Thimpu (Bhutan): Forseeing a "bright future" for a "strong motivated Bhutan", the world's youngest monarch today appealed to his people to strive for "good karma" and protect the nation's "fundamental values" in the face of negative effects of globalisation.

"I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing," Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck promised in his first public address a day after his coronation, which saw a galaxy of world leaders, including from India, converging in this picturesque Himalayan nation.

The 28-year old Oxford-educated king told a packed Chang-Lime-Thang stadium here in Dzongkha language that "throughout my reign I will never rule you as a king."

It was a riot of colours as over 20,000 people thronged the stadium much before the day's events were to start and heard the head's of the world's newest democracy in rapt attention, waving the golden-orange national flag.

As the king of a Buddhist nation, he said his duty was not only to ensure the happiness of the people, but to create a fertile ground from which they may gain the fruits of spiritual pursuit and attain "good karma".

"This is how I shall serve you as king." he said.

The king said his "deepest concern" was that as the world changes, "we may lose these fundamental values on which rest our character as a nation and people."

"As long as we continue to pursue the simple and timeless goal of being good human beings, and as long as we strive to build a nation that stands for everything that is good, we can ensure that our future generations for hundreds of years will live in happiness and peace".
Source : PTI