As the NGOP 2012 Ends.

The National Graduate Orientation Programme 2012 kicked off on 13^th August 2012 with the theme “Inspiring Young Leaders of Happiness”. Due to overwhelmingly large number of graduates this year, unlike the previous NGOPs, this year the NGOP was conducted in two different halls of YDF Hall and Taekwondo Hall so the resource persons and speakers were required to repeat the same speeches in the different halls. The MoLHR has recorded the number of graduates in 2012 at 2,263 as compared to 1,659 in 2011, an increase by 36% from previous year, which is one of the highest increments so far.

source: kuensel.

Since the opening session on 13^th August where His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba of Ministry of Works and Human Settlement gave a keynote address stressing on how important education is and that we achieved certain level of education by completing our first university degrees, His Excellency said that we should make the best use of the weapon, viz.., education, and serve the nation with commitment and enthusiasm. Subsequently, we the graduates got a wonderful privilege to receive words of wisdom precious than gold and remarkable speeches that inspired us to face the challenges ahead from all the Cabinet Minister and the Chief Justice of the Judiciary. We were briefed on various government policies, achievements in the past and the objectives they aspire to fulfil in the future. Other resource persons included ACC Chairman, Chief Election Commissioner of ECB, Commissioner from RCSC, Auditor General Of RAA, heads from DHI and BCCI, and few inspiring Entrepreneurs including the founder of Happy Corporative.

More fortunate we got a wonderful opportunity to interact with our Honourable Prime Minister, Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley, on the fifth day of the orientation programme. His Excellency reminded we graduates regarding how grateful our parents are and we were told that we should always fulfil the aspirations of our gracious parents and help them when they need us the most, i.e. old age. Lyonchen said that the person who can repay back to their parents can be the most helpful person in the society and can serve the nation at best. Lyonchen, unlike during the other sessions, have responded to maximum number of questions and queries from the graduates ranging from matters like rural urban migration, issue of trowa theatre, Bhutan’s wish of joining UN Security Council, Taxation Policies, etc. thus enlightening the blurred thoughts of our graduates.

source: K2

On the evening of Saturday, the 18^th August, a Jam Session was organized where the graduates had an exciting Post University Jam Session, meeting many old and new friends thus creating yet another memory of the NGOP 2012. Besides the graduates made small contributions for Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Re-construction, the sum of which reached some Nu. 1,30,000. The following day, we made a little effort in cleaning the Thimphu city with a campaign theme, “Our Waste, Our Responsibility,” which was appreciated and supported by the Mayor of Thimphu City, Dasho Kinley Dorji as expressed in his keynote speech.

Yet the most exciting moment was on Monday the 20^th August, when we the graduates got an audience with His Majesty the King, who was accompanied by Her Majesty, Gyaltsun Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness the Princesses Azhi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck. Being Bhutanese is not a pride but humility, for the highest authority with greatest modesty graces the grassroots with utmost love and compassion. We are simply lucky to be Bhutanese and most fortunate that we could avail best education under their benevolent reigns. His Majesty besides reiterating our responsibility of serving our nation  narrating his childhood memory, and also reminded us that we should love our country intelligently for our country. Her Royal Highness the Princesses Azhi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck awarded NGOP certificates, and finally NGOP 2012 was all over with a Luncheon.

    Having known the government policies, having understood the employment prospects and having received priceless words of encouragement from the highest authority in the country and many other esteemed Dashos and Lyonpos, now it is all in the hands of graduates to whether absorb the inspiration and take up the opportunities as it comes and shoulder the responsibility of serving the nation with utmost dedication and loyalty.