Bhutan - Bhutanese students in Thailand flee the floods

Most of the Bhutanese students studying at Rangsit University in Bangkok are returning home as the flooding in Thailand worsens.

The last group of students is arriving in Phuentsholing tomorrow, after flying to Kolkata, taking a train from Kolkata to Hashimara and travelling by bus to Phuentsholing.

The Rangsit University is already submerged under water. The university has been closed till November 14.

According to the Bhutanese student’s coordinator in Rangsit University, Pem Tshering, they have been able to flee only because of the financial support from the office of the Gyalpoi Zimpoen and the Rangsit University.

In Kolkata, the Bhutanese consulate helped the students, providing them accommodation.

Only three students studying at Rangsit have remained back, one because he could not get plane tickets to return home. He will be arriving in Kolkata tonight. The other two have been evacuated by the university to a safer place in the north.

“29 students are already here in Kolkata. We flew in yesterday,” said Pem Tshering from Kolkata.

There are also other students studying in other universities.

They are reportedly not at risk from the rising flood waters as Rangsit University.

Rachana Pradhan, a B.Sc. Nursing student at the Naresuan University, said they “contacted the university authority. They said we are safe at the moment and no one has left for Bhutan.”

“Well, there could be problems regarding food, water and medicine if the problem continues. Supplies were already running out, so as a precaution we bought rice, oil, instant noodles, drinking water in stock to be safe.”

The Bhutanese Ambassador to Thailand, Tshering Dorji, said they are in constant touch with the university authorities. He said the embassy has been helping the Bhutanese students studying in Thailand.

He said the embassy is urging Bhutanese students in Thailand to stay in close contact with the embassy. Altogether, there are over 400 Bhutanese students studying in Thailand.

Students from Rangsit University however said the Bhutanese embassy in Bangkok has not been very supportive.

They said the embassy did provide them with accommodation at the embassy premises but apart from that there has not been much by way of help.

The students were running out of money and stock of food items and spent over a week at the embassy premises.

A few have also posted their frustration on facebook, networking site.

Bhutan - India’s president hosts banquet in honour of His Majesty

The President of India Pratibha Patil hosted a banquet in honour of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen at the Rashtrapati Bavan last night.

Welcoming His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen to India, President Pratibha Patil said it was an honour and a privilege that His Majesty’s first visit abroad after his wedding is in India.

His Majesty said they were humbled by the manner in which they were received.

“Deciding to visit India, a week after our marriage, it came naturally. After all, India has always been a home away from home.”

“Your Excellency, your invitation is an unprecedented gesture of warmth and solidarity towards me and towards Bhutan, a gesture that Jetsun and I accept with great humility and deep gratitude and one that we will over the course of our lives always try to live up to as your closest friend.”

Prior to the banquet, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen met with President Pratibha Patil.

Yesterday afternoon, His Majesty granted an audience to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankhar Menon.

Bhutan - His Majesty arrives in Delhi

Sunday, October 23, 2011

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen left on a state visit to India this morning.

This is the first visit abroad after the royal wedding on October 13.

Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the royal couple was received by Union Minister for State Deora Milind Murli, Chief of Protocol Ruchira Kamboj and the officials from the Royal Bhutanese Embassy.

They were also greeted by a large number of Indian journalists representing almost every media organisation.

While in India, His Majesty will meet the Indian leaders and discuss matters of mutual interest and cooperation.

The royal couple is accompanied by the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Minjur Dorji, the Minister-in-Charge of Foreign Affairs Khandu Wangchuk and the Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army Major General Batoo Tshering.

This morning, His Majesty King and Her Majesty the Queen were seen off by Their Royal Highness the Princes and Princesses and the Paro dzongkhag officials.

Bhutan - Thousands celebrate in Paro

Thousands of people in Paro celebrated the royal wedding yesterday.

The celebrations in Paro were organized specially for the working committee headed by the Prime Minister which organised the royal wedding celebrations.

His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers, and members of the royal family also graced the celebrations.

The Ugen Pelri Palace ground where the celebrations were held was packed with people by 8am in the morning. Many of the spectators had come as early as 4am.

As the celebrations continued, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen interacted with the public shaking hands, holding children and hugging the elderly.

People offered tashi khadar and students received autographs from the royal couple.

