Thimphu elects Sangay Zam (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - Thimphu Throm’s Sangay Zam won the National Council elections by more than a thousand votes despite the recent uproar among Thimphu voters over her statement during the candidates’ television debate.

Party politics hampers local governance meetings (Kuensel)
31 January, 2008 - With party politics penetrating deep into the villages local governance is feeling the impact of intense politicking in rural Bhutan.

First private school in eastern Bhutan (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

NC Elections completed (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - The election of 20 people’s representatives to the National Council concluded yesterday with the five remaining dzongkhags of Thimphu, Haa, Tashiyangtse, Lhuentse and Gasa electing their representatives.

Timber pricing policy needs review say sawmillers (Kuensel)
31 January, 2008 - The government’s new timber pricing policy that slashes commercial timber prices by almost half has met with some resistance from saw mill owners who say that the pricing structure is flawed and needs revision.

Bhutan bans import of poultry from India (Hindustan Times)
Bhutan has banned the import of poultry and its products from India for an indefinite period following an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Ten sports still negotiating (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - More than two months after the Bhutan InfoCom and Media Authority (BICMA) instructed cable operators to reinstate ten sports, there is no sign of the sports channel reappearing on the network.

PDP submits letter of intent, manifesto (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - The People’s Democratic Party submitted their letter of intent and the party manifesto to the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) on January 28.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents.

‘Tourism against poverty’ spotlighted at Madrid trade fair (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Spain’s King Juan Carlos Wednesday opened the FITUR tourist trade fair, one of the world’s largest, with a plea to thousands of industry professionals to use tourism to help eradicate poverty.

Timber pricing policy needs review say sawmillers

Saw millers meet in Thimphu after the Wang division auction

31 January, 2008 - The government’s new timber pricing policy that slashes commercial timber prices by almost half has met with some resistance from saw mill owners who say that the pricing structure is flawed and needs revision.

Party politics hampers local governance meetings
31 January, 2008 - With party politics penetrating deep into the villages local governance is feeling the impact of intense politicking in rural Bhutan.

Are we ready?
30 January, 2008 - Tourism will create 100,000 jobs in the 10th Plan. So do we stop worrying about the employment for a few thousand graduates and school leavers?

A student with grenades
30 January, 2008 - A 17-year old student of Lhamoizingkha in Dagana was caught with three hand grenades and was questioned in police custody.

.

NC Elections completed
30 January, 2008 - The election of 20 people’s representatives to the National Council concluded yesterday with the five remaining dzongkhags of Thimphu, Haa, Tashiyangtse, Lhuentse and Gasa electing their representatives.

One in three say ‘No’ in Gasa

Voters in Damjee

30 January, 2008 - Gasa, the country’s largest and the least populated dzongkhag struggled, until the 11th hour, to produce a candidate to contest for a seat in the National Council.

Thimphu elects Sangay Zam

Sangay Zam celebrates her victory with well wishers

30 January, 2008 - Thimphu Throm’s Sangay Zam won the National Council elections by more than a thousand votes despite the recent uproar among Thimphu voters over her statement during the candidates’ television debate.

“Yes” for Tshering Dorji

Voters in Ha

30 January, 2008 - About 89 percent of the voters approved the lone Ha National Council candidate, Tshering Dorji by pressing the “yes” button to represent them in the National Council.

Trashiyangtse chooses army experience

The winner is congratulated over the telephone

30 January, 2008 - For the past four months Lt Colonel (retrd.) Kesang Namgyal had set camp in the easternmost district of Trashiyangtse traversing its rugged terrain and meetings its people.

Thimphu elects Sangay Zam (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - Thimphu Throm’s Sangay Zam won the National Council elections by more than a thousand votes despite the recent uproar among Thimphu voters over her statement during the candidates’ television debate.

First private school in eastern Bhutan (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

NC Elections completed (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - The election of 20 people’s representatives to the National Council concluded yesterday with the five remaining dzongkhags of Thimphu, Haa, Tashiyangtse, Lhuentse and Gasa electing their representatives.

Bhutan bans import of poultry from India (Hindustan Times)
Bhutan has banned the import of poultry and its products from India for an indefinite period following an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Ten sports still negotiating (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - More than two months after the Bhutan InfoCom and Media Authority (BICMA) instructed cable operators to reinstate ten sports, there is no sign of the sports channel reappearing on the network.

