International Sources
4 Bhutanese test positive – Kuensel Online
23 July, 2009 – Bhutan has joined the global map of countries affected by the pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus, initially known as swine flu, with four Bhutanese having tested positive for the flu, of whom two were detected within the country. The two … [read more]
Unique Bhutanese health weed as precious as gold – Zee News
Thimphu, July 22: Cordyceps, a peculiar health weed native to Bhutan and highly valued for its medicinal properties, fetches astronomical prices at the yearly auction. This year a man from Thimphu district got the highest price for his cordyceps – Rs … [read more]
Bhutanese refugees find help in Houston – Houston Chronicle
Ganga Chamlagai was just 8 years old when his family and thousands of other Nepali-speaking people were expelled from their native Bhutan in the early 1990s. The ruling monarchy had declared a nationalist society in the small Asian country tucked … [read more]
India welcomes birth of democratic Bhutan†– Kuensel Online
25 July, 2009 – The new Indian ambassador, Pavan Kumar Varma, is know as a writer-diplomat holding senior posts in the ministry of external affairs and academic institutions. He is also a well known academic, with acclaimed books, among others, like … [read more]
Welch Allyn finds yaks really deliver in Bhutan – Syracuse Post-Standard
Photo courtesy of Welch Allyn A PATIENT in Thimphu Hospital, Bhutan, is monitored with a Welch Allyn PC-Based Resting ECG, or electrocardiogram. The Skaneateles medical products company is providing technology to the isolated mountain nation to help … [read more]
Tibetans Risk Lone Protests – Radio Free Asia
KATHMANDU—Two Tibetans recently staged separate protests against Chinese rule in Tibet, defying security crackdowns and braving the near-certainty of harsh treatment in detention, Tibetan sources said. Sporadic demonstrations, both by individuals … [read more]
‘Bhutan committed to improving the status of women’ – Zee News
New York: In the aftermath of its historic transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy, Bhutan on Friday informed the United Nations that the government was committed to not only improve the status of women, but also ensure that they have … [read more]
Tibet Talk with Jamyang Norbu in Bangalore – Phayul
Bangalore – If you’re a Rangzen activist, a supporter of the Tibetan independence movement or simply an ardent follower of the Tibetan issue, then you must surely have a general understanding of Tibetan history. Still, if one needs a scrupulously … [read more]
Springville World Folkfest kicks off in Springville – Daily Herald
Dancers from The Voice of Polynesia dance group in Orem watch a fellow group member take the stage at the first night of World Folkfest at Spring Acres Arts Park in Springville Tuesday July 28, 2009. MARIO RUIZ/Daily Herald Dancers from The Voice of … [read more]
UVM researchers seek key to happiness – Burlington Free Press
That’s what two University of Vermont researchers have done for an article published recently in The Journal of Happiness Studies. In “Measuring the Happiness of Large-Scale Written Expression,†they attempt to take the emotional measure of the … [read more]
Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper
29 July, 2009 – His Majesty with the Indian Prime Minister’s special envoy for climate change, Mr Shyam Saran (third from left), Mrs Anita Saran(wife of Shyam Saran)and the Indian Ambassador Mr Pavan Varma. Mr Saran received an audience with His Majesty [read more]
NA votes in favour of NC amendment
29 July, 2009 – The joint sitting of Parliament will today decide on converting the local government bill into an act, after making numerous changes in yesterday’s prolonged session through a simple majority. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – The Parliament yesterday endorsed the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) Bill by a two-thirds majority.
This was possible after the prime minister suggested a compromise with regard to the administration of the police. Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley said, “Instead of police being ‘independently administered’, it should be ‘administered independently’ within the act.” [read more]
29 July, 2009 – A question still lingering in many minds is what caused the Wangchu to rise and eventually take the lives of seven boys in the early hours of July 27.
