Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival at Paro International Airport on Aug 17, 2019. | Photo Credit: PTi
By — Shyamal Sinha
Bhutan on Friday conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, its highest civilian honour, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was announced on the occasion of the 114th national day of Bhutan.
“Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s name for the highest civilian decoration, Order of the Druk Gyalpo,” said Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering.
This is Mr. Modi’s 10th international award given by various governments.
In response, Mr. Modi said, “Thank you Lyonchhen @PMBhutan! I am deeply touched by this warm gesture, and express my grateful thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan.”
Every year, on December 17, Bhutan marks the national day in memory of the birth of the Wangchuk dynasty in 1907. On that day, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuk was coronated as the king of Bhutan and the reign of the Wangchuk dynasty has continued ever since.
“I admire Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and admire Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and the deeply spiritual way of life. Successive Druk Gyalpos – Their Majesties the Kings – have given a unique identity to the Kingdom, and nurtured the special bond of neighbourly friendship that our nations share,” said Mr. Modi.
Bhutan was the first country that Mr. Modi visited upon taking charge as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014. He visited capital Thimphu again in July 2019, following re-election that year.
Bhutan was the first country to receive the Government of India’s gift of the coronavirus vaccines, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
Last year, PM Modi received the ‘Legion of Merit by the US Government’ award of the US Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
In 2019, Russia conferred on him its highest civilian honour ‘Order of St. Andrew’ award. The UAE also conferred its highest civilian honour ‘Order of Zayed Award’ on PM Modi in 2019.
