With the inauguration of a mani dungkhor, basketball court and the centenary farmers’ markets

Facilities: The inauguration of a mani dungkhor (prayel wheels), basketball court and a farmers’ vegetable market were some of the activities in Wangduephodrang that were dedicated to the 60th birth anniversary celebrations of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on November 9.

Besides, the dzongkhag also conducted the first ever pet dog show and the opening of an outdoor gym and a children’s recreational centre in Bajo town.

The 31 feet yeeja mani dungkhor, according to former Bajo thromde thuemi, Tsagay was constructed as recommended by the former Yangbay Lopen Chimmi.

Tsagay, who was also the coordinator of the dungkhor construction, said that that the prayer wheel is the biggest ever to be constructed in the country so far. Construction of the dungkhor began since September 11 last year. The outer structures were completed in August this year but the zhung (relics) and golden paintings were completed only on November 8.

This, according to Tsagay was because some significant parts of the structure were painted solely with gold. About 15 businessmen from Bajo funded the Nu 3.98M (million) construction of the dungkhor. There were also contributions from Punatsangchu project (PHPA) staff, other businessmen, dzongkhag and hospital staff, among others.

Tsagay said that the former Yangbay Lopen Chimmi has funded the construction of the main dungkhor and zhung that cost about Nu 6.595M. The former Yangbay Lopen also gave tse-wang (blessings for longevity) to thousands of devotees from across Wangdue who gathered at the dungkhor consecration.

Wangdue’s district agriculture officer, Sonam Zangpo said the farmer’s vegetable market was constructed with the initial funding of Nu 200,000. As the dzongkhag did not have enough funding, PHPA’s contractor LNT funded the roofing of the platforms of the vegetable market, he said.

Sonam Zangpo said that the pet dog show was unique and the first of its kind. The show was organised by dzongkhag administration and regional livestock development centre showcasing more than 70 pet dogs.

An exhibition on renewable natural resources (RNR) products and its ongoing technologies is also being organised in Bajo town. The RNR research development centre, regional seed centre, regional livestock development centre, regional agriculture machinery centre and territorial forest range and dzongkhag RNR sectors and private floriculture business people participated in the exhibition.

Meanwhile in Punakha, the agriculture minister Yeshey Dorji inaugurated a vegetable market, the children’s recreational park and an outdoor gym in Khuruthang on November 7.  The Drukpa Kuenlay Throngdel was also displayed for public blessing at Chimmi Lhakhang on November 9.

In Gasa an extempore speech competition on the Fourth King was held on November 10. The dzongkhag also inaugurated a Jabgchuk Chorten at Tsachu dedicated to the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King.

Dawa Gyelmo, Wangdue