Bhutan - His Majesty grants dhar and kabney to the Gups

His Majesty the King granted dhar and kabney to 190 Gups at the Tashichhodzong today. They are the first democratically elected Gups. A Press release from the Royal Office of Media says that the award of kabney to Gups by His Majesty is unprecedented and symbolises the importance and apolitical nature of the local government in the new governance era.

Speaking to the Gups, His Majesty said in the few years since 2008, we have conducted the general elections, adopted the constitution and formed the houses of parliament, constitutional bodies and the Supreme Court. His Majesty said today we have accomplished yet another milestone in establishing the first local governments under democracy. He said all the founding pillars of democracy in Bhutan have been laid so early in his reign as he fulfills the vision of his father of a vibrant democracy.

His Majesty said as a symbol of the independence and importance of local government, he is awarding them kabneys from the throne. “Local government is not the lowest level of government,” His Majesty said. He said it is the nearest and closest level of government for the people. For rural Bhutanese, local governments are indispensable avenues for participation in democracy and development. In the long run, the success of democracy in Bhutan His Majesty said will be determined by the success of local governments.

His Majesty added that the Gups might think that His Majesty have detailed their duties and responsibilities and the importance of local government but have said few words of felicitation and praise for their success in the elections. He said their work is yet to begin and praise will not solve any of the problems facing the people.

His Majesty said he will be the first to commend and praise their achievements, if, after five years he finds that the Gups have served their constituencies well, that they have worked hard and without prejudice and above all without hurting the sentiments of the people.

The Gups led by the Venerable Yangbi lopen of the central monastic body offered tashi moenlam prayers to His Majesty the King. The Gups said they felt privileged to have received such recognition from His Majesty the King. They will now serve for a term of five years. According to the Gyalpoi Zimpoen Dasho Penjore, Gup’s kabney like any other position-tied decorations can only be worn for the duration of the tenure.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bhutan Treks - The Brokpa People and Their Legends

Eastern Bhutan is arguably one of the world's most beautiful regions - and it is home to the culturally unique Brokpa people, who live in Merak and Sakten. For almost two decades, Bhutan treks in that part of the country were not permitted by the government for undisclosed reasons - rumours alleged the desire to protect the Yeti - but the regions of Merak and Sakten are now open again. Bhutan treks there offer the truly memorable opportunity to meet these wonderful people.

Ethnically Unique

The Brokpas speak Sharchop, a different language to that spoken elsewhere in Bhutan - more noticeable to visitors on Bhutan treks, they dress uniquely. Brokpa people are easily recognised by their woven red jackets, often detailed with stitched animals, and curious black yak hats. These hats have five spidery legs, designed to channel rainwater away from the wearer's head and body. As befitting the name Brokpa, which can be translated to mean 'nomad' or 'herder', the people remain semi-nomadic yak herders, relying on the animal for clothing, food and transport. For anyone with an interest in minority ethnic groups and the preservation of traditional ways of living in an increasingly modern, homogenous world, Bhutan treks in Merak and Sakten are a must.

Aum Jono and the King's Demand

Like many Himalayan peoples, the Brokpa have a story of their origin. They moved to Bhutan many hundreds of years ago - according to them, this is because they once lived in Tibet, until a conflict with a ruler. This king demanded that his people remove the top of a mountain because it blocked the sun, covering his palace in shadow. One woman, Aum Jono, who did not think this ridiculous order should be obeyed, told her people that it was far easier to remove a head than a mountain-top. The Brokpas agreed. After killing the king, Aum Jono led them to safety and prosperity in eastern Bhutan. She is now revered as a protecting deity, with a festival held in her honour.

Brokpas and the Yeti

Anyone planning to go on Bhutan treks will surely have heard of the Yeti. To the Brokpas this creature is called Megay, and yak herders to this day report encountering Megay in high, thickly forested altitudes, typically when they have pursued a straying yak. According to their remarkable tales, the Megay consumes bamboo shrubs, is white or light red in colour, and smells of garlic. The Megay is not a curiosity, as it is to Westerners, but a guardian deity of remote mountainous regions - and the Brokpas accordingly treat it with respect.

