Profile: As a young girl growing up in one of the remote schools in the country, Karma Choki dreamt of being a forensic scientist. Later, she became interested in medicine and now aspires to be an ophthalmologist.

A class X student of Samtengang Centre School in Wangdue, the 16 year old who was recently awarded the Golden Youth title, said her inspiration was her senior, Kuenzang Dema who was a runner-up in the seventh Golden Youth Award camp last year. She first heard about the camp from Kuenzang Dema and then learnt about the camp online.

“I always dreamt of being a part of the Golden youth Award camp and I was mentally preparing for it from last year,” she said. She was among the four selected students from Wangdue for the camp.

As a Golden Youth, she will now pursue her higher secondary education abroad on a scholarship. She said she worked hard in the camp, as all 80 participants from across the country were equally competent.

Even though her friends and teachers were confident that she would win the award, Karma admits that she was not so sure about it herself. “When my name was announced, I was shocked,” she said.

Her first night in a hostel at the Nazhoen Pelri Youth Development Centre in Thimphu was a little awkward with new faces all around her. “But everyone seemed cheerful and my awkwardness didn’t last long,” she said.

The weeklong camp in the capital gave her a life-long learning experience. For her, the camp was a mix of fun and challenges. She said that at the beginning it was a nerve wrecking experience as they were reminded of the competition.

Some of her few favorite memories from the camp was the visit of His Majesty the King and the opportunity to meet other public figures. “The week-long camp has charged me with positive energy and I am motivated to be a dynamic and a great leader in future,” said Kama Choki.

Karma Choki who is from Gumang, Pemagatshel, likes to read non-fiction novels. Her favorite subjects are English and Science. The works and human settlement minister Dorji Choden and ophthalmologist Dr Dechen Wangmo at the referral hospital in Thimphu are her inspirations. “I cannot say how the scholarship will change my life but I will work hard and be a productive citizen,” the golden youth said.

Dechen Tshomo