The Third Pillar — Pelsung: Guardians of Prosperity in Bhutan

Image: HM's Official FB Page

Image: HM's Official FB Page

Image: HM's Official FB Page

Image: HM's Official FB Page

October 8, 2025: 

As the third group of volunteers begin their work in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) His Majesty The King announced the launch of Pelsung.

Pelsung, meaning Guardians of Prosperity, is a new national initiative to engage Bhutanese youth in developing creative and practical solutions for the GMC.

His Majesty announced Pelsung as the third pillar of nation-building alongside Desuung and Gyalsung, instituted to help build strong foundations for the country’s future.

“For a small population, every single person matters, and these programmes are intended to empower our people, to build harmony and the capacity to work together. As His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo said in the 1974 Coronation Address, our collective efforts will have far greater impact than the concerted efforts of a few,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty said that the Gelephu Mindfulness City represents the aspirations of the nation taking shape, and that the sacred responsibility to protect Bhutan’s unity, harmony, and unique identity for all time falls on the youth.

“Everything we are doing today is for our youth – so that they will be better versions of us, better prepared, smarter, and more hard-working. It falls on us to build that future, and on them to protect it and take it to greater heights,” His Majesty said. “That is the reason Pelsung has been created. I invite larger and larger numbers — the brightest and strongest amongst us — to join. We begin with 300–400 Pelsups, but expect to have thousands in the coming years. While today we bring in experts to help build the GMC, it is imperative that Bhutanese are able to take over the responsibility and become its custodians.”

“My father entrusted the responsibility of Kingship to me when I was only 26, with enormous confidence and even greater expectations. I would like to learn from past precedent, and His Majesty’s immense wisdom, and recognize the potential of our youth. We certainly value experience, age, and education. But we must also rely on our youth to take the nation forward,” His Majesty said. “My father took a leap of faith in me, and I have always endeavoured to not disappoint him, my people, and above all, our choechang sungma.”

“It is not how you fit into a role that matters, but how you adapt — how quickly you can learn, absorb information, exercise good judgement, and reinvent yourself,” His Majesty said. “Success requires adaptability, humility, resilience, and a constant appetite to learn. Every moment of your life, you are growing, becoming stronger, and your conviction solidifies. Only when you know what is worth fighting for do you learn how to succeed.”

His Majesty added that the journey ahead will not be easy. “There will be heartaches and disappointments. If it were easy, every country in the world would be better off and do exactly what we are doing. We have to be resilient in the face of challenges to do what others cannot.”

The first cohort of Pelsung participants includes about 300 youth, selected from thousands of applicants from within and outside Bhutan. They represent a diverse mix of civil servants, private employees, students, and recent university graduates.

The programme includes a Youth Integration Training, developed with the support of Desuung, to build teamwork and community spirit. Participants will attend GMC Talks with experts from the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority, and later form groups to develop ideas under four themes — Social and Cultural, Business and Commercial, Governance and Planning, and Architecture and Urban Design.

His Majesty expressed deep appreciation for the people’s overwhelming interest in joining the volunteer work, saying that people from across the country had shown remarkable enthusiasm to be part of the national effort.

“This is the true spirit of Bhutan, our unity, and the manner in which Bhutanese come together with the noble intent of benefiting all sentient beings,” His Majesty said. “That is what makes Bhutan special, and sets us apart.”

His Majesty especially acknowledged the presence of Lopen Basokarp, the 98-year-old former Yangbi Lopen and Druk Thugsey recipient, who had requested to come to Gelephu to take part in the voluntary work.

The ceremony was attended by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, Members of the Royal Family, international guests, officials, and the public of Gelephu.

A Mother is the first Teacher

Photo: HM's Official FB page

From the very first moment our beloved King announced the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), I felt an overwhelming sense of hope and pride. 

It wasn't just another developmental project, it was a Royal dream for Bhutan's future. For me, it signified something much greater: the arrival of our "First World" experience, born from Bhutanese values and built on the foundations of mindfulness, sustainability and national unity.

I genuinely believe GMC will serve as a powerful gateway. A place where the world can experience Bhutan's unique philosophy of balancing development with nature. A space where we, as Bhutanese citizens, can learn, unlearn and rediscover how to live meaningfully and harmoniously.

Ever since the Royal announcement, I've been closely following the rapid developments taking place in and around Gelephu. There's a new energy in the air, a sense of purpose shared by every Bhutanese heart. It feels like the entire nation is coming together to honour this Royal assignment, contributing in every way possible to make this dream a reality.

