Dorji Wangchuk

The Meaning of Gross National Happiness

Dorji Wangchuk stood at the cradle of radio and television in the Kingdom of Bhutan. As an electrotechnical engineer, he helped set up the country’s first professional radio station in 1986. Ten years later, he was also involved in establishing the first national television station. He contributed to many television programs and documentaries as a producer, editor and presenter as well.

As manager of the television station and later his own media production company, Dorji Wangchuk was appointed director of Bhutan’s Royal Office for Media, making him press secretary and spokesman to HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

King Khesar, who was crowned in 2008, pursued the progressive policies of his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Bhutan transformed from an absolute monarchy into a democracy that not only weighs its welfare on economic scales, but also takes Gross National Happiness into account. Government policy is geared to achieve sustainable and socially responsible development. Policy objectives include the protection of prime forests, promoting the use of biofuels and bioplastics, ensuring organic agriculture nationwide, the banning of plastic bags, a tax on junk food, and guaranteed access to traditional and modern medicine.