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Bhutan News archive for 28 February 2010

February 28, 2010 - From

International Sources

Beijing’s Sovereignty Ruse Blocks Tibet Negotiation – OpEdNews.com
The concept of mianzi or “face” in dealing with the Chinese is being stressed in many orientation briefings to foreigners visiting China where face is generally equated with image, reputation, prestige, pride and respect. Losing, saving or giving …    [read more]

Delay in signing MoU hinders exports to India – New Nation
India will prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) soon regarding entry of goods-laden trucks from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan to its land through land ports. Businessmen said Indian trucks can easily enter Bangladeshi land ports.    [read more]

Realizing DReAMS boosts Green Bohol project – Balita News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb. 28 – Green Bohol Project gets the latest boost with the official launching Friday of the Realizing DReAMS (Development Resources and Access to Municipal Services) program, a European Union-funded initiative that trains …    [read more]

Are Indians in tune with their culture? – New Kerala
By Madhusree Chatterjee, New Delhi, Feb 28 : The time has come for Indians to introspect whether they are in tune with their culture or not, “to pause and put a mirror before society to see why dilution, mutilation and modification of culture have …    [read more]

Birth control, epidurals and hospital admissions – Twin Falls Times-News
Seven-month-old Sunny Gita Upreti is the first member of her family born in the U.S. Her mother, Tara, went through labor in August before Twin Falls’ refugee center began offering maternity and family-planning classes. Tara Upreti says she didn …    [read more]

North Country Briefs – WatertownDailyTimes.com
NORTH LAWRENCE — Craig R. LaBrake II, 22, Winthrop, was charged by state police Thursday in connection with an alleged domestic dispute reported earlier that day involving an ex-girlfriend, whose name was not released. Mr. LaBrake was charged with …    [read more]

Globetrotting writer: Duluth upbringing inspired career – Duluth News Tribune
Stephanie Pearson enjoys a sunny morning in the mountains of Bhutan, a small country near China, where she traveled on assignment with Outside magazine. Pearson grew up in Duluth, exploring Hartley Park near her home. (Submitted photo by Brent Olson …    [read more]

In diplomacy, words can make or mar (Capital Buzz) – Thaindian.com
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) The first formal talks between India and Pakistan since the Mumbai attacks threatened to blur the distinction between fact and fiction as far as 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed was concerned. The Indian side was shocked and …    [read more]

Post to del.icio.us – Valdosta Daily Times
Tigers Nina (left) and Bhutan (right) relax in front of guests before a Tigers of India performance. The award winning show, featuring seven majestic tigers, premieres at Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park in April as one of the new limited …    [read more]

Will Nirupama Rao go to Islamabad? – New Kerala
A Pakistani newspaper damned the exercise in a rather dramatic way: “meaningless talks end in a meaningless way”. In India, the general impression was that although a small beginning has been made, the ties remain frosty. But there is more to it than …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk United wins PCAL foundation cup
After a long three-day battle in the final, Druk United won a hard-fought victory over Thimphu United A to clinch the 2010 PCAL Foundation Cup.
In the final of the archery tournament, Thimphu United strode high in the beginning to notch the first game when Druk United reached only 14 points. But Druk United came strong [...]    [read more]

Entrepreneurs get fund to start business
Ministry of Labour and Hu­man Resources (MoLHR) completed the first entrepre­neurial skills development training for 63 participants of two batches with the fi­nancial support from UNDP as part of Human Security Project under the Income Generation Start-up Support programme yesterday.
The 29 male and 34 fe­male young entrepreneurs have the proposals to set up businesses in [...]    [read more]

2010 for children of gods
Buddhist astrologers say 2010 will produce the best of children. SONAM PELDEN finds out more.
2009, the Earth Female Ox year, saw Bhutanese parents religiously plan­ning to have babies as the year of mewa gumar (ninth number of destiny) was con­sidered the best year to have babies. This belief, however, is misplaced, according to Buddhist astrologers.
Lopoen [...]    [read more]

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 27 February 2010

February 27, 2010 - From

International Sources

Top 10 scariest runways – StarPhoenix
SYDNEY – Nervous fliers, stop reading! Travel website Travel + Leisure has come up with a list of the world’s scariest runways that can make even the most relaxed travelers grip their armrest. 1. Paro Airport, Bhutan Tucked into a tightly cropped …    [read more]

Watertown Police: Man Engaged in Sexual Conversation with 10-Year-Old … – newzjunky.com
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Jeremy J. Countryman , 26, of 611 Addison St., was charged by Watertown police at 3:42 p.m. Friday with second-degree aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. He is accused of engaging in a conversation of a …    [read more]

Cynicism in both India and Pakistan after talks – Reuters
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Commentators in both India and Pakistan greeted on Friday the first official talks between their countries since the 2008 Mumbai attacks with a degree of cynicism even though no breakthrough had been expected. The two nations …    [read more]

Diplomats make little headway – Owen Sound Sun Times
Neither diplomat said if there would be another round of talks, though their prime ministers have an opportunity to meet at a regional summit in Bhutan in April. Expectations had been modest. India broke off a tentative four-year-old peace process …    [read more]

Union Bank Recruitment Project 2010-a – Recruitment Notification – PRLog (free press release)
A candidate must be either (i) a Citizen of India or (ii) a subject of Nepal or (iii) a subject of Bhutan or (iv) a Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 01.01.1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or (v) a person of Indian …    [read more]

BJP President Gadkari deplores resumption of dialogue with Pakistan – New Kerala
New Delhi, Feb 27 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has criticized the Centre for resuming dialogue with Pakistan. Gadkari said, “Our country”s government has tried to resume dialogue with Pakistan, which has begun a proxy war …    [read more]

SJVN invites IPO for 10 per cent disinvestment – New Kerala
Shimla, Feb 27 : As a major step towards the process of disinvestment of the Centre’s 10 per cent equity holding, the public sector Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), has filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities Exchange Board …    [read more]

Q&A Nobel winner Joseph Stiglitz says hubris and ideology are to blame … – Oregonian
Economist Joseph Stiglitz Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who will speak in Portland on Thursday, says in his new book, “Freefall,” that Americans have lived from bubble to bubble for decades. The book says essentially, “I told you so …    [read more]

Meeting between Pakistani and Indian officials a positive sign – Vancouver Sun
What to watch for now is whether the two prime ministers meet to drive the process forward during a regional summit to be held in Bhutan in April.    [read more]

Beijing’s Sovereignty Ruse Blocks Tibet Negotiation – Phayul
The concept of mianzi or “face” in dealing with the Chinese is being stressed in many orientation briefings to foreigners visiting China where face is generally equated with image, reputation, prestige, pride and respect. Losing, saving or giving …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk United wins PCAL foundation cup
After a long three-day battle in the final, Druk United won a hard-fought victory over Thimphu United A to clinch the 2010 PCAL Foundation Cup.
In the final of the archery tournament, Thimphu United strode high in the beginning to notch the first game when Druk United reached only 14 points. But Druk United came strong [...]    [read more]

