Putting Bhutan and the Gelephu Mindfulness City on the Map: The CBS 60 Minutes Story
IN FOCUS
Karma Dorji, Travel Programs Coordinator, Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions
CBS 60 Minutes Producer Shari Finkelstein and veteran 60 Minutes Cameraman Jonathan Partridge filming above the Tashichho Dzong, the building that also houses the king's office and the throne room.
With thoughtful itineraries honed since 1999, we unveil the depths of Bhutan's happiness philosophy, the daily physical adventures through the beautiful Himalayan landscape complemented by the intimate and in-depth cultural experiences sensitively curated for you every day.
Through the eyes of a select few informed leaders we saw the dilemmas of a culture: A hitherto sheltered nation discovering the arguments for and against remaining a cloistered society in this 21st Century. I loved the adventure, and I loved the discovery. Unlike anything else I have ever experienced!
Lola W., California
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Just a few of the over 600 kilos of equipment that forms a part of the production gear for a 60 Minutes segment like the one on Bhutan.
Following months of background prep—during which we worked closely with both the producers and Bhutan Foundation’s Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy, Tsering Yangzom, who provided the introductions—the adventure began in earnest as soon as the 60 Minutes team touched down at Paro International Airport, Bhutan's primary gateway for international visitors. The airport's dramatic setting, surrounded by towering mountains, immediately immersed the crew in Bhutan's awe-inspiring landscape, highlighted by an incredible opportunity for the film crew to shoot their approach into the Himalayas from the cockpit during their flight from Delhi, courtesy of private carrier Bhutan Airlines’ CEO Pema Nadik.
Upon arrival, the team had no problems adjusting to the high altitude of Paro, which sits at over 7,300 feet above sea level. In consultation with the producers, we navigated Bhutan's tourism and official regulations in advance, securing special permits and visas required to film at a series of special locations within Bhutan’s carefully preserved boundaries.
The complex and condensed itinerary took a part of our team and the 60 Minutes Crew on a whirlwind tour across Bhutan. In the capital city of Thimphu, they witnessed the vibrant Thimphu Drubchen festival, capturing the mesmerizing traditional masked dances. A highlight of their time in the capital was an interview with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, conducted from a balcony overlooking the majestic Tashichho Dzong fortress.
Like a highly trained special ops team, the 60 Minutes crew hit the ground running as we sought to immerse them in Bhutanese culture. Within hours of arrival, they were filming capital city scenes such as the main city circle (where smartly uniformed policemen still direct traffic from a booth). They shot lots of “B-Roll” footage of ordinary citizens from all walks of life, capturing various aspects of the kingdom’s culture, modernization and Buddhist spirituality, including Bhutanese elders spinning prayer wheels at ancient temples and stupas. Then began a rapid-fire series of on-camera interviews, which were efficiently conducted by the anchor, the legendary Lesley Stahl, with a wide range of Bhutanese intellectuals and thinkers, government representatives and the past and current Prime Ministers. For some local color, we took them to see a tournament of archery, Bhutan's national sport.
The 60 Minutes crew enjoying a light moment during the breakneck schedule that had us crisscrossing the country to complete the filming and interviews for the segment.
A pivotal part of the reportage focused on the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City project in southern Bhutan. This segment of the trip involved a short flight from the capital to Bhutan's lush, tropical lowlands. We drove into the dense forests above the city and the crew climbed down to a scenic vantage point to survey the future city site. They conducted an insightful interview with Dr. Lotay Tshering, the former Prime Minister, who is spearheading the project under the command of the king. They also captured footage of the region's majestic Asiatic elephants roaming in the wild, in the jungles edging up right next to the sleek new double-lane road leading to the airport.
The legendary CBS 60 Minutes News Anchor Lesley Stahl with the GMC Project Lead, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dr. Lotey Tshering.
In a rare and privileged moment, the 60 Minutes team was granted a private audience with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, achieved through a series of requests to, and accommodations made by, His Majesty’s Secretariat, and the young team leaders at the GMC project, including the lead GMC communications officer Rabsel Dorji, and advisor-at-large, Dasho Kinley Dorji, a Bhutanese graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism in New York, who once led Bhutan's first national weekly, Kuensel. This exclusive meeting provided invaluable context and depth to the team’s understanding of the royal plans for the Gelephu Mindfulness City. During the audience, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck shared details of his vision, and the progress on the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a bold initiative aimed at creating new economic opportunities and potentially attracting Bhutanese citizens back to the country. This project is particularly relevant given Bhutan's recent challenges, including a significant portion of the population leaving the country (mostly for Australia) in recent years. The Prime Minister’s Office and the PMO’s Chief Communications Officer provided important lines of access to Bhutan’s democratically elected head of government, Lyonchhoen (Prime Minister) Tshering Tobgay. This comprehensive exploration of Bhutan, blending ancient traditions with ambitious future plans, culminated in the captivating 60 Minutes report that aired on November 17, 2024, offering viewers a rare glimpse into what many consider an enigmatic kingdom, and its bold vision for the future.
Behind the scenes at one of the interviews. Pictured on the monitor: Dasho Kinley Dorji, the father of modern journalism in Bhutan.
THE CBS 60 Minutes Special Report on Bhutan and the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which aired in November 2024, was the result of a meticulously planned and executed journey that we coordinated with CBS 60 Minutes Producers Shari Finkelstein and Collette Richards.
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