King Address to The Future of Bhutan -to the Gyalsups

 28 June 2025

The first cohort of the 2025 Gyalsung batch successfully completed their three-month National Service training today. Passing Out Parades (POP) were held simultaneously at the four Gyalsung Academies in Pemathang, Gyalpozhing, Khotokha, and Jamtsholing.

His Majesty The King graced the Passing Out Parade in Pemathang, Samdrup Jongkhar, and addressed Gyalsups across all four academies.

His Majesty thanked the Gyalsups and their families for their unwavering support and enthusiasm for the programme, and the Armed Forces for their hard work and dedication to make the training a success.

His Majesty also thanked the Government of India, the Indian Army, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for their continued support, which has enabled Gyalsung to grow into the institution it was envisioned to be.

His Majesty spoke to the Gyalsups about the strategies we must employ as a small landlocked nation to achieve our aspirations.

"A single bee may be just an insect, but a hive, moving with discipline and purpose, is a force to be reckoned with. Bees that move together in a swarm cannot be taken for granted. They punch above their weight, and command respect," His Majesty said. "Hives are adaptive, resilient, agile and swift. They think together, act together, work together. The hive strategy will determine our success."

His Majesty said that since we are 700,000 people in a world of 8 billion, we must be exceptionally unique.

"If the world around us is becoming less trusting, we must become trustworthy. If unkindness, selfishness and corruption are on the rise, we must embody kindness and integrity. If there's a lack of collaboration, coordination, inertia— if there is red tape, bureaucracy, institutional paralysis, then we reverse-engineer it. We are a hardworking, pragmatic, sensible, and united people. The smartest thing to do is to leverage on who we are and who we want to become. That's how you stand out," His Majesty said.

His Majesty told the Gyalsups that everything that is being done—from the Gyalsung programme to national investments—is for the youth, so they are prepared, empowered, and able to succeed.

His Majesty reminded the Gyalsups that the road ahead would not be easy, but this is our only opportunity to shape the future our extraordinary country deserves.

"Our future generations deserve nothing but the best. We are going to offer them a secure home—one they can always feel proud of. That responsibility, for better or for worse, falls on our generation," His Majesty said.

A total of 2,639 young men and women completed the training, including 56 individuals who returned from overseas—Australia, India, Thailand, and the United States—to take part. With their completion, the total number of trained Gyalsups has reached 6,330, including the two cohorts of the 2024 batch.

The integrated training program included Basic Military Training—such as physical fitness, obstacle courses, and weapon handling—along with sessions on national education, Bhutanese history, domestic security, Choesay Layrim, and leadership development.

Gyalsung, Bhutan’s National Service, is a constitutional duty of every citizen, enshrined in Article 8.1. It was announced by His Majesty The King on Bhutan’s 112th National Day in 2019 as a visionary initiative to empower young Bhutanese to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s peace, unity, and progress.

Gyalsups from earlier cohorts have already served in national projects and international relief efforts, including the humanitarian mission to assist earthquake-hit communities in Myanmar in March 2025.

My Say:

As I read carefully through each line of HM's address to our Gyalsups, few things really struck me hard. The unprecedented care of His Majesty to Bhutan and Bhutanese, to his nation, it's nothing more like it. Wisdom of His Majesty is more vast than the size and depth of the ocean, and I wish there is anyone more concerned for his people. The energy and passion of His Majesty is over the universe and to be and have such a level is extraordinary.

I wish each one of us, every single Bhutanese must acquire the ability and goodness like His Majesty. Therefore, this is a moment for us to think, reflect and work hand in hand for the future of Bhutan.

We are lucky in so many ways to be a BHUTANESE!

Thank you, your Majesty for so a beautiful and eye opening wisdom.

Photo: HM Addressing to our Gyalsups

Photo: Our Gyalsup in making

Photo: Parent, both old and young 

Declaimer: This speech and photographs are copied for the purpose of my future reference from the official FB page of His Majesty. 

The Inevitable

 

Source: HM's Official FB Page

12th June, 2025

The recent Air India crash taking away precious lives, family, friends and relatives, all gone in ashes. 

However, there are always prayers from a Tiny Country - BHUTAN and this is how I share my condolences with affected families and friends. 

It is an extremely sad moment not just for India, but to the whole world of such unprecedented loss. 

