SARBHANG

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    

Feb 23, 2009: The people of Sarpang celebrated the 29th birthday of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck with the minister for information and communications Lyonpo Nandalal Rai in Gelephu.

They expressed happiness over the presence of the minister, who hails from the same dzongkhag, as the chief guest at the celebration. Branding him as the son of Sarpang a retired civil servant from Sarpang, Somraj, said the minister made him proud. “I came to the celebration because I heard that our minister was the chief guest,” he said to Bhutan Today.

“I am to have very happy to mark this day in the history of Sarpang,” said a farmer from Surey, who came to witness the occasion. “He is our minister.”

The minister said that he was honored to celebrate the joyous occasion after democracy was formally introduced in the country. Speaking at the occasion, he urged the people to renew their commitment to fulfill aspirations of democracy. 

“This day is important to renew our resolution to work extra hard to make democracy successful. We say our country is different. We have to work from now to make a difference and we should start from today,” he said. 

Various schools and local communities of the dzongkhag presented cultural programmes followed by the march past to mark event. 

Reflecting the cultural diversity in the country and dzongkhag, folk dances from different local communities including the Lhotsham dances were performed.

Mask dances were the prominent feature of the celebration as usual. 

The Dungkhag officials including the Dungpa, Dasho Tinzen Thinley, the monk body, various sector heads and the people of Gelephu received the chief guest in a Chipdrel ceremony. Local leaders including the Gup, Mangmis and public were present. 

Senior officials from the ministry of information and communications accompanied the minister.

Source: Bhutan Today daily