You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for October 2009

Bhutan News archive for 31 October 2009

October 31, 2009 - From

International Sources

Broome CC women 3rd in Region III cross country – Press & Sun-Bulletin
DELHI — Windsor native Michelle VanOstrand took second overall Saturday, leading the Broome Community College women’s cross country team to a third-place finish at the Region III Championships. BCC’s women, along with Steve Esposito on the men’s …    [read more]

Refugee Health Fair aims to help new Tucsonans adjust – Arizona Daily Star
Children sucking on juice boxes and parents looking for medical assistance nudged past two boys wielding a giant, inflatable toothbrush Saturday morning at Tucson’s first Refugee Health Fair. In the courtyard of the Martha Cooper Branch Library on …    [read more]

World conservationists hope to double tiger population in 10 years – Gulf Times
An international conference in Nepal concluded with a commitment to double the tiger population in the wild over the next 10 years, media reports said yesterday. The wild tiger population has fallen from 100,000 to around 3,500 in just a century in …    [read more]

Dalai Lama Says Trip to a Disputed Region in India Isn’t Political – New York Times
BEIJING — The Dalai Lama said Saturday that the Chinese government was wrong to attribute political motives to his travels, including a planned trip in early November to a Buddhist mountain enclave in northeastern India that China claims as its …    [read more]

Bridging the chasm: the SAF peace festival – Hindu
Three blind men versus `Ankhian Waleo’ (people with eyes): a political spoof performed in an open-air theatre at Preet Nagar, 25 km from Amritsar, by the Rafi Peer Theatre Group of Lahore. We sat under the stars and watched the play `Ankhian Waleo …    [read more]

More from Eritrea seek life of peace in Maryland – Baltimore Sun
At first, the police only beat her. They had come to the two-room stone house where Abeba Hagos Enday lived with her four children to conscript her husband into the Eritrean army. When she told them – truthfully, she says – that she didn’t know where …    [read more]

RP team wins 25 medals in math contest in India – Global Nation
NEW DELHI—IT WAS KARYA safal hua, or “mission accomplished” in Hindi, for the 20-member Philippine team to the just-concluded 2009 Wizards at Mathematics International Competition (Wizmic) in India. The young Filipino math wizards won a total …    [read more]

RP team wins 2nd place in int’l math contest – Asianjournal.com
It’s “mission accomplished” for the 20-member Philippine team to the just-concluded 2009 Wizards at Mathematics International Competition (WIZMIC) where it finished in second place. The young Filipino numbers whizzes won a total of 25 medals in the …    [read more]

India to host 2012 biodiversity summit – The Gaea Times
NEW DELHI – India has offered to host the 11th global biodiversity summit in 2012, a government spokesperson said here Saturday, adding that the head of the UN biodiversity convention secretariat has welcomed the offer. “This will allow us to …    [read more]

Boy (11) is ’13th century Buddhist priest’ – Independent
A schoolboy from the US has been anointed in India as the reincarnation of a Buddhist high priest who died more than 750 years ago. Jigme Wangchuk, from Boston, is now revered by hundreds of thousands of followers in Nepal, Bhutan, and India after …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Expectations and realities
Stress level soar among the graduates as the common exam approaches and uncertainty in the job market looms ahead

RCSC examinations31 October, 2009 – The glitz and glamour of being fresh graduates is long over with the completion of their orientation. The reality of not finding a job is sinking in as graduates throng the capital, submit numerous applications at various organisation and companies and give a shot at internship with offices in the hope of landing the job.
   [read more]

Eastern Bhutan shaken again
121 houses including one school damaged

31 October, 2009 – No human casualties were reported as of yesterday but initial information suggest that structures damaged by the September 21 earthquake may have been further weakened by the 5.2 magnitude tremor which struck eastern Bhutan around 11 pm on Thursday.    [read more]

Business legal
31 October, 2009 – When lawyers Ritu Raj Chhetri, a National Assembly candidate from Samtse and Jamyang Sherub Wangdi, Sarpang’s National Council candidate lost during the country’s first democratic elections, it opened up a whole new world for them.
   [read more]

A King among his people
As the first year, since being officially crowned the King, draws to an end, His Majesty has confirmed his place in the heart of every Bhutanese people. Kuensel’s Rinzin Wangchuk who followed the royal entourage to the east files this report of a special bond that has developed between the people and the King.


31 October, 2009 – On a cold Sunday night of October 18, Namgang (no moon) of the Bhutanese calendar, His Majesty the King chose a cracked farmhouse in Thangrong, Mongar, to spend the night in after meeting 1,700 villagers who were affected by the devastating earthquake on September 21.
   [read more]

5.2 earthquake in eastern Bhutan
Breaking News30 October, 2009 – An earthquake of 5.2 magnitude on the Richter scale hit eastern Bhutan again last night around 11 pm. Epicentre confirmed at Mongar-Trashigang border. No casualties reported so far.
   [read more]

Picture story

30 October, 2009 – Thousands of devotees, including the students of Sherubtse College, Kanglung, received the oral transmission of Badzaguru lng from His Holiness Dungse Rinpoche at the college football ground yesterday
   [read more]

Wanted: Teachers out of Thimphu
To redress the rural-urban teacher imbalance, the capital’s excess staff needs to move

30 October, 2009 – The education ministry has appealed to Thimphu teachers for volunteers to teach in schools outside Thimphu throm. This is to reduce teacher excess in the capital and contribute to solving uneven teacher distribution between urban and rural schools.
   [read more]

Reducing red tape in phases
Administrative Burden 30 October, 2009 –

Beneficiaries of an efficient government service delivery system will have to wait until the end of 2011 to see major changes in the government’s administrative burden (AB) and red tape.    [read more]

Insuring against competition?
30 October, 2009 – With two insurers in the market, insurance is getting cheaper as competitors try to attract and consolidate their client base.
   [read more]

The day before Thrue bab
Survivors of the September 21 earthquake share their stories
MANI THANKS: Relieved to be alive, this
Thrinangphung farmer can smile above the rubble of his
fallen house

30 October, 2009 – Unlike other days, Mani, 59, started his day early on September 21. He wanted to collect enough fodder so that he could enjoy Thrue bab, which was on the next day.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Man will not forget the art of writing
Sir,
I have read with great interest Santosh Chowdhury’s article “Calligraphy wanes: a big loss to hamanity” from October 10 issue of Bhutan Observer. Indeed I do agree with your views, that writing is a beneficial way of communication and expression that has marked our human history for long.
In particular, digital technologies are indeed changing the [...]    [read more]

Bhutanese in New York marathon
Rinzin Dorji, 34, will take part in ING New York City Marathon representing Bhutan for the first time in the 40th world’s greatest marathon on November 1. Rinzin Dorji said he was very nervous because it is his first time, and professional athletes from all over the world are taking part in it.
Rinzin Dorji is [...]    [read more]

Important teachers’ responsibility on the wane
The scenario is quite familiar. It is time of festivity and tshechu. The school principal has granted a three-day holiday to the children. Tenzin rushes home, smile on his face. But his joy doesn’t get far. “Study first, tshechu later,” it is his mother’s authoritative tone. “Remember, you still need to work your way to [...]    [read more]

Walking out clean
Twenty-two-year-old Dorji would begin his day waking up at somebody’s doorstep. Hungry and emaciated, he would fall back on Nitrosun and Relipen followed by a joint of hash. Hunger numbed and drowsy vigour restored, he would forget all his ordeal. For six years, this was the life he knew. With his qualification of class X, [...]    [read more]

When will the small grow big?
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country express their disappointment with inadequate government support.
They say that the government, especially in the form of financial institutions, looks after big and well-established companies and neglects small businesses. Heavy mortgages and guarantees for loans, which small businesses cannot afford, keep them out of the fray and threaten [...]    [read more]

254-km cycling expedition
A team of 21 members from Royal Bhutan Army, Indian Military
Training Team (IMTRAT) and a battalion of Indian Army are on a 254-km cycling expedition to strengthen the Indo-Bhutan friendship . The expedition started on October 25.
Before reaching their destination, Binaguri in West Bengal, on November 2, they are expected to raft through the Teesta [...]    [read more]

Open tennis final tomorrow
The women’s final and semi-finals of Thimphu Open Tennis Championship will be played today and tomorrow at the Changlingmithang tennis court.
Sponsored by Cosco India Limited, the nine-day tournament saw more than 60 adult and youth participants. The tournament comprised seven different events including men’s singles, women’s singles, senior singles (above 45 years), gentlemen singles (above [...]    [read more]

Grim Reaper for independent journalism in Bhutan
   [read more]

Meeting urban challenges
Ten years from now, by 2020, more than 50 percent of Bhutan’s population is expected to live in towns. We are fast catching up with the global trend. By 2030, at least 60 percent of the world’s population is expected to live in towns and cities. What is different for Bhutan, however, is, more than [...]    [read more]

Japanese assistance to quake victims
Yesterday, Mr Keizo Takewaka, Minister, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, handed over to Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering relief materials worth Yen 10 million for the people affected by the September 21 earthquake in eastern Bhutan
   [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 30 October 2009

October 30, 2009 - From

International Sources

China Is Trying a Tibetan Filmmaker for Subversion – New York Times
CHONGQING, China — A self-taught filmmaker who spent five months interviewing Tibetans about their hopes and frustrations living under Chinese rule is facing charges of state subversion after the footage was smuggled abroad and distributed on the …    [read more]

Refugee discussion concludes lecture series – Asu News
What defines a refugee and how Arizona plays a role in the resettlement process will conclude the ASU School of Letters and Sciences Fall 2009 Humanities Lecture Series. Joanne Morales will present “Refugee Situations in Arizona, Burma, Iraq and …    [read more]

Arpa International Film Festival Celebrates Filmmakers From Around The … – Asbarez News
HOLLYWOOD—The 12th Annual Arpa International Film Festival came to a close on Sunday, October 25 after 3 days of films, receptions, and a star-studded closing night awards ceremony at the renowned Egyptian Theatre. More than 20 nations including …    [read more]

Skyrail, flyovers to decongest Dhaka – Gulf Times
Bangladesh’s national capital is going in for a facelift that will include a skyrail, flyovers, underground railways and orbital waterways as part of the effort to decongest the city’s roads. Dhaka, which has a population of over 10mn, also …    [read more]

India to investigate rising elephant death toll – The Guardian
An alarming rise in elephant deaths in India because of habitat loss and poachers’ bolder forays into government-protected zones has led officials to arrange a meeting to address the problem. This year has seen jumbos poisoned and electrocuted by …    [read more]

