Alumni cement close ties

FAST FRIENDS - Netherlands ambassador Bob Hiensch at the launch

31 July, 2008 - To create a platform for helping aspiring Bhutanese study in the Netherlands and to provide information and additional academic support, the Netherlands alumni association of Bhutan (NAAB) was launched in the capital on July 29.

New Paro campsite for Dantak

New look dantak - Smaller space but prime location

31 July, 2008 - The Dantak Camp in Paro-Bondey will be shifted to a new location after years of looking for a new site. The present location of the camp will come under Bondey town planning for further expansion. The new location of Dantak is a discreet and pleasant location close to the present site but further off the main road behind Pegyel hotel. The camp, although doing a credible job of road building and maintenance, was an eyesore due to its shabby temporary structures, giving it the look of an overnight imported town.

Homegrown science degree for Sherubtse

Peak of Learning - Heading for academic autonomy

31 July, 2008 - Sherubtse college in Kanglung launched last week its homegrown degree programme in sciences, finally replacing all the courses offered by the university of Delhi (DU), India.

The (unsung) heroes of the highway
31 July, 2008 - With monsoon at its peak and hillsides sliding without warning, travelling along the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway has become a risky and hair-raising experience.

Bumthang swamped by heavy rain

Venice of the hills - One downpour inundated the valley

31 July, 2008 - As in other dzongkhags, Bumthang valley is also beginning to experience flooding after heavy downpours.

The Netherlands’ budget support to Bhutan
31 July, 2008 - The Netherlands government will provide budget support of euro 10 million to Bhutan for the 10th five-year plan.

Tonga Coronation
31 July, 2008 - On the invitation of His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga to His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck will be visiting the Island of Tonga from 30 July to 3 August 2008 to represent His Majesty the King of Bhutan at the Coronation ceremony of His Majesty the King of Tonga.

Agent’s commission cut to hurt customers
31 July, 2008 - Come October, all major airlines in India are expected to stop paying the five percent commission on basic individual fares sold through travel agents. Bhutanese travel agents will feel the jolt as well but say its impact would be minimal, at least for the time being.

Audit’s iron fist in a velvet glove
31 July, 2008 - In what may come as a pleasant surprise to our sensitive government agencies, the royal audit authority (RAA) will be adopting a more friendly auditing system. This will mean that any audit observations from 2008 will have an ‘Entry Conference’ to discuss key issues and take suggestions before an audit is done with the agency members. The audit reports will also have more analyses on the figures and incorporate valid reasons being given for any lapses.

Bumthap’s lopsided potato yield
31 July, 2008 - Bumthaps, who started harvesting this month their main cash crop, potato, say the yield has been uneven across the valley.

Session ends, era starts

30 July, 2008 - With the blessings of the guardian deities, the enlightened guidance of the Druk Gyalpo, and the good fortune of the people, Bhutan continues to thrive through the ages, according to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tshogpon Jigmi Tshultrim. The first session of parliament in the Democratic Constitutional Monarchy system of government, from May 8 to July 29, took some important steps through Bhutanese history.

Budget sparks off turf war
30 July, 2008 - The National Assembly’s proposal to remove Clause 121 in the National Council Bill - “The annual budget shall be presented to the National Assembly for discussion and, after being passed by the Assembly, it shall be presented to the National Council by the Finance Minister” – was knocked down by the National Council on the last day of parliamentary debate.

Funds bid draws NC flak
30 July, 2008 - Members of the National Council spoke in one voice once again, inviting comment that they have assumed an opposition role, when they objected to the Assembly’s motion for state funds for political parties and to develop constituencies.

The 10th Plan as it stands
30 July, 2008 - Although the 10th plan officially started from 1 July 2008, it will take another two months to thoroughly review the plan programmes and present a final version to the November session of the National Assembly.

Auditing our waste
Big garbage and medical waste problem in the Big 2

LAND FILLED: The overflowing waste of Memelakha. A snapshot of the bigger picture in Thimphu and Phuentsholing

30 July, 2008 - With growing urbanization, handling garbage and other waste is becoming a mounting problem for most Bhutanese. So how are municipalities and hospitals coping with it?

