As I journeyed south, Bumthang travelled with me. As I travelled north, Gelephu journeyed with me. As I live my life, Druk Yul lives inside my being, eternally.
The centrepiece of our National Day celebrations is invariably the Royal Address to the Nation by His Majesty the King. Bhutanese citizens, at home and around the world, as well as friends of Bhutan and Bhutan-watchers, wait with bated breath, at celebration venues and virtual spaces, for emotions to climax and excitement to crescendo as the Druk Gyalpo breaks the silence and calls His people home to the occasion.
Given the magnitude and significance of the Royal Address that was to unfold at the 118th anniversary of our momentous National Day at the historic Wangdichhoeling Palace grounds in Bhutan’s cultural heartland in Bumthang, we counted the moments in awe and anticipation. A deeply contemplative Druk Gyalpo took a little longer than usual to begin the monumental Royal Address that was naturally longer than earlier addresses. As always, the message was profound, the medium was regal, and the impact was overwhelming.
His Majesty invoked the sacred blessings of this valley of myriad lore and legends, paid homage to the mighty personages of history and recalled the timeless miracles and milestones that place Bumthang on a special pedestal in the cultural, spiritual and political landscape of Bhutan. It was in the fitness of things that Gelephu Mindfulness City deserved a significant amount of time as His Majesty explained the multiple dimensions and critical impact that this unprecedented national project would have on the future well-being of our country and the people.
As I followed and meditated on every precious message of His Majesty, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the extraordinary length that our beloved King has been going to, to build and secure a bright future for Bhutan. Among many important announcements made by His Majesty, one royal declaration touched the deepest core of my being as it spoke directly to me and my family as it did to my fellow-citizens and their families.
Our deeply caring and far-sighted King spoke about land – the primacy and preciousness of this single most important treasure for the survival and sustenance of life, of families, of societies, and of nations, not only for the present but for all times to come. His Majesty advised the citizens against selling their land in return for powerful inducements by vested interest groups, short-sighted developers, wealthy opportunists, and commercial enterprises but to keep their precious gifts for their children and their future generations.
Concerned about the vital need to ensure that the massive national project benefits the people of Bhutan, His Majesty announced that the vast reserve of state land around the upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City will be earmarked in the name of each individual Bhutanese citizen as their long-term security. Nothing could be more comforting for someone like myself, for instance, to know that I and every member of my family will have at least one acre of precious land in our name and to leave behind for our descendants in that sacred spot of our beloved Druk Yul.
This visionary plan born from the depths of our compassionate King’s love will ensure that despite the massive infusion of external know-how and mind-boggling resources from around the world into the building of our extraordinary city, the ultimate custodians of the precious land will be the citizens of Bhutan. And, indeed, the diamond strategy of the entire project will secure the integrity and sovereignty of the GMC as a Bhutanese entity envisioned and executed to match the cherished dream of the country to harmonise the best of our rich natural, cultural and spiritual heritage with the finest in modern science and technology.
There is something fundamentally sacred and sovereign about land. It was there before humans came upon it – autonomous, self-sustaining, natural. The first point of contact for humans is with the land – the earth, the air, water, vegetation, minerals, matter. The primary object of identification for humans is with the land. What we do with the land and its treasures is a function of human creativity.
In most cultures, especially traditional ones, land is endowed with multiple associations and attributes – religious, cultural, economic, political. It has deep emotional, psychological, spiritual and ethical dimensions. Land gives humans a sense of identity, a sense of belonging, self-respect, integrity and pride. Land connects people with the most fundamental of relationships. Lands feeds, it heals, it sustains life and builds self-respect.
In this respect, the extraordinary royal proclamation of His Majesty during our 118th National Day celebrations came especially to the less endowed and little resourced as a herald of a great restoration, a psychological anchor of personal dignity and a vital insurance against potential vulnerability.
At a time like today when leaders in many parts of the world are rank indifferent towards their citizens’ plight, here is a peerless Bodhisattava King who takes it upon Himself to provide not only for His citizens’ material comfort but who seeks to secure their inner well-being and restores their dignity.
A king who works to secure the integrity of the land and restores the dignity and self-respect of his citizens is indeed the very embodiment of the supreme Vishnu.
The 8-hour drive to Gelephu was a meditation on the royal vision and a hymn to kingly compassion.
Asheek, Bhakti and I joined some ten thousand or so compatriots from across Bhutan who had converged on the plains of what will be the world’s first and only Vajrayana City under the auspices of the fourth batch of the Volunteer Service programme during December 23-26, 2025. It was deeply humbling to work with retired prime ministers, ministers, senior bureaucrats, service personnel, Tulkus, Rinpoches, monks, nuns, pundits, elderly citizens, businesspersons, educators, students, de-suups, gyal-suups, pel-suups, farmers, housewives, and private sector staff to clear the areas designated by our smart coordinators.
There was boundless joy in serving, rare camaraderie in spirit, and fulfilment in being a part of the great national project envisioned by our farsighted King. Inspired by a shared purpose, we took up our spades and sickles, daggers and knives, pickaxes and rakes, sticks and shovels; we wiped our sweat and treated our blisters, enjoyed our snacks and quenched our thirst and relished our hearty meals – all as a family from pre-teens to nearing 90s.
On the final day of our engagement, Mao Khola bank came alive with the cheering multitude, soulful music, mesmerising songs and energetic dances even as we enjoyed the endless supply of soft drinks and snacks in the build up to the big Tokha granted by His Majesty the King. The presence of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses was a special treat in itself. His Majesty thanked the volunteers and advised everybody to travel with care and caution.
A special highlight of our volunteer programme at Gelephu was an exclusive audience granted by His Majesty the King to the retired civil servants over an extended lunch on day three of our engagement. Flying in straight from Bangkok, His Majesty provided a comprehensive overview of the unprecedented GMC project going over specific details with rigorous research-data and wide-ranging consultations involving the most relevant and critical players from around the world to work on the realisation of our cherished mission.
I was struck by the breadth of information and the depth of insight that His Majesty has brought to bear on every aspect of the project from end to end. The extraordinary clarity of understanding relative to the challenges and opportunities as well as the marshalling of the most strategic resources from around the globe that His Majesty shared with us with deep thought and exceptional openness were a gift we will always treasure.
As the special audience came to a close, the overwhelming sense was one of profound gratitude and confidence that His Majesty has studied and taken into account every detail of this massive project, in a highly professional and strategic manner, leaving nothing to chance, and aimed at securing the best long-term interest of our country and people.
It felt like a family gathering with a caring father sharing, with a warm and open heart, the pros and cons of an unprecedented national undertaking designed and executed to realise the Bhutan of our dreams.
The journey back was a prayer and a hope for the full fruition of our unique Mindfulness City as envisioned by our extraordinary Druk Gyalpo.
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Thakur S Powdyel
Former Minister of Education.
