Serving tea

It’s stark midnight. Out on Thimphu Street was frost-cold and bone chilling. Drayangs, karaoke and discotheques - all nightlife entertainments – sprang into life. On the street, you can see rebellious teenagers picking up fights with policemen. Others were simply drunk and run-rounding the street, no different from those stray dogs, barking, foul.

Amidst all this, you can find a group of young people here, on Thimphu Street, walking around. Go closer to them. Watch carefully. You can see some of them carrying hot flasks and snacks. All night, they walk around the street and serve hot tea and snacks to the late night Police Patrolling Party. And you can see the brightest smile and happiness on faces of policemen as they sip on hot tea.

You don’t know how thrilled I was when I first learnt about this youth initiative. My heart swelled with both pride and amazement at these youth, exceedingly generous souls, who make so much for our police and our community.

According to the group, this initiative is called "HANDS OF TRUST" and is being coordinated by the Bhutan Youth Foundation (BYF). Mr. Bharat Rana, the founder of BYF, wrote,

“This small Project is a partnership project to support and respect the Royal Bhutan Police for…protecting our community from all kinds of Danger. They make lots of sacrifices to safeguard our community. We launched this Project…Distributing Hot Tea and Snacks to the late night Police Patrolling Party.”

In actuality, what they give was so little. Just a cup of tea. But it’s one way how we can show some grace and appreciation to our police force, the guardians of peace.

Because of them we are protected, we sleep peacefully, we walk free from dangers. This initiative is not only about distributing hot tea to our police at night, but trying to show them support and respect. I believe that this would certainly make our policemen a little happier, their work a little easier, and make their day better.  

BYF conducting a seminar for Bhutanese students in India

The Bhutan Youth Foundation was first founded in October 2008 in Bangalore, India to promote brotherhood and community values when Bhutanese youth were away from home. The BYF conducted several activities like seminars and workshops on drug awareness, leadership, character cultivation, live in relationships for Bhutanese students studying in India.

I can’t wait to tell you BYF’s other initiatives here:  

Support for senior citizens 

Providing lunch for Draktsho special children

Tutorials for Changjiji youth

Feeding program at Begana lhakhang

Reading program for kids in Kanglung

Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150891038411419/