Bhutan - Search continues for two missing workers

Samdingkha Bridge Collapse 4 July, 2011 - Four days after the Samdingkha bridge in Punakha collapsed, police, army personnel and construction workers continue their search for the two workers who went missing after they fell into the river.

An 18-year-old JCB backhoe loader operator’s assistant and a 22-year-old road roller operator went missing since July 1 after the JCB backhoe they were in, to launch the bridge’s metal sheet, fell into the Samdingkhachu and Punatsangchu.

Six workers were inside the JCB backhoe loader at the time of the incident.

While two workers, a 22-year-old excavator operator and 26-year-old site in-charge escaped with minor injuries, the body of a 21-year-old site supervisor was fished out a few hours after the bridge collapsed.

The body of the 19-year-old tractor driver was found at a shallow riverbank, 2km away from the accident site on the morning of July 2.

Police in Punakha said the swollen river must have washed away the bodies of the two missing workers.

“We have already informed police in Wangduephodrang check post and Punatsangchu officials to look for the bodies,” an official said.

The construction of the 60m double-decked reinforced bailey bridge began seven months ago.

It gave way when the backhoe loader, laying metal sheets on the bridge, reached midway.

By Tashi Dema

Bhutan - Bhutan Packages for the Wild Life Adventurer

When you begin planning your leisure travel to destinations far and beyond your borders, you are often faced with a bewildering array of choices not simply about the country or region you can visit but also the type of tour package you can consider. traveling to Bhutan doesn't make it on everyone's travel wish list under normal circumstances. However, if we tell you about a few types of Bhutan packages and focus on one of them, may be we will change your mind.

Bhutan packages for just about everyone

First a gentle introduction. bhutan is a small kingdom in Asia just north of India nestled quietly in the foothills of the Himalayan range of mountains seriously far away from the madding crowd as Thomas Hardy would have put it. The mountain kingdom, as it is often referred to, didn't let too many visitors into the country until recently. Why you ask? The royal family wanted to keep the country "as it is" without compromising the incredible beauty and magnificence of the nation's topography and landscape that is so often corroded by millions of tourists. Even today, every Bhutan travel agency offering a Bhutan package is required to register and seek permission from the government through a tightly monitored visa process before a tour group or individual tourist is permitted to enter the country. Except for a beach vacation experience, the country offers literally every type of organized travel including:

• Hiking and trekking packages
• Relaxing and slow-paced sightseeing packages
• Honeymoon packages
• Photography packages
• Spiritual and religious packages
• Outdoor adventure packages such as packages which include river rafting and kayaking

And the most popular which we have kept for the last, wildlife adventure packages.

Bhutan Packages Featuring Himalayan Wildlife

Some years ago, an internationally acclaimed wildlife expert named Dr. Alan Rabinowitz decided to visit Bhutan to find out if the high altitudes for which the country is so popular could actually support wildlife in the real sense of the term. He turned to technology combined with his keen instinct for an answer. With assistance from an experienced photography veteran named Gordon Buchanan who was employed with BBC at that time, he set up several cameras with built-in infra red motion sensors covering a wide expanse of the Himalayan range. The cameras were monitored remotely for performance and when the team returned three months later, they were amazed by the results. They found that wildlife in Bhutan was alive and kicking for sure. Leopards, red foxes, Jungle cats, Himalayan black bears, monkeys and even tigers were all co-existing in pure and pristine harmony in the lap of nature. What is more, wildlife enthusiasts and researchers were amazed to learn that the cameras had captured the images of two wild tigers, a male and a female. The footage clearly revealed that the male tiger was busy scent-marking which indicated that he was well ensconced in the habitat of his choice. The female tiger was seen lactating which was grounds to conclude that there were many more tigers in the area than was evident in the footage. Like everyone else, tigers didn't seem to have a problem with the altitude.

It goes without saying that for an avid wildlife adventurer, Bhutan packages that showcase the country's magnificent fauna would be a dream come true. Many Bhutan travel agencies offer opportunities for organized Bhutan travel which include five star hotel accommodation, four meals, hotel and airport transfers, English-speaking tour guides and transportation for less than $300 a day all inclusive. So the next time you are all set to plan a vacation, why not come to the fairy kingdom of Bhutan and check out what you have been missing.