PDP submits letter of intent, manifesto (Kuensel)
30 January, 2008 - The People’s Democratic Party submitted their letter of intent and the party manifesto to the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) on January 28.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents.

All change in Shangri-la? (The New Statesman)
The small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is currently engaged in an extremely interesting exercise.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

A student with grenades
30 January, 2008 - A 17-year old student of Lhamoizingkha in Dagana was caught with three hand grenades and was questioned in police custody.

.

NC Elections completed
30 January, 2008 - The election of 20 people’s representatives to the National Council concluded yesterday with the five remaining dzongkhags of Thimphu, Haa, Tashiyangtse, Lhuentse and Gasa electing their representatives.

One in three say ‘No’ in Gasa

Voters in Damjee

30 January, 2008 - Gasa, the country’s largest and the least populated dzongkhag struggled, until the 11th hour, to produce a candidate to contest for a seat in the National Council.

Thimphu elects Sangay Zam

Sangay Zam celebrates her victory with well wishers

30 January, 2008 - Thimphu Throm’s Sangay Zam won the National Council elections by more than a thousand votes despite the recent uproar among Thimphu voters over her statement during the candidates’ television debate.

“Yes” for Tshering Dorji

Voters in Ha

30 January, 2008 - About 89 percent of the voters approved the lone Ha National Council candidate, Tshering Dorji by pressing the “yes” button to represent them in the National Council.

Trashiyangtse chooses army experience

The winner is congratulated over the telephone

30 January, 2008 - For the past four months Lt Colonel (retrd.) Kesang Namgyal had set camp in the easternmost district of Trashiyangtse traversing its rugged terrain and meetings its people.

Lhuentse’s one and only

Rinzin during one of his campaigns in Lhuentse

30 January, 2008 - For the people of Lhuentse, the heartland of the Royal dynasty, it was a straightforward election, to accept or not the dzongkhag’s only candidate to the National Council.

Four houses down in three hours

Little could be done to quell the flames Photo: Tenzin DSO Wangduephodrang dzongkhag

30 January, 2008 - Four traditional houses near the Wangduephodrang checkpost were reduced to rubble within a few hours in a fire, which broke out around 4:30 pm yesterday.

PDP submits letter of intent, manifesto
30 January, 2008 - The People’s Democratic Party submitted their letter of intent and the party manifesto to the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) on January 28.

First private school in eastern Bhutan (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

Bhutan bans import of poultry from India (Hindustan Times)
Bhutan has banned the import of poultry and its products from India for an indefinite period following an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents.

All change in Shangri-la? (The New Statesman)
The small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is currently engaged in an extremely interesting exercise.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (rediff.com)
The company is also in advanced stages of negotiations to rope in the kingdom’s largest telecom service provider, Bhutan Telecom, as partner.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (Business Standard India)
In increasing instances of Indian companies looking at offering services beyond the country’s shore, private telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer Internet services in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Bad breath alert!
29 January, 2008 - Regardless of how best you’re decked up or how chic you look, your dress-up is incomplete without thoroughly brushing your teeth to a sparkle, enhanced with fresh breath.

Yellow stained teeth sending off foul breath will shoo away people around you. Bad breath tops the list of what turns people off.

From the Incas to the kewa datshi
PART IV: Marketing Potato

29 January, 2008 -

Onwards to the market

Potato in the local and urban markets

Potato farmers sell about 75% of the potato produced. When potato was first promoted as cash crop in the 70s it was mostly exported. At the time the urban population was low and the demand from local markets limited. Families living in urban centres would partly depend on their own production or receive potato from relatives living in rural areas.

A cypress’s tale

I am dying but I am still standing. Some may say that I am already dead. My branches have not sprouted a leaf in years and I have turned completely gray.

You can catch a glimpse of me if you pass by the Thimphu city’s sewerage treatment plant in Babesa. Standing sentinel, at one end, is a solitary gray tree. That’s me.

Running away from myself!
28 January, 2008 - I’m running away from myself,
I’ve come to know lately. I wonder whether it’s the world or I, that makes me conceal my true face and holds back the truth. Although, in this case, there’s no evidence that something really anticipated me on this. The world is a place full of commotion anyway. There is a wall of disgust between me and every other man and I’m standing all by myself amidst thousands of them.

