Thread by @sidhant

Legacy of 4th King of Bhutan
Warrior
It was the year 2003 & Bhutan was facing a major challenge. Bodo & ULFA militants had established camps in S Bhutan. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck led 6736 soldiers of Royal Bhutan Army, in a op which is known as "Operation All Clear"

Rarely in modern history, that a King is seen leading his forces. That is what happened in Dec 2023, when He led his soldiers, destroying 30 camps in 2 days. Next day butter lamps were lit in monasteries across Bhutan, captured weapons hung & prayers for peace undertaken.

The 4th King Jigme Wangchuck turns 70 today, his reign started in 1972 when he was just 16 yrs old, making him the world's youngest monarch at the time. During 34 years of his reign, he took many key decisions that shaped modern Bhutan, ties with India, ties with the world.

Democracy
He brought democracy in the country, a monarch led transition that started in early 1980s, with elections in 2008. The country today is Constitutional monarchy, a process that he was. A democracy that evolved under the throne with drafting of constitution 2001–2008

The King who established Democracy
In Dec 2006 (51) he announced voluntary abdication paving the way for his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to become the 5th king but also beginning of a new political phase. Succession from Monarchy to democratic constitutional monarchy.

2006-2008: Monarchy to democratic constitutional monarchy.
14 Dec 2006: Abdication Announced
Dec 2006-Nov 2008: Crown Prince as Regent
24 Mar 2008: First Democratic Elections
18 Jul 2008: Constitution Enacted
1 Nov 2008: Coronation of the 5th King

Philosophy of Gross National Happiness
It was the 4th King that introduced Bhutan’s official development philosophy, Gross National Happiness (GNH). Introduced in the 1970, it means natl progress is measured by happiness & well-being of citizens & not by GDP.

GNH has 4 key pillars
-good governance
-sustainable socio eco d'pment
-preservation of culture
-environmental conservation
The philosophy is enshrined in Bhutan's constitution. GNH continues to inspire many countries across the world as an alt development model.

Climate Conservation
He mandated that 60% of Bhutan's total land must be covered by forest (currently it stands at 70%), part of the GNH philosophy & environmental protection. Bhutan is 1st carbon negative country, absorbing 6M tons of carbon every year.
vdo by me:

-🇧🇹 has 10 natl parks (51.4% of the country, highest in the world)
-All the electricity comes from hydropower
-King has been honored with 2022 Blue Planet Prize("Nobel for the Environment"), 2022 Champions of the Earth Award
-In 2015, the country created history:

Foreign policy
From near-total isolation to cautious global engagement, guided by the principles of peace, sovereignty, & non-alignment. While ties with India remain key, Bhutan estab. ties with Nepal, Bangladesh, S. Korea, Kuwait, bcm active in UN, SAARC, BIMSTEC

India ties
Bhutan, India continued to preserve the special relationship under the 4th King. The 1949 treaty of friendship continued. India supports Bhutan's Five-Year Plans, Hydropower projects, BRO helped in highway projects. Indian PM Modi with the 4th & th 5th King:

The Prophecy
Born on Nov 11, 1955, his rise to the throne, foretold centuries earlier in a sacred Buddhist prophecy attributed to 18th-century Buddhist master Terton Drukdra Dorji. It is often recited in Bhutanese lore. His reign is remembered for modernizing Bhutan.

Bhutan's lineage of Dragon Kings
1st King (1907-1926)
2nd King (1926-1952)
3rd King (1952-1972)
4th King (1972-2006)
5th King (2006- present)
Pics of the 5 kings are placed respectfully across public places in Bhutan. Pic by me:

Global Prayer Fest as 4th King turns 70
As the 4th King turns 70 today, Bhutan is celebrating the 16 day Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF). Collective prayer by thousands of people in the country, timed perfectly with the 70th birthday of Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.