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The call for responsibility

18 November 2009

“Our King entered the coffee house, hugged us and asked how we were. I said thank you,” my niece burst out. She made me laugh so hard that after some time tears dropped down my cheeks. I do not remember the last time this happened to me or whether I ever experienced such a moment. But I now do; November 1, 2009; the day His Majesty took a stroll around Thimphu town.
Why this gush of emotions? Because, it is only in Bhutan that we see and experience such magic moments, which people in other parts of the world read in books.
It is said that leadership is displayed best during times of crisis and emergency. Just scroll through our history. We need not go very far and hopefully we have not let the abyss of time swallow up “Operation Flush out”, wherein the fourth Druk Gyalpo was at the forefront leading our soldiers in the exercise to drive out Indian militants who had trespassed into Bhutanese territory.
Name a leader who did the same? Napolean, King Arthur, Hannibal, Alexander… Name a leader who did so in the 21st century or in modern history? None! And who would do so, when hardened terrorist leaders fight their war from underground bunkers.
What do we have to say about our His Majesty, the “People’s King”? Great and gracious! A colossus amongst men; soaked in wisdom and compassion! An architect gilding the architectural wonder founded, carved and chiseled by his ancestors in the last 100 years. A leader discharging his duties not as a King, but as a “parent,” “brother” and “son” and lastly a sovereign dedicated to building a vibrant democratic Bhutan in the face of massive challenges.
We cannot gauge the emotions that overwhelmed those in Lhuntse Dzongkhag, who became land owners because of His Majesty’s kidu. Neither can we compute the joy, hope and reassurances that His Majesty brought into villages and homes affected by the recent earthquake, especially as His Majesty entered the afflicted areas as a father, son and a brother. His Majesty cooked for school children, consoled and comforted the elderly and others just as a son and a brother would do.
Money is not everything, and happiness is a blend of the spiritual/immaterial and material, propounds Gross National Happiness (GNH). How true, for the monetary and other incentives victims received, blended with love, joy, compassion, hope and faith that came with His Majesty, the immaterial aspects of life.
If it is true that leadership is displayed during times of crisis and emergency, the world has seen why Bhutan’s King is extraordinary. And as His Majesty ventures towards creating a vibrant democracy, how can we serve our King? What does our King want from us?
His Majesty addressed the nation for the first time on December 17, 2000, in Trongsa, wherein he reminded us of our responsibilities to take the nation forward. As Bhutan adopted its constitution in July 2008, His Majesty spoke of the unconditional fulfillment of the “responsibilities we shoulder”. And during the first session of parliament, His Majesty reminded the new government of its “responsibility” in setting standards and “laying strong foundations and promoting the best practices of democracy”.
Last February, His Majesty addressed the third convocation of the Paro College of Education and reiterated the importance of responsibility.
Our beloved Druk Gyalpo has repeatedly underlined responsibility as an important factor in the journey ahead. His Majesty has drawn on responsibility and reminded everyone – the judiciary, executive and legislative wings of the government, students, teachers, and the public of the importance of responsibility.
I stand corrected, but by reading between the lines I surmise that His Majesty is asking us to be more responsible and/or inculcate responsibility in all our conducts (which we all know but ignore and overlook). We agree that we take many things for granted and that the spoon-fed average Bhutanese are like spoilt brats. When was the last time we cleaned our surroundings without complaining?
Have you ever told those who keep their computers on every time to shut it down? Do you know anyone who has not used the phrase “it is the government’s money” in one way or another? Have you ever thought that your actions could have national implications?
I did not. But I always considered myself a responsible citizen. I worked from nine to five, paid taxes and performed my social duties as many do. I thought I was being responsible and doing the best I could for my country.
I was wrong. I was just doing my “duty” for the check at the end of the month and as dictated by my superiors. I drafted several note sheets, memos etc. on the behest of my superiors but never questioned or thought about the minor yet potent implications these letters might have. I had my worlds – formal and informal – and I lived and worked within the walls of these worlds. In simple words, I was just “doing my job, my duty” and not “bothered about others”.
I was not being responsible. In fact, I had desecrated its meaning and significance by equating it with duty. There is a very thin line between responsibility and duty and perhaps this shrouds us from recognizing the two as different entities. Spare a minute, give a thought! You will realize that duty is but one ingredient of what constitutes responsibility, with the latter standing at a higher rung than the former.
I am not an enlightened social scholar and many may disagree with my argument. However, most will agree that we live in our own worlds and have drawn our own terms of reference, which directs us. Some people refer to it as the “system”, which serves as a bin for everyone’s grievances to the extent that people hold the system accountable for the dirt around our houses.
I believe that our King is asking us to break the cocoons, the system and begin to think and act out of the box. Times have changed. And so has our country. Under the guidance of His Majesty, we are poised to progress and become a vibrant democracy. We will witness His Majesty steering us forward with effortless ease and exceptional grace, not realizing that great leaders make everything look so simple. The journey would certainly be shorter if we become responsible.
How can we all help, partake and participate in the journey forward? Rise to the call of His Majesty by becoming responsible citizens! This might perhaps be the best we can do for our King, who bestows us with unstinting, infinite and immeasurable love, compassion, security and generosity “as a father, a son and a brother”.
It is not very difficult and we are not late. And remember! It is only in Bhutan that we see and experience such magic moments, which people in other parts of the world read in books. By Ugyen Tenzin Thimphu

“Our King entered the coffee house, hugged us and asked how we were. I said thank you,” my niece burst out. She made me laugh so hard that after some time tears dropped down my cheeks. I do not remember the last time this happened to me or whether I ever experienced such a moment. But I now do; November 1, 2009; the day His Majesty took a stroll around Thimphu town.

