"Bhutan Ice-cream" Celebrates His Majesty’s Birthday.

Choling Yargay Daytshen, a farmers group of Singaygang village under Sipsu Dungkhag (Samtse) commemorates His Majesty’s 34^th Birth Anniversary distributing their own ice-cream product to the teachers, students of Peljorling Higher Secondary school and the local residents who gathered Friday at the school courtyard to witness the celebration.

After the speeches were made and the cultural items organized by the school were presented, it was the moment for the Bhutan ice-cream boxes to uncover their goodies. The Principal and the teachers got in line to taste their share and they were followed by the students and the local residents.

Standing in front of the Banner ; Chairperson Gauri Sharma

The Farmers Group which comprises of 25 active members organized the free distribution of Ice-cream. Each member contributed two liters of milk to manufacture enough ice-cream for the important day. ‘it is a moment of joy for us to be able to contribute on such a day, we wish our King a happy birthday and pray for his long live ’ said the Group’s chairperson Gauri Sharma who also initiated the move.

The Group Members with Local staff from Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments

The Ice-Cream Machine

Bhutan Ice-cream is the only ice-cream brand in the country. The manufacturing plant at Singaygang village was made possible with financial aid from GEF,small grant program- UNDP and is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Forest. The plant was formally inaugurated on 22^nd December, 2013 by His Excellency lyenpo Yeshey Dorji.

Inaugurating the ice-cream manufacturing unit

The Brand has come a long way from being a homemade ice-cream to a brand worth exporting. The ice-cream comes in both cone and pouches with information label and design. The brand has Five different flavors to offer; Vanila, Butter Scotch, Kesar Pista, strawberry and mix-fruit. Meanwhile, the product is only available in Samtse Dzongkhag due to the limited transport facilities and lack of marketing agencies.

           THEN                        &                                   NOW

Bhutan Ice-cream is one of the products produce by the farmers group. With the arrival of 15 jersey cow and 15 buffalos, the Group would be able to commercially produce cheese, milk, butter and “Bhutan Ice-cream”.  The government leased land which they have been provided will act as a pasture land for the cattle.

Choling Yargay Daytshen is also looking into fishery business and Bio-gas refilling machine which will make the Group self-reliant.

But for now, they are fully dependent on the production of ‘Bhutan Ice-cream’ and some dairy products to sustain the Group where wild elephants rampage the village each night.

# For any queries or order @ 17606108(Chairperson)

A Walk to remember: Our first Wedding Anniversary.

By quarter to 6 yesterday morning, as crystal clear dew on our window glass were just dripping down, I was with a cup of warm milk tea ready to serve my wife. It’s unusual to find me up so early every day. But the importance of the day urged me to surprise at least my wife.

She was still nestled under the warm blanket like a baby. I slowly and carefully sneaked in, tucked her hair to uncover her face and there she smiled.

With wide smile on her face she quickly tightened her hair behind and I hand over the cup of tea. i kept looking at her as she took over and caressed the cup to take the first sip.

But before she took the sip she asked me to close in. I moved. She gave me a tight hug and wished me ‘A Happy Anniversary’.  I too wished her simultaneously with all my love for her.

On the courtyard of the Lhakhang

On our day’s agenda, we had only two important things to do. Visit Dechencholing Lhakhang and secondly to place an ordinary door lock somewhere in the wood near Dechencholing.

Smiling at me

The friendship at the backdrop is alive on the forefront too!

My younger sister had accompanied us on our ‘walk to remember’. We dressed ourselves appropriately for the Lhakhang’s visit, bought some offerings to offer and not to forget we took the lock along with its key with us.

My sister wished to provide refreshment on our journey so she bought some cold drinks, cup cakes and lots of sweets.

Captions not required....simply beautiful...

We entered the renowned Dechencoling Lhakhang. Offered our prayers to the God and expressed how thankful we are for all peaceful and blissful days we have spent all together since our wedding.

As we came out of the Lhakhang, we stroll down towards Dechencholing Palace. The presence of the Royal Palace, blue sky and the empty wide road of Dechencholing made us feel very calm and peace.

We savor each moment down the road till we finally spot a place to briefly settle for refreshment. We sat down on the bare ground. Dry pine needle-like leaves provided enough ease to sit and dine.

The Lock: Somewhere in the woods of Dechencholing.

Right after the refreshment, I took out the lock and the key and went on to search a place where I could place the lock. I found it. Placed the lock and turn the key in and locked it. 

For us the lock symbolizes unity,love and happiness and placing it on the living tree, we believe, will further strengthen our unity, deepen our love and expend our happiness as the tree grows taller and stronger.

The affair was simple and a quite one. But…… a very special for us.   

'Never let you go' kind of snap.

Most importantly, years down the line when the tree plant on which we have placed the lock has grown tall and strong we would have celebrated many more anniversaries. But we will have something to search for inside the woods of Dechencholing which symbolizes many things along with the "togetherness" in celebrating our first Wedding Anniversary.