Nightmare from Tummyland
28 January, 2008 - “Every night I’ve seen you
watching these kind of
horror movies, and after that you won’t sleep till late at night doing homework. Sleep earlier sometimes,” came a reminder to Rigzin.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort

Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck awards khadar to a runner at the clock tower square in Thimphu

28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents. They spanned more than 560 kilometres in 35 days including five rest days.

Tender bid evaluation to rid scoring system
28 January, 2008 - The Construction Develo-pment Board (CDB) has come up with a revised set of guidelines to make evaluation of tender bids simpler and more objective.

Population to touch 887,000 by 2030
28 January, 2008 - Bhutan’s population will grow to around 887,000 by 2030, according to a report released by the National Statistics Bureau, “Population Projections: Bhutan 2005-2030.

First private school in eastern Bhutan

Mongar’s private higher secondary

28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

In harmony with nature

Mr Jorgen B Thomsen

28 January, 2008 - Bhutan still had an advantage over other countries in the region when it came to biodiversity conservation because of its large intact resources and relatively small human population said the executive director of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Mr Jorgen B Thomsen, who travelled around the country for a week.

First private school in eastern Bhutan (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

Bhutan bans import of poultry from India (Hindustan Times)
Bhutan has banned the import of poultry and its products from India for an indefinite period following an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort (Kuensel)
28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (rediff.com)
The company is also in advanced stages of negotiations to rope in the kingdom’s largest telecom service provider, Bhutan Telecom, as partner.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (Business Standard India)
In increasing instances of Indian companies looking at offering services beyond the country’s shore, private telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer Internet services in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

A cypress’s tale

I am dying but I am still standing. Some may say that I am already dead. My branches have not sprouted a leaf in years and I have turned completely gray.

You can catch a glimpse of me if you pass by the Thimphu city’s sewerage treatment plant in Babesa. Standing sentinel, at one end, is a solitary gray tree. That’s me.

Running away from myself!
28 January, 2008 - I’m running away from myself,
I’ve come to know lately. I wonder whether it’s the world or I, that makes me conceal my true face and holds back the truth. Although, in this case, there’s no evidence that something really anticipated me on this. The world is a place full of commotion anyway. There is a wall of disgust between me and every other man and I’m standing all by myself amidst thousands of them.

Nightmare from Tummyland
28 January, 2008 - “Every night I’ve seen you
watching these kind of
horror movies, and after that you won’t sleep till late at night doing homework. Sleep earlier sometimes,” came a reminder to Rigzin.

Tara-thon - a worthwhile effort

Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck awards khadar to a runner at the clock tower square in Thimphu

28 January, 2008 - Jogging along the east-west highway through mixed vegetation and temperate and cold climates and scaling five dizzying mountain passes, 12 Tara-thon runners entered the Thimphu clock tower on January 24 showered with applauds from the capital’s residents. They spanned more than 560 kilometres in 35 days including five rest days.

Tender bid evaluation to rid scoring system
28 January, 2008 - The Construction Develo-pment Board (CDB) has come up with a revised set of guidelines to make evaluation of tender bids simpler and more objective.

Population to touch 887,000 by 2030
28 January, 2008 - Bhutan’s population will grow to around 887,000 by 2030, according to a report released by the National Statistics Bureau, “Population Projections: Bhutan 2005-2030.

First private school in eastern Bhutan

Mongar’s private higher secondary

28 January, 2008 - Students from eastern Bhutan who do not make it to government schools after class X may have the option of continuing higher secondary education closer to home from the 2008 academic session.

In harmony with nature

Mr Jorgen B Thomsen

28 January, 2008 - Bhutan still had an advantage over other countries in the region when it came to biodiversity conservation because of its large intact resources and relatively small human population said the executive director of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Mr Jorgen B Thomsen, who travelled around the country for a week.

Man killed by falling banana trees
28 January, 2008 - A 55-year old man in Chali, Mongar, died after a spade cut through his stomach when several bananas trees that he was trying to uproot fell on him at around 1:30 pm on January 21.

