Global News Post: Bhutan

Bhutan's Queen Launches Book during Visit to India

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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NEW DELHI (NNN-KUENSEL) -- Bhutan's Queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, on Monday launches a book, ‘Bhutan: Through the lens of the King’ in New Delhi, culminating Their Majesties’ nine-day state visit to India.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Published by Roli publications based in <st1:city w:st="on">New Delhi</st1:city>, the coffee-table book has 176 pages of pictures of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:country-region>’s crystal clear lakes, ancient monuments, wildlife, flora and fauna, and everyday life, including rural <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Most of the photographs in the book were taken by His Majesty the King.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The first section contains photographs of monarchs, from the first to the fourth Druk Gyalpo, and ends with a picture of Her Majesty Ashi Jetsun Pema.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">After a five-day visit to Jaipur, <st1:city w:st="on">Jodhpur</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on">Udaipur</st1:city>, the royal couple is scheduled to return Monday morning to <st1:city w:st="on">New Delhi</st1:city> in a special flight from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Udaipur</st1:place></st1:city>. The government of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> provided a special train in honour of the newly wed royal couple to visit the three historical cities in Rajasthan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Their Majesties leave <st1:city w:st="on">New Delhi</st1:city> for <st1:country-region w:st="on">Singapore</st1:country-region> for a private visit later Monday night, and will return to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region> on Nov 4.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“The royal visit is of high significance, as it is the first visit abroad of Their Majesties immediately after the royal wedding,” Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, who is the minister in-charge of foreign affairs and part of the royal entourage to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, told Kuensel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Our delegation is particularly touched with the warmth reception provided by the people and government of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> to Their Majesties, both at the formal as well as the informal levels.” -- NNN-KUENSEL<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Bhutan's Queen Launches Book during Visit to India

NEW DELHI (NNN-KUENSEL) -- Bhutan's Queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, on Monday launches a book, ‘Bhutan: Through the lens of the King’ in...

Bhutan: Domestic Air Services Delayed to December as November Considered 'Black Month'

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</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">THIMPHU (NNN-KUENSEL) -- With November being an inauspicious or “black month”, the much-awaited <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region> domestic air services will be delayed until December.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">With its second airstrip at Batpalathang, Bumthang nearly complete, the department of civil aviation (DCA) had initially proposed to both national airline, Drukair, and Private Tashi Air, that they commence domestic operations on Nov 11.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But with November being declared an inauspicious time to begin any new activities, both airlines have instead notified DCA that their domestic operations will begin only after November.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Drukair CEO, Tandin Jamso, said, while the inauspiciousness of November is a factor for the airline’s reluctance, it is also technically unable to do so. The airline is awaiting a team from the manufacturing company of its twin propeller aircraft to conduct test flights. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">DCA has yet to approve Drukair from using its ATR 42-500 on domestic airstrips until test flights prove it safe to operate domestically.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Tandin Jamso said the airline had encountered many problems after beginning a new service during a previous inauspicious month. In June, Drukair introduced its ATR 42-500. In the following months, the aircraft suffered several groundings due to technical problems. The airline also suffered an unusual bird strike that grounded one of its airbus jets.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Private airline, Tashi Air, has also once again deferred the arrival of its first aircraft to Nov 27, which falls after the inauspicious timing. The airline’s CEO, David Young, said the move is to avoid the inauspicious period.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">David Young said Tashi Air was planning to commence domestic operations between Dec 1 and 17. He said Tashi Air was considering commencing operations on Dec 17, which is the National Day.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">DCA director general, Phala Dorji, said the inauspiciousness could have been countered by performing necessary rimdros, but that both airlines have chosen otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Meanwhile, the country’s second domestic airstrip is scheduled to be completed by the first week of November. -- NNN-KUENSEL<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></div>

Bhutan: Domestic Air Services Delayed to December as November Considered 'Black Month'

THIMPHU (NNN-KUENSEL) -- With November being an inauspicious or “black month”, the much-awaited Bhutan domestic air services will be dela...

India: Ceremonial Reception of the King of Bhutan at Rashtrapati Bhawan

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</div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Ceremonial Reception of the <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">King of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region>, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and the Queen Her Majesty Jetsun Pema Wangchuck,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span> </span>at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> on October 24, 2011.<u1:p></u1:p> PIB Photo</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, who is in India on a state visit held comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. On Monday, he also exchanged views with the Vice-President, the leader of the Opposition, Home and Finance Ministers, ruling coalition UPA Chiarperson and the Foreign Secretary.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><b><i>  <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This is his first <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> visit after his wedding. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Bhutan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">'s newly-wed royal couple was accorded a ceremonial welcome <span> </span><span> </span>at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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India: Ceremonial Reception of the King of Bhutan at Rashtrapati Bhawan

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Ceremonial Reception of the King of Bhutan...

Bhutan King Marries, Crowns Queen

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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The king of the tiny Himalayan nation of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region> has married a commoner, crowning his new queen during a colorful Buddhist ceremony.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Thirty-one year old King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the world's youngest monarch, married 21-year-old Jetsun Pema Thursday at a 17th-century monastery fortress in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Punakha</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s ancient capital.    <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">During the ceremony, the king wore a royal yellow sash over a golden robe with multicolored boots.  The queen, the daughter of an airline pilot, wore an elegant outfit of gold, red and black.  At the end of series of rituals, she was crowned and took the throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Thousands of people dressed in traditional colored robes stood outside.  Singers chanted celebratory songs amid the beating of drums.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Wangchuck later told reporters he is happy, and that he has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The wedding captivated the nation with students composing poems of joy, and people practicing celebratory dances. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Oxford-educated hereditary monarch Wangchuck is the fifth Druk Gyalpo, or king of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.  Some of his subjects also refer to him as "The People's King."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Wangchuck became <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s first constitutional king in 2008 two years after his father, King Jigme Singye, voluntarily stepped down and ordered that a constitution be drafted and the country shift to a parliament-based democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Bhutan</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"> is a landlocked nation of only 635,000 people, tucked away in the Himalayas between <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>.  The country takes great measures to preserve its culture and is often described in fairy tale-like language by world travelers who get the rare chance to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The kingdom only began allowing television in 1999 and still restricts foreigners' access to the country. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Bhutan King Marries, Crowns Queen