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Bhutan News archive for 30 April 2010

April 30, 2010 - From

International Sources

Briefing on the Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference – U.S. Department of State
And as far as this conference is concerned in New York, just two days conference in Bhutan in SAARC nations concluded their conference and Indian and Pakistani prime ministers met there. Now they will be coming there, their leaders, I mean India and …    [read more]

State Department Daily Press Briefing, April 29 – Investors Business Daily
… Secretary Clinton addresses the American Jewish Committee this evening, — Secretary Clinton’s conversation with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, — Assistant Secretary Blake in Bhutan, — U.S team in Moscow to discuss adoption concerns …    [read more]

Realtime Worlds and EA Announce Global Ship Dates for APB (All Points … – WebWire
APB takes the universal theme of Criminals and Enforcers and brings it to a persistent, open-world, online multiplayer setting in the modern, crime-ridden fictional city of San Paro. Some players will achieve notoriety by feeding on the city, its …    [read more]

Extra efforts to achieve SAARC goals: Gilani – Nation
ISLAMABAD – Expressing satisfaction on the outcome of 16th SAARC Summit concluded in Thimphu on April 29, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf … In his statement issued after reaching here from Bhutan, where he attended the 16th SAARC Summit held, the …    [read more]

The people’s ‘Saarc’ – Tehran Times
The 15th people’s Saarc meeting was held in Delhi recently to impress upon the participants of the official Saarc summit in Thimpu, Bhutan, that South Asian countries will continue to lag behind in development until they realise the meaning of …    [read more]

Nepal’s Maoists to hold anti-govt. rally – Presstv
I am open to discussion and reaching a consensus,” he told reporters on arrival in Kathmandu from a regional summit in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu on Friday.    [read more]

A handshake at Thimphu – Nation
Anyway, the ice was broken in Thimphu, Bhutan, when PM Manmohan Singh condescended to meet Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani. The meeting was preceded by the dispatch of a dossier to New Delhi relating to matters arising out of the Mumbai terrorist …    [read more]

Briscoe ends Power’s pole run at Kansas – Tacoma News Tribune
The issue was raised Thursday when the leaders of the two countries met at a regional summit in Bhutan and agreed on the need to normalize relations, the Pakistani side said.    [read more]

Foreign mail rates increased – Hindu
Similarly, fee for both surface and air mail articles (other than literature for the visually challenged) for Nepal and Bhutan has been raised to Rs.5 from the existing Re.1. For other countries, the rates will remain unchanged at Rs.10.    [read more]

Tibetan Quake Critic Still Held – Radio Free Asia
Tibetan service director: Jigme Ngapo.Written and produced in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Volunteers in service of SAARC
From the Village to the banquet hall, they learn to cater to every need

29 April, 2010 – T
he white tablecloth is flung open but remains folded as it lands on the table. All eyes are on him as he tries again. The limp tablecloth lands on the table, its edges falling equally over the table.
   [read more]

The colours of climate change

29 April, 2010 – I
n line with the theme of the SAARC summit, “Towards a Green and Happy South,” 15 artists from the South Asian countries have been brought together in Thimphu to depict climate change through art. Eight more artists will join them this week.
   [read more]

The Thimphu Statement
Climate change gets regional focus
SAARC leaders look on as the SAARC lhadar, a traditional Bhutanese flag (not seen in the picture) is hoisted. The SAARC lhadar symbolises friendship, unity and cooperation among the member states.

SAARC 30 April, 2010 – The 16th SAARC summit in Thimphu ended yesterday with a ‘joint declaration’ and a ‘statement on climate change’ to address the adverse effects of climate change in the region and make the organisation resilient and relevant for the people of south Asia.    [read more]

The big bazaar
Poverty alleviation through liberalisation

Trade In Service Agreement30 April, 2010 – A Bhutanese construction company building roads in Nepal, a Nepali hotelier opening a resort in Bangladesh, Sir Lankan medical practitioners opening clinics in the Maldives – all this is possible with the SAARC trade in service agreement (SATIS) signed yesterday in Thimphu at the closing of the 16th SAARC summit.    [read more]

Indo-Pak climate change
Prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani at the SAARC art exhibition yesterday in Thimphu

30 April, 2010 – “The climate has changed, we were in this beautiful weather of Thimphu and the outcome of this meeting has changed the climate between Pakistan and India,” Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said yesterday at a press conference in Thimphu.    [read more]

“I am very optimistic”
30 April, 2010 – There is desire to move forward and a special chemistry that is now going to enable better cooperation among SAARC member countries, according to the SAARC chairman, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley.    [read more]

From SAARC to substance
30 April, 2010 – The south Asian association for regional cooperation (SAARC) may be a useful talking shop, but it does not get much done.    [read more]

Thuksey rinpoche’s last journey
30 April, 2010 – As requested by devotees all over the country, the kudung (body) of Thuksey rinpoche will travel to several parts of the country before the purjang (cremation) ceremony on July 15 at Kenchosum lhakhang in Bumthang.    [read more]

Many mediums, one message
Bringing climate change to attention artistically
Camp end: SAARC artist with the NEC officals

SAARC Art Camp 30 April, 2010 – A picture paints a thousand words and if its messages are absorbed and heeded, the world would have become a far more seeing, more hearing and, above all, more feeling one.    [read more]

Accused released on bail
Maid Battery Update30 April, 2010 – A woman in her mid-30’s, who was under police custody for allegedly battering her 15-year old maid, was released this week on bail.

Thimphu police said the case was still under investigation and the preliminary hearing was yet to be held.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Victimizing the earthquake victims?
September 11 earthquake affected hundreds of families in Eastern Bhutan. Some lost their homes, a few lost their lives, but many lost their properties. When calamities of such magnitude struck our country, we empathized with them, shared their pains, and for a fleeting moment, all of us became selfless. Starting from His Majesty’s kidu, help [...]    [read more]

I owe you, my teacher
A Teachers’ Day tribute
In Bhutan, May 2 is a pro­found day – 365 days rolled into one red-letter day – the Bhutanese equiva­lent of Thanksgiving Day. It is payback for all the hard work put in, sacrifices made and selfless service by teacher. It’s somebody’s every other ordi­nary day that makes every­body’s every day meaningful [...]    [read more]

Khegpas out?
At this time of the year Ap Dorji Gyaltshen from Zobel village in Pemagatshel should be guard­ing his potato field from wild boars at night. But not this year.
It is not because of the absence of marauding wild boars but the fear of khegpas reported to be out in the vil­lages.
Khegpas are believed to be [...]    [read more]

18 films compete for 29 awards
Eighteen Bhutanese films have been reviewed for the 9th National Film Festival Award, which is slated to be held either on May 2 or 8 in Thimphu.
Twenty films were pro­duced in 2009 out of which two were not selected to com­pete for the award because they could not fulfil certain formalities.
The 18 films will be [...]    [read more]

Indian, Bhutanese PMs meet
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh met with Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley
before returning to the Indian capital, New Delhi, today.
The two leaders exchanged views on SAARC, Indo-Bhutan relations and
other issues of mutual interest.
Expressing their complete satisfaction over the unique and special
relationship the two countries enjoyed, they said they will continue
to build on this bond of friendship.
Dr [...]    [read more]


Wai! With the Saarc lead­ers and delegates in the country, Thimphu is look­ing at its best. Awash with colourful flags, posters and smartly dressed traffic police personnel, the city wears a refreshingly dignified look. Thanks to the police, the usually mad and chaotic traffic has become subdued and controllable.
Everywhere in the city, the pace of [...]    [read more]

I’m specifically referring to two of you guys…
   [read more]

Saarc adopts silver jubilee declaration
The principal outcome of the 16th Saarc summit, the 36-point Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration, was adopted yesterday by the eight leaders of the Saarc countries. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the founding of Saarc, the declaration charts the future course of the association to make it an even more effective and a robust body.
“The true [...]    [read more]

Time for Saarc rebirth?
Leaders of Saarc countries this week expressed their reservations about the regional association’s success in 25 years. Liberal commitments have fallen short of concrete results. Summit declarations have mostly failed to materialize.
Sixteen summits and numerous meetings of the association have virtually failed to bring regional integration. As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pointed out, regional cooperation [...]    [read more]

New impetus to fight climate change
The Saarc member countries adopted the Thimphu Silver Jubilee Statement on Climate Change yesterday. Highlighting a new approach to climate change, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley said the statement would provide a strong impetus to the collaborative efforts to address climate change at the national, regional and international levels.
The statement seeks a review of the implementation [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 29 April 2010

April 29, 2010 - From

International Sources

Afghan leader calls on South Asia summit to fight … – Investors Business Daily
Apr 28, 2010 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) — The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC] today began its 16th conference in the city of Thimphu. The president … the prime minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Jigmi Y. Thinley.    [read more]

Singh, Gilani To Meet On Sidelines Of SAARC Summit – RTT News
It has been agreed through diplomatic channels that the two leaders will meet at the meeting venue Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, on the sidelines of the 16th SAARC Summit, a spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said ending days of …    [read more]

Indian PM suggests PM Nepal to reconcile with Maoists – Nepalnews.com
Indian PM Singh suggested his Nepali counterpart to adopt an amicable measure with the Maoists to solve the present crisis at a meeting in Thimpu, Bhutan, in sidelines of the ongoing 16th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation …    [read more]

