Events: Coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Buddha’s Parinirvana (Duechhen Nga-dzom), His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, inaugurated the newly built buildings of the Kunzangling Central School in Tongmijangsa Gewog, Trashi Yangtse on May 21.

HRH the Gyaltshab was received with a Chipdrel procession by officials of Trashi Yangtse, Tongmijangsa gewog administration, teachers and students of Kunzangling Central School and the public. The programme included Trashi Rabney and Trashi Nga-soel of the new school structures, offering of Tashi Dzegay to HRH the Gyaltshab followed by Zhabten to His Majesty The King, unveiling of the inaugural plaque and a cultural programme.

HRH the Gyaltshab interacted with the local people and granted Tokha to more than 1,500 people who had come to attend the inaugural ceremony. The local people offered Tshogchhang. Education minister Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk and Members of Parliament from Trashi Yangtse also attended the function.

Kunzangling Central School was established in February 2016 and it has 418 students from classes VII to IX studying in two campuses. The second campus is located at the erstwhile Tongmijangsa Lower Secondary School. The new school was constructed at a total cost of Nu 145.79 million and it was funded by the Government of India.

Later in the afternoon, HRH the Gyaltshab offered Chhoemey Tongchhoed (a thousand butter lamps) and prayers at Gomphukora for the wellbeing His Majesty The King and the country.

The following day, HRH the Gyaltshab inaugurated the new Neykhang of local deity Garab Wangchuk at Trashigang Dzong. HRH the Gyaltshab also offered Soelkha and Nyendhar at the Neykhang and Lhakhang in Trashigang Dzong for the wellbeing of His Majesty The King, the country and all sentient beings.

The new Garab Wangchuk Neykhang was built as a Royal Kurim on the glorious occasion of the 36th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King in 2016 and 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in 2015 at a total cost of over Nu 2.30 million with the financial support of the government and contributions from devotees including civil servants,  the business community and local people.

HRH the Gyaltshab also inspected the ongoing reconstruction works of Trashigang Dzong. The dzong’s renovation work started in February 2014 and is targeted to be completed by June 2018. The project is being implemented at an estimated total cost of Nu 180 million with support from the Government of India.

HRH the Gyaltshab granted an audience to 18 students studying in Sherubtse College and other schools in Trashigang, who were identified for His Majesty’s Kidu. The students will be enrolled as Gyalpoi Tozeys and receive kidu from His Majesty The King to enable them to continue their studies.

HRH the Gyaltshab told the students to work hard and excel in studies so that they could not only become independent and support their families but also serve the nation better in the future, thereby fulfilling His Majesty’s aspirations for the country.

His Royal Highness also granted Tokha and other Soelra from His Majesty to the students.

Staff reporter