Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Riverside becomes model for Bhutan school (The Times of India)
Bhutan is planning a lab school modelled on the city-based Riverside school, by the year 2010.

Bad new road (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The recently completed eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna highway in Paro, built by Bhutanese contractors, has now become a safety hazard with increasing instances of shooting rocks and debris falling on the main road.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 (Deccan Herald)
Bhutan will adopt its Constitution when the new Parliament session begins in May. ” The first sitting of the Bhutanese Parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution,” a Cabinet office release said.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

Forests falling fast (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades.

First steps of the government (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Sri Lanka: Himalayan Dawn: people take over Nepal, Bhutan (TamilNet)
With the epoch-making electoral verdict for the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, ultra-Marxists have captured the reins of a country, that too in a democratic process, for the first time in the history of South Asia. The Maoists, who were waging an armed struggle for structural changes in Nepal were self reliant, antagonists of the Indian orbit of manoeuvring and have been listed as ‘terrorists’ …

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Badminton players do Bhutan proud (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The Bhutan Badminton Federation (BBF) team came home yesterday with trophies in the singles and doubles events of the 2nd Himalayan Badminton Open held from May 10-13 at Namchi, South Sikkim.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Bad new road (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The recently completed eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna highway in Paro, built by Bhutanese contractors, has now become a safety hazard with increasing instances of shooting rocks and debris falling on the main road.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 (Deccan Herald)
Bhutan will adopt its Constitution when the new Parliament session begins in May. ” The first sitting of the Bhutanese Parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution,” a Cabinet office release said.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

Forests falling fast (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades.

First steps of the government (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Sri Lanka: Himalayan Dawn: people take over Nepal, Bhutan (TamilNet)
With the epoch-making electoral verdict for the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, ultra-Marxists have captured the reins of a country, that too in a democratic process, for the first time in the history of South Asia. The Maoists, who were waging an armed struggle for structural changes in Nepal were self reliant, antagonists of the Indian orbit of manoeuvring and have been listed as ‘terrorists’ …

Badminton players do Bhutan proud (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The Bhutan Badminton Federation (BBF) team came home yesterday with trophies in the singles and doubles events of the 2nd Himalayan Badminton Open held from May 10-13 at Namchi, South Sikkim.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Sanitation = Safety (Kuensel)
17 April, 2008 - Climbing up and down 40 steps ten times a day is not an easy exercise, but for 28-year-old Dil Maya, it has been a daily routine since she moved into a hut near the IMTRAT hospital in Thimphu.

Ban on import of rice lifted

Latest
18 April, 2008 - The government of India has lifted the ban on import of popular rice brands like BN20, Basmati, and Boiled rice to Bhutan with immediate effect.

Dragon Kingdom’s Date with Democracy
Bhutan’s Historic Transition from
Absolute Monarchy to Absolute Majority

17 April, 2008 - From the bombshell His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo dropped on his unsuspecting subjects on 9 December 2006 to the electoral rout meted out by Druk Phuensum Tshogpa on 27 March 2008, Bhutan’s roller-coaster ride from monarchy to democracy has been a run of one irony after another.

The Abdication Paradox –
The Emperor’s New Close

When in late 2006 Palden Drukpa’s fourth hereditary monarch informed an extraordinary meeting of cabinet ministers of his sovereign decision to step down from the golden throne and hand over the raven crown to his eldest son and heir-apparent, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar, a fly on the wall would have heard a pin drop. And when, via grapevine, the momentous news filtered down to the masses, there was general disbelief mingled with grief.

Inflation hits the heights

Essential commodities will cost dearer day by day

17 April, 2008 - Pushed by rising prices of food items, inflation in the first quarter of 2008 could cross six percent, one of the highest rates in recent years, say officials of the National Statistical Bureau.

Call centre responds to charges
17 April, 2008 - Responding to the allegations made by its agents saying that the Drukonnet business services located at Changzamtog was facing problems, the management of Drukonnet said that the centre was doing good “without any problems”.

