Dorji (left) and Union minister of state for food processing industries Subodh Kant Sahay in Ranchi. Picture by Ashok Karan

Ranchi, Feb. 17: If what the little bird says is true, Lara Dutta, the former Miss Universe, has become a new member of the illustrious royal family of Bhutan.

The model-tuned-actor has reportedly got married to her long-time beau Kelly Dorji, who is the son of Dasho Palijor J. Dorji, a first cousin to King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk, and the special adviser to the national environmental commission of the hill kingdom. Dorji had come here today as the chief guest at the inaugural session of South Asia Energy Conclave at BIT Mesra.

Though the news have not been confirmed either by Lara or Kelly or by anyone else, Kelly?s father-in-law (or should we say would-be father-in-law) said Lara will be welcomed with open arms to the kingdom of Bhutan.

?She is a beautiful girl and has been very close to my son, Kelly. I have met her and have been very impressed. I am, in fact, jealous of my son,? said Dorji, a strong advocator of the ?middle path?. Kelly is the second of his three sons.

The die-hard environmentalist?s day starts with solving the crossword in The Telegraph, which he considers as one of the best newspapers in the world. He apparently gets impatient if a copy of the newspaper does not reach Thimphu ? the Bhutanese capital ? in the morning. ?I have ensured that a copy from Silliguri is delivered to me every morning,? he said.

A down-to-earth person with a strong sense of humour, Dorji spoke at length about his family, his interests and his future plans. ?I am just a public servant,? he said, when asked to detail his royal links.

Dorji had sent Kelly to study law in India. ?Kelly is a very straight-forward and a humble guy. I am proud of him. He completed his graduation from St Xavier?s, Mumbai, and went to Delhi to do his post-graduation,? Dorji said. ?But instead, he ended up being a model. He did not obtain a law degree, instead bagged a title in the Galdrags modelling competition. Modelling is what brought Kelly and Lara close,?

He, however, declined to confirm media reports that Kelly and Lara have exchanged vows. ?I do not know. Ask Kelly,? he said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Environment occupies the highest priority in Dorji?s life and his crusades for a greener tomorrow are not being limited to his kingdom but across the world. He maintained that no power project should be carried out without a close study on the impact it would have on the environment. ?Not even a fish?s life should be affected due to any big construction or a power project,? he added.