India, Pakistan Leaders to Talk as Relations Mired in Distrust – Bloomberg
Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Yousuf Raza Gilani , will sit down together during a regional summit in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. Security and terrorism are expected to dominate discussions as India maintains that no return to full …    [read more]

Roundup: SAARC development fund launched in Bhutan – Investors Business Daily
THIMPHU, Apr 29, 2010 (Xinhua via COMTEX) — The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund (SDF) has been officially launched here by Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley. The SDF which was proposed by Bhutan …    [read more]

The Woman I Love, by Tom Brokaw – Women on the Web
She’s been a successful New York businesswoman – Penny Whistle Toys – author of children’s books and a Montana cookbook – marathoner – trekker in Bhutan and northern Pakistan (without me) – board member of Gannett, Channel 13 …    [read more]

South Asian leaders admit SAARC failure; blame India, Pakistan … – Thaindian.com
Thimphu, April 28 (IANS) South Asian leaders Wednesday … overcome key challenges of poverty, climate change and terrorism in the region as they met for their 16th summit in the Bhutan capital Wednesday. At the opening of the two-day South Asian …    [read more]

Manmohan Singh-Gilani meeting good for region: US – Hindustan Times
The United States has expressed support for the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Thimphu on the sidelines of SAARC summit, saying that’ s “good for the region”. “We always think that …    [read more]

Tigress gives birth to quadruplets at Thai nature … – Earthtimes (press release)
The countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam – are scheduled to meet again for a tiger summit planned for September in Vladivostok, Russia, to map out their plans …    [read more]

12 civilians killed in Afghan blast – Kansas City Star
He was at a regional conference in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Other top officials were present, including his two vice presidents. However, many key former guerrilla commanders were no-shows at the celebration marking their victory.    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Australian aid to restore schools
Back To Basics: A classroom that collapsed during the September 21, 2009 earthquake

28 April, 2010 – The government of Australia yesterday presented a cheque of AUD 1M (approximately Nu 40M) to Bhutan to reconstruct basic school services affected by the September 2009 earthquake.    [read more]

Picture Story

28 April, 2010 – The first building in the new Bajo town was inaugurated by the Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag Rabdey on April 21.

The building belonging to Budha Bir Rai, a businessman who lost both his arms in an accident was completed before the scheduled deadline of December 2010.    [read more]

Trade in services to benefit Bhutan
28 April, 2010 – Bhutan could benefit in a big way from the SAARC Trade in Service Agreement, which is expected to be signed during the course of the two-day Summit on April 28 and 29, according to the economic affairs minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.    [read more]

School’s archery aspirations hamstrung
Little equipment to match talent and zest
The Chosen Few: Only 20 of the more than 100 enthusiasts could be accommodated

28 April, 2010 – When Dagana middle secondary school’s new principal revived the archery club this year, many students were thrilled.    [read more]

Swimming pool opening delayed
28 April, 2010 – After waiting for years Thimphu’s new Nu 66.2M swimming pool complex finally opened to the public mid-2008, complete with a much bigger pool with heating, insulation, underwater lighting and changing and shower rooms.
   [read more]

Drawing inspiration
28 April, 2010 – For members of the Bhutanese media who attended yesterday’s inaugural session of the South Asian Free Media Association’s (SAFMA’s) fifth Summit in Paro, what the Bhutanese prime minister had to say sounded familiar.    [read more]

“Discussions must be kept going”
Lyonchhoen greets the Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal before the bilateral meeting in Thimphu

Lyonchhoen also holds bilateral meetings with other SAARC leaders

28 April, 2010 – Nepal’s Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley during their bilateral talks held yesterday afternoon agreed that the bilateral discussions on the issue of the people in the camps in Nepal must be kept going.    [read more]

Awaiting summit endorsement
28 April, 2010 – If SAARC leaders in Thimphu this week endorse the final blueprint of the SAARC university in New Delhi, the university will start its academic programme by August this year.    [read more]

Disaster response mechanism on hold
Council of of ministers chairman and SAARC secretary general respond to media queries

28 April, 2010 – A natural disaster rapid response mechanism treaty for the SAARC region will not be signed in the upcoming summit with SAARC member states yet to reach a consensus on it.

Online media reports state bilateral diatribe between some of the neighbouring nations for failure to reach a consensus.    [read more]

Only four make final cut
Civil Society Organisation 27 April, 2010 – Four organisations, two related to women, a third on media and democracy and the fourth to promote entrepreneurship, are the first to get civil society organisation status after the CSO Act was passed in 2007.

   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk Star readying for President’s Cup qualifying matches
Druk Star FC, the national club champions, are prepar­ing for the qualifying match­es of AFC President’s Cup, which will be held in Myan­mar next month.
The team have been prac­tising two hours each in the mornings and evenings for a month at the Changlingmith­ang ground in Thimphu.
Druk Star FC are grouped in pool ‘C’ along with [...]    [read more]

Bhutan establishes diplomatic relations with Afghanistan
Bhutan and Afghanistan es­tablished formal diplomatic relations on April 20 with the signing of a joint com­muniqué by the representa­tives of the two countries at the Permanent Mission of Bhutan in New York.
The communiqués was signed by the Ambassador and Permanent Representa­tive of Bhutan to the United Nations in New York, Lhatu Wangchuk, and Ambassador [...]    [read more]

PM meets Saarc delegates
Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley met with the heads of state and government from five SAARC countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan – who arrived in the Kingdom today to  attend the 16th SAARC summit which commences tomorrow.
After receiving the five leaders at Paro airport, the prime minister met with each leader [...]    [read more]

Revellers bother monks
Peace in a tranquil place of meditation is ripped asunder by revelling picnickers, monks complain. Rabi C DahaL reports
The area below Tango and Cheri monaster­ies in Thimphu, which has served as a tranquil meditation place for many of Bhutan’s great lamas, has become a popular picnic site for Thimphu city residents.
Monks from the two mon­asteries [...]    [read more]

BOB going beyond business
Corporations and business houses in the country have started practising sustain­able business. Known as cor­porate social responsibility (CSR), the Bank of Bhutan (BOB) has adopted the ‘new consciousness’ from last year.
Corporate responsibility is the promotion of public interest by encouraging com­munity growth and develop­ment, and voluntarily elimi­nating practices that harm the environment, consumers, employees, communities, [...]    [read more]

Pemagatshel road dangerous
Every time Ap Dend­up drives his car to Pemagatshel town from his home in Yalang vil­lage, he goes through a har­rowing experience. His rela­tively new hand behind the wheel is not the only reason for this. Even experienced drivers say that driving on the narrow road choked with almost a hundred gypsum-loaded speeding trucks is [...]    [read more]

Buddhist college construction begins next month
The construction of Tango Thorim Lobra, a new Bud­dhist college, will begin next month in Dodena, Thimphu.
Funded by the govern­ment of India, the Nu 250-million college will be con­structed over an area of 12.87 acres. It will cater to about 300 monks who have completed their higher sec­ondary studies from reli­gious schools.
The college will provide [...]    [read more]

Boxing coaching underway
senior boxers and 24 junior boxers have been undergo­ing boxing coaching under Korean coach Kim Jae Hyu at Lungtenphu Army canton­ment in Thimphu.
All senior boxers are army personnel and they train from 6 to 7:30 in the morn­ing and 4 to 5:30 in the eve­ning.
They are exempted from regular duties and have all their time [...]    [read more]

Why an old tiger species flourishes
Let’s discuss one of the oldest paper tigers of the country, Tenancy Act. There has been much hue and cry over this Act due to the fact that this is not im­plementable.
It is not implementable because there is an acute housing shortage in places like Thimphu and Phuentsh­oling.
Since it’s difficult to get a decent house [...]    [read more]

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 28 April 2010

April 28, 2010 - From

International Sources

Bhutanese ‘trick’ makes Manmohan, Gilani neighbours … – Gaea Times (blog)
… day stay in the Bhutanese capital. Amid suspense over their possible bilateral meet, the two leaders have been housed in villas just metres away from each other at the SAARC Village here. An op-ed article in a Thimphu tabloid, Bhutan Today …    [read more]

India, Lanka for expeditious resettlement of Tamils … – Newstrack India
Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.28 (ANI): Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna met his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris have called for the expeditious rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with dignity. Sources said …    [read more]

India faces alleged spy case – Denver Post
Madhuri Gupta, 53, a second secretary for the Indian Embassy in Islamabad, was reportedly lured back to India on the pretext that her help was needed to prepare for a regional meeting in Bhutan. She was detained as soon as she landed at the airport …    [read more]

Indian diplomat arrested on charges of spying for rival … – Daily Press
Both Krishna and Prakash were in Thimphu, Bhutan, for a summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation or SAARC, which comprises India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, the Maldives and Bangladesh. Gupta, who had been …    [read more]

Indian diplomat accused of spying for Pakistan – Los Angeles Times
… the Indian Embassy in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, was reportedly lured back to India on the pretext that her help was needed to prepare for an upcoming regional meeting in Bhutan. She was detained as soon as she landed at the airport …    [read more]

Indian diplomat suspected of spying for Pakistan – CNN
The announcement came as representatives of the two rivals prepared to talk on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting in Bhutan. India and Pakistan have been at odds since they became independent in 1947.    [read more]

FM Qureshi unsure about PM Gilani-Singh meeting – Pakistan News Service
THIMPHU: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is not sure about the meeting between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh today (Wednesday) on the sidelines of 16th South Asian Association for Regional …    [read more]

SC pulls the plug on dirty multi-billion dollar LNG … – Pakistan News Service
… Supreme Court directed federal secretary petroleum Kamran Lashari and government lawyer SM Zafar, present in the courtroom, to consult with PM Yousuf Raza Gilani currently visiting Bhutan about these actions proposed by the Supreme Court and …    [read more]

Bhutan ready for talks on refugees – Nepalnews.com
Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley expressed such commitment at a meeting with … Bhutanese foreign and finance minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said at a press conference in Bhutan Tuesday, the problem of refugees is a bilateral problem and we …    [read more]

Diplomat’s arrest on spying charges a serious issue … – Zee News
Thimphu: Terming the arrest of an Indian diplomat posted in Islamabad as a “serious” issue, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna Wednesday said the government will do whatever was needed after finding out her “motive and modus operandi …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Only four make final cut
Civil Society Organisation 27 April, 2010 – Four organisations, two related to women, a third on media and democracy and the fourth to promote entrepreneurship, are the first to get civil society organisation status after the CSO Act was passed in 2007.

