A year ago, Pelsung was established with a vision of giving Bhutanese youth a greater role in shaping the future of Gelephu Mindfulness City and the country. Since then, nearly a thousand young people have gone through its programmes, gaining opportunities to develop skills, test ideas and build connections. As Pelsung marks its first anniversary, some of its young members are already turning those opportunities into projects.
For Yoga Prasad Chapagai, the past year has been a journey from learning and exploring ideas to putting one of them into practice.
A member of Pelsung’s first cohort, he now works on KACHEN, a zero-waste initiative developing an integrated waste management system for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
His work earned him the Pelsup Entrepreneur of the Year award as Pelsung marked its first anniversary today.
He said, “For me, I could take out the skills that I gained over the years and dive into entrepreneurship. I wanted to create a backbone for the future GMC, and one of the founding pillars would be a proper integrated waste management system. That is exactly where we have been working.”
Pelsung launched its annual report at the anniversary programme, showing how its work has developed over the past year.
Pelsung has worked with government agencies, private-sector organisations, development partners and mentors to help young people build skills, develop ideas and explore new opportunities.
For some Pelsups, the experience has also helped them better understand how they can contribute to the country.
Jigme, founder of Zhabdrung.com and Timeless Realm, said Pelsung is not just a programme. “It is where we learn discipline and where we can do our best with our capabilities for our country.”
While nearly a thousand Pelsups have gone through the programme, 155 are currently actively engaged in work linked to Gelephu Mindfulness City, GMC-linked startups, innovation labs, post-immersion programmes and the Pelsung Secretariat.
The annual report also highlights five specialised mini-cohorts formed to develop skills for specific institutional and sectoral needs. They are working on projects including conceptual designs for GMC’s Central Park and the One Thimphu Project.
Pelsung says partnerships have played an important role in creating these opportunities.
Executive Director of Pelsung Phub Dorji said, “For Pelsung, the question of what makes the difference, and the answer is always our partners. Whether it is our partnership with government agencies, international agencies, foreign partners or local businesses, whatever we have accomplished has been made possible through our partnerships.”
As Pelsung enters its second year, the focus will be on turning the skills, ideas and connections developed through the programme into more projects, businesses and opportunities for young Bhutanese.
Pelden Wangchuk
