𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟓: 𝐀 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝

…𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚, 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒕

Bhutan, once known primarily for its Gross National Happiness, has become a global benchmark for trust, strength, and mindful development. Today, delegates from around the world visit Gelephu, now known as the Mindfulness City, to study Bhutan’s pioneering Trust Economy. Corporations seek Bhutanese expertise to restore integrity and ethics within their organizations.

This remarkable transformation stems from the Royal Vision outlined during the Royal Address at the passing-out parade of the 2nd Cohort, 1st Batch of Gyalsung Training on March 24, 2025- a vision that has now been fully realized.
Lessons from the Past

At GakyidPelzom High School in Gelephu, 80-year-old AumKuzuzangpola addressed Class VII to explain what Bhutan was like in her youth.

“You are growing up in a Bhutan where everything works seamlessly,” she said. “But there was a time when trust in the system was low, services were slow, and decision-making was often confused.”
Students were curious. One, Gengku, asked if Bhutan had always been this efficient. AumKuzuzangpola chuckled. “No. People waited months for approvals that should have taken days. Bureaucracy often prevailed over efficiency.”
The classroom listened intently as she described the struggles of ordinary citizens navigating a slow system.
The Never-Ending Wait

She told the story of Ap Ley Jumdrey, a small business owner with big dreams. He needed only one approval to expand his shop. Yet, every week he was told to “come back next week.” Weeks became months, and by the time he received a response, his children had graduated and his investment was lost.

Students gasped at the injustice, and AumKuzuzangpola explained that Ap Ley Jumdrey was far from alone. Many entrepreneurs faced the same problem, as files often sat on desks for weeks or months.

Similarly, Meto, a young entrepreneur passionate about flowers, waited months to import a special type of seed. By the time she received approval, the planting season had passed, and the following year the seeds were no longer available. Her preparations, time, and investment were wasted.

The Bureaucratic Merry-Go-Round
AumKuzuzangpola described the endless circulation of documents: a request would travel from one office to another, sometimes returning to the original office without resolution. Officials were often unreachable, hesitant to make decisions, or unsure of policies.

She recalled an engineer, Ngultrum, whose project approval moved between departments for weeks. Workers waited, money was lost, and the applicant had no choice but to wait. “Like a monk waiting for WiFi in the mountains,” one student joked, and the class laughed.

False Hope
AumKuzuzangpola then shared a personal reflection on Bhutan in the 2020s. She identified the single greatest obstacle to faster development: false hope.

“People would bring proposals to government offices and hear enthusiastic support. They invested time, money, and energy believing the project would be supported. Weeks and months passed, only to learn the project could not be funded. That false hope wasted resources and slowed progress.”

She stressed the lesson for students: if you can help, help. If you cannot, say no honestly. Clear communication builds trust and accelerates development, even if it is difficult in the short term.
Trust Restored

Bhutan changed with the Royal Vision for a Trust Economy. Digital governance was introduced, strict timelines were enforced, and officials were made accountable for delays. Communication improved, services were automated, and corruption declined.

“The generation you belong to inherited a Bhutan where trust is the foundation of everything,” AumKuzuzangpola told her students. “Decisions are made swiftly, and services are designed to serve the people efficiently.”
Bhutan in 2035

By 2035, Bhutan has realized the Royal Vision of 2025:
• A Brand Economy rooted in authenticity, humility, sincerity, and responsibility
• A Trust Economy built on integrity, sincerity, and lasting partnerships
• A Strength Economy leveraging financial, geopolitical, and strategic advantages
Today, Bhutan stands as a model for the world. Promises are kept, decisions are made promptly, and bureaucracy serves the people, not the other way around. Approvals arrive on time, and planting seasons no longer wait for government delays.
The students laughed at the stories of the past, inspired by the lessons, and motivated to continue improving their country. AumKuzuzangpola left the classroom confident that Bhutan’s best days were still ahead.

Contributed by:
Dorji Dhradhul,
Author and Creativist

Note: The original article has been edited for clarity and newspaper formatting. All information is from the author’s original submission.