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53-648: The RBA includes the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan (RBG), an elite branch of the armed forces responsible for the security of the King , the royal family and other officials . It was customary, but not obligatory, for one son from each Bhutanese family to serve in the army. In addition, militia may be recruited during emergencies. It may, from time to time, be called on to assist the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) in maintaining law and order. With intense support from India ,

106-521: A 66-year life-span and lower morbidity during this life span. One of the constraints in education and health was the lack of qualified people. In 1976, King Jigme Singye commanded the establishment of the Royal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS) and the first batch of Health Assistants and Basic Health Workers passed out in 1986. There were 56 health establishments in 1974; by 2006 there were 715 resulting in 90% free primary health coverage. In 1985, there

159-524: A camp at Zompelri which is a border outpost under the control of army's Wing I at Tendruk , Samtse . The Army's Military Training Centre is in Tencholing, Wangduephodrang . List of rulers of Bhutan Parliament Judiciary Bhutan was founded and unified as a country by Ngawang Namgyal , 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche in the mid–17th century. After his death in 1651, Bhutan nominally followed his recommended " Dual System of Government ". Under

212-580: A long-term basis in 2006. These numbers were rolled as new meditation to succeed old ones upon their completion. There were over 45 monastic lobdras, where teachers received official stipends and where gomchens (young lay priests) studied. By 2006, there were also 10 nunneries, started on an organized basis, located in Jashar goenpa in Pema Gatshel in the east to Kila Goenpa in Paro in the west. Wangchuck also enhanced

265-870: A parallel health service due to support to Institute of Indigenous Medicine. There probably were only about 2,000 monks in the state supported monasteries in 1972 when his reign started. By 2006, the number of monks subsisting on state allowances had increased to little over 6,000. In parallel to the increase in the number of monks and nuns, the monastic infrastructure that included tutors, lamas, temples, gomdeys (meditation centres), and shedras (Buddhist colleges), increased in Wangchuck's reign. Many new official dratshangs in district headquarters, which hitherto did not have any monastic body, were opened such as Tsirang , Gaylegphug, Tashi Yangtse , Samtse , Pema Gatshel, Chukha , Bumthang and Zhemgang . Numerous affiliate monasteries to each dzongkhag rabdey were also opened throughout

318-520: A two-fold foreign policy for Bhutan: to deepen Bhutan's relations with India and to create new bonds of friendship with fellow members of the UN . To diversify the sources of funding, Bhutan cultivated close relationships with the UN , ever since the visit of a UN Under-Secretary General in 1974. Relationships with other nations widened rapidly after 1974. The Coronation of 1974 brought a large numbers of foreign delegates. Representatives of some 18 nations attended

371-513: Is a member of the House of Wangchuck who was the king of Bhutan ( Druk Gyalpo ) from 1972 until his abdication in 2006. Under Wangchuk's reign, ethnic cleansing in Bhutan was initiated wherein in 1996 about 100,000 Lhotshampa people were stripped of their citizenship and expelled by the military out of Bhutan. During his reign, he advocated the use of a Gross National Happiness index to measure

424-623: The Border Roads Organisation , a subdivision of the Indian Army Corps of Engineers , has been operating in Bhutan since May 1961. Since then Project DANTAK has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of over 1,500 km of roads and bridges, Paro Airport and Yongphulla Airport (upgraded in 2018, with scheduled fixed-wing civilian flights), heliports and other infrastructure. While these serve India's strategic defense needs, they are also an obvious economic benefit for

477-612: The Bhutanese population. The Army Welfare Project (AWP) is a commercial enterprise of the RBA established in 1974 to provide benefits for retired RBA and RBG personnel in the form of employment, pensions and loans. The AWP manufactures alcoholic beverages in two distilleries located in Gelephu and Samtse . The RBA is a mobile infantry force lightly armed with weapons largely supplied by India. 81mm Mortar (33) The Royal Bhutan Army maintains

530-563: The Chukha Hydropower Project on 21 October 1988, nearly 13 years after the first discussion on it took place, in 1974. Chukha improved the revenue situation and the financial capacity of the country. In the industrial sphere, an early landmark project planned soon after his coronation was the development of a complete master plan for the construction of the Penden Cement Factory. The actual construction started in 1979 and

583-680: The Coronation, in October 1974, the first group of 20 tourists entered the country through Phuntsholing , as there was no air service then. By 2006, the number of tourists, flown in by Druk Air and who paid royalty, reached 17,344. One of the landmark developments, soon after his coronation, was the signing of the Chukha Hydropower Project in March 1974. Construction began in 1983 and the President of India , Ramaswamy Venkataraman and King Jigme Singye inaugurated

