International Sources
RP among National Geographic’s 25 travel destinations – Asianjournal.com
MANILA – The Philippines has been named by National Geographic as one of the “25 best new travel destinations in the world for 2010,†according to the Philippine embassy in Washington. In its November Adventure issue, the US publication cited the … [read more]
Report: N. Korea’s Kim rides on tricked-out trains – San Mateo Daily Journal
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il — known for shunning air travel — has six luxurious trains equipped with reception halls, conference rooms and high-tech communication facilities, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday … [read more]
India limits media on contentious Dalai Lama trip – San Mateo Daily Journal
TAWANG, India — Indian officials clamped down Monday on journalists covering the Dalai Lama’s trip to a disputed border area in an apparent effort to minimize tensions with neighboring China. China has protested the Tibetan spiritual leader’s … [read more]
Tawang prays for Dalai Lama’s Tibet return – Phayul
Supporters wait on the road side for a glimpse of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, unseen, in Tawang in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, India, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. China has protested the Tibetan spiritual leader’s weeklong … [read more]
Rugby Development Enters Exciting Phase In Thailand – PRLog (free press release)
PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 10, 2009 – Phuket International Academy Sports, Arts & Wellness Centre (PIASAWC) and NZRugby Resources (NZRR), a NZ based rugby development company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Rugby Academy in … [read more]
Dhaka, Thimpu agree land, energy ties – Bangladesh News 24 hours
Dhaka, Nov 9 (bdnews24.com)—Bangladesh and Bhutan have agreed to explore land links and energy ties under the SAARC framework. The two countries agreed to “explore the possibility of land connectivity” to enhance trade and people-to-people contact … [read more]
New Defense Budget Bill Defines Attacks On Gays As Hate Crimes – Tothecenter.com
As of today, crimes based on gender or sexual orientation will be tried as hate-crimes in the United States. President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law, the culmination of a decade’s work to … [read more]
Somali Refugees in Nepal: Stuck in the Waiting Room – Time
Instead, when Hassan got off the plane, he found himself in the airport in Kathmandu, where a taxi took him and the trafficker, who was traveling with him, to a bustling tourist neighborhood in the Nepalese capital. “It was a strange place,” says … [read more]
Environment minister confident of carbon neutral declaration – Minivan News
In March, President Mohamed Nasheed announced plans to make the Maldives the first carbon neutral country in the world by switching … These include Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Kiribati, Barbados, Bhutan, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. [read more]
Oiling the wheels to a driving license – Kuensel Online
10 November, 2009 – Getting a driving license is quite a process and authorities are strict with procedures. First comes the learner’s license, which takes at least six months practice. Then there are the mandatory written and practical tests. But … [read more]
Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper
Indian media reports say Bhutan power projects too expensive
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| The Kurichu Project is one of the hydro power projects built on the inter-government model. |
10,000 MW Hydro Projects 10 November, 2009 –
According to a Times of India (ToI) news story, India’s investment in Bhutan’s 10,000 MW hydro projects could have an adverse impact on their annual budgetary provisions if it is in the ‘inter-government model,’ according to records of a recent meeting called by the Indian power sector officials. [read more]
Nepotism and bribes may provide a fast track to pave the way
10 November, 2009 – Getting a driving license is quite a process and authorities are strict with procedures. First comes the learner’s license, which takes at least six months practice. Then there are the mandatory written and practical tests. [read more]
10 November, 2009 – A suspect, who was brought from Trashigang to Thimphu, gave police the slip Sunday evening, soon after arriving in the capital. [read more]
Seven-year struggle to extend paid maternity leave yet to pay dividends
10 November, 2009 – The health ministry’s seven-year-old struggle to extend paid maternity leave is once more calling for attention from policy makers.
[read more]
10 November, 2009 – Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, and ‘Friends of Bhutan’, led by Dr Josef Riedmann, at the consecration ceremony of Pangrizampa Astrology School complex on November 7. ‘Friends of Bhutan’ had donated about Nu 22 million for the construction of the school complex
[read more]
Whichever may have come first, Budhiman Rai is minting from both chicken and egg
10 November, 2009 – Just before the government imposed its first ban on the import of poultry products in the country, a Pasakha farmer didn’t realise that what he was venturing into would become a successful business.