Tibetan Filmmaker Tried for Subversion – New York Times
CHONGQING, China — A self-taught filmmaker who spent five months interviewing ordinary Tibetans about their hopes and frustrations living under Chinese rule is facing charges of state subversion after the footage was smuggled abroad and broadcast …    [read more]

US schoolboy anointed as reincarnation of Buddhist high priest – Belfast Telegraph
A US schoolboy has been anointed in India as the reincarnation of a Buddhist high priest who died over 750 years ago. Jigme Wangchuk, from Boston, is now revered by hundreds of thousands of followers in Nepal, Bhutan and India after taking up …    [read more]

Home Ministry reviewing police recruitment report: Chidambaram – The Gaea Times
NEW DELHI – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said that a report on further police recruitment has been submitted to his ministry, and it is being reviewed. The Home Ministry’s report for October stated that the one-man committee on …    [read more]

Out & About: The week in arts and entertainment – Missoulian
Free dance class in Corvallis, 7-9 p.m. Waltz, schottische, polka, two-step, etc. Call 961-8866 for location. Pre-Halloween Salsa Night, Elks Club, corner Pattee and Front streets. $7. Ages 18+. $100 to best costume. Halloween dance and costume party …    [read more]

Border Road, Security beefed up improved in October: Chidambaram – The Gaea Times
NEW DELHI – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said that during the month of October, steps have been taken to improve the Border Road, Coastal, and Security network. The report said that 20 kilometres of fencing and 30 kilometres of new …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

5.2 earthquake in eastern Bhutan
Breaking News30 October, 2009 – An earthquake of 5.2 magnitude on the Richter scale hit eastern Bhutan again last night around 11 pm. Epicentre confirmed at Mongar-Trashigang border. No casualties reported so far.
   [read more]

Picture story

30 October, 2009 – Thousands of devotees, including the students of Sherubtse College, Kanglung, received the oral transmission of Badzaguru lng from His Holiness Dungse Rinpoche at the college football ground yesterday
   [read more]

Wanted: Teachers out of Thimphu
To redress the rural-urban teacher imbalance, the capital’s excess staff needs to move

30 October, 2009 – The education ministry has appealed to Thimphu teachers for volunteers to teach in schools outside Thimphu throm. This is to reduce teacher excess in the capital and contribute to solving uneven teacher distribution between urban and rural schools.
   [read more]

Reducing red tape in phases
Administrative Burden 30 October, 2009 –

Beneficiaries of an efficient government service delivery system will have to wait until the end of 2011 to see major changes in the government’s administrative burden (AB) and red tape.    [read more]

Insuring against competition?
30 October, 2009 – With two insurers in the market, insurance is getting cheaper as competitors try to attract and consolidate their client base.
   [read more]

The day before Thrue bab
Survivors of the September 21 earthquake share their stories
MANI THANKS: Relieved to be alive, this
Thrinangphung farmer can smile above the rubble of his
fallen house

30 October, 2009 – Unlike other days, Mani, 59, started his day early on September 21. He wanted to collect enough fodder so that he could enjoy Thrue bab, which was on the next day.    [read more]

Forest wealth to help alleviate poverty
Second Annual Forestry Conference 30 October, 2009 –

Farmers from Trongsa will not have to go to Zhemgang divisional forest office to avail permit for the use of forest products like in the past.
   [read more]

Sister arrested for abetting role
30 October, 2009 – The Dagapela police yesterday arrested a 19-year-old girl in connection with the rape of two teenage students earlier this month.
   [read more]

Sipsoo cash crop catch-22
Fruitless orange trees in Sipsoo

30 October, 2009 – Cash crop growers in Sipsoo are in a paradoxical situation. When yield of crops like orange and cardamom was good, the price was low. The price has increased recently, but there are no oranges or cardamom worth exporting.    [read more]

The circulation of teachers
30 October, 2009 – The education ministry is getting desperate. And it should be. Despite all the yap, paperwork and meetings, it has failed to ensure teachers don’t crowd around the urban schools, while many rural schools languish under a dire shortage.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Important teachers’ responsibility on the wane
The scenario is quite familiar. It is time of festivity and tshechu. The school principal has granted a three-day holiday to the children. Tenzin rushes home, smile on his face. But his joy doesn’t get far. “Study first, tshechu later,” it is his mother’s authoritative tone. “Remember, you still need to work your way to [...]    [read more]

Walking out clean
Twenty-two-year-old Dorji would begin his day waking up at somebody’s doorstep. Hungry and emaciated, he would fall back on Nitrosun and Relipen followed by a joint of hash. Hunger numbed and drowsy vigour restored, he would forget all his ordeal. For six years, this was the life he knew. With his qualification of class X, [...]    [read more]

When will the small grow big?
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country express their disappointment with inadequate government support.
They say that the government, especially in the form of financial institutions, looks after big and well-established companies and neglects small businesses. Heavy mortgages and guarantees for loans, which small businesses cannot afford, keep them out of the fray and threaten [...]    [read more]

254-km cycling expedition
A team of 21 members from Royal Bhutan Army, Indian Military
Training Team (IMTRAT) and a battalion of Indian Army are on a 254-km cycling expedition to strengthen the Indo-Bhutan friendship . The expedition started on October 25.
Before reaching their destination, Binaguri in West Bengal, on November 2, they are expected to raft through the Teesta [...]    [read more]

Open tennis final tomorrow
The women’s final and semi-finals of Thimphu Open Tennis Championship will be played today and tomorrow at the Changlingmithang tennis court.
Sponsored by Cosco India Limited, the nine-day tournament saw more than 60 adult and youth participants. The tournament comprised seven different events including men’s singles, women’s singles, senior singles (above 45 years), gentlemen singles (above [...]    [read more]

Grim Reaper for independent journalism in Bhutan
   [read more]

Meeting urban challenges
Ten years from now, by 2020, more than 50 percent of Bhutan’s population is expected to live in towns. We are fast catching up with the global trend. By 2030, at least 60 percent of the world’s population is expected to live in towns and cities. What is different for Bhutan, however, is, more than [...]    [read more]

Japanese assistance to quake victims
Yesterday, Mr Keizo Takewaka, Minister, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, handed over to Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering relief materials worth Yen 10 million for the people affected by the September 21 earthquake in eastern Bhutan
   [read more]

Bigger chunk for pvt. sector
The Department of Human Resource yesterday released the second edition of ‘guidelines for HRD support to private and corporate sector’, which reflects policy objectives and strategies for human resource development in private and corporate sectors apart from formalities, procedures and obligations of trainees.
According to the guidelines, 70 percent of the support will be extended to [...]    [read more]

India reassures 10th plan funds
The Indian government’s response to the requests and proposals from Bhutan government regarding the implementation of the 10th five-year plan was positive. Bhutan put up proposals in the areas of fund releases, energy sector, roads, total solutions projects and small development projects.
Some senior government officials met with an Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary (North) [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 29 October 2009

October 29, 2009 - From

International Sources

U.N. panel adopts resolution seeking total nuke elimination – Kyodo News
A U.N. General Assembly committee Thursday adopted a resolution submitted by Japan calling for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The nonbinding resolution is expected to pass a plenary session of the General Assembly in December without …    [read more]

NEPAL: Bhutanese refugees “shocked” at WFP food ration cuts – IRIN
KATHMANDU, 29 October 2009 (IRIN) – Bhutanese refugees in Nepal have expressed dismay at a recent decision by the World Food Programme (WFP) to cut food rations sharply. “We are worried about the children,” said Yam Gurung, a 33-year-old refugee …    [read more]

11-yr-old to head Buddhist sect – IndiaTimes
DARJEELING: From a follower of the Boston Redsox national basketball team to being the Rinpoche of Drukpa Kagyu, a sub-sect of Tibetan Buddhism, 11-year-old Jigme Wangchuk has come a long way in the past few days. And for this change to happen, his …    [read more]

Boston boy enthroned as Buddhist sect head in Darjeeling – Hindustan Times
The journey from Jigme Wangchuk to His Holiness Galwa Lorepa; the journey from Boston, USA to Drukpa Sangag Choeling Monastery in Dali, near Darjeeling town in North Bengal was definitely a trying and testing time for both 11-year-old Jigme, his …    [read more]

Agents can now apply to take part in exclusive Bhutan famil – e-Travel Blackboard
Bhutan & Beyond and Aman Resorts are now inviting senior Australian travel agents to apply for spots on a 10-night luxury journey to one of the world’s most intriguing destinations. Space is available for just seven experienced travel agents …    [read more]

2ND LD: U.N. panel adopts resolution seeking total nuke elimination+ – Big Hollywood
A committee of the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday that was put forward by Japan and calls for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Voting taken at the First Committee, tasked with dealing with disarmament issues, found that …    [read more]

LEAD: U.N. panel adopts Japanese resolution seeking total nuke … – Big Hollywood
A committee of the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday that was put forward by Japan and calls for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Voting taken at the First Committee, tasked with dealing with disarmament issues, found that …    [read more]

Society: Scripps honors Prince Albert II of Monaco – SDNN: San Diego News Network
On October 23, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla hosted environmental supporters including one royal guest, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. Event sponsor David Copley with guests Stuart Jamieson, Judith Harris, Marc …    [read more]

Women’s round-up: October 2009 – FIFA
The league may be in its close season, but the action in Women’s Professional Soccer in the USA has proved unrelenting thanks to a frenzy of transfer activity. Among the more notable moves have been Gold Pride’s acquisition of Canadian Candace …    [read more]

IFJ: Mass Resignations in Bhutan’s Daily Newspaper – Scoop
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed to learn of the mass resignation of all journalists from the Bhutan Times, after sharp disagreements on editorial process and content with a newly appointed chief executive. According to …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Baby deaths led to suspension
Pentavalent Vaccine 29 October, 2009 –

29 October, 2009 –
A day after a two-month old baby received the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine, she stopped feeding well and cried more often. On the third day, she was brought to Thimphu referral hospital from central Bhutan.
   [read more]

Election Commission’s dissenting note
CEC writes to PM advising revocation of grant

Constituency Development Grant 29 October, 2009 –

Even as National Assembly members prepare plans and projects for the controversial constituency development grant (CDG), the chief election commissioner has written to the prime minister asking the government to revoke CDG.
   [read more]

CEO still on notice
Bhutan Post Update29 October, 2009 –
Present incumbent’s probation period, which was to end early this month, extended

Bhutan Post’s chief executive officer (CEO), who has been heading the company since October 6, 2008, in the midst of controversies surrounding his appointment, is still on probation.    [read more]

Lhuentse dzong requires major repairs
Fractured Frieze: Renovation will need triple the budget set aside for the purpose in the 10th Plan

