Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering[2][3] (Dzongkha: བློ་གྲོས་ཚེ་རིང་; born 10 May 1969) is a Bhutanese politician and surgeon[4] who was the prime minister of Bhutan,[5][6] in office from 7 November 2018 to 1 November 2023. He was the president of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) since 14 May 2018[7][8] until he resigned in 2025.[9]
Lotay Tshering | |
|---|---|
བློ་གྲོས་ཚེ་རིང་ | |
 Tshering in 2023 | |
| Prime Minister of Bhutan | |
| In office 7 November 2018 – 1 November 2023 | |
| Monarch | Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
| Preceded by | Tshering Wangchuk (as Chief Advisor) |
| Succeeded by | Chogyal Dago Rigdzin (as Chief Advisor) |
| President of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa | |
| In office 14 May 2018 – January 2025 | |
| Deputy | Sherab Gyaltshen |
| Preceded by | Tandi Dorji |
| Member of the National Assembly of Bhutan | |
| In office 31 October 2018 – November 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Yeshi Zimba |
| Constituency | South Thimphu |
| Majority | 3,662 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 May 1969 |
| Political party | Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa |
| Spouse | Ugyen Dema |
| Children | 3 (two adopted)[1] |
| Alma mater | Mymensingh Medical College (MBBS) Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (MS) University of Canberra (MBA) |
| Signature |  |
The president of DNT Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering resigned from the party and politics ending his 11-year political career.[9][10] Dasho was appointed as the Governor of GMC at Dungkar Dzong in Paro on October 1, 2024 following a recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).[11][12][13]
Early life and education
editTshering was born on 10 May 1969,[14][15] in a humble family.[1] He hails from Dalukha village, Mewang Gewog, Thimphu.[16][17]
He received his early education from Punakha High School and graduated from Sherubtse College.[1] He graduated from Mymensingh Medical College and received MBBS degree in 2001.[1][18] He completed his post-graduation in surgery and received FCPS degree from Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons and MS degree from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.[17][18]
In 2007, he studied urology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the US, under his World Health Organization fellowship. Upon his return to Bhutan, he was the only practicing trained urologist in his country. In 2010, he obtained a fellowship in endourology at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, and Okayama University, Japan.[19] He received a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Canberra, Australia in 2014.[19][20][21]
Personal life
editLotay Tshering is married to a doctor, Ugyen Dema.[22] The couple has one daughter and one son (Garab Lotey). During his tenure in Mongar Regional Referral Hospital, he adopted one girl and one boy.[1] Tshering speaks several languages, including Dzongkha, Lotshamkha, Bengali and English.
Professional career
editTshering served as a consultant surgeon in JDWNRH and Mongar Regional Referral Hospital,[23] and was also served as a consultant urologist in JDWNRH for 11 years.[19]
After the payment of about Nu. 6.2 million to the Royal Civil Service Commission, he resigned from the JDWNRH as a urologist to join politics in 2013.
Political career
editTshering contested the 2013 National Assembly Election but his party was knocked out in the primary round.[23]
On 14 May 2018, Tshering received 1,155 votes and was elected as the president of the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) just five months before the Third National Assembly Election.[24]
He was elected to the National Assembly of Bhutan as a candidate of DNT from South Thimphu constituency in 2018 Bhutanese National Assembly election. He received 3,662 votes, defeating Kinley Tshering, a candidate of DPT.[25] His party won largest number of seats in the 2018 National Assembly Election, bringing Tshering to premiership[26] and Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa into government for the first time.[27]
Prime minister
editOn 7 November 2018, he replaced Tshering Tobgay and was sworn in as the third democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan.[28][29][30]
On 27 December 2018, he arrived in India for a three-day visit on his first foreign trip after assuming the office.[31][32]
On 13 April 2019, he arrived in Bangladesh on an official visit[33] and subsequently on 24 March 2021, on behalf of His Majesty to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
Cabinet
editTshering announced his 10 cabinet ministers on 3 November 2018.[34]
Awards
edit- 1991: He was awarded the Father William Mackey Gold Medal for academic excellence by Sherubtse College.[1][19]
- 2005: He was awarded the Unsung Hero of Compassion Award by 14th Dalai Lama.[19][1]
- 2017: He was awarded the Royal Order of Bhutan Medal (Druk Thuksey) by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for his "selfless and dedicated service to the Tsawa-Sum (our King, our country and our people)."[19][1]
- 2018: Royal Orange Scarf by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for "his appointment as the Prime Minister".[35]
- 2020: Lungmar Scarf by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for "his unwavering effort and contribution in fighting the ongoing pandemic as the Prime Minister".[2] Tshering is the second person, after former prime minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, to be awarded this scarf since the creation of this award by the Third King, who was the King of Bhutan between 1952 and 1972.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "The persuasive president – KuenselOnline". www.kuenselonline.com.
