A losar celebration at Lingkana
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| His Majesty with students and teachers of NID |
16 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King celebrated Losar yesterday with 48 students and 14 teachers from the national institute for the disabled, Khaling, at the Lingkana palace. As a Losar soelra, His Majesty also sent the students and teachers on a fully sponsored weeklong study tour to Thailand.
His Majesty had promised the students a trip during the royal tour to the earthquake affected eastern dzongkhags.
Students said that, while they were not able to see the King, they were fortunate to receive an audience. “We’ll never see our king, but we’ve felt him through his kind words,” said a 21-year old visually impaired student, Jigme Namgyel.
“His Majesty told us that, despite our disability, we’d be able to compete with the rest of the students in any field if we studied hard,” he said after the audience, where they also performed a few songs for the King.
A class eight student, Jigme Namgyel, was a monk in Tamzhing dratshang, Bumthang, when he lost his sight at the age of 18. He then joined NID to continue his education. He is also a good singer and composed about 25 Bhutanese songs. “I’d like to join BBSC as a news reader after my education,” he said.
“We’re happy to learn that there are enough job opportunities for us as well,” said Kinzang Deki, 19, a class ten student. “His Majesty advised us to study hard so that we can serve the country and look after our parents,” she said.
The trip to Thailand and travelling by air has excited the students. “I can’t believe I’m flying. His Majesty has given us a lifetime opportunity,” said Yonten Jamtsho, 18, from remote Shingkhar Lauri. “We’ve only heard the aircraft’s noise and we’re proud to be given an opportunity to board the flight and learn about other countries as well,” said Kinzang Deki’s brother, Tshering Tenzin, 18.
NID principal Tshongpon Wangdi said that the trip would give them exposure, right from the flight to experiencing a different culture. The group will go to beaches in Pataya, school for the blind and rehabilitation centres in Thailand.
Of the 48 students, 12 are completely impaired, while the rest are partially impaired and some are with low vision.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the National Assembly, cabinet ministers, chief of the armed force, chairman of the National Council and the opposition leader offered Tashi Khadhar to His Majesty the King on the occasion of Losar (Bhutanese new year).
His Majesty also granted an audience to 265 non-commissioned officers (drimpoen-gom and dekha drimpoen) of the armed forces. His Majesty said, “Some of you have been serving the armed forces for over three decades. I want to thank you for your service to the nation and through you, I would like to convey my personal happiness at the manner in which our armed forces have served the people following the recent natural disasters.”