness also gave a talk on Indo-Bhutan relations to a

gathering at the India International Centre.

 

With His Majesty the King in Dewathang during the military

operations against the Indian militants in December, 2003, His Royal

Highness touched many Bhutanese hearts by remaining in Thimphu. In

his public address to the nation on December 17, during the 96th

National Day celebrations in Thimphu, His Royal Highness reminded

the people that His Majesty the King had always said that the

development of Bhutan was extremely important but what was even more

important was to make the Bhutanese people capable of overcoming the

challenges of the future.

 

His Royal Highness plays an increasingly active role in numerous

organisations and is the Chairman of the Bhutan Trust Fund for

Environmental Conservation, President of Bhutan India Friendship

Association, Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, and

Patron of the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature and the

Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 

Among His Royal Highness's responsibilities outside the country, he

is the Patron of the India Bhutan Foundation, the European

Convention of Bhutan Societies, the Oxford Centre for Buddhist

Studies, and many others.

 

His Royal Highness is an avid sportsman, taking active part in

archery and basketball tournaments. His Royal Highness is also the

patron of the Bhutan Shooting Federation (BSF) which was established

in 1997.

 

In a simple ceremony at Samteling Royal Cottage on June 25, 2002,

His Majesty the King awarded the Red Scarf to His Royal Highness

Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

 

"There is no greater honour than to follow in the footsteps of His

Majesty the King, for this means only one thing - being in the

service of the nation," His Royal Highness has said. "After all, my

goals and aspirations are lodged within those of my country. My

foremost desire is to work for the greater good of the nation and

the Bhutanese people."

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