Sanitation = Safety

Bringing home the message of International Sanitation Day

17 April, 2008 - Climbing up and down 40 steps ten times a day is not an easy exercise, but for 28-year-old Dil Maya, it has been a daily routine since she moved into a hut near the IMTRAT hospital in Thimphu.

Two rangers fired in gun imbroglio
17 April, 2008 - Zhemgang police have apprehended three men for illegal possession of a firearm.

On March 5, an unidentified caller informed the police that Lham Dorji, 53, from Dungbi under Trong gewog, possessed a firearm, which his son, Sithar Dorji, used for hunting.

Another chorten ransacked in Zhemgang
17 April, 2008 - An ancient chorten in Thrisa, Shingkhar gewog, Zhemgang, was robbed of its zung (inner relics) and other religious artifacts on the night of April 5.

Woman dies from horse kick
17 April, 2008 - A 65-year-old woman died after being kicked by her horse on the chest in Drametse, Mongar, on April 13.

Corruption – first challenge
16 April, 2008 - Corruption is so rife in developing countries that it is often seen as being synonymous with democratic governance. Political corruption has become such a norm that it is mistaken as an element of democratic culture. This has taken root because the lines between political motives and actual corrupt behaviour can sometimes be thin.

.

16 April, 2008 - His Majesty King Jigme Khesar meets with devotees who had come to offer prayers on Zhabdrung Kuchoe at the Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi Phodrang yesterday.

His Majesty the King was in Punakha yesterday to attend the special religious ceremony performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Central Monk Body at the Kuenrey of the Punakha dzong.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 (Deccan Herald)
Bhutan will adopt its Constitution when the new Parliament session begins in May. ” The first sitting of the Bhutanese Parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution,” a Cabinet office release said.

Bad new road (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The recently completed eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna highway in Paro, built by Bhutanese contractors, has now become a safety hazard with increasing instances of shooting rocks and debris falling on the main road.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

Forests falling fast (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades.

Sri Lanka: Himalayan Dawn: people take over Nepal, Bhutan (TamilNet)
With the epoch-making electoral verdict for the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, ultra-Marxists have captured the reins of a country, that too in a democratic process, for the first time in the history of South Asia. The Maoists, who were waging an armed struggle for structural changes in Nepal were self reliant, antagonists of the Indian orbit of manoeuvring and have been listed as ‘terrorists’ …

First steps of the government (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Badminton players do Bhutan proud (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The Bhutan Badminton Federation (BBF) team came home yesterday with trophies in the singles and doubles events of the 2nd Himalayan Badminton Open held from May 10-13 at Namchi, South Sikkim.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Sanitation = Safety (Kuensel)
17 April, 2008 - Climbing up and down 40 steps ten times a day is not an easy exercise, but for 28-year-old Dil Maya, it has been a daily routine since she moved into a hut near the IMTRAT hospital in Thimphu.

Dragon Kingdom’s Date with Democracy
Bhutan’s Historic Transition from
Absolute Monarchy to Absolute Majority

17 April, 2008 - From the bombshell His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo dropped on his unsuspecting subjects on 9 December 2006 to the electoral rout meted out by Druk Phuensum Tshogpa on 27 March 2008, Bhutan’s roller-coaster ride from monarchy to democracy has been a run of one irony after another.

The Abdication Paradox –
The Emperor’s New Close

When in late 2006 Palden Drukpa’s fourth hereditary monarch informed an extraordinary meeting of cabinet ministers of his sovereign decision to step down from the golden throne and hand over the raven crown to his eldest son and heir-apparent, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar, a fly on the wall would have heard a pin drop. And when, via grapevine, the momentous news filtered down to the masses, there was general disbelief mingled with grief.

Inflation hits the heights

Essential commodities will cost dearer day by day

17 April, 2008 - Pushed by rising prices of food items, inflation in the first quarter of 2008 could cross six percent, one of the highest rates in recent years, say officials of the National Statistical Bureau.

