International Sources

A look at some of world’s remaining monarchies - Salon
— Bahrain, constitutional monarchy: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. — Bhutan, constitutional monarchy: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Elections in March ended the country’s absolute monarchy, with the king ceding most of his powers …

A look at some of world’s remaining monarchies - FOX News
_ Bahrain, constitutional monarchy: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. _ Bhutan, constitutional monarchy: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Elections in March ended the country’s absolute monarchy, with the king ceding most of his powers. _ Brunei …

Bhutanese dance to Indian Ocean’s tunes - Screen India
They went, they performed and the Bhutanese went frenzy. Fusion band Indian Ocean’s debut act in the Himalayan country attracted an impressive audience that swayed and hummed and was literally drenched. The concert was organised by the Indian Embassy …

Nepal’s lawmakers abolish country’s monarchy - Everett Herald
KATMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s lawmakers have abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic, ending 239 years of royal rule in the Himalayan nation. The newly elected assembly adopted the resolution at its first meeting Wednesday by an …

Blog Central - Tri-City Herald
Nepal ended 239 years of royal rule on Wednesday. The last time a monarchy was abolished was in May 2007 when Samoa’s king died. Some of the world’s remaining ruling monarchies: - Bahrain, constitutional monarchy: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa …

Buddhist paintings, sculpture from Bhutan featured in rare exhibit - Ashland Daily Tidings
HONOLULU — Assistant curator John Johnston scaled steep cliffs for seven hours to reach a bronze sculpture of a Buddha at a small Himalayan monastery 13,000 feet above sea level. And where there was no trail, he and two companions grabbed trees to …

BHUTANESE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR NEW PARLIAMENT - Inter Press Service
APRIL 2008 (IPS) - Expectations are high among the people of Bhutan for the new government to deliver on its promises, especially once the new constitution is adopted in early May when the parliament convenes, writes Francoise Pommaret, Bhutan’s …

Local artisans under import threat - Kuensel Online
28 May, 2008 - The beating of a dozen hammers does not distract 19-year old Kinzang Tobgay. A hammer and a chisel in hand, the third year student of the Zorig Chusum institute in Thimphu is fully engrossed in his carving - a mouse drawn on a wooden …

Constitution to be tabled on Thursday - Kuensel Online
28 May, 2008 - “On 17 December 1907, the whole body of the lamas, the state councillors, the chillahs of different districts, and representatives of the people met at Punakha, and unanimously elected King Ugyen Wangchuck as the hereditary king of …

Politics and polemics in Nepal - New Nation
Nepal looks set for a new historical phase in its existence as a Himalayan nation, an under-developed country sandwiched between China and India. Ahead of the scheduled first national Assembly meet on 28 May, Nepalese authorities have banned rallies …

Kuensel - Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Local artisans under import threat

Kinzang Tobgay: Will his craft prove to be a commercial success?

28 May, 2008 - The beating of a dozen hammers does not distract 19-year old Kinzang Tobgay. A hammer and a chisel in hand, the third year student of the Zorig Chusum institute in Thimphu is fully engrossed in his carving - a mouse drawn on a wooden block.

Constitution to be tabled on Thursday

28 May, 2008 - “On 17 December 1907, the whole body of the lamas, the state councillors, the chillahs of different districts, and representatives of the people met at Punakha, and unanimously elected King Ugyen Wangchuck as the hereditary king of Bhutan. All declared their allegiance to serve him and his heirs loyally and faithfully to the best of their ability.”

Report questions runway quality

Pebbles coming off the runway

28 May, 2008 - A recent inspection of the Nu 130 million newly-paved Paro airport runway by the department of civil aviation (DCA) found that it was lacking quality in many areas.

Indian Idol blown away by Bhutanese reception

28 May, 2008 - The show kicked off three hours late. Most chairs were empty. Tickets were expensive and one of the performers, Charu, missed her flight.

Lhuentse’s Little Leap Forward

Lhuentse has not changed in decades

27 May, 2008 - The face of Lhuentse town is up for a major overhaul.

Replacing the cluster of small shacks, built of planks and tin sheets, which has made up the district’s urban centre for decades, will be permanent structures, an internal road network, proper drainage, adequate water supply and street lighting.

Parliament apparel

26 May, 2008 - One recent occasion that showcased the best of Bhutan’s rich weaving traditions was the opening day of the joint session of the new parliament.

Bhutan Observer

The Bhutan Goenpa – reaching out to all
Legend has it that three decades ago, a renowned administrator from India visited Phuentsholing. The administrator did not have any children as his wife was unable to conceive. He was advised by the late Gyelyum Phuntsho Choden to offer prayers at the Phuntsho Choeling Goenpa at Kharbandi. He did and nine months later, his wife […]

Do you think MP’s sitting fees should be waived?
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Culture club: is Bhutanese heritage alive?
After sitting in on meetings at the Centre for Bhutan Studies, and many a school debate, I noticed one recurring theme over and over again. Even on BBS, these debates are televised. I just wonder how deep a thought has gone into the subject. The subject I am addressing, which is constantly debated, is the […]

Bollywood does get to you
As a little kid growing up in Phuentsholing, I probably saw more Indians than Bhutanese. They were everywhere. The milkman with the aluminium pot and kettle was Indian; the man who sweetened my tooth with cotton candy was an Indian. I went to school and was taught by teachers from India.
And then the Indian movies […]

Back in school wearing a smile and a kira
Observer’s Jurmi Chhowing follows up on the Geisha of Purple Lounge and finds a transformed young student who wants to continue her education.
It’s been about two weeks since Dechen Seldon, “The Geisha of Purple Lounge,” was reinstated back in school. She now attends Shari HSS, in a kira. I’m back in Paro looking for her. […]

‘Ginseg’ conducted in Taksang
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche  conducted a 10-day Fire ‘Ginseg’ Puja for the conclusion of the Vajrakilaya retreat in Taksang with about 150 devotees from across the country.

Follow the money
On the 15th of May, the Government of India approved a total fund of Nu 2610.14 crores for the extended ninth plan. The fund was meant for Indian Companies to participate in major projects and strengthen goodwill for India in Bhutan. The package assistance under ‘Aid to Bhutan’ was provided by the Ministry of External […]

Policeman’s leg crushed
A Paro policeman, whose leg was crushed by a jeep driver in a fit of rage on May 10, was amputated twice at the JDWNR Hospital. The driver, Daza, a Paro based businessman, was detained after the incident.
The incident occurred on Saturday night after 2 am, when Gopa Dorji and colleagues were on patrol at […]

Enforcing the law brutally?
The law is clearly defined on paper but what about its enforcement?
Is there too much force used by the enforcers, defying the written law itself? The issue is about police brutality.
There is no denying that it happens nationwide but such cases have always been kept out of the media. Not anymore.
People are now coming forward […]

Uniform signboards out
Uniform signboards are out even as the Thimphu City Corporation (TCC) is still confused about the issue and file-searching for the notification issued sometime in 2005.
The draconian rule was buried by the Minister of MOWHS, LyonpoYeshi Zimba, in a meeting held with TCC officials last week. There will be no Nu.1, 000 penalty a day […]

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