Bhutan recognises outstanding individuals and institutions with Druk Thuksey medals
The Druk Thuksey medal is awarded to those who have helped Bhutan achieve socio-economic, religious, and political growth.
Eight golden lotus petals surround the 65 mm badge, marked with dashes of silver crossed dorjes. At the centre of a red enamelled circle is a golden portrait of the King. The badge is suspended by a collar, and accompanied by a matching miniature in a fitted case with cross dorjes and the name of the order in gold blocks on the lid.
This, is the Druk Thuksey medal — which translates into “Son of the Heart of the Thunder Dragon”. The Druk Thuksey medal was established by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1966. In 2008, it was redesigned.
The medal is awarded to those who have contributed to Bhutan’s socio-economic, religious, and political growth. Both Bhutanese citizens and foreigners are eligible to receive this medal.
Recipients of the Druk Thuksey medal
Some notable recipients of the medal in recent times are:
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United Nation Bhutan (2021)
UN Bhutan received the Druk Thuksey medal for their role in helping the country meet the socio-economic circumstances and development needs of the Bhutanese.
Armed with 31 agencies and staffed by 128 personnels, UN Bhutan worked with the Royal Government of Bhutan to achieve the country’s development goals. They were crucial in supporting Bhutan during times of need, like during the COVID-19 pandemic and in mitigating climate change.
On December 17, 2021, the 114th National Day, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck presented Drukair with a Druk Thuksey medal as a token of appreciation for their service to the country.
Drukair has been serving Bhutan for over 40 years. They especially stepped up their game during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating numerous repatriation flights to bring Bhutanese home from all over the world. Many of these flights were not their usual routes.
Meanwhile, the airline continued to fly patients to India for medical treatment. This is despite the severe risk of operational restrictions. 63 cargo flights also brought in essential medical supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines.
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The BEAR team (2021)
The Bhutan Emergency Aeromedical Retrieval Team (BEAR) has received a Druk Thuksey medal from His Majesty during the 114th National Day celebrations as well. This was to honour BEAR’s service to Bhutan. Over the years, BEAR has brought emergency medical services to the people of Bhutan and has saved numerous lives.
BEAR responds to life-threatening emergencies. Their goal is to provide ICU-level emergency care anywhere in the country within one hour. The emergency team is dispatched via helicopter. Their team consists of 19 people—six emergency medical residents, nine site nurses, three site doctors, and a specialist.
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Dasho Dorji Gyeltshen (2021)
Dasho Dorji Gyeltshen, Zimpon to His Majesty, was awarded a Druk Thuksey medal for his dedication and service to Bhutan. Dasho Dorji Gyeltshen served the third, fourth, and current King.
A zimpon is the administrative head of the ministry who reports directly to the Minister. To efficiently carry out the duties of a zimpon, one has to have a thorough understanding of the specific policies of the different sectors within the ministry. The zimpon coordinates the different departments, and might be required to design new processes, techniques, and policies.
When the Royal Body Guards was established in 1963, Dasho Dorgi Gyaltshen was among the first recruits. He was selected to serve Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King, in 1964. Dasho Dorgi Gyaltshen was appointed Zimpon a week before His Majesty’s coronation in 1974, and remained in the position until 2006.
Throughout his 34 years of service, he implemented many initiatives in an attempt to preserve and promote the national culture. He introduced training and wrote a book on Driglam Namzha.
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Desuung (2020)
On 17 December 2020, the Desuung institution was awarded the Druk Thuksey Medal for its extraordinary contributions during the COVID-19 response.
The Desuung programme was the brainchild of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck that aims to encourage citizens to take up a role in nation-building. The orange-clad volunteers have played vital roles during major events and in times of emergencies. More than 25,000 citizens have undergone the Desuung training. -
Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji (2017)
Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji is the Chairman of the Royal Privy Council of Bhutan. He started his career in 1961 as the first graduate forester in the country. He served Bhutan for over 56 years. Previously, the fourth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck awarded him with the Red Scarf in 1975 and the Orange Scarf in 1991.
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Dasho Penjore (2017)
Dasho Penjore was awarded the Druk Thuksey medal for his contributions as the Governor of the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA). He introduced the Minimum Lending Rate, which brought down the interest rates of loans from the country’s financial institutions. On top of that, he launched the Priority Sector Lending Guidelines to aid the youth and farmers in obtaining finances for entrepreneurship and commercial farming respectively. He received the Red Scarf from His Majesty in 2008.
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Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering (2017)
Dr Lotay Tshering also received the Druk Thuksey medal for his dedication to the medical field. He is a surgeon and was the head of the team of His Majesty’s Kidu Mobile Medical Unit. On the 113th National Day held on December 17, 2020, Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering was also awarded the Lungmar Scarf by His Majesty the King. He also received the ‘Unsung Hero of Compassion’ award in San Francisco in 2005.
Dr Lotay Tshering was elected the Prime Minister of Bhutan on 7 November 2018 and has been in office since.
