The Great 4th, Truly Great Leader

On this special day of the birth anniversary of His Majesty the Great 4th DrukGyelpo,  I offer my sincere prayer for the continued good health of His Majesty the King.  It is a day to offer our gratitude in whatever way we could for all the peace and prosperity we are enjoying today. 
     Of all the blessings we have received from His Majesty the King,  the gift of democracy has been the most priceless.  It is known by all that the democracy in our country is truly a gift from the golden throne.  The episode of democracy in our country is a peaceful transition of governance.  The people didn't demanded democracy nor did they cried and fought for democracy.  Rather the people were taken aback when the Great Fourth announced the coming of democracy in our country coupled with his abdication.  So the people reluctantly accepted the gift. 
     Today after a decade of democracy in our country, we are witnessing how much the Great Fourth had been farsighted for the well-being of our nation by looking at the developments and achievements since 2008. With the birth of democracy,  the people from all walks of life came forward to serve the nation better by forming political parties and aspiring for the Members of the Parliament.  In the process,  democracy started to take roots with the spirits of selflessness and peacefulness.  The people are now matured enough to vote for the candidates who really can stand up as their voice.  And the ability of the people to choose their right leaders is a true indication that they want to receive the blessings that they have been praying for.  And equally the ability of the leaders  to answer their people's needs and wants is a wish granting jewel for the people.  Both the abilities,  the people's ability to vote without fear or favor and the leaders' ability to deliver their pledges are true manifestation of the Great Fourth's blessings. Now the people have choice to decide their fate by responsibly exercising their franchise of votes. 
     Now unlike in the past,  age doesn't stand as a barrier to become 'dashos'. So long as one is fit with highest level of competency and ability,  he or she can become a Dasho without having to climb his or her career ladder for a long time.  The ruling government's appointment of some young ministers is an inspiration to the young and competent ones that the most coveted posts do not really belong to the senior and experienced citizens.  With such inspiration flowing in their nurouns, the young and competent ones will continue to develop and sharpen their competencies and set themselves ready for any kind of move they wish to take without a slightest  'I am not matured enough to hold that post,  I am still young and have enough time to prepare for that place... ' sort of sense.
     Everything that is happening, new government with better packages for the nation in every five years,  people's ability to make right choice, young and competent people remaining inspired etc are truly the Great Fourth's vision for our nation.  All of us are confident that the Bhutanese democracy and the Gross National Happiness,  the priceless gifts of His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuk,  will continue to succeed and bless us all. 

We Made our Choice

So finally 2018 election fever has started to come down with the close of polls yesterday evening at 5 pm.  And the Bhutanese have decided their destiny for the following five years and beyond.  Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa led by Bhutan's popular urologist Dr Lotey won 30 seats in the parliament out of 47 seats. The election result is due to be declared officially at 9 am by the Chief Election Commissioner today. 

DNT, an outside parliament party which came into political fray in 2013 will enter the annals of Bhutan History as third democratically elected government in Bhutan.  And Druk Phunsum Tshogpa will continue its status as opposition party and as a seasoned party in the parliament. 

Now with election result already known although officially undeclared,  we are going to have a government which most of us voted for change and a opposition of seasoned party. 

And for that we are confident that the government elect party will deliver it's pledges and fulfill the nation's mandate and the opposition elect party will offer strong check and balances of the ruling party.  All for the happiness, security and peacefulness of our nation.  We are confident because DNT although fresh party to enter the parliament has worked so hard to make itself trust worthy and strong to the Bhutanese over a decade and the opposing party DPT  experience as a term as ruling party and a term as opposition, coupled with credible candidates won.

Hopefully, for the welling of all the people,  everything will gain better health under the leadership of DNT. And we pray for everlasting peace, security and happiness shinning in our nation.  We will look upon our great kings' unwavering compassion and concern.  We will look forward to see snows crowning our nation. And most importantly we look forward to see the people united and the small rifts and divisions created by the parties healed and usher our nation for everlasting peace and prosperity.  All for our present moment and our children's future. 

The World Cup Unites

So finally the World Cup 2018 has come to an end with France lifting the World Cup after stunning win over Croatia.  It's 2nd time win for France with its firstvwin 1998. And it's first time for Croatia to reach the much coveted World Cup final. 

For a month the once in 4 years game brought the world together.  Those who could afford and fortunate ones all had great holidays in Russia and most who couldn't make their way to the host country have not missed even a live match on TVS and live streamings on their cell phones.  Families and friends across the world renewed their relationship watching the World Cup matches together.  And new friendships have been established watching the games in public places.  Despite some emotional upheavals and disappointments among the fans for losing their teams and timing disruptions brought by some matches especially by those late night matches,  the World Cup 2018 made the world as one.

A triumph for France and others too.  In the process of pursuing the world champion,  the participating countries might have added a lot on their already commendable shows and skills.  And for those countries who couldn't  make their way to Russia also might have developed something to better next time.  For the spectators across the world especially the youth, the World Cup might have drawn a lot of inspiration on them.  The spirit of winning and the acceptance of losing are greatest gifts all can collect from any kind of sports. 

I have watched 99% of the live matches and enjoyed a lot.  I wasnt supporting any country in particular.  I just watched to become the part of the world of meaningful moments.  Because in approx 2 hours for each match,  people forgeting their works and worries, sit in front of the TV and enjoy. 

It was my wish to have one of the Asian nation to reach final although many were in view that it would take another decade or more to spot an Asian nation lifting that 6 kg gold.  Japan nearly made through.  And South Korea shocked the world defeatinng the defending champaion Germany.  Not to forget splendid show chase of skills by Iran.  Although my wish wasnt fulfilled,  I have witnessed a lot of promising skills in those Asian nations who played in Russia this year  that one day one of these nations would reach to the top.  Then my second wish was to see nations which have not won the cup before in the finals.  Croatia made to the final but Belgium couldn't.

Keeping the world together for a month, 2018 World Cup ended successfully.  Most sensed that the 2018 World Cup had been the moments of shock,  unexpected results and above all wonderful matches played ever. 

Congratulations to the winning ones, finally.  And thanks to FIFA and Russia for hosting the matches well. And especially to FIFA for coming up with new spice in the manner of maning the games answering the need of the time, goal line technology in 2014 and VAR in 2018, I have learnt that we have maximise and utilize the affulunce of time we are living.  Technology is the affulunce and blessing of our time and FIFA showed the world that we have to know how to receive the blessings of time.