As bulldozers carve the foundations of the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City, another, quieter force is at work – the unwavering devotion of Bhutanese citizens who see the project not just as an infrastructure development, but as a sacred national dream.
Among them is 39-year-old Ganga Ram Ghalley, a man whose daily life now revolves around a single stone – a stone given to him personally by His Majesty The King during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Gelephu Mindfulness City International Airport.
A Moment That Changed Everything
That day, as thousands of people formed a human chain to pass stones to the site, Ganga was handed one directly by His Majesty. What might have been just another stone for others became, for him, a spiritual treasure.
“His Majesty handed me a stone, and I couldn’t bring myself to pass it along,” Ganga recalled. “I felt it was sacred, something precious. I kept it in my gho and brought it home. Now, it sits on our altar, and I pray to it every day for the success of His Majesty’s vision.”
A Family’s Blessing
At Ganga’s home, the stone has become more than an object of reverence – it is the spiritual heart of the family. His mother-in-law, Roop Lachi Rai, says the household feels deeply blessed by its presence.
“When my son-in-law brought it home, we washed it gently, placed it on our altar, and offered prayers,” she said. “For us, it is a constant reminder that His Majesty’s blessings are with our family.”
The family now considers the stone holier than any religious relic or statue, a symbol of loyalty and faith in Bhutan’s future.
Service Through Devotion
Inspired by the sacred gift, Ganga dedicates at least three hours every day to Zhabtog – volunteer labor for the airport’s construction. Rain or shine, he can be seen at the site, his clothes soaked, his hands numb from the cold, but his spirit unshaken.
“I’ve told my wife and family that we should all contribute to this national dream,” Ganga said. “This is my way of serving His Majesty’s vision.”
More Than Steel and Stone
For Ganga, the stone on his altar is not just a blessing for his family – it is a daily reminder of what the Gelephu Mindfulness City truly represents: hope, unity, and a shared national dream.
As he sets out for work each day, he prays before the stone, carrying its inspiration to the construction site with every step.
The story of Ganga Ram Ghalley reminds us that Bhutan’s future will not be built by machinery alone. It will rise on the strength of love, loyalty, and the quiet dedication of ordinary citizens whose hearts beat in rhythm with His Majesty’s vision.
