“What we need now, more than ever, is a corresponding degree of resolve and determination for our national interest”.
This above line from His Majesty’s 114th National Day Address made me think a lot, indeed very differently and profoundly.
Not so often, but I have the following points to make a statement that is somehow making us shy away from pursuing a collective national interest. I will share. Why?
First, our king is working so hard by himself for his common subjects –poor or rich, near or far, landlord or homeless, civilian or security personnel. There is no doubt about it. Needless to say, our Kings have granted almost everything for free and so easily and have secured us from all the danger and threat. Therefore, people don't feel any urgency for nation building.
Second, the government is doing almost everything for free. Maintaining old school building blocks, to community drinking water, supplying unending free bees, to free education, to free healthcare. Our people are pampered so much to the extent that we have forgotten our moral responsibilities and duties. Therefore, people don't feel any urgency for nation building.
I wish our education and healthcare would become a bit expensive and harsh. So, that our people feel some blow of hardship and pain that there is no free lunch in life.
Our kings have cared for us so much that we have forgotten our roles as a responsible citizen. Over the years, people are becoming so easy-going, forgetful and very much individualist.
I know there are good numbers of our Bhutanese studying and working abroad. It is a proud moment for a country like ours.
It may sound a bit odd. I might offend some but this is what takes a country to develop more foreign.
I look forward to our Bhutanese abroad to come home at the end of study or term with many ideas, experiences and rigor to lead us, show us the path to build our nation together. We look forward to having a good building design, road networking, furnished apartment, smart shopping mall, and restaurant, wholesale store, entrepreneurs and new business ideas. For example, we look forward to many Australian style restaurants making good local cuisine, Japanese working ethics, Singaporean curriculum, Finland classroom, the USA economy and Chinese technology.
Of course, it may take time, resources, planning and discussion but we are there for it.
We must build our country on trust and sacrifice. Please, lead us; show us the foreign experience blended in our system. Let us cross-pollinate great ideas and develop Bhutan like any other nation. This is how South Korea has developed their cities and subways. This is how Singapore has developed their railways network. This is how Silicon Valley was developed.
Mathematically, it will be simple for a country small in size and population. Not much resources and structures and systems are required as there is a pool of advanced technologies and smart people. Let us try and show to our kings that we did it for Bhutan and Bhutanese.
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