Bhutan - Gelephu hospital overwhelmed by labourers

Hundreds of Indian labourers are rushing to the Gelephu hospital to check their health and obtain a fitness certificate so that they can work for the many hydropower projects in Bhutan.

The exodus has been continuing for four days stretching the already limited human resource at the hospital. The doctors are struggling to cope with the rush.

The labour agents in Gelephu said the demand for labourers from the various hydropower projects has increased in the last few months.

Karma Dema, a labour agent, said “it is extremely difficult to get the labourers checked and process the certificate.”

Tashi Choedup, another labour agent, said they “would be grateful if there were separate doctors to conduct the tests.”

The labourers were brought from as far as Kolkata.

The Medical Superintendent in Gelephu said they “have to attend to serious patients first. Due to shortage of doctors, we cannot even treat all our patients. We talked with the labour agents and informed the ministry to find ways to solve the problem.

Every day, more than 200 labourers visit the hospital but doctors can check and issue certificates to only about 60 labourers.

There are nine labour agents in Gelephu.

Bhutan - Cheaper eggs

Increase in domestic egg supply, price hiked after Bhutan stopped import of poultry and its products following an outbreak of bird flu in India, dragged down the price.

The precautionary measure also encouraged poultry farm in the country. There are almost 150 poultry farm in Tsirang, which lead to an increase in the supply of eggs and decrease in price. Price of eggs has reduced by 50 percent. Prevailing price of an egg is Nu. 4.

There is an apprehension among small farmers, low price and rising cost of poultry feed, could force them out of business.

Poultry farm owner said,” the price went down drastically in the last three weeks,” Dorji Drukpa added, “low price is barely enough to maintain the farm.” The price for a cartoon of eggs was Nu. 1,600 in the past and now farmer fetch around Nu 1,200.

The eggs are mostly market in Thimphu.

Bhutan - IT Park vandalised

The properties of under-construction Thimphu IT Park in Serbithang was vandalised by a group of boys referred to as Babesa gang. The incident happened in the early morning of June 20.

A gang of 15-20 boys slashed around 300 cement bags, cut off electric wires, broke window panes, burnt documents, destroyed fire pumps and drilled holes in two synthetic plastic tanks.

Based on the circumstantial evidences, the police has detained second year student of Royal Thimphu College.

The police have connected the case to an incident that happened few days back. An unemployed youth was caught stealing iron rods from the site by security guards. The boy was handed over to the police.

The college student had visited the construction site in the following morning inquiring about the boy caught in act of stealing. He had warned the security guards of possible revenge by “Babesa gang”.

The very night, around 2:00 am, two groups of boys entered the site from different directions. One group distracted the security guards and other damaged the properties.

The police found canvas shoes that appeared like the shoe print left at the crime scene in the house of detainee. The forensic experts are yet to confirm this claim.

Currently, the forensic experts are on elections duty. The claim will be verified after their return.

The act of vandalism is expected to delay the completion of IT Park on time. The Project Director, Gautam Nandy is wary about the fact.

“More than the monetary losses, it is a huge loss of time.”

The boys had also threatened the guards and workers to discontinue working on the site at the time of attack. The project director fear that workers might leave following the threat.

The project has not estimated the cost of the damage.

Bhutan - The significance of Parinirvana

Perspective 15 June, 2011 - Every fifteenth day of the fourth month in the Bhutanese calendar is observed as Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana, formally known as Duechen Ngazom. Among many great deeds of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni recorded, there are twelve most important deeds, most famous among which five are included in the Parinirvana.

A summarisation from the first deeds
When the Buddha was teaching in the paradise of Tushita, which is a realm where the devas (gods) reside and also a sambhogakaya realm, the sound of his previous motivation reminded him that it was necessary to take birth in our world and teach the dharma.

He then considered five things: the land where he ought to be born (which was Kapila in Nepal), the caste he should be born into (which was a royal caste), the family in which he should be born (which was the Shakya clan), who his mother was to be (she was Mayadevi), and the time that was right for him to be born (which happened to be when the five degenerations were on the increase, the present time).

After having made these determinations, he decided to take birth in our world. This particular deed of leaving Tushita was intended to teach us that somebody, who has achieved enlightenment, is no longer a slave of his own karma, and has control over anything he or she does.

