Disaster relief

August 25, 2009Posted inGovernment, Legislature
On 21st July, the Ambassador of India to Bhutan presented Nu 100 million to our government. The money, a gift from the government and people of India, was to carry out relief works of the damages caused by the May 26th floods. Yesterday, the Ambassador of Thailand to Bhutan presented US$ 20,000 to our government, also to carry out relief works on the May 26th floods. The gifts reflect the sympathy of these countries towards us, and underscore the friendship and goodwill that we enjoy with them. We must put their money to good use. And the best possible…

Nopkin.com

August 24, 2009Posted inPeople
Is this site too serious? Do I complain too much? Does my writing lack style? Am I boring? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should visit Nopkin.com. There you’ll find a good supply of exciting stories and funny jokes, all contributed by members who write and live by the Nopkin maxim: “make somebody’s day!” Nopkin is the brainchild of Sangay Tenzin. When Sangay joined work, in 2005, he realized that it was difficult to stay in touch with his friends. So he decided to do something about it. He painstakingly developed a website that was…

Language, culture and identity

August 24, 2009Posted inCulture, People
On 24 June 2009, H.E Pavan K. Verma, India’s ambassador to Bhutan, talked about Culture, Identity and Globalization. The talk, which was organized by the Centre for Bhutan Studies, was attended by wide cross section of people, from scholars, teachers and civil servants to consultants, businesswomen and politicians. Ambassador Verma, an accomplished scholar and writer, warned his audience that, due to the unprecedented reach of globalization, change in Bhutan is inevitable. And that unless we have an intimate knowledge of our own culture – a knowledge that can only come from deep introspection – we will not be able…

More Bhutanese bloggers

August 23, 2009Posted inMiscellaneous9 Comments
Like many of you, I follow several Bhutanese bloggers. But, some of the first bloggers I came across rarely write now. And one of them – who used the pen name Bhutanese Blogger – even announced, two months ago, that it was time to “move on”. But, there’s good news. Every now and then, I come across new Bhutanese bloggers. PaSsu, a teacher in Bajothang, writes about life in Wangduephodrang in his blog, PaSsu Diary. And occasionally, he gives IT-related advice, like “Speeding up your computer – some tips” which many of us will find useful. Liz Warren is…

Policing the legislature

August 22, 2009Posted inLegislature
Jurmi Chhowing asked me to post his article "What exactly is The RBP's Status?" on this blog. It appears that Bhutan Observer inadvertently ran an unedited version of the story. And, more importantly, that they wrongly credidted the article to Thuji Nadik. If you wish to feature your story as a "guest", please send them to me by email. Do not post your stories as comments.

Bhutanese runner

August 21, 2009Posted inPeople42 Comments
Every year, countless professional and amateur runners from all over the world dream of taking part in the New York City Marathon. However, only 37,000 runners are selected to run in New York’s world famous marathon. Rinzin Rinzin, who hails from Pam in Trashigang, is one of them. Rinzin ran at school. And participated at school-level marathons. But he never won any prizes. He kept running though, and as a guide at Amankora, he sometimes accompanied his guests for short runs. One of them, Mr Ynaar, and he quickly became running buddies. They jogged together almost every morning and…

Targeting the rain

August 21, 2009Posted inCulture, Economy
Yangphel Archery’s second knockout round began today. The 14 winning teams and 10 “joker” teams from this round will make it to the quarter finals. And the 8 winners plus one joker from the quarterfinals will play the semifinals. The tournament began on 4th July. And during the last seven weeks 182 matches were played. But, guess what, not a single match was postponed. The weather has held up remarkably well. For the archers, that is; not our farmers who, at this time of the year, need rain. So today, when I congratulated Tshewang Rinchen, the tournament’s secretary general,…

What face?

August 19, 2009Posted inPolitical parties
I was alarmed to read Kuensel’s story “Bjemina volte face” in which Gup Tenzin was quoted as saying that he heard from a tshogpa that: “… PDP supporters went from house to house talking to people and convincing them.” This is a serious charge. So, I telephoned Gup Tenzin. He denied having said anything of that sort. I then called the reporter, Tenzing Lamsang. And, he claimed that Gup Tenzin repeatedly confirmed that PDP supporters did go from house to house convincing them to support the stone quarry. I don’t understand what’s going on. But, I must try to…

Illegal, immoral, dangerous

August 19, 2009Posted inPolitical parties41 Comments
Three months ago, some PDP members in Paro received a letter. The letter was signed jointly by the DPT MPs from Paro: Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and Dasho Chencho Dorji. The letter, which apparently targeted businessmen, asked the recipients for financial support to run the DPT office in Paro. Article 15.4(d) of the Constitution declares that political parties can only accept money or assistance made by its registered members. And, Section 146(c) of the Election Act states that a political party may be dissolved if “it has solicited or resorted to collection of funds from private individuals or any agency…

Important musing

August 19, 2009Posted inPeople
When I invited guests to contribute articles, I forgot to mention that the welcome does not extend to anonymous writers. The reason is straightforward: readers will take what you say seriously only if they know who is saying it. Plus there’s the matter of respecting our readers, people whose attention we seek. And then there’s accountability. But before I could announce this rule, one Anonymuse, an anonymous person, sent me an article. So I’m going to publish what Anyonmuse has to say. The person has, after all, spent considerable time thinking and writing about an important issue.

Stop press!

August 16, 2009Posted inMedia22 Comments
On 30th July, the media received a much-needed shot in the arm when, at the concluding ceremony of the third session of the Parliament, His Majesty the King underscored the importance of the media and commanded: “I appreciate that while some of the media agencies are young and lack adequate resources they have strived to perform their duties with complete commitment. Hereafter, media will be vital in keeping people well informed and in encouraging debate and participation - key to a vibrant democracy. Therefore, I have decided that through the exercise of my Royal Prerogative of Kidu, to strengthen…

Independence Day

August 15, 2009Posted inInternational
Earlier today, I celebrated India’s Independence Day at the India House. H.E Ambassador Varma hosted a reception at his residence, and treated us to an unforgettable evening of Kathak, one of the main forms of Indian classical dance. Their Royal Highnesses Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and Dasho Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck were the guests of honour at the festivities. To all my Indian friends – living in Bhutan, in India and many other countries – I offer warm greetings and a hearty tashi delek! during your 63rd Independence Day.

Guests

August 14, 2009Posted inPeople
Several people have suggested that I invite writers to contribute articles for this site. I’ve debated this suggestion. On the one hand, featuring guests could risk inadvertently transforming a unique web log into a common social site. But on the other hand, guests would bring a wealth of new ideas and perspectives to “life and politics in democratic Bhutan”. And they would most probably contribute articles that make much better reading than what I offer. So, I’ve decided to welcome guest writers. I will not invite any one in particular. But, I will welcome every one of you who…

Coping with disaster

August 13, 2009Posted inGovernment, Nature
On 27 July 1996, six boys from Begana went on a picnic to Tango. They lost their way in the thick forests, and despite the best efforts of the rescue teams – soldiers had literally combed the jungles – the students could not be found. 12 harrowing days later, police stumbled upon four of the boys in the forests above Punakha. The mountains had, by then, claimed the lives of two boys. That shocking incident led Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, who was the education secretary at that time, to formalize, improve and expand scouting in Bhutan. He believed that the…