Driver’s allowance not sitting fees
30 July, 2008 - After deliberating the sitting fees for parliamentarians under the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, the joint sitting on July 28 resolved to drop the sitting fees and instead approved the driver’s allowance for parliamentarians.

Bhutanese duo for Beijing Olympics

Going for gold - Archers hard at practice in Hongkong

30 July, 2008 - Archers Tashi Peljor and Dorji Dema are the only two participants representing Bhutan at the Beijing Olympics this year.

Choden FC in classic encounter
30 July, 2008 - “Unbelievable!” was how the football match was described by those who witnessed the 48th game of the ‘A’ division league between Choden FC and Yeedzin FC yesterday. For the spectators and the Choden FC players it was perhaps the best match ever in the tournament. Certainly the best ever for Choden FC, when they shared honours with top seeded Yeedin FC in drizzling rain at Changjiji football ground.

The wisdom of debate
30 July, 2008 - Was it ambiguity or was it ingenuity? After what appeared like a debate, that could have no ending, the joint sitting of parliament passed the annual budget for 2008-09. And it was passed in a way that both houses could claim some victory on the disputed issues.

Happiness is in small things
Kuensel correspondent discovers Thimphu all over again

FIELD WORK - Getting down to grass roots

29 July, 2008 - After working as Kuensel’s eastern Bhutan correspondent for nearly two years, I was posted recently back to head quarter in Thimphu. I soon realized that the capital had more to offer than I’d bargained for.

Happiness is in small things
Kuensel correspondent discovers Thimphu all over again

FIELD WORK - Getting down to grass roots

29 July, 2008 - After working as Kuensel’s eastern Bhutan correspondent for nearly two years, I was posted recently back to head quarter in Thimphu. I soon realized that the capital had more to offer than I’d bargained for.

Hong Kong stars wed in Paro

JUST MARRIED: Tony Leung and Carina Lau posing in their bridal photo at the Ugyen Pelri palace in Paro

28 July, 2008 - Bhutan, the exotic destination for tourists hosted a high-end wedding of Hong Kong actors on July 22.

Alcohol can kill via the liver

28 July, 2008 - The term cirrhosis means scarring. It is usually characterized by diffuse fine scarring, with uniform loss of liver cells and formation of small regenerative nodules. It is also called micro nodular cirrhosis. When we talk of cirrhosis of liver, we usually mean alcoholic cirrhosis, but there are other conditions which lead to the same condition.

Top 5 Best sellers

28 July, 2008 -
HARDCOVER FICTION

1. TRIBUTE
by Nora Roberts
2. FEARLESS FOURTEEN
by Janet Evanovich
3. THE LAST PATRIOT
by Brad Thor
4. THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE
by David Wroblewski
- A mute takes refuge with three dogs in the Wisconsin woods after his father’s murder.
5. SWAN PEAK
by James Lee Burke

Make a unique costume or a special decoration!
28 July, 2008 -

Steps

1. Cut out a coloured chart paper into oval that is slightly larger than your head. Cut a paper nose with rectangles for tabs on each side. Fold the tabs back. Glue your nose in place.

10?

28 July, 2008 - Karma Chezom, 22, from Martshala, Samdrup Jongkhar is an Intern at NPPF. She shares her views on social networking sites.

1. What is Internet to you?
Its is a source of information. It is teacher to me.

Operation cordyceps

BUYER’S MARKET – Cordycep collectors want auction closer to home

28 July, 2008 - Layap Dendup lived for a month in the deep Lunana mountains hunting for cordyceps (yartsa goenbub) this summer. On Wednesday, his hard work paid off when he pocketed Nu 80,000 from the 360 grammes of the cordyceps he sold in an open auction held in Damji, Gasa.

Wild boars besiege villages

WILDLIFE CROP DAMAGE – Tashi’s damage field in Bayur

28 July, 2008 - Farmer Tashi of Bayur village in Kanglung woke up to the biggest loss of the year on June 23. Her only maize field, measuring not bigger than a football field, was trampled and destroyed by wild boars.

Bumthang mathra – Heading for oblivion?
Competition from imports and lack of wool contribute to weave’s decline

28 July, 2008 - If kushuthara is the pride of Kurtoe, people of Bumthang boast about their Bumthap mathra.

From loco parentis to the real thing
28 July, 2008 - That a passionate and talented teacher makes more difference than any school policy is perhaps the worst kept secret in education.

