The future of this nation  lies beyond the horizon.  But it is also true that what we cannot see, we cannot imagine or comprehend.  The story of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is the story of creativity. It is the product of a change in our thoughts and our approach.   I am reminded of words of Albert Einstein who once said that the world that we have created in the process of our thinking cannot change without changing our thinking.  His  Majesty has brought about that change in our thinking.  He   has this unique capacity to question the status quo and conceive ideas beyond the pale of conventional wisdom and imagination. The transformation of his ideas will provide the people  of Bhutan  an exceptional opportunity to leap into  a grand  future. Nothing can be more powerful than an idea whose time has come.

And the time for Bhutan has come and it has come with a determination and force which only His Majesty can muster. The challenge is to transform the Special Administrative Region of GMC into a hub of economic activity without losing continuity with the unique culture and traditions of the land.  I feel that  in due course of time,  the entire region will be transformed into a shining enclave of prosperity and well-being and  other neighbouring  countries will also benefit from these changes.  The minute details involved in the process are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that has to be put together in a structured approach to create the final picture.   We have to have clearly defined goals that are realistic and a clearly defined road map that makes those goals achievable.  They are achievable only through perseverance and dedication.  It will require a mindset that is willing to embrace the challenges,  learn from the failures and still persist despite those failures. The persistent efforts of His Majesty   and the diligence with which he has taken upon himself this gargantuan task is the  best guarantee for its success.  Turning dreams into reality is an arduous task that can never happen overnight.

So, what exactly is the mindfulness city?   That is the question which is on the minds of almost every one. 

In the article,  Creation of a Mindfulness City, the author describes the mindfulness city as an urban environment designed with the principles of mindfulness at its core. The concept integrates elements of urban planning, architecture, and community development to foster a space that promotes well-being, mental health, and sustainable living.  It describes the key elements of the mindfulness city as an urban entity with all the necessary infrastructures that promote harmony between man and nature. The greenery will be all around the residential areas. The housing sector will be based on the use of eco-friendly materials, incorporating designs that provide maximum light and ventilation.  His Majesty has assigned the difficult task of designing the GMC to  Bjarke Ingels, a world-renowned team of architects and you can now look forward to seeing the magic of their creations.  That is when you will see a city spring to life, free from the moorings of the dreams and take  on a tangible form.

Social and community wellness is another important aspect of the mindfulness city. It would create mindfulness centers with health and wellness facilities.  Its focus on the sustainability will be  backed by renewable energy,  resource management and pollution control. It will create proper educational institutions which would promote   the development of highly specialized skills  required by a progressive society. The liberal use of technology and innovations will make life easier, traffic flow smoother and ensure proper energy distribution through a smart grid which is nowadays the lifeline of the digital world. And when all these elements are packaged with the tenets of Gross National Happiness then you would have created a uniquely peaceful and prosperous city in  a world filled with turmoil.

But is it possible to create such a city in a fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with distractions and demands?

Is it not like finding a needle in a haystack?

That is the challenge that makes the end results so rewarding and so satisfying.  The congenial atmosphere of mindfulness will help its residents to navigate through all the chaos surrounding them. Within its vast spaces, they will find peace and happiness with an equanimity of mind that will make the experience more enjoyable and life more rewarding.  It will help them to cope with the turbulences in life with greater resilience. It will combine the myriad benefits of mental, emotional and physical  comfort and enthuse them  with a supreme sense of happiness and well-being. 

The GMC is a self-governing and self-sustaining entity covering almost about  2500 square kilometres which was created under a Royal Charter. It will have its own separate laws, its own currency, its own banking system along with its own educational and health services. It will have separate executive, legislative and judicial bodies that will ensure that the objectives of the mindfulness city are not compromised. What it will not have are polluting industries, or criminal activities emanating from its soil. It will not have policies of segregation and discrimination based on race, religion or gender.  What it will not tolerate is any activity which will disturb the harmony between man and nature. Nor will it have activities that will be destructive to the ideals and concepts  for which it was created.  It will not allow the problems to obscure the opportunities.  The pursuit of happiness is a universal longing of all human beings and the autonomous region was created to sustain it and not constrain it.

