Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Vasundhara Raje is on her tour of Bhutan and attending the famous Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, celebrating and praising literature of Bhutan. Since her speech at the inauguration, she has been praising Bhutan for the quality of life they provide their citizens. She is of the opinion that other countries should learn from Bhutan and suggested sharing little joys with people. The good governance of Bhutan has always been appreciated all around the world. All their policies and development projects are focused on increasing Gross National Happiness Index. This discussion happened on the second day of the Mountain Echoes Literature Festival in Bhutan. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje shared the dice with Ms. Malvika Singh, Member of Chief Minister’s Advisory Council at the Bhutan Royal University, Thimpu elaborating the Rajasthan’s Government Projects and schemes which also focuses on the happiness quotient of its people.
The key highlights of her conversation with Ms. Malvika Singh had some examples and explanations of the good governance in Rajasthan:
Her Take on “Of the people, For the people”
When asked about her take on the concept of Government ‘Of the people and for the people’, she made it very clear that the Government and government officials are not the rulers rather public servants. She also quoted her mother’s advice given to her at the time she was entering politics which guided her since then. According to her, politics has changed into a business and people enter in this field for personal gains. They can make money out of it but they will only be successful when they work for the welfare of people. That would be the true success of a leader and a Government.
“Sarkar Aapke Dwar”
Malvika Singh found Vasundhara Raje’s campaign “Sarkar Aapke Dwar” very fascinating and asked her thought process behind such program. Appreciating Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, she said, “When I came to Bhutan in 2011, I was very fascinated to see her majesty going right between the people and communicating with them. It had happened before in the history and is happening again. And I was delighted to see people’s happy reaction to it. People liked the care delivered to them.” From here came the idea of “Sarkar Aapke Dwar” as after all politics is all about caring and delivering to people what’s best for them and connecting with them on the ground level with all officials rather than sitting in Secretariat and making decisions. It also filled the gap created between the Government and people by letting the Government know what is not happening and what is required to make it done.
“Women Empowerment”: It is important
She also laid emphasis on the need for women empowerment in Rajasthan and discussed the recent law which made basic education qualification necessary for each women candidate for gram Panchayat election. Also stating about the BHAMASHAH scheme, she added that woman of a family is made the head of the family and many direct and non-direct monetary benefits would be transferred to her bank account directly.
Rajasthan Tourism and promotion of heritage culture
She was very confident while promoting Rajasthan Tourism and explained how the state Government is working for the creative development of the state. Various Railway Stations across the state were painted like monuments and set the example of Jaipur’s Railway station being converted into an open museum by Jogi Art, which was appreciated all over.
Everyone should learn from Bhutan
She praised Bhutan a lot and said that there is a lot that everyone should learn from Bhutan like respecting nature is one such quality. People of Bhutan have made their life compatible with ecology and ways to conserve their natural and cultural heritage.
During the whole conversation, CM happily exchanged her experiences and ways through which she aimed at developing the state of Rajasthan. Also, she discussed the change which Government Schemes have brought in the life of people of Rajasthan being beneficiaries.
All the things she said were pointing towards a change she brought in politics, witnessed by the people of Rajasthan. Her constructive politics have brought a ray of hope and happiness in many lives.
