The first Royal Highland Festival was conducted in Laya,
Bhutan which is 53 km away from Gasa Dzongkhag. The festival was organized by
Gasa Dzongkhag with co-organizer Department of Livestock under the initative of
His Majesty the King Fifth Druk Gyalpo. The main purpose of the festival was to
encourage the highlanders and to make them uphold their culture and
traditions. People across from 10
dzongkhag that falls under highland area came together to celebrate the 3 days
program at Laya, Gasa. During the festival, open marathon was also organized
for male and female, which starts from Gasa Tshachu and ends at Festival ground
to be completed in two days, as a part of festival program to encourage all the
people to live fit and healthy life style.
It was great opportunity for the peoples gathered there
to have audience with His Majesty the Fifth King in the happiness of
celebrating the birth of our future king and it was 400 years before when
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Bhutan through Laya in the year 1616. Peoples
of Laya have different culture and traditions as compared to other dzongkhag
peoples. When we see their dress and the cap won by female, it makes us realize
how the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal would have come from Tibet. Good thing and to
be proud is that, the people there have still maintained and preserved the
culture and tradition originated from Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
All the peoples across the Bhutan are equally
important and everyone should be happy, which means people’s happiness matters
a lot than being financially sound. Keeping in mind one of the pillar of GNH,
highlanders have equal right to get good facilities from government and support
from other dzongkhag peoples as they are living in difficult place. The basic
facilities are available such as healthcare, education and other facilities
which are necessary but not much like people of other dzongkhag enjoys best out
of best. Thus, the first Royal Highland Festival, this year have given
confidence and trust to the highlanders that they are important and can make
bring change to nation as a whole. The program will be conducted every year
hereafter.
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