Ambassador’s Remarks at Bhutan Echoes Function
(Friday, 31 July 2026, India House)
I am privileged to host a welcoming dinner for participants of the 15th Bhutan Echoes Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival. We are honoured to have with us Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the creator, founder, thinker, architect, patron, designer and the driving force behind this festival. Her Majesty has become synonymous with this festival. We are also grateful to dignitaries from the National Assembly, Health Ministry and others for joining this function.
I have a very high regard and deep admiration for writers, poets, artists, cultural personalities and those preserving heritage. Their commitment to the soul of human life and its sustenance is a service to humankind. In the fast-changing world of today, the significance of their role is becoming even more vital for human civilization. I also feel that society should do more for culture, arts and literature.
It is quite fitting to have the theme of this year as “The Art of Being Human” which connects history, present day and the future of humanity; deals with contemporary debates such as technology and AI, and thirdly the theme connects people together what we call in Sanskrit – Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam or the whole world is one community.
As diplomats, we value enormously connections between nations and people. But art, culture and literature connect people, culture, societies and nations more effectively, devoid of politics. I therefore pay my tributes to you all. I see Bhutan Echoes as a powerful and impactful platform to connect the world, using culture, arts and literature.
The contents of the Festival this year look very exciting, particularly as my first Bhutan Echoes Festival. My compliments and appreciation to the festival organizers for not merely putting together a very attractive and appealing programme, conducting diplomacy of connecting people through this Festival.
I see Bhutan Echoes also as a celebration of a very special friendship between India and Bhutan which is timeless, deep and enduring. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi described India-Bhutan relations last year as a model for the entire region. As co-chairman of the India-Bhutan Foundation, I am proud of this association between India-Bhutan Foundation and Bhutan Echoes Festival, right from its inception in 2010 and it is pleasing to see the Festival’s growth to this fifteenth edition. In fact, I see a parallel in the growth of the festival and this very unique friendship between India and Bhutan. I pray and wish that both the Festival & India-Bhutan relations will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.
Over the last 10 months since my arrival in this wonderful land ‘Drukyul’, I have been deeply touched by this nation, by its pristine nature, rich culture, unique history, high ethos, valuable heritage, deep spirituality, and the hospitality and generosity of its affectionate people.
Thinking about Bhutan Echoes a few weeks back, one morning, heartfelt sentiments about this fabulous country and its people. To my amazement, these emotions found expression in a piece of poetry. I have never written a poem in my long life but such is the power of Bhutan and I dare say Bhutan Echoes festival, that I wrote my first poem in life, if I can call it so.
Thank you, Tashi Delek.
***