Bhutan - Royal Couple undergoes Hindu marriage

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen yesterday visited the Durga Mandhir, located near the Thai Pavilion in Thimphu. The royal couple offered prayers and exchanged garlands as a part of a Hindu marriage.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen were greeted by the members of the Hindu Sambodhaya of Bhutan, its chairman Dasho Meg Raj Gurung and the members. The royal couple then entered the temple in a procession called Naumati Baja which is performed during Hindu marriage. A long queue of excited people greeted the royal couple outside the temple.

Once inside the temple, His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen lit butter lamps and offered prayers. The royal couple then exchanged flower garlands known as Soyambar mala as part of the Hindu marriage ceremony.

The Hindu Sambodhaya of Bhutan offered a Ramayana book and the statue of Vishnu and Laxmi to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. Hindus believe kings and queens to be the incarnations of Vishnu and Laxmi.

In return, His Majesty donated money for the construction of the new Hindu temple below Kuenselphodrang and for the development of the Hindu Sambodhaya of Bhutan.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen then met with the people who had gathered at the temple to meet them.

The Chairman of the Hindu Sambodhaya in Bhutan said the royal visit to the temple was of great significance for the Hindu Sambodhaya of Bhutan and the temple.

“We are deeply touched by His Majesty’s visit to the temple on the happy occasion of royal wedding”

The pundits and hundreds of people who gathered at the temple also offered Tashi Khadhar to the royal couple.

Bhutan - Thousands celebrate in Changlimithang

Tens of thousands of people packed the Changlimithang stadium as the nation celebrated the royal wedding of His Majesty the King to Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck today.

Many had come as early as 2 am in the morning to make sure that they will be not left out and miss the opportunity of catching a glimpse of their King and Queen.

Long before the royal couple, the dignitaries and the guests arrived and the celebrations began, the stadium was literally overflowing. After sometime, police had to deny entry for the safety and comfort of the spectators who were already inside the stadium. Many returned home to watch the celebrations live on BBS TV.

The only noticeable outside guest at the celebrations was India’s Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi, a longtime friend of the Bhutanese royal family.

The celebrations began with His Majesty unveiling a Guru Thongdroel, roughly the size of a 12 storied building, by far the biggest Thongdroel to be made in history, and Their Majesties the King and the Queen lighting butter lamps and offering prayers to the Guru Thongdroel.

Midway through the celebrations, His Majesty made a brief, impromptu speech, to thank the people and the organisers for the seamless celebrations. His Majesty began by talking about how happy he was for being able to celebrate his wedding with his people.

His Majesty thanked His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for the socio-economic progress Bhutan has made and the continued peace and prosperity it enjoys, the Royal Grand Mother and Their Majesties the Queen Mothers for their support and tireless service to the nation and concluded the brief, informal speech by pledging to serve the nation tirelessly with Her Majesty the Queen.

Before His Majesty began his speech, he surprised the nation by planting a kiss, first on the cheek and after a moment’s hesitation on the lips of Her Majesty the Queen in full public view which was received by thunderous clapping and cheering by the crowd.

The celebrations were majestic with one entertaining cultural programme after another. The highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of the Wangzhey performed by His Majesty the King leading a team comprising of the Prime Minister, the opposition leader, cabinet ministers, and members of the parliament which they performed with grace and panache.

The Wangzhey was first performed by the people of Wang Tshochen Gay at Pangrizampa for the reception of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen spent a good part of the day walking hand in hand among the people, stopping every now and then to talk to them, asking them whether they are enjoying themselves, to hold their hands, or lift a child a child to plant a kiss on its cheek.

The celebrations ended with Tashi Lay-bay.

Bhutan - The Royal Matrimony, The Queen is Crowned

The Royal Wedding ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took place in the Puna Dewachen Phodrang in Punakha. Jetsun Pema was sanctified as the Queen of Kingdom of Bhutan by His Majesty the King.

The ceremony began at 4 am with the initiation of soong-chhoe prayers at the Marchen Lhakhang and Kuenra of the Punakha Dzong. His Majesty the King, escorted by the sacred retinue, arrived at the Dzong from the Royal Lingkha and lit a golden lamp and offered prayers before the Thongdroel of Zhabdrung in the first courtyard of the Dzong.

The Royal Bride was led in chhipdrel procession into the Dzong, where she lit a golden lamp before the Thongdroel, and exchanged Tashi Jel-Dhar with His Majesty the King.