Call centre responds to charges
17 April, 2008 - Responding to the allegations made by its agents saying that the Drukonnet business services located at Changzamtog was facing problems, the management of Drukonnet said that the centre was doing good “without any problems”.

Sanitation = Safety

Bringing home the message of International Sanitation Day

17 April, 2008 - Climbing up and down 40 steps ten times a day is not an easy exercise, but for 28-year-old Dil Maya, it has been a daily routine since she moved into a hut near the IMTRAT hospital in Thimphu.

Two rangers fired in gun imbroglio
17 April, 2008 - Zhemgang police have apprehended three men for illegal possession of a firearm.

On March 5, an unidentified caller informed the police that Lham Dorji, 53, from Dungbi under Trong gewog, possessed a firearm, which his son, Sithar Dorji, used for hunting.

Another chorten ransacked in Zhemgang
17 April, 2008 - An ancient chorten in Thrisa, Shingkhar gewog, Zhemgang, was robbed of its zung (inner relics) and other religious artifacts on the night of April 5.

Woman dies from horse kick
17 April, 2008 - A 65-year-old woman died after being kicked by her horse on the chest in Drametse, Mongar, on April 13.

Corruption – first challenge
16 April, 2008 - Corruption is so rife in developing countries that it is often seen as being synonymous with democratic governance. Political corruption has become such a norm that it is mistaken as an element of democratic culture. This has taken root because the lines between political motives and actual corrupt behaviour can sometimes be thin.

.

16 April, 2008 - His Majesty King Jigme Khesar meets with devotees who had come to offer prayers on Zhabdrung Kuchoe at the Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi Phodrang yesterday.

His Majesty the King was in Punakha yesterday to attend the special religious ceremony performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Central Monk Body at the Kuenrey of the Punakha dzong.

First steps of the government

The new cabinet in session

16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Bad new road (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The recently completed eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna highway in Paro, built by Bhutanese contractors, has now become a safety hazard with increasing instances of shooting rocks and debris falling on the main road.

Forests falling fast (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

First steps of the government (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Badminton players do Bhutan proud (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The Bhutan Badminton Federation (BBF) team came home yesterday with trophies in the singles and doubles events of the 2nd Himalayan Badminton Open held from May 10-13 at Namchi, South Sikkim.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

How far would you walk to vote? (Pretoria News)
Thimphu - The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan may lay claim to having the world’s most enthusiastic voter - a 65-year-old woman who walked 600 kilometres (380 miles) to cast her ballot.

Class ‘A’ contractors - out in the cold (Kuensel)
16 April, 2008 - The construction of the Supreme Court complex in Thimphu, which has been mired in controversy and delays over the bidding process for the past eight months, will now be outsourced only to class ‘B’ and ‘C’ contractors in smaller packages.

Bhutan’s youngest minister and Kheng’s first (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - Some time last year when the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was finalizing its constituency candidates, an informal “mini mock election” was held by a small family in Zilukha, Thimphu.

Corruption – first challenge
16 April, 2008 - Corruption is so rife in developing countries that it is often seen as being synonymous with democratic governance. Political corruption has become such a norm that it is mistaken as an element of democratic culture. This has taken root because the lines between political motives and actual corrupt behaviour can sometimes be thin.

.

16 April, 2008 - His Majesty King Jigme Khesar meets with devotees who had come to offer prayers on Zhabdrung Kuchoe at the Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi Phodrang yesterday.

His Majesty the King was in Punakha yesterday to attend the special religious ceremony performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Central Monk Body at the Kuenrey of the Punakha dzong.

First steps of the government

The new cabinet in session

16 April, 2008 - The first sitting of the Bhutanese parliament, scheduled to begin in early May, will adopt the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The parliament will enact the Election Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlements bill.

Forests falling fast

16 April, 2008 - Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades.

Class ‘A’ contractors - out in the cold
16 April, 2008 - The construction of the Supreme Court complex in Thimphu, which has been mired in controversy and delays over the bidding process for the past eight months, will now be outsourced only to class ‘B’ and ‘C’ contractors in smaller packages.