   [read more]

Four-day Thimphu litfest
27 April, 2010 – Indian authors, poets, movie directors and actors, along with Bhutanese academicians and intellectuals, will congregate in Thimphu in May for the Literary Festival, Mountain Echoes, organised by the India-Bhutan foundation, in association with Siyashi, India’s leading literary consultancy based in Jaipur.    [read more]

Never too old to learn
Cheten, Dorji Wangchuk and his youngest brother (From left)

27 April, 2010 – Dorji Wangchuk blushed recalling his first day in school as a 15-year old. Now 22, the student from Gongdi under Silambi gewog, Mongar, is in class six at the Pangthang community primary school.
   [read more]

Druk PNB floats 750,000 shares
First FDI bank’s initial public offer – Nu 100 face value

27 April, 2010 – Shares of Druk PNB bank ltd, the first foreign direct investment (FDI) bank in the country, went public yesterday, with an initial public offer (IPO) of 750,000 shares of a face value of Nu 100 each.
   [read more]

Countdown to connectivity
Remote Mongar gewogs look forward to a life changing farm road

27 April, 2010 – With a farm road inching closer every day to their village, farmers of Kengkhar and Jurmi gewogs are not dreaming of driving power tillers or tractors. They are hoping that the price of basic necessities like salt and rice will be reduced after the road connects their village.
   [read more]

Not too many takers
27 April, 2010 – The road safety and transport authority (RSTA) policy to liberalise passenger transport service a month ago has not drawn too many wheels, with only two operators expressing interest so far.
   [read more]

SAARC leaders arrive in Bhutan
SAARC : 27 April, 2010 –

Six SAARC leaders have arrived in the country ahead of the 16th SAARC summit that begins tomorrow in Thimphu.

   [read more]

PM urges media to promote values
Lyonchhoen’s address receives standing ovation
PM interacts with media personnel at the reception he hosted for them

Fifth SAARC Journalists’ Summit 27 April, 2010 – In a speech that received a standing ovation from around 120 journalists and media personnel from the eight SAARC countries in Paro yesterday, Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley urged the media to play a responsible role in helping society to promote the right values that contribute to the happiness and well being of society.    [read more]

A meeting of minds on most issues
Standing Committee 27 April, 2010 – The south Asian region has already tasted the adverse effects of climate change, from GLOFS in Himalayan nations to flood and drought in other parts of the region.    [read more]

PM meets Sri Lankan President

27 April, 2010 – Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley met the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who arrived in the kingdom yesterday to attend the 16th SAARC summit.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Druk Star readying for President’s Cup qualifying matches
Druk Star FC, the national club champions, are prepar­ing for the qualifying match­es of AFC President’s Cup, which will be held in Myan­mar next month.
The team have been prac­tising two hours each in the mornings and evenings for a month at the Changlingmith­ang ground in Thimphu.
Druk Star FC are grouped in pool ‘C’ along with [...]    [read more]

Bhutan establishes diplomatic relations with Afghanistan
Bhutan and Afghanistan es­tablished formal diplomatic relations on April 20 with the signing of a joint com­muniqué by the representa­tives of the two countries at the Permanent Mission of Bhutan in New York.
The communiqués was signed by the Ambassador and Permanent Representa­tive of Bhutan to the United Nations in New York, Lhatu Wangchuk, and Ambassador [...]    [read more]

PM meets Saarc delegates
Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley met with the heads of state and government from five SAARC countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan – who arrived in the Kingdom today to  attend the 16th SAARC summit which commences tomorrow.
After receiving the five leaders at Paro airport, the prime minister met with each leader [...]    [read more]

Revellers bother monks
Peace in a tranquil place of meditation is ripped asunder by revelling picnickers, monks complain. Rabi C DahaL reports
The area below Tango and Cheri monaster­ies in Thimphu, which has served as a tranquil meditation place for many of Bhutan’s great lamas, has become a popular picnic site for Thimphu city residents.
Monks from the two mon­asteries [...]    [read more]

BOB going beyond business
Corporations and business houses in the country have started practising sustain­able business. Known as cor­porate social responsibility (CSR), the Bank of Bhutan (BOB) has adopted the ‘new consciousness’ from last year.
Corporate responsibility is the promotion of public interest by encouraging com­munity growth and develop­ment, and voluntarily elimi­nating practices that harm the environment, consumers, employees, communities, [...]    [read more]

Pemagatshel road dangerous
Every time Ap Dend­up drives his car to Pemagatshel town from his home in Yalang vil­lage, he goes through a har­rowing experience. His rela­tively new hand behind the wheel is not the only reason for this. Even experienced drivers say that driving on the narrow road choked with almost a hundred gypsum-loaded speeding trucks is [...]    [read more]

Buddhist college construction begins next month
The construction of Tango Thorim Lobra, a new Bud­dhist college, will begin next month in Dodena, Thimphu.
Funded by the govern­ment of India, the Nu 250-million college will be con­structed over an area of 12.87 acres. It will cater to about 300 monks who have completed their higher sec­ondary studies from reli­gious schools.
The college will provide [...]    [read more]

Boxing coaching underway
senior boxers and 24 junior boxers have been undergo­ing boxing coaching under Korean coach Kim Jae Hyu at Lungtenphu Army canton­ment in Thimphu.
All senior boxers are army personnel and they train from 6 to 7:30 in the morn­ing and 4 to 5:30 in the eve­ning.
They are exempted from regular duties and have all their time [...]    [read more]

Why an old tiger species flourishes
Let’s discuss one of the oldest paper tigers of the country, Tenancy Act. There has been much hue and cry over this Act due to the fact that this is not im­plementable.
It is not implementable because there is an acute housing shortage in places like Thimphu and Phuentsh­oling.
Since it’s difficult to get a decent house [...]    [read more]

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 27 April 2010

April 27, 2010 - From

International Sources

Indian and Pakistani prime ministers to meet – CNN
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) — The prime ministers of bitter rivals India and Pakistan plan to meet this week during a summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Bhutan, the Pakistani premier’s office said in a statement. With …    [read more]

One-to-One with Author Paro Anand – Deutsche Welle
Anand runs a programme called “Literature in Action” that trains children, teachers and parents on the use of literature for the holistic development of children. She has been a resource person with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, where she has worked …    [read more]

India media team is the largest at XVIth SAARC Summit – Thaindian.com
… report in the web site of Bhutan’s main English daily – Kuensel, 43 Indian journalists are already listed to come to the country. Pakistan is fielding 31 journalists as of yesterday, it adds. Bhutanese … shifted to Paro, 52 km from Thimphu,    [read more]

SAARC Foreign Ministers meet to approve XVIth summit … – Thaindian.com
Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.27 (ANI): Foreign Ministers of the eight South Asian Association for Regional … Briefing media about the interaction, Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Daw Penjo said: “Whatever recommendations in terms of decisions at the …    [read more]

LNG case: SC offers safe exit to govt – Pakistan News Service
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court gave a friendly advice to the Petroleum Ministry on Monday to consult Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, currently visiting Bhutan, to take the controversial multi-billion dollar LNG deal back to the Economic Coordination …    [read more]

South Asian nations to fight climate change – kgw.com
THIMPHU, Bhutan (AP) — Foreign ministers of eight … Bhutan chose to focus much of the summit on climate change because South Asia is highly vulnerable to its effects, said Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Daw Penjo. Bhutan has suffered from the global …    [read more]

SAARC nations vow to fight climate change – Hindustan Times
Bhutan chose to have the focus of the summit be climate change because South Asia is highly vulnerable to its effects, said Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Daw Penjo. Bhutan has suffered from the global warming linked flooding of lakes caused by melting …    [read more]

India, Afghanistan discuss Taliban, regional security – Interactive Investor
Karzai will be travelling to Bhutan later this week to attend a regional summit where the leaders of India and Pakistan will also be present. The rivalry been India and Pakistan has extended to Afghanistan where the two are battling for influence.    [read more]

