August 25: Youth from the schools of the Thimphu valley joined senior government officials in the inauguration of Harmony, the Centenary Youth Village. A centre for the youth with modern and essential facilities, Harmony was formally opened on Saturday, August 23 with the Prime Minister as the Chief Guest at the ceremony.

Inside one of the brand new rooms of Harmony, the Centenary Youth Village, monks of the Central Monastic Body led by the Venerable Yangpi Lopen performed prayers to consecrate the centre.

It is six in the morning and almost four hours later, the Chief Guest Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley and the Education Minister Lyonpo Thakhur Singh Powdyel opened the centre.

Located in the old swimming pool complex, Harmony has two fully furnished hostels for boys and girls to provide accommodation to youth who come to Thimphu to process their studies, employment or other opportunities. Each hostel can accommodate 60 youth.

The complex consists of the old centre with an indoor basket ball court and an administrative building of the department of youth and sports, the youth centre building, an auditorium and an indoor swimming pool.

Also at the centre, youth can take computer course and access the internet at discounted rates. The center will also have special programs like youth initiated activities and events.

Speaking to student representatives at the opening of Harmony, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said not only the future, the present also belongs to the youth of Bhutan.

"You the young people will determine where we go and what would become of us as a democracy as a country. I believe that this centre has so much to contribute. I hope that u will be able to succeed and in attracting many youth of Bhutan to the youth centre, in getting them to make optimal use of the facilities that have been established here, that you will create a kind of environment that they will enjoy and appreciate and want to come and enjoy, that together, the youth and you will succeed in creating that kind of polity that we need to ensure the success of democracy, to ensure the achievements of Gross National Happiness," said the Prime Minister.

The new centre constructed at a cost of Nu. 84.5 million was financially supported by Government of India.

Also speaking at the inauguration, the Education Minister Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel said the Centenary Youth Village is dedicated to the promise of Bhutan’s future. He said he hope that young men and women from different parts of the country will come together to centenary village in a sprit of harmony and friendship.

"This special part of our capital city has the vitality and freshness of a village- so characteristic of our youth. That is why this little spot of our country is called the Centenary Youth Village," he said.

The joint Director of the Department of Youth and Sports, Wangchuk Namgyel said the Centenary Youth Village will provide for young people a positive, safe and conducive environment that is free from alcohol and drugs.

The inaugural session was attended by cabinet ministers, members of parliament, the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Sudhir Vyas, heads of the international agencies and representatives from the non governmental organization.

Coinciding with the inauguration of the centre, the Education Ministry also released a book of Art and Essays in celebration of 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.