Bhutan - Thai Education Fair draws hundreds of Bhutanese students

Thailand has not just become a close trading partner for Bhutan, but also an education destination for the Bhutanese. There is a growing interest among Bhutanese students to study in Thailand.

It is therefore not surprising that a large number of students are visiting the Thai education fair in Thimphu.

Prospective Bhutanese wanting to study in Thailand are taking advantage of the Thai Education Fair which is underway here in the capital.

Professors and academicians from 11 universities in Thailand are gathered under one roof displaying and opening the treasures of knowledge, sharing with the Bhutanese youth the opportunities to study in Thailand.

The Fair was opened formally by the Education Minister Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel yesterday evening.

The colleges and Universities are offering various courses for undergraduate and masters degree.

Some of the Universities like the Mae Fah Luang, Mahidol and Shinawatra Universities are also offering full scholarships to the Bhutanese students.

Today there are about 500 Bhutanese students studying in Thailand.

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International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women observed

November 25 is observed as International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck joined the people of Paro to mark the day.

“Commit, Act and Demand: We can stop violence against women”, is the theme for this year’s International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. The theme reiterates the need for all stakeholders to work together and end all forms of violence against women in the country.

At the function in Drugyal Higher Secondary School, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck said at least one out of every three women suffer some form of mental, physical or sexual abuse. This global scenario Her Majesty said is alarming and gives added reason to use the occasion to remind oneself of the renewed commitments to the cause of women in Bhutan.

Her Majesty the Queen Mother also said that the youth should understand this subject and its negative impact on the society.

The Resident Coordinator of the UN systems in Bhutan, Claire Van der Vaeren said violence against women and girls cut across all boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. She added, globally up to six out of every 10 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

The Resident Coordinator also said that the UN will continue to assist Bhutan and the civil society organizations to support programmes aimed at curbing gender-based violence.

As part of the occasion, RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) members from Paro Dzongkhag also demonstrated short skits and programmes on gender related issues.

Following the official function, Her Majesty the Queen Mother also met with the students of Drugyal Higher Secondary School. Interacting with those gathered for the occasion, Her Majesty the Queen Mother spoke on the need to stop violence against women.

During the celebration, dzongkhag dancers and students of Drugyal Higher Secondary School presented various cultural programme.

Later, Her Majesty the Queen Mother interacted with the gathered women and served Tokha.

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His Holiness presides over the Moenlam Chhenmo in Tsirang

His Holiness the Je Khenpo is presiding over the fifth Moenlam Chhenmo, Great Prayer Ceremony in Tsirang. It is being attended by over thousand devotees including people from neighbouring dzongkhags, lams and monks from the Tsirang Dratshang.

The week long Moenlam Chhenmo began today. It is being conducted for the well-being of the King, the Country and the People.

The prayer ceremony will end on Saturday.

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His Majesty grants audience to Prince of Saudi Arabia

His Majesty the King granted an audience to His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud of Saudi Arabia at the Ugyen Pelri Palace in Paro. Prince Alwaleed was in the country on a day long visit today.

Shortly after his arrival, His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz was granted an audience by His Majesty the King at the Ugyel Pelri Palace.

His Royal Highness was accompanied by His Royal Consort Her Highness Princess Amirah Alotaibi. Prince Alwaleed is the nephew of Saudi King Abdullah and the grandson of King Abdul Aziz – the founder of Saudi Arabia. He is considered one of the richest man in Saudi Arabia and the world’s 19^th richest man by Forbes Magazine.

His Royal Highness was received and later seen off at the Paro International Airport by the Gyalpoi Dronyer Dasho Agay Ugyen Dorji.

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Free check up for a healthy life

Open Health Stall 13 November, 2010 - More than 200 people got checked for hypertension, non-communicable diseases and body mass index at an open health stall put up at the clock tower square on November 11.

Organised by the royal institute of health sciences (RIHS) to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the free service was targeted to create awareness on healthy living.

The 50 trainee students and staff invited people at the square to measure their height, weight and blood pressure; and those, who were in need of improvement, were advised on diets, living style and habits.

RIHS director, Dr Chencho Dorjee, said such health awareness is conducted fortnightly in places of public gathering like chorten, banks and centenary farmers market areas. “After checking blood pressure, height, weight and calculating body mass index, we can identify whether the person is healthy or not.”

“The unhealthy person is referred to the referral hospital and encouraged to eat healthy, exercise and live healthy, before he or she suffers from major health diseases,” he said, adding that the health awareness program can act as a preventive measure and raise awareness on health.

Unhealthy lifestyles, RIHS officials said, were the main risk factors for the development of heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes and strokes.

Along with the awareness programme, donation boxes were also put in place to raise funds for the Bumthang fire victims. Chencho Dorjee said such community service is the third core function of an institute after academics and research.

By Kuenga Tendar

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17335

His Majesty marks the 2nd Coronation anniversary

November 1: His Majesty the King marked the 2nd Coronation anniversary with the affected families and members of the relief team in Bumthang today.

Granting Tokha in purely traditional Bumthap style like Puta and Milk, His Majesty sat with them informally to boost the morale and hopes of the affected families.

His Majesty comforted them that He will personally oversee the relief works, which is currently underway.

Speaking to the soldiers and students of the Chumey Institute of Civil Engineering, His Majesty said that they had come together before to help the people when the unexpected natural disasters struck and they must come together in future also.

His Majesty said that he is proud and happy that they have kept alive the Bhutanese tradition of helping each other in times of need.

Meanwhile, on the Royal Command, the Motion Pictures Association of Bhutan has mobilised popular Bhutanese singers and comedians to entertain the people. His Majesty hopes that the singers and artistes will bring some smiles on the faces of these people who have lost everything in the fire.

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