Fifty-four-year old Tshechula knew something good could happen on the National Day yesterday.  Like most Bhutanese, he did believe in dreams and he had dreamt of climbing uphill carrying something.

However, he never thought the load would be the huge Mitsubishi tractor worth more than Nu 640,000. The father of four had won the first prize in a lucky draw.

The moment was even more precious for him because he had spent the last decade guarding the Agriculture Machinery Centre in Paro, which houses such machineries.

As a security guard, he has only watched over the machines and observed others operating it.

Tshechula, a former solider doesn’t know how to ride it but he said, he and his only son who turned 14 recently are going to learn to drive the tractor.

“This is a priceless gift from the King so we’re not going to sell it,” he said.

Winning the tractor has also made the family to decide to return to his village in Kheng, Mongar. His family owns two and a half langdo land in the village.

“There is only about two years for my retirement and we wish to take it home and work on our farm,” he said.

Tshechula is keen to go home but won’t miss the national day celebrations. “Of course, we’ll attend the next national day celebrations, like we do every year,” the father of four said.

His Majesty The King, through a lucky draw, granted two tractors, including a Kubota make from Japan, a Yenmar power tiller, two rice mills with accessories, a mobile phone and a jersey cow to the winners.

Tshering Palden