Thinley Namgay 

The Chhoedey Lhentshog under the home ministry recognised five registered religious organisations on June 18 for their contribution towards promoting social cohesion and harmony.

Pema Lingpa Foundation, Sangay Minjurling Choetshog, Druk Nyo Foundation, Longchen Tiney, and Tshoki Dorji Foundation are the five awardees.

The organisations were awarded Nu 20,000 and a certificate each for contributing to social welfare besides usual religious obligation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Programme Officer at the Commission for Religious Organisations, Sangay Dendup, said the recognition is to encourage religious organisations to work for social benefits and benefit the citizens, especially the disadvantaged ones.

Pema Lingpa Foundation in Bumthang was recognised for engaging in cleaning campaigns, planting fruit trees, managing water sources, and for starting a green house for agriculture activities.

Foundation also encouraged pedagogy training and helped the needy and provided employment for 12 people.

Chukha’s Sangay Minjurling Choetshog fed 45 people and also cared for their medical expenses for further referral. Sangay Minjurling Choetshog helped 33 young boys to learn English and religious practices.

Moreover, the Choetshog assisted desuups by lending their Bolero pick-up truck for free and also donated essential commodities for 55 people.

Druk Nyo Foundation in Bumthang helped 13 villagers in the vicinity with Nu 0. 956 million (M) to build farmhouses, and Nu 1.27M to purchase water pipes and farm equipment. The foundation also helped nuns to procure sanitary pads and provided relevant health training, among others.

Longchen Tiney engaged 30 youth during the vacations in religious activities and Buddhist grammar.  Representative Ngedup Dorji said that these five institutions are not only the ones contributing to society. “I want to contribute the cash amount for the Nyingma Kutshab Office.”

Tshoki Dorji Foundation in Bumthang contributed Nu 1M to the government to fight the pandemic and provided Maha Guru Sungma to the frontline workers in 2019. The foundation also provided traditional medicine services and also helped Kidney patients.

Home Minister Ugyen Dorji attended the award ceremony, coinciding with the sixth annual meeting with the religious organisations.

Lyonpo Ugyen Dorji said that he felt good that religious institutions are adopting modern practices to benefit communities and it is setting a good example.  “It doesn’t mean that other religious entity is not contributing to the society. It is a matter of registration and report.”

There are 139 registered religious organsations in the country.