[read more]
Tshogpa to assist those unable to secure loans
Bajothang Township 10 November, 2009 –
Mired in controversy since the very beginning, 63 plots in the new Bajothang township in Wangduephodrang are still awaiting development. [read more]
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| Phon Ging Mai Ngern Thong (Thai): a dance created on the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s accession to the throne, is to wish the King happiness and good physical health. |
10 November, 2009 – “It goes without saying that our great kings have done a great deal for the development, happiness and well being of our respective countries and people. That is why you in Bhutan love and respect your great kings greatly, that is why we in Thailand love and respect our great king greatly, and that is why we have gathered here tonight,” said Thailand’s ambassador to Bhutan, Chalermpol Thanchitt. [read more]
10 November, 2009 – Urban planners were recently taken aback when they saw the list of proposed thromdes or yenlag thromdes from the dzongkhags. Some dzongkhags proposed five thromdes, while places like Gurgon in Lhuentse with just eight shops also want town status.
989 graduates are appearing the CSCE
9 November, 2009 – A total of 989 graduates who are appearing the 2009 civil service common examinations (CSCE) will be vying for the 336 vacancies in the civil service. [read more]
Bhutan Observer
Of unending lines at hospital
I just want to urge people not to compromise your health for the lines in the hospital. It would be very wise to take the pains of being in line but be healthy by being cautious, while we really hope and wait for a time when we have better facilities, better systems, more doctors and [...] [read more]
Knowing Phurpa Thinley better
I f humour could be found in an inexhaustible package, it should be him. He is funny and witty. The moment he opens his mouth, everybody breaks into a laughter.
Born in Talo in Punakha, Phurpa Thinley, 42, is the most popular comedian in the country. He has been in the film industry for almost two [...] [read more]
Quake early recovery costs Nu 87 m
The early recovery activities in the earthquake affected places should start immediately and continue for the next six to 12 months, according to the joint rapid assessment for recovery, reconstruction and risk reduction report prepared by the government, the World Bank and the United Nations. The assessment team ascertained the early recovery priorities on the [...] [read more]
Rising to feet with thagchung in hand
Tandin Wangchuk, a shopkeeper in Gyalpoizhing town, Mongar, is a popular figure in his neighbourhood not only because he weaves, but also because of his affable nature.
Originally from Wamrong, Trashigang, Tandin says weaving had come to him naturally. He had never taken any lesson on weaving. As a year-old toddler, he first rose to his [...] [read more]
Group lending starts
Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), for the first time, will serve as a guarantor for those who avail the group lending scheme of Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited (BDFCL).
A loan amount to the maximum ceiling of Nu 100,000 to a group member will be given at 10 percent interest a year for three [...] [read more]
Farmers’ group to export forest products
After diseased mandarin trees stopped fruiting, the farmers of Lhamoizingkha turned to mother nature for cash income. About 139 households in Lhamoizingkha Dungkhag in Dagana Dzongkhag will harvest non-wood forest products (NWFP) and export them to India from this year. The group –Farmers’ Group of Lhamoizingkha – has already explored the market in Siliguri, West [...] [read more]
The other side of the ban
If ‘seeing is believing’, then certainly something is gone awry somewhere with banning of things. Just look at how many ‘bans’ we had and how effective they are.
It started with the plastic ban on April 20, 1999. Selling and using of plastic bags were banned. Shopkeepers were told that they would be fined if they [...] [read more]
Travel constraints affect tourism
The flight schedules and network strategies Druk Air, the only national airline, follows are affecting the tourism in the country, according to tour operators. Accessibility is one of the main constraints affecting the growth and expansion of tourism. According to Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (Abto), about 82 percent of dollar-paying tourists use Druk Air.
Tour [...] [read more]
First film magazine ready
Bhutan’s first film and entertainment magazine, Druk Trowa, will hit the book stands in Thimphu on Monday.
Druk Trowa will be a biannual magazine this year but starting next year it will be a quarterly magazine. The purpose of the magazine is to promote the film industry and to create a stronger interaction between the people [...] [read more]
The birth of samudaya
The bestowment of legal status to the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan (HDSB) by the government has brought a lot of hope to the Hindus in Bhutan.
One of the reasons why people born to Hindu parents convert to other religions is due to a shortage of Hindu priests, and expensive religious rituals during, birth, marriage [...] [read more]
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