Bad road over-claims run into millions
16 April, 2008 - ACC and Audit documents in possession of Kuensel show that the four companies involved in the Nu 200 million eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna stretch had over claimed millions of ngultrums for excavation and disposal of rocks, soil and on ‘bulking’ charges.

No woman minister
16 April, 2008 - Congratulating the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and the country’s new ministers, the opposition leader, Tshering Tobgay, said that the new cabinet had depth, experience, and the younger ministers would bring with them new ideas and perspectives.

Bad new road

Hazardous road conditions along the Chunzom-Isuna highway

16 April, 2008 - The recently completed eight kilometre Chunzom to Isuna highway in Paro, built by Bhutanese contractors, has now become a safety hazard with increasing instances of shooting rocks and debris falling on the main road.

Badminton players do Bhutan proud

Back from beating Sikkim

16 April, 2008 - The Bhutan Badminton Federation (BBF) team came home yesterday with trophies in the singles and doubles events of the 2nd Himalayan Badminton Open held from May 10-13 at Namchi, South Sikkim.

Why I want to be a monk

Rinchen Dorji with a friend: physically challenged but mentally sound

15 April, 2008 - Rinchen Dorji, a class four student of Kaktong Primary School in Panbang, Zhemgang, who suffers from a “disordered limb,” knows what he wants to be in future.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

How far would you walk to vote? (Pretoria News)
Thimphu - The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan may lay claim to having the world’s most enthusiastic voter - a 65-year-old woman who walked 600 kilometres (380 miles) to cast her ballot.

Bhutan’s youngest minister and Kheng’s first (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - Some time last year when the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was finalizing its constituency candidates, an informal “mini mock election” was held by a small family in Zilukha, Thimphu.

VAT’s the difference? (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - In an effort to align the Bhutan sales tax regime with global trends, Bhutanese customs officials are studying the rationale and evolution of the (value-added tax) VAT system in other countries.

Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the …

Workshop on poverty-environment relationship (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - Although Bhutan is still clean and intact, a growing population and the increasing development activities are putting the pressure on the fragile Himalayan environment.

Theocracies, Olympics and population growth (Malaya)
HREE Himalayan coun-tries have been in the news these days. First Bhutan, a tiny monarchy in the Himalayan foothills took a first step towards democratic government by electing a parliament shortly after its god-king decided that it was time to modernize his once hermetical country.

Managing future natural disasters (Kuensel)
15 April, 2008 - A team from United Nations disaster assessment and coordination (UNDAC),which reviewed the disaster management framework of Bhutan, has submitted a set of 38 recommendations to the government to strengthen its overall capacity to manage future natural disasters.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

Miss Bhutan: Ambassador of GNH (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - To provide young Bhutanese women the same kind of opportunities as women in other parts of the world, in terms of cross-cultural experiences, Bhutan will organise a Miss Bhutan beauty pageant contest.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Bhutan’s youngest minister and Kheng’s first (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - Some time last year when the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was finalizing its constituency candidates, an informal “mini mock election” was held by a small family in Zilukha, Thimphu.

VAT’s the difference? (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - In an effort to align the Bhutan sales tax regime with global trends, Bhutanese customs officials are studying the rationale and evolution of the (value-added tax) VAT system in other countries.

Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the …

Workshop on poverty-environment relationship (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - Although Bhutan is still clean and intact, a growing population and the increasing development activities are putting the pressure on the fragile Himalayan environment.

Palm oil industries downsize workers (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - With no tax differentials to take advantage of and production at a standstill, palm oil industries at Pasakha industrial estate, Phuentsholing, have discharged most of their workers, mostly Bhutanese.

Consumer Protection Bill to be tabled in Parliament (Kuensel)
14 April, 2008 - The department of trade has finally come up with a draft copy of a consumer protection bill, that should provide some kind of recourse to Bhutanese consumers, who have little choice in a market flooded with spurious products from neighbouring India.

New PM takes office (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - On April 9, 2008, the fourth day of the third month of the male earth rat year, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley took his place on the highest seat of governance that a Bhutanese citizen can aspire for.