29 October, 2009 – The Kuenrey and Tshepami lhakhangs of Lhuentse dzong suffered serious damage in the September 21 earthquake and need major repairs, according to the dzongkhag officials.    [read more]

Digital library stalled for lack of funds
Possibility of a tie up with an American university being explored

29 October, 2009 – The creation of a national digital library, designed to use ICT (information communications technology) to preserve and promote Bhutan’s cultural heritage, has come to a halt because of a lack of government funding.
   [read more]

Sheik Hasina on 4-day state visit
29 October, 2009 – Bhutan and Bangladesh will sign a new trade agreement when the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, visits Bhutan on a three-day state visit from November 6-9.
   [read more]

The rise and fall of cardamom
Attacked by viral and fungal infections, Tendu plantations bear crops for only 3 years
WEALTHY AND VULNERABLE : A cash crop that is especially susceptible to disease

29 October, 2009 – When former soldier Dawa Tshering moved from Trashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan to Tendu, Samtse, he pinned his future on cardamom plantations.
   [read more]

The pentavalent vaccine pause
29 October, 2009 – The death of four infants immunised with the pentavalent vaccine, introduced this September, has left many parents, who readily received the five in one vaccination, worried.
   [read more]

Anime – Japanese cartoon craze

28 October, 2009 – Who doesn’t love to indulge in a fantastical out of the world animation once in a while? And it sure looks like, if given the opportunity, Bhutanese too love what the rest of the world does.
   [read more]

ask Mr Thimphu

28 October, 2009 – I started serious bodybuilding during my last year in the college. I would like to continue working out in a good gym where there are enough weights and machine, good trainers and a clean and spacious area. I have been to fitness centres like Sakten Health Club, Namgay Heritage, Druk and etc. Since I am new to the fitness field, I would like to seek your advice on which gym would be best for me to join?
W. Gyalden, Babesa
   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Japanese assistance to quake victims
Yesterday, Mr Keizo Takewaka, Minister, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, handed over to Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering relief materials worth Yen 10 million for the people affected by the September 21 earthquake in eastern Bhutan
   [read more]

Bigger chunk for pvt. sector
The Department of Human Resource yesterday released the second edition of ‘guidelines for HRD support to private and corporate sector’, which reflects policy objectives and strategies for human resource development in private and corporate sectors apart from formalities, procedures and obligations of trainees.
According to the guidelines, 70 percent of the support will be extended to [...]    [read more]

India reassures 10th plan funds
The Indian government’s response to the requests and proposals from Bhutan government regarding the implementation of the 10th five-year plan was positive. Bhutan put up proposals in the areas of fund releases, energy sector, roads, total solutions projects and small development projects.
Some senior government officials met with an Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary (North) [...]    [read more]

Indian school exhibition in Thimphu
Some of the finest boarding and international schools from India will take part in the 6th India and International premier school exhibition tomorrow in Thimphu. The two-day school fair will enable parents and students to directly interact with the representatives of various Indian schools.
The fair will showcase India’s finest primary, middle and secondary level schools [...]    [read more]

One-stop shops to materialize
The focal group for improving public service delivery system (IPSDS) in its interim report presented to the 54th session of Lhenyge Zhungtshog this week outlined plans and strategies for effective public service delivery system through the institution of one-stop shops. A few one-stop shops would be functional in a few places by the middle of [...]    [read more]

Do you think that Bhutanese porn clips are commercial?
   [read more]

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Saarc ministers promise to cut negative list, free services sector
KATHMANDU: Trade ministers from Saarc countries have decided to fast-track negotiations on liberalising the services market within the region, a move that will enable freer movement of people within the region and give a boost to investments in areas like tourism, financial services and telecom.
Services could be incorporated into the South Asia Free Trade Agreement [...]    [read more]

A rapturous book on poetry
What was Archimedes’ urge when he ran naked shouting “Eureka”? The thrill of having found the principle of buoyancy.
Mr Jose K. C, lecturer, Samtse College of Education, has a similar thrill every time he teaches a poem. He finds in a poem a caressing image, a startling figure of speech or an irresistible truth about [...]    [read more]

Discovering poets in a café
Do you think that it is strange to try to discover a poet in you in a café? A café in Thimphu thinks that you can be a simple poet over a cup of coffee. Kuenzang C Choden reports.
Lines of haiku
Over cups of coffee,
Discover the poet in you.
This is the Ambience Café in Thimphu where [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 28 October 2009

October 28, 2009 - From

International Sources

SAFTA to include service trade – English_Xinhua
KATHMANDU, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) — The ministerial level meeting of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) ended on Wednesday in Nepali capital Kathmandu with a commitment to include service sector in SAFTA and facilitate intra-regional trade. According …    [read more]

Sexual harassment complaint against Becker coach amended – Worcester Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER — A former Becker College student who is accusing former equestrian team coach Edmund J. Paro of sexual harassment claims her former coach asked the female riders to wear tight clothing and commented he would like to see one girl ride …    [read more]

Saarc meet to fast-track services trade, expand Safta regulation – Financial Express
Updated: Thursday, Oct 29, 2009 at 2325 hrs IST Kathmandu: Trade ministers of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) on Wednesday discussed ways and means to fast track a liberal services trading regime in the region to expand the …    [read more]

Saarc ministers promise to cut negative list, free services sector – Economic Times
KATHMANDU: Trade ministers from Saarc countries have decided to fast-track negotiations on liberalising the services market within the region, a move that will enable freer movement of people within the region and give a boost to investments in areas …    [read more]

Traders seek better deal; hold protest – Tribune
Members of various trade unions held a protest against the rising inflation, unemployment and the privatisation move by the government while small-scale industrialists and traders vent out their ire against the government and the PPCB for closing …    [read more]

Govt plans sky rail for Dhaka – The Daily Star
Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina speaks at the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday. Photo: PID Staff Correspondent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government plans to construct elevated and underground railways, flyovers …    [read more]

World’s tigers seen facing potential extinction – Bangladesh News 24 hours
KATHMANDU, Oct 28 (Reuters/bdnews24.com)–Tigers could become extinct in the wild in two decades unless the world ramps up conservation efforts to halt the decline in their population, wildlife experts said on Wednesday. Barely 3,500 tigers are …    [read more]

World’s tigers years away from extinction: Experts – Zee News
Kathmandu: Tigers could become extinct in the wild in two decades unless the world ramps up conservation efforts to halt the decline in their population, wildlife experts said on Wednesday. Barely 3,500 tigers are estimated to be roaming in the wild …    [read more]

Tigers ‘face extinction within 20 years’ – News.com.au
TIGERS could become extinct in the wild in two decades unless the world ramps up conservation efforts to halt the decline in their population, wildlife experts said today. Barely 3500 tigers are estimated to be roaming in the wild in 12 Asian …    [read more]

America to Bhutanese People’s Eyes: After One Year – Boise Weekly
The root of the challenge is bitter, but the fruit tastes sweet. Some of the Idahoan-Bhutanese have been in Idaho for almost two years. For every individual, at first life was full of challenges. People were worried about finding jobs and getting …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Anime – Japanese cartoon craze

28 October, 2009 – Who doesn’t love to indulge in a fantastical out of the world animation once in a while? And it sure looks like, if given the opportunity, Bhutanese too love what the rest of the world does.
   [read more]

ask Mr Thimphu

28 October, 2009 – I started serious bodybuilding during my last year in the college. I would like to continue working out in a good gym where there are enough weights and machine, good trainers and a clean and spacious area. I have been to fitness centres like Sakten Health Club, Namgay Heritage, Druk and etc. Since I am new to the fitness field, I would like to seek your advice on which gym would be best for me to join?
W. Gyalden, Babesa
   [read more]

Picture story

28 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King yesterday granted an audience to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Mr Navin B. Chawla. Mr. Chawla gave a talk on “Political Parties: Lessons from Indian Democracy,” in the afternoon.    [read more]

Pentavalent vaccine suspended
Possible side effects given as reason

28 October, 2009 – Two months after being introduced nationwide, the health ministry has alerted all hospitals to immediately stop vaccinating infants with the pentavalent vaccine, because it may have side effects.

   [read more]

Water level lowered by 86cm
Mitigation work to continue next summer

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – The team of 309 includes about 20 women

Operation Thorthomi 28 October, 2009 –

The water level of the Thorthormi lake, which has the potential to cause glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) if not mitigated, was reduced by only 86 cm in two months during the operation Thorthormi.    [read more]

BOC yet to clear audit irregularities

28 October, 2009 – Bhutan Olympic committee (BOC), the country’s apex sports development body, has not resolved outstanding irregularities of about Nu 1.41 million from 2001 until 2008, say audit officials.
   [read more]

Picture story

28 October, 2009 – Students of Drametse middle secondary school get briefed on the importance of traditional medicines by the Drungtsho (traditional physician) of Mongar referral hospital on October 25.
   [read more]

McKinsey formula on tourism adopted
The consultancy firm will follow up its recommendation with help in their implementation

28 October, 2009 – The cabinet, after a meeting with McKinsey and company, a global management consultancy firm, and senior government officials on 26 October, has decided to implement the recommendations of the consultancy company in the area of tourism.    [read more]

Age no bar for Abi to meet His Majesty

28 October, 2009 – Tshultrim Zangmo, 93, can’t see clearly nor can she hear well. But she would never miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of His Majesty whenever the King passes by Sengor, Mongar.
   [read more]

Maruti car up for grabs
India House Golf Tournament 28 October, 2009 –

A Maruti A star LXI car is the coveted prize for this year’s India House golf tournament which will be held from November 11-15 at the India House golf course in Thimphu.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Saarc ministers promise to cut negative list, free services sector
KATHMANDU: Trade ministers from Saarc countries have decided to fast-track negotiations on liberalising the services market within the region, a move that will enable freer movement of people within the region and give a boost to investments in areas like tourism, financial services and telecom.
Services could be incorporated into the South Asia Free Trade Agreement [...]    [read more]

A rapturous book on poetry
What was Archimedes’ urge when he ran naked shouting “Eureka”? The thrill of having found the principle of buoyancy.
Mr Jose K. C, lecturer, Samtse College of Education, has a similar thrill every time he teaches a poem. He finds in a poem a caressing image, a startling figure of speech or an irresistible truth about [...]    [read more]

Discovering poets in a café
Do you think that it is strange to try to discover a poet in you in a café? A café in Thimphu thinks that you can be a simple poet over a cup of coffee. Kuenzang C Choden reports.
Lines of haiku
Over cups of coffee,
Discover the poet in you.
This is the Ambience Café in Thimphu where [...]    [read more]

