Honorable Vice President of India, Miss Sharmistha Mukherjee, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to deliver a video message on this important occasion of the first Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture. A great son of India, passed away on this day last year. He was also a very good friend of Bhutan. President Pranab Mukherjee may no longer be with us but his memory will continue to live on in our hearts and minds. Shri Pranab Mukherjee dedicated his entire life in the service of his people and country. He was an outstanding parliamentarian who enjoyed who excellent relations with his colleagues cutting across party lines. He held many important portfolios as a cabinet minister from a young age and was rated as the best finance minister in 1984. He also distinguished himself as a foreign minister and defence minister. By the time he was elected as President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee had become an internationally respected leader and statesman which in turn enhanced the prestige of this highest office.  Shri Pranab Mukherjee contributed greatly to further strengthening the excellent relations between Bhutan and India. He had a long and close association with my father His Majesty the fourth king of Bhutan and they developed a close bond of friendship. My father always spoke very highly of his insight on national and international issues and his wisdom and his wisdom as one of India’s most experienced and accomplished leader and there was always a touch of affection whenever my father spoke of Shri Pranab Mukherjee so it was with a sense of great pleasure and honor that I first met Shri Pranab Mukherjee when I was a young crown prince. He was very warm and affectionate and his warmth was always there in all my interactions with him after I became king. While I cherish the many meetings, I have had with him, I cannot help but feel the absence of his wisdom, wise counsel and support which I have been fortunate to receive. I miss him dearly. My father and I will always remember Shri Pranab Mukherjee with affection and respect as a warm human being, a wise statesman, and a very good friend of Bhutan. An enormous thank you. Tashi Deleck.