Happy holiday

Posted inCulture
Today, finally, after two years, it snowed in Thimphu. So, we got to enjoy a unique tradition: we did not attend office. Nobody seems to know when it started or how it started, but tradition dictates that Thimphu residents – especially public servants – avoid going to office on the day the city receives its first snowfall of the season. And like most officer-goers in Thimphu, I take this tradition very seriously.

Dangerous work

Posted inEconomy
On September 9, 2007 a flyover that was being built in Hyderabad collapsed killing two people. The contractor, Gammon India, was charged with negligence. On July 12, 2009 a flyover that was being built in South Delhi collapsed killing six people. The contractor, Gammon India, was held responsible for the accident, and was banned from undertaking metro rail construction for two years. On December 24, 2009 a bridge that was being built in Kota, Rajasthan collapsed killing 28 people. Rescuers continue to search for about 50 workers who are missing since the accident. The contractor? Gammon India, who also…

Nomads

Posted inCulture, Government
The Nomad’s festival that was recently organized by the Ministry of Agriculture was a good idea. The event, which was meant to show off our nomadic culture, heritage and traditions, also sought to help our nomads sell their produce while, at the same time, promoting “off season” tourism. But, the choice of the location is questionable. Transporting 90 nomadic groups from eight dzongkhags to Bumthang was not a good idea. Tourists perceive Bumthang to be too cold at this time of the year. And, Bumthang does not have a large enough local population to interact with the nomads and…

Salary fixing

Posted inLegislature
How on Earth could an Honourable Member of Parliament claim that: “From our point of view, the MP’s pay was never fixed and the 20 percent hike was only a hike on an interim and not the fixed pay.” And, how on Earth could another Honourable Member of Parliament point to the finance secretary’s letter of April 2008 as proof that salaries of MPs were never fixed? Yes, the finance secretary’s letter outlined salaries and allowances for MPs as an “interim arrangement”. But, interim only till the salaries were finalized. And, those salaries were finalized when we, Members of…

Visiting Linda

Posted inHealth
My previous entry about Paro Airport's security, prompted Linda Wangmo, a regular contributor, to cry out for help about a situation at our hospital. Listen to her! Security security…….. Lucky our OL and other big shots do not have to spend a night in our hospital… The ward reminds me of a prison in one of the movies.. The G4s armies. They dont even let me share a simple meal with my ailing mom….

Airport security

Posted inGeneral
About six weeks ago, I rejoiced that a leading international travel magazine had rated our only international airport the world’s second best airport to fly into. The landscape, approach, fresh air, architecture, service, all would have contributed to the distinction of Paro International Airport. There is one eyesore though. And, that’s the security fencing around the airport. Razor wire coils fixed on barbed wire fence, several meters high, surround the entire airport. The fence looks ugly. It disfigures the airport’s otherwise peaceful setting. And, it is reminiscent of concentration camps. But the offensive fence may be necessary, for security…

Demand for equity

Posted inGovernment, Towns, Villages
Consider this: in rural Bhutan, our people are undernourished, stunting and wasting. Now consider this: in urban Bhutan, our people are overweight and obese. Time to get serious about the equity in the DPT’s Equity and Justice.

Saving Thimphu

Posted inNature
The International Institute for Environment and Development, in their book Climate Change and the Urban Poor, have identified Thimphu as on of the world’s 15 most vulnerable cities to the effects of climate change. The IIED warns that climate change could cause floods, landslides and fire in our capital. This, obviously, is cause for concern. We must take the dangerous levels of our exposure to climate change seriously. And, we must do our best to work with the world to reduce global warming. But, Thimphu is vulnerable not just because of climate change. We, the residents of Thimphu, are…

Active Thimphu

Posted inHealth
Gyamtsho and I went biking today. We started from our home in Taba and rode through Dechenchholing, Samteling, Zilukha and the Royal Boulevard to the Clocktower Square where we had lunch at the Musk. From there, we cycled uphill: to the Memorial Chorten, then, via the Ring Road (above the hospital), to the Buddha Statue in Kuenselphodrang. We then rode back home: downhill towards the Memorial Chorten, along the Royal Boulevard, below the golf course, and on Dechen Lam to Taba. I’m happy that I got some exercise. And, that I got to spend some time with my son…

Hijacking democracy

Posted inDemocracy, Government
BBS reports that the Prime Minister, in his National Day address in Mongar, cautioned the people about threats to our democracy. On democracy, the Prime Minister said the threats to democracy are mainly from within, reminding the people to be aware of divisive politics for personal gain. He said in many countries in the world, democracy has been hijacked by people who seek power and privilege. I agree with our Prime Minister. I agree with him one hundred percent. We must never allow our democracy to be hijacked by people who seek power and privilege!

Changemaker Chencho

Posted inPeople
Ashoka Changemakers have announced their winners – the three most innovative solutions that radically rethink mental health to achieve individual and community well being. And Dr Chencho Dorji’s project, Promoting Mental Health in Traditional Bhutanese Society, is among them. Dr Chencho’s project has won. Dr Chencho is an Ashoka Changemaker! Well done!

To protect and to serve

Posted inMonarchy
Yesterday, during the National Day ceebrations, His Majesty the King conferred red scarves to Dasho Sangay Khandu, Dasho Bharat Tamang, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, and Dasho Dr. Tandin Dorji for their dedicated services to the tsa wa sum. Congratulations! While conferring the important award, His Majesty commanded that their scarves, which represent the Buddha’s garment, must constantly remind them to serve the people with humility and compassion. And, that their swords must remind them to always defend the security of the people and sovereignty of the nation. This is a powerful reminder to all of us – but, especially to…

Celebrating teachers and workers

Posted inMonarchy
Teachers and blue-collared workers throughout our country must be celebrating. Good. They have reason to rejoice. Yesterday, during the National Day celebrations in Changlimithang Stadium, His Majesty the King paid special tribute to our teachers and blue-collared workers. And, in recognition of their important services to the tsa wa sum, His Majesty awarded the National Order of Merit to 16 educationists and blue-collared workers. One craftsman, Jinzop Karma, Bhutan’s foremost traditional sculptor, was bestowed the Druk Thugsay. My heartiest congratulations to them. And, to the countless teachers and blue-collared workers all across our Kingdom, I say: thank you. Photo…

Making the right connections

Posted inEconomy
Here’s why many of us suffered slow internet connections yesterday: Vandals had severed Reliance’s fiber optic cables somewhere between Siliguri and Jaigon. The damaged cables are being replaced, and Reliance has assured Bhutan Telecom that their connections will be restored within an hour. Bhutan Telecom’s total bandwith is currently 110 Mbps. Of this 90 Mpbs is provided by Reliance – 45Mpbs from Reliance London; and, as backup, 45 Mbps from Reliance Hongkong. However, all 90 Mpbs come in through Jaigon along the same route, even if on separate cables. This compromises the Bhutan Telecom’s bandwith backup aspirations. The remaining…

De facto increase

Posted inGovernment, Legislature
The National Assembly’s decision to increase the salaries of MPs has caused widespread public outrage. Rightfully so. Not one person has registered support for the pay increase in any of the online discussion forums, including this blog where, in my last entry, I had suggested that the pay increase could be illegal. Since then, I’ve been thinking about another matter that the Government will soon have to deal with. After several ministers had argued that the salaries of MPs had to be increased, and increased to salary levels of Secretaries, one minister proposed to increase the salaries of Secretaries…