Tshering Tobgay

MPAB delivers

November 9, 2010Miscellaneous

I’m back in Thimphu having completed my medical treatment (I’m fully better now), and after visiting Bumthang where, thanks to His Majesty’s People’s Project, the victims of the recent fire disaster in Chamkhar town and the town itself are already well on they way to a full recovery. The banner features MPAB artists entertaining RBA soldiers involved in the reconstruction of Chamkhar. The artists also performed for the residents of Chamkhar. And, a day after arriving in Thimphu, they organized a fund raising event at the Clock Tower Square.

Mind your language

November 2, 2010Miscellaneous

“Spelling bee” generated a lot of discussion. Almost all of it was good. The debate was lively. And most of the arguments were presented convincingly. But a couple of commentators got carried away. They started swearing, in English and in Dzongkha. This is unfortunate. And unnecessary. You don’t need to curse to drive home your point. So please, no swearing. No unnecessary expletives. Henceforth, I will exercise my option to censor comments that are abusive.

Fundamentally right

October 31, 2010Government, Legislature

Several readers didn’t agree with my suggestion that the government should pay more money for the land that they are acquiring behind the Tashichhodzong. “Dorji Drolo” favours increasing the land rates only for the original inhabitants of Hejo, but fiercely opposes increases for the others, most of who would have purchased the land at much lower prices. “Dorji Drolo” also agrued that, since the land was “… earmarked for green area some 20 years back” the compensation rates were sufficient. I agree with “Dorji Drolo” that the original inhabitants should be paid more, much more, for their land. Many…

Disaster relief

October 27, 2010Legislature

At 2:00 am yesterday morning, even as fire raged through Chamkhar town, the Galpoi Zimpoen’s office was already coordinating efforts to control the disaster. Three hours later, together with the Dzongdag, Royal Bhutan Police, civil servants, monks, students and local residents, His Majesty the King’s representatives in Bumthang were able to contain the fire from spreading throughout the town. By then, the inferno had left behind a trail of destruction – two men lost their lives, 42 houses were razed to the ground, 66 shops were destroyed, and 267 people were left homeless. But, at the command of His…

A voting matter

October 22, 2010Democracy

India’s electronic voting machines have come under some scrutiny by the media, civil society, politicians and voters. Since we use the same voting machines, our chief election commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, clarified that the recent questions surrounding the integrity of the EVMs are: … nothing to worry about. “I’m not concerned because I’ve seen many EVMs and the Indian EVMs are the best,” he said, adding that he had inspected various EVMs at an international conference in Philippines, where international vendors showcased technology during an exhibition at the election technology conference. “We have no reason to be concerned.” The…

Paying for land

October 20, 2010Government9 Comments

It’s autumn. And the Tashichhodzong, when viewed from the North, looks beautiful. Tidy terraced fields, lush with golden paddy present a perfect foreground for Thimphu’s auspicious dzong. Many generations of travelers before us would have, no doubt, taken in almost exactly the same tranquil view. And thanks to the government’s plans to maintain that lovely stretch of land, many generations of travelers after us could also enjoy the uninterrupted view of the dzong. To ensure that that piece of property stays as it is, the government has decided – and rightfully so – to acquire 42.32 acres of farmland…

Spelling Bee!

October 17, 2010Media42 Comments

Do you like quizzes? If so, here's one. But it's open only to Kuensel journalists. Study the clip below from yesterday's Kuensel. Then choose the correct answer. How does the opposition leader, Tshering Tobgay, spell his name? Tshering Tobgye Tshering Tobgay Tshering Tobgyel Bonus points for spelling the other opposition party member's name correctly.

Happy Dashain!