Indian community celebrates 59 Republic Day
26 January, 2008 -

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore offers khada to the Indian ambassador Sudhir Vyas

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore, the Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen, foreign secretary, Yeshey Dorji, and other senior Bhutanese government officials joined the Indian community at around 10 am at the Indian embassy grounds in Thimphu today to celebrate India’s 59th republic day.

Violence haunts Bhutan’s refugees (BBC News)
The first Nepal-based Bhutanese refugees are to leave for the US - but those they leave behind are experiencing great intimidation.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (rediff.com)
The company is also in advanced stages of negotiations to rope in the kingdom’s largest telecom service provider, Bhutan Telecom, as partner.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (Business Standard India)
In increasing instances of Indian companies looking at offering services beyond the country’s shore, private telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer Internet services in Bhutan.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Adelaide Now)
A STRING of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Bhutan blames Nepal-based ‘militant groups’ for Sunday’s blasts (Nepalnews. com)
Bhutanese authorities have blamed “Nepal-based organisations” for a series of bomb blasts that rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Sunday, injuring one person.

Ethnic Nepalese blamed as bombs shake Bhutan (Independent)
A series of bomb blasts has shaken the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan just days after a date was set for elections that will end more than a century of absolute rule by its royal family.

Indian community celebrates 59 Republic Day
26 January, 2008 -

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore offers khada to the Indian ambassador Sudhir Vyas

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore, the Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen, foreign secretary, Yeshey Dorji, and other senior Bhutanese government officials joined the Indian community at around 10 am at the Indian Ambessy ground today to celebrate India’s 59th republic day.

Gasa Dzong survives fire

Charred statues of the ka-gye lhakhang

26 January, 2008 - The ka-gye (eight pillars) lhakhang, the koenyer’s (caretaker) room, and an engineering cell of the Gasa dzong were reduced to rubble and the main statues inside the lhakhang were charred.

A militant camp in Tsirang
26 January, 2008 - A Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) patrol exchanged fire with a group of militants in Lower Dhanessey in Tsirang on January 16.

The militants, who had come from the camps in Nepal, escaped into the forest but the patrol found their camp, which had three sheds stocked with some clothing and rations.

An autonomous tourism board
26 January, 2008 - The government announced yesterday the creation of an autonomous agency to take the lead role in managing and developing the tourism industry in the country.

To be called the National Tourism Board, it will function as an intergovernmental agency with its broad policy guidelines directed by the government. NTB will receive block grants from the government based on the formula that will take into account the contribution of the tourism sector to the national exchequer, according to the announcement.

The astrologers say…
26 January, 2008 - The next step in Bhutan’s general election will be decided by the stars.
Both the registered political parties will launch their official campaigns on auspicious days identified through astrological calculations. Their letters of intent and manifestos will be submitted when the zakar is good.

OAG appeals Nisho gup case
26 January, 2008 - The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will appeal, on January 30, against the judgment by the Wangduephodrang district court, which acquitted the gup (village headman) of Nisho gewog in Wangduephodrang, on the grounds that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and OAG had applied the laws retroactively.

10 dzongkhags experience snow fall

26 January, 2008 - Kanglung under a blanket of snow, the first in 14 years. Villagers in Trashigang woke
up to a surprise on the morning of January 23 to see their surroundings covered in snow. They saw
it as a harbinger to a good year. Villagers in Bikhar, Trashigang, said that it had last snowed in their gewog 22 years ago. Ten dzongkhags across the country experienced snowfall on January 23.

Local government scenario
26 January, 2008 - We are anticipating significant and exciting political changes in the next few months. Some of us, especially our politicians, are preparing for the scenario. Some of us are not. Given the momentum of change, it might be time to give it serious thought.

More tourists but less trekkers
25 January, 2008 - Although Bhutan has been hailed as a trekker’s paradise for its breath-taking landscapes, pristine ecology and wildlife, majestic mountains and lush valleys, very few tourists ever take up the sport.

Ten questions

24 January, 2008 - Pem Tshering, 21, from Dargaythang, Sarpang, has been working for the past three years with D D Electronics, a repair shop in Thimphu. He picked up the skill from his uncle and works from 9:00 am till 8:00 pm.

