International Sources

You can count on India, as a friend, Manmohan tells Bhutan - newindpress
THIMPU: Becoming the first world leader to address the Bhutan Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday strongly pitched for a South Asia that is “at peace with itself” and expressed India’s readiness to assist in making the region more …

Extra weekend, special rite to conclude ‘Bhutan’ - Honolulu Advertiser
After consulting with Lopon Ugyen Dorji, principal, of Pangrizampa Temple in Thimphu district and the foremost astrologer in Bhutan, the Honolulu Academy of Arts obtained permission to push back the closing from Friday to May 25.

PM conveys India’s full support to Bhutan - That’s Cricket
Thimpu: India today said it was ready to join hands with the first elected government in Bhutan, which had witnessed a peaceful transition to “democratic monarchy”, to work for strengthening bilateral ties and accelerated development of the Himalayan …

India-Bhutan to double hydel power by 2020 - Hindustan Times
India and Bhutan have agreed to double the target of hydroelectricity generation to 10,000 megawatts from 5,000 megawatts by 2020. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is on a two-day visit to the Himalayan nation, would inaugurate a hydel …

Indo-Bhutan trade to touch Rs 100bn - Zee News
Thimphu, May 17: Projecting a whopping Rs 10,000 crore economic engagement with Bhutan in areas like telecom, infrastructure and education, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday unveiled a mega plan for cooperation in the power sector. “Our …

India-Bhutan economic deals to touch 100bn: PM - Daily Pioneer
Projecting a whopping Rs 10,000 crore economic engagement with Bhutan in areas like telecom, infrastructure and education, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday unveiled a mega plan for cooperation in the power sector. “Our bilateral economic …

India-Bhutan economic engagement to touch Rs 100 billion, says PM - Daily Pioneer
Projecting a whopping Rs 10,000 crore economic engagement with Bhutan in areas like telecom, infrastructure and education, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday unveiled a mega plan for cooperation in the power sector. “Our bilateral economic …

Rare pygmy hogs head for the wild - BBC News
The world’s smallest and rarest species of wild pig was once believed to be extinct - but it may now be saved thanks to conservation efforts. The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) stands barely 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) high and weighs up to 9kg (20lb …

Rumors abound after quake - Boston Globe
BEIJING - Almost as soon as the initial aftershocks stopped reverberating last week, the rumors began. Some say that frogs, insects, and other animals fled shortly before the earth shook. Others insist that water mysteriously drained from ponds, or …

You can count on India, as a friend, Manmohan tells Bhutan - newindpress
THIMPU: Becoming the first world leader to address the Bhutan Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday strongly pitched for a South Asia that is “at peace with itself” and expressed India’s readiness to assist in making the region more …

Kuensel - Bhutan’s National Newspaper

India commits Nu 100 billion to Bhutan

19 May, 2008 - Addressing the joint session of the newly elected Bhutanese parliament today in Thimphu the prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, committed Nu 100 billion for Bhutan’s 10th Five Year Plan.
“Our bilateral engagement with Bhutan over the next five years will be of the order of Rs 100 billion,” said the prime minister in his address.

Rafting the Pho Chhu

19 May, 2008 - “All forward!” As the command from our guide Pema hit our ears, we paddled furiously, smacking into the first rapid, bucketfuls of water splashing our faces as we shrieked and laughed in a rush of adrenalin.

The lowdown on baggies

19 May, 2008 - Clothes and hair are two ways youth express themselves, both separately and as part of a group. Despite the change in fashion, from parallel pants to corduroys and now to slim jeans, baggy pants are a staple in everyone’s wardrobe.

Potato and onion counter inflation

Potatoes in plenty and cheap

19 May, 2008 - Potato and onion have become cheaper in the border town of Phuentsholing, thanks to a bumper harvest in the neighbouring Indian states of West Bengal and Assam.

Faintings spelled out

19 May, 2008 - Syncope or fainting is a transient disturbance of consciousness. This is due to less blood flow to the brain and less oxygen. The commonest type of syncope is fainting attack or simple syncope, which occurs during prolonged standing, sudden fear/fright orsevere pain. In such a condition, the subject falls to the ground and is unconscious for less then 2 minutes and recovery is rapid.

Ten question

19 May, 2008 - Pema Wangay, 38, from Kangpara, Trashigang is a rafting guide at Lotus Adventures, for seven years now. He tells City bytes about his job, experiences and the future of water sports in Bhutan.
1. Did you always want to be rafting guide?
No, it never interested me before. I was happy being a tour guide.

Bhutan Observer

Indian Prime Minister addresses National Assembly of Bhutan
Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s address at the National Assembly of Bhutan, in Thimphu:
“It is a great privilege for me to address the Joint Session of the National Assembly and the National Council of Bhutan. I bring to you the warmest greetings and felicitations of […]

MY UNTOLD MISERY
The golden sun lends a bright radiance to the tree top. It was a pleasant and jolly moment. The blue firmament of the endless universe seemed naked as the golden sun shone smilingly. It was as if it was showering me blessings to begin my life with a joyous moment that would ever brighten. The […]

A drunken sobriety: as the wine dines the mind
The great bard Shakespeare said, “Purpose is but a slave to memory.” I think he said it to this intent: People believe I’m a habitual drunkard, so I have acquired an instinctive nature to put together the incidences of the aftermath of a night’s carousing; bringing my ignominy to light partly through the recess of […]

The magic of the wooden phallus
Today I was blessed by a monk wielding a large wooden phallus. Apparently this Bhutanese
blessing has proved remarkably successful in promoting fertility.
That’s all very well but I’m not sure that, should I return home with a living reminder of Bhutan, that my husband will believe me that it was the divine gift from a famous […]

When literates litter: the absence of civic sense
The concept of civic sense seems never to go hand in hand with us. Like the two rails of a train track, both exist but never mix. Someone has rightfully said cleanliness starts at home. But are not our homes clean? They mostly are. Then the whole quote seems incongruous here in our country. Why […]

The pictorial odyssey of Sundar Photo Studio
The hustle and bustle of Phuentsholing has become part and parcel of his life. He has observed the melting border town change into new dimensions and photographed people from all backgrounds. Known for his joviality, he is famously called, “Shankar Baba.”
Shankar came from Assam 38-years ago in search of a job. “There was acute unemployment […]

Indian Prime Minister arrives today
Enhancing economic and hydropower cooperation between India and Bhutan will be the key focus areas of the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s two-day visit to Bhutan which began today.
Briefing the media earlier about the visit, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said the visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years, will […]

Project assistance package
The Indian government yesterday approved a Nu 2,610.14 crore package to Bhutan for providing project assistance
and development subsidy for the extended Ninth Plan.
“This will generate opportunities for Indian Companies to participate in major projects and strengthen goodwill for India in Bhutan by fulfilling our existing commitments”, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters […]

Towards a corrupt-free society
To ensure zero tolerance to corruption and transparency, the cabinet emphasised the need to change the management
style of ministries through a process of decentralisation, devolution and delegation of powers and putting an effective
mechanism for checks and balances.
The DPT is fully committed to the eradication of corruptionin all its ugly forms such as outright bribery, favouritism, […]

Southern schools to reopen
About 840 children will learn their ABCs and nursery rhymes when seven pre-primary community schools re-open after a gap of more than 17 years of security-related issues.
The schools, located in Sarpang, Samtse, Tsirang and Chukha dzongkhags, will be re-opened this year.
“The RGOB has always been committed to providing education to all the children of Bhutan. […]

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