5 May, 2007 -Bhutan and India celebrated their close ties of friendship with a grand dinner, hosted by Her Royal Highness, Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck, in Phuentsholing on November 11, which is also celebrated as Bhutan-India Friendship Day.

The Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Mr Sudhir Vyas, senior government officials, media personnel from north Bengal and Bhutan, and members of Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA) attended the dinner, a sumptuous spread of delicacies from both sides of the border.

Speaking to Kuensel, the chief guest, Ambassador Vyas, said that it was a beautiful gesture on the part of BIFA to organize the celebrations in Phuentsholing. “I am impressed with the warmth of friendship, and grateful to Her Royal Highness and BIFA,” said the ambassador. “It was also an excellent opportunity for political personalities, civil servants and the public from either side of the corridor to meet in such a relaxed and positive atmosphere.”

In the afternoon, the ambassador visited the construction site of BIFA head office, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2008.

“BIFA head office is designed to represent the unique features and aesthetic beauty of our architectural heritage,” said the architect planner, Tashi Penjor. “The building is a piece of Bhutanese architecture in its best form.”

The office would satisfy the need for a social space for people of all walks of life from the two countries to interact in Phuentsholing. “It would serve as a platform to conduct activities to achieve the goals of strengthening the relationship and brotherly feelings amongst the people of the two countries,” said Mahendra Banthia, a member of the association.

“His Majesty the fourth king was the architect of Indo-Bhutan relations and it is more than deserving to declare November 11 as BIFA Day,” said Ugyen Tshering, vice president of the Thimphu chapter and former minister of labour and human resources.

BIFA organizes awareness campaigns on issues such as substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, sport tournaments and also promotes people to people contact through regular cultural exchanges. BIFA’s Phuentsholing Chapter has 14 Indian and 13 Bhutanese executive members.

This was the second time, after the launching celebrations of the association, that the celebrations were held in Phuentsholing. “We are very honoured to have the ambassador and senior officials with us for the occasion,” the general secretary of BIFA Phuentsholing chapter, Thinley Dorji Gundu, said.

BIFA Day, coinciding with children’s day and the birth anniversary of the fourth Druk Gyalpo is celebrated annually since the association was launched on January 21, 2004.

By Tshering Palden
tshering_palden@kuensel.com.bt