Two killed in Alto accident
28 July, 2008 - A father and daughter were killed on the spot when the Alto car they were travelling in went off the road near Ramitey, 10 km from Phuentsholing, at around 9 pm on July 22.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

28 July, 2008 - After being thoroughly briefed on their do’s and don’ts, the first batch of students of Gaeddug college of business studies in Gedu started classes on July 23 amidst misty weather.

The college offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration and has 525 students and 37 lecturers. Presently, the college shares the building with THPA officials, who will move out by next March.

The first batch of students will graduate in 2010.

Sparks fly as PM meets the press
26 July, 2008 - What started as a media briefing of their first 100 days in office soon extended into a spirited marathon session lasting almost five hours that, at times, saw temperatures rise, with the government answering questions, defending allegations, which had emerged in the local media, including Internet fora.

Thirsting for the Water Act
The traditional water sharing system is found to be feudal and unfair

26 July, 2008 - With water-related woes pouring in from across the country, most policy makers are pointing to the lack of a water law.

Private company breaks construction laws
ACC fingers government agencies for lapses

26 July, 2008 - Nima construction is in the anti corruption commission’s (ACC) dock for hiding information and doing three major projects worth Nu 300 million for which it was not eligible, according to an ACC report .

Elections Bill scrapes through Parliament
26 July, 2008 - After much deliberations and running between the two houses, the Election Bill of Bhutan was adopted by the joint sitting of parliament with 21 parliamentarians voting against the move.

A world beyond the civil service
26 July, 2008 - In Bhutan officialdom has tended to dominate society and life because of the socio-political structure of the past. For 100 years the Bhutanese population was structured like a family with the Monarch as head of the family, looking after the welfare of its members.

Govt’s own 100-day review

26 July, 2008 - On completing 100 days in office, the DPT government held a press conference at the prime minister’s office on July 24 where the ministers shared the most important achievements, policies and plans in the various sectors.

Audit-aligned good governance
26 July, 2008 - The transition of the country to a democratic constitutional monarchy has provided a strong foothold for the royal audit authority (RAA) to play a greater role in promoting good governance.

Beware of the cyber criminal

26 July, 2008 - Didn’t mom say, “Never talk to strangers?” But, the moment we enter into cyber space, mom’s advice is forgotten.

The World Wide Web has provided a platform to develop social networks in a way that could not be imagined, not so long ago.

Sparks fly as PM meets the press
26 July, 2008 - What started as a media briefing of their first 100 days in office soon extended into a spirited marathon session lasting almost five hours that, at times, saw temperatures rise, with the government answering questions, defending allegations, which had emerged in the local media, including Internet fora.

Thirsting for the Water Act
The traditional water sharing system is found to be feudal and unfair

26 July, 2008 - With water-related woes pouring in from across the country, most policy makers are pointing to the lack of a water law.

Private company breaks construction laws
ACC fingers government agencies for lapses

26 July, 2008 - Nima construction is in the anti corruption commission’s (ACC) dock for hiding information and doing three major projects worth Nu 300 million for which it was not eligible, according to an ACC report .

Elections Bill scrapes through Parliament
26 July, 2008 - After much deliberations and running between the two houses, the Election Bill of Bhutan was adopted by the joint sitting of parliament with 21 parliamentarians voting against the move.

A world beyond the civil service
26 July, 2008 - In Bhutan officialdom has tended to dominate society and life because of the socio-political structure of the past. For 100 years the Bhutanese population was structured like a family with the Monarch as head of the family, looking after the welfare of its members.

Govt’s own 100-day review

26 July, 2008 - On completing 100 days in office, the DPT government held a press conference at the prime minister’s office on July 24 where the ministers shared the most important achievements, policies and plans in the various sectors.

Audit-aligned good governance
26 July, 2008 - The transition of the country to a democratic constitutional monarchy has provided a strong foothold for the royal audit authority (RAA) to play a greater role in promoting good governance.

Beware of the cyber criminal

26 July, 2008 - Didn’t mom say, “Never talk to strangers?” But, the moment we enter into cyber space, mom’s advice is forgotten.