A symbol of love and loyalty

"A guy is so skilled. He brought a RAM truck to surprise his dad. A man who always dreams of owning one but brand new RAM is way out of his budget. 

So, he went to an auction and found an old dusty one that most people would pass on. It wasn't black, shiny or new. In fact, it looked like it had been through tough years on roads. But, he saw more than rusts and dents. To him it was a project with purpose. 

He brought it home and started rebuilding it from the frame up, putting in hours each day fixing what was broken, replacing what was missing and adding touches his dad would love. 

Every turn of the wrench. Every coat of paint, and every detail is a quiet promise to give his father something special. 

He's not just restoring a truck. He's restoring a dream and the most exciting part is –his dad still doesn't know. So, when he finally hands over those keys, how do you think he will react?"

....

I found this short narration touching and beautiful of a true father-son bond -the quiet hope a father carries that one day his son will care for him through life’s difficult moments, especially in old age.

When I look back on my own life, what touches me most is the unwavering love of our parents. They sacrifice so much, shielding us from the harshness of the world, guiding us toward the right path, and providing us with the best they can—be it food, clothes, or comfort. 

All of it, done selflessly, with the hope that when they grow old and vulnerable, we will be there to support and care for them in return.

For every single parent, what they hope is, their children become good human beings. Serve the nation with loyalty, dedication and raise another great generation. The question is, are we really nurturing another generation of loving human beings!. 

I hope this story is true and not just a fictional one.  

 

 

Goodbye King Kevin De Bruyne

Source: Transfer market.com

As an avid Manchester City FC fan for over a decade, I feel compelled to put into words my admiration for one of my all-time favourite players – King Kevin De Bruyne.

My journey as a City fan began even before Kevin joined the club. I remember watching every match, week after week, during the golden years of legends like Kompany, Silva, Nasri, Lampard and of course Aguero. These players not only made football thrilling to watch, but they also instilled in me a deep love and respect for the game.

Through them, I learned more than just football. I learned about dedication, commitment, passion and the value of time –lessons that go beyond the pitch and into real life.

Then came Kevin De Bruyne. Watching him play from the very beginning of his City career has been nothing short of inspirational. 

His vision, creativity and leadership grew match by match and with every pass, every goal, he made the game look like art. His assists, often bordering on the magical, were unmatched. Perhaps, he made football easy and beautiful to watch.

I always looked forward to the weekends just to see the City match and especially Kevin. Knowing he was on the pitch always used to give me confidence because when Kevin plays, something special used to always happen.

If there's one player I admire just second to the great Messi, it's De Bruyne.

Some of my favourite memories involve intense Champions League battles with Real Madrid, Premier League clashes with Liverpool, Arsenal and of course, Manchester United. 

But one moment stands above the rest is the unforgettable comeback against Aston Villa to win the Premier League title. I've watched that full match and its highlights more times than I can count.

Link: https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/3055665?FOOTBALL_CLUBS=11

Thank you, Kevin, for making football beautiful. You have inspired a generation and for fans like me, you have made every minute of the game worth watching.

Millions of City fans around the globe would simply miss you and your magical assist on the right spot. There is nothing more you can do than the moment you created in Etihad Stadium. 

Link:https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/kevin-de-bruyne-king-kev-hero-video-63883357

Link:https://www.transfermarkt.com/assist-king-de-bruyne-how-his-unrivalled-creativity-has-led-man-citys-charge-in-europe/view/news/433906

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgn-CLO0FGw

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxc7M2IsUWU

Unfolding a new era of learning

All by sheer luck, I came across a LinkedIn post by one of the panel members announcing an online webinar session "walk-in-talk: Fundamentals of research," on 15th of May by Bhutan Insights, an educational journal. 

This came at a critical time when I was closely eyeing or simply gearing up to polish my research knowledge before actually taking up the course. 

Research is the field I was deeply passionate about for a long time, but somehow I was left behind for some reasons. Maybe altogether, it has waited for this perfect coincidence. 

I took no chance to escape this golden opportunity for this one-hour session to know first-hand information from some of the research enthusiasts/someone who has made a career out of it and that too are our local friends. 

Having studied some units, attended university symposiums and conducted action research back in school, I had already gained a fair amount of knowledge and experience in the field. However, making a moment to listen to these groups of experts sharing their experiences would immensely enlighten my perspective about research. 