Illegal forest trade
Since 2007, five commercial vehicles bearing Bhutanese registration numbers are lying unclaimed with the Directorate of Forest in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The vehicles were caught smuggling illegal forest products from Bhutan.
According to A Natarajan, the Consulate General of India, the vehicles were loaded with 10 logs of green teak and about 10 logs of hand [...]    [read more]

Timely intervention prevents disaster
Timely intervention by neighbours saved a house in the heart of Pemagatshel town from fire which could have otherwise spread throughout the town.
The incident took place on October 19 at 9 pm in the basement of a shop which was occupied by a corporate employee. At the time of the incident, the couple were out [...]    [read more]

RCSC exams business
With the exponential increase in the number of graduates and stiff competition for civil service jobs, institutes and individuals are making good money from courses and tuitions aimed at graduates aspiring to sit for the royal civil service common examinations (CSCE).
Dzongkha Language Institute (DLI) and Institute for Management Studies (IMS) are two such institutes. This [...]    [read more]

Way of the Tea
Imagine a place where it takes as long as four hours to do this and is considered subdued refinement. Yes!, I am talking about the tea ceremony in Japan. In my recent trip to Japan, I participated in one such ceremony and this experience is one of my highlights. The tea ceremony was held in [...]    [read more]

Seven chortens vandalized in four days
In four days, seven chortens were vandalized in Shongphu, Radhi and Bartsham gewogs under Trashigang Dzongkhag last week.
Three manidangrim in Chaling and Khamkor and a namgay khangzang chorten in Tholmang were vandalized in Shongphu, according to Mangmi Phuntsho Gyeltshen.
All the four chortens were vandalized on the night of October 15.
On the same night one more [...]    [read more]

Epic brawl between brothers
It was not Mahabharata or an epic fight of Ling Gesar but a recent brawl between two brothers in Denchi village in Pemagatshel is something that has never been seen or heard by many. The fight took place on October 12 and lasted for almost three and a half hours. The brothers called it a [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 27 October 2009

October 27, 2009 - From

International Sources

Forum seeks to assess world’s wellbeing rather than wealth – AsiaOne
SEOUL – International experts Tuesday began a four-day meeting focusing on ways to measure the wellbeing of the world rather than purely its wealth. The forum organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) follows a …    [read more]

PM for greater coordination with neighbours to save Himalayas – Deccan Herald
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave in principle approval to the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system and called for “much greater engagement and coordination” among nations, including China and Pakistan, who share the sensitive …    [read more]

World’s scariest runways – MSNBC
It’s 10:45 a.m. on a cloudy day, and the crew of Druk Air flight KB205 is preparing to land at their home airport of Paro, Bhutan. Suddenly, ominous warnings start blaring, alerting them that their flight angle is all wrong and their rate of …    [read more]

What’s On: Tues’ top picks – Straits Times
Forty short-listed entries for both amateur and professional categories of this photography competition will have their pictures showcased in an exhibition. Predict the winning photograph and you might win a Nikon camera worth $529 each. Where …    [read more]

Himalayan glaciers’ melting poses threat to not only Bhutan, but … – New Kerala
London, October 23 : Reports indicate that the melting of the Himalayan glaciers is threatening the kingdom of Bhutan, the impacts of which will adversely affect the entire South Asian region. According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the …    [read more]

Chhattisgarh on alert – Tribune
Security in and around key installations in Chhattisgarh’s capital has been intensified, following intelligence reports that Maoists with access to rocket launchers are keen to strike the urban areas to halt operations against them in the sprawling …    [read more]

Manmohan calls for saving Himalayan eco-system – Hindu
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday emphasised the need for greater engagement and coordination with all the country’s neighbours who share the Himalayas and pointed out that some bilateral initiatives were being taken up with China …    [read more]

Muhith urges swift activation of SAARC food bank – Bangladesh News 24 hours
Dhaka, Oct 26 (bdnews24.com)—Finance minister A M A Muhith on Monday called for immediate activation of the SAARC food bank to guarantee food security in the region in view of the global food crisis Muhith gave the call from a two-day symposium …    [read more]

Dems push for benefits to start by 2010 – Yahoo News
Reuters – Rulour Torio, M.D. (L) examines Pabitra Timsina, (R) a refugee from Bhutan, at the El Franco Lee Health … Carrie Budoff Brown Carrie Budoff Brown – Sun Oct 25, 9:06 pm ET Democrats are pushing Senate leaders and the White House to …    [read more]

Inter-regional interests keep M&A bids by telcos buzzing – Telecom Magazine
It has not been a successful second try for the proposed merger between India’s Bharti Airtel and South Africa’s MTN. The South African government’s requirement for dual listing and Indian regulatory conditions pertaining to the use of certain …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Cordyceps – Layap golden goose
Legalising the collection of yartsa goenbub was like winning the lottery
The Laya village

26 October, 2009 – Dressed in mathra gho and sneakers, Gou, 45 is on his way to Punakha. Unlike many Layaps, who spend the winter in Punakha trading and working for others, Gou is on his way to complete some formalities to buy fixed assets.    [read more]

Mobile porn clips circulating fast
Authorities wait for complaints to crack down

26 October, 2009 – Several Bhutanese amateur clips, containing sexually explicit scenes, are fast circulating in the capital, causing concern to parents and authorities.    [read more]

Ventilators out of wind
A life critical system is futile without a trained ICU team

26 October, 2009 – Bhutan’s regional hospitals are equipped with ventilators, an indispensable machine used to help patients in a critical condition to breathe. But the machines are hardly used, say doctors.    [read more]

P/ling Nazhoen Pelri wins plaudits
26 October, 2009 – The Nazhoen Pelri youth hostel in Phuentsholing has come to the rescue of youth on a tight budget and without relatives in town ever since it was established last year.    [read more]

Friendship expedition
Major General Gyan Bhushan flags off the expedition

26 October, 2009 – The Indo-Bhutan joint cycling expedition comprising of 21 participants from the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), Indian Military team and a battalion of Indian Army was flagged off from the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) headquarters in Lungtenphu, yesterday.
   [read more]

6 months late, work begins
36 month deadline to complete civil works
The recently built access road winds down to the site of the Dagachu project in Khebisa gewog, Dagana

Dagachu Hydropower Project 26 October, 2009 –

With all major contracts tendered, construction of the 114 MW Dagachu hydropower project officially began on October 1, six months behind schedule.    [read more]

Changjiji’s computer for kids
DIT’s pilot ‘hole-in-the-wall’ project will come into operation this December

26 October, 2009 – n additional to recreational equipment like swings and slides, computers, too, could soon become part of a children’s playground in Bhutan.    [read more]

Sharing an appreciation for poetry
Book Review 26 October, 2009 –

Title: On The Flutes Rapture
Author: K C Jose
No. of pages: 236 pages
Price: Rs 175
Available at Zimbuds

When writing commentaries and appreciations as part of the many lesson plans he made, little did K C Jose, an English poetry teacher, realize that his work would be published.    [read more]

What global warming boils down to
26 October, 2009 – Climate change is a hot topic as it should be, considering it’s about mother earth warming to a level that can no longer support life.
   [read more]

How Drukyul decided
Book Review 25 October, 2009 –


Title : Drukyul Decides: In the minds of Bhutanese voters

Number of pages: 378

Author: Gyambo Sithey and Dr Tandi Dorji

Publisher: Centre for Research Initiative

ISBN: 978-99936-775-0-5

Price: Nu 719

Many people have a ready answer on why Bhutan voted the way they did in the country’s first general elections in March 2008, giving the ruling government 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Seven chortens vandalized in four days
In four days, seven chortens were vandalized in Shongphu, Radhi and Bartsham gewogs under Trashigang Dzongkhag last week.
Three manidangrim in Chaling and Khamkor and a namgay khangzang chorten in Tholmang were vandalized in Shongphu, according to Mangmi Phuntsho Gyeltshen.
All the four chortens were vandalized on the night of October 15.
On the same night one more [...]    [read more]

Epic brawl between brothers
It was not Mahabharata or an epic fight of Ling Gesar but a recent brawl between two brothers in Denchi village in Pemagatshel is something that has never been seen or heard by many. The fight took place on October 12 and lasted for almost three and a half hours. The brothers called it a [...]    [read more]

Children at work
For some children, working brings money and dignity. For others, it brings deprivation and shame. Kuenzang C Choden finds out why the concept of child labour is country-specific.

Sonam, a 15-year-old girl from Mongar, has been babysitting for three years. She earns a monthly wage of Nu 1000. She prefers babysitting to working in her village. [...]    [read more]

HM graces the Sherubtse Convocation
His Majesty the King graced the Twelfth Convocation of Sherubtse College on October 22 2009,at Kanglung in Trashigang
His Majesty the King arrived in the evening, having walked through Narang and Durung gewogs visiting the houses and families affected by the earthquake. His Majesty told the graduates that, for such an important day in their lives, [...]    [read more]

Paradox of Bhutan’s potato export
Local consumers are bearing the brunt of the irony of Bhutan’s vegetable export.
To understand the irony better, here is the case of Lam Dorji, a potato farmer and exporter from Dhur in Bumthang. Lam Dorji had a good potato harvest this year. Keeping a small quantity for family consumption, he transported his harvest to Phuentsholing [...]    [read more]

Book fair opens in Thimphu
The 3rd National Book Fair was held at the Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School ground on Wednesday where 18 publishing houses put up stalls where a range of fictive, academic and graphics books are on display.
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection,” the banner reads, urging visitors and participants to inculcate vigorous reading habit and to [...]    [read more]

Disaster victims receive compensation
The victims of the September 21 earthquake and the September 28 windstorm in Pemagatshel have started receiving compensation from the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan.
The quake that damaged 295 houses in Pemagatshel cost RICB Nu 3.98 million and the windstorm that damaged 14 houses cost the insurance company Nu 130,000 as compensation for rural insurance [...]    [read more]

Inter-departmental football
The Inter-departmental football tournament which is underway at Changjiji football ground in Thimphu is witnessing exciting football every day.
On Tuesday Friends United won 8-1 against Bhutan Telecom. The first goal of the match was scored in the fifth minute by Bhutan Telecom’s Jigme Gyeltshen.
After two minutes, Friends United’s Subba scored an equalizer. After that, Friends [...]    [read more]

Congratulations Bhutan
Sir,
When a “giant” country like India slips down six places from 128 to 134 in the United Nation’s Human Development Index 2009, the “tiny” Bhutan gains in the rankings from 135 to 131, which is indeed a laudable achievement. However, this is hardly surprising since the country believes in measuring its prosperity by the unique [...]    [read more]

