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Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyel
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
The
monk ruler, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), a Tibetan native,
is considered as the founder of modern Bhutan state. He was the
first ruler of Bhutan. He ruled for 35 years. His successors ruled
the country till 1907. However, the dual system of government by
spiritual and temporal rulers established by him came to an end
on December 17, 1907, when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first
hereditary monarch of Bhutan. The establishment of a hereditary
monarchy was indeed the most important landmark in the recorded
history of Bhutan
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KING
JIGME DORJI WANGCHUCK
King
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
King
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( 1952-1972) was born in 1928. He learned
English and Hindi languages at early childhood. He ascended to throne
as the third king in 1952. During his 20 years reign, Bhutan emerged
as a modern nation. Bhutan achieved all-round development during
his reign. He was a far-sighted monarch. He introduced land reforms
putting a landholding ceiling of 30 acres. He distributed lands
to land-less citizens. He put a ban on slavery and serfdom. He established
a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established
the Tshogdu or National assembly - Bhutans first unicameral
Parliament. He established the Royal Advisory Council in 1963. During
his reign Bhutans first planned economic development plan
was drafted. In 1961, a five year economic development pan was launched
for the years 1961-1966. Bhutan is still following this five-year
economic development plan. He created Bhutans first Council
of Ministers in 1968. In 1963, Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan. During
his 20 years reign, 1770 Km of roads were constructed, the number
of schools rose to 102 and 6 hospitals were established. In 1971,
he set up a Planning Commission. Bhutan was admitted to the United
Nations in 1971. He died on 21 July, 1972. He was the main architect
of modern Bhutan he was married to Queen Ashi Kelzang Chhoedon wangchuck. |
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KING JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK
King
Jime Singye Wangchuck
The
fourth hereditary and the current King Jime Singye Wangchuck ( 1972
-) was born on 11 November 1955. He received modern education. He
studied in Bhutan, India, the United Kingdom. He had to abandon
his school education due to the death of his father.
He
also carried forward the socio-economic progress of the country
initiated by his father. Bhutan has made tremendous progress in
the filed of communications, hydro-electric power development, education,
health, financial sector, environmental protection, and industrial
and infrastructural development during his reign. The per capita
GDP stood at its highest of US$ 712.8 (Nu 32,006) in 2000,
Bhutan
became the member of. ESCAP in 1972, NAM in 1973, IFAD, IMF, IBRD,
IDA and FAO in 1981, WHO, UNESCO and ADB in 1982, UNIDO in 1983,
ITU in 1988, ICAO in 1989, ECOSOC in 1992.
Under
his reign, Bhutan established diplomatic relations with Switzerland,
Denmark, Sweden, EEC, Norway and Netherlands Kuwait, Japan, Finland,
South Korea, Austria, Thailand, Bahrain, Hongkong, Singapore, Macaw,
Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan , Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
POLITICAL
PROBLEMS
However,
Bhutan has been facing its biggest political problems during his
reign. Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees are now living in the UNHCR
administered refugee camps in Nepal since 1991. Bhutan has been
facing its biggest security threat from the militants of Indias
north-east provinces, who have taken shelter in Bhutanese territories
since a decade. These militants outlawed by the government of India
are operating against the government of India and Indian army from
their bases in Bhutan.
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