Jigmi Wangdi

Her Majesty the Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck inaugurated the 17th annual Tarayana Foundation Fair yesterday. In attendance were dignitaries from the Bhutanese government as well as foreign guests, lending an air of prestige to this auspicious occasion. 

Since its establishment in 2003, the Foundation has emerged as a vanguard for fostering holistic social and economic well-being in Bhutan. Throughout the past two decades, the Foundation has displayed unwavering dedication in uplifting rural communities, facilitating educational opportunities, empowering women, preserving cultural heritage, and bolstering rural livelihoods.

This landmark event commemorates the Foundation’s two decades of unwavering service and its transformative impact, reflecting the remarkable achievements catalyzed by the Foundation’s tireless initiatives. 

Notably, through the Foundation’s support, children who were once bereft of educational opportunities have been afforded the chance to study in schools within the country and even beyond her borders. The Foundation has been instrumental in empowering poverty-stricken communities to embrace self-reliance and sustainability, while also providing vulnerable individuals with the tools and resources necessary to assume positions of leadership and empowerment.

The fair stands as a testament to the resounding success of the Foundation’s endeavours, enabling those who have benefited from its unwavering support to exhibit the fruits of their collective efforts.

Attendees will have the opportunity to witness a captivating display of a wide array of crafts, products, knowledge, and skills, all of which vividly exemplify the Foundation’s profound impact in rural Bhutan. 

This year’s fair is of particular significance as it marks the first gathering of its kind since the outbreak of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

With a grand total of 64 representatives hailing from different corners of the nation, the fair boasts a diverse range of locally-produced goods that poignantly underscore the indelible importance of the Foundation’s work in rural Bhutan. 

It is an exuberant celebration of triumphant tales, emblematic of countless lives that have been uplifted and transformed by the unwavering commitment of the Foundation.

As the fair unfolds against the backdrop of resurgent hope and resilience, it serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that dedicated philanthropy can have on marginalised communities.