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636-476: The Coronation. Notably, a representative from China also attended. Bhutan had supported China's seat in the United Nations in 1971 soon after Bhutan became a member of the UN . In parallel to the increase in development assistance, the decade between 1980 and 1990 was a period of enhanced diplomacy for Bhutan. In this decade, under the guidance of Wangchuck, Bhutan established diplomatic relations with 17 out of

689-613: The Druk Desi, and regional penlops often administered their districts in defiance of the power of the Druk Desis until the rise of the unified Wangchuck dynasty in 1907. Since the rise of the unified Wangchuck family in 1907, the Druk Gyalpo ( འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་པོ་ ; lit. " Dragon King") have been the head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan . Below appears the list of Druk Desis throughout

742-689: The Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"), also occupies the office of Druk Desi under the " Dual System of Government ". Since the enactment of the Constitution of 2008 , the Druk Gyalpo has remained head of state , while the Prime Minister of Bhutan acts as executive and head of government in a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy . Jigme Singye Wangchuck Jigme Singye Wangchuck ( Dzongkha : འཇིགས་མེད་སེང་གེ་དབང་ཕྱུག་ , Wylie : jigs med seng ge dbang phyug ; born 11 November 1955)

795-482: The Fourth King's reign. Wangchuck emphasized the distinctive characters of Bhutanese cultures. Wangchuck stated that it is the "distinct identity of our county", and not the nation's "wealth, weapons and armed forces", that is the vital instrument in securing the sovereignty of the nation. In the 34 years of Wangchuck's reign, the ten traditional cultural sciences (rignas) received considerable priority. Wangchuck cherished

848-594: The RBA seized " more than 500 AK 47/56 assault rifles and 500 other assorted weapons including rocket launchers and mortars , along with more than 1,000,000 rounds of ammunition . An anti-aircraft gun was also found at the site of the GHQ of the ULFA ." By 3 January 2004 all 30 camps (ULFA-14, NDFB-11, KLO-5) and an additional 35 observation posts were destroyed and the militants dislodged. A total of 485 ULFA, NDFB and KLO militants were killed or captured; those captured along with

901-584: The RBA was formed in the 1950s in response to the Chinese annexation and subsequent People's Liberation Army actions in Tibet . In 1958, the Royal Government of Bhutan introduced a conscription system and plans for a standing army of 2,500 soldiers. The Indian government had also repeatedly urged and pressured Bhutan to end its neutrality or isolationist policy and accept Indian economic and military assistance. This

954-451: The Royal Government, unable to tolerate the groups' presence any longer, issued a 48-hour ultimatum on 13 December. On 15 December the RBA commenced military operations against the militant groups. Under the leadership of His Majesty the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck the RBA and RBG, with a total strength of 6,000, attacked an estimated 3,000 militants spread across 30 camps. By 27 December 2003 all 30 camps had been captured. Additionally,

1007-763: The Royal Wedding of Wangchuck was held in Dechog Lhakhang in Punakha Dzong on 31 October 1988, corresponding with the Descending Day of Buddha . The four queens, Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck , Tshering Pem Wangchuck , Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Sangay Choden Wangchuck are daughters of Dasho Yab Ugyen Dorji, the descendant of both the mind and speech incarnations of Ngawang Namgyal , and Yum Thuiji Zam. Previously, they had married privately in 1979. In his Coronation Address on 2 June 1974, Jigme Singye stressed

1060-457: The company was in production by 1983. The Penden Cement Authority produced about half a million tonnes of cement every day, for instance in 2008. Manufacturing and mining spread, mostly in the southern towns. The country strived to preserve major local languages, knowledge, beliefs, customs, skills, trades and institutions, and even species of crops and plants. Bhutanese society also remained cohesive because of promoting cultural identities under

1113-411: The country, as measured by GDP , was Nu 2.4 billion in 1985. This increased to Nu 36.9 billion in 2006, which was a 15-fold increase in 21 years. Bhutan's per capita income reached US$ 1,500 in 2006 by the end of his reign. In purchasing power parity terms, Bhutan's per capita income in 2006 was nearly US$ 4,085. The king introduced an unconventional tourism policy of "high-value, low-volume". Soon after

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1166-511: The country. By 2006, there were 13 shedras located in Tango , Dodeydrag, Khothokha, Sanga Choekhor, Gontey, Tshangkha, Tharpaling, Nimalung, Talo Nalanda, Sewla, Ngatsang, Drametse, and Bartsham with a total enrolment of some 700 monks. There were over 24 drubdeys or meditation places, stretching from Singye dzong in the east to Tagchu goenpa in Haa , enlisting 300 officially supported people who meditate on

