Former Education Minister, Lyonpo Thakur is a renowned educationist, thinker, and author. A fine user of English language and respected teacher, Thakur S Powdyel is a recipient of Gusi Peace Prize for life-time contribution to education, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, in 2011, the Global Education Award for outstanding contribution to education in 2012, and Distinguished Service Award in 2016.