The Launch of Bhutan's Gyalsung National Service
Gyalsung – Bhutan’s National Service, was officially launched on September 5, 2024, across four Gyalsung Academies: Khotokha in Wangduephodrang, Pemathang in Samdrup Jongkhar, Gyalpozhing in Mongar, and Jamtsholing in Samtse.
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck presided over the launch ceremony at Jamtsholing Academy in Samtse and addressed the Gyalsups (trainees) at the various academies from there.
Launch of History Gyalsung (National Service) in Bhutan
In his address, His Majesty expressed deep gratitude to the armed forces, praising their unwavering devotion, courage, and dedication, which will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the National Service initiative. He extended heartfelt thanks to the Gyalsung core team, the ministries, departments, civil servants, and the people of Bhutan, particularly the parents of the Gyalsups, for their vital support and commitment.
His Majesty emphasized that the National Service is deeply rooted in Bhutanese values, stating, "It is grounded in our courage, our resilience, our humility, and our righteousness. It is based on our discipline, culture, and values." He underscored that the program has been meticulously designed to reflect both who Bhutan is as a nation and the aspirations for the future, stating, "We are not going to leave anything to chance—everything is going to be by design. It is providence."
Highlighting the historical significance of the moment, His Majesty described it as a pivotal time for Bhutan, where the decisions and actions of today will shape the nation's destiny as a strong, independent, and sovereign country for generations to come. “What we do here today will live on, in the time of our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, and long after we are dead and forgotten,” he said.
Bhutan's Aspirations
His Majesty also articulated Bhutan's ambitious vision of becoming a highly relevant nation within a region populated by two billion people. He spoke of the comprehensive transformation underway to secure Bhutan's future, acknowledging the challenges posed by the country's small population. “We will have to compensate for our numbers with talent, coordination, discipline, intellect, and a deep understanding of the world we live in. We must take full advantage of our sovereign prerogatives, guided by our sensibilities and ambition,” he said.
His Majesty described it as a great privilege and honor to be part of the effort to build a stronger and more prosperous Bhutan, stating, “We all love our country deeply. We are proud of who we are, but I believe we can become even better. The world has not yet seen the full potential of Bhutan and its people. I intend to unleash that potential.” He assured the Gyalsups that he would visit them frequently and expressed confidence that they would experience tremendous personal growth and transformation throughout the program.
Over 2,000 Gyalsups are part of this historic inaugural batch, whose three-month training period began with the launch. The trainees will undergo Basic Military Training (BMT) along with lessons in national education, Driglam Namzha (Bhutanese etiquette), Choeshey Larim (Buddhist teachings), leadership development, life skills, and various other activities to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
In addition to these remarks, His Majesty conveyed Bhutan’s gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their unwavering support, encouragement, and contributions to Bhutan's development.