India asks SAARC members to rally against terrorism – Zee News
Thimphu (Bhutan): India has asked other SAARC members to rally against forces of terrorism. Addressing the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting here, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said: “Terrorism poses a serious danger to the economic …    [read more]

PM Nepal off to Bhutan to attend SAARC Summit – Nepalnews.com
… will also attend a luncheon hosted by Bhutanese … at the Bhutan House in Thimpu’s SAARC Village. Later in the afternoon, the PM Nepal along with other Heads of State/Government of SAARC will be jointly received by His Majesty Jigme Khesar …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

PM urges media to promote values
Lyonchhoen’s address receives standing ovation
PM interacts with media personnel at the reception he hosted for them

Fifth SAARC Journalists’ Summit 27 April, 2010 – In a speech that received a standing ovation from around 120 journalists and media personnel from the eight SAARC countries in Paro yesterday, Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley urged the media to play a responsible role in helping society to promote the right values that contribute to the happiness and well being of society.    [read more]

A meeting of minds on most issues
Standing Committee 27 April, 2010 – The south Asian region has already tasted the adverse effects of climate change, from GLOFS in Himalayan nations to flood and drought in other parts of the region.    [read more]

PM meets Sri Lankan President

27 April, 2010 – Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley met the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who arrived in the kingdom yesterday to attend the 16th SAARC summit.    [read more]

Future citizens fend for themselves
27 April, 2010 – The group of teenagers in Paro town who initiated a signature campaign to build a basketball court, in a way, indicates that our youth are taking responsibility.    [read more]

Linking climate change to health

RSPN Manual 26 April, 2010 – If the movers and shakers of South Asia are all set to discuss climate change during the 16th SAARC summit, Bhutanese youth could learn a few things about climate change and why Bhutan chose it as a Summit theme.    [read more]

Domestic copper industry meltdown
After a high in 2007, it’s been downhill

26 April, 2010 – If export figures are anything to go by, the domestic copper industry is melting away fast.
In 2007, copper wires was the number one export commodity, after hydropower energy, at Nu 3.2B – higher than ferro alloys and cement export put together.    [read more]

Making mask dance mandatory
Diminishing Circle: Using compulsion to keep a tradition alive

Ura’s Yakchu Festival26 April, 2010 – The quiet village of Ura in the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang, is alive with the sound of festivity. Ura’ annual festival, the Yakchu, began yesterday and will continue for the next four days.    [read more]

School of hard knocks
26 April, 2010 – What we learn through difficulty and pain we never forget. That can be said about children studying in remote schools vis–vis the value of education.    [read more]

Fifth SAARC Journalists’ Summit
Setting the environmental tone

26 April, 2010 – About 90 journalists and media personnel from south Asia have arrived in Paro to attend the fifth SAARC journalists’ summit, which Bhutan is hosting for the first time and will take place alongside the 16th SAARC summit.    [read more]

Accommodating the media
Organisers take on a logistic challenge

SAARC Summit26 April, 2010 – With more than 300 journalists to arrive in the country in the next few days, media coordinators in capital are up against a logistical challenge.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Revellers bother monks
Peace in a tranquil place of meditation is ripped asunder by revelling picnickers, monks complain. Rabi C DahaL reports
The area below Tango and Cheri monaster­ies in Thimphu, which has served as a tranquil meditation place for many of Bhutan’s great lamas, has become a popular picnic site for Thimphu city residents.
Monks from the two mon­asteries [...]    [read more]

BOB going beyond business
Corporations and business houses in the country have started practising sustain­able business. Known as cor­porate social responsibility (CSR), the Bank of Bhutan (BOB) has adopted the ‘new consciousness’ from last year.
Corporate responsibility is the promotion of public interest by encouraging com­munity growth and develop­ment, and voluntarily elimi­nating practices that harm the environment, consumers, employees, communities, [...]    [read more]

Pemagatshel road dangerous
Every time Ap Dend­up drives his car to Pemagatshel town from his home in Yalang vil­lage, he goes through a har­rowing experience. His rela­tively new hand behind the wheel is not the only reason for this. Even experienced drivers say that driving on the narrow road choked with almost a hundred gypsum-loaded speeding trucks is [...]    [read more]

Buddhist college construction begins next month
The construction of Tango Thorim Lobra, a new Bud­dhist college, will begin next month in Dodena, Thimphu.
Funded by the govern­ment of India, the Nu 250-million college will be con­structed over an area of 12.87 acres. It will cater to about 300 monks who have completed their higher sec­ondary studies from reli­gious schools.
The college will provide [...]    [read more]

Boxing coaching underway
senior boxers and 24 junior boxers have been undergo­ing boxing coaching under Korean coach Kim Jae Hyu at Lungtenphu Army canton­ment in Thimphu.
All senior boxers are army personnel and they train from 6 to 7:30 in the morn­ing and 4 to 5:30 in the eve­ning.
They are exempted from regular duties and have all their time [...]    [read more]

Why an old tiger species flourishes
Let’s discuss one of the oldest paper tigers of the country, Tenancy Act. There has been much hue and cry over this Act due to the fact that this is not im­plementable.
It is not implementable because there is an acute housing shortage in places like Thimphu and Phuentsh­oling.
Since it’s difficult to get a decent house [...]    [read more]

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

School that grows happiness
A microcosm of a GNH society is emerging on the campus of a remote district school. Gyembo Namgyal reportsing
Since the Educating for GNH workshop for principals and dzong­khag education officers in Paro earlier this year, schools around the country have made remarkable progress in infusing GNH values into the classroom.
Most schools have begun meditation as [...]    [read more]


   [read more]

Expected summit outcome
One of the key outcomes of the 16th Saarc summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be adoption of Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration by the member countries.
The declaration would contain a number of direc­tives to enhance regional co­operation in a number of ar­eas including new initiatives to be undertaken by [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 26 April 2010

April 26, 2010 - From

International Sources

India, Pakistan PMs to hold talks in Bhutan this week – YAHOO!
THIMPU (AFP) – The prime ministers of India and Pakistan will hold talks at a conference in Bhutan this week, officials in New Delhi said Monday, as … The summit in the Bhutanese capital Thimpu opening Wednesday is supposed to culminate in a …    [read more]

Not ruling out Singh-Gilani meeting in Bhutan: Krishna – Gaea Times (blog)
THIMPHU – External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday said a bilateral meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan can’t be ruled out on the sidelines of the SAARC summit here and stressed that all issues will be discussed if the …    [read more]

1st LD Writethru: President Karzai leaves for India – Investors Business Daily
Afghan president after visiting New Delhi and exchanging views with Indian leaders will proceed to Bhutan to attend the 16th summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the statement added.    [read more]

Making mask dance mandatory – Kuensel Online
Ura’s Yakchu Festival 26 April, 2010 – The quiet village of Ura in the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang, is alive with the sound of festivity … The champon (master dancer), Sonam Wangchuk, said that senior gomchens (lay monk) came up with …    [read more]

SAARC Conference PM To Leave For Bhutan Today – A Pakistan News
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would leave for Bhutan today to attend the 16th SAARC conference scheduled to be held on April 28 and 29. A meeting between PM Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh could also take place on the …    [read more]

Linking climate change to health – Kuensel Online
… Bhutanese … Bhutan chose it as a Summit theme.  The royal society for protection of nature (RSPN), a non-government organisation, yesterday, launched a 57-page “Manual on Climate Change and Health,” at the Tashi Taj hotel in Thimphu.    [read more]

Not ruling out Singh, Gilani meeting during SAARC meet … – Hindustan Times
In a first official indication of a possible meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan in Thimphu, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Monday said the bilateral meeting cannot be ruled out. “I am not ruling it out,” Krishna said …    [read more]

India, Pakistan PMs to hold talks this week – Khaleej Times
NEW DELHI – The prime ministers of South Asian rivals India and Pakistan are to hold talks on the sidelines of a regional conference in Bhutan this week, a government source in New Delhi told AFP on Monday. Talks have been called to discuss a water …    [read more]

Hasina plans to buy electricity from India – New Kerala
The present government has taken effective steps to import electricity on an urgent basis from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China,” the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency quoted her as saying. “We are aware of your sufferings.    [read more]

Nepal government asks Maoists to call off May Day … – New Kerala
Blake, Jr, is in Kathmandu prior to attending the 16th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit in Bhutan. Blake met Nepal Monday and will also hold talks with the Maoists and other political leaders, government officials and …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Linking climate change to health

RSPN Manual 26 April, 2010 – If the movers and shakers of South Asia are all set to discuss climate change during the 16th SAARC summit, Bhutanese youth could learn a few things about climate change and why Bhutan chose it as a Summit theme.    [read more]

Domestic copper industry meltdown
After a high in 2007, it’s been downhill

26 April, 2010 – If export figures are anything to go by, the domestic copper industry is melting away fast.
In 2007, copper wires was the number one export commodity, after hydropower energy, at Nu 3.2B – higher than ferro alloys and cement export put together.    [read more]

Making mask dance mandatory
Diminishing Circle: Using compulsion to keep a tradition alive

Ura’s Yakchu Festival26 April, 2010 – The quiet village of Ura in the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang, is alive with the sound of festivity. Ura’ annual festival, the Yakchu, began yesterday and will continue for the next four days.    [read more]

School of hard knocks
26 April, 2010 – What we learn through difficulty and pain we never forget. That can be said about children studying in remote schools vis–vis the value of education.    [read more]

Fifth SAARC Journalists’ Summit
Setting the environmental tone

26 April, 2010 – About 90 journalists and media personnel from south Asia have arrived in Paro to attend the fifth SAARC journalists’ summit, which Bhutan is hosting for the first time and will take place alongside the 16th SAARC summit.    [read more]

Accommodating the media
Organisers take on a logistic challenge

SAARC Summit26 April, 2010 – With more than 300 journalists to arrive in the country in the next few days, media coordinators in capital are up against a logistical challenge.    [read more]

Are you a good human being?
Is the question His Majesty put to youth during the 12-day trek in the east
His Majesty takes part in a game with students of Jurmi gewog at the Jurmi community primary school in Mongar during the recent tour of the eastern districts.