The Raven Crown and the crown for the Queen of Bhutan were brought out from the Most Holy Macchen Lhakhang, along with a Golden Bumpa and the sacred five coloured dhar.

The Fourth Druk Gyalpo bestowed the sacred dhar upon the Royal Bride, sanctifying the Royal Wedding.

In the Kuenrey, The Royal Bride offered the ambrosia of eternal life, signifying her devotion to the glorious continuity of the Wangchuck Dynasty, from the Golden Bumpa, to His Majesty the King.

His Majesty then bestowed the crown of the Druk Gyal-tsuen to the Royal Bride, and Ashi Jetsun Pema, now as Druk Gyaltshuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, ascended to the throne of the Queen of Bhutan, to the left of His Majesty the King.

The ceremony at the Kunrey ended with the offering of Tashi Nga Soel, symbolic offerings to their Majesties the Queen and King of Bhutan. His Holiness the Je Khenpo, The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and members of the Royal Family and guests offered tashi khadar to the royal couple.

Their Majesties the King and Queen then joined the people of Punakha and guests in a public celebration outside the dzong.

His Majesty granted tokha to the people gathered at the celebration ground.

Royal Wedding - LIVE on BBS

The Proceedings of the Royal Wedding at the Puna Dewa Chhen-poi Phodrang, Punakha will be broadcast LIVE on BBS TV from 7am

Bhutan - Banknotes and Coins to Commemorate Royal Wedding

The Royal Monetary Authority has printed commemorative banknotes and minted silver coins to commemorate the Royal Wedding.

The notes and the coins will be available in Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan Development Bank Limited and in the BOB counter at the Paro Airport from October 13^th till 4^th of November.

The note will cost Nu. 500 and the silver coin will be Nu. 5,000.

Bhutan - Royal Wedding stamps launched

To celebrate the World Postal Day, Bhutan Post launched eight different stamps portraying His Majesty the King and the royal bride today.

It was launched by the venerable Dorji Lopen of the central monastic body.

The Deputy Managing Director of Bhutan Post said the office will remain open during the holidays coinciding with the royal wedding to provide free postal service.

Bhutan - Buddha’s tooth relic arrives in Bhutan

His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers, and Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses offered prayers and received blessings from the sacred tooth relics of Lord Buddha and his two chief disciples.

The relics of Lord Buddha, Sangay Shacha Thupa, and his two chief disciples, Sharibu and Mougelgibu will be displayed at the Tendrey Thang from tomorrow till Wednesday.

The relics will be kept in the country for a month. They will also be displayed in Punakha, Tsirang, Trongsa, Monggar, Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar.

The relics arrived in the Kingdom today with the Prime Minister who was returning home after attending the 66^th UN general assembly in New York.

They belong to the Maha Bodhi Society which has its headquarters in Kolkata, India. The Prime Minister is the president of the Maha Bodhi Society.

Arriving at the Paro Airport, the sacred relics were received in a chipdrel procession by the Tsugla Lopen of central monastic body, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials, monks of the Paro rabdey, dzongkhag officials and local leaders.

They were brought to Bhutan on the request of the Prime Minister. They will remain in Bhutan for one month.

This is the first time that the relics were brought to Bhutan.

On his way back home from the UN general assembly in New York, the Prime Minister attended the Maha Bodhi Society’s 114^th Annual General Meeting in Kolkata, India.

Lyonchen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley made offerings and prayers for the wellbeing of all sentient beings and protection from natural calamities. He also offered prayers for the victims of the recent earthquake in India.

Bhutan - His Majesty assures help

Doteng & Tsento, Paro 30 September, 2011 - His Majesty the King visited the gewogs of Tsento and Doteng in Paro yesterday, to examine the extent of damage caused by 18 September earthquake.

His Majesty spoke to residents of Tsento and Doteng, and also listened to their concerns and needs, and urged residents to share their personal experiences during the earthquake. Paro dzongkhag has reported more than 2,100 houses affected by the earthquake, the highest number of any dzongkhag.

“I can’t tell you not to worry,” His Majesty said. “However, I assure you that we, the government, people and king, will work together to restore your lives.”

His Majesty said that he was aware that lack of labour caused by rural to urban migration, and the upcoming harvest season will conflict with repair efforts. His Majesty assured those affected and requiring assistance that the army will be dispatched to aid and reconstruct homes and be provided necessary finances.

