International Sources
2008 Obama (1770) – MSNBC Firstread
Through his spokesman, Obama is calling for Rod Blagojevich to resign as Illinois governor. Said Gibbs, “The President-elect agrees with Lt. Governor [Pat] Quinn and many others that under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor … [read more]
Economists appraise Bhutan’s happiness model – San Francisco Gate
(12-04) 04:00 PST Thimphu, Bhutan — In the thick of a global financial crisis, many economists have come to this Himalayan kingdom to study a unique economic policy called Gross National Happiness, based on Buddhist principles. When considering … [read more]
Road to Shangri-la: Stanley Johnson witnesses the coronation of Bhutan … – The Independent
Last month, a new monarch was crowned in the secretive Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The writer Stanley Johnson was one of a tiny handful of Westerners to receive an invitation. But first he had to get there … There were relatively few foreigners … [read more]
7th Thimphu Film Festival – Kuensel Online
4 December, 2008 – About sixteen Bhutanese films released in 2007 will compete in nine different categories as a part of the seventh film festival to be held on December 6. In total, about 18 films were produced last year. The categories include best … [read more]
John McCain visits Bhutan, gives tips on democracy – Los Angeles Times Blogs
John McCain visited the world’s youngest democracy on Thursday, one month after he lost the race to lead the world’s oldest. McCain stopped in Bhutan, a tiny Buddhist kingdom nestled high in the Himalayas between I ndia and China, while on a tour of … [read more]
Bhutan WTO ready by 2009, but debate still on – Kuensel Online
4 December, 2008 – Bhutan can join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2009, going by the progress in the negotiations so far, according to the WTO multi-sectoral team. The final decision will however rest with the cabinet, followed by parliament … [read more]
Refugees from Bhutan settle in Pittsburgh – AOL
CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. -Chitra Prassad Gautam and his family watch in awe as water comes out of the shower head in the bathroom of their new apartment. “I have a question,” Gautam says, holding up a bottle of shampoo. “Do I put this in my hair before … [read more]
Former Bhutan king’s name dropped from V-B honour list – Times of India
SANTINIKETAN: The name of the former king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, has been dropped from the list of the recipients of Desikottama (DLitt Honoris Causa), though Visva-Bharati authorities had earlier declared his name. Seven persons would be … [read more]
Canada Welcomes First Group of Bhutanese Refugees – Market Wire
MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire – Dec. 8, 2008) – The first of a large group of Bhutanese refugees will be arriving in Canada today, announced Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. The group of 24 refugees will be … [read more]
The Three Amigos, in Bhutan – New York Times Blogs
The election is behind them but the three amigos – Senators John McCain, Joseph I. Lieberman and Lindsey Graham – are still jetting from place to place. Only now it is across South Asia. The trio turned up today in tiny Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom … [read more]
Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper
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10 December, 2008 – The serrated ridges around Trongsa form a vast rim from where hill slopes run sharply to the valley floor. The slopes are covered by a lush forest of evergreen and seasonal colours. Numerous white waterfalls streak the hillsides and drop into the Mangdue Chhu, which rushes down to the great plains of India. At the centre of this massive natural cradle sits the majestic Trongsa Dzong, crafted from a vision of Palden Lhamo. [read more]
10 December, 2008 – Bhutan’s 10th Plan budget outlay has increased to Nu 147.973 billion, up by about Nu six billion from the previous estimated budget (Nu 141.692), according to the revised draft, which was rediscussed by the DPT government with the GNH commission. [read more]
Standard bidding document revised to ensure transparency in awarding work
10 December, 2008 – Awarding construction work will be more transparent and efficient with the release of what is called “the bible” for awarding construction works – the revised standard bidding document (SBD).
When SBD comes into force, contractors will have to sign legally binding ‘Integrity Pacts’ with their clients, as part of the contract, not to indulge in corruption. The liability period of one year so far can now be extended to up to two years after completion of the work. [read more]
10 December, 2008 – How often have we looked around us and wished that our mountains could speak? Bhutan’s rugged peaks and dramatic gorges have much to tell and, if we listen hard enough, we do sometimes hear them. [read more]
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| DRIVE OFF THE COURSE – Sonam Tshering gets up close and personal with his coveted prize |
10 December, 2008 – That caddie Sonam Tshering won the coveted special prize Maruti Zen Estillo from the India House golf tournament was symbolic, according to prime minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley. [read more]
10 December, 2008 – On December 1, the National Council Chairman, on behalf of the National Council submitted a report which addressed concerns regarding the recently announced Gup elections.