- ^ a b His Majesty confers Lungmar Scarf and Red Scarves
- ^ "12 Things To Know About Bhutan's New Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering". dailybhutan.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (10 May 2019). "'I like to operate': Bhutan's PM spends weekends as a surgeon". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Dr Lotay Tshering is the prime minister candidate". www.kuenselonline.com. 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Narendra Modi congratulates newly elected PM of Bhutan". Hindustan Times. 19 October 2018.
- ^ "DNT elects Dr. Lotay Tshering as President and Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen as Vice President - BBS". BBS. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "Ready to lead DNT, says Dr Lotay Tshering – KuenselOnline". www.kuenselonline.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ Newspaper, Bhutan's Daily. "Dr Lotay Tshering quits politics". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering Appointed Governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City – Gelephu Mindfulness City – Gelephu". Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Former Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering appointed as Governor of GMC". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Meet GMC's new CEO, Governor and Board". The Bhutanese. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Dr Lotay Tshering". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Bhutan 2018 Elections". www.peldendrukpa.com.
- ^ "DNT cannot be stronger than 2018's team".
- ^ a b "Be a good human being to become a good doctor: Bhutanese PM". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 15 April 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b "MMCH accords reception to its ex-student Bhutanese PM". The Financial Express. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "11 Things To Know About Bhutan's New Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering". bhutantimes.com.
- ^ "Welcome back!". 14 April 2019.
- ^ "Lotay Tshering joins Pahela Baishakh celebration, says Bangladesh is his 'second home'". bdnews24.com. 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023.
- ^ "Dr. Ugyen Dema, spouse of Prime Minister of Bhutan, visited Shinepukur Ceramics". The Financial Express. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ a b Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy (20 October 2018). "Centre-left DNT win may strengthen India-Bhutan relations". The Economic Times.
- ^ "DNT elects Dr. Lotay Tshering as President and Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen as Vice President". 14 May 2018.
- ^ "North and South Thimphu ayes for DNT – KuenselOnline". Kuenselonline.com. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "DNT confirms Dr Lotay Tshering as its PM nominee". 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Bhutan chooses new party to form government". Times of India.
- ^ "Dr Lotay Tshering sworn in as Bhutan's new prime minister". The New Indian Express. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ "Lotay Tshering sworn in as Bhutan's new prime minister – Xinhua | English.news.cn". Xinhuanet.com. 8 November 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ "New PM's Cabinet inaugurated in Bhutan". English.kyodonews.net. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ "Maiden foreign tour: Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering arrives in India". 27 December 2018.
- ^ "Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering arrives in India on maiden foreign visit". WION. 28 December 2018.
- ^ "We Are Landlocked But Our Minds Are Open: Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering Of Bhutan". dailybhutan.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Bhutan's Newly Elected Prime Minister Lotay Tshering Unveiled The 10 Cabinet Ministers on 3 November 2018". www.bhutantimes.com.
- ^ "His Majesty confers Dakyen to PM, appoints ministers and grants Orange Kabney to Speaker, OL - BBS". 7 November 2018.