Coming to Terms with My Self
14 April, 2008 - At the dead of night, I was once left alone in a big country house. I had no one nearby, only my cat. With strange thoughts, I listened in pindrop silence, shivering. Luckily, my thoughts could not speak. The mice below my bed and the insects around made welcome sounds indeed.

Another Time, Another Home
14 April, 2008 - The twittering birds used to
warmly hail the bright
winter sun half-exposed
behind the eastern ranges, and a
gentle breeze would whisper in my
ears, asking me to assist my father
who’d be by then out in the fields
with a pair of oxen and a yoke on
his shoulder, nobody to help him. I
would then rush, jumping over the
steps and running across the
ground, to reach my father and help
him yoke the oxen.

Cubicle culture working in close quarters

Inspired by corporate offices abroad, cubicles are replacing cabins and open workstations in Thimphu. Kuensel’s Sonam Pelden finds out why this trend as a part of office management is on the rise and the pros and cons of working in a cubicle.

14 April, 2008 - Offices and workstations in Thimphu are shrinking. With companies trying hard to maximise space utility and to cut costs, enter any big organisation today and you will be greeted with long rows of box-like structures.

Red on the lips, lead in the body
14 April, 2008 - Women, who apply lipstick on a daily basis, ingest about eight tubes of lipstick a year!

Now, this is a startling fact, considering that 61 per cent of lipsticks retailed contain detectable traces of lead, according to a study in October 2007 by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Ten question

14 April, 2008 - Trishna Gurung, 27, from Samtse, is an assistant finance officer in Bhutan Power corporation ltd. This is what she has to say about working in a cubicle for four years now.

1. Where did you graduate from?
I graduated from Sherabtse College with honours in B.Com.

Bhutan’s youngest minister and Kheng’s first

Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi with his family who elected him first

14 April, 2008 - Some time last year when the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was finalizing its constituency candidates, an informal “mini mock election” was held by a small family in Zilukha, Thimphu.

Palm oil industries downsize workers
14 April, 2008 - With no tax differentials to take advantage of and production at a standstill, palm oil industries at Pasakha industrial estate, Phuentsholing, have discharged most of their workers, mostly Bhutanese.

Consumer Protection Bill to be tabled in Parliament
14 April, 2008 - The department of trade has finally come up with a draft copy of a consumer protection bill, that should provide some kind of recourse to Bhutanese consumers, who have little choice in a market flooded with spurious products from neighbouring India.

Tsetsham Rinpoche passes away

14 April, 2008 - Thukten Yoezer, commonly known as Tsetsham Rinpoche, who spent almost half of his life in retreat, passed away on April 9, after remaining in a state of meditation for 33 days. He was 86.

Sudden death of assaulted teacher
14 April, 2008 - A 30-year-old primary school teacher in Thimphu - who was reported to have been assaulted by her husband - died on April 10 at the Thimphu national referral hospital.

Hindi films, TV soap operas a ‘must’ among Bhutanese (New Kerala)
Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital may have just one cinema that screens only Bhutanese language films all year round but Bollywood has been able to make its presence in the country, through VCDs and DVDs of its movies that are easily available.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the …

New PM takes office (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - On April 9, 2008, the fourth day of the third month of the male earth rat year, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley took his place on the highest seat of governance that a Bhutanese citizen can aspire for.

Rulers also Opposition in Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Thimpu, April 10: Bhutan’s ruling party will also play the role of the Opposition in the country’s first elected Parliament in what could be a unique experiment in a virtually “Opposition-free” parliamentary democracy.

Second GSM Network Launches in Bhutan (Cellular-News.com)
Bhutan’s second GSM network has launched its services, breaking the monopoly held by Bhutan Telecom. Tashi InfoComm was granted a license in 2006, but had difficulty raising funding for the network deployment.

Thinley takes over as Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the ceremonial …

Grenade-packed auto seized near Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Guwahati, April 8: Police today seized 30 high-explosive grenades along with 30 detonators from an auto-rickshaw near the Bhutan bus stop at Rangia in Kamrup district.

