Agency: As the third group of volunteers begin their work in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) His Majesty The King announced the launch of Pelsung on 7th October 2025.
Pelsung, meaning Guardians of Prosperity, is a new national initiative to engage Bhutanese youth in developing creative and practical solutions for the GMC.
His Majesty announced Pelsung as the third pillar of nation-building alongside Desuung and Gyalsung, instituted to help build strong foundations for the country’s future.
“For a small population, every single person matters, and these programmes are intended to empower our people, to build harmony and the capacity to work together. As His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo said in the 1974 Coronation Address, our collective efforts will have far greater impact than the concerted efforts of a few,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty said that the Gelephu Mindfulness City represents the aspirations of the nation taking shape, and that the sacred responsibility to protect Bhutan’s unity, harmony, and unique identity for all time falls on the youth.
“Everything we are doing today is for our youth – so that they will be better versions of us, better prepared, smarter, and more hard-working. It falls on us to build that future, and on them to protect it and take it to greater heights,” His Majesty said. “That is the reason Pelsung has been created. I invite larger and larger numbers — the brightest and strongest amongst us — to join. We begin with 300–400 Pelsups, but expect to have thousands in the coming years. While today we bring in experts to help build the GMC, it is imperative that Bhutanese are able to take over the responsibility and become its custodians.”
“My father entrusted the responsibility of Kingship to me when I was only 26, with enormous confidence and even greater expectations. I would like to learn from past precedent, and His Majesty’s immense wisdom, and recognize the potential of our youth. We certainly value experience, age, and education. But we must also rely on our youth to take the nation forward,” His Majesty said. “My father took a leap of faith in me, and I have always endeavoured to not disappoint him, my people, and above all, our choechang sungma.”