Entrepreneurs get fund to start business
Ministry of Labour and Hu­man Resources (MoLHR) completed the first entrepre­neurial skills development training for 63 participants of two batches with the fi­nancial support from UNDP as part of Human Security Project under the Income Generation Start-up Support programme yesterday.
The 29 male and 34 fe­male young entrepreneurs have the proposals to set up businesses in [...]    [read more]

2010 for children of gods
Buddhist astrologers say 2010 will produce the best of children. SONAM PELDEN finds out more.
2009, the Earth Female Ox year, saw Bhutanese parents religiously plan­ning to have babies as the year of mewa gumar (ninth number of destiny) was con­sidered the best year to have babies. This belief, however, is misplaced, according to Buddhist astrologers.
Lopoen [...]    [read more]

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 26 February 2010

February 26, 2010 - From

International Sources

India and Pakistan talk – all over again – Asia Times
Amid much grandstanding, the India-Pakistan “dialogue” got off to a start in New Delhi on Thursday – albeit a somewhat bumpy one. No immediate breakthrough in frosty ties was expected, nor was one achieved. The United States, which is brokering the …    [read more]

Cycling in Bhutan is a magical adventure – StarPhoenix
The grin on my face is as wide as the Bhutanese suspension bridge I’m flying across is long. And it defies all logic. I’m terrified of heights and way out of my comfort zone. But I’m cycling in Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, a wonderful …    [read more]

A deserter from the battle of ideas – Spiked
Joseph Stiglitz is a big-name, Nobel laureate, American economist. He is the former chair of President Bill Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers, and the former chief economist at the World Bank. He is currently a professor at New York’s …    [read more]

Rivals India, Pakistan agree to “keep in touch” – Stabroek News
The meeting also marks a tiny step in improving the outlook  for stability in Afghanistan, where India and Pakistan have  long battled … countries have an  opportunity to meet at a regional summit in Bhutan in April. Rao, wearing a black and red …    [read more]

DAR distributes 6,000 hectares of land in Leyte – Balita News
DAR-Leyte Provinicial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Oscar Reloj said in his report to Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman the move is in compliance with the DAR’s 200,000 hectares of land distribution target for this year.    [read more]

Rivals India, Pakistan agree to “keep in touch” – YAHOO!
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The first official talks between India and Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks ended on Thursday with only an agreement to “keep in touch”, signalling that relations between the nuclear-armed rivals remain frosty. The …    [read more]

Meeting between Pakistani and Indian officials a positive sign – Vancouver Sun
Thursday’s three-hour meeting between the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers was a significant demonstration of the determination of both governments to improve relations. In the last eight months, the two governments have pressed forward toward …    [read more]

Allocation for northeast region raised to Rupees 1,760 crore – New Kerala
Sharing over 2,000 km of boundary with Nepal, China, Bhutan, Burma and Bangladesh, many states in the region have been battling insurgents for decades. More than 30 rebel groups operate in the region with their demands ranging from secession to …    [read more]

India, Pakistan talk — to catch America’s eye – Rediff
A midst much grandstanding, the India-Pakistan ‘dialogue’ got off to a start in New Delhi [ Images ] on Thursday — albeit on somewhat of a bumpy start. No breakthrough in their frosty ties was expected, nor was one achieved. The United States, which …    [read more]

India, Pakistan take ‘first step’ to rebuild broken trust – canada.com
NEW DELHI – India and Pakistan emerged Thursday from their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks with a vague promise to keep in contact but no progress on their core disputes. Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk United wins PCAL foundation cup
After a long three-day battle in the final, Druk United won a hard-fought victory over Thimphu United A to clinch the 2010 PCAL Foundation Cup.
In the final of the archery tournament, Thimphu United strode high in the beginning to notch the first game when Druk United reached only 14 points. But Druk United came strong [...]    [read more]

Entrepreneurs get fund to start business
Ministry of Labour and Hu­man Resources (MoLHR) completed the first entrepre­neurial skills development training for 63 participants of two batches with the fi­nancial support from UNDP as part of Human Security Project under the Income Generation Start-up Support programme yesterday.
The 29 male and 34 fe­male young entrepreneurs have the proposals to set up businesses in [...]    [read more]

2010 for children of gods
Buddhist astrologers say 2010 will produce the best of children. SONAM PELDEN finds out more.
2009, the Earth Female Ox year, saw Bhutanese parents religiously plan­ning to have babies as the year of mewa gumar (ninth number of destiny) was con­sidered the best year to have babies. This belief, however, is misplaced, according to Buddhist astrologers.
Lopoen [...]    [read more]

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 25 February 2010

February 25, 2010 - From

International Sources

India, Pakistan take ‘first step’ to rebuild broken trust – YAHOO!
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani will have an opportunity to meet at a regional summit in Bhutan in April. Arguments over the agenda before Thursday’s meeting had augured badly for the chances of a …    [read more]

Pakistan, India send in their professional diplomats to break the … – Reuters Blogs
The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, meeting in New Delhi to end a diplomatic freeze which followed the November 2008 attack on Mumbai, did what they were expected to do — laid out all the issues which divide the two countries and agreed …    [read more]

Kashmir is a key to South Asian peace – Lebanon Daily Star
At long last, a series of conferences and engagements has given us tentative hope for the resolution of the 62-year-old Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. If these efforts reach their goal, they might not only transform the long-troubled …    [read more]

Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha in Bihar – Indiawest.com
NALANDA, Bihar — Indian Americans, frequent visitors to India, can often be spotted with their Teva sandals and iPhones on well-traveled tourist roads like those from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur, or at pilgrimage sites such as Varanasi or Thirupathi …    [read more]

India-Pakistan Talks: Is a Breakthrough Possible? – Time
Could one of the world’s most intractable conflicts be close to an end? India and Pakistan’s foreign secretaries met on Thursday, the first time the two countries have held official talks since the November 2008 terrorist strike in Mumbai. India …    [read more]

India, Pakistan bid to mend broken trust – ninemsn
India and Pakistan have emerged from their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks with a vague promise to keep in contact but no progress on their core disputes. Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman …    [read more]

LINX: Connection to LINX leads to significant growth for Bhutan … – TMCnet
Feb 25, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — Bhutan Telecom, the first network to join the London Internet Exchange from the country of Bhutan, has had such success in peering at LINX since joining in 2008, it has had to significantly upgrade its …    [read more]

Connection to LINX leads to significant growth for Bhutan Telecom – Earthtimes
Bhutan Telecom, the first network to join the London Internet Exchange from the country of Bhutan, has had such success in peering at LINX since joining in 2008, it has had to significantly upgrade its capacity. As one of the 350 members connected at …    [read more]

