“As young people, what is the single most important advantage that you have?” His Majesty pitched the question to engineering students of college of science and technology at Kharbandi yesterday.
Assembled in the college auditorium taken over by silence, a few students turned their bowed heads to look at their friends sitting beside them, confused if they had to answer, or looking for a colleague who would.
Saving them the suspense, His Majesty then asked what advantage they had in comparison with their elders.
“You all have time that nobody has,” he said.
His Majesty said people, between 40 and 50 years, who were halfway through their careers, would have, at some point of time, wanted to become a Dasho, or become successful, or would have had dreams and hopes.
“If they’d have chosen wisely, they’d have fewer regrets. But, I guarantee you, a lot of older people have many regrets,” His Majesty said, adding that was what time did, saddled people with many regrets.
“For you all, one thing that sets you apart from others is having a lot of time,” His Majesty said. “The possibilities are endless. Now success largely depends on the choices you make.”
In an address that lasted almost an hour, His Majesty also touched on the issue of jobs, a primary concern of the young.
With a natural candour, His Majesty said he was unable to give them a clear picture of the real job scenario.
“That you work hard and study hard today, as there will be a job ready for you is such a statement that anyone saying it, is a lie,” he said. “So I’ll be honest. I don’t know.”
His Majesty also spoke about the economy, the liquidity crunch and the Rupee issue, all of which, he said, worried him.
Thus, His Majesty reemphasised the importance of history in understanding what to hope for the country and its people.
“We should be grounded in our own history, so that we can appreciate the present, and understand and plan for the future,” he said. “I always pray and wish that every successive generation of Bhutanese is better, stronger and more capable than the last.”
His Majesty, who was accompanied by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, also granted an audience to the college faculty.
In the afternoon, officials and members of the Indian community, and those of the Bhutan-India Friendship Association received an audience with His Majesty.
His Majesty also met the dzongkhag and local government officials.
The royal entourage will be visiting Samtse today.
By Kinga Dema
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