What quality of education are we looking at?
The 45% pay rise in 2004 thrilled the civil servants, but much to the chagrin of teachers, the ‘pay rise’ nullified their teaching allowance. It was then followed by uproar of low teachers’ morale and deteriorating quality of education, the debate of which even went to Bhutan’s highest law making body, Tshogdu Chenmo. “Teachers are [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 26 October 2009

October 26, 2009 - From

International Sources

CEC to begin four-day visit to Bhutan from today – Newstrack India
New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla will begin his four-day official visit to Bhutan from today. The visit is being held at the invitation of the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, Kunzang Wangdi. The main focus of …    [read more]

6 months late, work begins – Kuensel Online
Dagachu Hydropower Project 26 October, 2009 – With all major contracts tendered, construction of the 114 MW Dagachu hydropower project officially began on October 1, six months behind schedule. “The Hindustan construction company (HCC) has begun …    [read more]

Sharing an appreciation for poetry – Kuensel Online
When writing commentaries and appreciations as part of the many lesson plans he made, little did K C Jose, an English poetry teacher, realize that his work would be published. “On the Flute’s Rapture” is a compilation of those appreciation and …    [read more]

GM to roll out mini car in December – Indian Express
After the recent launch of Chevrolet Cruz in the country, General Motors India is now ready to roll out its new mini car in two months from Talegaon plant, which will co-exist along Chevrolet Spark in the bottom of the price pyramid at Rs 4 lakh …    [read more]

‘Just 121 adult tigers left’ – Himalayan Times
KATHMANDU: Despite the alarming rate of decrease in tiger population, the government has announced a highly ambitious plan to double the number of tigers in a decade. According to a 2009 estimate, adult tigers number 121 in the nation. Deepak Bohora …    [read more]

PTC India net dips to Rs 31 crore – Economic Times
Power Trading Corporation (PTC) India announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The company has posted a net profit of Rs 30.8 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared with Rs 32.7 crore for …    [read more]

Seven Asian countries discuss water cooperation in UAE – New Kerala
Government officials, politicians and water experts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan participated in the conference. The theme of the meeting was “First International Conference on Southern Asia Water Cooperation    [read more]

SIDA DG calls on PM Hasina – TradingMarkets.com
The assurance came when SIDA Director-General Anders Nordstrom paid a call on the Prime Minister at her Grand Hotel suite in the Swedish capital on Wednesday afternoon (local time), as she started her five-day tour of Sweden. The burning issues of …    [read more]

Year-end bookings help airlines, hotels beat blues – Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Air travel and hotel bookings for the year-end holiday season have picked up, providing further proof that economy is looking up. While international carriers have advance booking for nearly half of their seats for the December-January …    [read more]

Bangladesh ranks low in South Asia mobile use – The Daily Star
Bangladesh’s mobile penetration rate stood at 28 percent in 2008 lagging behind war-ravaged Afghanistan’s 29 percent in South Asia, according to a regional report. “Of course, the fact that Afghanistan is ahead of Bangladesh in mobile penetration …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Cordyceps – Layap golden goose
Legalising the collection of yartsa goenbub was like winning the lottery
The Laya village

26 October, 2009 – Dressed in mathra gho and sneakers, Gou, 45 is on his way to Punakha. Unlike many Layaps, who spend the winter in Punakha trading and working for others, Gou is on his way to complete some formalities to buy fixed assets.    [read more]

Mobile porn clips circulating fast
Authorities wait for complaints to crack down

26 October, 2009 – Several Bhutanese amateur clips, containing sexually explicit scenes, are fast circulating in the capital, causing concern to parents and authorities.    [read more]

Ventilators out of wind
A life critical system is futile without a trained ICU team

26 October, 2009 – Bhutan’s regional hospitals are equipped with ventilators, an indispensable machine used to help patients in a critical condition to breathe. But the machines are hardly used, say doctors.    [read more]

P/ling Nazhoen Pelri wins plaudits
26 October, 2009 – The Nazhoen Pelri youth hostel in Phuentsholing has come to the rescue of youth on a tight budget and without relatives in town ever since it was established last year.    [read more]

Friendship expedition
Major General Gyan Bhushan flags off the expedition

26 October, 2009 – The Indo-Bhutan joint cycling expedition comprising of 21 participants from the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), Indian Military team and a battalion of Indian Army was flagged off from the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) headquarters in Lungtenphu, yesterday.
   [read more]

6 months late, work begins
36 month deadline to complete civil works
The recently built access road winds down to the site of the Dagachu project in Khebisa gewog, Dagana

Dagachu Hydropower Project 26 October, 2009 –

With all major contracts tendered, construction of the 114 MW Dagachu hydropower project officially began on October 1, six months behind schedule.    [read more]

Changjiji’s computer for kids
DIT’s pilot ‘hole-in-the-wall’ project will come into operation this December

26 October, 2009 – n additional to recreational equipment like swings and slides, computers, too, could soon become part of a children’s playground in Bhutan.    [read more]

Sharing an appreciation for poetry
Book Review 26 October, 2009 –

Title: On The Flutes Rapture
Author: K C Jose
No. of pages: 236 pages
Price: Rs 175
Available at Zimbuds

When writing commentaries and appreciations as part of the many lesson plans he made, little did K C Jose, an English poetry teacher, realize that his work would be published.    [read more]

What global warming boils down to
26 October, 2009 – Climate change is a hot topic as it should be, considering it’s about mother earth warming to a level that can no longer support life.
   [read more]

How Drukyul decided
Book Review 25 October, 2009 –


Title : Drukyul Decides: In the minds of Bhutanese voters

Number of pages: 378

Author: Gyambo Sithey and Dr Tandi Dorji

Publisher: Centre for Research Initiative

ISBN: 978-99936-775-0-5

Price: Nu 719

Many people have a ready answer on why Bhutan voted the way they did in the country’s first general elections in March 2008, giving the ruling government 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

HM graces the Sherubtse Convocation
His Majesty the King graced the Twelfth Convocation of Sherubtse College on October 22 2009,at Kanglung in Trashigang
His Majesty the King arrived in the evening, having walked through Narang and Durung gewogs visiting the houses and families affected by the earthquake. His Majesty told the graduates that, for such an important day in their lives, [...]    [read more]

Paradox of Bhutan’s potato export
Local consumers are bearing the brunt of the irony of Bhutan’s vegetable export.
To understand the irony better, here is the case of Lam Dorji, a potato farmer and exporter from Dhur in Bumthang. Lam Dorji had a good potato harvest this year. Keeping a small quantity for family consumption, he transported his harvest to Phuentsholing [...]    [read more]

Book fair opens in Thimphu
The 3rd National Book Fair was held at the Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School ground on Wednesday where 18 publishing houses put up stalls where a range of fictive, academic and graphics books are on display.
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection,” the banner reads, urging visitors and participants to inculcate vigorous reading habit and to [...]    [read more]

Disaster victims receive compensation
The victims of the September 21 earthquake and the September 28 windstorm in Pemagatshel have started receiving compensation from the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan.
The quake that damaged 295 houses in Pemagatshel cost RICB Nu 3.98 million and the windstorm that damaged 14 houses cost the insurance company Nu 130,000 as compensation for rural insurance [...]    [read more]

Inter-departmental football
The Inter-departmental football tournament which is underway at Changjiji football ground in Thimphu is witnessing exciting football every day.
On Tuesday Friends United won 8-1 against Bhutan Telecom. The first goal of the match was scored in the fifth minute by Bhutan Telecom’s Jigme Gyeltshen.
After two minutes, Friends United’s Subba scored an equalizer. After that, Friends [...]    [read more]

Congratulations Bhutan
Sir,
When a “giant” country like India slips down six places from 128 to 134 in the United Nation’s Human Development Index 2009, the “tiny” Bhutan gains in the rankings from 135 to 131, which is indeed a laudable achievement. However, this is hardly surprising since the country believes in measuring its prosperity by the unique [...]    [read more]

What quality of education are we looking at?
The 45% pay rise in 2004 thrilled the civil servants, but much to the chagrin of teachers, the ‘pay rise’ nullified their teaching allowance. It was then followed by uproar of low teachers’ morale and deteriorating quality of education, the debate of which even went to Bhutan’s highest law making body, Tshogdu Chenmo. “Teachers are [...]    [read more]

A Visit to the Book Fair in Thimphu
The book fair under way in Thimphu has good things to show. First, it is organized in the precinct of a secondary school, so students, teachers, parents, and other members of the public can walk into the eighteen odd stalls set up on a luxurious location of the school’s playground. There is enough elbowroom for [...]    [read more]

Golf Coronation Cup
For golf enthusiasts across the country, it is time to get ready. The Amankora Coronation Cup will be held from October 31 to November 1. The Coronation Cup is an open tournament and any interested individual can participate in it.
According to the tournament secretary, the purpose of this tournament is to encourage golf and to [...]    [read more]

Two more chorten vandals arrested
Following the arrest of two men in connection with vandalism of four chortens in Yurung, Pemagatshel on the night of August 27, two more men were arrested by the police recently.
Thirty six- year-old Kelzang Phuntsho from Radhi, Trashigang, was nabbed by Samdrup Jongkhar police while 40-year-old Karma Choeda from Gomdar, Samdrup Jongkhar, was arrested by [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 25 October 2009

October 25, 2009 - From

International Sources

Chawla starts Bhutan visit Monday – SamayLive
New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla will start his four-day official visit to Bhutan Monday, his office said here. “The visit is at the invitation of Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Kunzang Wangdi and the main focus of the visit …    [read more]

Did you know? – Detroit Free Press
When Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned king of Bhutan at age 28 in 2008, he became the world’s youngest king. Hippos stay in the water to keep cool because they are unable to sweat. At age 69, Ronald Reagan became the oldest person elected U …    [read more]

How Drukyul decided – Kuensel Online
Many people have a ready answer on why Bhutan voted the way they did in the country’s first general elections in March 2008, giving the ruling government 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly. But there is a general reluctance to come on …    [read more]

Tsirang’s X-ray machine gone bust – Kuensel Online
25 October, 2009 – Patients suffering from suspected fracture and dislocation, injury to bone and some chronic chest pains in Tsirang have reasons to worry. With the X-ray machine in the hospital lying defunct for the last month and a half, patients …    [read more]

India pursuing to use Bangladesh port for Tripura – New Kerala
Official sources here today said Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni had also agreed in principle to the proposal during her last visit to India. The move had been initiated as the existing Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-44) was not capable of …    [read more]

Melting of Himalayan Glaciers Poses Threat to Entire South Asia – Med India
Melting of the Himalayan glaciers that is threatening the kingdom of Bhutan will adversely affect the entire South Asian region, a new report has indicated. According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in …    [read more]

