The world has made remarkable strides in the last few decades, advancing more in the last fifty years than it did in the previous fifty thousand. But this progress has come at a significant cost. We have traded much for it: wars, environmental destruction, cultural erosion, and the loss of core human values. While we recognize these consequences and strive for redemption, we've come so far that turning back seems impossible. No one seems willing to take the lead to reverse the damage and make it all worthwhile. Even those with the heart to do so often lack the freedom or resources. As a result, the world's best efforts to heal the planet—through climate funds, green economies, carbon credits, and similar initiatives—fall short of making a meaningful impact.
In times like these, when a monarch from a
sovereign nation proposes to build an entire city spanning over a thousand
square kilometers centered around mindful living, it’s no wonder the world is
taking notice. The sheer audacity of such a dream, impossible elsewhere, makes
it all the more captivating. Here, it’s possible because His Majesty the King
is a visionary and entrepreneurially driven, selfless and compassionate,
revered by his people, respected by his government, and admired by world
leaders. He possesses all the qualities needed to dare such a dream, which is
why the world is pausing to listen to our King.
While I don’t claim to fully grasp how Gelephu
Mindfulness City (GMC) will influence the world, though it’s clear that the
world needs a model for mindful living, and GMC offers that potential. Over
time, a wealth of knowledge will emerge about its global significance. For now,
I want to focus on how GMC will transform Bhutan and touch the lives of every Bhutanese.
Let me break down the grand royal vision into smaller, more relatable
opportunities that are being prepared for us by our King.
Employment Opportunities
A carpenter friend from my village
recently asked me how he could find a job in the construction of GMC. From the
construction phase onward, GMC will create employment opportunities on an
unprecedented scale. Tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers will be
needed to build the city. Bhutanese workers will have a clear advantage because
the city will largely be wood-based, with Bhutanese architecture at its core,
making our carpenters highly sought after. The international nature of the
project, offering wages far higher than what we’re used to, will make it an
attractive alternative to working abroad. With its proximity and other
benefits, GMC will become a competitive option, one that can transform lives
here and bring back many of those who have left for jobs overseas.
Once the city is operational, I imagine
the airport alone will employ thousands. With hundreds of flights landing and
taking off, it will be one of the busiest airports we’ve ever known, creating
limitless economic opportunities. Reflecting on my observations of Suvarnabhumi
Airport in Thailand, it’s possible that one person from every Bhutanese family
could find employment there.
It’s said that thousands of Bhutanese are
currently working in Australia. If ordinary cities with ordinary populations
can create such appealing jobs for our people, imagine what GMC—home to the
world’s wealthiest, seeking peace and happiness—could offer. Working for these
elites will be so desirable that those whom Bhutanese work for in Australia may
consider coming here. With a projected population of a million high-end
residents, the opportunities will be abundant. Numerous businesses within GMC
will need thousands of employees. However, bear in mind that GMC will require
skilled, certified, and professional workers. We have time to prepare
ourselves—either become professionals or watch professionals from elsewhere
fill those positions.
Education
Back in the early 2000s, thousands of
Bhutanese students pursued degrees in Bangalore, India. More recently, affluent
Bhutanese families have sent their children to premium schools in Sikkim,
Thailand, or even the US and Europe. Government scholarships have also
facilitated foreign education. The floodgates truly opened when studying in
Australia became popular, with the added advantage of earning while learning.
When GMC establishes world-class colleges
and schools in Gelephu, we can expect the world to desire education here.
Gelephu could become the “Oxford of Asia,” attracting top students from across
the globe. That’s when the tide will turn for us. Bhutanese will
benefit—whether through scholarships or by earning in the city and studying
there. Australia might then wonder why Bhutanese are no longer applying for
visas.
Agriculture
Bhutan has long been recognized as an
agricultural country. But when we entered the global market, we realized the
limitations of our traditional practices. We were constrained by many factors,
accustomed to subsistence farming. Growing only for our own families, the food
market caught us off guard. Gradually, we learned to grow more for income, but
Indian imports outcompeted us on our own soil. Despite improvements in seeds
and methods, we struggled with scale—unable to produce enough to meet significant
demand. Even the entire country couldn't supply a single hotel chain. When
farmers grew the same crops in large quantities, the market price would drop,
leaving us confused and discouraged.
With GMC, Bhutan can finally embrace
agriculture as a viable way of life. The city’s demand for high-value, organic,
and ethically grown food will make price less of an issue. With such demand,
the risks of growing crops will be worth taking. Furthermore, we can scale our
farming, knowing that demand will only increase as long as we maintain high
standards.
The fallow lands we see in many villages
today will soon become valuable assets as GMC seeks its food supply from
Bhutan's fields. Our pristine environment and proximity will give us a distinct
advantage, leading to a major transformation in agriculture.
Tourism
When Gelephu becomes home to investors
from around the world, they will occasionally want to explore Bhutan. This will
inject millions into our local economy. Many investors will also invest in
Bhutan through the new FDI policy, creating even more opportunities. Tour
companies, hotels, guides, drivers, handicraft shops—everyone in the tourism
sector will see a surge in business.
Those coming to GMC for education, medical
treatment, business, or wellness won’t just head home once they’re done.
They’ll be encouraged to explore Bhutan for a few days.
Don’t worry about whether there will be
enough tourists or how to capitalize on this influx—just start preparing. Learn
Chinese, Japanese, French, or another major language. Sharpen your hospitality
skills. Consider what unique products or services you can offer.
Healthcare Services
The healthcare sector will also experience
a sea change. Like education, Bhutanese have historically sought better medical
care abroad. Even with free healthcare in Bhutan, those who could afford it
often sought treatment in India, Thailand, or the US. The government, too, has
spent millions referring patients for treatments unavailable locally.
GMC will become a hub for world-class
medical services. Renowned hospitals from across the globe will establish
branches there, drawn by the ease of doing business, access to the market,
pristine environment, and mindfulness culture, which is the foundation of
healing. Just as Silicon Valley became the epicenter of the tech world, GMC
will attract the healthcare industry like a queen bee.
This will position GMC as a destination
for medical tourism, boosting the overall tourism industry but, more
importantly, revolutionizing healthcare in Bhutan. We’ll have access to
world-class medical care within our own country, and if we need specialized
treatments, GMC will be just a few hours away. Those who can afford private
care will pay for it, while the rest will benefit from the referral system
we’ve always relied on.
A country that has long lost hard currency
to medical referrals abroad will finally see those wounds healed, transforming
scars into stories of resilience for future generations to share.
*This article is first published in The Bhutanese on 19th Oct 2024
