LD like nowhere

 With the detection of COVID-19 in a woman in Gelephu in the early morning of August 11, the nation was put under lockdown on the same morning. Since then, the government, under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister, has taken up rigorous activities all for the benefit of the people and, more so, for the crowded places of Thimphu and Phuntsholing.
The lock down has been a very unique one, indeed one of it's kind in the world. The most advanced countries could not control their citizens during the lockdown, but it has been otherwise in Bhutan. It is the eighth day of the lock down, and people adhered to the directives of the government.
The central and the local government, in partnership with volunteers, are trying out everything to provide the essential items at the door step. There were a few glitches due to the overwhelming response from the people, yet the government did the best they could, and they have promised to improve the delivery.
Apart from the essential items, the government is delivering cigarettes and drinks to your doorstep. This is done keeping in mind the emotional and physical wants of the people who are into it. This is the most unique part of the lockdown. People are on holiday.
Despite the strict lock down protocol, the government and dzongkhags are looking into stranded people's cases case by case and are permitting them to move towards their destination following the COVID-19 protocol. There may not be many cases, but the government is not taking it lightly.
Every citizen is given priority, with closest attention provided to senior citizens, people suffering from diseases, and the disabled community. Every effort is made to make life easier for them. Senior citizens are provided with soaps and vitamins to boost their immunity by His Majesty the King. Every member of this community is traced, monitored, and looked after.
The bordering town of Phuntsholing was declared a red zone, meaning it was at the highest risk. And today the PM declared the positive cases in Phuntsholing as local transmission. But despite this disturbing news, the government is going all out in testing the whole community through random sampling. This, I guess, is the first of its kind in the world. No nation has dared to do this.
The Prime Minister of the nation is taking the lead role in fighting the unseen enemy under the guidance of the extra ordinary king. The PM is always there to calm the people and provide the latest updated information and to clarify any misunderstandings among the society members.
The sheer numbers of patriotic volunteers who are sacrificing everything to fight the virus is yet another testimony to the world of what Bhutanese are capable of. Every citizen is more than happy to come forward and help the government in fighting the deadly virus. The Desuups have played a very pivotal role in the fight. The armed forces and other civil servants from various organizations have all answered the call of the nation in the fight.
Despite the lock down, it's heartening to see and hear people offering meals, snacks, and drinks for the frontliners. People are seen leaving drinks and snacks outside their doors so that volunteers can have them anytime they are free. Residents also offered bathrooms and sanitary pads for the volunteers on duty.
On the other hand, the religious institutions under the guidance of His Holiness the Je Khenpo are invoking the deities to protect our country. Every Rimpoche, Trulkus, Khenpo, Lams, Lopens, and monks are awake, reciting mantras and offering prayers for the well-being of the nation. Bhutan must be the only country in the world where science and religion seems to be flourishing side by side, both in times of ups and downs.
Above all, the love and care the people receive from His Majesty the King have brought us this far, and under his stewardship, the nation is sure to sail to where we deserve to be. His majesty the king, leaving his two young Gyalsays and the queen, has spent sleepless nights touring the nation and making sure everything is ready and customized for the benefit of the people.
Forget about the citizens of the country, the king also has concerns over the well-being of the animals in the country. The king, like no other leader in the world, has commanded his army to feed all the dogs in the country. Who would think of these animals when the nation is fighting the turbulence? But our king does.
His majesty the king as advised the government to provide every help the citizens deserve and that there should not be any deaths from the virus. He is one leader who isn't worried about the money pumped in as long as the people are safe. He is a true living Buddha who really understands what his subjects are going through.
Now, when I say the above things, I am not trying to portray an utopia society fighting the virus. There have been problems and grievances shared by the people, but the government accepts all the suggestions and is trying day in and day out to improve the service delivery. There have been a few incidents where people have broken the lockdown protocol, and in one instance, the desuups were seen punishing two men. But the Desuung office has been proactive and reprimanded the three personnel.
Every country in the world is fighting the unseen enemy, but no country is facing the virus like ours. This makes Bhutanese true Bhutanese. Our ancestors have fought many wars, faced many calamities, pandemics, natural disasters, and civil wars, yet they have managed to stay together as Drukpas and united for the common cause. Now it's our turn to show the world how true Bhutanese unite during this testing time. It's a war against the unseen enemy, and every one of us has a role to play. We have come this long and our generation can pave a better future for our kids. Let us always keep in mind what our kings told us: "ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE"

PC: Kuensel (Facebook)

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