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Coronation Of Last King Of South Asia

By Staff

Thimphu : When the world will be waiting to see the next occupant of the White House with bated breath tomorrow, the tiny Himalayan kingdom Bhutan shall be witnessing the coronation of their new king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

At the stroke of 0831 hrs tomorrow at Thimphu, the Coronation of South Asia's last king will begin, formally announcing the 'Change', which has also been the driving force behind the US Presidential election.

The US may get its first black president, but this kingdom, which has given more importance to Gross National happiness(GNP) then the crisis of Wall street, is already in the seventh heaven ready to witness the coronation after 34 years.

The ceremony will take place in the Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong in the presence of the members of the royal family, including Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley, the Prime Minister of Bhutan and other Bhutanese leaders.

President of India Pratibha Patil, Ms Sonia Gandhi and her family, who are friends of the royal family along with other dignitaries will also be attending the ceremony.

The new king father, Jigmeye Singye Wangchuk was one of the rare monarch who not only encouraged active democracy but also oversaw a long tedious training of democracy to the whole populace of the country and then voluntarily handed over the power to the democratically elected government early this year whereas just across the border Nepal saw a bitter and bloody transition to democracy.

It is part of a process of cautious and calibrated modernisation driven by 52-year-old Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who abdicated the throne two years ago after forcing his reluctant and largely adoring subjects to accept democracy.

As part of the coronation ceremony, the new king will be offered 'Gyalse Na-duen' (seven precious objects of the Universal Emperor) for worldly and spiritual mastery, inexhaustible speed, strength, love, wisdom, and power by His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, as an offering of empowerment.

Story first published: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 12:03 [IST]