Bhutan’s first ever publisher’s fair (Kuensel)
7 April, 2008 - A variety of books ranging from encyclopedia, sports and physical education, to leisure and children books are on display in the first ever book fair organized by the ministry of education at the new YDF complex in Thimphu.

Watch Tower: Bhutan after the polls (Central Chronicle)
Bhutan must be a truly unique country, something more than an idyllic nest high on the Himalayas.

His Majesty confers Dakyen on new cabinet

His Majesty the King with the new ministers

12 April, 2008 - His Majesty the King conferred Dakyen on the 10 cabinet ministers nominated by the first democratically elected government.

New PM takes office

His Majesty the King with Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley

12 April, 2008 - On April 9, 2008, the fourth day of the third month of the male earth rat year, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley took his place on the highest seat of governance that a Bhutanese citizen can aspire for. Chosen by the will of the Bhutanese people, Bhutan’s first elected prime minister received the auspicious five-colour dhar from His Majesty the King.

Master Politician

Jigmi Y Thinley

12 April, 2008 - On a late Sunday evening in early October 2007, as scattered, enormous clouds leaked a few unlikely raindrops over Bumdeling valley, Trashiyangtse, Jigmi Y Thinley stood holding a microphone in front of some 700 people inside a topless bamboo tent. He smiled and glanced around, shooting little arrows of recognition to faces he knew. All eyes were on him.

A decade of crime in Bhutan
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Coming of age
12 April, 2008 - Take a rapid glance through the history of the governance of human society. Man was ruled by God, and then by Kings, and then by the people. That is why the transition of power taking place in Bhutan today is real history.

Call centre employees left in the lurch
12 April, 2008 - The dreams and hopes of a decent life for some 100 employees of the Drukonnet business services in Thimphu, a call centre, are fading fast.

Wall magazine competition on HIV/AIDS

12 April, 2008 - A wall magazine competition on HIV/AIDS, organised by the Department of Youth and Sports, was held at the YHS auditorium by 37 sections of class IX and XI to create awareness about the disease.

The DPT government's cabinet ministers

11 April, 2008 -

On election duty in Lunana

Polling officers and party representatives at their stations

11 April, 2008 - On January 25, three polling officers for Lunana experienced “the most nerve wracking 30 minutes of their lives”.

With the country’s northernmost gewog completely cut off by snow, Yangka, Thuji and Krishna were airlifted by an IAF (Indian Air Force) chopper to Lunana, where they would live for more than two months to manage the National Council and National Assembly elections.

Being a ‘politician’ in St Stephen’s College
10 April, 2008 - St Stephen’s College (Delhi University) is India’s most elite and well known humanitarian college with a high profile alumni of India’s current batch of top leaders, journalists, academics, intellectuals, corporate, senior bureaucrats and so on. Even some of Bhutan’s ministers and senior bureaucrats graduated from there, including the newly elected Prime Minister.

A decade of crime in Bhutan (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the …

New PM takes office (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - On April 9, 2008, the fourth day of the third month of the male earth rat year, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley took his place on the highest seat of governance that a Bhutanese citizen can aspire for.

Rulers also Opposition in Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Thimpu, April 10: Bhutan’s ruling party will also play the role of the Opposition in the country’s first elected Parliament in what could be a unique experiment in a virtually “Opposition-free” parliamentary democracy.

Second GSM Network Launches in Bhutan (Cellular-News.com)
Bhutan’s second GSM network has launched its services, breaking the monopoly held by Bhutan Telecom. Tashi InfoComm was granted a license in 2006, but had difficulty raising funding for the network deployment.

Thinley takes over as Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the ceremonial …

Call centre employees left in the lurch (Kuensel)
12 April, 2008 - The dreams and hopes of a decent life for some 100 employees of the Drukonnet business services in Thimphu, a call centre, are fading fast.

Grenade-packed auto seized near Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Guwahati, April 8: Police today seized 30 high-explosive grenades along with 30 detonators from an auto-rickshaw near the Bhutan bus stop at Rangia in Kamrup district.