1. What kinds of electronic goods do you repair?
We repair any kind of electronic item except for radios.

Violence haunts Bhutan’s refugees (BBC News)
The first Nepal-based Bhutanese refugees are to leave for the US - but those they leave behind are experiencing great intimidation.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (rediff.com)
The company is also in advanced stages of negotiations to rope in the kingdom’s largest telecom service provider, Bhutan Telecom, as partner.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (Business Standard India)
In increasing instances of Indian companies looking at offering services beyond the country’s shore, private telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer Internet services in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Daily Telegraph)
A STRING of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

Bhutan blames Nepal-based ‘militant groups’ for Sunday’s blasts (Nepalnews. com)
Bhutanese authorities have blamed “Nepal-based organisations” for a series of bomb blasts that rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Sunday, injuring one person.

Ethnic Nepalese blamed as bombs shake Bhutan (Independent)
A series of bomb blasts has shaken the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan just days after a date was set for elections that will end more than a century of absolute rule by its royal family.

Indian community celebrates 59 Republic Day
26 January, 2008 -

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore offers khada to the Indian ambassador Sudhir Vyas

The Gyalpoi Zimpon, Penjore, the Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen, foreign secretary, Yeshey Dorji, and other senior Bhutanese government officials joined the Indian community at around 10 am at the Indian Ambessy ground today to celebrate India’s 59th republic day.

Gasa Dzong survives fire

Charred statues of the ka-gye lhakhang

26 January, 2008 - The ka-gye (eight pillars) lhakhang, the koenyer’s (caretaker) room, and an engineering cell of the Gasa dzong were reduced to rubble and the main statues inside the lhakhang were charred.

A militant camp in Tsirang
26 January, 2008 - A Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) patrol exchanged fire with a group of militants in Lower Dhanessey in Tsirang on January 16.

The militants, who had come from the camps in Nepal, escaped into the forest but the patrol found their camp, which had three sheds stocked with some clothing and rations.

An autonomous tourism board
26 January, 2008 - The government announced yesterday the creation of an autonomous agency to take the lead role in managing and developing the tourism industry in the country.

To be called the National Tourism Board, it will function as an intergovernmental agency with its broad policy guidelines directed by the government. NTB will receive block grants from the government based on the formula that will take into account the contribution of the tourism sector to the national exchequer, according to the announcement.

The astrologers say…
26 January, 2008 - The next step in Bhutan’s general election will be decided by the stars.
Both the registered political parties will launch their official campaigns on auspicious days identified through astrological calculations. Their letters of intent and manifestos will be submitted when the zakar is good.

OAG appeals Nisho gup case
26 January, 2008 - The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will appeal, on January 30, against the judgment by the Wangduephodrang district court, which acquitted the gup (village headman) of Nisho gewog in Wangduephodrang, on the grounds that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and OAG had applied the laws retroactively.

10 dzongkhags experience snow fall

26 January, 2008 - Kanglung under a blanket of snow, the first in 14 years. Villagers in Trashigang woke
up to a surprise on the morning of January 23 to see their surroundings covered in snow. They saw
it as a harbinger to a good year. Villagers in Bikhar, Trashigang, said that it had last snowed in their gewog 22 years ago. Ten dzongkhags across the country experienced snowfall on January 23.

Local government scenario
26 January, 2008 - We are anticipating significant and exciting political changes in the next few months. Some of us, especially our politicians, are preparing for the scenario. Some of us are not. Given the momentum of change, it might be time to give it serious thought.

More tourists but less trekkers
25 January, 2008 - Although Bhutan has been hailed as a trekker’s paradise for its breath-taking landscapes, pristine ecology and wildlife, majestic mountains and lush valleys, very few tourists ever take up the sport.

Ten questions

24 January, 2008 - Pem Tshering, 21, from Dargaythang, Sarpang, has been working for the past three years with D D Electronics, a repair shop in Thimphu. He picked up the skill from his uncle and works from 9:00 am till 8:00 pm.

1. What kinds of electronic goods do you repair?
We repair any kind of electronic item except for radios.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (rediff.com)
The company is also in advanced stages of negotiations to rope in the kingdom’s largest telecom service provider, Bhutan Telecom, as partner.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

RCom plans to offer broadband in Bhutan (Business Standard India)
In increasing instances of Indian companies looking at offering services beyond the country’s shore, private telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to offer Internet services in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Adelaide Now)
A STRING of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

Bhutan blames Nepal-based ‘militant groups’ for Sunday’s blasts (Nepalnews. com)
Bhutanese authorities have blamed “Nepal-based organisations” for a series of bomb blasts that rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Sunday, injuring one person.