As soon as you step into the Special  Administrative Region  of GMC, you will be smitten by the change in the ambience. You will savour the hospitality which is one of the parameters of our culture. You will see the wildflowers come alive to spread their vibrant colours over the meadows, swaying gently in the breeze filled with their fragrance.  You may see the peacocks dancing away in all their glory to the call of their mates,  their shimmering feathers lighting up the forest,  or hear  the mellifluous  sound of an infinite variety of birds. In the dark recesses of the verdant forest you may also spot a group of wild boars or hog deer grazing in the rich undergrowth.  You may even chance upon the Golden Langur,  which according to the Bhutanese mythology, will bring you good luck. Our famous photographer and ornithologist  Mr. Yeshey Dorji,  has discovered the presence of some of the most exotic birds including rare species of birds like the Steppe Eagle, Great Hornbill and the Great Slaty Woodpecker on these grounds. This is a veritable paradise for bird watchers. There is a good chance that you may also see a herd of wild elephants, no longer feeling threatened by the presence of human beings. Here you will be living in midst of pristine nature.

The success  of the project will largely depend upon an environment where an economically vibrant society can thrive.  It will have to be primarily driven by strong banking and financial services. Eco-tourism and entertainment  industries will provoke ancillary economic activities into  generating employment and revenue for all those involved. Emphasis will also be on developing precision industries with special focus on the IT sector and high value products like semiconductors and chips.  In order to fulfill this vision,  we will need international standard infrastructure.  Airports,  roads, bridges and rail lines will be required to ensure improved connectivity.  Work has already started on the International airport which will be designed by some of the best engineers and architects in the field. If you have been through the disembarking zone  of Paro airport you will feel as if you landed in  a open air garden, the blue sky clearly visibly through the skylight. And as you proceed further , you will come across areas looking like mini museums highlighting the artifacts of Bhutan.  The luggage conveyor belt is in itself a work of art, going around  an a small  man-made hillock with a replica of a dzong perched at the top. The surrounding walls are peppered with photographs reflecting the infinite beauty of nature and the  distinctive culture of this unique country. Hopefully, some of those features will be replicated here in the International Airport of Gelephu. Economic and social services will have to be further developed, backed by world-class hospitals, schools and service centers. It is being designed to provide a more amiable and congenial atmosphere that would inspire  ingenuity and  raise the economic and social activities to a level  never seen before.   Outsiders  who wish to contribute to these aspirations, will be required to pass through a set of rigorous criteria. They will be required to bring sufficient entrepreneurial skill and financial resources to make the  remarkable changes  that  the leadership has envisioned  for  the country.   

From first October to third October, a conglomerates of global elites consisting of  business tycoons, Nobel laureates, celebrities, financial wizards, thinkers and planners will be descending on Paro to highlight the changes that is about to transform the fortunes of this region. Through their strategic intervention, the GMC is destined  to become the nucleus  of financial and economic activities  which will be able integrate with other major economies of the world.  As Titans of the business world they wield tremendous influence through their wealth,  knowledge and  networking capabilities. And, let us not forget about their capacity to absorb the inherent risks.  With their creative obsession and technical know-how, they will be able to fashion  industries based on innovation and latest cutting edge  technologies. Their participation in this  project  is bound to stimulate  growth of the economy and  open up opportunities for the next generation of  Bhutanese.  Their activities  will  create a ripple effect that will uplift the  communities  of this  region, unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth and development. Their presence at Paro will vindicate the fact that  GMC, as envisioned by His Majesty, is such an attractive proposition that it would be difficult to ignore.

The other day, I met a man who had just returned from a tour of GMC. He was amazed to find that His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to conduct the tour, knew every inch of the territory  and what it would ultimately look like. We are  witnessing the transformational saga that is  about to be written here. We are indeed, very fortunate to have these developments spearheaded by an agile and responsive leadership that has made innovation and  resourcefulness the hallmark of this project. The outcome can never be in doubt.  In one of my earlier articles, I wrote about the legacy of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck being taller than the regal peaks of the Himalayas. He is destined to leave behind a legacy which is both glorious and spectacular.  That legacy is now in the making and we will soon see it etched on the face of the GMC.

Contributed by

Afroze Bukht

Phuentsholing