India Trade Fair-2010 kicks off : Bangladesh-India trade should … – New Nation
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said the economy of the region must be integrated and trade between the countries should be further strengthened in order to improve lives of the people. He said this while inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh …    [read more]

Bangladesh to emerge from crisis with stronger growth: World Bank – New Nation
Bangladesh, India and Bhutan will emerge from global economic crisis with stronger growth performances as these countries have sound economic policies, the World Bank said in a recent report. “India, Bangladesh and Bhutan are expected to emerge from …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk United wins PCAL foundation cup
After a long three-day battle in the final, Druk United won a hard-fought victory over Thimphu United A to clinch the 2010 PCAL Foundation Cup.
In the final of the archery tournament, Thimphu United strode high in the beginning to notch the first game when Druk United reached only 14 points. But Druk United came strong [...]    [read more]

Entrepreneurs get fund to start business
Ministry of Labour and Hu­man Resources (MoLHR) completed the first entrepre­neurial skills development training for 63 participants of two batches with the fi­nancial support from UNDP as part of Human Security Project under the Income Generation Start-up Support programme yesterday.
The 29 male and 34 fe­male young entrepreneurs have the proposals to set up businesses in [...]    [read more]

2010 for children of gods
Buddhist astrologers say 2010 will produce the best of children. SONAM PELDEN finds out more.
2009, the Earth Female Ox year, saw Bhutanese parents religiously plan­ning to have babies as the year of mewa gumar (ninth number of destiny) was con­sidered the best year to have babies. This belief, however, is misplaced, according to Buddhist astrologers.
Lopoen [...]    [read more]

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 24 February 2010

February 24, 2010 - From

International Sources

A death after abortion at suspended medic’s clinic – Philadelphia Daily News
Damber Ghalley remembers seeing his unconscious sister on an ambulance stretcher, being taken out the back door of the West Philadelphia clinic where she had undergone an abortion. Ghalley and his niece – the woman’s daughter – were stunned. “I asked …    [read more]

A budget of ‘haves’ – Deccan Herald
It is woefully inappropriate to have a budget that is centred only around the industry, the large farmers and the ‘middle class’. It is time now for the Union budget exercise once again. It is one of the major planning activities of the …    [read more]

India-Pakistan top officials’ talks begin today – New Nation
… to further discussions between the foreign secretaries and perhaps pave the way for a meeting between their prime ministers on the sidelines of a South Asian regional summit in Bhutan in April. “Delhi is approaching these talks with a lot of …    [read more]

Roundup: Everyone Deserves Safe Medical Care – RH Reality Check
No one in the pro-choice movement supports dirty healthcare clinics and doctors who practice irresponsible medicine. Women deserve safe abortions performed in sterile environments, as do all who seek any kind of medical care. Which is why the story …    [read more]

NBA in a deal with Ten Sports, Zee Sports – Indian Television
MUMBAI: The National Basketball Association (NBA) has entered into a deal with the Ten-Zee combine for a show called Real NBA. This is the first time that Ten Sports has entered into a deal with the NBA. The 26-episode highlights, brought to fans …    [read more]

India, Pakistan harp on differing agendas ahead of talks – New Kerala
… outcome could set the stage for summit-level talks between leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Thimphu in April and brighten the possibilities of resumption of a …    [read more]

INCB: India a hub for illicit narcotics trade, soft on developed … – Mynews India
New Delhi: The Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in its recent report for the year 2009 Couriers and postal services have got a boost on account of the recent trends in globalisation. India, responding to this has said that …    [read more]

With differing agendas, India, Pakistan to talk Thursday – New Kerala
New Delhi, Feb 24 : India and Pakistan will Thursday enter into their first formal bilateral talks since the 26/11 terror attack – albeit with different agendas – in a bid to defreeze post-Mumbai tensions that plunged ties to a new low. Pakistan …    [read more]

India to emerge from global economic crisis with stronger growth – Economic Times
WASHINGTON: With sound economic policies, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan are expected to emerge from the global economic crisis with stronger growth performances in South Asia, according to a World Bank report. These three countries generally have …    [read more]

Ulfa leader Daimary’s bail bond accepted, likely to be released … – Daily News and Analysis
GUWAHATI: United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary is likely to be released tomorrow with a Tada court here accepting his bail bond today, but the same could not be furnished for the group’s vice-chairman Pradip …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk United wins PCAL foundation cup
After a long three-day battle in the final, Druk United won a hard-fought victory over Thimphu United A to clinch the 2010 PCAL Foundation Cup.
In the final of the archery tournament, Thimphu United strode high in the beginning to notch the first game when Druk United reached only 14 points. But Druk United came strong [...]    [read more]

Entrepreneurs get fund to start business
Ministry of Labour and Hu­man Resources (MoLHR) completed the first entrepre­neurial skills development training for 63 participants of two batches with the fi­nancial support from UNDP as part of Human Security Project under the Income Generation Start-up Support programme yesterday.
The 29 male and 34 fe­male young entrepreneurs have the proposals to set up businesses in [...]    [read more]

2010 for children of gods
Buddhist astrologers say 2010 will produce the best of children. SONAM PELDEN finds out more.
2009, the Earth Female Ox year, saw Bhutanese parents religiously plan­ning to have babies as the year of mewa gumar (ninth number of destiny) was con­sidered the best year to have babies. This belief, however, is misplaced, according to Buddhist astrologers.
Lopoen [...]    [read more]

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 23 February 2010

February 23, 2010 - From

International Sources

Top 10 scariest runways – canada.com
SYDNEY – Nervous fliers, stop reading! Travel website Travel + Leisure has come up with a list of the world’s scariest runways that can make even the most relaxed travelers grip their armrest. 1. Paro Airport, Bhutan Tucked into a tightly cropped …    [read more]

India-Pakistan talks only the first stepping stone – Washington Post
But before any progress can be made, the two countries have to agree not just which subjects should be covered — India wants to focus on terrorism, Pakistan on Kashmir — but even what is the right forum for dialogue. India and Pakistan have …    [read more]

Back to talks – Frontline
Indian and Pakistani leaders will meet formally at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in April in Bhutan. A favourable diplomatic climate will go a long way in making the summit a success. According to reports, Prime …    [read more]

Taj unveils Jiva Spa brand rollout – Leisure Opportunities
In total, the company comprises more than 60 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 hotels in Malaysia, the UK, the US, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Details: tajhotels.com    [read more]

KALON TRIPA ELECTION REFORM – Phayul
After the latest 9th dialogue, Zhu Weiqun, Vice-Minister of the United Front of China, in his usual vitriolic press conference, had the audacity to state that “the so-called ‘Tibet government-in-exile’ is utterly illegal. It can neither represent …    [read more]

Two top ULFA leaders released on bail – Hindustan Times
A special anti-terror court on Tuesday released on bail two top separatist leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a move seen as an attempt by the government to help push the rebels towards peace talks. Vice chairman Pradip …    [read more]