26 April, 2010 – “Are you a good human being?” His Majesty asked students of two schools in Daksa in Mongar, while on a 12-day trek through the far-flung villages in the eastern dzongkhags.    [read more]

PICTURE STORY

26 April, 2010 – Ambassadors Rukma Shumsher Rana of Nepal, Ashraf Qureshi of Pakistan and Prasad Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka presented their credentials to His Majesty the King yesterday. The ambassadors also called on the Prime Minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley.    [read more]

Foreign secretaries meet
Foreign secretary Daw Penjo greets his counterparts at the Standing Committee meeting yesterday

26 April, 2010 – The foreign secretaries of the SAARC member countries met on Sunday, April 26, to consider the fine print of draft agreements to be signed during the 16th SAARC summit scheduled later this week.    [read more]

This is the way we walk to school …
Education in our community primary schools requires much stamina of our students
Legs To Learning: On an average, Dagana kids like these walk 3 hours daily to school and back

25 April, 2010 – The sight of dark clouds gathering over the distant hills makes 10-year old Sangay Lhamo frown.

For this class two student of Pangna community primary school in the central district of Dagana, the rainy season is not at all a welcome change.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

BOB going beyond business
Corporations and business houses in the country have started practising sustain­able business. Known as cor­porate social responsibility (CSR), the Bank of Bhutan (BOB) has adopted the ‘new consciousness’ from last year.
Corporate responsibility is the promotion of public interest by encouraging com­munity growth and develop­ment, and voluntarily elimi­nating practices that harm the environment, consumers, employees, communities, [...]    [read more]

Pemagatshel road dangerous
Every time Ap Dend­up drives his car to Pemagatshel town from his home in Yalang vil­lage, he goes through a har­rowing experience. His rela­tively new hand behind the wheel is not the only reason for this. Even experienced drivers say that driving on the narrow road choked with almost a hundred gypsum-loaded speeding trucks is [...]    [read more]

Buddhist college construction begins next month
The construction of Tango Thorim Lobra, a new Bud­dhist college, will begin next month in Dodena, Thimphu.
Funded by the govern­ment of India, the Nu 250-million college will be con­structed over an area of 12.87 acres. It will cater to about 300 monks who have completed their higher sec­ondary studies from reli­gious schools.
The college will provide [...]    [read more]

Boxing coaching underway
senior boxers and 24 junior boxers have been undergo­ing boxing coaching under Korean coach Kim Jae Hyu at Lungtenphu Army canton­ment in Thimphu.
All senior boxers are army personnel and they train from 6 to 7:30 in the morn­ing and 4 to 5:30 in the eve­ning.
They are exempted from regular duties and have all their time [...]    [read more]

Why an old tiger species flourishes
Let’s discuss one of the oldest paper tigers of the country, Tenancy Act. There has been much hue and cry over this Act due to the fact that this is not im­plementable.
It is not implementable because there is an acute housing shortage in places like Thimphu and Phuentsh­oling.
Since it’s difficult to get a decent house [...]    [read more]

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

School that grows happiness
A microcosm of a GNH society is emerging on the campus of a remote district school. Gyembo Namgyal reportsing
Since the Educating for GNH workshop for principals and dzong­khag education officers in Paro earlier this year, schools around the country have made remarkable progress in infusing GNH values into the classroom.
Most schools have begun meditation as [...]    [read more]


   [read more]

Expected summit outcome
One of the key outcomes of the 16th Saarc summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be adoption of Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration by the member countries.
The declaration would contain a number of direc­tives to enhance regional co­operation in a number of ar­eas including new initiatives to be undertaken by [...]    [read more]

Touching hearts and lives
His Majesty’s visit to some of the remotest parts of the kingdom in the east is rede­fining the people’s percep­tion of a monarch like never before.
The rural people are now describing His Majesty as “an enlightened being”.
“He didn’t sound like a king up there in his speech,” said Atta Chiloo from Zoar in Kengkhar Gewog, [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 25 April 2010

April 25, 2010 - From

International Sources

Manmohan to meet Karzai Monday, Taliban worry tops … – Gaea Times (blog)
Karzai will leave for the Bhutanese capital Thimphu Tuesday to participate in the 16th summit meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Manmohan Singh will also convey India’s concerns over the volatile security …    [read more]

US Assistant State Secretary arrives – Nepalnews.com
Blake will also lead the US observer delegation at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Thimpu, Bhutan from April 28 to 29. Nepalnews.com Readers are kindly requested to avoid using offensive language and also …    [read more]

India Wants IMF to Redefine its Role – Daijiworld.com
… role and mandate so as to adapt to the requirements of changing times, said Subbarao, taking the floor on behalf of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who represents Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka on the International Monetary and …    [read more]

Foreign minister Koirala off to Thimpu – Nepalnews.com
Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Sujata Koirala has left for Thimpu, Bhutan to attend the 16th summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Sunday. Foreign minister Koirala will attend the SAARC ministerial level meeting …    [read more]

euronews – Euro News
Leaders of India and Pakistan may meet in Bhutan’s capital this week on the sidelines of a summit of South Asian nations to discuss trade and the environment. A meeting between the two nuclear-armed states’ leaders could help keep alive the idea …    [read more]

A melting pot of many cultures – Kuensel Online
A resigned charter accountant is already mesmerised by Bhutanese etiquette and intends to visit Bhutan for all its uniqueness she has heard about. A series of cultural programmes, dramas and live programmes by Asian, European and the western groups …    [read more]

April is the cruelest month for Changzamtog – Kuensel Online
25 April, 2010 – Come April and densely populated localities like Changzamtog in Thimphu city face an acute shortage of water almost every year. At this time, Changzamtog residents are seen fetching water in jerry cans and fetching water from their …    [read more]

euronews – Euro News
Some Indian TV stations said on Sunday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might skip a South Asian leaders’ summit in Bhutan this week in view of political developments at home. His office denied this. The special parliamentary vote will make …    [read more]

SAARC foreign secretaries meet in Thimpu – Bangladesh News 24 hours
Thimphu, April 25 (bdnews24 … The secretaries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also considered the text of the final summit declaration. The standing committee meeting will suggest amendments to …    [read more]

India, Pakistan in focus at South Asia summit – Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Leaders of India and Pakistan are likely to meet in Bhutan’s capital next week as their nuclear-armed rivalry overshadows a summit of South Asian nations to discuss trade and environment. India halted peace talks with Pakistan after the …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

This is the way we walk to school …
Education in our community primary schools requires much stamina of our students
Legs To Learning: On an average, Dagana kids like these walk 3 hours daily to school and back

25 April, 2010 – The sight of dark clouds gathering over the distant hills makes 10-year old Sangay Lhamo frown.

For this class two student of Pangna community primary school in the central district of Dagana, the rainy season is not at all a welcome change.    [read more]

Two agreements due to be signed
25 April, 2010 – Two agreements, one on environment and the other on trade in services will be signed by the eight members of the south Asian association for regional cooperation (SAARC) during the summit, on April 28 and 29.    [read more]

A melting pot of many cultures
Rainbow Believers: Religious gatherings present opportunities to showcase cultures

Annual Drukpa Council25 April, 2010 – Besides, being a forum for exchanging religious views and teachings, the annual drukpa council (ADC) held in Kathmandu, Nepal, was also an opportunity for more than 10,000 pilgrims from 65 countries to learn and exchange their diverse cultures.    [read more]

Signature campaign for basketball court
Paro youth initiative towards sporting facility
One Board, Many Bars: A disparity that might explain the spurt in youth-related crime

25 April, 2010 – Taking matters into their own hands, a group of teenagers are currently collecting signatures in a campaign to build a basketball court in Tshongdue town.

Kuensel looked at the underlying reasons behind their campaign.    [read more]

April is the cruelest month for Changzamtog
25 April, 2010 – Come April and densely populated localities like Changzamtog in Thimphu city face an acute shortage of water almost every year.

At this time, Changzamtog residents are seen fetching water in jerry cans and fetching water from their neighbours.    [read more]

Pasakha trucks stranded
25 April, 2010 – About 150 trucks and trailers carrying industrial goods to and from Pasakha industrial estate were stranded for a night on April 21 at Pasakha, unable to cross the Barsa river that had swollen to dangerous levels by the past week’s regular downpours.    [read more]

Tariff-free trade comes through
24 April, 2010 – Flower blossoms on apple trees this season promise farmers better returns.

