A Correspondent, Guwahati: A nine-member delegation from Bhutan’s ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project arrived at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport today, marking the beginning of a six-day official visit to Assam and Meghalaya aimed at fostering regional cooperation and exploring opportunities for cross-border collaboration. On the first day, the delegation visited the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and the revered Hayagriva Madhava Mandir at Hajo in Kamrup district, reflecting a blend of technological and cultural exchange. The itinerary for Sunday includes visits to prominent city landmarks such as the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Umananda (Peacock Island), the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, and the Royal Bhutan Consul General’s Office. The team will head to Meghalaya on Monday for further engagements and return to Assam for high-level meetings on June 10. During their Guwahati stopover, the delegation is scheduled to meet Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Chief Commissioner of Central GST, Central Excise and Customs, North East Region. The visit will conclude with a trip to Kamakhya Temple, Pandu Port, and Royal Global University on June 11 before the delegation departs for Bhutan the following day. Gelephu Mindfulness City, envisioned as a Special Administrative Region in southern Bhutan near the Assam border, aims to combine economic development with holistic living and sustainability. CM Sarma, who visited Bhutan in December 2023, had emphasized the potential economic ripple effect of GMC across lower Assam districts like Kokrajhar, Chirang, and Bongaigaon. He clarified that Assam does not intend to create a twin city, but rather play a complementary role to Bhutan’s visionary project, welcoming potential investment and regional growth fueled by GMC’s emergence as a global destination.
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