Ethnic Nepalese blamed as bombs shake Bhutan (Independent)
A series of bomb blasts has shaken the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan just days after a date was set for elections that will end more than a century of absolute rule by its royal family.

Series of bomb blasts rock Bhutan, one hurt (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Four bomb blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on Sunday, including one in the capital Thimphu, and a woman was injured, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutan Police said.

More tourists but less trekkers
25 January, 2008 - Although Bhutan has been hailed as a trekker’s paradise for its breath-taking landscapes, pristine ecology and wildlife, majestic mountains and lush valleys, very few tourists ever take up the sport.

Ten questions

24 January, 2008 - Pem Tshering, 21, from Dargaythang, Sarpang, has been working for the past three years with D D Electronics, a repair shop in Thimphu. He picked up the skill from his uncle and works from 9:00 am till 8:00 pm.

1. What kinds of electronic goods do you repair?
We repair any kind of electronic item except for radios.

Tableware trends - from functional to graceful

24 January, 2008 - Well, we all love to eat from our glossy traditional wooden bowls, don’t we? The food somehow tastes better and makes one feel at home. But, recently, city folks have picked up the trend of using imported cutlery and crockery. First, it was the entry of rice and curry cookers and water boilers, which slowly replaced our pots and pressure cookers.

New Age Garbage

24 January, 2008 - So, we’re all becoming gizmo geeks and techno savvy. We love using and, of course, owning the newest, fastest, sleekest and most-highly-functioning-est electronic gadgets. It’s a long list. Cell phones, MP3 players, flat screen computers and television sets, compact laptops and music systems, microwave ovens, thumb
drives, CDs, DVDs, digital cameras, dry cells,
bigger and taller dual door refrigerators and
automatic washing machines.

A sewerage system for Gelephu town

Gelephu town: dug up and dusty

24 January, 2008 - Gelephu town is all dug up, dusty and smells like a sewer with work in progress to give it a modern sewerage system. It will be the third urban centre in the country after Thimphu and Phuentsholing to have one.

Machey weave for the Bhutanese eve

A shop in Dadgari displays Machey handiwork

24 January, 2008 - It is a norm for residents of Gelephu town to regularly stream across the border to Dadgari, the adjoining settlement in the Indian state of Assam, and shop for vegetables and meat.

Appeal cases double in 2007
24 January, 2008 - The number of appeal cases to the High Court almost doubled from 173 cases in previous year to 304 in 2007, according to records maintained by the judiciary.

The party member
23 January, 2008 Around the world the nature of membership to political parties seems to be divided into many categories, two of them broadly contrasting. In communist countries a party member seems to “submit” himself or herself to the party in his or her political as well as personal life. The member pays dues and obeys party instructions. In the west, membership seems to mean that the voter shares the ideology or political philosophy of a party and votes for the party but does not sign up or pay fees.

Fire in Gasa dzong

The Gasa Trashi Thongmoen dzong (File picture)

23 January, 2008 - Gasa Dzong was on fire yesterday.

The fire started in the dzong at about 8.30pm and the people in the area were soon fighting the blaze that threatened to consume the dzong. The absence of effective fire fighting facilities was a problem, according to Gasa residents who had to bring water from about 100 metres from the dzong.

It’s now official
23 January, 2008 - Bhutan’s historic general election began quietly. Nothing happened on January 22, the auspicious 15th day of the 12th month of the fire hog year, that signaled the official commencement of the process.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Adelaide Now)
A STRING of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

Bhutan blames Nepal-based ‘militant groups’ for Sunday’s blasts (Nepalnews. com)
Bhutanese authorities have blamed “Nepal-based organisations” for a series of bomb blasts that rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Sunday, injuring one person.

Ethnic Nepalese blamed as bombs shake Bhutan (Independent)
A series of bomb blasts has shaken the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan just days after a date was set for elections that will end more than a century of absolute rule by its royal family.

Series of bomb blasts rock Bhutan, one hurt (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Four bomb blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on Sunday, including one in the capital Thimphu, and a woman was injured, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutan Police said.

