November 25: On behalf of His Majesty the King, Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck met with representatives of corporate agencies, private companies and contractors and hoteliers to receive cash contribution for the People’s Welfare Fund under His Majesty’s People’s Project.

A news release from the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon says prior to and during the coronation celebrations, many institutions, agencies and the general public expressed their desire to offer Thridar with gifts to His Majesty. The Royal Government had then conveyed His Majesty’s desire that the government should not only minimize the coronation expenditure but that no gifts be offered to His Majesty. Instead such gifts may be diverted to build a special fund for people’s welfare, which would be used to initiate various People’s Project to benefit the poorest of the poor- people who are beyond the reach of the government policies and plans.

The cash contributions to the People’s Welfare Fund under His Majesty’s People’s Project were made by the Druk Holding and Investments owned companies such as Bhutan Power Corporation, Bank of Bhutan, Druk Green Corporation, Bhutan Telecom, Natural Resources Development Corporation and Druk Air Corporation. Other contributors are the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan, Karma Group of Companies, a group of 22 contractors and the Hotel Association of Bhutan.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck met with the representatives on behalf of His Majesty the King and received the contributions at His Majesty’s Secretariat Office in the Tashichhodzong yesterday.

Their Royal Highnesses thanked the contributors and commended their desire to serve the country through His Majesty’s benevolent efforts. Their Royal Highnesses said the contributions would further enhance the efforts of the People’s Project.

The news release from the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon says His Majesty the King has repeatedly expressed, on many occasions, that the most deserving and needy sections of the society will be granted kidu without fail. Since taking over responsibilities as king, His Majesty has traveled all round the country to visit remote areas and granted kidu to most disadvantaged Bhutanese citizens. His Majesty identified and granted direct help to the helpless and the voiceless who are not able to go beyond their villages. His Majesty the King has initiated many activities to help the needy and the People’s Welfare Fund will go a long way in helping the poorest in the country.