The first cohort of the Pelsung program, comprising 325 participants, has successfully completed a three-week Desuung Integrated Training in Gelephu and has now embarked on the next phase — the Innovation and Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Immersion.
The immersion marks a new chapter in the initiative, which seeks to nurture young Bhutanese into disciplined, capable leaders ready to contribute to the nation’s transformation. Participants will spend the coming weeks developing innovative, practical solutions for the Gelephu Mindfulness City under the guidance of mentors and with the opportunity for funding to bring their ideas to life.
Speaking at the launch of the immersion, GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering commended the Pelsung program as a visionary step toward realizing Bhutan’s future economic aspirations. “The Pelsung initiative represents not just training but a foundation for nation-building — empowering our youth to be architects of Bhutan’s progress,” he said.
The Pelsung program, personally envisioned and launched by His Majesty The King, is designed for youth aged 20 to 35. It emphasizes leadership, civic responsibility, and innovation — qualities seen as essential for Bhutan’s continued prosperity. Participants receive a monthly stipend and allowances during the program, ensuring equal opportunity for engagement across all backgrounds.
A second cohort is set to begin training in mid-November, signaling the steady expansion of the initiative. Meanwhile, a concurrent workshop is being held to draft the institutional blueprint of Pelsung, aligning it with key national programs such as Desuung, Gyalsung, and the Gelephu Mindfulness City. The workshop also focuses on mapping out the Pelsung 2026–2028 roadmap, which will guide the program’s next stages of growth and impact.
With its emphasis on discipline, service, and innovation, the Pelsung initiative stands as a symbol of Bhutan’s evolving vision — preparing its youth not just to participate in, but to lead, the country’s next era of development.