Violence haunts Bhutan’s refugees (BBC News)
The first Nepal-based Bhutanese refugees are to leave for the US - but those they leave behind are experiencing great intimidation.

Serial blasts rock Bhutan (IANS via Yahoo! India News)
Thimphu, Jan 21 (IANS) A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials Monday said.

Ten questions

24 January, 2008 - Pem Tshering, 21, from Dargaythang, Sarpang, has been working for the past three years with D D Electronics, a repair shop in Thimphu. He picked up the skill from his uncle and works from 9:00 am till 8:00 pm.

1. What kinds of electronic goods do you repair?
We repair any kind of electronic item except for radios.

Tableware trends - from functional to graceful

24 January, 2008 - Well, we all love to eat from our glossy traditional wooden bowls, don’t we? The food somehow tastes better and makes one feel at home. But, recently, city folks have picked up the trend of using imported cutlery and crockery. First, it was the entry of rice and curry cookers and water boilers, which slowly replaced our pots and pressure cookers.

New Age Garbage

24 January, 2008 - So, we’re all becoming gizmo geeks and techno savvy. We love using and, of course, owning the newest, fastest, sleekest and most-highly-functioning-est electronic gadgets. It’s a long list. Cell phones, MP3 players, flat screen computers and television sets, compact laptops and music systems, microwave ovens, thumb
drives, CDs, DVDs, digital cameras, dry cells,
bigger and taller dual door refrigerators and
automatic washing machines.

A sewerage system for Gelephu town

Gelephu town: dug up and dusty

24 January, 2008 - Gelephu town is all dug up, dusty and smells like a sewer with work in progress to give it a modern sewerage system. It will be the third urban centre in the country after Thimphu and Phuentsholing to have one.

Machey weave for the Bhutanese eve

A shop in Dadgari displays Machey handiwork

24 January, 2008 - It is a norm for residents of Gelephu town to regularly stream across the border to Dadgari, the adjoining settlement in the Indian state of Assam, and shop for vegetables and meat.

Appeal cases double in 2007
24 January, 2008 - The number of appeal cases to the High Court almost doubled from 173 cases in previous year to 304 in 2007, according to records maintained by the judiciary.

The party member
23 January, 2008 Around the world the nature of membership to political parties seems to be divided into many categories, two of them broadly contrasting. In communist countries a party member seems to “submit” himself or herself to the party in his or her political as well as personal life. The member pays dues and obeys party instructions. In the west, membership seems to mean that the voter shares the ideology or political philosophy of a party and votes for the party but does not sign up or pay fees.

Fire in Gasa dzong

The Gasa Trashi Thongmoen dzong (File picture)

23 January, 2008 - Gasa Dzong was on fire yesterday.

The fire started in the dzong at about 8.30pm and the people in the area were soon fighting the blaze that threatened to consume the dzong. The absence of effective fire fighting facilities was a problem, according to Gasa residents who had to bring water from about 100 metres from the dzong.

It’s now official
23 January, 2008 - Bhutan’s historic general election began quietly. Nothing happened on January 22, the auspicious 15th day of the 12th month of the fire hog year, that signaled the official commencement of the process.

A voyage of discovery and liberation

The wreck of the plane that crashed in 1950

23 January, 2008 - When Linda and Tara Bearcroft came to Bhutan last week, it was truly a journey into the past, their own past - and it took them 58 years.

The sisters from Britain were in Bhutan to pay homage to a father, who left the world when Tara Bearcroft, the youngest daughter, had not seen the world and Linda was just a two-year-old toddler.

Bombs in Bhutan stir refugee crisis (Asia Times)
CHENNAI - The orchestrated bomb blasts that detonated on Monday in the capital of Thimphu and three other locations across Bhutan are a powerful reminder of the simmering refugee problem that has long plagued the ruling government and tarnished the reputation of the tiny Himalayan kingdom often referred to as Shangri-La.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A string of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan at the weekend, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said Monday.

Explosions rock Bhutan (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials said yesterday.

India, Nepal, Bhutan should jointly solve Bhutanese refugee problem (New Kerala)
Siliguri, Jan 19: Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas today said India, Nepal and Bhutan should jointly solve the problem of the Bhutanese refugees, sheltered at Damakh in Nepal.