Once repair and reconstruction works commence, His Majesty said that he would return periodically to inspect the effort.

During the visit to the two gewogs, His Majesty also entered to inspect some houses that had been deemed too risky for inhabitation.

The head of one household, Kipchu, 54, said the happiness and gratefulness he felt would pass on to his next life by the royal visit. Kipchu, and his family of seven, live in a makeshift structure roofed with tarpaulin, next to their severely damaged house. Kipchu said His Majesty had told him and his family that they would have a home again.

During the interaction with the people of the two gewogs, His Majesty also pointed out that earthquakes are unpredictable and could happen at any time, ranging anywhere from years to days. His Majesty said that the best preparation is to have well constructed and sturdy houses built.

His Majesty the King also pointed that a positive aspect of these tragedies is that “we are all learning from these experiences, and getting more prepared and better skilled to deal with these disasters.”

While saddened by the damage caused His Majesty said, “It warms my heart to see the whole nation, the government and the people working together.” His Majesty added, “We rejoice together, we grieve together.”

By Gyalsten K Dorji

Bhutan - More than 3,400 houses damaged

UPDATE: The number of injured from the earthquake on Sunday has risen to nine. The quake damaged more than 3,400 houses, 12 dzongs, 220 other historical monuments and 63 education centres.

The earthquake also damaged 20 Gups offices, 15 RNR centres and a hospital and 11 Basic Health Units.

Of more than 3,400 houses damaged as of today, 1,491 were reported in Paro.

The Ta Dzong or the National Muesuem in Paro suffered minor damages. 52 lhakhangs and 19 chortens were also damaged in the dzongkhag.

In the capital Thimphu, the 6.9 magnitute earthquake caused numerous cracks to the Tashichhoedzong. The Utse of Lingshi Dzong and the Dungkhag office were completely damaged while half of the Lam’s residence collapsed. Three lhakhangs in Thimphu have also been damaged.

In Punakha 544 houses were damaged. The Puna Dewai Chenpoi Phodrang and the Talo Dzongs suffered numerous cracks. Besides, 30 lhakhangs, 11 chortens, nine educational centres, three Gup’s office, a basic Health Unit and a RNR centre have been damaged.

478 houses were damaged in Wangduephodrang. The Dzong and the Nyzergang Lhakhang developed numerous cracks.

31 lhakhangs, seven chortens, 25 educational centres, six Gup’s offices, five RNR offices and two Basic Health Units suffered damages.

Haa reported the maximum number of injuries. Of the eight injured in Sunday’s quake, four of them are undergoing treatment at the National referral Hospital. In terms of structural damages, several houses have been damaged.

Chhukha reported one casualty leaving another one injured. 130 houses were damaged. These include houses in Phuentsholing and Tshimalakha.

The Chhukha dzong, nine lhakhangs, 7 chortens, 4 educational centres, the Chhukha hospital, three Basic health Units and RNR Centres and a Gup’s office were also damaged.

In Samtse 73 houses, 3 lhakhangs, 4 education centres, 3 gups offices and a RNR centre was damaged. An injury case was also reported.

In Gasa, 115 houses, the dzong, two lhakhangs, three chortens, an educational centre, a Gup’s office, a Basic Health Unit and a RNR Center were also damaged.

117 houses were damaged in Dagana, along with the dzong, two lhakhangs, five chortens, five Gup’s offices, three educational centres, two RNR Centres and a Basic Health Unit.

Over in Trashigang, 214 houses, six lhakhangs, an educational centre and a Basic Health Unit was damaged.

Trashiyangtse reported of 111 houses that were damaged. The dzong, three lhakhangs and five educational centres also suffered damages.

In the other dzongkhags of Trongsa, Bumthang Zhemgang, Sarpang, Samdrupjongkhar Tsirang and Pema gatshel, a total of 137 houses were damaged. This does not include the Trongsa and Zhemgang dzongs.

A total of 22 lhakhangs, six chortens, 11 educational centres, two basic Health Units and a Gup’s Office were also damaged in these Dzongkhags.

This is only the preliminary report and the Department of Disaster Management is still in the process of compiling detailed reports.

Bhutan - Yet to be vetted for domestic air service

11 September, 2011 - The department of civil aviation (DCA) has not yet approved the national airline’s ATR aircraft from performing test flights at Yonphula airstrip in Trashigang.

