UNFPA goodwill ambassador, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck speaks to the five Sherubtse students after their 21-day “Centenary Walk� ended in Thimphu on Sunday.
There are hundreds of ways to celebrate the 100 Years of Monarchy in Bhutan and five students of Sherubtse College in Kanglung chose to walk. The students walked their “Centenary Walk” for 21 days from Kanglung to Thimphu following the ancient route.
“We chose to follow the footsteps of our forefathers in paying tribute to our Monarchs,” said Sangay Tenzin, 25. “This was an enriching experience.”
The five students paused on the way to spread health messages on HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and other social issues and even democracy. “We wanted to help the government’s endeavour to curb the increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases,” said Pem Gyeltshen.
Traversing through mountains, valleys, ridges, and forests, the students said that there was nothing like walking the ancient route to understand the people, their culture and traditions. “We could see, first hand, the hardships of our village people,” said another student. “There are places where people live without basic necessities when we’re complaining about almost everything,” he said.
On Sunday, well wishers, friends, officials from the health ministry, Royal University of Bhutan, and students and lecturers received the group at Semtokha and joined them in the walk to Thimphu. Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck flagged off the walk from Semtokha.
At the Royal Banquet Hall, where the walk ended, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck awarded tashi khadar and presented certificates and statues of Lord Buddha to the students.
Their Royal Highnesses Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, senior government officials and members of the international community were also present at the function.
In December of 2007, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck awarded Nu 100,000 to support the Walk.
Health secretary Dasho Dr Gado Tshering commended the initiative of the students and thanked them on behalf of the health ministry for spreading awareness on health issues like HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse.
Source: Kuenselonline