100 nations sign up for Copenhagen climate deal – Reuters AlertNet
Feb 23 (Reuters) – The number of nations signed up for the Copenhagen Accord for fighting climate change has risen to 100 two months after it was agreed at a summit in December, documents showed on Tuesday. China, India and Russia are the largest …    [read more]

Guwahati court grants bail to top ULFA leaders – Zee News
While Gogoi was arrested from Kolkata in 1998, Daimary was captured by the Royal Bhutan Army during Operation All Clear in 2003. Both are currently lodged in the Guwahati Central Jail. The government’s decision to not oppose their bail plea clearly …    [read more]

Raising trading volume will be major thrust area: PTC India – MyIris
Due to poor monsoon there has been a decline in hydro generation particularly from Bhutan. However, we expect the fiscal to ends at a higher note. > Can you tell us something about when your 13 gigawatts capacity is expected to come on stream and …    [read more]

Looking for meaning in multilateralism – Rediff
As one surveys the changing face of mulilateralsim today, we see mutation and multiplication. The underlying reality is that the world is multipolar and with more poles, you tend to get more constellations, writes B S Prakash . T he climate change …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

The lens master
He is the master of the lens. The frames, shutter, aperture, and lighting are at his com­mand. The visual treat in a film depends on him. He is cameraman Tshering Sam­drup.
He had his tryst with the camera in 2003 when he started his career in the film industry as a crew member. Today, 23-year-old Tshering [...]    [read more]

When art meets wants
Weaving has helped Radhipas cultivate their fields.
The tradition of weav­ing buray (silk) clothes and growing rice has become mu­tually supportive activities in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang. The two have become inter­dependent.
Farmers from Khudump­ang village said weaving buray clothes is not only an alternative source of income, but also indispensable with­out which paddy cultivation is not [...]    [read more]

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

GNH is the only way out for children
Education is gaining mo­mentum, and this time, it is with a difference because this momentum is for nothing less than putting into practice the most sacred philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Having discussed, researched and debated on the concept for almost six years now, both within and outside our country, and having amassed substantive literature [...]    [read more]

Face mask in vogue
Wearing colourful face mask is in vogue among Thimphu teenagers.
With the outbreak of H1N1 influenza in the neighbour­ing countries, some people in Thimphu started wearing clinical masks available from hospital.
But the mask fever among teenagers picked up when shops started selling different types of masks with different colours imported from Thai­land and other countries.
Today, covering [...]    [read more]

A tribute of His Majesty on his 30th birth anniversary
It is with deepest respect and greatest admiration that I write this humble tribute to pay my felicitations to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck on his 30th birth anniversary. As a humble and dynamic leader, I believe that His Majesty is a true manifesta­tion of Chenrezig, the lord of compassion. His Majesty has [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 22 February 2010

February 22, 2010 - From

International Sources

Local waste management model to be replicated in 10 countries – The Daily Star
A Bangladeshi urban waste management model will be replicated in 10 other Asia-Pacific countries soon, which treats waste as a resource and reduces the green house gas emission. Waste Concern, a local waste management organisation, designed and …    [read more]

Rapid rise of India, China redefining global and regional situation … – New Kerala
We have made unilateral gestures and extended economic concessions such as the facility of duty free access to Indian market for imports from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. We have put forward proposals multilaterally within the framework …    [read more]

Smiling faces forever – Montana Standard
Nine months ago, Brooke Gordon traveled to India as a tourist. Today, she lives there, after experiencing a life-changing event. The seasoned world trekker is making a difference working for Operation Smile, a charity that offers free surgery for …    [read more]

Avail cheap calling plans and call Asian countries at low rates – TMCnet
Globally recognized VoIP technology has been helping people to make cheap international calls within their budget. Internet phone service have distinct significance, offering number of great benefits and giving a chance to use quality calling service …    [read more]

Pratibha Patil speech – New Kerala
1. My greetings to you as you assemble here today for the first session of both Houses of Parliament in the new decade. I am confident that all members would dedicate themselves to making this decade a glorious period in our country’s march to …    [read more]

Aam admi at the core of our promises, says President – Rediff
Following is the full text of President Pratibha Patil’s [ Images ] address to Parliament on Monday, to mark the inception of its Budget session. I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the …    [read more]

Taj unveils Jiva Spa brand rollout – Leisure Opportunities
India-based hospitality company Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces is planning to launch six new spas in India and one in South Africa during the course of 2010. The Jiva Spa concept focuses on Asian and Indian traditional wellness philosophies. Rooted …    [read more]

United States Claims #1 Spot For First Time as World’s Top Country … – SmartBrief
LONDON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ — The United States earned the coveted spot as the world’s top country brand for the first time in the fifth annual Country Brand Index (CBI), rising from the third spot in 2008. Canada, host to the 2010 Winter Olympics …    [read more]

Pak must address terror threat for meaningful relations: Patil – Rediff
Ahead of the foreign secretary- level talks, India [ Images ] said on Monday that it was ready to explore a “meaningful” relationship with Pakistan if it seriously addressed the threat of terrorism and stops terror acts against this country. The …    [read more]

Www.nextyatra.com, A Gorkha Travels Venture Is Launched – PRLog (free press release)
PR Log (Press Release) – Feb 22, 2010 – Nextyatra.com, only one of its kind travel sites in Nepal dedicated to providing high quality yet unique travel experiences throughout the Asian countries namely Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan and China, is …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Keeping customers pouring in for 25 years
About two hours drive from Gelephu to Samdrup Jong­khar on national highway 31C at Chapaguri in the Indi­an state of Assam is Hotel Hi­malaya, an eatery exclusively for Bhutanese travellers.
The 80-seater hotel is packed with travellers, and most of the time customers have to eat standing.
The 25-year-old hotel ca­ters to over 1,000 Bhutanese travellers every [...]    [read more]

Hunt for top 10 archers
The national game will as­sume a different dimension with the start of Top Ten Ar­chery Tournament on March 1 at the Changlingmithang archery range in Thimphu.
The tournament on com­pound bows and arrows will pit the country’s best archers against one another. There is no teamwork. The archers will compete for the top 10 positions in [...]    [read more]

Road first, say Lauri and Serthi
The people of Lauri and Serti gewogs in Jomot­sangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar, say that development in their gewogs should start with a farm road. Once road reaches the re­mote gewogs, other develop­ment activities will naturally follow.
However, the suspension of construction of Gyelong­khar-Minjiwoong farm road last year had worried the farmers. The new Jomotsang­kha dungpa, Rinchen, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty issues Kasho for media foundation
His Majesty the King issued a royal Kasho to establish the Bhutan Media Foundation yesterday in Thimphu. His Majesty granted Nu 15 million for the foundation.
The media foundation is established to strengthen the Bhutan media through trainings and scholarships. It will also support the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan, publication of Dzongkha editions of the newspapers, [...]    [read more]

