Question bank...

I was shocked to read that RMA has given the Punjab National Bank approval to start preliminary work to set up a branch in Bhutan. I have many questions…

Do we know that Punjab National Bank is India’s second largest public sector lending bank? That it has more than 3850 branches? That its total business in 2007 was US$ 60 billion? That this is 56 times our GDP? Or almost 20 times the total planned outlay for our 10th Five Year Plan? That its market value of US$ 2.79 billion which almost trebles our total GDP?

Do we know why they are interested in Bhutan? Is there enough business here? Isn’t our economy too small? Or are they specifically targeting banking for the hydropower projects? If so, what will happen after these projects are over? Will we be able to regulate a giant? Will they operate in the dzongkhags where they will incur losses? Will Bhutan’s national interests be more important than corporate profits for PNB?

Will our existing banks be able to compete with PNB? Will competition be fair since PNB is more experienced, has more money, and better technologies? If not, can our banks survive after PNB enters? If not, where will competition come from?

Was our banking sector overregulated? Did that stunt the growth of our banks? Why suddenly liberalize? Why the sudden urgency? What support for national banks has the government announced? Why not give our banks five years to prepare for international-level competition?

Will the existing banks be allowed to close their loss-making dzongkhag branches so that they can become more competitive? Will they be allowed to relieve excess staff? Will these be good for Bhutan?

What’s happening with the proposals of Bhutanese investors? Why haven’t they been approved? Why shouldn’t Bhutanese be given preference to start banks? Will other Bhutanese be able to start banks once PNB enters? Will they even want to?

And what’s next? Airlines? What will happen to Druk Air? Hydropower? What will happen to DGPC? Cement? Will PCA stand a chance? Ferrosilicon? Steel? Agriculture?

Where’s GNH in all of this?

Our PM’s report...

Yesterday, during the opening day of the National Assembly’s second sitting, our PM submitted his report on the performance of the government.

His report did not touch on the government’s performance in the social sectors and on the economy. Too bad. It was a good opportunity to showcase the successes of the government in these areas. Unless, of course, there hasn’t been enough successes to speak about.

But, on the one hand, the new government has been in office for only eight months – it probably needs more time to prove that it is keeping the promises that it has made.

One the other hand, however, 8 months is enough time to talk about the ground work that the government has done to keep its promises.

And then there are some things that people really want to know. The pay revision, is one – it’s causing too many people too much grief. Effects of the global financial crisis is another – again causing grief. Then there’s inflation, unemployment and education, all causing grief.

And talking of education: what happens when a student delivers an incomplete report? He fails.

Parliament’s second session...

The second session of the Parliament started yesterday.

His Majesty the King, in His Royal Address, commanded that democracy has started off well in our country, but that a lot of work also remains to be done. His Majesty the King reminded the nation that the main purpose of democracy is to further strengthen our country, and to realize the aspirations of the people. And that to achieve these goals, we must work together, as one family.

On behalf of the opposition, I proposed a vote of thanks to offer our deep gratitude to His Majesty the King for gracing Parliament and for continuing to guide the parliamentarians; to congratulation His Majesty on the coronation; to thank all persons and agencies involved organizing the successful celebrations; and to congratulate the people of Bhutan on 100 years of monarchy.

In addition, I shared the following observations with my fellow parliamentarians: (i) that, during the last two years, His Majesty the King has devolved power to the people and introduced democracy most successfully; (ii) that His Majesty the King has gifted an excellent Constitution to the people; (iii) that, for democracy to succeed, we must protect, nurture and cherish our institution of monarchy; and (iv) that the Constitution must be defended by all people.

Today’s pictures...

Today, I saw the future … and it looks good!
Girls having fun, preparing themselves to become future teachers, doctors, engineers, scholars, technicians, poets, businesswomen, and politicians.

It snowed today, this season’s first. Although it was light, and only in the high mountains to the north of Thimphu, I was happy – it is good for our farmers, our environment and for hyrdopower.

Supreme excuse...

Bhutan Observer, Bhutan Times and Kuensel are doing a pretty good job of keeping the controversy over the appointment of the Bhutan Post CEO alive. If it were not for them, the Cabinet’s tentative response to ACC’s investigation and report would have gone unquestioned, and the public would be none the wiser.

But now what? Constitutional experts argue that only the Supreme Court, as the final authority on the interpretation of the Constitution, can decide if the cabinet’s action on the ACC’s report, or lack thereof, is unconstitutional. And that the differences between the ACC and the Cabinet cannot be resolved until the Supreme Court is established. So there seems to be a growing consensus that nothing much can be done for now.

The experts are no doubt, correct. Except that ACC’s corruption charges, if any, are against a few individuals, not against the Cabinet. So those charges, if any, should be dispatched to the District Court.

Otherwise, with time, the gate will eventually close.

Parked Constitution?...

On 12 December the prime minister inaugurated the Wangchuck Centennial Park. This is good news and bad news.

The good news is that Wangchuck Centennial Park, our country’s second largest, covering 3736 sq km across four dzongkhags, connects the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park in the west with Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the east. The entire northern belt of our country is now protected, allowing for even better management of our rich biodiversity. The park will also protect our water systems, essential for hydropower, and provide ecotourism opportunities for our farmers.

