International Day of Happiness

We were given a day off on 20^th 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. 20^th 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!