The World Wide Web has provided a platform to develop social networks in a way that could not be imagined, not so long ago.

Erosion threatens P/ling landmark

Rinchending goenpa - On shaky ground

26 July, 2008 - Continuous rainfall has caused huge erosion near the Rinchending goenpa, four kilometers from Phuentsholing, which has also damaged a part of the gabion walls built by the road department to contain the same.

Kareys galore in Yangphel archery

26 July, 2008 - With the league round of the Yangphel archery tournament in full swing, the highest team karey hit in 15 rounds stands at 43.

Sparks fly as PM meets the press
26 July, 2008 - What started as a media briefing of their first 100 days in office soon extended into a spirited marathon session lasting almost five hours that, at times, saw temperatures rise, with the government answering questions, defending allegations, which had emerged in the local media, including Internet fora.

Thirsting for the Water Act
The traditional water sharing system is found to be feudal and unfair

26 July, 2008 - With water-related woes pouring in from across the country, most policy makers are pointing to the lack of a water law.

Private company breaks construction laws
ACC fingers government agencies for lapses

26 July, 2008 - Nima construction is in the anti corruption commission’s (ACC) dock for hiding information and doing three major projects worth Nu 300 million for which it was not eligible, according to an ACC report .

Elections Bill scrapes through Parliament
26 July, 2008 - After much deliberations and running between the two houses, the Election Bill of Bhutan was adopted by the joint sitting of parliament with 21 parliamentarians voting against the move.

A world beyond the civil service
26 July, 2008 - In Bhutan officialdom has tended to dominate society and life because of the socio-political structure of the past. For 100 years the Bhutanese population was structured like a family with the Monarch as head of the family, looking after the welfare of its members.

Govt’s own 100-day review

26 July, 2008 - On completing 100 days in office, the DPT government held a press conference at the prime minister’s office on July 24 where the ministers shared the most important achievements, policies and plans in the various sectors.

Audit-aligned good governance
26 July, 2008 - The transition of the country to a democratic constitutional monarchy has provided a strong foothold for the royal audit authority (RAA) to play a greater role in promoting good governance.

Beware of the cyber criminal

26 July, 2008 - Didn’t mom say, “Never talk to strangers?” But, the moment we enter into cyber space, mom’s advice is forgotten.

The World Wide Web has provided a platform to develop social networks in a way that could not be imagined, not so long ago.

Erosion threatens P/ling landmark

Rinchending goenpa - On shaky ground

26 July, 2008 - Continuous rainfall has caused huge erosion near the Rinchending goenpa, four kilometers from Phuentsholing, which has also damaged a part of the gabion walls built by the road department to contain the same.

Kareys galore in Yangphel archery

26 July, 2008 - With the league round of the Yangphel archery tournament in full swing, the highest team karey hit in 15 rounds stands at 43.

Car crash kills two
24 July, 2008 - Two people were killed on the spot when an Alto car they were
traveling in went off the road near Ramitey, 10 kilometres from
Phuentsholing on July 22.

The South Asian University
Unity in Academia

24 July, 2008 - The National Assembly unanimously ratified the agreement for the establishment of a South Asian University in New Delhi, which is scheduled to commence in August 2010.

The Making of the Constitution
24 July, 2008 - The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan came alive on the morning of July 18.

As His Majesty the King signed the first copy of the Constitution, using a traditional pen dipped in golden ink, under the gaze of Lord Buddha at the Kunrey of the Trashichhodzong, Bhutanese across the country watched in silence.

Credit facility to help solve rupee shortage
24 July, 2008 - The Indian rupee (INR) shortage, which the Bhutanese economy has been facing for the past year, may not last long with the government of India committing to grant a standby credit line of 4 billion rupees to enable Bhutan to meet its INR requirement.

Auction yard faces space crunch
24 July, 2008 - Coolies scurry around, bolero pick-ups dart in and out of the complex and truckers line up close to the cramped hall heaped with fresh vegetables packed in brown jute sacks tearing at the seams.

Mosquitoes breed in delayed sewerage system
Pipes in the pipeline from China

Delayed drainage - Unavailability of sewerage pipes, last year ‘s heavy monsoon and lack of manpower

24 July, 2008 - Stagnant waters fill the trenches dug all over town and pipes lie along the roadside.
Gelephu’s modern sewerage system, aimed at improving hygiene and sanitation and controlling mosquitoes in summer, is now helping to breed mosquitoes.

