Royal couple in Southern Bhutan visit

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk and Queen Jetsum Pema are currently in the tour of the southern districts.

On March 15, the royal couple met with the children of armed force personnel at Jigmeling Police Training Institute, during the 47th Batch Gagsar’s Attestation Parade. Wives of instructors at the Institute offered tshogchang to the couple.

The following day, the couple travelled to Gaylegphug (Gelephu) Lower Secondary School and met with students of the school. The couple on the same day also visited Bhutan Hydroelectric Services Limited in Jigmeling is manned by technicians who have graduated from the various vocational training institutes in the country.

On March 19, they travelled to Chukka and met with staff and students of Phuentsholing Lower Secondary School.

On March 20, the royal couple granted an Audience to the participants of the 4th Senior Executive Leadership Programme at the Royal Institute of Governance and Strategic Studies. The prestigious programme endeavours to nurture good governance and informed leadership in the country.

The following day, they visited Shivalaya Mandir in Samchi (Samtse), constructed upon King’scommand following the royal wedding. The mandir, is constructed from exquisitely hand carved sandstone, and will house marble statues crafted by specially trained artisans from Rajasthan.

On Saturday, March 21, the royal couple met with the teachers and students of Samchi (Samtse) Lower Secondary School and held interaction with them. On the same day, they visited the Samchi (Samtse) College of Education, and met with the teacher trainees as well as lecturers at the institute and addressed the gathering where he highlighted the crucial role teachers would play in shaping lives of students.