Raja launches India Post’s two new services – Indolink
MO Videsh was an offering in the field of international remittance services, which would be the first outward remittance service from the Department, barring the paper based money order service that existed towards Nepal and Bhutan, India Post …    [read more]

DU college to host international economics students’ summit – Hindu
NEW DELHI: Sri Venkateswara College of Delhi University in association with a think tank, Development Alternatives, and non-profit organisation Green Peace India is organising its three-day annual international economics students’ summit …    [read more]

Raja launches India Post’s two new services – Press Trust of India
Coimbatore, Oct 24 (PTI) Union Communication and IT Minister A Raja today launched India Post’s two new services – MO Videsh and Flat Rate Boxes. MO Videsh was an offering in the field of international remittance services, which would be the first …    [read more]

Paro electoral y dimisión – Bolpress
Warning : Unknown(): The session id contains invalid characters, valid characters are only a-z, A-Z and 0-9 in Unknown on line 0 Warning : Unknown(): Failed to write session data (files). Please verify that the current setting of session.save_path is …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

How Drukyul decided
Book Review 25 October, 2009 –


Title : Drukyul Decides: In the minds of Bhutanese voters

Number of pages: 378

Author: Gyambo Sithey and Dr Tandi Dorji

Publisher: Centre for Research Initiative

ISBN: 978-99936-775-0-5

Price: Nu 719

Many people have a ready answer on why Bhutan voted the way they did in the country’s first general elections in March 2008, giving the ruling government 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly.    [read more]

Back from the jaws of death
Dengue patient, who ‘died’ en route to Thimphu from Gelephu, is recovering in ICU

25 October, 2009 – His pulse was weak and thready. His face had turned blue and the blood pressure had dropped to an unrecordable low. He was, according to his relatives and wife “dead” for about an hour.
   [read more]

Media has to find the happy medium
25 October, 2009 –
The conflict between the management and the editorial team of the Bhutan Times newspaper, which resulted in the resignation of six of its reporters and an editor, has brought into focus an issue that will come up more often in the future.
   [read more]

Tsirang’s X-ray machine gone bust
No response from ministry even after a month

25 October, 2009 – Patients suffering from suspected fracture and dislocation, injury to bone and some chronic chest pains in Tsirang have reasons to worry.    [read more]

Internship – Passport to Employment
Getting on the job training pays off, with or without pay


Experience work 24 October, 2009 –
A newspaper advertisement about a job vacancy reads: “Applications welcome from fresh graduates”, and further down it continues, “Minimum five years experience required”. Now, the irony of the situation is how does a fresh graduate get five years experience in the specified field of work? While the puzzle is yet to be solved, it’s obvious what employers want. Work experience!    [read more]

His Majesty visits Wamrong
24 October, 2009 –
Meeting the people of Wamrong town who were
affected by the October 8 fire, His Majesty said
yesterday that he was deeply saddened by the
accident.
   [read more]

Rock bolt breakdown
Stabilising feature fails to
stay in place
Each rock bolt is 15 m in length and weighs more than 15 kgs

Tala Hydropower Project24 October, 2009 –

Large steel rock bolts that
are supposed to stabilise and
hold up walls and roofs of the
underground powerhouse of
the 1020 MW Tala hydroelectric
project are coming out
in some places, threatening
the safety of workers and the
infrastructure itself.
   [read more]

Dark clouds’ silver lining
Tshampa Tashi lost Nu 7.8 m in goods and cash in Wamrong fire

Wamrong Fire Update24 October, 2009 –

More than Nu 23.988 million worth of goods, cash and valuable items, had gone up in smoke during the October 8 fire incident in Wamrong town, according to an assessment report prepared by a team from Trashigang dzongkhag and Wamrong dungkhag officials.
   [read more]

Quake costs 10th Plan
23 October, 2009 – The September 21 earthquake has cost the government Nu 2.5 billion and could delay programmes in the 10th Plan, which is already short by Nu 4.8b for the second year (2009-2010) of the plan period.
   [read more]

Throms – A thorny issue
Differences arise over fine print between MoWHS and the Land Commission

23 October, 2009 – The country’s urbanisation process had been impeded and future dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes could be delayed because of a difference in the interpretation of rules by the works and human settlement ministry (MoWHS) and the Land Commission.

   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Congratulations Bhutan
Sir,
When a “giant” country like India slips down six places from 128 to 134 in the United Nation’s Human Development Index 2009, the “tiny” Bhutan gains in the rankings from 135 to 131, which is indeed a laudable achievement. However, this is hardly surprising since the country believes in measuring its prosperity by the unique [...]    [read more]

What quality of education are we looking at?
The 45% pay rise in 2004 thrilled the civil servants, but much to the chagrin of teachers, the ‘pay rise’ nullified their teaching allowance. It was then followed by uproar of low teachers’ morale and deteriorating quality of education, the debate of which even went to Bhutan’s highest law making body, Tshogdu Chenmo. “Teachers are [...]    [read more]

A Visit to the Book Fair in Thimphu
The book fair under way in Thimphu has good things to show. First, it is organized in the precinct of a secondary school, so students, teachers, parents, and other members of the public can walk into the eighteen odd stalls set up on a luxurious location of the school’s playground. There is enough elbowroom for [...]    [read more]

Golf Coronation Cup
For golf enthusiasts across the country, it is time to get ready. The Amankora Coronation Cup will be held from October 31 to November 1. The Coronation Cup is an open tournament and any interested individual can participate in it.
According to the tournament secretary, the purpose of this tournament is to encourage golf and to [...]    [read more]

Two more chorten vandals arrested
Following the arrest of two men in connection with vandalism of four chortens in Yurung, Pemagatshel on the night of August 27, two more men were arrested by the police recently.
Thirty six- year-old Kelzang Phuntsho from Radhi, Trashigang, was nabbed by Samdrup Jongkhar police while 40-year-old Karma Choeda from Gomdar, Samdrup Jongkhar, was arrested by [...]    [read more]

BDFC to start group lending scheme
Starting November, Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited (BDFCL) will start financing 500 micro businesses, not on collateral as in the past, but on a group lending scheme.
Loan amount of Nu 100,000 would be provided at an interest rate of 10 percent a year for a period of five years.
The ‘group guarantee lending saving scheme programme’ [...]    [read more]

Younglings migrate, oldies guard, vandals laugh!
   [read more]

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Popularity of doegor on the wane
Doegor, once a popular traditional sport is on the verge of becoming a game of the past. Each year, the number of people playing doegor, which involves throwing circular stones at two different fixed points about 50 to 60 feet apart, is decreasing. Many say that the traditional game, in the absence of any organised [...]    [read more]

When the King cooks for children
His Majesty the King visited Thangrong Primary School in Mongar on October 18 where he talked with the children and cooked dinner for them. Students described the dinner comprising six dishes as a ‘special dinner’ because it was cooked for them by their King.
His Majesty brought home the importance of education by telling the students [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 24 October 2009

October 24, 2009 - From

International Sources

His Majesty visits Wamrong – Kuensel Online
“I cannot ask you to stop weeping or grieving, because I know you feel so much hurt and pain. But I can tell you that we will begin to rebuild your lives immediately,” said His Majesty. “Our country is special because we are all like a family …    [read more]

Waziristan Operation – Chowk
For the 1st time you have said something sensible. After having many useless discussions with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (who in our case can never be accused of patriotism) and the Idiotic top brass of the Indian army on why India is doing what it …    [read more]

Celebrating recovery, pretty in pink – Durango Herald
From left, Petie Jenkins, Dr. Leanne Jordan, Dr. Jesse Hutt, Abbey Flint and Marty Monn make their entrance as models at The Pink Ribbon Affair, which was held on Oct. 16 at the DoubleTree Hotel. From left, B.J. Boucher and Carol McGuire celebrate …    [read more]

Segatoys Robot Dreamchick is Your No Fuss, No Mess Pet – Inventorspot
The Dreamchick from Segatoys is the latest trendy toy from robot-crazy Japan! Designed to look and act like a fluffy yellow 3-day old baby chick, the Dreamchick responds to your touch and makes sad sounds when you ignore it. Betcha can’t buy just one …    [read more]

Inside Travel: When a hotel becomes a potent symbol – The Independent
Hotels can be more than just places to sleep and eat. The best can be worlds in themselves – indeed for many travellers hotels are their world while lodged in a distant, strange and perhaps dangerous land, and so become of huge importance. They are …    [read more]

Seven Asian countries discuss water cooperation in UAE – The Gaea Times
ABU DHABI – Officals of seven South Asian countries met here Oct 22-23 to promote water cooperation on the rivers of greater Himalayan region, WAM news agency reported. Government officials, politicians and water experts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh …    [read more]

EDITORIAL – A continuing struggle – Philippine Star Online
With fewer journalists being murdered, the Philippines rose a few notches in this year’s World Press Freedom Index. From 139th last year, the Philippines is now 122nd among 175 countries. For a democratic country, that’s still not much to crow …    [read more]

First ever women contingent of BSF deployed on Indo-Bangladesh border – The Gaea Times
HARIDASPUR BOP – The first ever women contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) has been deployed along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. These women BSF constables are not only trained and deployed along the Indo-Bangladesh, but Indo …    [read more]

Dalai Lama to Visit Indian Region Claimed by China – New York Times
The Dalai Lama, 74, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, is expected to visit Arunachal Pradesh from Nov. 8 to Nov. 15, the official said in an e-mail message. China considers the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala …    [read more]

China irked by Dalai Lama’s plan to visit Tibetan Buddhist region – sign on sandiego.com
BEIJING — Despite protests by the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama is going ahead with plans to visit a heavily militarized Tibetan Buddhist area in northeast India that is the focus of an intense territorial dispute between China and India, a …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Internship – Passport to Employment
Getting on the job training pays off, with or without pay


Experience work 24 October, 2009 –
A newspaper advertisement about a job vacancy reads: “Applications welcome from fresh graduates”, and further down it continues, “Minimum five years experience required”. Now, the irony of the situation is how does a fresh graduate get five years experience in the specified field of work? While the puzzle is yet to be solved, it’s obvious what employers want. Work experience!    [read more]

His Majesty visits Wamrong
24 October, 2009 –
Meeting the people of Wamrong town who were
affected by the October 8 fire, His Majesty said
yesterday that he was deeply saddened by the
accident.
   [read more]

Rock bolt breakdown
Stabilising feature fails to
stay in place
Each rock bolt is 15 m in length and weighs more than 15 kgs

Tala Hydropower Project24 October, 2009 –

Large steel rock bolts that
are supposed to stabilise and
hold up walls and roofs of the
underground powerhouse of
the 1020 MW Tala hydroelectric
project are coming out
in some places, threatening
the safety of workers and the
infrastructure itself.
   [read more]

Dark clouds’ silver lining
Tshampa Tashi lost Nu 7.8 m in goods and cash in Wamrong fire

Wamrong Fire Update24 October, 2009 –

More than Nu 23.988 million worth of goods, cash and valuable items, had gone up in smoke during the October 8 fire incident in Wamrong town, according to an assessment report prepared by a team from Trashigang dzongkhag and Wamrong dungkhag officials.
   [read more]

Quake costs 10th Plan
23 October, 2009 – The September 21 earthquake has cost the government Nu 2.5 billion and could delay programmes in the 10th Plan, which is already short by Nu 4.8b for the second year (2009-2010) of the plan period.
   [read more]

Throms – A thorny issue
Differences arise over fine print between MoWHS and the Land Commission

23 October, 2009 – The country’s urbanisation process had been impeded and future dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes could be delayed because of a difference in the interpretation of rules by the works and human settlement ministry (MoWHS) and the Land Commission.