The Buddha was conceived into the womb of his mother, Mayadevi (by taking the form of a White Elephant descending from Tushita and entering the womb immaculately). One may wonder why he was conceived and then took birth. If he had complete control over everything, then why wasn’t he born miraculously from a lotus flower as was Padmasambhava?

The Buddha had a special reason for being born the normal way. He was thinking in the long term of his future disciples, who would be inspired because the Buddha, who practised and achieved enlightenment, started out like anyone else. He did this to instill conviction and confidence in his future disciples.

Third Deed: Birth in the garden of Lumbini, in present day Nepal
Although the Buddha took an ordinary human birth, there was still something special in his birth. The Buddha came out of the body of his mother through her right side. Some people might wonder how this was possible. They might think, “Well, what exactly happened? Did the rib cage crack?” One doesn’t need to think in terms of anatomical problems, because the Buddha was a miraculous being and he just took birth through his mother’s right side without any pain or obstacle.

At the time of the Buddha’s birth, there were many very special things happening where he was born. All of a sudden, crops started growing. Trees appeared all over the area of Lumbini and rare flowers, such as the Udumvara flower, that had never grown in this area, started blooming everywhere. Due to these events, he was given the name Siddhartha in Sanskrit, or Dhon Drup in Tibetan, which means, “the one that makes everything possible”.

As a result of interdependent origination, the presence of a highly accomplished individual produces changes in the environment, such as the blossoming of flowers.

Ninth Deed: Victory over of the leader of Maras, Papiyan
When the Buddha was sitting under the bodhi tree Papiyan, the leader of Maras, used forms related to the three disturbing emotions (sometimes called kleshas) of ignorance, desire, and aggression to try and lure the Buddha away from his pursuit of enlightenment. The first deception, representing ignorance, was that the Buddha was asked to abandon his meditation and return immediately to the kingdom, because his father King Shuddhodana had died and the evil Devadatta had taken over the kingdom.

Then Papiyan tried to create an obstacle using desire; his beautiful daughters tried to deceive and seduce the Buddha. When this did not disturb the Buddha’s meditation, Mara then used hatred by coming towards the Buddha surrounded by millions of horribly frightening warriors, who were throwing weapons at the Buddha’s body. But the Buddha wasn’t distracted or fooled by these three poisons. He remained immersed in compassion and loving-kindness and therefore triumphed over this display of the three poisons and was able to eventually achieve enlightenment. (This deed of the Buddha is represented by the image of the Buddha “taking the earth as witness,” gently touching the ground with his right hand and holding a begging bowl in his left hand.

Tenth Deed: Attaining enlightenment under the bodhi tree
Since the Buddha developed all the qualities of meditation to the utmost stages, he was able to reach enlightenment. He did this to demonstrate that we also can reach enlightenment. As a matter of fact, one of the main points of the whole Buddhist philosophy is to show us that Buddhahood is not something to be found outside of us, but something we can achieve by looking inside ourselves. And the qualities that we attain with enlightenment will be no different from the ones the Buddha attained. Also, the Buddha managed to eliminate all the negative emotions, the same ones we presently experience.

Twelfth Deed: Passing away at the age of 83 in the town of Kushingara
The Buddha and his monks came to a grove of sal trees in Kushinagar. The Buddha asked Ananda to prepare a couch between two trees, with its head to the north. I am weary and want to lie down, he said. When the couch was ready, the Buddha lay down on his right side, one foot upon the other, with his head supported by his right hand. Then the sal trees bloomed, although it was not their season, pale yellow petals rained down on the Buddha. The Buddha spoke for a time to his monks. At one point, Ananda left the grove to lean against a door post and weep. The Buddha sent a monk to find Ananda and bring him back. Then the Blessed One said to Ananda, Enough, Ananda! Do not grieve! Have I not taught from the very beginning that with all that is dear and beloved there must be change and separation? All that is born, comes into being, is compounded, and is subject to decay. How can one say: “May it not come to dissolution”? This cannot be.

Ananda, you have served the Tathagata with loving-kindness in deed, word, and thought; graciously, pleasantly, wholeheartedly. Now you should strive to liberate yourself.