As a citizen, I wanted to do my part — no matter how small. I chose to invest in ORO Bank shares, not only because of the promising annual return of 10%, but more importantly because I see it as a way to actively participate in nation building. I also contributed to the Gelephu Mindfulness City Nation Building Bond (GNBB). This wasn't an investment for profit, but a personal commitment to a future I want to be a part of.

These small contributions may seem modest, but to me, they carry deep meaning. One day, I'll proudly tell my children and grandchildren that I have a stake in this city, not just financially, but spiritually. A small part of me will forever live in Gelephu.

One of the most moving moments recently was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gelephu International Airport (GIA). I followed every post, every image, every news. The designs by the world-renowned Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) are breathtaking — a symbol of what's possible when bold vision meets cultural integrity. 

Yet, amid all the excitement and innovation, one photo stood out: a kupar of Her Majesty lovingly teaching Our Beloved Gyalseys how to hold a sickle and cut through bushes. That moment was simple, yet profoundly symbolic. It stirred something deep in me, a beautiful memory of my own childhood.

That image reminded me of something my own mother would have done. A gesture of guidance, patience and love. At that moment, I couldn't help but reflect - A mother truly is the first teacher of a child!

Curious, I turned to Google to validate this deep feeling. I was heartened to find that this belief is widely accepted around the world. As one source put it, "Yes, mothers are widely considered to be the first teachers of their children. From birth, they play a crucial role in shaping a child's development by providing care, guidance, and a foundation for learning."

It's a truth that rings across cultures, time and generations. And it's a truth I saw reflected in the royal image — a mother passing on not just knowledge, but values.

For me GMC is not just a city, it is a legacy in the making. And I am deeply grateful to play even the smallest part in it.

One day, when my children or grandchildren visit Gelephu and walk its roads, I will be able to say: "This city carries a part of me and a part of you, too."

Photographs Of Second Royal Baby

30^th May (11.01 PM)

Long been silent for the birth of Second Royal Baby due to COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, everything is in very rattling manners – bad economic situation, business closed, education shut, public in despair, a health worker in danger and government anxious.

Deep inside of me is burning and longing to see the Kupar of the Second Royal Child. Every time I surf through my FB expecting some updates on the Royal Baby's photograph. 

For weeks, I have been engaged with the book "under the holy lake" by Canadian author, Ken Haigh, who has once worked as a high teacher around the late 1980's in the eastern region. He has described his 2 years stay in Bhutan and particularly of East so impeccably. 

It was almost 10:47 PM, I was reading through the last chapter and the last lines of his book, "…and yet for me, there is only one place: a green narrow valley in the eastern Himalayas, resting under the influence of a holy lake and an ancient tree, a place that was once my home and is no longer." 

I took the longest breath. Took a short nap. Lost in deep thinking, I thought of the past so much of what the author was trying to say and relate. Like him, I equally feel his heart through his beautifully woven travel journal of Bhutan. It is not easy after all; we all are perfectly the same human-being who do share the same feelings, and same-sized heart, although we come from different regions, have different color and belong to different races. 

After a few moments of flashback and quick nap, I switched onto my FB to update some evening news feed. As I scrolled down my FB, I came across His Majesty's Official FB page with the beautiful Kupar of the Royal Baby nicely wrapped in a beautiful silk brocade (Goetsen) warmed in the arms of the Gyaltsuen, another frame where His Majesty smiling at Royal Baby and our Gyalsay in such a adoring smile and a cheerful face, which shows the unity of the Royal Family. I gazed over the graceful Kupar of His Royal Highness for quite long. It made me smile and happy for the night. Sometimes, you spend a lifetime looking for something and never find it. At other times, that something finds you. And then it is printed forever with you. Such cute is our Royal Baby's face. I am simply lucky a thousand times!!!

Within a few seconds, as far as Australia and the US and middle east, the photographs of our Second Royal Baby filled with joyous lines and comments and best wishes for Their Majesties long life. It was such a relieving moment for all of us to have such an opportunity to see the face of His Royal Highness. Despite such a huge crisis and fear, we were pulled one step closer to unity and happiness. It is yet another milestone in the history of Bhutan. There is no moment like this in the history of ours.  Nevertheless, despite all the differences and pain there is a bond that always unites us is the humble and noble action of our Monarchs who always inspires us to live another beautiful moment of life. 

