How to Pronounce Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo

Meaning and Context

The Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo, formally instituted by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on November 7, 2008, stands as the preeminent civilian honor in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Translated as the "Order of the Druk Gyalpo," this singular award represents the pinnacle of national gratitude, reserved for those whose lifetime of extraordinary service has profoundly impacted the nation and its people. Its establishment marked a significant moment in Bhutan's modern history, creating a distinction of the highest order within the country's Bhutanese honors system. The award's extreme rarity underscores its prestige; it has been bestowed upon only a handful of distinguished individuals, such as former Prime Minister Jigme Yoser Thinley, former Chief Justice Sonam Tobgye, and the senior monastic figure Dorji Lopen Kinley. Its international prominence was notably elevated when it was conferred upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021, a strategic and symbolic gesture acknowledging India's steadfast partnership and critical support, especially during the global COVID-19 pandemic, with the presentation deliberately aligned with Bhutan's National Day celebrations to highlight the deep bilateral ties.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term, "Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo," is a direct transliteration from Dzongkha, Bhutan's national language, and as such, has several accepted Romanized variations. The most common alternate spelling is "Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo," though one may also encounter "Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo." A frequent point of confusion arises with the word "Khorlo," which is sometimes misspelled as "Khorlo" or "Korlo." The full official title in English is the "Order of the Druk Gyalpo," with "Druk" referring to the Thunder Dragon, a central symbol of Bhutan. It is crucial to avoid the error of writing "Order of the Druk Gyalpo" or "Druk Gyalpo," as the correct transliteration is "Gyalpo," meaning "King." Common typos for the entire phrase include omissions of the diacritical marks in "Pelgi," resulting in "Pelgi," or transposing words, such as "Pelgi Ngadag Khorlo." When referencing the award, consistency in using either the Dzongkha name or its English translation is key for clarity.

Example Sentences

In a historic ceremony on Bhutan's National Day, His Majesty the King conferred the Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo upon the foreign leader, marking only the fourth time the award had been presented.

The decision to bestow the Order of the Druk Gyalpo upon the former Chief Justice was a public recognition of his lifelong dedication to upholding the rule of law and judicial integrity in the Himalayas.

Scholars of Bhutanese culture note that receiving the Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo is considered the ultimate civilian accolade, surpassing all other state decorations.

The award citation highlighted how the recipient's decades of service perfectly embodied the selfless ideals the Ngadag Pelgi Khorlo was established to honor.

International media widely covered the event when Prime Minister Modi was presented with the award, bringing global attention to Bhutan's highest civilian honor.

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