Blooming nuisance

Posted inTowns
In my last entry, Blooming dogwood, Romeo, a regular commentator, pointed out an "...uncovered drain right next to the lower police gate that is very risky for pedestrians and vehicle drivers during the day as well as night." Romeo is right. The open drain is dangerous. I don't know how long the drain has been left like that, but I first spotted it about ten days ago. The City Corporation is obviously repairing something inside the drain. But they should either secure the area properly, or cover the drain when no one is working on it. Since they haven't,…

Blooming dogwood

Posted inPeople7 Comments
If you go to Thimphu's Clock Tower Square these days, you'll find the dogwood (phetse shing in Dzongkha) there in full bloom. In the midst of what is fast becoming a concrete jungle, the dogwood trees, though there are only three left, provide refreshing refuge. The Clock Tower Square, before it was extensively renovated in 2004, used to have many more trees. Maple and dogwood were some of the trees that Friends of the Square, a group of volunteers, planted along with bamboo, azalea and marigold to convert an unkempt, dirty square to a well organized garden with proper…

Protecting our judiciary

Posted inJustice
On 9 June, Kuensel reported that the selection of the new DDC secretary may have violated the RCSC's position classification system. If this is the case, RCSC should look into it. I have no problem about a member of the judiciary applying of a civil service post, and the RCSC accepting that person's candidature, or selecting that person. No problem that is, as long as both the Judiciary's rules and the RCSC's rules are followed. So the RCSC may wish to ensure that due process was followed. RCSC should also consider if it has infringed on the independence of…

Being blunt

Posted inGovernment
The cartoon in the last issue of Bhutan Times showed Lyonpo Nanda Lal Rai announcing: "I'm going to be blunt. He (opposition leader) along with other MPs will get the CDG. But he's creating all this noise to gain political mileage. If people are misinterpreting the Constitution from day one, they're asking for trouble." I take issue with Lyonpo Nanda Lal on four counts. First, I cannot and will not accept the CDG if I continue to believe it to be unconstitutional. My understanding of our obligations to safeguard our Constitution will not allow me do so. In fact…

Site update: gallery

Posted inMiscellaneous
I'm pleased to announce the latest addition to our website: a gallery where I'll post photos occasionally. I hope you approve. And, naturally, if you'd like to share your photographs, I'll be happy to post them too. The "gallery" button is on the navigation menu above the featured photograph. The inaugural album is of my last trip to Punakha. All the photos were taken at Talo's archery grounds.

About the CDG

Posted inGovernment
Last month, Archibald read "Illegal grants" and commented: "...i've been wondering what the CDG is..." A few other people have also asked me about the CDG. So let's talk about the CDG. Or, better yet, let's see what the National Council has said about the controversial grant. But first, let's recall how the grant was first introduced. It went something like this: On 23 June 2008, during the first session of the Parliament, the National Assembly discussed the budget for the year 2008-2009. The proposed budget made no mention of a CDG. When the National Council debated the proposed…

Gifted Kunzang

Posted inPeople
Here's a gift from Talo, Punakha: Kunzang Lhaden, aged 12, singing a soulful rendition of "Mitse Dina", a soundtrack by Namgay Jigs from the movie "Jigthar". Kunzang learnt this song, and others, by listening to BBS Radio. Enjoy...

Talo archery

Posted inCulture
I was in Puankha over the weekend to participate in a friendly game of archery in Talo. The game was organized by the local people to celebrate the inauguration of the Talo Sherda library by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. Built by the Zhabdrung, Talo's historic archery grounds have seen fierce competitions among many successive generations of the neighboring villages of Talo and Nobgang. And the tradition of the grueling four-day archery challenge between these two villages continues to be the highlight of the local calendar even today. This week's photo features team Talo-Nobgay distracting…

Impersonating OL

Posted inInternational
A friend of mine asked me to look at a certain Govinda Rizal's blog. I did. And I was shocked. Mr Rizal claims that we had been in touch. And that I had written to him. I did no such thing. So someone has impersonated me. I don't see why anyone would want to pretend to be me. But I'm concerned that this may be an attempt to bring discredit to the opposition. And to defame me.

Financing parties

Posted inPolitical parties15 Comments
About a month ago Kuensel reported that DPT MPs had insisted that "... only state funding would save them from sinking under." And quoted Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyal as saying: "Given the experience of the party so far and the need to have a responsible and respectable political system in the country, it's desirable to have state support, because the existence and functioning of spolitical parties have critical implications on the health of the state." I'm amazed that DPT politicians continue to expect state funding for their party. After all, the first session of the parliament had decided that…

New TV centre

Posted inMedia
In 1973 the National Youth Association of Bhutan, consisting of fifty to sixty young women and men, decided that Thimphu needed a radio station. So they asked if they could use the government's radio transmitter on Sundays when the wireless station in Taba normally closed and freed up a 400-watt transmitter. The Royal Government obliged. And Radio NYAB, which later became BBS, was born. Today, 35 years later, HRH Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck inaugurated BBS's new TV Centre. The Centre, financed by GOI, cost Nu 200 million and is fitted with state-of-the-art broadcast equipment. This will allow BBS to…

Social forestry day

Posted inNature
Today, 2nd June, is social forestry day. It is also the day when, 35 years ago, we celebrated the coronation of His Majesty the King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. What's the connection? It's quite straightforward: Our Fourth Druk Gyalpo, despite heavy odds, made our country one of the world's most famous hotspots for biodiversity. So I asked my daughter to help me select a picture to celebrate social forestry day. She chose this photograph, of the mountains opposite the Gasa Dzong. My photo does not do the forests justice but, believe me, the mountains are heavily forested.