DCA director general, Phala Dorji said outside experts have been called in to study whether the ATR 42-500 can safely be operated to Yonphula, and Batpalathang airstrip in Bumthang.

The study will focus on the runway lengths of the two airstrips, and the take off and landing lengths required by the ATR aircraft. The runway length for Batpalathang and Yonphula are 1,200m and 1,300m respectively.

Calculating take off and landing lengths requires a number of factors to be taken into consideration, such as altitude, weight of aircraft, temperature, wind speed and direction, among others.

According to information on the ATR manufacturer’s website, the aircraft with a full load of 48 passengers, each weighing 95kg, will require 990m to take off at sea level. This required length increases as airport altitude increases. For instance, at 3,000ft and take off under same weight increases to 1,163m, according to the manufacturer. The same concept applies to landing length required.

With both Batpalathang and Yonphula situated at around 8,500ft, the ATR will have to operate by carrying less than full capacity to safely operate within the two airstrip’s runway lengths. This means flying with less passengers.

This practice, referred to as weight penalty in aviation terms, is also used at Paro airport for any kind of aircraft.

DCA will base its approval on the results of the study conducted by foreign expertise. Phala Dorji said the agency would have to be thoroughly “convinced” prior to approving any test flights.

Drukair CEO Tandin Jamso said the airline is confident of the ATR’s ability to handle the country’s domestic airstrips. He pointed out that ATR officials, who will perform the first test flights, were also confident that the aircraft would safely operate on both airstrips. He added that, if there were risk, the manufacturer itself would not conduct such an activity, as it would hurt their reputation.

He added that no airline would invest in equipment if it would not be able to perform at airports or airstrips it would eventually be using.

Meanwhile, DCA has also instructed Drukair to store spare parts to prevent lengthy groundings of its ATR. The length of the groundings was primarily due to transportation of spare parts from abroad. The aircraft was grounded almost the entire month in August.

According to DCA, the three consecutive technical problems were not major safety issues. DCA reiterated that the 9-year-old ATR aircraft had passed audit inspections prior to purchase by Drukair and is in good condition.

By Gyalsten K Dorji

Bhutan - Yonphula passes test flight

5 September, 2011 - With a test flight successfully landing and taking off from Yonphula, Trashigang, yesterday, Bhutan’s first domestic airstrip is now open for scheduled flight operations, says the department of civil aviation (DCA).

Using a 10-seater propeller aircraft, DCA and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) officials conducted the first ever fixed-winged air operation into the Yonphula airstrip yesterday morning. Only Indian Air Force helicopter landings have taken place at the airstrip prior.

The flight was conducted by DCA and Aerothai to test communications gear set up at Yonphula, as well as Batpalathang airstrip in Bumthang.

While the test flight did not land at the Batpalathang airstrip, communications procedure for aircraft flying within the three airstrips in Bhutan have now been established, according to DCA. Batpalathang airstrip, although scheduled to be completed this month contractually, may likely only be ready in October.

DCA director general, Phala Dorji, who was a member of the test flight, said it was conducted also to address public doubt about the safety of Yonphula airstrip. Public concerns regarding the foggy and windy environment, presence of hillocks at one end of the airstrip have occasionally surfaced.

“There’s no problem when it comes to safety,” said Phala Dorji.

On the fog and wind factor, he said that flights would be allowed to operate only when these conditions are absent, such as early morning. With a flight time of 30 minutes from Paro, and 15 minutes from Bumthang, he said that airlines can operate 3-4 flights in the morning to Yonphula. He also said that, if fog or wind conditions arose during a flight into Yonphula, it would be simply be diverted by Yonphula air traffic control. He pointed out that such weather conditions were only present during summer, and not winter, months.

Phala Dorji said that the hillocks are not an issue. While the hillocks have been partially demolished, he said, they would be completely removed at a later date. He attributed lack of funds for not completely demolishing the two hillocks.

While DCA used a smaller aircraft to demonstrate safety of Yonphula, national airline Drukair will be using a much larger 48-seater ATR 42-500. The national airline is still awaiting DCA’s approval to use this larger aircraft. DCA said that Drukair must submit all technical data from its own test flights to demonstrate that the aircraft is feasible for Yonphula and Batpalathang.

Tashi Air, which expects its aircraft only in October, will be operating a much smaller aircraft, similar to the one used yesterday.

Based on information available, launching of scheduled domestic air services may take place only in October.