PM Modi awarded Bhutan's highest civilian honour

The 'Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo' or Bhutan's highest civilian honour has been awarded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Bhutan's 114th National Day, celebrated on December 17. Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering took to social media to express his congratulations to OM Modi in a statement.

"Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji's name for the highest civilian decoration, Order of the Druk Gyalpo...To all the award recipients on this auspicious day, I offer heartfelt Tashi Delek. People of Bhutan and I am grateful for all your hard work and unconditional love and service to the nation," the Bhutanese PM tweeted.

In a statement on Facebook, Tshering said that he was grateful for the "unconditional friendship and support Modiji extended over the years and particularly during pandemic."

"Much deserving! Congratulations from the people of Bhutan. In all interactions, seen Your Excellency as a great, spiritual human being. Looking forward to celebrating the honour in person," he said.

Bhutanese monarch King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck awarded the honours at a ceremony held for the recipients. The King, Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the King's father also offered prayers for Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 others killed in the crash on December 8. Lone survivor of the crash Captain Varum Singh succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Bangalore on December 15. His funeral was conducted with full military honours at Bairgarh crematorium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.