Bhutan Volunteers Erect 108 Stupas as Part of Gelephu Mindfulness City Project

According to the South China Morning Post, tens of thousands of volunteers assisted in raising 108 Buddhist stupas in Bhutan on Sunday, supporting the Himalayan kingdom's goal of developing a "mindfulness" city intended to boost economic growth.

Assembled News DeskNovember 2, 20261 min read

AI illustration based on reference photographs; not an event photograph. A series of large, white, dome-shaped stupas with golden spires lining a riverbank in a mountainous region. — AI-generated illustration

The South China Morning Post reported that tens of thousands of volunteers contributed to the erection of 108 Buddhist stupas in Bhutan on Sunday. This effort is linked to the Himalayan kingdom's significant plans for a "mindfulness" city, which is intended to stimulate economic expansion.

These solid towers, which are sacred Buddhist monuments commonly seen throughout the Himalayas, stand 15 meters tall. They are situated along a 12-kilometer (7.5 miles) stretch of riverbank near the Indian border, at the location designated for the future Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Officials stated that over 40,000 volunteers participated in constructing these structures, describing the work as creating "a physical form of prayer made permanent in stone and earth," with construction beginning after midnight.

Keep reading

More World

AI illustration based on reference photographs; not an event photograph. A conceptual illustration of an aged wooden ledger surrounded by weathered documents and a brass seal, set in a dark, focused environment to symbolize legal scrutiny of historical labor contracts.

World18m ago4 min

Call for Legal Scrutiny of Deceptive Indentureship in Caribbean Reparations Framework

A writer communicated with Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, the Caricom Secretary-General/CRC Chairman, urging the inclusion of a substantive process regarding the "deceptive indentureship of Asians" within the reparations framework, separate from slavery and genocide.

AI illustration based on reference photographs; not an event photograph. An empty, ornate wooden podium stands in a vast, formally lit hall.

World22m ago5 min

Caricom Finds Apology Without Repair Incomplete Amid UK PM's Stance on Slavery

The Caribbean Community stated that an apology from the UK Prime Minister for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade is incomplete without financial reparations. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed openness to a formal apology but ruled out reparations, a stance that drew criticism from campaigners and regional leaders.

AI illustration based on reference photographs; not an event photograph. An editorial illustration of a cluster of islands in a vast ocean, emphasizing geographical vulnerability and maritime routes.

World2d ago1 min

Analysts Point to Geography, Surveillance Gaps as Factors Making Philippines a Drug Syndicate Hotspot

Analysts suggest that the Philippines' geographical position, insufficient maritime surveillance, and domestic demand contribute to its vulnerability to transnational drug syndicates.