Bhutan
Bhutan king treks miles of mountain terrain to alert his people to pandemic's dangers
Dressed in his traditional gho robe and a baseball cap, photos of Bhutanese King Jigme Keshar Namgyel Wangchuk trekking the treacherous mountain terrain of the country’s southern border went viral on social media this week. The visit by the popular king - the monarchy is respected as a god by the common people came at a time when Covid-19 cases were rising in southern districts.
The pictures won the hearts of many people not only in Bhutan but also across the world. The king had the option of staying in his palace in one of the most challenging times of the century. But, being a moral authority in the country, he chose to pay a visit to the affected areas, boosting the morale of people and government officials deployed on duties.
“When the king travels for miles and knocks ... to alert people about the pandemic, then his humble words are respected and taken very seriously," Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering was quoted as saying by Kuensel. "His Majesty's presence is far more powerful than just issuing public guidelines.
PM Tshering also accompanied him for a few days of his visit.
From healthcare camps, affected localities to remote border posts set up in mountains to check illegal crossing, King Wangchuk travelled far and wide to encourage people to follow all health guidelines.
Upon his return to capital Thimphu he, like any other common Bhutanese, went into a 14-days quarantine mandated by Covid health guidelines.
Although he had made such visits to remote parts of the country last year too, it is only this time when it caught the attention of the global media.
When it comes to popularity, no wonder why the 41-year-old Bhutanese monarch, with his debonair good looks, enjoys almost unparalleled goodwill among his 760,000 population in comparison to his royal counterparts in other parts of the world.
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