About Bhutan

Bhutan is nestled between the two south-east Asian giants India and China. Despite its small size and intimidating neighbors, it has always safeguarded its independence and the rich cultural heritage.

Studies suggest that Bhutan was inhabited as early as the 2000 BC. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that it opened its doors to the outside world. With its self imposed isolation, Bhutan remained a nation hidden in mystery and visited by a very few foreigners.

This was done for a cause. Centuries of isolation has helped Bhutan achieve its goal of preserving the ancient cultural heritage. It now remains as the last Buddhist Kingdom with Kings and Queens.

Bhutan someday had to open up to the rest of the world. It did so in 1960 under the guidance of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, with its neighbor India playing a vital role in it. Bhutan had one of the lowest GDP in the world in the 60s. After coming out of the isolation, now has one of the highest GDP in South East Asia.

However, it was the adoption of Gross National Happiness as a development philosophy that propelled Bhutan into the international limelight. GNH was the brain child of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the visionary fourth King of Bhutan. This guiding principle looks for balancing the socio-economic development with the preservation of the culture and tradition. Overall wellbeing of the people is considered more important than solely targeting a rapid growth in the GDP.

It should be understood that Bhutan is like any other place and they face the same challenges, conflicts, politics and hardship just like everyone else in the world. There is but one distinctive feature. People here have realized that happiness is beyond materialistic pursuits and a process of self discovery.

This unique but noble policy has been garnering global acclaim, and is gaining increased acceptance.

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