The Blessed One then praised Ananda in front of the other assembled monks.

The Buddha spoke further, advising the monks to keep the rules of the order of monks. Then he asked three times if any among them had any questions. Do not be given to remorse later on with the thought: “The Master was with us face to face, yet face to face we failed to ask him.” But no one spoke. The Buddha assured all of the monks they would realise enlightenment.

Then he said, All compounded things are subject to decay. Strive with diligence. Then, serenely, he passed into Parinirvana.

Contributed by Choten Dorji
Lecturer in Buddhist Studies (English) Lekjung Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies Punakha

Bhutan - 25 promoted as colonels

His Majesty the King today promoted 25 lieutenant colonels of the armed forces to the rank of colonels. This includes 14 Lt. Colonels from the Royal Bhutan Army, seven from the Royal Body Guards and four from the Royal Bhutan Police.

The officers received Tashi Khadhar from His Majesty the King at the throne room of the Tashichhodzong.

Following that, His Majesty granted an audience to the officers and their family members at the courtyard of the dzong.

Bhutan - Poland-Bhutan friendship association formed

A friendship association has been formed in Poland.

The Poland-Bhutan Friendship Society was launched in Warsaw, Poland on May 25 under the auspices of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

While in Poland, Her Majesty launched the Polish version of her book, “Treasures of the Thunder Dragon”.

The event was attended by prominent personalities from a cross section of the Polish society, government officials. The launch of the Poland-Bhutan friendship Association and was covered by all the major TV and print media.

Her Majesty expressed confidence that the Poland-Bhutan friendship Association would play an important role in creating greater awareness about Bhutan and lead to better and closer relations between Bhutan and Poland.

Bhutan - Keeping Thimphu clean, a gargantuan task

Keeping Thimphu clean and beautiful seems like a distant dream, at least for now. Despite several cleanup campaigns and measures put in place by the Thimphu City Corporation, Thimphu city is not getting any cleaner.

The sidewalks and roads are strewn with papers and plastic wrappers, the drains are clogged with plastic bottles, and the walls of shops and buildings are smeared with doma spit and lime.

Phub Dorji, a Thimphu resident, said “most of the goods are wrapped in plastic of paper. People throw away the wrappings carelessly.”

The Thimphu City Corporation has deployed 16 workers to clean the streets. They work the whole daylong, seven days a week to keep the streets clean.

Budhiman Tamang, one of the cleaners, said “I have been cleaning the streets for 25 years now; the garbage only seems to grow. We clean today and tomorrow, there will be even more garbage.”

Chandra Bahadur Darjee has been cleaning the streets for 21 years. “We start work at 6am and continue till 4 pm. The waste doesn’t seem to become less.”

Ten garbage collecting trucks move around the city collecting waste. Gyeltshen Dukpa, the city corporation’s chief environmental officer, believes that the city will remain the same despite their efforts unless the residents assume responsibility and develop civic sense.

Thimphu is the capital. Most of the residents are educated. It is home to the country’s elite but it seems asking them to do their bit is asking too much.

Bhutan - Bhutan Nepal trade talks

Bhutan and Nepal began talks in the capital Thimphu today to draft a trade agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

Trade between Bhutan and Nepal has been growing steadily though there is no formal trade agreement.

In 2008, the volume of trade between the two countries is estimated at Nu.324 million. The next year it grew to Nu. 455 million and to Nu.625 million in 2010.

The two day meeting will draft the trade agreement, the protocol to the agreement, rules of origin, and the list of exportable items of the respective countries.

The Director of Department of Trade Sonam P Wangdi is leading the Bhutanese delegation. The Nepalese delegation is led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Toya Narayan Gyawali.

Bhutan - ~The Royal Couple~

Our Druk Gyalpo with Jetsun Pema, the future Queen of Bhutan.

Cr : Facebook ~His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ~

Bhutan - His Majesty’s address to the 7th session of parliament today

It is now almost three years and three months since the start of democracy. Our nation has so much to be proud of. The first years of democracy have been a great success, made possible by the blessings of the Dharma and our Guardian Deities and the foundations laid through the selfless efforts of our forefathers and Kings and the good fortune and karma of the People of Bhutan.

