Thank You and Adieu for Now

Coinciding with Zhabdrung Kuchoe (20th April) the first parliamentary elected government dissolved. What a coincidence! Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal was a great saint who is the very father of unified Bhutan, whose death was announced only after 25 years.

Five years back, on 24^th march 2008, the first parliamentary election was held in Bhutan. The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) robbed off a landslide victory with 45 seats leaving just the two seats for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as an opposition. It was a record in the history of the democracy with the smallest opposition. Yet the opposition wasn't that weak when it came to delivering its mandate as an opposition, voicing for the voiceless.

Today as we flashback five years of Bhutan’s test with so called democracy, it has been pretty exciting! I feel Bhutanese people have learnt so much from five year experience. It is perhaps the best time to ask our self questions like: Where do we stand as a nation?  Did we root a strong foundation for the Democracy?  Did we make the right choice by giving 45 seats to the DPT? Could it have been better?

Well, personally I feel the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) has done an impressive job as the first ever elected government, although there some very important and grave mistakes along the way which some sections of the society disapproved and condemned so strongly. And for all the good works they have done, it deserves applause, an appreciation after all it is the very product of our own choice and hence it becomes necessary to accept this fact and be thankful for all the good precedence they have set.

More than rejoicing and celebrating the success or regretting and brooding over the river that is already under the bridge, I feel it is the right time to look ahead, learn from the mistakes (if any) and ensure our self that such mistakes are not repeated and filter the goods from bad.  It is in fact a very perfect moment to do our own ratings. It is the collective responsibility of everyone as a responsible citizen who loves our country dearly.

With this I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and congratulations to the first ever elected government and the opposition. No matter what good or bad you have done, it’s all past now, the future is right in front of us to accept the challenge. Time will tell everything, we just have to wait and watch!