Story told through World’s First Documentary CD-ROM Postage Stamps with
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Bhutan: From Kingdom to Emerging Democracy

The tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan, located between China’s Tibetan plateaus and India’s Bangladesh borders, is making a transition from monarchy to “parliamentary” democracy under the guidance of the country’s Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. This move will change the role and responsibility of the country’s hereditary monarchy and create a government by the people under a new constitution. Elections are scheduled for 2008.


Cultural Integrity and Commitment to Environmental Preservation

Bhutan is truly a living museum. Open to the world only since the early 1960s, this country has had a long-standing commitment to preservation of the environment, and to maintaining tourism at a level that protects this fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Environmental stewardship is the cornerstone of the government, with policies conceived and implemented by Bhutan’s Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The policies reflect the Buddhist beliefs that all forms of life are to be respected, and the Bhutanese people have committed to preserving the environment for future generations. In 2006, the Fifth King, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, was honored to receive the World Wildlife Fund’s J. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership.


Bhutan’s History of Innovative Postage Stamps Continues
With 2008 Release of the World’s First Documentary CD-ROM Stamps

Innovative postage stamps tell the story of the country. Throughout the history of the monarchy, Bhutan has sold collectable postage stamps as a source of revenue to fund the country’s economic development and as lasting symbols of the country’s culture. But more importantly, the stamps introduced Bhutan to the world. Since the 1960s, Bhutan has led the world the world in philatelic firsts: first silk stamps, as well as steel stamps, scented stamps, relief and sculptural stamps, self-stick stamps, talking stamps—tiny vinyl records which could be played on a record player, in addition to the world’s first stamps with a “three-dimensional” view. In 2008, Bhutan will continue its “firsts” with the release of a series of four mini documentary CD-ROM collectable stamps.

Many of Bhutan’s innovative postage stamps have been developed by a partnership between Burt Kerr Todd and Bhutan Postal Corp. Ltd. Mr. Todd’s daughter, Frances Todd Stewart, president of Creative Products International, is continuing her father’s legacy through her work with Bhutan on the world’s first documentary CD-ROM postage stamps.


Gross National Happiness

The concept of Gross National Happiness expresses Bhutan’s approach to sustainable modernization through equitable economic development, life in harmony with nature, cultural maintenance and progress, and good governance through empowered citizens and mindful leadership. This special country has embraced core Buddhist customs of happiness and contentment for all of its people. Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness is the underlying theme for the country’s 2008 celebrations—Bhutan’s distinctive message to share with the world.