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

GNH is the only way out for children
Education is gaining mo­mentum, and this time, it is with a difference because this momentum is for nothing less than putting into practice the most sacred philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Having discussed, researched and debated on the concept for almost six years now, both within and outside our country, and having amassed substantive literature [...]    [read more]

Face mask in vogue
Wearing colourful face mask is in vogue among Thimphu teenagers.
With the outbreak of H1N1 influenza in the neighbour­ing countries, some people in Thimphu started wearing clinical masks available from hospital.
But the mask fever among teenagers picked up when shops started selling different types of masks with different colours imported from Thai­land and other countries.
Today, covering [...]    [read more]

A tribute of His Majesty on his 30th birth anniversary
It is with deepest respect and greatest admiration that I write this humble tribute to pay my felicitations to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck on his 30th birth anniversary. As a humble and dynamic leader, I believe that His Majesty is a true manifesta­tion of Chenrezig, the lord of compassion. His Majesty has [...]    [read more]

Environmental award to be instituted
Bhutanese professionals from all walks of life who have dem­onstrated leadership and con­tributed towards environmen­tal conversation in Bhutan will hereafter be recognised and awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award.
The cabinet approved the Instituting of Environmen­tal Stewardship Award to be hosted at Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment and the launch of Bhutan Ecological Society (BEST) [...]    [read more]

Dungsum cement to borrow Nu 4.1 billion
The cabinet this week ap­proved Dungsam Cement Company Limited’s (DCCL) proposal to borrow Nu 4.1 billion to finance the biggest cement project in the country at Nganglam in Pemagatshel targeted to be complete by March 2012.
Nu 2.1 billion will be bor­rowed from Bhutanese finan­cial institutions and Nu 2 bil­lion through a syndication of public sector [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 21 February 2010

February 21, 2010 - From

International Sources

People in the SJ: Jessica Maxwell – Statesman Journal
Jessica Maxwell really, really likes tea. It’s not just the tea itself, though the travel writer and spiritual memoirist has an entire cupboard full of it — linen satchels of wedding tea from France, loose leaves from China and loving compliments …    [read more]

Chingay goes to the heartland – AsiaOne
Residents also watched the Firecrackers Dragon Dance performed by a Chinese art troupe with a 40m-long “dragon”, and a Bhutan folk-dance performance, both of which had been featured in the main Chingay parade. Halfway through the parade, a ceremony …    [read more]

‘Jiner Badsha’ caught – The Daily Star
The ‘jiner Badsha’ told Abdul Khaleque to give him Tk 8.22 lakh in four installments to build a temple and sacrifice a goat to appease the other ‘jines’ who took his son to Bhutan. The helpless father sold his land and other belongings to meet the …    [read more]

Ice Dancing: Beautiful, Artistic, But Not a Sport – Bleacherreport.com
The names, Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean are known the world over. Ask anyone, from the deserts of Sudan to the forests of Bhutan, who they are and they will instantly know that Torvill and Dean were responsible for the finest moment in ice …    [read more]

Exile’s killing worries Bhutan refugee leaders in Nepal – Investors Business Daily
Feb 21, 2010 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) — [Parwat Portel] Kakadbhitta, Jhapa, [Sunday] 21 February: Bhutan’s refugee leaders on repatriation struggle have been shuddered by Friday’s killing of Ramesh Subba, another repatriation crusader and …    [read more]

Auction offers art from, and for, the heart – Honolulu Advertiser
Next Saturday, the successful bidder in the American Heart Association’s 33rd Annual Heart Ball will win a personal portrait by two internationally known Honolulu artists who have painted, among many others, sitting American Presidents Ronald Reagan …    [read more]

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro – Kuensel Online
21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King. His Majesty was on his way from Paro …    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho – Kuensel Online
21 February 2010 – Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (decree) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation. The media foundation is being established to support the development …    [read more]

Bengal firm to set up highest ‘Knowledge City’ – Hindustan Times
Bhutan, the world’s youngest democratic country, is set to have the highest Knowledge City (KC) on earth. Helping the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom earn this distinction is a West Bengal-based firm specializing in infrastructure for information …    [read more]

On Punjab’s Pakistan border, Chidambaram talks trade, amnesty – Hindu
635 crore along various land routes to Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. The facility, which is being constructed by RITES, is scheduled to become operational in 14 months at a projected cost of Rs.150 crore. The state-of-the-art ICP …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro

21 February, 2010 – His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.    [read more]

Bhutan media foundation established through royal kasho
His Majesty with representatives of the print and broadcast media at Lingkana palace

21 February 2010 - Coinciding with His Majesty’s 30th birthday anniversary, His Majesty the King issued a royal kasho (charter) formally establishing the Bhutan media foundation.    [read more]

Royal commission names 3 SC justices
Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today.
Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.
   [read more]

New co. to go public in 2011
Shareholders of earlier failed venture miffed at delay in floating shares

Tashi Beverages Limited 21 February, 2010 – Allaying former Bhutan beverages company ltd. (BBCL) shareholders’ concerns that the new company, Tashi beverages ltd. (TBL) withheld shares despite being in business for almost two years, the TBL spokesperson has assured to keep their word.    [read more]

Voting given thumbs up!
ECB plans to introduce biometric thumb recognition to streamline electoral process

21 February, 2010 – Come next elections voters may not have to wait in long queues to vote or even worry if they’ve misplaced their voter’s cards, as they will be identified on the basis of their thumbprints.    [read more]

Supply-challenged steel
21 February, 2010 – The issue of delay in the placement and movement of railway rakes carrying industrial raw material from India to Bhutan is spilling over into other industries, such as ferro and calcium carbide industries that import raw material from India, says the association of Bhutanese industries (ABI).    [read more]

Entrepreneurship versus unemployment
21 February, 2010 – “Touch the hearts of the people you serve and they’ll be back for more. Engage their emotions and they’ll become your revering fans. Miss this insight and you just might lose your business.”    [read more]

Party coordinators threaten to quit
Being left out of local governance may prove to be the last straw

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa 21 February, 2010 – The bankrupt state of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party has spawned new problems. Its coordinators are rethinking their decision of being a part of the party.    [read more]

Penden cement seeks new limestone deposits
The cash cow company has near exhausted its two captive mines

21 February, 2010 – Even as Penden cement celebrated its 29th birthday on February 5, a thought nagging the management has been the need to find more limestone deposits, the main raw material needed to make cement.    [read more]

Mangtse: Community benefit archery match
Not only for the love of the game

21 February, 2010 – How can an archery match benefit a community? Ask the villagers of Lhayulkha in Haa. A group of archery enthusiasts in Lhayulkha play archery not only for the love of the game, but with an intention to generate funds for the community.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Single player in Panbang
If you are in Panbang and do not have friends or relatives who stay there, finding a place to sleep would be difficult
as there is only one hotel in the town providing rooms.
“Even if you have money, there is no decent place to sleep in Panbang,” said a corporate
employee from Thimphu,
who was on a tour [...]    [read more]