The bad news is that the park is illegal. According to our Constitution, only Parliament has the authority to declare parts of the country as protected areas. And Parliament has not discussed the establishment of the park or enacted legislation proclaiming the area as a park. The government’s recent announcement, therefore, violates Article 5 Section 5 of our Constitution which reads: “Parliament may, by law, declare any part of the country to be a National Park, Wildlife Reserve, Nature Reserve, Protected Forest, Biosphere Reserve, Critical Watershed and such other categories meriting protection.”

The government either does not understand our Constitution or is disregarding it. I’m not sure which is worse.

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photo from www.moa.gov.bt

Celebrating volunteers...

I almost didn’t make it. I was so preoccupied writing about Galek’s taekwondo – and watching her practice – that I almost missed this morning’s event to honour two decades of JOCV service in Bhutan.

HRH Ashi Sonam Dechen Wangchuck was the guest of honour, and JOCV and JICA had arranged quite a show – from lively dancing, classical music and health checks to photo exhibitions, tea ceremony and bamboo toys, our Japanese volunteer friends had organized a lot of activities in the Clock Tower square. It was fun.

I would have felt terrible if I’d missed the event. Not because it was fun, but because I have been closely associated with the JOCV program. In my previous incarnation as a civil servant – which seems like ages ago – I requested for, worked with and benefited from the services of many Japanese volunteers.

And the range of volunteers I’ve worked with is extensive. They include two auto mechanics, an architect, a lacquering expert, a doll maker, a leather expert, a metal caster, a rebar fixer, a plumber, and an electrician. All good people who have contributed a lot to improving vocational training, particularly in zorig chusum. They made a difference. To them I offered my quiet, heartfelt thanks.

I’m glad I made it.

Learning taekwondo...

Galek, my daughter, attends taekwondo classes twice a week. This is one of the activities organized by her school for their students during the winter holidays. Galek loves it.

I accompanied her yesterday. I wanted to see how good she’d become. Instead I got to see how good our boys are.

Galek’s coach, Sir Kinley, had called his friends to do a short demonstration for his students. They put on quite a show – performing complicated moves, perfectly choreographed fights, breaking wooden boards and smashing apples blindfolded. Galek and her friends enjoyed the performance. That was the idea. I was enthralled. They are good.

The boys, all sporting black belts, are mainly students. They are members of our national team and they meet every day to train together. They are committed. And most of them have already decided to become taekwondo coaches.

A senior member of the group, Kinley Tshering, 21 years, class 12 in Rinchen HSS, has been learning taekwondo for the last 14 years. He started under Master Tharchen even before he joined school!

Kinley and his friends need and deserve the government’s support. The stipend they used to get as members of our national team has been withdrawn – it needs to be reinstated; and they should have access to scholarships to continue training after high school. Otherwise, it will be difficult to sustain their interest. And that won’t be good for the new taekwondo enthusiasts, one of whom is practicing her kicks and punches even as I post this entry.

Teaching history...

My son, Gyamtsho Tshering, 17 years, Class XI, is home for his winter vacations. My wife and I are delighted to have our family together, and have often worried that our son has had to be away from home for most parts of the year.

Gyamtsho studies in St Joseph’s School, also known as “North Point”, in Darjeeling, India.

Why is he in North Point? Because while he was at Lungtenzampa MSS, the government decided to teach Bhutan history in Dzongkha. His mother had been seriously concerned. “Even as a subject, most students find Dzongkha difficult” she had grumbled, “so how can they use it to learn history properly?” I agreed. Plus most people, especially teachers, had complained that Dzongkha language teachers wouldn’t know enough of history to teach it, and most history teachers wouldn’t be able to teach in Dzongkha.

So we sent him to Darjeeling, despite the emotional and financial hardships.

Now it looks like 10 researchers contacted 96 schools and 15,000 students to establish what most parents have known all along – that teaching history in Dzongkha may not be such a good idea. I hope that the government takes the research findings seriously and acts quickly to undo years of damage.

But some of the damage can’t be undone. If, as the researchers conclude, teaching history in Dzongkha has failed, then, we must accept that, in the last three years, thousands of our students have learnt little history and they probably now dislike Dzongkha even more. Not good for the students. Not good for our national language. Not good for our country.

As for our son, we have not regretted. He receives a well rounded education in North Point, where academic standards are high and a premium is placed on values, sports, music, art, social work and leadership.

And guess who the principal of North Point is? Father Kinley, a Bhutanese! Five years ago, he was sent to revive North Point, a school that had deteriorated over the years. His challenge was to turn the school around. His tool was complete authority and autonomy to do so. And in five years, in spite of the political turmoil there, he has more than turn the school around. Father Kinley’s efforts are already being recognized – Educational World Magazine recently declared that North Point as one of the top 10 residential schools in all of India.

It’s obvious. Bhutanese teachers are capable. Give them the right incentives, some support and a little authority and autonomy, and they will deliver. And remember, good heads make good schools.

Good luck...

950 university graduates have registered to appear for the Civil Service Common Examinations. Written exams for Technical and Dzongkha graduates begin today. General graduates start theirs on the 23rd.

After years of studies, tests and interviews, it is the Common Exams which will determine their immediate futures and, in many cases, their destinies.

I wish all of them the BEST OF LUCK!