In the
history of Bhutan, we have seen numerous celebrations of so many joyous and auspicious
occasions. Of many, no day has more significance and importance as National Day
of the country. It is an indication of country’s sovereignty and independence.
Perhaps it is a liberation of the country from others rule or gaining self-determination
in Western context/elsewhere. No country or state can celebrate the national
day if she is not independent and sovereign. Celebration of national day
emboldens the national’s identity and security of the nation.
Since 1907 Bhutan
has celebrated 110 times of national days so far in different places and this
years’ been celebrated in Samtse district. This year’s 111th
National Day is yet another testament of eternal peace and prosperity under the
farsighted leadership of our beloved monarchs. As one of the millennials, I was
unfortunate to have unseen many celebrations of National day. As far as I can remember,
2018’s 111th national day is something that moved me and I think is
different from others.
As Bhutan is
blessed by the three great spiritual masters- Guru, Zhabdrung and Pema Lingpa, the
national day of triple one (111) is graced and blessed by the great trio of His
Majesty the great fourth, His Majesty and His holiness the Jekhenpo. Day has also
seen three kings of Bhutan taking the joy and festivity of the national day to
a greater level. Humbly respecting and bowing to each other before the
Bhutanese and the world. Even our Gyalse Rinpoche exhibited such a greatness at
very tender age of barely three years by bowing to the great fourth and Chabje
Rinpoche at the reception.
The sensational
and heart touching moment of the 111th national day was, His Majesty
on behalf of Bhutanese people presenting an award of Ngadgak Pel gi Kholrlo to His Holiness the Jekhenpo for his lifetime Bodhisattva
service to the nation and sentient beings. There was embodiment of epitome
respect and humility in these three greats (HM, 4th HM and Chabje). Like
any other ordinary award recipients, Chabje Rinpoche humbly stood up and walked
towards the podium under the compassionate escort of our Great Fourth. While His
Holiness is supposed to come before the podium to receive the award, His
Majesty requested Chabje that, Majesty himself would come up and present the
award ༼རྗེ་ང་རང་ཡར་བཅར་འོང་ལགས།།༽
There was personification of highest humility and humbleness from our highest one.
It was a moment brimmed with tears of happiness for Bhutanese people. When such
greatness come together, even the weather could not follow its schedule and had
to shed its flake of happiness before time.
Even the day
in general was different from other national day celebrations. By virtue of celebrating
in Samtse, most events of the day and cultural programs had so much of
diversity and inclusivity. The live and color were more brighter and livelier. One could see on television, the people’s pride
and keen in national culture as they perform programs wholeheartedly. Apart
from people assimilating in the mainstream culture, the events from different
community of our Lhotshampa fellow citizens had made the day unique and interesting
in many aspects. I am sure that embracing of culture have immensely contributed
to the Gross National Happiness.
Of everything,
the national day in Bhutan is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to
our benevolent hereditary monarchs for continued peace and prosperity in the
country. May Wangchuck Dynasty live forever and, May Dharma flourish for all
times to come. May peace and prosperity prevail in the land of Thunder dragon for all times to come. Kadrinche Mewang chok. Palden Drukpa Gyalo!!!
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