October 17, 2010Religion

Yesterday, I joined Thimphu’s Hindu community to mark the conclusion of the nine-day Durga Puja. During the puja, the Goddess Durga’s blessings were invoked for the long lives of Their Majesty the Kings, and the peace, prosperity and happiness of the people. The sacred ceremony, which has been organized annually since 1981, is still conducted in a make-shift temple in the PWD Colony. So I’m happy to hear that the government has allotted land in Thimphu to build a proper mandhir. Today, I wish my fellow Bhutanese who observe Dassera, a very happy Dashain! I’m off to celebrate this…

Letter to graduates

October 15, 2010Youth

“Bhutanese Blogger” left a comment on “Leadership of the Self”, a post targeted at this year’s graduates. In his comment (don’t ask how I know his gender) – which happens to be a letter he’d posted on his blog last year – he talks about career choices, the need to develop a strong resume, the importance of cultivating useful networks, entrepreneurship and further studies. These are, indeed, some important issues that our graduates should ponder. So I’m reproducing his comment here to allow graduates to access it easily. …………………………………………………………………………………… This was written in 2009. Some figures have changed since…

Our health is in our hands

October 15, 2010Health

It’s the tourist season. And at mealtimes, tourists across our country – in restaurants and in dining tents – will regard, with some amusement, their guides roll and set aside small balls of rice. “Bhutanese way of washing hand!” our guides will declare referring to their pre-meal rituals. Some of the tourists will, as always, give it a try, and end up, as always, with streaks of black starch on their hands. The other tourists will laugh. And the guides will attempt to explain how we, Bhutanese, “dry clean” our hands. This traditional way of “washing” our hands may…

Prophesy fulfilled

October 14, 2010Religion

Many years ago, while resting in Mesina, Je Geshe Gedun Rinchen, surveyed the horizons, and predicted that, one day, a monastery would be built on the high hill that stood before him. Yesterday, that prophesy was fulfilled. In a sacred ceremony, His Holiness the Je Khenpo consecrated Bhutan’s newest monastery, the Sangchhen Dorji Lhendup Lhakhang. The monastery, built in traditional Bhutanese style, stands on the prophesized site, a prominent ridge overlooking almost all of Punakha, Wangduephodrang and Toebasa. The monument was painstakingly built by Yab Ugyen Dorji over the last two years, and is a showpiece of traditional art…

Questionable lottery

October 11, 2010Government7 Comments

According to Business Bhutan, Nu 150 billion worth of Bhutanese lottery tickets were printed illegally every year in the Indian state of Kerala alone. That’s a lot of money by any measure. But to get a proper sense of how much Nu 150 billion really is, consider that our entire GDP is only about Nu 60 billion. Or that the Tenth Five Year Plan outlay is Nu 148 billion (the Ninth Plan outlay was Nu 70 billion). So I was surprised to learn that the prime minister’s fist response to the alleged lottery scam was remarkably casual. The prime…

Leadership of the Self

October 10, 2010Monarchy2 Comments

About 1,300 graduates are taking part in the annual graduate orientation programme. And like last year, and the year before, the opposition party will not have the opportunity to meet them.
Last year, I blogged about what I would have spoken about had I been able to meet the graduates. And over the weekend, I’ve been thinking about the wide range of issues that might interest this year’s graduates. But one topic stood out: His Majesty the King’s recent Convocation Address to the students of the University of Calcutta.
As the students in Kolkata prepared to enter the real world of work, His Majesty the King had urged them to live their lives guided by the values of kindness, integrity and justice. To exercise “Leadership of the Self”, His Majesty commanded, is to become better human beings. And that to bring change in the world – to eradicate poverty; to reduce inequalities; to reverse environmental degradation; to improve healthcare – we need to actively seek out “Leadership of the Self”; not leaders to lead the masses.
His Majesty the King’s message is even more relevant for every one of us at home. And it’s particularly pertinent for the 2010 graduates, our future leaders, for whom I reproduce His Majesty’s address in its entirety.

Haa mela

October 4, 2010Monarchy

Yesterday, the thousands of spectators who had gathered in Haa to celebrate Imtrat’s 48th Raising Day were treated to a memorable programme of sensational parajumps, equestrian displays, motorcycle stunts, dog agility, gymnastics and martial music. But what really enthralled the eager crowd – locals and Indians alike – was HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck unexpectedly riding “Tipu Sultan”, an army thoroughbred, at a full gallop, attempting to pick up tent pegs with his lance. The banner features our dashing prince on the young charger.

Security Council?

September 30, 2010Government18 Comments

Our government has started to campaign for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Is this a good idea? Take the poll that asks: “Should Bhutan lobby to join the UN Security Council?”