The photographs of the Royal Baby have charmed many hearts and inspired thousands of others to live every moment of their family life with love, peace and happiness. 

I join the nation in wishing Happy 30th Birth Anniversary to Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen on the 4th of June. 

National Service – Above Oneself

The news of His Majesty giving a Royal Audience to over 500 teachers who are currently in the evaluation camp at Samtse College of Education spread like a wildfire. It didn't even take a minute to reach the farthest corner of the SCE campus. Some call it a rare chance, I call it a golden opportunity in a lifetime. Everyone in the camp was overjoyed with excitement and happiness. It even relieved my long-sinking back pain yet giving another chance to meet His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo. 

As usual, and as lively as always, HM greeted the gathering with a very humbling word "labay chu" before a Royal Speech.

His Majesty shared the vision, objectives, way forward and challenges that lie ahead of us regarding the National Service Program that would commence from 2022. National Service will be for all class twelve pass out students. It also includes all drop outs after class ten or before. However, those dropouts have to register through their respective Gewog centre once they attain 18 years of age. This NS is a compulsory program for all our youth thereafter.

The lucky first batch for this National Service are this year's all class ELEVEN students which also include unlucky dropouts. I am already overjoyed with Gyalsung program. Since, in my family my little sister (going to be eleven this year) will be serving as the first batch of this program. I am already proud of her service. I am sure she would be a goodwill ambassador not only my family members but also to the community far and wide. This National Service is a one year program that will be trained by fine professionals in five different regions; Samdrupjongkhar, Mongar, Sarpang, Sibsoo, and Wangduephodrang.

HM feel that teachers are the main goodwill ambassador to pass down the knowledge and information regarding this Royal Initiative in schools and hoping to make everything ready before 2022. It is believed that teachers are the main force, and model for whatever maybe the start, and particularly this Gyalsung program. I was touched when His Majesty said, "I have a full faith and trust in my teachers." However, HM overly stressed on this –"there is no room for complacency for a tiny nation like us, and going back to those olden days would be an absolutely foolish thing to call. Sooner than we think, technology will push everything back and the future will be great only if we become an organized society now."

Thank you, Your Majesty for having great faith in us. We promise to serve with full dedication and loyalty under your guidance and promised to walk a joyful path together all the time.

After listening to HM speech, I finally realized Freedom Fighter Nelson Mandela was never foolish to quote, "Education is the most powerful weapon which can change the world." 

Nothing should bar the way for our small society. The program will include three month of intensive military training in which our students will be learning so many disciplines like drilling and other necessary fundamentals. The crowd became profound silence when HM said, "everyone would sweat all together in the camp and learn what is necessary for them." His Majesty's also assured that the program would be lively and lifelong learning. The topics like food security, and cyber security will be challenging but a life long experience that will basically glorify them both physically and mentally. Furthermore, His Majesty also shared that, when our youth grow, they must grow to be a very mindful, most productive, and a responsible citizen. His Majesty also wants our youth to be as smart and astute as possible in a very short period of time with all the limited resources we have in our hands. NS also should produce our younger generation as "one united society" despite different religion and region. It is now or never. 

HM assured that the program would be as lively and interesting as possible.  

HM also briefly shared about what Bhutan and World around would look like within and –beyond 20 years from now, we may experience digital economy, digital bank, self driving car, no over-head power transmission line, free world wide internet service, meat grown up in the labs which would increase the life expectancy around 100 years. Someday, or very soon our hydro electric power may become obsolete over nuclear power which can be made easily available with less effort, resources, and investment. 

However, it was a nicest moment when His Majesty said he would be quickly returning back to Thimphu, via Sarpang to celebrate Gyalsey's 4th birthday. More pleasing was when His Majesty said, "he is very excited, but nervous come this March for the birth of Second Royal Child and would be taking up a fatherly responsibilities, sit nearby and accompany the Gyaltsuen to raise together His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, and Second Royal Child as best as possible."

Special Royal Address

Every time I come across these heartwarming lines from His Majesty the King, it gives me unparallel hope for living a life. I wish every human leader possessed such greatness and humanness nature, and not their selfish ego. Leadership is in fact, missing here in some context from our leaders/simply boss. With such a caring Royal Words, I shall take a self-promise of serving this nation in my best ability and dedication. 

                                  LONG LIVE YOUR MAJESTY!

“Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.”

- His Majesty's Coronation Address to the Nation

Photo Courtesy:

The official Facebook page of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck