May 7: The Tarayana foundation opened its 6th Annual Fair in Thimphu yesterday. The theme for this year’s fair is “Celebrating Rural Communities”. Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck opened the fair.

Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the President of the Foundation said the fair is expected to provide a platform for information sharing among all the key developmental partners and rural community representatives.

“Although much has been achieved in this short span of seven years in improving the lives of our rural communities, more still need to be done. Tarayana currently works in 36 villages in five dzongkhags with the objective of ensuring holistic development for the communities. In our work with the communities we have learnt as much as we contributed. Our rural communities have lived in harmony with their local environment for generations and we realised that it is important to understand subtle cultural nuances before projects are finalised,” said the President.

The fair features handmade crafts from rural areas, jumble sale, games and food stalls, display of machinery and agricultural products.

Coinciding with the Fair, Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck launched three books- Foods of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Bhutan-a sketchbook, and a book on the Dzongs and Chortens of Bhutan.

During the Fair, Her Majesty the Queen Mother awarded medal to Serena Chopra for her assistance and contribution to the foundation.

Tarayana Foundation is a Non-profit Organisation. It was established in 2003 to uplift the lives of vulnerable communities in rural Bhutan.