𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮, 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

By Namgay Pelzang (Peza)
Freelance Writer, Perth, Western Australia

As the white dragon bird landed on Australian soil carrying its historic Bhutan flag,
10th October 2024 marked an unprecedented historic era!
With copious affirmations, the hearts of the Bhutanese diaspora overflowed, filling the comments with joyful emojis and sacred prayer symbols.
With plentiful accolades from the Senator for Western Australia, the parliamentary house was filled with the spirit of “a royal month for Australia.”

Before the dragon bird ascended from Paro International Airport,
In the rush hour of the Bhutanese nationals abroad, excitement weaves through the air,
As shopkeepers dash, silk and cotton in hand, a tapestry of tradition laid bare.
With parcels racing to doorsteps, each heartbeat a promise, each laugh a delight,
In the glow of new attire, they don their heritage, a joyful reunion in sight.
There, the patriotic crowd hurried to register on the Bhutan app, eager to join in this joyous celebration.

Do you know who was the distinguished guest on board?
It was none other than our cherished and esteemed Royal Family of Bhutan!
With grace and warmth, they embody the spirit of our nation,
A beacon of hope and unity, lighting the skies with their presence,
As the dragon bird soared, hearts swelled with pride,
For in their journey, we see our dreams take flight.

For this auspicious day, the Bhutanese communities aborad gathered near,
People of all ages—young, middle-aged, and dear.
In a foreign land, they cherished their roots,
Doing chadi and preparing for cultural programs, their values in pursuit.

Your Majesty, your smile from the royal white carriage in Sydney
Was the first image the Bhutanese diaspora saw.
Despite the loneliness and stress of work, missing our kids and loved ones left behind in Bhutan over years,
It ignited a joy that brightened the day,
Like a canola plant blossoming in the springs of York Town.

Your Majesty, the warm welcome from the Governor-General,
Reflecting the friendship that unites Bhutan and Australia,
In honor of King Charles III, the monarch we both revere.
A symbol of unity that bridges our lands,
Uniting our hearts with open hands,
In your presence, we celebrate a bond that forever stands.

Your Majesty, the morning of 12th October at Bondi Beach
Was truly a blessing in disguise for our four friends.
The cherished moments spent by the South Pacific Ocean
Will forever be a portrait they proudly proclaim, “I took a picture with our great Fifth!”

Your Majesties, the artwork of the little girl at the Sydney audience on 12th October 2024 radiated her joy and admiration.
How fortunate and happy she felt, holding her masterpiece adorned with the King’s signature,
“To Ngawang Lhamo, with all my love.”
This heartfelt gesture captured her love for the royal family,
As her eyes sparkled with delight, knowing her art was cherished by those she admired most.
Through her picture, she expressed a bond that would forever fill her heart with pride and joy.
Your Majesties, the Bhutanese diaspora in Canberra was deeply grateful to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
They felt fortunate to have been part of the first celebration in Australia alongside the royal family, gathered in joy and laughter, sharing heartfelt prayers and cherished moments.
The excitement was palpable as they came together to wish you both enduring happiness and a long, prosperous life together.

As the crowd sang Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,”
the lyrics resonated with the deep connection to our Royal Family and country.
Themes of taking chances and surrendering to love mirrored our devotion to our homeland and its leaders.
The song’s message of irresistible pull united us in hopes for a brighter future.
In that moment, music intertwined with our shared history, celebrating the enduring bond between the people, the monarchy, and our nation.
Your Majesties, in your meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia and the leaders of the three states,
we witness a poignant chapter in the grand story of our nation.
Since the dawn of our friendship in 2002, two hearts have intertwined, like vines embracing a sturdy tree.
Together, we nurture dreams that blossom in unity, forging a path of hope and harmony.
May this bond, woven with respect and trust, continue to flourish, illuminating our journey like stars in a shared sky.