GNH is the only way out for children
Education is gaining mo­mentum, and this time, it is with a difference because this momentum is for nothing less than putting into practice the most sacred philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Having discussed, researched and debated on the concept for almost six years now, both within and outside our country, and having amassed substantive literature [...]    [read more]

Face mask in vogue
Wearing colourful face mask is in vogue among Thimphu teenagers.
With the outbreak of H1N1 influenza in the neighbour­ing countries, some people in Thimphu started wearing clinical masks available from hospital.
But the mask fever among teenagers picked up when shops started selling different types of masks with different colours imported from Thai­land and other countries.
Today, covering [...]    [read more]

A tribute of His Majesty on his 30th birth anniversary
It is with deepest respect and greatest admiration that I write this humble tribute to pay my felicitations to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck on his 30th birth anniversary. As a humble and dynamic leader, I believe that His Majesty is a true manifesta­tion of Chenrezig, the lord of compassion. His Majesty has [...]    [read more]

Environmental award to be instituted
Bhutanese professionals from all walks of life who have dem­onstrated leadership and con­tributed towards environmen­tal conversation in Bhutan will hereafter be recognised and awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award.
The cabinet approved the Instituting of Environmen­tal Stewardship Award to be hosted at Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment and the launch of Bhutan Ecological Society (BEST) [...]    [read more]

Dungsum cement to borrow Nu 4.1 billion
The cabinet this week ap­proved Dungsam Cement Company Limited’s (DCCL) proposal to borrow Nu 4.1 billion to finance the biggest cement project in the country at Nganglam in Pemagatshel targeted to be complete by March 2012.
Nu 2.1 billion will be bor­rowed from Bhutanese finan­cial institutions and Nu 2 bil­lion through a syndication of public sector [...]    [read more]

JICA to help improve quality of VET
Japan International Coop­eration Agency (JICA) has started a project to improve quality and make a difference in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the coun­try.
The project will formulate a working group for promot­ing collaboration between VTIs and industries in the country, conduct training needs assessment, and revise and develop curriculum and materials for pilot courses, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty spends night in Paro Taktshang
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will spend the night in Paro Taktsang. His Majesty will pray for the continued well-being and happiness of all the people of Bhutan.
   [read more]

Read Bhutan
The alpine community of Ura in Bumthang gets a library of its own through Rural Education and Development (Read) Global. METHO DEMA finds out more about the idea that gave birth to the community library.
On a trek in Nepal dur­ing the late 1980’s, Dr Antonia Neubauer, fondly known as Toni to her employees, asked her [...]    [read more]

How do the farms do?
The RNR Census 2009, re­leased recently, paints a com­prehensive picture of use and sale of natural resources.
The census, which collect­ed data from 57,412 (93.2 percent) of households that engaged in agricultural farm­ing activities across 205 ge­wogs and extended municipal areas in 20 dzongkhags, was conducted for the production year 2008.
Findings
The study showed a 14 per­cent [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 20 February 2010

February 20, 2010 - From

International Sources

Twitter, sighted in remote woods in rural south – Salon
As of right now, I’ve been unable to accomplish this task, so I feel like I’ve joined the legions of believers of UFOs, bigfoot, and the elusive Bhutan Yeti. There is a glimmer of hope. Recently, they’ve found a hair that they suspect is from the …    [read more]

From The Top: Pomfret grad eyeing Olympic gold again – Norwich Bulletin
Sarah Vaillancourt is going for two. Not bad when we’re talking Olympic gold medals. Vaillancourt — a 2004 Pomfret School graduate from Sherbrooke, Quebec City — is a member of the Canadian Olympic women’s hockey team, which is defending the …    [read more]

India’s bureaucratic albatross – Indian Express
Every time I deal with Indian officials I become so depressed that I almost need therapy. As a reckless optimist and a proud Indian, I keep hoping that I will one day go into a government office and notice the changes that are necessary if India is …    [read more]

India signs power pact with Bangladesh – Hindu Business Line
As part of its renewed ‘electricity diplomacy’ plans aimed at forging a pan-South Asia grid, India, on Saturday, inked a pact to jointly set up a 1,320 MW coal-fired power project in Bangladesh and build a cross-border transmission link. While a …    [read more]

‘Extremism a challenge for Maldives also’ – Rediff
He said the South Asian Association for Regional Coopearion meeting in Bhutan in April will also focus on this important issue. Dr Hassan said Maldives itself will move into a carbon-neutral country within a span 10 years as already announced by its …    [read more]

High on heights – Asian Age
We have shared a perpetually wet tent in Bhutan for a week. And our latest mother-and son-quality-time? Climbing Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, two days after Hari’s 21st birthday. The mountain stands 4,095 metres tall, so seems potentially not as …    [read more]

‘Islamic extremism a challenge for Maldives’ – New Kerala
He added that the SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in Bhutan in April will “focus on this important issue”. Hassan reiterated the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed’s decision to become a carbon-neutral country within 10 …    [read more]

Islamic extremism a challenge for Maldives’ – Thaindian.com
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The rising confusion over extremism in Islam has become a challenge for … Regional Cooperation) summit in Bhutan in April will “focus on this important issue”. Hassan reiterated the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed …    [read more]

Bengal firm to set up highest Knowledge City – Hindustan Times
Bhutan, the world’s youngest democratic, is set to have the highest Knowledge City (KC) on earth. Helping the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom earn this distinction is a West Bengal-based firm specialising in infrastructure for information technology …    [read more]

Mystery shooting kills Bhutanese outfit leader – Himalayan Times
KATHMANDU: Unidentified miscreants shot dead the leader of an underground Bhutanese outfit in Jhapa on Friday night. Ramesh Subba, 40 the chief of underground organisation United Revolutionary front of Bhutan was killed when unknown assailants opened …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

What next (for the also rans)?
About 5,000 ‘unqualified’ students (and their parents) weigh up their options
Half full or half empty? Growing numbers can mean both more unemployment and greater human potential

Class XII Update 20 February, 2010 – Rinzin, a 41-year old corporate employee, returns home tired. The sight of his son, who scored 45 percent in the recent class XII examination, watching television in the living room frustrates him more.    [read more]

National service revival
Labour ministry proposal to be reviewed by GNH commission

20 February, 2010 – Mandatory national service is a distinct possibility, with the government scheduled to review a proposal next month to reintroduce the programme. The national service programme, which was operational during the 1970s up until the early 1980s, required Bhutanese post secondary graduates to carry out social work in rural Bhutan for a period of six months before being employed.    [read more]

4 SC justices to be named tomorrow
20 February, 2010 – The names of the four justices of Bhutan’s first Supreme Court will be announced tomorrow.

