In homes across Bhutan, joyous tears and fluttering white scarves mark a homecoming unlike any other. Thousands of young men and women, proudly wearing their green Gyalsup uniforms, are returning from three months of intensive Gyalsung training — not just as sons and daughters, but as symbols of discipline, resilience, and national pride.
What began as a royal vision to empower Bhutan’s youth has now become a movement that touches every corner of the country. Social media is awash with emotional homecoming videos, each capturing the same powerful story — families waiting with open arms, Gyalsups saluting with dignity, and moments of quiet pride shared between parents and children.
One such story has captivated the nation. A viral video shows 19-year-old Kuenga Dendup Dukpa, fresh from training at the Pemathang Academy in Samdrup Jongkhar, sprinting towards his parents. White scarves billow in the wind as he pauses, salutes, and bows respectfully before accepting his parents’ blessing.
“That moment overwhelmed me with gratitude and pride,” Kuenga shared. “I knelt not just as their son, but as a Gyalsup who will make them and my country proud.”
His father, Tshering Dukpa, described it as a life-changing moment. “I saw my dream walking towards me — his discipline and humility were in that salute. It’s something I will never forget.”
The Gyalsung programme is not only transforming lives within Bhutan but is also inspiring Bhutanese abroad. Sherab Lhazin Dolkar, a university student in Perth, Australia, took a gap year to join the training after watching the 2024 National Day celebrations.
“Seeing the Gyalsups march that day stirred something in me,” she said. “I realised how important it was to stay connected to my roots. Training was tough, but it changed me — I found strength, friendships, and a sense of belonging I had never felt before.”
For many, the experience has been an awakening. Tshering Pelden, 19, admitted that before Gyalsung, she had little understanding of service and responsibility. “Coming home, seeing my family’s faces, I finally understood what it means to serve — not just my country, but my parents too.”
Since the first batch of Gyalsups, such stories have become a unifying force, renewing Bhutan’s values of loyalty, service, and compassion. Each white scarf draped around a Gyalsup’s neck is more than a welcome; it is a symbol of a new chapter for Bhutanese youth — one where they step forward as protectors of their country’s future.
As cakes are cut and blessings offered, families across Bhutan are not just celebrating homecomings; they are celebrating hope. These young men and women return as more than children — they come back as guardians of Bhutan’s future, ready to serve with pride.