At last, the day of days has dawned for our vibrant Bhutanese community abroad!
With rain descending on the eventful day,
The ABPI’s notice kept umbrellas at bay.
A race for raincoats, a frantic pursuit,
As Bhutanese hearts, resolute, took root.
Like travel agents busy, they scoured the web,
Visiting stores, their hopes finely ebb.
Some found a smile, from shop or their workplace,
While others faced sorrow, out of stock in the race.

In joyful anticipation, I pressed my sethra gho and tego,
Polished my brown leather shoes to a gleam,
And arranged a fresh white Kabney and brown stocking with care.
Come rain or shine, I stood in line,
Entering HBF Park with a heart full of hope,
Finding my seat, my spirit aflutter,
Eagerly awaiting our moment with Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses.

Seeing Your Majesties fills my heart with indescribable warmth and reverence,
but witnessing Your Royal Highnesses in person for the very first time evokes even deeper emotions within me.
It feels as if time stands still; the weight of your presence brings forth a profound sense of pride and connection to our homeland.
In your gaze, I see the hopes and dreams of our people reflected, a reminder of the enduring spirit that binds us together.
Every moment spent in your presence is a treasure, igniting immense gratitude for your leadership and love.

Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses, the cultural performances, the artwork, and the offering of bouquets
Not only reflect our commitment to preserving and promoting our unique culture abroad,
But also illustrate the deep bond between the citizens and the royal family of Bhutan.
These gestures of love and respect strengthen our shared heritage,
Uniting us all in pride and hope for a brighter future.

Your Majesty began with a smile,
“The population here surpasses our National Day’s craft!”
His opening words filled the two-day event with cheer,
Followed by, “Don’t make much noise; your neighbors might complain!”
Laughter echoed, joy in the air,
This humor brought smiles, a moment so rare.
It showed how Your Majesties, with warmth and grace,
Knew and felt the spirit of the day we embraced.

Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, and Honorable Dorji Lopen,
We thank you for the sacred relic, a treasure so divine,
Its presence among us brings peace and light,
A symbol of wisdom, guiding our hearts through the night.
With reverence, we gather, united in grace,
Embracing the teachings that time cannot erase.
Your blessings inspire us, as we walk this path,
In the spirit of love, we share in the aftermath.

Your Royal Highness the Gyalsey,
We thank you with pride,
groomed from the tender age to understand kingship
Come rain or shine,
You walked with His Majesties, meeting with his people,
Ready to lead Bhutan in the future.

Thank you, Your Majesties and His Royal Highnesses,
for introducing the Gelephu Mindfulness City and its core team.
This golden opportunity for our involvement with this remarkable initiative, akin to a diamond Special Administrative Region,
not only highlights an exemplary consultative approach,
but also instills greater confidence in its success through a fundamentally different strategy, serving as a gateway to the subcontinent and remaining uncolonized for centuries.

In Perth, where the sun meets the sea,
The people’s king stood, heartfelt and free.
“We may leave Australia, but a part of us will be left behind with you all” his voice held near.
With tears in his eyes, he paused in the air,
A moment of silence, a shared, heavy care.
“Anyway, take care, thank you very much,”
He turned to Their Majesties, a gentle touch.
As he waved with his kisses, the Drukpas shone bright,
Their mobile flashlights flickered, a poignant sight.
With eyes full of tears and hopes intertwined,
They waved in anticipation, a reunion enshrined.

Your Majesty, the following day,
your willingness to take a photograph with a foreign stranger on the beach in Perth is a testament to your exemplary leadership for the world.
In this busy time, one of my friends, while returning from work, was fortunate enough to meet Your Majesty,
and she described it as “the picture of a lifetime taken in Perth City.”

Your Majesties and Your Highnesses,
As the Drukair A320neo departs Perth International Airport on 19th October,
emotions touch a thousand hearts.
From the suburb of Kewdale, I waved my white khadar,
my eyes focused on the white dragon bird until it faded into the sky.
Your departure leaves us saddened, like the fading light of dusk.
Yet in our hearts, your warmth remains, a cherished light that never wanes,
We hold onto the memories made, a bond that time cannot erase,
Eagerly awaiting the day we reunite, wrapped in love’s embrace.