1219-615: The dual system, government control was split between a secular leader, the Druk Desi ( འབྲུག་སྡེ་སྲིད་ , a.k.a. Deb Raja ); and a religious leader, the Je Khenpo ( རྗེ་མཁན་པོ་ ). Both the Druk Desi and Je Khenpo were under the nominal authority of the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, a reincarnation of Ngawang Namgyal. In practice however, the Zhabdrung was often a child under the control of

1272-492: The end of his reign in 2006. In 1985, just around 10,000 households had electricity, and the number reached over 65,000 meter-point units by 2006. The connectivity of Bhutan increased in his reign through air services, internet, and surface transport. Internet reached Bhutan in 1999. The spread of faxes, telephones, satellite TVs, computers, and the Internet brought Bhutan into a transnational or globalized world. The national income of

1325-560: The end of the 4th FYP (1976–1981), Wangchuck extensively reviewed the successes and challenges of the previous four years of development, which also included the physical inspection of the field projects. Wangchuck envisioned different planning system for the 5th FYP (1981–86) emphasising decentralisation. New dzongdags were appointed in all the 18 districts, with responsibilities of managing public finances and co-ordinating district development plans, in their capacities as chairmen of DYTs. Dzongdags were delegated broad powers to make decisions at

1378-568: The existence of the office. Officeholders were initially appointed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , though after his death the Je Khenpo and civil government decided appointments. Italics indicate coregencies and caretaker governments, which are not traditionally separately numbered. The Bhutanese monarchy was established on 17 December 1907, unifying the country under the control of the Wangchuck dynasty , hereditary penlops (governors) of Trongsa Province . The King of Bhutan , formally known as

1431-857: The existing 53 countries, and became associated with 12 out of 20 organisations of the United Nations family. In Wangchuck's reign, diplomatic links were developed with many other nations such as Bangladesh in 1973; Kuwait in 1983; Nepal in 1983; The Maldives in 1984; Denmark in 1985; Norway in 1985; Sweden in 1985; Switzerland in 1985; Netherlands in 1985; Japan in 1986; Finland in 1986; South Korea in 1987; Sri Lanka in 1987; Austria in 1989; Thailand in 1991; Bahrain in 1992; Singapore in 2002; Australia in 2002 and Canada in 2003. Wangchuck cultivated bonds of friendship with other countries and strengthened Bhutan-international relationships and diversified its sources of development assistance. The silver Jubilee of Jigme Singye Wangchuck

1484-487: The first Textile Museum opened by Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck drew attention to the weaving skills of Bhutan. Skilled artisans – painters, statue-makers, carpenters and masons proliferated in Wangchuck's reign not only because of these new institutions, but also by receiving on the job training in many new temples and dzongs constructed in the country. The profile of indigenous medicine also became higher under Wangchuck's reign. Indigenous medicine spread as

1537-847: The first cohort of women were admitted to the Army. The Indian Army maintains a training mission in Bhutan, known as the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), which is responsible for the training of RBA and RBG personnel. All RBA and RBG officers are trained at the Indian Army's officer training institutes, namely the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune , and the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun . Project DANTAK of

1590-561: The importance of both the intangible and tangible aspects of Bhutanese culture. As an example of Wangchuck's support to classical Bhutanese culture he had Tango Shedra built. Tango Shedra became the apex of education according to classical system of cultural sciences, Rignas. Academic monks complete their long studies with bachelor's and master's degrees in Tango . In 2008, 163 candidates – with 14 master's degrees and 149 bachelor's degrees –from Tango Shedra and Sangngag Chokhor Shedra in Paro held their graduation ceremonies at Tango. Zo rigpa

1643-573: The initiatives taken first in 1970s. A Kasho (royal decree) issued by King Jigme Singye in 1986 directed the Planning Commission to ensure that "the basis for the evaluation of the achievements of the Sixth Plan is to see whether the people enjoy happiness and comfort". The social and economic indicators point towards sub-ordinate goals, not ultimate goals which was to be measured from a holistic, GNH point of view. Happiness and contentment became

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1696-546: The issue was regularly discussed in the National Assembly. The Government of India began exerting diplomatic pressure on the Royal Government of Bhutan to remove the militant presence and offered to conduct joint military operations with Bhutan against the militants. The Royal Government of Bhutan, preferring a peaceful solution, declined the offer and instead initiated dialogue with the militant groups in 1998. By December 2003 negotiations had failed to produce any agreement and