In fact returns this year will be boon to them, with the fruit being among 18 other export products, which will enjoy zero tariff.    [read more]

Summit traffic restrictions eased
24 April, 2010 – Traffic restrictions between Paro and Thimphu when SAARC VIPS arrive on April 26 and 27 and depart on April 30 have been lifted.    [read more]

His Majesty attends Zhabdrung Kuchoe
His Majesty the King is received by His Holiness the Je Khenpo in the courtyard of the Punakha dzong on April 23. His Majesty attended the Shabdrung Kuchey at the Punakha dzong at the end of a three-week tour of eastern Bhutan.

24 April, 2010 – His Majesty the King attended the Zhabdrung Kuchoe (death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal) ceremony performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks at the Kuenrey of Punakha dzong on April 23.    [read more]

Picture Story

24 April, 2010 – The foreign secretary of India, Mrs Nirupama Rao, calls on the Prime Minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley, in the Gyalyong Tsokhang yesterday in Thimphu    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Buddhist college construction begins next month
The construction of Tango Thorim Lobra, a new Bud­dhist college, will begin next month in Dodena, Thimphu.
Funded by the govern­ment of India, the Nu 250-million college will be con­structed over an area of 12.87 acres. It will cater to about 300 monks who have completed their higher sec­ondary studies from reli­gious schools.
The college will provide [...]    [read more]

Boxing coaching underway
senior boxers and 24 junior boxers have been undergo­ing boxing coaching under Korean coach Kim Jae Hyu at Lungtenphu Army canton­ment in Thimphu.
All senior boxers are army personnel and they train from 6 to 7:30 in the morn­ing and 4 to 5:30 in the eve­ning.
They are exempted from regular duties and have all their time [...]    [read more]

Why an old tiger species flourishes
Let’s discuss one of the oldest paper tigers of the country, Tenancy Act. There has been much hue and cry over this Act due to the fact that this is not im­plementable.
It is not implementable because there is an acute housing shortage in places like Thimphu and Phuentsh­oling.
Since it’s difficult to get a decent house [...]    [read more]

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

School that grows happiness
A microcosm of a GNH society is emerging on the campus of a remote district school. Gyembo Namgyal reportsing
Since the Educating for GNH workshop for principals and dzong­khag education officers in Paro earlier this year, schools around the country have made remarkable progress in infusing GNH values into the classroom.
Most schools have begun meditation as [...]    [read more]


   [read more]

Expected summit outcome
One of the key outcomes of the 16th Saarc summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be adoption of Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration by the member countries.
The declaration would contain a number of direc­tives to enhance regional co­operation in a number of ar­eas including new initiatives to be undertaken by [...]    [read more]

Touching hearts and lives
His Majesty’s visit to some of the remotest parts of the kingdom in the east is rede­fining the people’s percep­tion of a monarch like never before.
The rural people are now describing His Majesty as “an enlightened being”.
“He didn’t sound like a king up there in his speech,” said Atta Chiloo from Zoar in Kengkhar Gewog, [...]    [read more]

Do you think that Saarc countries can find a common ground on climate change?
   [read more]

New curriculum for VTIs
To enhance employability of vocational training institute graduates, the Ministry of La­bour and Human Resources will implement competency-based curriculum (CBC) as a pilot project from August this year.
The new curriculum is for masonry, carpentry, auto me­chanic, plumbing, and elec­trical.
“In coming up with the new curriculum our past ex­periences and lessons learnt were considered,” said Jigme [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 24 April 2010

April 24, 2010 - From

International Sources

RICS: Substantial Rise in London Office Rent … – American Chronicle
It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/ Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam …    [read more]

Afghan President to visit India on Monday – Channel NewsAsia
Singh is expected to reiterate New Delhi’s concern about militants targeting Indians in Afghanistan to Karzai, who is en route to Bhutan for a meeting of South Asian regional leaders, Indian media reported. Karzai’s visit will be an “opportunity for …    [read more]

Pakistan hints at Gilani-Manmohan meeting in Thimphu – Zee News
Islamabad: In a surprise move, Pakistan has indicated that a meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh cannot be ruled out on the sidelines of the SAARC summit at Thimphu in Bhutan next week though …    [read more]

We can learn something from Bhutan – Morris County Daily Record
This small voice echoes from the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, where the prime minister has declared greed to be the cause … Gross National Happiness is the Bhutanese government’s official alternative to what it considers the “broken promise …    [read more]

Cycling in Bhutan is a magical adventure – The Province
The grin on my face is as wide as the Bhutanese suspension bridge I’m flying across is long … We toured Punakha Dzong, the second oldest monastery in Bhutan, shopped in Thimphu, enjoyed a massage at Uma, saw the dawn rising of a sacred Buddhist …    [read more]

Economy means rough times for some Idaho refugees – Idaho Statesman
This week, about 25 refugees from Iraq, Congo and Bhutan will get job training in food processing from specialists at University of Idaho’s Food Technology Center in Caldwell. None of this matters to Alexis Mpalirwa. His two oldest sons were among …    [read more]

Himalayan trail takes trekkers across top of world – Vancouver Sun
He is researching routes through Bhutan and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and next year hopes to travel to Pakistan and Afghanistan.    [read more]

Pakistan hints at Gilani-Manmohan meeting at Thimpu – New Kerala
We had proposed a meaningful engagement between our two countries, including a summit, between the two prime ministers in Bhutan on the sidelines of the SAARC summit. We are still awaiting India’s response to our road map,” the official said.    [read more]

Thimphu may see visa exemption push – Bangladesh News 24 hours
New Delhi, April 23 (bdnews24.com) — The smaller nations of the 8-member SAARC may push for expanding the bloc’s visa exemption scheme during the Thimphu summit on Apr 28-29. Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan that might cast …    [read more]

Gilani-Singh meeting at Thimpu on cards – Pakistan News Service
… meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could not be ruled out on the sidelines of the Saarc summit in Thimpu, Bhutan. “The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with his …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Tariff-free trade comes through
24 April, 2010 – Flower blossoms on apple trees this season promise farmers better returns.

In fact returns this year will be boon to them, with the fruit being among 18 other export products, which will enjoy zero tariff.    [read more]

Summit traffic restrictions eased
24 April, 2010 – Traffic restrictions between Paro and Thimphu when SAARC VIPS arrive on April 26 and 27 and depart on April 30 have been lifted.    [read more]

His Majesty attends Zhabdrung Kuchoe
His Majesty the King is received by His Holiness the Je Khenpo in the courtyard of the Punakha dzong on April 23. His Majesty attended the Shabdrung Kuchey at the Punakha dzong at the end of a three-week tour of eastern Bhutan.

24 April, 2010 – His Majesty the King attended the Zhabdrung Kuchoe (death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal) ceremony performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks at the Kuenrey of Punakha dzong on April 23.    [read more]

Picture Story

24 April, 2010 – The foreign secretary of India, Mrs Nirupama Rao, calls on the Prime Minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley, in the Gyalyong Tsokhang yesterday in Thimphu    [read more]

Occasional clean-ups
24 April, 2010 – Thimphu is looking all clean and tidy. And it took the 16th SAARC Summit, happening here next week, to bring about the makeover.    [read more]

Off-hour clinic to start May 4
23 April, 2010 – Starting May 4, Thimphu residents will be able to fix an appointment and consult their doctor of choice, between 4pm and 7pm, six days a week. This service will come at a fee of Nu 300.    [read more]

Rears its bogus head again
With many major constructions in Tsirang, an old wive’s tale is revived

Headhunter rumour23 April, 2010 – Thirteen-year-old Dolay, who has to hike for hours to and from school, always waits for his friends to walk to school early mornings and back home before dusk.
   [read more]

Qualified welcome to ministry moves
Private Training Institutions 23 April, 2010 – Private training institutions (PTI) have welcomed the ministry’s move to register them, follow infrastructure and trainer qualification requirements, and provide accreditation for their courses.    [read more]

2009 fuel imports up by 9 M litres
23 April, 2010 – Bhutan imported more than 103M litres of petroleum products in 2009, 9M litres higher than 2008, indicating the country’s rising dependence on fossil fuels.    [read more]

A watershed summit
23 April, 2010 – All is well as far as preparation for the 16th SAARC summit next week is concerned. At a press conference yesterday, at the refurbished National Assembly hall where the two-day summit will be held, journalist joked about the confidence brimming on Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley’s face.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Off-hours clinic to start May 4
The national referral hospi­tal in Thimphu will launch the off-hours clinic on May 4 as a year-long pilot project.
It is expected to ease con­gestion at the hospital and create options for people, who can pay and who do not have time to wait in queue.
The clinic will be opera­tional from Monday to Satur­day from 4 [...]    [read more]

School that grows happiness
A microcosm of a GNH society is emerging on the campus of a remote district school. Gyembo Namgyal reportsing
Since the Educating for GNH workshop for principals and dzong­khag education officers in Paro earlier this year, schools around the country have made remarkable progress in infusing GNH values into the classroom.
Most schools have begun meditation as [...]    [read more]


   [read more]

Expected summit outcome
One of the key outcomes of the 16th Saarc summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be adoption of Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration by the member countries.
The declaration would contain a number of direc­tives to enhance regional co­operation in a number of ar­eas including new initiatives to be undertaken by [...]    [read more]