Why this gush of emotions? Because, it is only in Bhutan that we see and experience such magic moments, which people in other parts of the world read in books.

It is said that leadership is displayed best during times of crisis and emergency. Just scroll through our history. We need not go very far and hopefully we have not let the abyss of time swallow up “Operation Flush out”, wherein the fourth Druk Gyalpo was at the forefront leading our soldiers in the exercise to drive out Indian militants who had trespassed into Bhutanese territory.

Name a leader who did the same? Napolean, King Arthur, Hannibal, Alexander… Name a leader who did so in the 21st century or in modern history? None! And who would do so, when hardened terrorist leaders fight their war from underground bunkers.

What do we have to say about our His Majesty, the “People’s King”? Great and gracious! A colossus amongst men; soaked in wisdom and compassion! An architect gilding the architectural wonder founded, carved and chiseled by his ancestors in the last 100 years. A leader discharging his duties not as a King, but as a “parent,” “brother” and “son” and lastly a sovereign dedicated to building a vibrant democratic Bhutan in the face of massive challenges.

We cannot gauge the emotions that overwhelmed those in Lhuntse Dzongkhag, who became land owners because of His Majesty’s kidu. Neither can we compute the joy, hope and reassurances that His Majesty brought into villages and homes affected by the recent earthquake, especially as His Majesty entered the afflicted areas as a father, son and a brother. His Majesty cooked for school children, consoled and comforted the elderly and others just as a son and a brother would do.

Money is not everything, and happiness is a blend of the spiritual/immaterial and material, propounds Gross National Happiness (GNH). How true, for the monetary and other incentives victims received, blended with love, joy, compassion, hope and faith that came with His Majesty, the immaterial aspects of life.

If it is true that leadership is displayed during times of crisis and emergency, the world has seen why Bhutan’s King is extraordinary. And as His Majesty ventures towards creating a vibrant democracy, how can we serve our King? What does our King want from us?

His Majesty addressed the nation for the first time on December 17, 2000, in Trongsa, wherein he reminded us of our responsibilities to take the nation forward. As Bhutan adopted its constitution in July 2008, His Majesty spoke of the unconditional fulfillment of the “responsibilities we shoulder”. And during the first session of parliament, His Majesty reminded the new government of its “responsibility” in setting standards and “laying strong foundations and promoting the best practices of democracy”.

Last February, His Majesty addressed the third convocation of the Paro College of Education and reiterated the importance of responsibility.

Our beloved Druk Gyalpo has repeatedly underlined responsibility as an important factor in the journey ahead. His Majesty has drawn on responsibility and reminded everyone – the judiciary, executive and legislative wings of the government, students, teachers, and the public of the importance of responsibility.

I stand corrected, but by reading between the lines I surmise that His Majesty is asking us to be more responsible and/or inculcate responsibility in all our conducts (which we all know but ignore and overlook). We agree that we take many things for granted and that the spoon-fed average Bhutanese are like spoilt brats. When was the last time we cleaned our surroundings without complaining?

Have you ever told those who keep their computers on every time to shut it down? Do you know anyone who has not used the phrase “it is the government’s money” in one way or another? Have you ever thought that your actions could have national implications?

I did not. But I always considered myself a responsible citizen. I worked from nine to five, paid taxes and performed my social duties as many do. I thought I was being responsible and doing the best I could for my country.

I was wrong. I was just doing my “duty” for the check at the end of the month and as dictated by my superiors. I drafted several note sheets, memos etc. on the behest of my superiors but never questioned or thought about the minor yet potent implications these letters might have. I had my worlds – formal and informal – and I lived and worked within the walls of these worlds. In simple words, I was just “doing my job, my duty” and not “bothered about others”.

I was not being responsible. In fact, I had desecrated its meaning and significance by equating it with duty. There is a very thin line between responsibility and duty and perhaps this shrouds us from recognizing the two as different entities. Spare a minute, give a thought! You will realize that duty is but one ingredient of what constitutes responsibility, with the latter standing at a higher rung than the former.

I am not an enlightened social scholar and many may disagree with my argument. However, most will agree that we live in our own worlds and have drawn our own terms of reference, which directs us. Some people refer to it as the “system”, which serves as a bin for everyone’s grievances to the extent that people hold the system accountable for the dirt around our houses.

I believe that our King is asking us to break the cocoons, the system and begin to think and act out of the box. Times have changed. And so has our country. Under the guidance of His Majesty, we are poised to progress and become a vibrant democracy. We will witness His Majesty steering us forward with effortless ease and exceptional grace, not realizing that great leaders make everything look so simple. The journey would certainly be shorter if we become responsible.

How can we all help, partake and participate in the journey forward? Rise to the call of His Majesty by becoming responsible citizens! This might perhaps be the best we can do for our King, who bestows us with unstinting, infinite and immeasurable love, compassion, security and generosity “as a father, a son and a brother”.

It is not very difficult and we are not late. And remember! It is only in Bhutan that we see and experience such magic moments, which people in other parts of the world read in books.

By Ugyen Tenzin
Thimphu

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Comments

2 Responses to “The call for responsibility”

  1. chhoeki on November 19th, 2009 10:07 pm

    My thoughts put on paper and it could not have been said better

    We often shrug off our responsibilities and take for granted what we have. If after reading this people, all people do not recognise the RESPONSIBILITIES that HM reiterated time, then surely we are but inanimate objects.

  2. bhuttu on November 20th, 2009 2:16 am

    Great article, in the true spirit of your nation, which more than makes up in heart what it lacks in numbers. All the best!

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