Dawn of democracy in Bhutan as it goes to polls

MAIDEN ELECTION: Many among the four lakh voters in Bhutan are gung ho about democracy.

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Paro (Bhutan): In the backyard of the world's largest democracy, the world's youngest democracy is taking birth – Bhutan, which is proceeding towards its first national elections.

Many among the four lakh voters in the country are gung ho about democracy, but what does it really mean to them?

“Democracy means freedom, free speech and free will. Equal power is given to the general public. Earlier of course, we had certain rules that we had to obey but now through democracy the public is becoming the government,” Member of DPT Party, Yonton Jamtsho said.

But then there are others who disagree with such ideas. They ask, why should they be told to leave their “beloved King and embrace democracy?”

But with the King himself rooting for a representative government, the masses have little choice but to accept the inevitable.

“People are still devoted to the King, but democracy has been passed on by the King to the public. The public actually wanted the King to rule, but he said sooner or later it has to change,” member of PDP Party, Rinchen Jyertshen said.

Many believe that Bhutan is the last Shangri La. It's also supposed to be the happiest nation in the world, but in 2008 Bhutan moves beyond legends, landscapes and kings.

It's a country where the King has abdicated his throne for elections. With its confusion and challenges in place, the country is like a dragon on the wings of time.