is located in the southern foot of Himalayas . It has always been displayed in front of everyone in a mysterious and peaceful way. If it weren't for the century wedding of movie stars Carina Lau and Tony Leung in 2008, maybe many people wouldn't know that there is such a place in the world.
For the people of Bhutan, the past away from the world has calmed their souls, but it has also made their society disconnected. When they really came into contact with this modern society, they were also surprised to find how intense the conflict between tradition and modernity was. The past paradise would become crowded in a blink of an eye, and the tranquility and indifference they adhered to would become dirty.
1. From primitive to modernization
traces the history of Bhutan, and it can be traced to the 8th century AD. At that time, this place was just a tribe of the Tubo Dynasty. It was a small vassal state affiliated to Tibet before the 18th century. Until the British colonists invaded this place in 1772, Bhutan began to gradually break away from Tibet's jurisdiction and began to implement internal self-control.
In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck, who was then the leader of the Tangzong of Bhutan, unified all small tribes in Bhutan with the help of the British, and announced that he would break away from the management of the Qing Dynasty and establish an independent Bhutan Kingdom, known in history as the Wangchuck Dynasty. Although it was independent, Bhutan's internal affairs and diplomacy were still firmly controlled by the British. Uyan Wangchuk's power was extremely limited. The entire country was still in a feudal backward stage. The vast Gewo (village) still retained feudalism and slavery.
Wuyan Wangchuck (left) and British official
In 1926, the founding king Wuyan Wangchuck died of illness, and his eldest son Jigme Wangchuck (Jigme Wangchuck) succeeded to the throne. Because he studied in the UK in his early years, King Jigme showed a strong interest in modernization. With his efforts, Bhutan began to transform from a feudal tribal system to a modern country, although to the outside world, this mountainous country is still mysterious.
What really made the country of Bhutan look like is Jigme's successor - King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who was deeply influenced by Western culture. In his short life, Bhutan has gone from a completely backward feudal state to an open and inclusive society. During his reign, Bhutan ended the feudal system and serfdom, and agricultural production changed from primitive slash-and-burn to using modern agricultural tools for labor.
King Doji and Nehru
In terms of transportation, Bhutan built the first highway in the country in 1960, and then modern post offices, hospitals, airports and schools were established like mushrooms after a rain; in diplomacy, the British handed over the management of Bhutan to their "filial sons and grandchildren" - India. With the latter's acquiescence, Bhutan officially became a member of the big family of United Nations in 1971, and 64 years have passed since it was established independently. Although joined late, Bhutan's move means that this small country on the southern foot of the Himalayas is finally no longer out of touch with the world and has begun to integrate into this modern society.
After the death of King Doji, his eldest son Jigme Singh Wangchuk further opened up the country's modernization, and in 1972, he pioneered the " National Happiness Index ", referred to as GNH, to replace the traditional GDP. According to this index, money is no longer the only criterion for measuring wealth, but the common development of materials and spirit. Actions are specifically transformed into resource protection and environmental protection, fair and sustainable economic development, the retention of traditional culture and excellent governance systems, ultimately keeping the people balanced in material and spiritual development.
restricts tourists' access, restricts industry development, and strict environmental protection regulations... All kinds of operations make Bhutan the most mysterious country in a diversified social environment. This mysterious "hermit" state can coexist harmoniously in mainstream society, which is surprising in itself. Is this low material level and high sense of happiness really happy or data on paper?
2. The impact of the wave of modernization
After more than 40 years of modernization development, many people have truly seen the other side of Bhutan - the strong confrontation between tradition and modernization. Some of the rules that seem strange seem to be the only way to do it now: to travel to Bhutan, in order to abide by ethnic customs and protect the environment, tourists can only choose a few places designated by the government to visit, and whether it is the off-season or peak season, tourists need to pay a fee ranging from 200-250 US dollars a day as the food, accommodation, transportation and tour guide fees for the day.