As I near the end of this piece,
A loud thud from my car door brings me to cease.
Turning around, I see my beloved son,
Tshering, with a grin, his mischief begun.
“Hey, Dad! You spilled your laptop keyboard!”
In shock, I react, my words like a sword:
“Why, you woke me up like a lion’s fierce roar
In the Congo Rainforest—what’s this all for?”
“What happened?” I ask, my heart in dismay.
“Water’s all over the keyboard!” he relays.
In a moment of silence, rubbing my eyes,
I respond with a chuckle, a spark of surprise:
“Don’t worry, my son, it’s a rare, playful rain
from a unique cloud, with nothing to feign.”

At Yokine Regional Open Space, I gently held his shoulder and asked,
“Why did Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses come to Australia?”
“Oh! They missed us,” he replied with a grin.
“What else?” I urged, eager to delve in.

“To show the video about the new city,” he said,
With a smile, I responded, “At least you didn’t waste your time,
For we too have missed the warmth of our shared rhyme.
Dreaming of an audience like the one we once had,
And remember, this city isn’t like what’s seen on a screen; it’s a dream to be glad.
It’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), where we can thrive,
Together, we’ll build it, help it come alive.”

“How can I contribute?” he asked, wide-eyed,
“You study hard, gain skills and contribute to GMC, and take pride,
Be a true son of the Land of the Thunder Dragon,” I replied.

“Dad, how will you participate?” he inquired,
“That’s a great question,” I said, inspired.
“By acquiring skills, I’ll provide feedback through each phase,
Participating in the National Building Bond, finding ways to praise.
I’ll sign up with ORO Bank, help market GMC’s brand,
And don’t forget to like and share on Facebook—
Together, we’ll make our vision grand.
And with a smile, I added, “Can you give me 20 minutes to complete this art?”

Would you like to hear the Bhutanese community’s reaction to this precious gift?
Some displayed the national flag, the king’s badge, a shirt, and Guru Rinpoche’s sungke in a frame on their wall.
Others wore the shirt and danced to the lyrics “Ka drin chay…Mewang cho.”
Some placed the gift in the Chosum,
while others proudly flew the national flag from their cars as they drove by.
We thank Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses for this wonderful treasure!

Your Majesty the Great Fourth, thank you for providing ample opportunities that open many doors for us.
To the crew members of Royal Bhutan Airlines, we are grateful for ensuring a safe journey to the destinations.
To the Royal Bodyguard and the Australian security teams, we thank you for making the trip safer.
And to the Bhutanese community associations, Dessups, and volunteers, we appreciate your efforts in making the Royal Event a success.

As I near the completion of this tribute,
I find myself haunted by my conscience, much like my time in Perth.
It lingers in my mind daily, urging me to seek answers to these questions:
“Am I being selfish by resigning from the civil service to pursue personal gain in this foreign land? By living abroad, am I truly serving the Tsa-Wa-Sum?”
This thought weighs on me constantly, whether I’m at work or enjoying leisure time.
However, the day of decision arrived as a last resort:
“Embrace independence, care for your parents and children, help eachother, strive for a better future. This is worth more than anything. Your time here is the best investment. All the knowledge that you would have acquired while being here is going to become invaluable for Bhutan’s future.”
Your Majesty, thank you for being a true thought leader.

Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses,
This creative piece reflects your journey from Bhutan and its return,
serving as a testament on behalf of the Bhutanese diaspora.
It captures the joyful moments and blessings we experienced in the three cities.
As this artwork is sent to print medias on your departure date,
I placed your cherished gifts on my altar, and my family prayed with this note:

“Thank you, Your Majesties and Your Royal Highnesses.
We pledge to serve the tsa-wa-sum, and to contribute actively to bringing the GMC dream to life.”

Acknowledgement:

1. Facebook page of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
2. Bhutanese dispora’s video clips shared on social medias
3. Consent made by the individual Bhutanese