The peace and happiness we enjoy in Bhutan is a result of the extraordinary leadership of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Father of our Nation. On this special day, we join the people of Bhutan in offering our humble wishes to our beloved Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
November 11 marks the birthday of The fourth Druk Gyalpo King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. During the reign of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan saw enormous progress due to modernization. The King ended total isolation of Bhutan by joining many regional cooperative bodies. Bhutan straightened its relations with neighboring states and even became a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
The birthday of the 4th Druk Gyalpo is also celebrated as Constitution Day because Jigme Singye Wangchuck initiated the development of the Constitution of Bhutan. The Constitution was adopted in 2008, after seven years of drafting. It is regarded as an exemplary stride towards democracy, as the King changed the country's political system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
His Majesty assumed the mantle and responsibilities of Kingship at the age of 16, when ordinary people are still growing up. By the age of 51, when most people are still striving to achieve their lifelong goals, His Majesty, at the height of His golden reign, abdicated the throne after having accomplished prodigious feats. Where ordinary people crave wealth and power, His Majesty crowned a new King, introduced democracy and handed over the responsibility of governance to His people. Such an act of superlative altruism was unprecedented in the history of the world.