Laboratory information system launched
24 July, 2008 - Patients coming to Thimphu hospital will no longer have to carry a file of medical reports with them whenever they go to the hospital but should be able to access their report through a computerized system.

Tele-competition keeps customers happy
24 July, 2008 - With the country’s two cellular companies, B-mobile and TashiCell, doing all they can to retain and lure new subscribers, cellular services are getting cheaper and better for users in Bhutan.

Gelephu’s water shortage woes
June 2009 - Tentative deadline for DANIDA-funded project

24 July, 2008 - Gelephu town may have to wait till June 2009 before its water supply shortage is finally addressed.

Detour to allow widening work

Road Down - The hazards on a monsoon highway at Bhalujora

24 July, 2008 - Traffic on the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway is taking the Pasakha-Manitar route to allow faster progress of widening work at Kamji, 10 km from Phuentsholing.

The South Asian University
Unity in Academia

24 July, 2008 - The National Assembly unanimously ratified the agreement for the establishment of a South Asian University in New Delhi, which is scheduled to commence in August 2010.

The Making of the Constitution
24 July, 2008 - The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan came alive on the morning of July 18.

As His Majesty the King signed the first copy of the Constitution, using a traditional pen dipped in golden ink, under the gaze of Lord Buddha at the Kunrey of the Trashichhodzong, Bhutanese across the country watched in silence.

The South Asian University
Unity in Academia

24 July, 2008 - The National Assembly unanimously ratified the agreement for the establishment of a South Asian University in New Delhi, which is scheduled to commence in August 2010.

Credit facility to help solve rupee shortage
24 July, 2008 - The Indian rupee (INR) shortage, which the Bhutanese economy has been facing for the past year, may not last long with the government of India committing to grant a standby credit line of 4 billion rupees to enable Bhutan to meet its INR requirement.

Auction yard faces space crunch
24 July, 2008 - Coolies scurry around, bolero pick-ups dart in and out of the complex and truckers line up close to the cramped hall heaped with fresh vegetables packed in brown jute sacks tearing at the seams.

Mosquitoes breed in delayed sewerage system
Pipes in the pipeline from China

Delayed drainage - Unavailability of sewerage pipes, last year ‘s heavy monsoon and lack of manpower

24 July, 2008 - Stagnant waters fill the trenches dug all over town and pipes lie along the roadside.
Gelephu’s modern sewerage system, aimed at improving hygiene and sanitation and controlling mosquitoes in summer, is now helping to breed mosquitoes.

Laboratory information system launched
24 July, 2008 - Patients coming to Thimphu hospital will no longer have to carry a file of medical reports with them whenever they go to the hospital but should be able to access their report through a computerized system.

Tele-competition keeps customers happy
24 July, 2008 - With the country’s two cellular companies, B-mobile and TashiCell, doing all they can to retain and lure new subscribers, cellular services are getting cheaper and better for users in Bhutan.

Gelephu’s water shortage woes
June 2009 - Tentative deadline for DANIDA-funded project

24 July, 2008 - Gelephu town may have to wait till June 2009 before its water supply shortage is finally addressed.

Detour to allow widening work

Road Down - The hazards on a monsoon highway at Bhalujora

24 July, 2008 - Traffic on the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway is taking the Pasakha-Manitar route to allow faster progress of widening work at Kamji, 10 km from Phuentsholing.

The Coronation
Celebrations to be held on November 6, 7, 8

23 July 2008 - His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo will don the Raven Crown and formally assume the embodiment of the Supreme Protector.

Fine tuning the Tenth Five Year Plan
23 July 2008 - After the government of India committed Rs 35 billion as direct assistance to the Tenth Five Year Plan (FYP), the DPT government is now “reprioritising” and scaling down some of the Plan projects.

Continuing deficit of Dzongkha teachers
23 July 2008 - The plight of a shortage of Dzongkha language teachers has been highlighted by the education ministry’s disclosure that 150 of the 523 schools in the country do not have a language teacher.