Our generation embarked on a profound process of democratization, with little experience but armed with the strength of our unity of vision and aspirations. Our people, government, religious institutions and bodies, private sector, media, legislature, constitutional bodies, judiciary and the armed forces have all served the country well under this new system, and have worked to slowly shape a strong and effective democracy. Through your hard work, it has been possible in the midst of such a dramatic transition to oversee the vast socio-economic development plans and projects we had in the 10th 5-year plan.

The government has worked tirelessly in all sectors such as hydropower, tourism, agriculture and industries. Remote villages are being connected with roads and electricity is being made accessible to villages while education and health facilities are being broadened or improved. Our traditions and cultural values continue to be strengthened and rural lhakangs are being renovated. The government has moved with intensified efforts to renew foreign relations according to the changing times. I am happy that our relations with India are as strong as ever. The people of Bhutan must appreciate all these efforts being made by the government.

In spite of all our achievements and the peace and prosperity we have experienced for so long – in fact because of this success – we must remember to never be complacent. If even a small fraction of the problems that plague other nations appear in Bhutan, our small society will be forever afflicted and we may never regain our jewel of a nation.

As we move forward, we must be guided by the most sacred and unchanging national goals – the security and sovereignty of our Nation and the peace, unity and harmony of our People. Today, as I have said before, our immediate and foremost duty is the success of democracy. That is our foundation for the future success of Bhutan. But democracy can only flourish if all Bhutanese uphold the rule of law; if there is good governance; if corruption is eradicated and if the delivery of public services is fair and effective.

As a small landlocked nation, the only way for us to fulfill these is to carry out our duties through cooperation, sharing and consultation. I know that each ministry, government institution, parliamentary body or public agencies has its own mandate. Still, you must work together, not in competition. Henceforth, I ask all of you to establish the practice of meeting regularly, sitting face to face every now and then, so that you will always be in collaboration as you carry out your separate responsibilities. And all problems may be resolved without being allowed to fester and grow.

Such shared effort will be in the true spirit of Gross National Happiness.

Today, at this auspicious gathering, I would like to make a short announcement to all the people of the 20 Dzongkhags.

As King, it is now time for me to marry. After much thought I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year.

Now, many will have their own idea of what a Queen should be like – that she should be uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful. I think with experience and time, one can grow into a dynamic person in any walk of life with the right effort. For the Queen, what is most important is that at all times, as an individual she must be a good human being, and as Queen, she must be unwavering in her commitment to serve the People and Country.

As my queen, I have found such a person and her name is Jetsun Pema. While she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character. These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation.

This union does not mean that I am starting my own family. From the very day I received the Dhar Ngay-Nga from the sacred Machhen, the people of the 20 Dzongkhags became my family. Such is the duty and privilege of all Kings of Bhutan. It is through this union, that I shall have a Queen who will support, and work with me, as I serve the People and Country.

The wedding will be in accordance with age-old tradition, to seek the blessings of our Guardian Deities. I ask the government not to make any plans for a grand celebration. The happiness of my beloved father and the blessings of our People will give me the greatest joy and happiness.

Bhutan - Bhutan and Maldives sign Air Services Agreement

Bhutan and the Maldives have signed an Air Services Agreement, paving the way for the two high-end tourist destinations to be connected by direct flights or flights transiting through other countries in the region.

The flight details and routes will be worked out between the airlines of the two countries, one a tourist hot spot on the roof of the world and the other an ultimate destination for those interested in sunbathing and deep sea diving.

The Maldives Minister for Transport and Communication, Mohamed Adil Saleem, and the Secretary for Information and Communications in Bhutan, Dasho Kinley Dorji, signed the agreement on May 8, 2011. They emphasised the fact that air connectivity was vital for tourism and broader economic development. High-end tourists could find the connection a very attractive possibility with the tourism industry viewing both countries as niche markets.

Bhutan, which saw about 40,000 tourists last year, is currently building three new domestic airports. The Maldives, which is constructing its third international airport, has achieved an escalation of tourist numbers to about 800,000 tourists a year and is still expanding.

With Bhutan holding the chairmanship of SAARC, the agreement is also a step forward in one of SAARC’s goals, to connect all the capitals of the region.