We were
given a day off on 20th March 2013 to observe International Day of
Happiness. As our proposal which we submitted last year could not get through,
we did not have any idea to celebrate a Day of Happiness in our school.
Fortunately, we were invited by Dzongkhag Administration, Trashiyangtse to join
them in the walk to join international communities in celebrating the First
Historic Day of Happiness.
The walk we had here had multi purposes. Dasho
Dzongda, in his culminating speech at Chorten Kora said that through walk we
had not only joined international communities but also opened the eco-tourist foot
trails for visitors (tourists) from outside as well as for the families of
Trashiyangtse. Any Bhutanese or non-Bhutanese, be it the residents of
Trashiyangtse or from outside, can come with their lovely families and enjoy
their walk through that trails. The trails, on the day we walked, were serene
with fresh air endowed with the bountiful beauty of assorted colours. The two
eco-tourist foot trials were identified by Dzongkhag Forest Office last year.
Divided into
two groups, walk through trails was started at 9.30 am. One group was led by
Dasho Dzongda while the other was led by Dasho Dzongrab. Dasho Dzongda’s group
started their walk from Tshar Zam point whereas Dasho Dzongrb’s group started
from Baylling point. Both the groups were joined by Dzongkhag Officials,
teachers and students, business community and village representatives. During
the walk, age and gender cast no hindrance.
It was absolutely irresolute. The duration of walk was about six hours.
However, it wasn’t tiring. While setting off our journey, many dreaded that
some may have to use walking stick and walk with three limbs like old people
and some may have to crawl exactly like small baby. But, in the midst of exaltation
and jubilation, let alone facing difficulties, we did not even know how the
walk came to an end. We sang in groups; each group trying to dominate over the
other by singing with full throated ease. We chatted with whom we never did, we
made ourselves known to strangers, and little known persons became great
acquaintances. Hikers had a talk on wide range of topics; serene atmosphere,
ideal place for family recreation, natural footpaths, range of flora, and so
on. ‘We will come back again next time’ was an aspiration expressed by many
hikers as they had very less time to enjoy scenic beauty because they felt
compelled to move along with other groups.
A group led
by Dasho Dzongrab had a brief break at Donag
Chholing Goempa. Everybody was amazed to see a lhakhang of
historical importance lying majestically on the pinnacle of a small hill. Had
it not been for that occasion, many of us would not have been aware of the
existence of that place. On reaching the courtyard of lhakhang, we relieved
ourselves of our back pack and had gone inside lhakhang to
prostrate and to make our wish in presence of its relics. Besides many, there were
two magnificent principal relics-a statue of Shaka Muni (Lord Buddha) and
a small thumb-size statue of Tertoen Lethro Lingpa. Legend has it that when
once the lhakhang caught fire, statue of Tertoen Lethro Lingpa was seen seated
on top of a cypress tree which lies next to the lhakhang.
At around
12.30 pm, we had our lunch together in a big circle. We felt that we were a big
happy family. We danced to the tune of our satisfaction and headed our journey
backward. Since we had to descend downhill, we were kidding among ourselves
that we would know who had strong patella. Fortunately, no one complained of any
unease. Just like climbing uphill, everybody got down singing, chatting and
sharing experiences. The day was really memorable. 20th March 2013 has lighted the candle of peace and
happiness all over Yangtse and across all sections of people. I pray that this
light never vanishes from this earth.
Long Live
His Majesty Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk who propounded the idea of
Gross National Happiness in Bhutan and whose idea has now radiated the light of
peace and happiness to the whole world. We have joined international
communities in celebrating International Day of Happiness in
grandeur. May peace and happiness prevail!