December 9: Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck launched a book entitled “Jewel of Men” yesterday. The book is a collection of poems dedicated to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Speaking at the launch, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck said the book is a reflection of the sentiments of love and gratitude to His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo who has given this country so much, in particular, a King in his image, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Her Majesty said nothing can be more challenging than writing a tribute to a great king like no other and nothing can be more rewarding. Her Majesty said His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck will inspire generations of thinkers the world over, for leading and guiding with peerless clarity of thought and courage, to bring all his dreams to fruition.

“Jigme Singye Wangchuck will invoke pens of historians and poets alike and lyrics to music and I do feel deeply privileged to be associated with His Majesty, a very special human being. Tarayana Foundation is honored and humbled in being able to bring out the sentiments of Bhutanese poets in a collective tribute to the Golden Reign of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck during the Centenary of our Monarchy,” said Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and their Royal Highnesses Princesses Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck and His Holiness Gyelse Tenzin Rabgay were also present at the launch.

Delivering the welcome address, Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck said it is only befitting that as Bhutan celebrates the centenary of the monarchy we also pay tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who guided Bhutan for 34 years with a clear vision.

The book is a result of the national poetry competition organized by Tarayana Foundation in May last year. The poetry competition was conceived by Her Majesty as a forum, where Bhutanese could pay their tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for his selfless service to the nation and the people as His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo handed over his reign. Around two hundred people took part in the competition. Of that 74 entries were short listed. The “Jewel of Men” is a compilation of the best 25 poems.

The poem “King Beyond Praise” written by Kesang D. Wangmo, the then a final year student of Institute of Language and Cultural Studies won the prize for the best poem.

The book was published by Tarayana Foundation with funds the National Steering Committee for Coronation and Centenary Celebrations. A copy each was distributed to the guests at the launch.

Cabinet Ministers, parliamentarians, former ministers, senior government officials, armed forced representatives and heads of international agencies in Bhutan were present at the launch.

The CICCC team also performed songs and dances at the launch.