Explosions rock Bhutan ahead of first polls (Adelaide Now)
A STRING of blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wounding one person and damaging shops and businesses, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutanese Police said.

Bhutan blames Nepal-based ‘militant groups’ for Sunday’s blasts (Nepalnews. com)
Bhutanese authorities have blamed “Nepal-based organisations” for a series of bomb blasts that rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Sunday, injuring one person.

Ethnic Nepalese blamed as bombs shake Bhutan (Independent)
A series of bomb blasts has shaken the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan just days after a date was set for elections that will end more than a century of absolute rule by its royal family.

Series of bomb blasts rock Bhutan, one hurt (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Four bomb blasts rocked the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on Sunday, including one in the capital Thimphu, and a woman was injured, a spokesman for the Royal Bhutan Police said.

Violence haunts Bhutan’s refugees (BBC News)
The first Nepal-based Bhutanese refugees are to leave for the US - but those they leave behind are experiencing great intimidation.

Serial blasts rock Bhutan (IANS via Yahoo! India News)
Thimphu, Jan 21 (IANS) A string of explosions rocked Bhutan injuring one woman and damaging shops and businesses, officials Monday said.

The party member
23 January, 2008 Around the world the nature of membership to political parties seems to be divided into many categories, two of them broadly contrasting. In communist countries a party member seems to “submit” himself or herself to the party in his or her political as well as personal life. The member pays dues and obeys party instructions. In the west, membership seems to mean that the voter shares the ideology or political philosophy of a party and votes for the party but does not sign up or pay fees.

Fire in Gasa dzong

The Gasa Trashi Thongmoen dzong (File picture)

23 January, 2008 - Gasa Dzong was on fire yesterday.

The fire started in the dzong at about 8.30pm and the people in the area were soon fighting the blaze that threatened to consume the dzong. The absence of effective fire fighting facilities was a problem, according to Gasa residents who had to bring water from about 100 metres from the dzong.

It’s now official
23 January, 2008 - Bhutan’s historic general election began quietly. Nothing happened on January 22, the auspicious 15th day of the 12th month of the fire hog year, that signaled the official commencement of the process.

A voyage of discovery and liberation

The wreck of the plane that crashed in 1950

23 January, 2008 - When Linda and Tara Bearcroft came to Bhutan last week, it was truly a journey into the past, their own past - and it took them 58 years.

The sisters from Britain were in Bhutan to pay homage to a father, who left the world when Tara Bearcroft, the youngest daughter, had not seen the world and Linda was just a two-year-old toddler.

Blasts under investigation
23 January, 2008 - The Royal Bhutan Police are investigating four bomb blasts on January 20 that police believe was the work of one of three militant organisations based in Nepal. A police spokesman told Kuensel that it was the work of either the Bhutan Tiger Force, the Bhutan Maoists Party, or the Communist Party of Bhutan.

Local leader acquitted
23 January, 2008 - The Wangduephodrang district court on January 21 acquitted a local leader who was charged by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) of embezzling public funds and receiving unaccounted for payments.

Alleged rape trial begins
23 January, 2008 - The trial against a 33 year-old man, who was alleged to have raped a six year-old girl in Sarpang on January 13, began this week at the Sarpang district court.

A man of integrity

23 January, 2008 - This week, Bhutan said goodbye to yet an old-timer who was a part of the nation building process. A large number of colleagues that Kuensel spoke to remember him for his humility and integrity, as a simple and humble man with little needs. His commitment to the government was unquestionable and his humility was such that, when he visited the dzongkhags, people were not aware that a minister was among them because he did not want to impose himself on them. He was known for not wasting the government’s revenue and resources.

From the Incas to the kewa datshi
PART III: A plant for all seasons

Potato in Dremitse: the humble tuber thrives at high altitudes too

22 January, 2008 - Potato is adapted to temperate climate. In Bhutan, it can be cultivated as a winter crop in the subtropics and as a summer crop in temperate and sub-alpine environments. Yak herding communities may cultivate potato up to elevations of 4500m. The only other crops and vegetables thriving at these elevations are barley, mustard, pea, turnip, radish and mustard green.

Bombs blasted in four dzongkhags
BREAKING NEWS21 January, 2008 - Four bomb blasts took place between 11.10am and 2.10pm in four different dzongkhags on January 20, including one in the capital, Thimphu.