Bhutan’s first ever publisher’s fair (Kuensel)
7 April, 2008 - A variety of books ranging from encyclopedia, sports and physical education, to leisure and children books are on display in the first ever book fair organized by the ministry of education at the new YDF complex in Thimphu.

Watch Tower: Bhutan after the polls (Central Chronicle)
Bhutan must be a truly unique country, something more than an idyllic nest high on the Himalayas.

His Majesty confers Dakyen on new cabinet

His Majesty the King with the new ministers

12 April, 2008 - His Majesty the King conferred Dakyen on the 10 cabinet ministers nominated by the first democratically elected government.

New PM takes office

His Majesty the King with Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley

12 April, 2008 - On April 9, 2008, the fourth day of the third month of the male earth rat year, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley took his place on the highest seat of governance that a Bhutanese citizen can aspire for. Chosen by the will of the Bhutanese people, Bhutan’s first elected prime minister received the auspicious five-colour dhar from His Majesty the King.

Master Politician

Jigmi Y Thinley

12 April, 2008 - On a late Sunday evening in early October 2007, as scattered, enormous clouds leaked a few unlikely raindrops over Bumdeling valley, Trashiyangtse, Jigmi Y Thinley stood holding a microphone in front of some 700 people inside a topless bamboo tent. He smiled and glanced around, shooting little arrows of recognition to faces he knew. All eyes were on him.

A decade of crime in Bhutan
12 April, 2008 - It can only mean two things: Bhutanese society is changing and more Bhutanese are approaching the law for justice.

Coming of age
12 April, 2008 - Take a rapid glance through the history of the governance of human society. Man was ruled by God, and then by Kings, and then by the people. That is why the transition of power taking place in Bhutan today is real history.

Call centre employees left in the lurch
12 April, 2008 - The dreams and hopes of a decent life for some 100 employees of the Drukonnet business services in Thimphu, a call centre, are fading fast.

Wall magazine competition on HIV/AIDS

12 April, 2008 - A wall magazine competition on HIV/AIDS, organised by the Department of Youth and Sports, was held at the YHS auditorium by 37 sections of class IX and XI to create awareness about the disease.

The DPT government's cabinet ministers

11 April, 2008 -

On election duty in Lunana

Polling officers and party representatives at their stations

11 April, 2008 - On January 25, three polling officers for Lunana experienced “the most nerve wracking 30 minutes of their lives”.

With the country’s northernmost gewog completely cut off by snow, Yangka, Thuji and Krishna were airlifted by an IAF (Indian Air Force) chopper to Lunana, where they would live for more than two months to manage the National Council and National Assembly elections.

Being a ‘politician’ in St Stephen’s College
10 April, 2008 - St Stephen’s College (Delhi University) is India’s most elite and well known humanitarian college with a high profile alumni of India’s current batch of top leaders, journalists, academics, intellectuals, corporate, senior bureaucrats and so on. Even some of Bhutan’s ministers and senior bureaucrats graduated from there, including the newly elected Prime Minister.

Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the …

Rulers also Opposition in Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Thimpu, April 10: Bhutan’s ruling party will also play the role of the Opposition in the country’s first elected Parliament in what could be a unique experiment in a virtually “Opposition-free” parliamentary democracy.

Second GSM Network Launches in Bhutan (Cellular-News.com)
Bhutan’s second GSM network has launched its services, breaking the monopoly held by Bhutan Telecom. Tashi InfoComm was granted a license in 2006, but had difficulty raising funding for the network deployment.

Thinley takes over as Premier (The Hindu)
Thimphu: Jigmi Y Thinley, who has had close ties with India, has taken over as Bhutan’s first elected Prime Minister, a post he held twice under the monarchy. Mr. Thinley, 56, assumed office on Wednesday after receiving the ceremonial …

Grenade-packed auto seized near Bhutan (The Telegraph)
Guwahati, April 8: Police today seized 30 high-explosive grenades along with 30 detonators from an auto-rickshaw near the Bhutan bus stop at Rangia in Kamrup district.