The royal commission chairman, Chief Justice-designate Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay, said that he would announce the names of the candidates at the Thimphu high court, where all members of the judiciary and royal commission will gather.    [read more]

A foretaste of service before self
20 February, 2010 – In the ‘70s, young Bhutanese spent at least six months in rural Bhutan working and living there as part of what was known as national service.    [read more]

Japan grant to strengthen Paro riverbanks
20 February, 2010 – The government of Japan is providing a grant of USD $ 91,867 to reinforce the banks of Duchu and Pachu river in Paro that were seriously damaged in May last year by floods caused by Cyclone Aila.    [read more]

Postcode to be launched tomorrow
The standard addressing system will see mail delivered to your doorstep

Bhutan Post 20 February, 2010 – About a year ago, Wangchuk, who was pursuing higher studies in Australia, tried sending a couple of forms to his wife through a local post office, which she was required to fill up in order to join her husband.    [read more]

Meeting the summit deadline
Finishing touches before the SAARC christening
Almost done: The enclave in lower Mothithang

Ministers’ Enclave19 February, 2010 –

The drone of an excavator, its long metal arm cutting into stones, fills the tranquility of lower Motithang, Thimphu. Workers, covered in dust and paint, span the 31-acre area on which the ministers’ enclave is taking shape.
   [read more]

Lack of funds stalls rape trial
Clinching evidence from DNA analysis unaffordable

19 February, 2010 – Lack of funds to carry out a DNA test abroad stands in the way of resolving a rape trial currently underway in Thimphu district court.

   [read more]

‘Sick company’ to lose corporate status
Henceforth, an agriculture ministry program

Druk Seed Corporation19 February, 2010 –

Having sailed over troubled waters for more than a decade, Druk Seed corporation (DSC) in Paro will lose autonomy to function as a separate entity.
   [read more]

Not a bail-out but a viable debt
First govt. project to borrow on its own commercial strength

Dungsam Cement Project19 February, 2010 –

The Nu 4.1 bn Dungsam Cement corporation limited (DCCL) will borrow is not a bailout, but definitely the first time a government project is arranging its debt on a purely commercial basis, according to officials of Druk Holdings and Investments.
   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

A tribute of His Majesty on his 30th birth anniversary
It is with deepest respect and greatest admiration that I write this humble tribute to pay my felicitations to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck on his 30th birth anniversary. As a humble and dynamic leader, I believe that His Majesty is a true manifesta­tion of Chenrezig, the lord of compassion. His Majesty has [...]    [read more]

Environmental award to be instituted
Bhutanese professionals from all walks of life who have dem­onstrated leadership and con­tributed towards environmen­tal conversation in Bhutan will hereafter be recognised and awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award.
The cabinet approved the Instituting of Environmen­tal Stewardship Award to be hosted at Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment and the launch of Bhutan Ecological Society (BEST) [...]    [read more]

Dungsum cement to borrow Nu 4.1 billion
The cabinet this week ap­proved Dungsam Cement Company Limited’s (DCCL) proposal to borrow Nu 4.1 billion to finance the biggest cement project in the country at Nganglam in Pemagatshel targeted to be complete by March 2012.
Nu 2.1 billion will be bor­rowed from Bhutanese finan­cial institutions and Nu 2 bil­lion through a syndication of public sector [...]    [read more]

JICA to help improve quality of VET
Japan International Coop­eration Agency (JICA) has started a project to improve quality and make a difference in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the coun­try.
The project will formulate a working group for promot­ing collaboration between VTIs and industries in the country, conduct training needs assessment, and revise and develop curriculum and materials for pilot courses, [...]    [read more]

His Majesty spends night in Paro Taktshang
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will spend the night in Paro Taktsang. His Majesty will pray for the continued well-being and happiness of all the people of Bhutan.
   [read more]

Read Bhutan
The alpine community of Ura in Bumthang gets a library of its own through Rural Education and Development (Read) Global. METHO DEMA finds out more about the idea that gave birth to the community library.
On a trek in Nepal dur­ing the late 1980’s, Dr Antonia Neubauer, fondly known as Toni to her employees, asked her [...]    [read more]

How do the farms do?
The RNR Census 2009, re­leased recently, paints a com­prehensive picture of use and sale of natural resources.
The census, which collect­ed data from 57,412 (93.2 percent) of households that engaged in agricultural farm­ing activities across 205 ge­wogs and extended municipal areas in 20 dzongkhags, was conducted for the production year 2008.
Findings
The study showed a 14 per­cent [...]    [read more]


   [read more]


Wai! Once again, our seats of learning have come alive with chirpy little children. And once again, the empty halls and corridors reverberate with the relentless language of dreams and hopes. The surrounding hills and valleys and fields echo the consummation of dreams and hopes expressed in our national anthem sung every morning. As our [...]    [read more]

ACC creates awareness in Pemagatshel
More than a hundred people attended a day long aware­ness programme on corrup­tion in Pemagatshel last week. The participants included dzongkhag and gewog offi­cials, local businessmen and corporate officials.
Anti Corruption Commis­sion (ACC) Commissioner, Kezang Jamtsho, who led the two member team, said al­though Bhutan still remains the cleanest country in South Asia, it stands at [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 19 February 2010

February 19, 2010 - From

International Sources

BITS Pilani Chemical Engineering Student Raghav Mimani gets Green … – PR Inside
2010-02-20 03:31:10 – It is known that Climate change not only impacts the ecology but has far-reaching consequences for the society, culture, and politics of the nations. Youth who bear the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change, also …    [read more]

Green Globe Foundation YUVA Award goes to BITS Pilani Chemical … – PRLog (free press release)
PR Log (Press Release) – Feb 19, 2010 – It is known that Climate change not only impacts the ecology but has far-reaching consequences for the society, culture, and politics of the nations. Youth have the potential to be the change-makers, who …    [read more]

Sports ministry in search of scapegoats – Nation
ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of Sports has decided to take action against the sports federations which could not produce satisfactory results in the recently concluded 11th South Asian Games at Dhaka, Bangladesh. A source inside the ministry told …    [read more]

Bhutanese refugee kills wife with khukuri – Himalayan Times
BIRATNAGAR: A Bhutanese refugee attacked his wife with khukuri killing her in a refugee camp located at Sanischare, Morang on Friday morning. According to the police, Naradmani Bishwokarma, 45, killed his spouse Chandramaya Bishwokarma, 37, in their …    [read more]

Everybody’s cool in LA – Age
Woody Allen famously observed in Annie Hall that he could never live in Los Angeles because its only cultural advantage was the fact you could make a right turn on a red light. Funny but so grossly unfair, because Los Angeles’ streets, intersections …    [read more]

Dining & Cuisine – Expatica
Now, three developing countries on three different continents are promoting insects as food for humans. Costa Rica, Benin and Bhutan want top quality restaurants to start putting larva and tarantula spiders on the menu. The Netherlands is paying the …    [read more]

The Neglected Border – Outlook India
Northeast India, where seven Indian states with different ethnic groups straddle three international borders, has always been a boiling pot of emotions and grievances. The rise of China and the spread of Islamist militancy have now injected a new …    [read more]

