There is nothing more powerful than ideas. It can blossom and become an instrument for development. On the contrary, it can transform into a tool for destruction.
Bhutan has had her share of the former, especially emulating from our Kings and used for the nation’s progress. The five year plan introduced in 1961 is an example. Of all, one that stands out majestically and prominently is the De-suung Integrated Training Program, which began on February 14, 2011. During Royal tours, several youth expressed their wishes and aspirations to serve the country adorning a military attire, to His Majesty. The answer was the De-suung Integrated Training Program.
The first batch had 125 participants – 80 men and 45 women. By 2016, 2,616 were trained under the program. Today, there are 26,257 dessups, comprising 16,139 males and 10,118 females. Approximately, for every 27 Bhutanese there is a dessup.
The Desuung Program is a revolution in its own right. We cannot recount any program or institution, which accelerated and grew at this pace. From being “Guardians of Peace,” desuups are literally everywhere, especially now, and we cannot fathom Bhutan’s fight against the Covid 19 pandemic without the desuups.
Additionally, they have been engaged in other activities, such as providing water supply in several parts of the country. Many have joined the De-suup Skilling Program (DSP) and are learning trades that will one day help them and the nation. They will become entrepreneurs, chartered accountants, chefs, skilled masons and others. Youth unemployment will decline. In other words, they will be the engines and vehicles of Bhutan’s economic development.
We cannot but contemplate and question why elected governments never thought of this. Yes! Several skilling programs were provided. Nevertheless, even today, job mismatch is cited as the reason behind rising youth unemployment. The DSP is designed to remove this misalliance and empower Bhutanese with skills that are required and which can be imparted easily.
Perhaps, ideas cannot just emerge and flourish; perhaps there is a monopoly on brilliance.
On the grapevine are words that desuups, especially the unemployed, are just waiting for the pandemic to end. They want to move to the “Bhutanese destination of choice” – Australia. No one can stop them. And with skills they have imbibed from the DSP, they may get better opportunities. But what we must understand and reflect on is the fact that desuups and the DSP are His Majesty’s investment for Bhutan - today and tomorrow. The programs have Royal aspirations – youth unemployment will decrease; Bhutanese labour market will have diverse skills required; and of all Royal confidence and conviction that youth will play a defining role as the country progresses.
In other words, Bhutan will not need to bring in expatriates for auditing companies; tourists will be chauffeured in electric cars and served in world class coffee shops and bakeries around the country; five start hotels will have Bhutanese chefs; using technology, Bhutanese can provide services to dozens of companies spread over the world from a room in Norzin Lam; we will not need to look beyond our borders when we want to construct a retirement home, and many more.
It may appear like a dream. But it is one worth dreaming; a dream that can be build at home and attainable.
Bhutan has had her share of the former, especially emulating from our Kings and used for the nation’s progress. The five year plan introduced in 1961 is an example. Of all, one that stands out majestically and prominently is the De-suung Integrated Training Program, which began on February 14, 2011. During Royal tours, several youth expressed their wishes and aspirations to serve the country adorning a military attire, to His Majesty. The answer was the De-suung Integrated Training Program.
The first batch had 125 participants – 80 men and 45 women. By 2016, 2,616 were trained under the program. Today, there are 26,257 dessups, comprising 16,139 males and 10,118 females. Approximately, for every 27 Bhutanese there is a dessup.
The Desuung Program is a revolution in its own right. We cannot recount any program or institution, which accelerated and grew at this pace. From being “Guardians of Peace,” desuups are literally everywhere, especially now, and we cannot fathom Bhutan’s fight against the Covid 19 pandemic without the desuups.
Additionally, they have been engaged in other activities, such as providing water supply in several parts of the country. Many have joined the De-suup Skilling Program (DSP) and are learning trades that will one day help them and the nation. They will become entrepreneurs, chartered accountants, chefs, skilled masons and others. Youth unemployment will decline. In other words, they will be the engines and vehicles of Bhutan’s economic development.
We cannot but contemplate and question why elected governments never thought of this. Yes! Several skilling programs were provided. Nevertheless, even today, job mismatch is cited as the reason behind rising youth unemployment. The DSP is designed to remove this misalliance and empower Bhutanese with skills that are required and which can be imparted easily.
Perhaps, ideas cannot just emerge and flourish; perhaps there is a monopoly on brilliance.
On the grapevine are words that desuups, especially the unemployed, are just waiting for the pandemic to end. They want to move to the “Bhutanese destination of choice” – Australia. No one can stop them. And with skills they have imbibed from the DSP, they may get better opportunities. But what we must understand and reflect on is the fact that desuups and the DSP are His Majesty’s investment for Bhutan - today and tomorrow. The programs have Royal aspirations – youth unemployment will decrease; Bhutanese labour market will have diverse skills required; and of all Royal confidence and conviction that youth will play a defining role as the country progresses.
In other words, Bhutan will not need to bring in expatriates for auditing companies; tourists will be chauffeured in electric cars and served in world class coffee shops and bakeries around the country; five start hotels will have Bhutanese chefs; using technology, Bhutanese can provide services to dozens of companies spread over the world from a room in Norzin Lam; we will not need to look beyond our borders when we want to construct a retirement home, and many more.
It may appear like a dream. But it is one worth dreaming; a dream that can be build at home and attainable.
