I was shocked. I was angry too.

Respected Seniors, Dear Friends and Concerned Fellow Citizens,

Yesterday I had a rough night. A myriad of questions kept popping up in my mind. How could that driver in Shaba not have been closely monitored and required to follow protocol? This is a serious unpardonable lapse! How much longer are we going to be in lockdown? Does the government have no better solutions? Are only helpless common people being penalized? Why do we quarantine stranded people for a week when we have already been in lockdown for three weeks? Can’t we just test and let them go like in other countries? When will we get back to normal? Is the government even concerned about the livelihood of the daily wage earners? Where is the economy heading? Can we ever get back on our feet? What must His Majesty be going through right now?

So many questions. And the answers, as they say, were out there, blowing in the wind! Then I realized, if the answers were easy, wouldn’t the government have figured it out too! The government has the authority, the experts, and access to real-time and authentic information and above all else the personal guidance and wisdom of His Majesty….. so how could we have gone wrong? Have we gone wrong?

People who have worked in any organisational set up or led even a small division would know that not everything goes as planned even after innumerable meetings and meticulous planning. Even in a small family, as parents, we often find it hard to discipline and look after our own children. Now, imagine, having to lead and manage a country and that too during a complicated and stressful time such as handling a pandemic! There are simply too many players and far too many nuts and bolts. Yes, certainly, an oversight seems to have happened and that has unfortunately proven very costly. I was shocked and even angry yesterday. But when I reflect back with a level head today I think we cannot just pick a single unfortunate incident and judge everyone involved harshly. That wouldn’t be fair nor reasonable.

I can imagine the concern, the stress, and the pain that everyone who are leading us in this fight must be going through. Simply knowing that His Majesty himself is monitoring and keeping a constant watch over the situation must be sending shivers down their spine and pushing and motivating them to give nothing but their very best.

And the proof is in the pudding. We have done extremely well thus far. Under His Majesty’s personal stewardship, the Royal Government of Bhutan has left no stone unturned to safeguard its citizens. No country in the world has employed such stringent safety measures. No country in the world has looked after it’s citizens with as much concern and care as ours. I am sure no other country has spent as much on these measures as a percentage of it’s GDP! Even at the cost of being criticised. Even at the cost of becoming unpopular. Even at the cost of the risk of collapsing the economy. The value of saving every single life is precious and priceless. Yes we are all concerned but being concerned and being responsible for it’s remedy are two different things all together. It is much easier to watch a show than run a show.

Yes, authority comes with responsibility. Yes, those responsible must be held accountable. Yes, ofcourse we must question. The shock and the palpable anger are definitely justifiable. Yes, the government must be honest and accept where it has faltered. But these are unprecedented times, never before seen in the history of the last 100 years. Only those at the forefront know the sheer effort that they put in and the stress, the pain and the sleepless nights that they are enduring day in and day out.

Right now is the time to unite in solidarity. Right now is the time to extend our support. Right now is the time to lend our hand. Right now is the time to be kind and compassionate. Right now is the time to be considerate. Right now is the time to listen. Right now is the time to cooperate. Right now is the time to motivate. Right now is the time to win this war together. And win we will, no doubt. For everything else, there will be a time as well. And hopefully, that time is in the not too distant future.

Humbly,

Kuenga Lhendup

(From the safe confines of my home in Thimphu).