Bhutan’s compassion has crossed borders. In a heartfelt gesture of friendship, the Bhutan-India Friendship Association and Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital have brought free eye care to residents of Hatisar, India, as a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on his 70th birthday.
For sixty-year-old Kishan Narjary from the quiet border town of Hatisar in India, the world had long been a blur. With no nearby hospital, every journey for treatment meant hours on the road and money he could hardly spare. But this time, help arrived just a few steps from home.
Kishan Narjary said, “We are very happy to receive such support in the name of Bhutan’s King. Many of us here are old and cannot travel far for checkups. We feel very grateful to the King and Government of Bhutan for helping us.”
Like Kishan, dozens of others from Hatisar turned up for the free eye camp, part of the “Jubilee Vision 70” initiative, a joint effort between the Bhutan-India Friendship Association and the Central Regional Referral Hospital in Gelephu.
“We don’t have a hospital here, so whenever we get sick, we have to travel all the way to Bongaigaon, which is quite far. For many people with limited money, it’s difficult, and they often ignore their illnesses. We’re really thankful that such a programme has been made possible for us,” said Mon Maya Niwar, a resident of Hatisar.
Another resident, Ram Bdr Niwar said, “This programme is very helpful for us because we don’t have doctors or a good pharmacy here. For any health problem, we’ve always depended on Gelephu Hospital. We’re grateful that the team came here to help us.”
Besides the eye screening, the camp also provided other essential health services to honour His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on his 70th birthday.
Ganga Ram, a member of the Bhutan-India Friendship Association said, “The programme is organised to provide eye and general health services. It’s our tribute to His Majesty the Fourth King on his birthday, and also to strengthen the friendship between Bhutan and India.”
The camp offered free health services to all who came, and those requiring surgery will soon be treated at the Central Regional Referral Hospital in Gelephu. As a gesture of goodwill, visitors also received gift hampers marking the Great Fourth’s 70th birthday.
The “Jubilee Vision 70” initiative not only helped restore sight and brought essential healthcare to those in need, but also reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two nations that continues to flourish under His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s guidance and His Majesty The King’s visionary leadership.
Passang Dorji, Gelephu