Tibetans Protest Detentions – Radio Free Asia
This picture released on March 18, 2008, by Tibetan monks in Dharamsala, India, shows protests in Ngaba on March 16, 2008. HONG KONG—Hundreds of Tibetans staged a rare public protest in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan during the lunar …    [read more]

Bodoland Territorial Council celebrates Formation Day – New Kerala
Local and Bhutanese troupes showcased their rich culture through folk dance performances. Government departments showcased tableaus on various themes. Through this ceremony the BTC sent a strong message to all insurgent groups that they should shun …    [read more]

Indian Air Force MiG-21 crashes in West Bengal, pilot safe – New Kerala
Bagdogra (West Bengal), Feb 19: An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed soon after take-off from Bagdogra air base in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Friday, but the pilot ejected to safety. “The aircraft crashed around 3 p.m …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Meeting the summit deadline
Finishing touches before the SAARC christening
Almost done: The enclave in lower Mothithang

Ministers’ Enclave19 February, 2010 –

The drone of an excavator, its long metal arm cutting into stones, fills the tranquility of lower Motithang, Thimphu. Workers, covered in dust and paint, span the 31-acre area on which the ministers’ enclave is taking shape.
   [read more]

Lack of funds stalls rape trial
Clinching evidence from DNA analysis unaffordable

19 February, 2010 – Lack of funds to carry out a DNA test abroad stands in the way of resolving a rape trial currently underway in Thimphu district court.

   [read more]

‘Sick company’ to lose corporate status
Henceforth, an agriculture ministry program

Druk Seed Corporation19 February, 2010 –

Having sailed over troubled waters for more than a decade, Druk Seed corporation (DSC) in Paro will lose autonomy to function as a separate entity.
   [read more]

Not a bail-out but a viable debt
First govt. project to borrow on its own commercial strength

Dungsam Cement Project19 February, 2010 –

The Nu 4.1 bn Dungsam Cement corporation limited (DCCL) will borrow is not a bailout, but definitely the first time a government project is arranging its debt on a purely commercial basis, according to officials of Druk Holdings and Investments.
   [read more]

Why can’t the chicken cross the street?
Because of the BAFRA ban!

Poultry Import Ban19 February, 2010 –

The ban on import of poultry and poultry products imposed last month has not stopped people from bringing in poultry products from the Indian border town, Jaigaon, where eggs and chicken are still available.
   [read more]

Tang bridge gets off the ground
Mired in controversy, the span is finally going somewhere

19 February, 2010 – The bridge construction in Tang gewog in Bumthang is finally taking shape, almost eight years after the project had ended in controversy.    [read more]

Holding to account
19 February, 2010 – The government led by Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley has stepped up a gear to make amends for the time they lost in implementing the 10th Plan. At least this is what many Bhutanese, who keep tabs on the government, feel even as the prime minister signs agreements, meets foreign business partners and the cabinet makes crucial decisions.
   [read more]

Footfalls decline in cyber cafés
18 February, 2010 – While a majority of Thimphu residents surf the internet in the comfort of their homes, internet cafes are struggling to survive. In the last two years, internet users at home have drastically increased with Bhutan Telecom providing internet packages for as low as Nu 399 a month.

   [read more]

Back To school
Topic Of the week 18 February, 2010 –

Kipchu Dorji
Jakar High School

“ Long vacation are boring boring because we’re left with nothing to do. I like going to school whereas i can spend more time with my friends”
   [read more]

Cabinet approves 1,000-acre land
To be used as an equity grant by DHI in its joint venture to develop a knowledge city

Knowledge City 18 February, 2010 – The cabinet on Tuesday approved a grant of about 1,000 acres of land to Druk holding and investments (DHI) to be used as an equity in the proposal to build a knowledge city in Bhutan with partners from outside.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Read Bhutan
The alpine community of Ura in Bumthang gets a library of its own through Rural Education and Development (Read) Global. METHO DEMA finds out more about the idea that gave birth to the community library.
On a trek in Nepal dur­ing the late 1980’s, Dr Antonia Neubauer, fondly known as Toni to her employees, asked her [...]    [read more]

How do the farms do?
The RNR Census 2009, re­leased recently, paints a com­prehensive picture of use and sale of natural resources.
The census, which collect­ed data from 57,412 (93.2 percent) of households that engaged in agricultural farm­ing activities across 205 ge­wogs and extended municipal areas in 20 dzongkhags, was conducted for the production year 2008.
Findings
The study showed a 14 per­cent [...]    [read more]


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Wai! Once again, our seats of learning have come alive with chirpy little children. And once again, the empty halls and corridors reverberate with the relentless language of dreams and hopes. The surrounding hills and valleys and fields echo the consummation of dreams and hopes expressed in our national anthem sung every morning. As our [...]    [read more]

ACC creates awareness in Pemagatshel
More than a hundred people attended a day long aware­ness programme on corrup­tion in Pemagatshel last week. The participants included dzongkhag and gewog offi­cials, local businessmen and corporate officials.
Anti Corruption Commis­sion (ACC) Commissioner, Kezang Jamtsho, who led the two member team, said al­though Bhutan still remains the cleanest country in South Asia, it stands at [...]    [read more]

Industries appeal for duty exemption
Bhutanese manufacturers have appealed to the gov­ernment to give them a level playing field with Indian manufacturers in the supply of materials for Punatsangchu hydropower project. They want the government to ex­empt them of excise duty on import of raw materials.
According to Bhutanese Industries Association (BIA), Indian manufacturers and suppliers have been given tax exemptions [...]    [read more]


Love is the greatest leveler of all. Call love into your being to experience the joy of abandon because love is a prayer that ev­erybody sings and is the inner most feelings of oneself. As people say, life is either a darling adventure or nothing. So is love. Love is an un­spoken promise of trust [...]    [read more]

Ailing Druk Seed loses corporate entity
Druk Seed Corporation (DSC) will no longer be a corporate entity but will function as a separate programme of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) with clear delineation of func­tions but with separate ac­counts and management flex­ibility.
This was decided by the cabinet this week after De­partment of Agriculture (DoA) proposed that DSC be reverted to the [...]    [read more]

In spite of Section 10.2
The Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations 2006 (BCSR) consists of 21 chap­ters spread over 223 pages. It can be downloaded from the RCSC website.
Read it.
Now identify the most im­portant provision in the docu­ment.
Civil servants would prob­ably point to Section 10.2 on page 200 of the BCSR. Sec­tion 10.2 states that: “Only one penalty shall [...]    [read more]

Putting the cart before the horse?
Bhutan is opening up to the world at a dizzying pace. And the world has got the whiff of it if foreign companies’ interest in the country is anything to go by.
It all started with the government’s tryst with McKinsey and Company. With the coming of the international consultancy firm to the country last year, [...]    [read more]