Lhendup Dorji
Encyclopedia
Dasho Lhendup Dorji was a member of the powerful and respected Dorji family
of Bhutan
. He served as acting Lonchen (Prime Minister) following the assassination
of his brother, Lonchen Jigme Palden Dorji
, on April 5, 1964. Following a national power struggle, he and other members of his family were exile
d in 1965.
Dorji was born to Gongzim Raja Sonam Tobgay Dorji and Rani Chuni Wangmo on October 6, 1935 at Bhutan House, Kalimpong. He became the first Bhutanese to study in the United States
attending Cornell University
, which he graduated from in 1959. Dorji excelled in athletics, such as boxing, golf, and tennis. He returned to Bhutan from the United States and started out measuring land. He spent months traveling around Bhutan calculating the terrain by hand using the most readily available measuring systems. He later served as Postmaster
General, Paro Thrimpon, Deputy and later Secretary General of the country's Development Wing.
Lhendup had a mischievous sense of humour, and enjoyed playing practical jokes on his friends. He often laughed and smiled. He liked to go walking, and enjoyed going to horse races. He was a gracious host, with friends dropping by to visit and chat around his kitchen table at any time of day. He is referenced by Shirley MacLaine
in her book, "Don't Fall Off the Mountain", which documents a visit she made to Bhutan during which she met him. Lhendup also sometimes made his own approximation of Bhutanese curry. In spite of his exile, Lhendup remained in frequent contact with his family and home.
Dorji's nephew, Jigme Singye Wangchuck
, went on to become the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan. On April 15, 2007 he died after a battle with cancer
.
Dorji family
The Dorji family of Bhutan has been a prominent and powerful political family in the kingdom since the 19th century. The family has produced Chief Ministers, Prime Ministers, governors, and even monarchs...
of Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
. He served as acting Lonchen (Prime Minister) following the assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
of his brother, Lonchen Jigme Palden Dorji
Jigme Palden Dorji
Jigme Palden Dorji was a Bhutanese politician and member of the Dorji family. By marriage, he was also a member of the House of Wangchuck....
, on April 5, 1964. Following a national power struggle, he and other members of his family were exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
d in 1965.
Dorji was born to Gongzim Raja Sonam Tobgay Dorji and Rani Chuni Wangmo on October 6, 1935 at Bhutan House, Kalimpong. He became the first Bhutanese to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attending Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, which he graduated from in 1959. Dorji excelled in athletics, such as boxing, golf, and tennis. He returned to Bhutan from the United States and started out measuring land. He spent months traveling around Bhutan calculating the terrain by hand using the most readily available measuring systems. He later served as Postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
General, Paro Thrimpon, Deputy and later Secretary General of the country's Development Wing.
Lhendup had a mischievous sense of humour, and enjoyed playing practical jokes on his friends. He often laughed and smiled. He liked to go walking, and enjoyed going to horse races. He was a gracious host, with friends dropping by to visit and chat around his kitchen table at any time of day. He is referenced by Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
in her book, "Don't Fall Off the Mountain", which documents a visit she made to Bhutan during which she met him. Lhendup also sometimes made his own approximation of Bhutanese curry. In spite of his exile, Lhendup remained in frequent contact with his family and home.
Dorji's nephew, Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
, went on to become the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan. On April 15, 2007 he died after a battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.