Bhutan’s first ever publisher’s fair (Kuensel)
7 April, 2008 - A variety of books ranging from encyclopedia, sports and physical education, to leisure and children books are on display in the first ever book fair organized by the ministry of education at the new YDF complex in Thimphu.

Watch Tower: Bhutan after the polls (Central Chronicle)
Bhutan must be a truly unique country, something more than an idyllic nest high on the Himalayas.

ULFA eyeing Bhutan again for setting base? (IANS via Yahoo! India News)
Guwahati, April 9 (IANS) Separatists in India’s northeast may again become active in Bhutan. The Assam Police have seized a large cache of explosives from two people, one of who hails from Bhutan, authorities said Wednesday.

Jigmi Thinley, Bhutan’s Prime Minister-elect (The Hindu)
Kolkata: Jigmi Y Thinley, president of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), that won a landslide victory in Bhutan’s first parliamentary elections held on March 24, has been unanimously endorsed by the party as the country’s Prime …

ULFA trying to set up base in Bhutan (rediff.com)
Police on Tuesday recovered 30 grenades along with equal number of explosives laden in an auto rickshaw that was coming from Daranga Mela on the India-Bhutan border in Baksa district of Assam to Ghograpar in Nalbari district where some ULFA militants were awaiting the consignment. Police, which intercepted the auto rickshaw midway near Bhutan bus stop at Rangiya in Kamrup district, arrested two …

The DPT government's cabinet ministers

11 April, 2008 -

On election duty in Lunana

Polling officers and party representatives at their stations

11 April, 2008 - On January 25, three polling officers for Lunana experienced “the most nerve wracking 30 minutes of their lives”.

With the country’s northernmost gewog completely cut off by snow, Yangka, Thuji and Krishna were airlifted by an IAF (Indian Air Force) chopper to Lunana, where they would live for more than two months to manage the National Council and National Assembly elections.

Being a ‘politician’ in St Stephen’s College
10 April, 2008 - St Stephen’s College (Delhi University) is India’s most elite and well known humanitarian college with a high profile alumni of India’s current batch of top leaders, journalists, academics, intellectuals, corporate, senior bureaucrats and so on. Even some of Bhutan’s ministers and senior bureaucrats graduated from there, including the newly elected Prime Minister.

Global warming guarantees GLOF
First phase of mitigation work to begin this year

There’s a real danger, as the picture shows, of the two lakes merging

10 April, 2008 - If UNDP’s projection of a possible outburst of Thorthormi glacier-lake in Lunana by 2010 comes to pass, the destruction downstream may be catastrophic.

TashiCell formally launched

HRH Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck does the honours

10 April, 2008 - With its infrastructure in place in the six western dzongkhags, the first private cellular company, Tashi InfoComm Limited, was formally launched on April 6.

GREF employee gets egg on his face

The contraband that was seized by BAFRA

10 April, 2008 - A general road engineering Force (GREF) employee of Project DANTAK was slapped a fine of Nu 5,680 by Bhutan agricultural food regulatory authority (BAFRA) officials for attempting to illegally import 16 live birds and six cartons of eggs on the evening of April 6.

Spate of chorten desecrations in Bumthang

The unholy work of vandals

10 April, 2008 - Chorten vandals struck Bumthang valley last week desecrating four chortens in Gaytsa, Chakar and Kurkubi.

Sentences handed down in tourist theft case
10 April, 2008 - Thimphu district court sentenced three men and a woman yesterday to prison terms ranging from 3 to 9 years in connection with the robbery of an American tour group in October last year.

Child rapist sentenced to 12 years
10 April, 2008 - Sarpang district court sentenced a 33-year-old man to 12 years in prison this week for raping a six-year-old girl in Singye gewog on January 13 this year.

The treacherous Tshachugang trek

An uphill battle with a high mortality rate for mules

10 April, 2008 - Every time 32-year-old Chimi from Digala goes out to buy basic necessities, she literally risks her life.