Touching hearts and lives
His Majesty’s visit to some of the remotest parts of the kingdom in the east is rede­fining the people’s percep­tion of a monarch like never before.
The rural people are now describing His Majesty as “an enlightened being”.
“He didn’t sound like a king up there in his speech,” said Atta Chiloo from Zoar in Kengkhar Gewog, [...]    [read more]

Do you think that Saarc countries can find a common ground on climate change?
   [read more]

New curriculum for VTIs
To enhance employability of vocational training institute graduates, the Ministry of La­bour and Human Resources will implement competency-based curriculum (CBC) as a pilot project from August this year.
The new curriculum is for masonry, carpentry, auto me­chanic, plumbing, and elec­trical.
“In coming up with the new curriculum our past ex­periences and lessons learnt were considered,” said Jigme [...]    [read more]


Wai! The song has ended, but the melody lingers on. Druk Star is crowned.
This year, the people of Bhutan chose a young high school girl to be their songstress. She is a hugely talented zhungdra and boe­dra singer. Among the top five singers, the most versatile rigsar singer got the least number of votes. The [...]    [read more]

Bhutan gets her second singing queen
She laid her education on the line to take part in Druk Star singing competition. Her sacrifice proved worth it when she won the competi­tion on April 18.
Jampel Yangzom, the 20-year-old singing queen from Pemagatshel, is a student of Rinchen Higher Secondary School. She was supposed to be studying in class XIIthis year, but she [...]    [read more]


The 16th Saarc Summit, which coincides with the silver jubilee of the association’s foundation, will be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29. The theme for this year’s summit is climate change but many other economic and social issues will also be discussed.
The two-day summit will be preceded by the Council of Ministers’ meeting [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 23 April 2010

April 23, 2010 - From

International Sources

‘English only’ driver’s test change makes refugees … – Salt Lake Tribune
More than 1,000 refugees are expected to arrive in Utah this fiscal year — from Iraq, Bhutan, Burma, Somalia and other countries — adding to the more than 20,000 refugees already here. Learning sufficient English to pass the test could take years …    [read more]

Australia, Myanmar to be observers at SAARC summit – Gaea Times (blog)
… regional bloc’s growing clout, Australia and Myanmar will join the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as observers at the 16th SAARC summit in Bhutan next … the 16th SAARC summit in Thimphu April 28, which will …    [read more]

PM Gilani to lead Pakistan at SAARC Summit – Nation
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will lead the Pakistan delegation to the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, Bhutan being held on April 28-29. The heads of state and government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and …    [read more]

South Asia bloc’s poor record on progress – Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Trade and climate change are on the official agenda at a South Asian leaders’ summit in Bhutan’s capital on April 28-29, but it will be dominated by a possible meeting between India and Pakistan. Here is an overview of the South Asian …    [read more]

Thimphu may see visa exemption push – Bangladesh News 24 hours
New Delhi, April 23 (bdnews24.com) — The smaller nations of the 8-member SAARC may push for expanding the bloc’s visa exemption scheme during the Thimphu summit on Apr 28-29. Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan that might cast …    [read more]

India, Pakistan in focus at South Asia summit – DAWN Group
India blames Pakistan militants for Kabul attack: source India blames Pakistan militants for Kabul attack: source NEW DELHI: Leaders of India and Pakistan are likely to meet in Bhutan’s capital next week as their nuclear-armed rivalry overshadows a …    [read more]

Off-hour clinic to start May 4 – Kuensel Online
The government has finalised the “Off-hour clinic” services and will go on trial for a year at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. Off-hour clinic … The constitution guarantees Bhutanese citizens free health care …    [read more]

2009 fuel imports up by 9 M litres – Kuensel Online
23 April, 2010 – Bhutan imported more than 103M litres of petroleum products in 2009, 9M litres higher than 2008, indicating the country’s rising dependence on fossil fuels. The fuel bill though rose only by Nu 192M to Nu 2.9B, offset by a drop in …    [read more]

FACTBOX – South Asia bloc’s poor record on progress – Reuters India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Trade and climate change are on the official agenda at a South Asian leaders’ summit in Bhutan’s capital on April 28-29, but it will be dominated by a possible meeting between India and Pakistan. – SAARC was established in 1985 …    [read more]

More funds needed to tackle malaria: WHO (April 25 is … – Gaea Times (blog)
Bhutan has also made good progress and is now aiming towards malaria elimination. Reported malaria deaths have decreased significantly in Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar with improved case management, the statement said. “Nevertheless, malaria is …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Off-hour clinic to start May 4
23 April, 2010 – Starting May 4, Thimphu residents will be able to fix an appointment and consult their doctor of choice, between 4pm and 7pm, six days a week. This service will come at a fee of Nu 300.    [read more]

Rears its bogus head again
With many major constructions in Tsirang, an old wive’s tale is revived

Headhunter rumour23 April, 2010 – Thirteen-year-old Dolay, who has to hike for hours to and from school, always waits for his friends to walk to school early mornings and back home before dusk.
   [read more]

Qualified welcome to ministry moves
Private Training Institutions 23 April, 2010 – Private training institutions (PTI) have welcomed the ministry’s move to register them, follow infrastructure and trainer qualification requirements, and provide accreditation for their courses.    [read more]

2009 fuel imports up by 9 M litres
23 April, 2010 – Bhutan imported more than 103M litres of petroleum products in 2009, 9M litres higher than 2008, indicating the country’s rising dependence on fossil fuels.    [read more]

A watershed summit
23 April, 2010 – All is well as far as preparation for the 16th SAARC summit next week is concerned. At a press conference yesterday, at the refurbished National Assembly hall where the two-day summit will be held, journalist joked about the confidence brimming on Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley’s face.    [read more]

A coming of age summit
Opportunity to showcase Bhutan as an emerging nation
Dry Run: A rehearsal all the way from Paro Airport

23 April, 2010 – The main gate at Babesa that welcomes visitors into the capital city stands tall.

First come the flags of SAARC member states affixed to the necks of street lamps along the 6.5-km expressway. This is followed by portraits of the heads of eight SAARC member nations also fastened to lamp-posts.    [read more]

Privations of the pvt. sector employee
23 April, 2010 – Delayed salary, termination without notice or benefits and long working hours without overtime payment continue to ail private sector employees even today.    [read more]

Teenager fatally stabs driver
23 April, 2010 – A 24-year old man died on the way to hospital after being stabbed in the chest with a serrated knife by 17-year old student on the night of April 21 in Tsirang.    [read more]

Roofs blown off
23 April, 2010 – Roofs of eight houses in Mongar and Chali gewogs in the eastern district of Mongar were blown off by windstorms that hit around 5:00 pm Wednesday evening.
   [read more]

Hike in dollar inflow from abroad
22 April, 2010 – Bhutanese living and working abroad sent home Nu 144.6M (USD 3M) as remittances through the banking system in 2008-09, a growth of almost 86 percent from the previous year.

The increase was mainly driven by an 85 percent rise in USD denominated remittances, according to data released by the royal monetary authority (RMA).    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Expected summit outcome
One of the key outcomes of the 16th Saarc summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be adoption of Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration by the member countries.
The declaration would contain a number of direc­tives to enhance regional co­operation in a number of ar­eas including new initiatives to be undertaken by [...]    [read more]

Touching hearts and lives
His Majesty’s visit to some of the remotest parts of the kingdom in the east is rede­fining the people’s percep­tion of a monarch like never before.
The rural people are now describing His Majesty as “an enlightened being”.
“He didn’t sound like a king up there in his speech,” said Atta Chiloo from Zoar in Kengkhar Gewog, [...]    [read more]

Do you think that Saarc countries can find a common ground on climate change?
   [read more]

New curriculum for VTIs
To enhance employability of vocational training institute graduates, the Ministry of La­bour and Human Resources will implement competency-based curriculum (CBC) as a pilot project from August this year.
The new curriculum is for masonry, carpentry, auto me­chanic, plumbing, and elec­trical.
“In coming up with the new curriculum our past ex­periences and lessons learnt were considered,” said Jigme [...]    [read more]


Wai! The song has ended, but the melody lingers on. Druk Star is crowned.
This year, the people of Bhutan chose a young high school girl to be their songstress. She is a hugely talented zhungdra and boe­dra singer. Among the top five singers, the most versatile rigsar singer got the least number of votes. The [...]    [read more]

Bhutan gets her second singing queen
She laid her education on the line to take part in Druk Star singing competition. Her sacrifice proved worth it when she won the competi­tion on April 18.
Jampel Yangzom, the 20-year-old singing queen from Pemagatshel, is a student of Rinchen Higher Secondary School. She was supposed to be studying in class XIIthis year, but she [...]    [read more]


The 16th Saarc Summit, which coincides with the silver jubilee of the association’s foundation, will be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29. The theme for this year’s summit is climate change but many other economic and social issues will also be discussed.
The two-day summit will be preceded by the Council of Ministers’ meeting [...]    [read more]

Zilukha and Loseling reach U-12 final
Second­ary School will clash with Zilukha Lower Secondary school for the under-12 football trophy today at the Changjiji football ground in Thimphu.
Zilukha booked their place in the final after de­feating Changangkha Lower Secondary School 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
A solo goal in the first half by Tashi Tenzin helped Zi­lukha lead the game till half [...]    [read more]