I've long been interested in this field because it gives weight when one talks with real facts and figures rather than just quoting some assumptions. 

On some good days, or when I was in a good mood, having to conduct research always struck my mind and stayed for a couple of days and slowly vanished. In this way for these many years, it never had materialized. Perhaps, it was all in my dreams!

Now having listened to first-hand researchers, their words of encouragement made me one step closer to undertake some research work. With all my commitment and interest, I'd be able to produce some papers in the future. It greatly relieved me when the panel members openly shared that they also started like any one of us and getting to know that research work is no different to other study has come as a big relief. 

I was made to believe that with a little bit of self-discipline and commitment are the stepping stone to achieving my research dream. It was so humbling to know that they have many future plans for the success of this newfound online journal for all of us. 

I wish the steps taken by these groups of friends would deeply inspire the next generation of ultra thinking minds, who can pass down great legacy to our future generation. I wish everyone who is trying to be part of this journey would become a contributory citizen, a great thinking society because I believe research gives anyone a space to explore and think beyond normal. 

 

Recently, I shared this little anecdote with one of my cousins. 

"What if we had our own Bhutanese platforms to put up our local research work? This could inspire aspiring academics, support national development and bring some fresh ideas to the education sector. Building our future on facts and figures, not on assumptions requires a strong research culture. To create a wiser, more matured and informed society, we must live and breathe research in everything we do."

Like the one we had for a long hour discussion, it came as a dream for me even if I won't be able to put up any of my work soon, but it can surely create space for other people to write some new academic ideas for our future. 

I'd deeply appreciate the hard work and vision put forward by these groups of researchers and academicians. For me this space is a dream beyond the limit of the Sky and the Earth. 

Thank you!

These are a few slides I captured from the online session for my future references. 

Disclaimer: The information and slides presented here were captured during an online session solely for my personal reference and not for any other purpose.

Tough Question on the Future of AI

What can one accomplish in just ten minutes? Quite a lot. In that time frame, ideas can be pitched and history can shift course.

For our team, ten minutes was all we had to present the results of an intensive three-month capstone project—an evaluation of AI’s effectiveness in raising landslide awareness in Bhutanese schools through real-world case analysis.

During the presentation, one question from the panel member stayed with me: 

“How would our group advise others on the future use of AI?”

One of my teammates responded on our behalf, but due to the time limit, we weren’t able to express everything we wanted to say.

That question lingered in my mind, prompting me to reflect not just on the project, but on my personal journey with artificial intelligence (AI) and where I believe we are collectively headed.

There is no denying that AI is growing at an unprecedented pace. It is no longer a niche interest but becoming a main force across industries from education and healthcare to communication, logistics and creativity. It is being rapidly adopted, deeply integrated and quietly redefining how we think, work and live. In many ways, AI is becoming a digital lifeline. It is not just here for now; it is here to stay, forever.

My own experience with AI began in early 2023. Out of curiosity, I tried ChatGPT for the first time and asked it to write a poem about my wife. Within seconds, it generated a beautiful and thoughtful piece. I was amazed but hesitant. I feared that depending on AI might hinder my creativity and imagination, so I made a conscious choice not to use it further.

When I began my higher study later that year, I committed to completing all my assignments without the help of any AI tools. I followed the traditional ways I had always relied on, writing and researching independently.

My first semester went smoothly and I stayed disciplined. However, I couldn’t help but notice that some of my classmates got good grades. Curious, I asked how they approached their assignments. Many admitted they used AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm, refine ideas or polish their writing.

This revelation forced me to reflect deeply. Should I continue to avoid AI out of principle, or should I reconsider? Was I at risk of becoming obsolete by refusing to adapt like so many once-prominent brands that faded into irrelevance after failing to evolve? Nokia, BlackBerry, Kodak, Yahoo each serves as a reminder of what happens when innovation is met with resistance.

Eventually, I chose to adapt, but on my own terms.

I decided to use AI tools purposefully on one condition. My personal rule is clear: I first write everything myself starting from drafting ideas, reflecting on lessons learned and crafting my thoughts. Only after that I turn to AI for grammar checks, clarity, structure or suggestions for improvement or for the generation of better ideas. This way, I keep using my thinking power and put my brain muscle in use and AI serves as a help, not a substitute.

So, how should we approach AI in the long run? Should we embrace it fully, or avoid it altogether? The answer lies in striking a thoughtful balance. There is no definite rule to use it. One can use it anyway, but using it in the best human way will be productive.

