Bhutan News archive for 28 February 2008

U.S. Resettlement Offer For Bhutanese Refugees (Scoop.co.nz)
According to Bhutan’s State media on 21 February 2008, the Bhutanese security forces arrested eight people from the Nepali speaking minority in Bhutan. They were detained in connection with a series of bombings apparently aimed at disrupting the forthcoming elections.

Bhutan haven for Maoists, N-E ultras (Hindustan Times)
Democracy has its downside. That’s what monarchial Bhutan is finding out along the porous 605 km border it shares with India. So are the Indian states bordering the Himalayan country, specially militancy-scarred Assam.

Royal Bhutan Army Goes On Arrest Spree In Bhutan (Scoop.co.nz)
As reported the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) in Sarbhang like in ninety’s started crackdown in the villages and arresting people on suspicion of allegedly helping the so called militants and also keeping or meeting relatives from the refugee camps in Nepal.

Bhutanese monks to perform ritual dance in Honolulu (Honolulu Advertiser)
As part of the opening of “The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan,” every day this week at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., monks will perform Cham, the Buddhist ritual dances of Bhutan, in Central Court at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Kasautii stars are Bhutanese heart-throbs (Hindustan Times)
Kasauti Zindagi Kay , a popular TV serial from soap queen Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, is being replaced by another serial Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil in March.

Broadband’s narrow appeal (Kuensel)
28 February, 2008 – A total of 180 people have subscribed to Bhutan Telecom Limited’s dial-up broadband services launched earlier this month, far less than what Telecom officials expected.

Vigilant guard foils inside job (Kuensel)
27 February, 2008 – The Bhutan Power Corporation limited (BPCL) has suspended 15 employees for attempting to lift steel material from their storehouse in Jungshina, Thimphu on January 31. Of the 15, four were working on a daily wage system, while the rest were technicians.

The guide to luxury Bhutan (Times Online)
It was a disturbing scene. Three half-naked men, all wearing hideous carved masks, were running towards me, brandishing wooden phalluses the size of monkey wrenches. On my right, a shaven-headed monk mumbled a monotone mantra while striking a pair of discordant cymbals.

Folklife Festival to Feature Texas, NASA and Bhutan (WTOP Radio Network)
This year’s festival will feature the food music and wine of the Lone Star state. It also celebrate NASA’s 50th anniversary and will explore the arts and crafts of the Himalayan country Bhutan.

Top Scoops (Scoop.co.nz)
Nai Xin Xue Arrested In Atlanta / Winston Peters Vs. Media / Telecom Vs. Separation/ Kyoto Vs. Foresters & Farmers / Cuba & Tourism / Housing Rights & Katrina Victims / Bhutan Refugees / Kenya Breakthrough / Hallmark/Westland / Exxon & McCain.

SC complex – Back to square one?
Government takes over; private sector cries foul

The location of the contentious Supreme Court complex construction

29 February, 2008 – The construction of the Supreme Court complex in Thimphu, which has been embroiled in delays and controversy over the bidding process for the past year, will now be undertaken by the government, say judiciary officials.

Furniture proliferates

28 February, 2008 – Gone are the days when we used to ask our carpenters to make furniture for us. With the increase in the number of people in the city, furniture showrooms have sprouted, supplying one with an array of furniture in all kinds of designs.

Ten questions

28 February, 2008 – Kalpana Rai, 24, from Sibsoo, Samtse, has been working with Shang-ri-la Bhutan furniture house for two years now. This is what she has to say about working in the furnishing business.

1. When was the furniture house opened?
It has been about two years now.

Neutral observers begin to arrive

Bhutanese hired by the EU mission monitor TV for information on time and tone of coverage given to political candidates

ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 28 February, 2008 – Members of an Euro-pean Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) team have arrived in Thimphu to observe and assess the run up to the National Assembly election and the March 24 poll day.

From P/ling to Paro, by prostration

The Niceman Cometh: Shedding bad karma along his arduous way

28 February, 2008 – It’s got be pure devotion and determination that has driven a 38-year-old tour guide to do what he doing; prostrating a distance of 200 km plus to wash away bad karma and attain enlightenment in the next life.

Tseri curtailed by red tape
28 February, 2008 – Zhemgang farmers are worried their paddy yield may be affected this year because they are not being allowed to create nurseries for paddy seedlings like they have always done.

STCB’s record Toyota sales
28 February, 2008 – Bhutan imported 265 Toyota vehicles in 2007 alone and in the process helped generate sales revenue of Nu 840 million, the highest in years, for the state trading corporation of Bhutan (STCB).

Broadband’s narrow appeal
28 February, 2008 – A total of 180 people have subscribed to Bhutan Telecom Limited’s dial-up broadband services launched earlier this month, far less than what Telecom officials expected.

Allegations fly thick and fast …
27 February, 2008 – The People’s Democratic Party has alleged that the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa president, Jigmi Y Thinley, had made defamatory statements against PDP during his recent campaign meetings in Trongsa and Zhemgang.

… Investigations follow slowly
27 February, 2008 – The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) are contemplating an allegation against a People’s Democratic Party candidate for distributing a document to make the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa president unpopular among voters.