   [read more]

His Majesty graces Shercol convocation
23 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King awarded degree certificates to over 420 graduates of 2006 and 2007 in Sherubtse college yesterday during its 12th convocation ceremony.

   [read more]

Troubled Bhutan Times
Irreconcilable differences with management lead to editorial staff resignations

23 October, 2009 – More than two weeks after the weekly Bhutan Times (BT), the first privately owned newspaper in Bhutan, declared a loss of Nu 5.39 million and underwent a change of management, its editor and six of its 12 reporters resigned yesterday, citing “persistent editorial interference from the management”.    [read more]

Tsirang’s fourth Moenlam Chenmo
GREAT PRAYER CEREMONY: Tsirang dzongda Pemba Wangchuk in attendance to His Holiness the Je Khenpo

23 October, 2009 – His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choeda will be conducting a five-day Moenlam Chenmo (Great Prayer ceremony) in Tsirang from today.

   [read more]

Austria funds flood relief
23 October, 2009 – The Austrian coordination office for development is contributing 500,000 euros (about Nu 34m) to mitigate the disaster caused by the May 2009 floods. The grant agreement will be signed today.
   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Golf Coronation Cup
For golf enthusiasts across the country, it is time to get ready. The Amankora Coronation Cup will be held from October 31 to November 1. The Coronation Cup is an open tournament and any interested individual can participate in it.
According to the tournament secretary, the purpose of this tournament is to encourage golf and to [...]    [read more]

Two more chorten vandals arrested
Following the arrest of two men in connection with vandalism of four chortens in Yurung, Pemagatshel on the night of August 27, two more men were arrested by the police recently.
Thirty six- year-old Kelzang Phuntsho from Radhi, Trashigang, was nabbed by Samdrup Jongkhar police while 40-year-old Karma Choeda from Gomdar, Samdrup Jongkhar, was arrested by [...]    [read more]

BDFC to start group lending scheme
Starting November, Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited (BDFCL) will start financing 500 micro businesses, not on collateral as in the past, but on a group lending scheme.
Loan amount of Nu 100,000 would be provided at an interest rate of 10 percent a year for a period of five years.
The ‘group guarantee lending saving scheme programme’ [...]    [read more]

Younglings migrate, oldies guard, vandals laugh!
   [read more]

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Popularity of doegor on the wane
Doegor, once a popular traditional sport is on the verge of becoming a game of the past. Each year, the number of people playing doegor, which involves throwing circular stones at two different fixed points about 50 to 60 feet apart, is decreasing. Many say that the traditional game, in the absence of any organised [...]    [read more]

When the King cooks for children
His Majesty the King visited Thangrong Primary School in Mongar on October 18 where he talked with the children and cooked dinner for them. Students described the dinner comprising six dishes as a ‘special dinner’ because it was cooked for them by their King.
His Majesty brought home the importance of education by telling the students [...]    [read more]

In peace, the King sleeps
October 18. Kencho’s family in Thangrong, Mongar, was preparing for another night in the open when His Majesty visited their partially damaged house. It was 4 pm. And one of the attendants told Kencho that His Majesty would come to spend the night in his house. Kencho thought it was a joke.
At 10 pm that [...]    [read more]

Army rebuild homes
RBA officers and soldiers are rebuilding homes across the region devastated by the September 21 earthquake at the command of His Majesty the King.
Among the first people to reach affected areas, the soldiers are currently helping the villagers salvage timbers from damaged houses to be used for rebuilding.
The Chief of Army said the RBA had [...]    [read more]

BT news team walk out
Six reporters and the editor of Bhutan Times walked out on the new management yesterday afternoon after tendering their resignation. Gopilal Acharya, the editor, said the editorial team was resigning en masse because of persistent editorial interference from the management. “We are resigning primarily to protect independent journalism in Bhutan and to live up to [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 23 October 2009

October 23, 2009 - From

International Sources

Dalai Lama to Visit Indian Region Claimed by China – New York Times
The Dalai Lama, 74, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, is expected to visit Arunachal Pradesh from Nov. 8 to Nov. 15, the official said in an e-mail message. China considers the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala …    [read more]

Troubled Bhutan Times – Kuensel Online
23 October, 2009 – More than two weeks after the weekly Bhutan Times (BT), the first privately owned newspaper in Bhutan, declared a loss of Nu 5.39 million and underwent a change of management, its editor and six of its 12 reporters resigned …    [read more]

Austria funds flood relief – Kuensel Online
23 October, 2009 – The Austrian coordination office for development is contributing 500,000 euros (about Nu 34m) to mitigate the disaster caused by the May 2009 floods. The grant agreement will be signed today. The assistance shall focus on providing …    [read more]

Merritt Parkway bridges getting facelift – Connecticut Post
Earlier this month, the World Monument Fund released its “2010 Watch List” for sites around the globe in need of preservation and care. Among the winners: Machu Picchu in Peru, monasteries in the mountains of Bhutan, ancient castles in the deserts of …    [read more]

ICIMOD and IGES Agree a Strategic Partnership for Climate Change … – PR Inside
research on climate change, water, and forestry issues in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region has abundant natural diversity, it is also likely to be severely affected by climate change. IGES and ICIMOD will implement …    [read more]

Bhutan: The Land of the ‘Thundering Dragon’ – Economic Times
We were on our way to the mystic, eastern Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. It robustly calls itself the Land of the Thundering Dragon, but quite paradoxically, is a haven of peace nestled between fractious neighbours China, India and Nepal! This serene …    [read more]

Save the tiger conference in Nepal – Gulf Times
With the natural habitat of the tiger shrinking and food becoming scarce, driving it to the brink of extinction, wildlife experts from 20 countries are gathering here next week to formulate a strategy to save the big cats. Nepal, along with India …    [read more]

Watch If You Can: Videos From ‘World’s Scariest Runways’ – NPR News
Probably many have gone in and out of Washington’s Reagan National Airport and New York City’s JFK, which are on T+L ‘s list. But maybe not Paro Airport in Bhutan or Toncont??n Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, which also made the list. T+L has some …    [read more]

Call for common telecoms network in Saarc – Bangladesh News 24 hours
Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com)–Telecoms officials have called for a common network among the Saarc countries and reduced call charge on the second of the South Asian Mobile Summit on Thursday. They recommended shared land, tower, antenna and other …    [read more]

China, India Forge Alternative to UN Climate Treaty (Update3) – Bloomberg
Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) — China and India’s joint plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions gives the developing world an alternative to the climate treaty that wealthier nations want them to sign in Copenhagen, analysts said. Asia’s two biggest …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Quake costs 10th Plan
23 October, 2009 – The September 21 earthquake has cost the government Nu 2.5 billion and could delay programmes in the 10th Plan, which is already short by Nu 4.8b for the second year (2009-2010) of the plan period.
   [read more]

Throms – A thorny issue
Differences arise over fine print between MoWHS and the Land Commission

23 October, 2009 – The country’s urbanisation process had been impeded and future dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes could be delayed because of a difference in the interpretation of rules by the works and human settlement ministry (MoWHS) and the Land Commission.

   [read more]

His Majesty graces Shercol convocation
23 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King awarded degree certificates to over 420 graduates of 2006 and 2007 in Sherubtse college yesterday during its 12th convocation ceremony.

   [read more]

Troubled Bhutan Times
Irreconcilable differences with management lead to editorial staff resignations

23 October, 2009 – More than two weeks after the weekly Bhutan Times (BT), the first privately owned newspaper in Bhutan, declared a loss of Nu 5.39 million and underwent a change of management, its editor and six of its 12 reporters resigned yesterday, citing “persistent editorial interference from the management”.    [read more]

Tsirang’s fourth Moenlam Chenmo
GREAT PRAYER CEREMONY: Tsirang dzongda Pemba Wangchuk in attendance to His Holiness the Je Khenpo

23 October, 2009 – His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choeda will be conducting a five-day Moenlam Chenmo (Great Prayer ceremony) in Tsirang from today.

   [read more]

Austria funds flood relief
23 October, 2009 – The Austrian coordination office for development is contributing 500,000 euros (about Nu 34m) to mitigate the disaster caused by the May 2009 floods. The grant agreement will be signed today.
   [read more]

Scanning GNH
23 October, 2009 – one of the strongest arguments for GNH is that economic growth does not always bring with it happiness. Economic growth is not important. But GNH needs it, nonetheless, for it to be workable. But economic development must not become blind capitalism or excessive greed for consumerism. How do you ensure that is the case?
   [read more]

Thromdes much in demand
MoWHS has had to axe most of the sites proposed

22 October, 2009 – The ministry of works and human settlement (MoWHS) has come up with a tentative list of dzongkhag thromdes and dzongkhag yenlag thromdes (see box), based on the criteria set by the local government bill, 2009.
   [read more]

Minor victims of multiple rapes
22 October, 2009 – Police in Dagapela this week arrested four men for allegedly “abducting and molesting” two students, aged 15 and 16.
   [read more]

His Majesty visits Narang
The Narang BHU constructed in 2006-2007 was completely damaged by the September 21 earthquake. His Majesty visited Narang village yesterday.