Over-reliance on AI can weaken our critical thinking and suppress creativity. But total avoidance risks leaving us behind in a rapidly changing world. The key is responsible adaptation leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, human potential.

This also raises another important question: how do we educate the next generation to use AI effectively and ethically?

We must not allow our children to be passive consumers of AI, shaped by algorithms they don't understand. Instead, we must teach them how to use these tools wisely and intentionally. AI should not control us; it should empower us. If used responsibly, it can make our work fast, efficient and productive without stripping away the human element.

The pace of change is rapid and we are at a turning point. Whether we like it or not, we are part of a technological revolution that will define the future.

To thrive in this future, we must approach AI with openness, adaptability and a strong foundation of human values. This is not a time to look back. 

Perhaps, it's time to move forward with clarity, balance and purpose.

Reflecting on a Decade of Service in Education

On March 16, I formally tendered my voluntary resignation, stepping down from teaching service. Writing a resignation letter was both emotional and fulfilling moment for me and my family. It filled with uncertainty and deep reflection. Perhaps, it offered a moment to reflect on a decade of purpose, growth and service within Bhutan’s education system. 

My journey began on February 15, 2013, in one of Bhutan's most remote District—ZHEMGANG. Fresh out of college, I was young, determined and slightly apprehensive. But I stepped into the classroom driven by a single conviction: to make a meaningful difference.

In Bhutan, schools are more than institutions, they are sacred spaces of transformation. When I joined Zhemgang Central School (ZCS), I did so with the hope of nurturing young minds and growing alongside them. The early days were challenging. Adjusting to the civil service, understanding school culture and living up to the expectations of being a role model demanded deep self-awareness.

Every word and action of a teacher is watched with hope and trust. I tried to meet that responsibility with great humility –remaining disciplined, punctual and mindful in all that I did. Over the next eight years, I chose not just to stay in one of Bhutan’s remotest schools – I chose to engage both within and beyond the school campus. I became a mentor, guide and in many cases, a guardian to students who gathered with hope and aspiration.

I owe much of my growth to Principal Rinzin Namgyal, whose compassionate leadership helped shape my professional outlook. Alongside dedicated colleagues and disciplined students, I found purpose and strength in a shared journey of learning.

In 2021, I transferred to Damphu Central School (DCS) –my alma mater. Returning as a teacher to the very classrooms I once sat in was both surreal and humbling. At DCS, I worked with a great team of educators and students from all walks of life. Each moment on campus left a lasting impression.

A highlight of my time at DCS was participating in the Bhutan Baccalaureate (BB) initiative under The Druk Gyalpo’s Institute. As the lead for the “Emotional Domain,” I witnessed first hand a shift in Bhutan’s education system that focused on holistic, student-centered learning. The experience was among the most defining of my career.

Outside the classroom, I embraced multiple roles: curriculum developer, test developer, examiner, club coordinator, Head of Department and media coordinator. Among the projects closest to my heart was the successful installation of a SkyHydrant water filtration system at ZCS. Carried out in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Thimphu and Aue Yeshey Dorji, this clean water initiative remains a source of pride especially as it later inspired similar projects in schools across Bhutan.

In April 2023, I took Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue higher studies in Australia. The decision came with a lot of emotional cost –most profoundly, leaving behind my two young children who remained in Bhutan with family.

Perhaps, I have spent some of my best years in a far remote corner of Zhemgang educating and embracing both challenges and opportunities.

Across eight years at ZCS and three fulfilling years at DCS, I found not only a career, but a deep sense of nation calling. Resigning was not a decision I made lightly. It emerged from personal obligations and long-term aspirations. But as I submitted my resignation, I reminded myself that service to education need not end with a job title.

Though no longer in the classroom, I carry the lessons, the relationships and the purpose with me. I move forward with pride, knowing I served the nation “Tsa-Wa-Sum” with utmost integrity and great dedication.

The questions will stay with me: Have I done enough? Was I worthy? But perhaps, it is in these reflections that I still continue to think about Bhutan’s progress in education and development.

The classroom doors may have closed behind me, but the conversations never stopped. I still engage meaningfully with students and teacher colleagues—sharing, listening and learning from each other. "Once a teacher, always a teacher" isn't just a phrase. It's a quiet truth I continue to live by.