Thinley Namgyel 

Sixty-eight students from Motithang Higher Secondary School and Jigme Losel Primary School participated in the first South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) children’s day at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) in Thimphu yesterday.

Due to the Covid-19 protocol, the participants were limited.

This year’s children’s day theme is “culture”. To celebrate the day, students performed cultural items and mask dances. Children were introduced to traditional games such as archery, khuru, sogsum, and shotput.

Organised by the RAPA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and the SARRC office collaborated for the programme. Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs Ugyen Dorji was the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Lyonpo said that children’s day is essential as they are future leaders. Lyonpo also said that to sustain all the four pillars of the Gross National Happiness, the preservation and promotion of culture is paramount.