22 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King yesterday visited the affected families at their homes in Narang gewog, Mongar, where five people, including two minors, were killed and 245 houses damaged by the September 21 earthquake.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Younglings migrate, oldies guard, vandals laugh!
   [read more]

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Popularity of doegor on the wane
Doegor, once a popular traditional sport is on the verge of becoming a game of the past. Each year, the number of people playing doegor, which involves throwing circular stones at two different fixed points about 50 to 60 feet apart, is decreasing. Many say that the traditional game, in the absence of any organised [...]    [read more]

When the King cooks for children
His Majesty the King visited Thangrong Primary School in Mongar on October 18 where he talked with the children and cooked dinner for them. Students described the dinner comprising six dishes as a ‘special dinner’ because it was cooked for them by their King.
His Majesty brought home the importance of education by telling the students [...]    [read more]

In peace, the King sleeps
October 18. Kencho’s family in Thangrong, Mongar, was preparing for another night in the open when His Majesty visited their partially damaged house. It was 4 pm. And one of the attendants told Kencho that His Majesty would come to spend the night in his house. Kencho thought it was a joke.
At 10 pm that [...]    [read more]

Army rebuild homes
RBA officers and soldiers are rebuilding homes across the region devastated by the September 21 earthquake at the command of His Majesty the King.
Among the first people to reach affected areas, the soldiers are currently helping the villagers salvage timbers from damaged houses to be used for rebuilding.
The Chief of Army said the RBA had [...]    [read more]

BT news team walk out
Six reporters and the editor of Bhutan Times walked out on the new management yesterday afternoon after tendering their resignation. Gopilal Acharya, the editor, said the editorial team was resigning en masse because of persistent editorial interference from the management. “We are resigning primarily to protect independent journalism in Bhutan and to live up to [...]    [read more]

Why the unending scuffle?
The recent scuffle between Norzin Lam pavement vegetable sellers and Thimphu City Corporation inspectors is not a new city phenomenon. It evokes the memories of several such scuffles between vegetable sellers and government inspectors. By now, both the vendors and City officials know one another very well. The former know that it is illegal to [...]    [read more]

OAG short of lawyers
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is faced with shortage of lawyers which leads to the delay in carrying out its responsibilities.
According to Attorney General Rinzin Penjor, if the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) still sticks to have a compact and efficient human resource, it would not be compatible with the requirement of the [...]    [read more]

Disasters under spiritual microscope
In the wake of a series of natural disasters this year, Bhutanese people are beginning to look at the national misfortune through religious and spiritual points of view, above and beyond the more palpable scientific reasons.
An astrologer from the Pangrizampa School of Astrology in Thimphu reminds the nation that the Earth Female Ox year, 2009, [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 23 October 2009

October 23, 2009 - From

International Sources

Dalai Lama to Visit Indian Region Claimed by China – New York Times
The Dalai Lama, 74, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, is expected to visit Arunachal Pradesh from Nov. 8 to Nov. 15, the official said in an e-mail message. China considers the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala …    [read more]

Troubled Bhutan Times – Kuensel Online
23 October, 2009 – More than two weeks after the weekly Bhutan Times (BT), the first privately owned newspaper in Bhutan, declared a loss of Nu 5.39 million and underwent a change of management, its editor and six of its 12 reporters resigned …    [read more]

Austria funds flood relief – Kuensel Online
23 October, 2009 – The Austrian coordination office for development is contributing 500,000 euros (about Nu 34m) to mitigate the disaster caused by the May 2009 floods. The grant agreement will be signed today. The assistance shall focus on providing …    [read more]

Merritt Parkway bridges getting facelift – Connecticut Post
Earlier this month, the World Monument Fund released its “2010 Watch List” for sites around the globe in need of preservation and care. Among the winners: Machu Picchu in Peru, monasteries in the mountains of Bhutan, ancient castles in the deserts of …    [read more]

ICIMOD and IGES Agree a Strategic Partnership for Climate Change … – PR Inside
research on climate change, water, and forestry issues in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region has abundant natural diversity, it is also likely to be severely affected by climate change. IGES and ICIMOD will implement …    [read more]

Bhutan: The Land of the ‘Thundering Dragon’ – Economic Times
We were on our way to the mystic, eastern Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. It robustly calls itself the Land of the Thundering Dragon, but quite paradoxically, is a haven of peace nestled between fractious neighbours China, India and Nepal! This serene …    [read more]

Save the tiger conference in Nepal – Gulf Times
With the natural habitat of the tiger shrinking and food becoming scarce, driving it to the brink of extinction, wildlife experts from 20 countries are gathering here next week to formulate a strategy to save the big cats. Nepal, along with India …    [read more]

Watch If You Can: Videos From ‘World’s Scariest Runways’ – NPR News
Probably many have gone in and out of Washington’s Reagan National Airport and New York City’s JFK, which are on T+L ‘s list. But maybe not Paro Airport in Bhutan or Toncont??n Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, which also made the list. T+L has some …    [read more]

Call for common telecoms network in Saarc – Bangladesh News 24 hours
Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com)–Telecoms officials have called for a common network among the Saarc countries and reduced call charge on the second of the South Asian Mobile Summit on Thursday. They recommended shared land, tower, antenna and other …    [read more]

China, India Forge Alternative to UN Climate Treaty (Update3) – Bloomberg
Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) — China and India’s joint plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions gives the developing world an alternative to the climate treaty that wealthier nations want them to sign in Copenhagen, analysts said. Asia’s two biggest …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Quake costs 10th Plan
23 October, 2009 – The September 21 earthquake has cost the government Nu 2.5 billion and could delay programmes in the 10th Plan, which is already short by Nu 4.8b for the second year (2009-2010) of the plan period.
   [read more]

Throms – A thorny issue
Differences arise over fine print between MoWHS and the Land Commission

23 October, 2009 – The country’s urbanisation process had been impeded and future dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes could be delayed because of a difference in the interpretation of rules by the works and human settlement ministry (MoWHS) and the Land Commission.

   [read more]

His Majesty graces Shercol convocation
23 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King awarded degree certificates to over 420 graduates of 2006 and 2007 in Sherubtse college yesterday during its 12th convocation ceremony.

   [read more]

Troubled Bhutan Times
Irreconcilable differences with management lead to editorial staff resignations

23 October, 2009 – More than two weeks after the weekly Bhutan Times (BT), the first privately owned newspaper in Bhutan, declared a loss of Nu 5.39 million and underwent a change of management, its editor and six of its 12 reporters resigned yesterday, citing “persistent editorial interference from the management”.    [read more]

Tsirang’s fourth Moenlam Chenmo
GREAT PRAYER CEREMONY: Tsirang dzongda Pemba Wangchuk in attendance to His Holiness the Je Khenpo

23 October, 2009 – His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choeda will be conducting a five-day Moenlam Chenmo (Great Prayer ceremony) in Tsirang from today.

   [read more]

Austria funds flood relief
23 October, 2009 – The Austrian coordination office for development is contributing 500,000 euros (about Nu 34m) to mitigate the disaster caused by the May 2009 floods. The grant agreement will be signed today.
   [read more]

Scanning GNH
23 October, 2009 – one of the strongest arguments for GNH is that economic growth does not always bring with it happiness. Economic growth is not important. But GNH needs it, nonetheless, for it to be workable. But economic development must not become blind capitalism or excessive greed for consumerism. How do you ensure that is the case?
   [read more]

Thromdes much in demand
MoWHS has had to axe most of the sites proposed

22 October, 2009 – The ministry of works and human settlement (MoWHS) has come up with a tentative list of dzongkhag thromdes and dzongkhag yenlag thromdes (see box), based on the criteria set by the local government bill, 2009.
   [read more]

Minor victims of multiple rapes
22 October, 2009 – Police in Dagapela this week arrested four men for allegedly “abducting and molesting” two students, aged 15 and 16.
   [read more]

His Majesty visits Narang
The Narang BHU constructed in 2006-2007 was completely damaged by the September 21 earthquake. His Majesty visited Narang village yesterday.

22 October, 2009 – His Majesty the King yesterday visited the affected families at their homes in Narang gewog, Mongar, where five people, including two minors, were killed and 245 houses damaged by the September 21 earthquake.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Younglings migrate, oldies guard, vandals laugh!
   [read more]

Ap Tsara speaks…
Wai! You know, some questions about Bhutan are always hard to answer, or, rather impossible to answer. Recently, a western journalist asked me, “Why is it that promotion of Dzongkha is on everybody’s lips but English is widely used?” Lost, I blurted, “Maybe it’s like the pious mouth saying a prayer and greedy hands pilfering.”
An [...]    [read more]

Popularity of doegor on the wane
Doegor, once a popular traditional sport is on the verge of becoming a game of the past. Each year, the number of people playing doegor, which involves throwing circular stones at two different fixed points about 50 to 60 feet apart, is decreasing. Many say that the traditional game, in the absence of any organised [...]    [read more]

When the King cooks for children
His Majesty the King visited Thangrong Primary School in Mongar on October 18 where he talked with the children and cooked dinner for them. Students described the dinner comprising six dishes as a ‘special dinner’ because it was cooked for them by their King.
His Majesty brought home the importance of education by telling the students [...]    [read more]

In peace, the King sleeps
October 18. Kencho’s family in Thangrong, Mongar, was preparing for another night in the open when His Majesty visited their partially damaged house. It was 4 pm. And one of the attendants told Kencho that His Majesty would come to spend the night in his house. Kencho thought it was a joke.
At 10 pm that [...]    [read more]

Army rebuild homes
RBA officers and soldiers are rebuilding homes across the region devastated by the September 21 earthquake at the command of His Majesty the King.
Among the first people to reach affected areas, the soldiers are currently helping the villagers salvage timbers from damaged houses to be used for rebuilding.
The Chief of Army said the RBA had [...]    [read more]

BT news team walk out
Six reporters and the editor of Bhutan Times walked out on the new management yesterday afternoon after tendering their resignation. Gopilal Acharya, the editor, said the editorial team was resigning en masse because of persistent editorial interference from the management. “We are resigning primarily to protect independent journalism in Bhutan and to live up to [...]    [read more]

Why the unending scuffle?
The recent scuffle between Norzin Lam pavement vegetable sellers and Thimphu City Corporation inspectors is not a new city phenomenon. It evokes the memories of several such scuffles between vegetable sellers and government inspectors. By now, both the vendors and City officials know one another very well. The former know that it is illegal to [...]    [read more]

OAG short of lawyers
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is faced with shortage of lawyers which leads to the delay in carrying out its responsibilities.
According to Attorney General Rinzin Penjor, if the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) still sticks to have a compact and efficient human resource, it would not be compatible with the requirement of the [...]    [read more]

Disasters under spiritual microscope
In the wake of a series of natural disasters this year, Bhutanese people are beginning to look at the national misfortune through religious and spiritual points of view, above and beyond the more palpable scientific reasons.
An astrologer from the Pangrizampa School of Astrology in Thimphu reminds the nation that the Earth Female Ox year, 2009, [...]    [read more]