Bhutan News archive for 01 January 2008

National Council elected in Bhutan (PTI via Yahoo! India News)
Thimphu, Jan 1 (PTI) Bhutan today received its New Year gift — 15 elected representatives to its National Council or upper house following the first parliamentary elections as the country is

National Council elected in Bhutan (Press Trust of India)
Thimphu, Jan 1 (PTI) Bhutan today received its New Year gift — 15 elected representatives to its National Council or upper house following the first parliamentary elections as the country is nearing its aim of embracing democracy.

Bhutanese vote for National Council (CNN.com)
SAMDRUP JONGKHAR, Bhutan (AP) — Thousands of Bhutanese went to the polls Monday to elect a National Council, the final stage before democratic elections that will end nearly 100 years of absolute monarchy in the secluded Himalayan country.

National Council elected in Bhutan (NDTV)
Bhutan on Tuesday received its New Year gift – 15 elected representatives to its National Council or upper house following the first parliamentary elections as the country is nearing its aim of aim of embracing democracy.

Bhutan Elects a National Council (The Daily Comet)
SAMDRUP JONGKHAR, Bhutan Thousands of Bhutanese went to the polls Monday to elect a National Council, the final stage before democratic elections that will end nearly 100 years of absolute monarchy in the secluded Himalayan country.

Bhutan steps towards democracy (Reuters via Yahoo!7 News)
DEOTHANG, Bhutan (Reuters) – Bhutanese voted on Monday to elect members to a new upper house of parliament for the first time, a step towards democracy after a century of absolute monarchy.

Bhutan steps towards democracy in first real poll (Reuters.co.uk)
DEOTHANG, Bhutan (Reuters) – Bhutanese began voting on Monday to elect members to a new upper house of parliament for the first time, a step towards democracy after a century of absolute monarchy.

Bhutan holds first elections (UPI)
Bhutan marched Tuesday toward becoming a constitutional monarchy by electing 15 National Council members in the first such poll in the Himalayan Shangrila.

Bhutan votes in first democratic elections (AFP via Yahoo! News)
The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan held its first parliamentary elections aimed at transforming the country from absolute monarchy to constitutional democracy.

Bhutan votes in first democratic elections (Nepalnews. com)
The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on Monday successfully held its first parliamentary polls aimed at transforming the country from absolute monarchy to constitutional democracy.

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Gross National Happiness: putting the concept into practice
Some thoughts on Bhutan’s democracy

1 January, 2008 – ‘Go to where the silence is and say something’ was the motto at the end of Kuensel’s Editorial on Wednesday 12 December 2007. ‘On the eve of the elections, we would like to reflect on what the next five years will be like. We would like to think about a new political system and about its impact on our society.’ It presented an invitation.

Welcome 2008

31 December, 2007 – We have all been waiting for 2008 and now it is finally upon us. And it is set to take off on a note that sets the tone for our country’s historic transition to a parliamentary democracy.

Are resolutions, like promises, meant to be broken?
31 December, 2007 – Lose weight, quit smoking, stop drinking, spend time with family, wake up early, exercise … the list just goes on.

Ten questions

31 December, 2007 – Tashi Norbu, 25, from Khenzo, Pemagatshel, recently graduated from the Paro Centre for Education. This New Year, this enthusiastic teacher plans to follow the rules of democracy right from his class!

1. You just graduated. So where have you been placed?
I’m placed in Trongsa but I’m yet to know which school in particular.

My Pale Princess
31 December, 2007 – Face as white as snow, hair
black, silky, and eyes,
round and bright like stars, made my love fly towards Kinzang at first sight. Though she was beautiful, I felt something absent in her. Finally I discovered that she never wore a smile, as if mourning someone’s death. Sometimes, along the way, I thought to tell her of my love but I dared not.

Thank Heavens for Small Mercies
contd.

31 December, 2007 – Now isn’t that what all
of us should be doing. We are all god’s children on this earth. All blessed with a variety of talents. It is our duty to explore and unearth these gifts and put them to good use rather than lament that god has not been fair.

Pemagatsel sees a win-win situation

Sangay Tempa      Jigme Rinzin

31 December, 2007 – With hundreds of election officers in place and 52 polling stations not further than an hour away from the furthest household, Pemagatshel, the district with only two of its eleven gewogs connected by road, is all set for the first ever National Council elections on December 31.

Punakha to pick one out of three
31 December, 2007 – Punakha dzongkhag is reputed for electing representatives who have dominated National Assembly deliberations. The eloquence of the late Chimi Namgay Rinchen and, most recently, Shenga chimi Namgay Pintsho vividly lingers in Punap minds.

Paro stands at a crossroad
31 December, 2007 – Voters in Paro valley seem well informed and excited to vote in one of the four – Ugyen Tshering, Phub Dorji, Ugyen Tshering or Jambay Dorji – as their candidate to the National Council.