On 21st September,1971, the Third King of Bhutan achieved the national dream of all Kings and the Bhutanese citizens. Bhutan was admitted into the august hall of sovereign nations- The United Nations. It is not possible to comprehend how on earth the Bhutanese King persuaded India to assist him to get his Kingdom into the membership of United Nation ?
Today Bhutanese leadership is unable to even glance at another nation without the approval nod of India. It seems that the euphoric D- Day of September,1971 has somehow got waylaid and ambushed even though in paper the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of 1949 has been suitably amended several years back to enhance Bhutanese control over Bhutan's external affairs.
I vividly recall that UN celebration day at Lungtenphu, Thimphu in September,1971. His Majesty was in high royal mood. It was also my first experience of seeing the King and the Queen of Bhutan together arm in arm. Her Majesty Queen Keasang Choden Wangchuck and entourage arrived at the celebration ground and His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck went forward towards the Entourage ,received his delicately beautiful Queen and gallantly escorted her. It was a picture of national unity on such an important and auspicious national Day.
Several decades have passed by since that great day when the very heart of a great Monarch fluttered with joy and expectations for his nation and citizens. The Dragon was at its glorious peak.
The days of Camelot is no more. Bhutan has undergone internal political changes. The Law of the King has been converted to Constitutional Law that is Gyelthrim to Tsathrim. However the King can still guide the nation and his citizens with the spirit of D-Day of September,1971 and secure dignified sovereignty in the external affairs of Bhutan.
The Constitution enshrines the royal institution and royal prerogatives
( Gyal-ju and Wongchha ). The introduction of Democracy has not relieved the dragon throne from the duty of protecting the dignity of the Kingdom even while democratic leaderships seeks comfort in bilateral appeasement with India. Political serfdom was never the part of the traditional Bhutanese characteristic even though it is human to desire material wants. Money and power is everything except for love,respect and freedom.
Wishing all Bhutanese a very happy UN Membership Day Celebration in your hearts. Remember and cherish with pride 21st September,1971 when the Dragon roared his own flame.
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