Winter is a season that has so much more significance than all the others seasons of the year. It is a time of reflection because the season ushers in the power of a new beginning.

We have so many winters camps and programmes designed for our young people so that they do not stray far away from where they ought to be while they enjoy their winter vacation. Some are big, some small; some are aimed for long-term achievement, some for short. Camps they are all for the betterment of our young people.

All these speak of the need that our small society is earnestly crying for as we wade through challenging times. Change comes with cost.  For the things we stand to gain, we also must lose some measure of our true soul.

This week is a special week for some exceptionally young and dynamic Bhutanese. Sadly, they did not receive the attention they truly and rightly deserve.

Camp RUF (Rural-Urban Friendship) shines above all other camps and programmes for young people of this country. Camp RUF is a winter civic education programme that brings together and empowers Bhutanese students from rural and urban areas. This is a dream kept alive by a teacher whose dear friend convinced him to work for the benefit of our young people who are increasingly growing alien to our own belief systems.

Even as we breathe, children from urban Bhutan are in Tsirang today, walking into the villages and helping people with their daily activities. There is a picture of children helping households harvest orange and helping elders get on with things they need to accomplish every day.

If this picture of earnest effort to connect the fast distancing society does not touch your heart, nothing will. The nation ought to recognise the will and effort of late Kelzang Chhoden, a teacher who dreamt of more happy and peaceful Bhutan. She gave birth to the idea, but she did not live to see her dream take shape. This ought to be a tribute to the one who dared to dream.

There are also good things to celebrate when our people are increasingly becoming fragmented by narrow domestic walls.

Hail Camp RUF!

Love, care and reason must prevail this day in our narrative of national success. Some small acts do great good. How we appreciate them will define our goodness. How worthy are we of our own greatness?