Semtokha Dzong

Posted inCulture
The last “Big picture” was of the Semtokha Dzong. Yeshey Dorji, who constributed the picture, has asked me to announce that Kintoen was the first to answer correctly. Kintoen: please contact me by email to collect your prize, lunch at the Musk. The photograph and prize are sponsored by Yeshey Dorji. My favourite feature of the Semtokha Dzong is the roof. The main structure has a gradually sloping roof that is unique in its simplicity. But in 2003, the old roof was replaced in favour of a jamtho and serto, the elaborate golden pinnacle that adorns all the other…

Returning graduates

Posted inEconomy, Employment, Youth8 Comments
Since the start of planned modern development in our country, one of our biggest constraints to progress has been the consistent shortage of human resources. We simply did not have enough skilled and qualified people required to initiate and sustain development. So when our students studying in India and beyond returned home after they graduated, we welcomed them back eagerly. And we were proud of the fact that they – almost every single one of them – chose to return home instead of working abroad. Not any more. Recently, 100 graduates completed a month-long training at Infosys. 37 of…

Working women

Posted inWomen28 Comments
A good 52% of the participants in our last poll said that we do not discriminate against our women. But 44% said that our women do face discrimination. And the rest, that’s hardly 4%, said that they couldn’t tell. A majority of us feel that our women do not suffer discrimination. That’s good. And that must be so. After all, our society is, more or less, matriarchal; inheritance favours daughters; men move in with their wives; wives don’t take their husbands’ names; widows and divorcees can remarry; and our laws protect women. For these reasons, and many more, we…

Ridiculous fun!

Posted inCulture
Our Yangphel Archery season came to a sudden end this afternoon. Team ZIMDRA played TANDIN’S POP n ALL and GADEN PHUNSUM in the last of eight quarterfinal matches. All three teams had decided that they must win to proceed to the semifinals – it would be too difficult to outdo NAMSEYCHOILNG R’s 43 kareys for the only wild card spot. With each of the three teams winning a set each by the 12th round, the three-way contest had become interesting. And, most of the spectators predicted that the winner would be decided by a penalty shootout at the end…

Letter trail

Posted inPolitical parties
Several of you (Pro Media, Zamtap, Sonam, Kudrung and Kids) have asked me to post the letter that Lyonpo Khandu and Dasho Chencho wrote soliciting financial assistance from people who are not registered members of their party. One reader, Kids, almost begged: “I sincerely request your excellency to share the letters with us.” There’s no law prohibiting me from posting the letters (one in Dzongkha, the same in English). Yet, I feel uncomfortable. So please bear with me. But, be assured that my reluctance to post the letters here is not because I don’t want to share the evidence,…

Painful solutions

Posted inHealth
I couldn’t sleep well last night. I shivered and shook, and tossed and turned as powerful antibiotics tried to fight off an infection and a growing fever. I’m a lot better now. But my whole body aches. I feel drowsy. And I spent most of the day in bed. The cause of my misery is my tooth. Yes, it’s the same one that I treated about three months ago. This time the dentist, Dr Pratap Tamang, a veteran, examined my tooth, ordered an x-ray and decided that, if I wanted to save the painful tooth, he would have to…

Running comments

Posted inMiscellaneous6 Comments
I like receiving your comments. They show that you are concerned about the issues raised here. And that you are prepared to discuss them. Naturally, I enjoy comments that agree with and support my views. Please keep them coming! But I find critical comments – even those that are not obviously constructive – useful too. I read them carefully. And reread them. I don’t like editing your comments. And, except for the one time I erased an obscenity, I have not edited any. I don’t reject comments. But I’m closing one on-going discussion. I’m forced do so. “Bhutanese runner”…