In Bhutan, the Red Scarf, known as ‘Bura Maap’, is a prestigious symbol of rank and honour. Bestowed by His Majesty the King on individuals for recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the nation, this distinctive scarf represents a lifelong honour.
Recipients of the red scarf are called ‘Nyi kem’ and granted the title of Dasho, which literally means ‘The Best’. This honour also entitles them to wear the patang, or ceremonial sword. When His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ascended the Golden Throne as the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, this unique Bhutanese tradition of ‘Bura Maap’ was institutionalised.
History of Non-Bhutanese Recipients
While traditionally reserved for Bhutanese citizens, four non-Bhutanese individuals have received this rare recognition: three Indian nationals and one Japanese citizen. In this article, we will explore the contributions of the three distinguished Indian nationals.
His Majesty Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (r.1952-72) conferred the ‘Bura Maap’ to Prithvi Raj Bakshi (1917-1997) in August 1965, making him the first non-Bhutanese to receive this honour. The second recipient was Dasho R.N. Dikshit who received this honour in 1968. The third non-Bhutanese and first Japanese recipient was Dasho Keiji Nishoka when in 1980, His Majesty the Fourth Druk King Jigme Singye Wangchuck honoured him.
Dasho Arun Kapur
On 17 December 2024, during Bhutan’s 117th National Day celebrations, His Majesty the King of Bhutan bestowed upon Arun Kapur the ‘Bura Maap’ distinguishing him as the third Indian and fourth non-Bhutanese recipient.
Fondly known as Ap Kapur, Dasho has devoted over 40 years of his life to education, with a career marked by his commitment to empowering children from diverse backgrounds. Since 2008, Dasho has served as the director of The Royal Academy in Pangbisa, Paro, Bhutan. He is credited with developing the Bhutan Baccalaureate educational system and continues to reside on the school campus, moulding young minds and promoting academic excellence among students from all 20 districts of Bhutan.
Dasho Kapur’s influence far extends beyond his role at the academy. He has undertaken a personal mission to establish libraries for monasteries. Recently, Dasho was appointed to the board of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, and he continues to leverage his extensive network to benefit Bhutan. In recognition of his contributions, Dasho Kapur was awarded the prestigious Druk Thuksey medal in 2019.
Dasho Bakshi’s Journey
Although His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck conferred the ‘Bura Maap’ to Bakshi in August 1965, the formal ceremony for this unprecedented award took place only six years later.
According to the Secret Report No.GAN/C/101/1/65, titled ‘Office of the Political Officer’s in Sikkim’, and dated 2 August 1965, ‘The Druk Gyalpo has also conferred a red scarf on him [Prithvi Raj Bakshi] and proposes to send him to Europe, U.S.A, Japan etc in August’.
On 22 September 1971, the traditional ceremony of the red scarf for Dasho Bakshi was held in Thimphu with His Holiness the Je Khenpo presiding. In his unpublished book, ‘Stepping Stones or the Memoirs of Prithvi Raj Bakshi’, he describes the ceremony: ‘I was taken in a long procession, headed by dozens of lamas, with members of the national assembly and senior government officials bringing up the rear’.
The memoirs recount that on day of the ceremony, His Late Majesty and Bakshi stayed up to listen to the BBC news at 4 am. When Bhutan’s membership to the United Nations was announced, the King was ‘visibly excited and happy. Sheer joy made us weep and hug each other.’ To celebrate the historic occasion, His Majesty commanded celebrations and sponsored feasts for the general public which lasted for three days and organized his red scarf ceremony on the 21st.
Dasho Bakshi’s journey began in 1955 when Apa Sahib B. Pant, the Indian Political Officer and friend of Bhutan’s Late Prime Minister, introduced him to Bhutan. Initially serving as Sikkim’s trade agent since 1954, Bakshi’s efficiency led to his appointment as Bhutan’s trade agent as well. His responsibilities expanded over time, coordinating important visits and managing various projects.
Contributions
Dasho Bakshi made several significant contributions to Bhutan’s international relations and development. He coordinated important visits to Bhutan, including visits of the first Indian parliamentary delegation in 1960 and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958.