1749-602: The large-scale production in Khaling and Chapcha , potatoes become a key export crop, reaching 60,000 tonnes, grown by over 10,725 households by 2006. In southern Bhutan, the focus was on growing citrus fruits. For example, in 1977, the King encouraged the people of Dagana to start cardamom and orange plantations. Both of these cash crops are now major sources of rural income as 3,400 tonnes of cardamom , 55,558 tonnes of oranges and 7,400 tonnes of apples were produced in 2006 due to

1802-517: The local level in conjunction with gups and chimis . Wangchuck's strengthening of the governmental sectors went hand in hand with strengthening local bodies like Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung (DYT) that Wangchuck founded in 1981, and the Gewog Yargye Tshogchung (GYT) he founded in 1991. He increasingly devolved authority on them. Bhutanese participation in international organisations at various levels increased. Personally, Wangchuck attended

1855-426: The need "to attain self-reliance and preserve Bhutan's sovereignty and independence." He also stressed that any development undertaking should be a genuine collaboration between the people and the government. During the 1970s, immediate aims for rural households unfolded in terms of intensive valley projects, cash crops cultivation, especially potatoes – irrigation, and resettlement. Enhancing the income and livelihood of

1908-1030: The newborn prince. At the age of four, sometime in 1959, the young Crown Prince received the offerings of good wishes and respects by the public, monks, and officials for the first time in Tashichho Dzong . Wangchuck received western and traditional learning in various institutions. He began studying at Dechencholing Palace, when he was six years old, in 1961. Soon afterwards, he went to study at St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling , in India . In January 1965, he attended Summerfields School in St. Leonards, Sussex in England and then in 1966 Heatherdown School in Ascot where he completed his studies in 1969. The next phase of his formal education took place at Namselling Palace in 1969. Finally, he attended Ugyen Wangchuck Academy at Satsham Choten in Paro , which

1961-570: The newly created Shumar (Pemagatshel) districts. These projects were also sites of experimental and participatory decision making. It led to the formation of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogchungs (DYTs), which brought the chimis , gups and officials to prepare plans together. By 1981, Trashigang and Tsirang had fully functional DYTs. In higher altitude areas a new initiative by Wangchuck in early 1970s consisted of diffusing potatoes as cash crops, first tested in royal pastureland of Longtoed and Longmed, which had been converted to potato farms. Beginning with

2014-500: The non-aligned and SAARC summits until 1997, travelling to Colombo in 1976 for 8th Non-Aligned Summit; Havana in 1979 for 6th Non-Aligned Summit; New Delhi in 1983 for 5th SAARC Summit and 1995 for 8th SAARC Summit; Harare in 1986 for 8th Non-Aligned Summit; Kathmandu in 1987 for 3rd SAARC Summit; Islamabad in 1988 for 4th SAARC Summit; Belgrade in 1989 for 9th Non-Aligned Summit; Malé in 1990 for 5th SAARC Summit, and Dhaka in 1993 for 7th SAARC Summit. Wangchuck emphasised

2067-501: The outside world shortened because of motor road and air services. Wangchuck visited Delhi in 1978 and during that visit he discussed the possibility of having air links with India to promote its trade and commerce. The discussion was fruitful and led to a Donier flight between Paro and Kolkata in 1983. By 2006, air services connected Bhutan to Kathmandu , Delhi , Dhaka and Bangkok . Just four million units of electricity were generated in 1974, compared to 3.357 billion units by

2120-803: The people of Bhutan. The Royal Bhutan Army relies on Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force for air medical evacuation assistance. Indian Air Force helicopters evacuated RBA casualties to India for treatment during Operation All Clear in 2003. During the early '90s Indian separatist groups United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) had begun to clandestinely set up camps in Bhutan's dense southern jungles. These camps were used to train militants , store equipment and launch attacks on targets in India. The Bhutanese government became aware of their presence in 1996, and from 1997

2173-536: The period 1971–77, was in progress when his father died. Wangchuck was 16 at that time. 1972 to 1976 was the period of the 3rd FYP, and 1976 to 1981 was the period of 4th FYP. As both King and the Chairman of the National Planning Commission, the clearing house for the programmes and projects, Wangchuck guided the planned activities first in broad terms and then increasingly in detail. In a public ceremony,

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2226-425: The protection of natural resources such as forests and biodiversity. Wangchuck foresaw the potentially adverse impacts of both increased economic activity and increased population on the fragility of the mountain ecosystem. He raised the importance of preservation of environment during policy discussions, which resulted in vast areas of the country being devoted to parks and sanctuaries. Among events of his reign: At

