This coming Saturday, Bhutan in all likelihood will become the first country to protect its entire population against Covid-19 with assistance from India. As a DrukAir plane landed at Thimpu's Paro International Airport earlier today, it brought along India's gift of second consignment of 400,000 doses of the ‘Made in India’ Covid-19 vaccine.  

The Himalayan kingdom, along with Maldives, was the first among neighbours and partners to receive 150,000 doses of Covishield vaccine from India on January 20 under the ongoing, highly successful 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative.  

Considering that India had then arranged a special AN32 aircraft to ferry Bhutan’s first consignment of Covid-19 vaccine, just four days after its own massive rollout of the vaccine, highlighted not only the importance India assigns to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy – which has become a central pillar of India’s foreign and security policies since 2014 – but also the uniquely close and friendly relations between both the countries.

The provision of a total number of 550,000 ‘Made in India’ Covid-19 vaccine by India has now enabled Bhutan to launch its nationwide vaccination drive from March 27. The entire eligible population of Bhutan will thus be inoculated with the first dose of the India-made covid vaccine.

 
"Pleased to receive additional 400,000 doses of Covishield, making possible the nationwide rollout of our vaccination program. People of Bhutan and I remain grateful Narendra Modi. We pray these gestures during the pandemic turn into boundless blessings for the people of India," tweeted Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.

As Ambassador of India Ruchira Kamboj handed over the vaccine consignment to the Foreign Minister of Bhutan Dr. Tandi Dorji in a ceremony held at the Paro airport today, she reiterated that the driving force behind 'Vaccine Maitri' is the sentiment of humanitarian global cooperation found in India's ancient scriptures that are full of wisdom.

From the countries in the immediate neighbourhood to nations beyond the Indian Ocean to the Gulf, Africa and the Caribbean, India is truly demonstrating global leadership, internationalism and vaccine equity by having supplied more than 60 million vaccines to over 75 nations across the globe till now.

Kamboj recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual address to the UN General Assembly in September last year where he had declared that in keeping with the ancient Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used to help humanity in fighting the Covid-19 crisis. She reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s words that “India will be a force for good in the neighbourhood. It is committed to improving the well-being of the region.”

India has, as a reflection of the special bond of trust and understanding that has existed with the tiny Himalayan kingdom since last many decades, also handed over 10 consignments of medical supplies, one portable X-Ray machine, essential medicines and medical equipment in addition to the vaccine consignments.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering, also a doctor by profession, had said earlier that the country will vaccinate its entire people together and would roll out the nationwide vaccination programme only after having sufficient doses for the entire targeted population.”

The Buddhist kingdom has chosen March 27 for the Covid-19 vaccination rollout in consultation with the Zhung Dratshang, the central monk body.  

In preparation for the nationwide vaccine roll out, the Zhung Dratshang held a three-day Sangay Menlha Drubchen (a ceremony of extensive practice) which ended with the arrival of Indian vaccine today.

Bhutan's Kuensel Online reported that as per Buddhist astrology, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of Monkey will be the first to receive the vaccination.

As of Sunday, according to the data released by Bhutan's health ministry, 493,493 individuals have registered for the Covid-19 vaccination. The country has so far recorded 869 Covid-19 positive cases, of which 867 have recovered, one is still active and one death has been reported in January 2021.

Spirituality in the air as Bhutan’s Monastic Body conducts a delightful prayer ceremony. The second consignment of Made In India vaccines have arrived in Paro. What an exceptional day for the India-Bhutan friendship! #VaccineMaitri #IndiaBhutanFriendship #PromiseKept
🇮🇳 🤝 🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/BZ5QYTpQDR

— Megha Arora (@m3ghaarora) March 22, 2021