In 1957, Pant assigned Bakshi an important job. As Bakshi’s memoir notes, ‘I was to supervise the manufacture and supply of gifts that the Dalai Lama of Tibet wished to present to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his visit to the Roof of the World. Political reasons prevented Panditji’s visit to Tibet’.
Consequently, in 1958, instead of visiting Tibet, Nehru visited Bhutan. The visit was a great success. After the visit, Pant hosted a quiet party in Calcutta as Nehru desired a restful evening. Bakshi was pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation to dine with Nehru, having never met him before. Bakshi’s memoirs recount a joke Nehru shared with the guests, noting that the Prime Minister laughed the loudest. ‘In fact, he was in the happiest and most relaxed mood that day. By his own admission, those 10 days in Bhutan had soothed him more than a six-month holiday in the best tourist resorts in the world could have.’
In 1958, Bakshi was appointed Bhutan’s trade commissioner, a position he held for 14 years until 1972.
His international engagements were also noteworthy; in 1967, Bakshi embarked on a significant overseas trip, visiting 12 countries over five months. During this trip, he even ordered a custom-built Rolls Royce for His Late Majesty.
In 1961, Bakshi had his first audience with His Late Majesty marking the beginning of a strong mutual trust. That same year, with Bhutan’s financial backing, Bakshi embarked on an ambitious project in Kolkata. He undertook the construction of Tivoli Court, which would become the city’s first multi-storey residential complex. Completed in 1967, the development comprised 120 flats, of which Bhutan retained ownership of 40 units.
Druk Zhung Tshongpon
Over time, Bakshi’s relationship with Bhutan deepened, leading to significant roles and honours. In 1965, His Late Majesty promoted Bakshi as Trade Commissioner, granting him enhanced powers and responsibilities. On 26th August 1965, Bakshi received a personal handwritten letter from His Late Majesty, which read, ‘I am sending you the shawl and the sword’.
After some bureaucratic delays, on 23 February 1967, Bakshi was officially appointed Druk Zhung Tshongpon or Trade Commissioner of Bhutan and awarded the Druk Thuksey medal, Bhutan’s highest order at the time. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi later announced India’s acceptance of Bhutan’s trade commissioner in Kolkata.
Dasho R.N. Dikshit
The second non-Bhutanese to receive this honour was Mr R.N. Dikshit, an executive engineer for the Public Works Department. Originally from the neighbouring Indian hill station of Kalimpong, Dikshit started his career in Bhutan as a sub-division officer for the Bhutan Road Project in 1962. By the end of that year, he had been appointed Executive Engineer of the newly formed Bhutan Engineering Service and was stationed in Thimphu. Dasho Dikshit devoted nearly his entire career to constructing roads in the mountainous terrain of Bhutan.
On 15 May 1968, His Late Majesty bestowed the Red Scarf upon Mr R N Dikshit in recognition of his meritorious service. The Kuensel edition dated 15 May 1968 reported, ‘In the National Assembly session on 15th May, His Majesty the King was pleased to confer the Red Scarf on Mr. R.N. Dikshit, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department for meritorious service. Addressing the Assembly, the speaker Yangbey Lopon praised the sincerity and devotion with which Dikshit had served the King and people of Bhutan ever since his arrival here. Dikshit is here on deputation to the Royal Government of Bhutan from the Central Public Works Department of the Government of India. He hails from Kalimpong and will shortly be 55 years of age’.
Conclusion
Traditionally, the prestigious Red Scarf was awarded only to Bhutanese citizens. However, exceptions were made, and to date, four non-Bhutanese individuals have received this honour: two Indian nationals, Dasho Prithvi Raj Bakshi and Dasho R N Dikshit, were awarded the Red Scarf by His Late Majesty. The Fourth King bestowed the honour upon one Japanese recipient in 1980. Recently, after a 44-year gap, His Majesty awarded the Red Scarf to Dasho Arun Kapur, the third Indian recipient and fourth non-Bhutanese. This recognition highlights these individuals’ significant contributions to Bhutan’s development in international relations, infrastructure and education.
Contributed by
Tshering Tashi