LIGHT OF EDUCATION IS LIGHT OF GOD

My dear Brothers and Sisters of India and Bhutan,

As 2nd May, Teachers’ Day of Bhutan, is at the door, the heavenly memories of the historic Teachers’ Day celebration last year (2018) in Thimphu and the royal honour and recognition of the forty- three retired Indian teachers by the Royal Government of Bhutan are flaring up in me. My eyes well up with tears as I recollect the grandeur and splendour, the beauty and gaiety of the sea of children in the rainbow-coloured Changlimithang ground. By the vibration of thousands of Little Buddhas’ (students’) melodious chanting “Happy Teachers’ Day”, the earth and the sky were filled, and we felt jubilant and electrified. Heaven was brought down to the Royal ground in a superb form. Every aspect of the august occasion had, I felt, the touch of God’s hand. So meticulously, so painstakingly and so majestically everything was beautified and organized! In fact, it was a Maha Yajna, in honour and praise of the Indian torchbearers in the field of education of Bhutan. No word is enough to describe the greatness of the occasion and no word will ever be enough to thank the Royal Government of Bhutan for the depth of love and laurels they showered upon us through different ceremonies during the historic week of the historic Teachers' Day and Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Indo-Bhutan friendship.

My bliss and ecstasy of the glorious occasion surpassed all the past ecstasies. If I had not been blessed to be a part of the royal occasion, I would not know that human beings could be treated with such honour and dignity. In tune with the views of dozens of foreigners and my Indian brothers and sisters with whom I had interaction I must say: “Bhutanese hospitality is the sweetest and heartiest in the world.” I found a profound sense of gratitude and humanity in the love-laden words of His Majesty the King, His Excellency the Prime Minister, Ministers and other officials. My inner voice whispered: “The unparalleled degree of gratitude and humanity of the Bhutanese is the main pillar why the nation has risen to be one of the happiest on the earth.” According to Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, it is the mother of all.”

The sacred occasion was also an opportunity for me to be together with our entire Indian family through those forty- three teachers. The entire Indian nation shone before me through them. I still marvel at that some of our Indian teachers had travelled on foot for days and weeks embracing all kinds of hardships in those days in order to kindle the light of education in some remote corners of Bhutan. May Lord bless them with a rewarding retired life.

To reciprocate the great gesture of honour and goodwill to us and our Indian nation at large, I pray whole-heartedly that the last Shangri-la (heaven on the earth) remain an abode of peace forever and her people continue to thrive in health, happiness and prosperity, and enjoy great happiness under the guidance of His Majesty the King. According to the Holy Scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, as I understand, the King is the embodiment of the Supreme Lord Himself. MAY OUR BELOVED KING LIVE LONG AND BE ENDOWED WITH THE BEST OF EVERYTHING!

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY TO ALL THE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, FRIENDS AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BHUTAN.PALDEN DRUKPA GYALO! BHARAT MATA-KI JAI!

Yours lovingly,

Santosh Chowdhury (known as Apchi sir in Bhutan)

Ex-teacher, Royal Government of Bhutan