JOIN USA foreign affair in town
Every college in the City has more than its fair share of international students, and most make an attempt to make these youngsters feel welcome and at home.
The Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies is no different — recently, the students of the college celebrated the 32nd birthday of the country’s fifth king, who is named Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The celebration, which was organised by the Bhutanese Student Association of the college, was celebrated with great pomp and glory.
More than 150 Bhutanese students were a part of the occasion, and they showed off their culture by wearing their traditional attire. While the boys wore gho, the girls were dressed in beautiful, colourful outfits called kira. The programme began with the lighting of the traditional lamp.
After this, the students broke into the Bhutanese national anthem, which had the audience clapping enthusiastically. Another bit of Bhutanese custom was exhibited as the students welcomed the guests to the event with a dance, which was set to a traditional song called Zamling Lue. The dance was dedicated to the king, wishing him a long life. An authentic Bhutanese dish, called ema datshi, was also served to keep the atmosphere traditional.
After this cultural display, it was time for the students to have a bit of fun — but with a Bhutanese touch. The students played games like musical chairs, and also performed a few dances and solo songs for the benefit of all those who had gathered there. A fashion show was also held.
Yeshi, a first year student who is from Bhutan, said that the whole event made him feel at home. “I enjoyed the celebration a lot because I got a chance to meet all the Bhutanese students studying in the other departments. It was a great feeling, but I was missing my parents and relatives, and I wish that I could have celebrated this back at home,” he said.
Indian students too had a great time at the cultural extravaganza. Rohit, a first year student, said it was an enlightening experience. “It was great to witness Bhutanese culture in India,” he claimed.