Something good for the country, the environment and the heart. Instead of gifts For King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s 40th birthday, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering asked citizens to adopt a stray dog, plant a tree or help clean up the neighborhood.
On the 21st of February, the king of Bhutan turned forty. In past years, for this occasion, each family brought flowers and tributes but this time things went differently, as the Prime Minister launched a beautiful initiative: instead of giving gifts to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, he asked people to do something for their country.
While the king has pledged to support programs in the economy, education, health and technology sectors, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering has called for an individual effort, inviting everyone to help make a difference.
On social media, he announced that as a birthday present for the king, everyone could plant a tree and care for it, adopt a stray dog or engage in waste management in their neighborhood.
“This personal commitment would be the best gift for His Majesty,” said the prime minister.
Bhutan has a very large number of stray dogs and measures have been in place since last July, encouraging the public to consider adopting one. The small Himalayan country – also known as the happiest in Asia – therefore tries to go one step further. We hope that other countries will also one day follow suit.