Tiger's den Temple is located in Parozon Bhutan
For tourists who want to have a beautiful view of Bhutan, the cumbersome application and high fees often discourage them. This makes Bhutan ensure that the natural environment will not be damaged by too many tourists while ensuring modern development. But the author believes that a series of official operations by Bhutan seem to protect tourism resources, but in fact it is to limit the impact of foreign ideas on traditional culture.
Bhutanese airliner
In fact, such concerns have long been revealed. In the eyes of Bhutanese , their current lives have long been "deteriorated" compared to the past: although the official stipulates that people are prohibited from smoking, as long as they apply for a so-called smoking card, the people can breathe in their hearts; after the official opening of the Internet and TV in 1999, young people have also begun to indulge in entertainment programs and Bollywood movies in neighboring India, which was simply unimaginable in Bhutan before.
As more and more tourists set foot on the land of Bhutan, many of the original customs of Bhutanese locals have also been hit by huge waves from the outside world, and "Westernization" is always inevitable. Young people communicate with tourists in fluent English. The capital Thimpu even has a large number of nightclubs and bars; mobile payment and the Internet have become very common, and they are no longer as shy and shy as before. Conflicts occur almost all the time, including Buddhist scriptures and blockbusters, cowboys and Buddhist robes, industry and pastoral areas.
A nightclub in Thimphu, the capital
Many traditional Bhutanese have expressed confusion and opposition to the impact of this wave of modernization, but under the influence of the overall environment, most people chose to accept it. After all, they have spent nearly half a century of closure and tranquility. After finally having the opportunity to "open your eyes to the world", who would be willing to go back to the past and continue to live a life of "working from sunrise and resting from sunset", even if that kind of life can make people feel happy and relaxed.
3. Are they really happy
According to the four major elements of the "National Happiness Index" - national health, national income, education level, and social openness, the data on Bhutan on paper are still very considerable. But in fact, the lives of the true Bhutanese people are not like "full of happiness". On the contrary, they are as full of unknowns and confusion as we are, and are also looking for their own way out in difficult circumstances.
And these realistic data may allow us to see the most real and normal Bhutan: , which seems to be slow-paced, actually has about 20,000 mentally ill patients, and the suicide rate is rising rapidly at a rate of 9.4% per year. Alcohol liver, cardiovascular disease, cancer, traffic accidents, are also diseases and accidents with high mortality rates in Bhutanese. Such data is no different from that of most countries.
Bhutan's average life expectancy is only 66.2 years, and even the global average of 67 years has not reached. Those countries that are not as "happy" as Bhutan, such as the United States, Japan, and Sweden, are higher than him in terms of life expectancy; Bhutan's per capita GDP is only US$712, and the illiteracy rate reaches 40%. Remote areas only have basic electricity supply, and they still live a life of "communications basically rely on roar, transportation basically rely on walking, heating basically rely on shaking, and public security basically rely on dogs."
At the same time, the high unemployment rate of young people in Bhutan, the single-structure industrial model, and the opposition between the country and Nepali residents have made the lives of Bhutanese people not as happy and comfortable as mentioned in the information and promotional videos. Although the country followed the trend of the times and implemented the so-called constitutional monarchy in 2008, the immature multi-party politics has puzzled many people: . Small countries and few people will continue to open up, which is a real problem.
When modern lifestyles and products enter closed Bhutan, it will inevitably trigger a big discussion between tradition and modernity. Emerging media have brought new ideas. It seems unlikely that Bhutan wants to return to the era of "Peach Blossom Land". The seemingly quiet environment is just a short appearance. Over time, it will reveal the disadvantages of the world, and the lack of materials will also change your original ideas. This is the real Bhutan, a magical country that is almost the same as us.
Conclusion
Bhutan, which seems to be happy, actually has many problems that need to be solved urgently. Although it seems to be immersed in a paradise environment, once baptized by modern society, will the thoughts of the people of Bhutan still think they are happy? This is a question worth thinking about and an inevitable stage that this small South Asian country will go through in the future. In the years ahead, the road is still long.
Reference
1. "Nation of the Kingdoms: Bhutan"
2. "History of Bhutan 1907-2017"
3. "Bhutan: Tradition and Change"
4. "The Kingdom of the Dragon: General History of Bhutan"
