For many students and teachers, this winter break was less about rest and more about responsibility, as they volunteered their time and labour at the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. Nearly three thousand educators, students and trainees from schools, colleges and institutes across the country took part in the fourth-round volunteer service.
More than 1,200 volunteers came from the education ministry. Over 1,600 represented the Royal University of Bhutan.
Volunteers also included students, teachers and lecturers, trainees from private institutes, Bhutanese students studying overseas, and participants from institutions such as JSW Law and the Royal Institute of Management.
Many said they could not participate during the summer due to academic commitments. The winter break gave them the opportunity to serve the Gelephu Mindfulness City project as responsible citizens.
Karma Sherab, a student of Royal Thimphu College said, “This project reflects His Majesty The King’s vision. Being able to contribute our service here gives us a sense of pride, and that is why I am happy to take part.”
“I may not be able to contribute on a large scale like others, but I wanted to do my part by offering my labour in whatever small way I can,” said Sonam Choden, another student of the Royal Thimphu College.
Kinley Tshering, the lecturer of the Royal Thimphu College said, “We wanted to volunteer during the summer, but teaching duties make it difficult. Winter is more convenient. The Gelephu Mindfulness City is like a vast ocean that His Majesty The King is creating. It will bring future opportunities and help make Bhutan self-reliant. Even a small contribution is like adding a drop to that ocean.”
Over the past four days, volunteers worked across seven major sites. They developed 36 kilometres of Mindfulness Trail and Lotus-Born Trail. They cleared bushes across 848 acres of land. They also developed 38 acres of lawns for the Botanical Park and completed site development on two acres of lagoon areas along the Mao River.
The fourth round of volunteer service for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project concluded yesterday. It marked another major milestone in collective citizen participation towards realising His Majesty The King’s vision for a self-sufficient and mindful Bhutan.
Karma Wangdi & Passang Dorji, Gelephu