Speculation and rumours are rife on the rescue operation that went on for almost six hours and the last gush of water that took the boys away. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – His Majesty’s representative for People’s Welfare, HRH Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck, visited the bereaved families and conveyed His Majesty’s condolences. Her Royal Highness also granted His Majesty’s Kidu to the families [read more]
29 July, 2009 – More than 24 hours after combing the Wangchu banks, the search team deployed to look for the bodies of the seven boys, who were washed away on Monday morning, have not recovered a single body. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – The Gammon India company, which won a Nu 4b bid to build Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project tunnels, was banned from carrying out metro rail construction work in New Delhi for two years, after the metro mishap earlier this month. That proscription, however, will not stop Gammon India from executing the tunnel work at Punatshangchhu. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – Dorji Chhangchen Tili Naro dang … Marpa Mila Gampo Thatsapa … Naphupa dang Palden Drukpa sog … kagyu lama namla choedpa buel …
Many Bhutanese grew up chanting these lines in boarding schools, every time they sat in the dining hall. Only a few might have known the meaning of what they chanted. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – After much debate, parliament yesterday finally decided to uphold the ban on sale of meat during auspicious months.
Forty-four MPs voted for the ban, while 19 voted to lift it. [read more]
29 July, 2009 – In the mid ‘90s, when municipal authorities first tried to introduce water meters to bill urban residents for water usage, there was heavy resistance to the initiative.
[read more]
Bhutan Observer
To ban or not to ban, that’s the question
It made news when Bhutan banned tobacco sale some years ago. It will make more news when Bhutan repeals the ban. Anyway, news is transient; life must go on. I am sure our NC members rocked their brains well when it comes to lifting the ban.
Bhutan has become part of the global livelihood. We cannot [...] [read more]
Bars and fights
Last Saturday, a foreigner was beaten up by a group of people in a bar in Thimphu. He reported the case to the police.
When the 35-year-old Dutch was leaving Om Bar, he tapped a girl, who he thought was his brother-in-law’s girlfriend, on her back to say good bye.
That was all that led to a [...] [read more]
Farmers learn bookkeeping
Eighteen people comprising key officials like chairpersons, accountants and secretaries of different farmers’ groups completed a five-day training programme on commercial bookkeeping on July 19.
Organized by the Regional Agriculture Marketing Services (RAMS) based in Mongar, the training in Pemagatshel was conducted by an SNV consultant. The participants included key management people from the Integrated Fruit [...] [read more]
Farming training in Khaling
Farmers of Bjeri and Leza villages of Khaling Gewog in Trashigang received training on improved production of vegetables, paddy and orchard from the dzongkhag to encourage large-scale production.
According to the dzongkhag, the villagers have not been able to cultivate crops like paddy, vegetables and mandarin despite favourable conditions. Only few farmers from the villages market [...] [read more]
Traditional vets get modern
Trashigang Dzongkhag has improved the skills of ethno veterinary practitioners (EVPs) or traditional veterinarians by equipping them with modern veterinary kits, drugs and knowledge to promote future private veterinary clinics in rural areas.
After a ten-day intensive training on animal management, 48 villagers have been appointed across the dzongkhag to help enhance animal health care delivery [...] [read more]
Art or vandalism?
The artist comes out only by the night. The meaning of his art borders on vandalism. Our intern Phub Dorji reports.
Do not be scared if you see a shadowy figure discreetly writing or drawing on the walls of Thimphu buildings by the night. On closer observation, you will notice that he is a graffiti [...] [read more]
On a rollercoaster journey
A journey on a public transport bus from Phuentsholing to Thimphu is scary and insightful at once. Rabi C Dahal shares his personal account of such a journey.
To go or not to go was the question. The condition of the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway was at its worst. The authority concerned had cautioned travellers and drivers [...] [read more]
Disinfectant pond discomfort
The potholes created by a pool of bird flu disinfectant at the Phuentsholing border gate have created a veritable nightmare for motorists with vehicles stumbling hard on the road or getting bogged down in the muddy pool.
Beginning this year, the government started disinfecting vehicles and people to prevent the bird flu virus from being carried [...] [read more]
Housing crunch in Pemagatshel
A few years ago, when Mindu Wangdi came to join his service as the DYT Secretary in Pemagatshel, he managed to find a hut for accommodation. It took him several months to find a decent place to live in. A few months later, without any forewarning, his house owner served an ultimatum to vacate the [...] [read more]
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