2009 was a difficult year. The Dzongkhag was hit hard by earthquake several times, causing extensive damages to Houses, Lhakhangs, Schools, Chortens and numerous government institutions in the seventeen gewogs. Six people lost their lives. Human casualties could have been much worse had it not been that the quake had struck in the day time when most people were out in the fields and school children had left their schools early to join their families for the following day's blessed rainy day festivities!

Under the direct command of His Majesty the King, the Royal Government acted swiftly in the rescue, relief and recovery operations. His Majesty also commanded deployment of army personnel wherever necessary and granted the biggest Kidu Solra of our times. It is now up to the people to grab the golden opportunity provided by this unprecedented Kidu with both their hands to make better and quake resilient houses that will serve them as "Phakhims" for generations!

From 3-8 February 2010, the Dzongkhag was blessed by the visit of His Majesty the 4th King who visited Narang, Drametse, Thangrong and Mongar and granted audience and solra to some 1500 families. There could not be a more auspicious way to usher in the New Year!

To my colleagues, I would like to say that we worked hard with Loyalty and dedication in the past one year. Let us continue the good work with the same dedication so that we all contribute in our little ways to fulfill the visions of our Kings and leaders in making Bhutan a true GNH Kingdom!