The Prime Minister in a separate Audience cited the report and expressed his concurrence with the concerns therein. [read more]
The battle for eyeballs is being lost online and papers must adapt or perish
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9 December, 2008 – November 5 was a good day for newspapers in America.
With the edition devoted to Barack Obama’s historic and decisive win in the presidential elections, large metropolitan dailies sold out and had to go in for an extra print run to meet the soaring demand for souvenir copies. [read more]
8 December, 2008 – “Fate hasn’t bound us, so you may go your own way for I’ve started my new life,” said Ngedup with a smile.
In a state of surplus love for her, Rigyel’s nerves froze, which led him to swoon. When he recovered, he found his friends in attendance. [read more]
8 December, 2008 – The rights of women are an important indicator of global well-being. Many believe gender issues exist only in countries where religion is law, like some Muslim nations. [read more]
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8 December, 2008 – The weather in late autumn and early winter is still warm enough to do outdoor gardening. Although the bright colours of summer may be gone, there are plenty of delights to be enjoyed. There are bright berries and flaming foliage, not to mention later flowering chrysanthemum and nerines. [read more]
Bhutan Observer
The Turtle and the Tree
I’ve been around a while. I sprouted from nature’s scattered seeds and found myself rooted on a hill that overlooks the Thimphu valley.
I’m not the most majestic of pine trees, neither is the hill on which I grew. I’ve seen a valley of rice fields and apple orchards, shepherded by simple men of faith, gradually [...] [read more]
Telling fortunes earns him fame
Kinley Bidha, 50, listened to Lam Phento carefully as he referred to his books and explained to her his findings. She had come all the way from Jungshina to consult him because her daughter was not feeling well. She left with a sigh of relief after he advised her to perform a small ritual after [...] [read more]
BO Dzongkha 28 November
bo_dzo_nov28_2008
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“Multipurpose†lhakhang gets facelift
An ageing guru lhakhang brings out the best in a community committed to its restoration. Sonam
Rinchen reports.
The students, instructor and some volunteers helped carry stones for the renovation of a Guru Lhakhang last week, which had been built in 1972 by the people of Begana, Thimphu. “We don’t have funding for the renovation of the [...] [read more]
The calm before the Karma
Our grandparents and great-grandparents must have done a lot of good in the past, because Bhutan today is reaping the karma. We enjoy the goodwill of many countries who continue to support us. India has so many of its own poor and starving people to look after, as well as the Tibetans that pour through [...] [read more]
Run against corruption tomorrow
Tomorrow, more than 1000 people geared up in running shoes will be running against corruption in Thimphu.
Organized by the Citizen’s Initiative for Centenary and Coronation Celebrations (CICCC), the centenary marathon themed Run Against Corruption will be flagged off at nine in the morning from three different places. The marathon is divided into three categories. The [...] [read more]
Origins of Bhutanese coinage
It began as barter, evolved into voluminous trade, which necessitated the invention of currency. Coins were thus born, of bronze, silver and gold. From coinage to stocks and bonds, the little metal has had a history full of heads and tails. Manju Wakhley reports from the University of Oxford.
Nicholas Rhodes, a numismatist, presented a talk [...] [read more]
This is how to tackle corruption, my dear lady …
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Basketball court membership blues
There are no takers for membership of the swimming pool basketball court even though the committee had announced a nuanced timing schedule in September.
Basketball players seem to prefer to pay the one-time entry fee of Nu 10 for players below the age of 24 and Nu 20 for older players.
Nawang Penjor, a civil servant, said, [...] [read more]
TT boards in Centenary Youth Village collect dust
Three sets of table tennis board remain locked up in a gymnasium room in the Centenary Youth Village, Thimphu, because no one is using them. It seems that people are either not interested in the sport or they just don’t know of the existence of these boards.
“Parents either feel insecure to send their children out [...] [read more]
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