Using strategy, muscle and weight, Thimphu Dzongkhag were the clear winners in the knock-out Tug-of-War contest held last Saturday on the Changlimithang ground on the occasion of International Volunteer Day. The event was funded collaboratively by United Nations Volunteers and JOCV/JICA programmes, and supported by RCSC, UNDP, VSA, and Bhutan Football Federation, and the rope was provided by Yangchenphug High School.
14 teams from various schools, institutes and organisations in Thimphu fought it out in what turned out to be a thrilling morning. With Dasho Meghraj Gurung looking on as Chief Guest, and representatives from Ministry of Trade and Industry, JOCV/JICA and UN also in attendance, each team gave of their best.

International Volunteer Day 2002 is the first anniversary since the close of the very successful International Year of Volunteers, in which Bhutan had played such an active part. One of the themes being promoted during this year’s IV Day is the role that volunteers and volunteer organisations can play in working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as pledged by Bhutan and many other countries of the world in the ‘Millennium Declaration’.

As the UNV Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, pointed out in his message on the occasion of International Volunteer Day, “I hope the global community will do its utmost to ensure that the legacy of the International Year is a world where more and more citizens across the social spectrum are willing and able to volunteer in ways that bring benefits to society and a sense of true fulfilment to the individual volunteer. If we are to achieve the goals set out in the Millennium Declaration, harnessing this potential will be crucial. On this, International Volunteer Day, I encourage everyone to join together as volunteers in support of human progress and well-being.”

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