2279-533: The rest of the country. Telephone connections, mostly for officials in Thimphu , were limited to 480 in 1974 compared to 31,526 in 2006. There were 13,410 students enrolled in schools compared to 151,260 or so in 2006. By 2006, school enrollment touched 90%, literacy 60%, and both were so mainly due to a free education policy (more information at Education in Bhutan and Ministry of Education Website ). Health services, safe drinking water and better nutrition have led to

2332-540: The rural people were the main focus of the 3rd and 4th FYPs. Soon after he acceded to the throne, Jigme Singye launched the Trashigang and Tsirang Intensive Valley Development Projects in 1972. These projects were part of a larger vision of food self-sufficiency and income generation. Encouraged by the achievements in the Trashigang and Tsirang Intensive Valley Projects, similar valley projects were replicated in Mongar and

2385-554: The seized weapons and ammunition were handed over to the Government of India . Captured non-combatants were handed over to Assamese civil authorities. The RBA suffered 11 soldiers killed in action and 35 wounded in action . As of 2008 the RBA stood at 8,000 active-duty personnel. This follows an initiative introduced in 2005 by the Royal Government of Bhutan to reduce the strength of the RBA while increasing militia training of

2438-418: The ultimate yardstick of progress. Data, which enables comparison of achievements over time starting from 1985 onwards, some 14 years after the king's ascension to the throne. There is a lack of systematic quantitative information about the social and economic situation of Bhutan for the 1970s. The baselines for historical comparison available today were first collected in 1985 – the year when time series data

2491-595: The well-being of citizens rather than Gross domestic product . Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born in Dechencholing Palace in Thimphu , Bhutan , on 11 November 1955. to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck . The political officer of India stationed in Sikkim and the representative of the Sikkimese government came soon after to offer felicitations to the royal parents and to pay their respect to

2544-648: Was because India considered Bhutan one of the most vulnerable sectors in its strategic defense system in regards to China. When Bhutan accepted the Indian offer, the Indian Army became responsible for the training and equipping of the RBA. By 1968 the RBA consisted of 4,850 soldiers; by 1990 this had risen to 6,000. Following the increases after an anti-militant operation in 2003, the RBA peaked at over 9,000 in 2007 before being reduced to 8,000 in 2008. Bhutanese officers were deployed to UNDOF as staff officers in 2015. In 2021,

2597-423: Was celebrated in 1999 to mark 25 years since his coronation. A commemorative medal was also issued to mark the occasion. Wangchuck abdicated the throne in favour of his son in 2006, in preparation for the country's transition from an absolute monarchy to a semi-constitutional monarchy. In doing so, he stated: "The best time to change a political system is when the country enjoys stability and peace... Why wait for

2650-430: Was collected. Some information that date back to 1974 indicate the low base of infrastructure that existed at that time. There were 11 ill-equipped hospitals, staffed mostly by foreign doctors, and 45 basic health units in 1974, the year Jigme Singye's coronation was held. Sparse networks of 1,332 km of roads had been built by 1974, compared to 4,544 by the end of his reign in 2006. In 1974, 24 wireless stations linked

2703-660: Was enhanced by Wangchuck when he opened the Kawajangsa Institution of Zorig (now known as National Institute for Zorig Chusum) in 1971. At first, this institute concentrated on traditional fine arts. A similar institution was opened in 1997 in Tashi Yangtse . The Folk Heritage Museum started by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in Kawajangsa, Thimphu in 2001, drew attention to the heritage of lay people's sustainable products and their lifestyle. Likewise, in 2001,

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2756-494: Was established in 1970, along with a class of selected students from all over Bhutan. In 1971 Wangchuck's father appointed Wangchuck as the Chairman of National Planning Commission, charged with the planning and co-ordination of the five year development plan. The following year, on 16 June 1972, he was made the Trongsa Penlop bestowing on him directly the saffron scarf or namza. The 3rd Five-Year Plan (FYP), which spanned

2809-503: Was nearly 50% health coverage. Infant mortality has fallen from 142 in 1985, to 60 in 2006. This was mainly due to the success of universal child immunisation and the supply of safe drinking water. There were 150 water supply schemes in 1985; this increased to 3,852 by 2006, giving 78% coverage of safe drinking water. Maternal mortality rate dropped from 7.7% in 1985 to 2.6% in 2006. Besides these human development indicators, material prosperity rose remarkably. The distance between Bhutan and

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