UPA government survives
23 July 2008 - “What is happening?”
The speaker of the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) in India echoed a question millions of television viewers around the world were asking. On the floor of the parliament was a reported Rs 10 million in cash, which a BJP member claimed was given by a Samajwadi Party leader in return for his support in the vote. Nothing could be heard above the din of parliamentarians shouting at each other.

Paro’s Water Wars
Communities monopolise water resources

BREAK DOWN: Remains of a demolished water tank

23 July 2008 - The people of Paro are busy battling and sabotaging each other’s community water supply systems over disputes on an increasingly scarce drinking and irrigation water supply.

Capacity building in battle vs HIV/AIDS
23 July 2008 - A limited health work force and inadequate human resources were some of the biggest problems faced to tackle HIV/AIDS in the country, according to health officials.

In faith
23 July 2008 - Nearly every country in the world has a written Constitution. It is also widely known that most citizens of a country do not read the Constitution. Many citizens do not even know that they have a Constitution or, for that matter, what a Constitution is.

The danger of dengue
23 July 2008 - The Thimphu national referral hospital has diagnosed several people, from outside Thimphu, with the dengue infection this month.

Repairing resurfaced runway
23 July 2008 - The Nu 130 million Paro Airport Runway, which was resurfaced recently, will be repaired after it was found that there were several areas of poor quality work, according to Druk Air officials.

Lhuentse chorten consecration

Local Labour of love - To facilitate His Majesty’s coronation, express gratitude to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and mark the first democratic constitutional monarchy in Bhutan

23 July 2008 - His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choeda, consecrated a 27 by 51 foot Jangchhub chorten near the Lhuentse dzong in a three-day ceremony held from July 19 to 21.

All Things Come To Those Who Wait
21 July, 2008 - “Karma, get up! Wash those plates and mugs we left unwashed yesterday,” yelled Tashi from under the blanket. It was 3:30 am. His fellow-waiter snored on in oblivion. Tashi had guts only to bully Karma; to all others he was a mouse. The proprietor too picked on Karma.

From Skid Row to Middle Path
contd.

21 July, 2008 - Individual
drug addicts or alcoholics
feel the need to stop but just cannot, because their whole body, mind and soul are under control by this late stage. Suicidal thoughts too occur frequently at this juncture.

Beauty and the Best

21 July, 2008 - Dressed to kill, with cosmetics and coiffure, sixty nervous, wannabe Miss Bhutans turned up in high heels for the country’s first beauty pageant’s two-day preliminary round on July 12 at Hotel Druk.

Big-bag-wise

21 July, 2008 - Nothing screams celebrity more than an oversized bag. Big bags have become a must have for our Bhutanese women because it’s a dramatic way to make a style statement and is instantly slimming at the same time. Now what more could a woman possibly ask for?

The National Library

21 July, 2008 - The National Library was established in 1967 under the patronage of Ashi Phuntsho Choden, with a small collection of precious texts. The library was initially housed within some rooms of the central tower (utse) of Tashichhodzong.

The root of tooth decay

21 July, 2008 - Toothache is caused by the acid produced by millions of bacteria present in the mouth. What happens is these bacteria act on the food, especially sugar, and break it down. The by-product, acid, causes de-enamelisation of our tooth structure and thereby create cavities.

Watching the wheels

21 July, 2008 - It’s amazing that many people love driving cars but don’t pay much attention to their tyres. If you’re always driving on the motorway, those four little 20-centimetre-square pads of rubber are all there is between you and a potential accident. If you don’t take care of your tyres, those contact patches cannot do their job properly.

Tongue Twister
21 July, 2008 - To get the full effect of a tongue twister you should try to repeat it several times, as quickly as possible, without stumbling or mispronouncing.

10?

21 July, 2008 - Ugyen Tshering, 22, from Semtokha, Thimphu, just finished his high school from Sikkim and is currently working part time in Lingshay’s restaurant. This is what he thinks about some prevalent issues of today.
1. What do you plan to do now?
I am interested in computers and want to take something related to IT.

Behind the Delay

Unfinished business – But will the 2008 deadline be met?

21 July, 2008 - Looming over the gray minister’s enclave site, inches away from the incessant rattle of jackhammers, are the construction excavators, furiously swinging back and forth over large heaps of rocks and sand, flanked by unfinished buildings.