Wednesday 7 May 2008

Annual Tarayana fair begins


The 5th annual fair of Tarayana Foundation, a non profit organization working to uplift the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities in rural Bhutan, opened yesterday at the clock tower square in the capital.

The clock tower in the capital wears a festive look as residents of the capital visit the numerous stalls of the annual fair of the Tarayana Foundation. The fair marks the 5th anniversary of the Foundation.

Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck graced the opening of the fair. Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck was the guest of honour. Also present at the inauguration were Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, Cabinet Ministers, parliamentarians and representatives from various international community.

The Tarayana Foundation was founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck on May 4, 2003. Currently Tarayana supports nearly 1,000 students go to and stay in school through its Scholarship programme. The foundation provides financial support for subsistence to two hundred highly vulnerable individuals.

Tarayana’s Disability Support Programme provides monthly stipend to about seventy people with severe disabilities. Tarayana is also involved in skills development and socio-economic empowerment of small communities. The Fair at the clock tower features hand-made products from rural areas across the country, jumble sale, games and food.

Volunteers taking part in the Fair include trainees under going post graduate diploma course in public administration at the Royal Institute of Management and staff of Bank of Bhutan, Thimphu.

The Fair also offers an opportunity for rural artisans to sell their products, generate income and learn about the types of products that are desired in the market.

Sangay Dorji, a farmer from Wangduephodrang is one of the farmers taking part in the fair. He says the fair enables farmers like him to sell their produce and also fetch better price.

The fair will go on till the 4th of this month.

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