Yesterday I was at the Kuensel to deliver some photos that needed to go into the Tourism Council’s 2010 Annual Magazine: “Bhutan the Land of the Thunder Dragon” which will be going into print this week. The head designer was applying finishing touches to a layout of a document that he was working on. Upon closer scrutiny, it turns out that the document was the Declaration Page of the Compact Signing Ceremony document to be signed between the Head of the government and the Minister of the Ministry committing the Compact.
Kingdom of Bhutan
There again I noticed - the same careless oversight that the whole country without exception seems to be making. Is anyone thinking at all? I am so infuriated with this negligence.
On the bottom right hand of the Declaration Page were written the words:
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley
Prime Minister
Royal Government of Bhutan
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley is not the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan alone - he is the Prime Minister FOR THE ENTIRE Kingdom of Bhutan
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley
Prime Minister
GRRRRRRRrrrrrrr %@$%# &%@+* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeshey, I think they are using your Blog title, did they get your permission? I know they are paying for Photographs but "Bhutan; land of the thunder dragon" is associated with you now...
ReplyDeleteAs of the "Royal Government of Bhutan" and "Kingdom of Bhutan" usage I am put into deep thinking. Even I would have taken them for the same..thanks to you!
Hi PaSsu,
ReplyDeleteThanks ... but I cannot claim ownership over "Bhutan; Land of the Thunder Dragon" because under the copyright laws and conventions, no one can have exclusive right over it.
Hi Ata Yeshey,
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed reading your blog and most importantly your astounding talent in photography (not merely because of your high-end photographic equipment but because of your patience, creativity and effort) has helped me understand our culture and tradition deeply. I salute you!
I personally feel that Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley represents the Royal Government of Bhutan and not necessarily the Kingdom of Bhutan. His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the Head of State and therefore represents Kingdom of Bhutan and is the symbol of unity for the people of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley is elected to represent the Royal Government of Bhutan and is not the head of state. This is how I understand with my right conscience but I do not mean that you are wrong. Every individuals may have his/her own way of interpretation and therefore I would love to listen to opinions from others.
Karma S. P.
Hi Karma,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and thanks for visiting my blog.
With due respect, as far as my understanding goes, there should be no room for any ambiguity as to what a Prime Minister of a country stands for. While you are right that the Prime Minister in our context is the head of the government, I think, perhaps, your confusion arises out of your belief that the Prime Minister is elected to represent the Royal Government of Bhutan. On the contrary, in my view, he was elected to represent the people of Bhutan under the authority of which he has been empowered to appoint and head the Lhengye Zhungtshog which is the Royal Government of Bhutan.
While the Prime Minister cannot be the head of the state which honor solely rests with the King, nonetheless, by virtue of being the head of the government and, upon conferring Dakyen by His Majesty the King as the Prime Minister of the state of Bhutan, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley is, without doubt, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
dear aue yeshey,
ReplyDeletethis is one of the greatest blogs about bhutan :)
to cut to the chase, can you submit to bhutanblogs.com? it's a directory of bhutan blogs and journals...
thank you and tashi delek
Hi bhutanblogs
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit.
OK .... I will do it right away.
Interesting comments and blog. Bhutan is such a young country of democracy, and the citizens remain loyal and passionate about their king and royalties. In UK for instance, there's no question to the Brits who Mr David Cameron represents and what roles do the Royal Queen and Prince take. One is elected by the majority votes of people while the others were born with golden spoons in their month...I think it'll be interesting to see what kind of political study is taught in your school system.
ReplyDeleteI think this got some heads examined. Some things are just taken for granted and we never seem to see the implications.
ReplyDeleteHi Yeshey,
ReplyDeleteI am an editor at theasiamag.com, or asia!, which is an online and mobile platform for Asian bloggers and other writers.
We came across your post "Do you have a phallus?", and would like your permission to let us republish it on our web site.
It will appear with your byline and at the end of the article we will provide a link to your blog.
Our aim is for asia! to be a place where people can get a feel for what ordinary Asians are thinking, saying and doing; a glimpse of the Asia that lies beyond the news headlines.
I look forward to hearing from you, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Best wishes,
Bernice (bernice@theasiamag.com)
Hi Bernice,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit.
Please go ahead and publish it on your site.
I would say firstly Lyonchen and Prime Minister means one and the same...doesn't make sense to have them both. And he is the prime minister of the kingdom of Bhutan. We all know HM is the head of the state and there should be no doubt about it cos HM and PM stands for different purposes as mandated by the constitution in a similar manner as David Cameron is addressed as the PM of UK and not the Royal government of UK.
ReplyDeleteHi Karma,
ReplyDeletePrecisely my point.
Hello Mr. Yeshey,
ReplyDeleteI dont see a reason why "Royal Government of Bhutan" should cause you such distress because Lyonchen IS the Prime Minister of the present Government. Unlike HM whose title will always remain HM, Lyonchen's title only accompanies the post he serves for the duration of his term, and only until then. A title that he received solely for his position as head of the present "Royal Government of Bhutan"! Irrespective, such an oversight, as you call it doesn't seem worthy of so much agitation-don't we have many MORE pressing concerns to think of?
With much admiration for your photography.