Awaken good old values first
After many days’ ob­servation, I noticed a recurring theme. The subject constantly debated and discussed by leading educationists and scholars from Bhutan as well as from abroad is change of curricu­lum in the Bhutanese educa­tion system, especially with more emphasis on GNH val­ues.
First, I would like to say that the current education system is excellent. [...]    [read more]

Ngultrum use outside border not welcome
Bhutanese businessmen and border town residents could find financial transactions with Indian counterparts difficult. The Indian police have become stringent on the use of Bhutanese curren­cy in India and Royal Mon­etary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) is planning to stop the issue of Indian rupee at bank counters.
The Assam Tribune re­ported this week that police had [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 22 April 2010

April 22, 2010 - From

International Sources

No talks till Pakistan acts against 26/11 mastermind … – Thaindian.com
New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Thursday said that India was not in a hurry to revive talks with Pakistan and no meeting was scheduled between the prime ministers of the two countries next week in Bhutan – until Islamabad …    [read more]

No bilateral meeting between Singh and Gilani in Bhutan – Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) No bilateral meeting has been fixed so far between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani in Bhutan during the SAARC Summit, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said today. “As of now, no such …    [read more]

Hasina to meet Manmohan at Thimphu – Bangladesh News 24 hours
New Delhi, April 22 (bdnews24.com)—Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will talk bilateral issues with her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, India’s foreign secretary Nirupama Rao confirmed    [read more]

From dignity (of labour) to a degree – Kuensel Online
… education programmes in a structure that was discussed and agreed upon in a tripartite meeting between the labour ministry, education ministry and the royal university of Bhutan (RUB … such as a diploma course from Jigme Namgyel polytechnic …    [read more]

Senior Chinese diplomat to attend SAARC summit – Xinhua News Agency
The SAARC summit starting on April 28 in Bhutan will discuss climate change as a key issue. Other issues include energy, food crises and effective implementation of the SAARC Development Fund. China hoped the SAARC would contribute more to regional …    [read more]

Ahead of Bhutan meet, India tells Pakistan again – act … – New Kerala
New Delhi, April 22: Barely a week ahead of a likely meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders in Bhutan, the Indian government … Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu. India’s reminder to Pakistan …    [read more]

Voice of Tibet says China ‘jamming’ quake condolences – Hindustan Times
VOT has been airing daily programmes in both Tibetan and Chinese on short wave to Tibet and China as well as India, Bhutan and Nepal since 1996.    [read more]

Hamid Karzai to visit India on April 28 – Rediff
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai [ Images ] will be paying a short visit to India [ Images ] ahead of the SAARC summit, which starts in Bhutan capital Thimpu on April 28. Karzai will be arriving in India on April 25 to hold bilateral discussions …    [read more]

Stalled Indo-Pak dialogue may resume soon: Gilani – Rediff
Lets see when we visit Bhutan,” Gilani had this week said when asked whether he will meet Singh on the sidelines of the SAARC summit there. Awan briefed the PM on her visit to India and her meetings with leaders of major political parties, especially …    [read more]

Lawyer who challenged Nepal Army brutally assaulted – Gaea Times (blog)
… to take back refugees February 10th, 2010 KATHMANDU – With the 16th summit of South Asian heads of states just over two months away, Nepal Wednesday asked Bhutan to take back the Bhutanese refugees who have been languishing in Nepal for nearly …    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Hike in dollar inflow from abroad
22 April, 2010 – Bhutanese living and working abroad sent home Nu 144.6M (USD 3M) as remittances through the banking system in 2008-09, a growth of almost 86 percent from the previous year.

The increase was mainly driven by an 85 percent rise in USD denominated remittances, according to data released by the royal monetary authority (RMA).    [read more]

The Thuksey Rinpoche I will always remember
Thuksey Rinpoche with his mother who is still living

22 April, 2010 – The day before Thuksey Rinpoche came to Thimphu to amputate his legs earlier this month, we had the good fortune to spend some precious time with him. He was critically ill and in great pain, but he received us with his characteristic grace and humility. The only difference this time was that, because he was too ill, he could not get out of bed and physically prevent us from prostrating to him. He was always uncomfortable when people prostrated to him.    [read more]

From dignity (of labour) to a degree
Programme to upgrade qualifications for VTI graduates

Technical/Vocational Education & Training22 April, 2010 – Graduates from the vocational training institutes (VTI) can upgrade their qualification with the ministry of labour set to offer diploma level training soon.    [read more]

Steeped-in-legend Swyambhunath
22 April, 2010 – More than proving their unwavering faith in the dharma, it was a test of the limits of a human heart and perseverance for the 10,000 pilgrims from across the world circumambulating the Swayambhunath chorten.

With the main monument situated atop a hill, pilgrims were circumambulating at its base.    [read more]

May Day Mr Bhutan
Favourite Tshering Dorji (Mr Thimphu) promises not to let fans down

20 April, 2010 – Huffing and puffing and occasionally emitting a loud grunt, it is an intimidating sight for a visitor walking any of the gyms spread across the capital city where bodybuilders pump iron.
   [read more]

Bhutanese scholars win top Thai award

20 April , 2010 – Bhutanese students studying in Thailand are creating news and for the right reasons.

   [read more]

A growing generation gap
Filial relationships fall into disuse in the hectic urban landscape
The things Dad does for love of daughters

Positive Parenting Month12 April, 2010 –

U
gyen Chophel envies his friends attending music class on weekends.
   [read more]

Thimphu’s mushrooming café culture
From the single Swiss Bakery in 1970 to 27 (count’ em) confectionaries now

12 April, 2010 – With 27 bakeries spread all across the city, the capital city is witnessing a rising trend of what one may call the ‘pastry culture’.
   [read more]

The forest cover figure
22 April, 2010 – Seventy two percent is the magic number that is constantly used at regional and international seminars and with visitors to highlight Bhutan’s forest cover.    [read more]

Picture story:

22 April, 2010 – His Majesty the King inspects the progress of construction of the Dungsam Cement corporation limited in Nganglam, Pemagatshel on April 12. The Nu 7.2B cement plant is a government undertaking that is scheduled to be completed by November 2011
   [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Doing business the greener way
Combining business and so­cial responsibility, Kinga Om, a university graduate from In­dia, has started a firm called Greener Way in Thimphu which collects waste papers for recycling.
Kinga Om said one of the main objectives of the firm is to keep the country free from waste paper and help pro­mote the concept of ‘Reduce, Reuse and [...]    [read more]

Mobile internet users on the rise
Internet users on the mobile phone, especially in bigger towns like Thimphu, is on the rise.
Tshering Norbu, General Manager of Druk Net, said they have about 10,000 mo­bile internet users.
Tashi Cell has about 2,500 mobile internet users, accord­ing to Tashi Pelmo, Marketing Officer.
And the number is rising. Most people say using inter­net on the mobile [...]    [read more]

Kuzoo RJs keep historical characters alive
Dzongpon Aucho Tshering and his lover Penzo Bum, Alu Penjo and his lover Gensa Lham, Pemi Tshewang Tashi and his beloved wife Phurchu Zam, Gyelong Sumdar Tashi and his ill-fated wife Nidup Bum are some of the popular historical characters fast fad­ing away from the memory of modern Bhutanese.
In the nick of time, Thim­phu-based Kuzoo [...]    [read more]

Reviving rock climbing
Rock climbing, an outdoor sport, which started with much passion in 1996 in Thimphu, is now on the wane.
But Vertical Bhutan Climbing Club, which was formed in 2000 with 18 members, is all set to revive the sport in the country, especially among the youth.
Sponsored by world re­nowned French climber, Christopher Dumarest, the club is [...]    [read more]

DAO refutes allegations
Trashigang Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer (DAO) has refuted al­legations of manipulating the construction of Khangma-Yonphupam-Jomtsang farm road for his benefit.
“The allegation is not true and I did not manipulate any­thing for my personal gain,” said Dhendup Dukpa, the DAO. The road is built from Khangma Yonphupam ac­cording to the 10th five-year plan (FYP).
“We cannot change any [...]    [read more]

Battle against infernos
This year, Bhutan has already seen 27 fire incidents. How does the country battle rising infernos? Sonam Pelden finds out.
Buddhist astrologers had predicted that Bhutan would witness fire haz­ards in 2010. The prediction seems to strike home.
Of late, there has been at least one report of a fire out­break every week from across the country. [...]    [read more]

Pig rearing vanishing from villages
Pig rearing is a vanishing practice in the Bhutanese vil­lages across the country, Bhu­tan Observer has found.
Most farmers cite reli­gious reasons for dropping the centuries-old practice. Farmers from Pam village in Trashigang said they stopped rearing pigs after some lamas told them how utterly sinful it was to fatten up animals for slaughter.
Radhi Gewog under [...]    [read more]

Dress up little angels decently
Sir,
Everybody enjoys televi­sion, especially after a quick dinner. Sometimes one lands up watching either Norling or Etho Metho hoping your child’s concert would be shown. I don’t know about other parents, but I feel a heap of dissappointment when I watch little girls dressed in short skirts and ties dancing to Hindi music. It makes [...]    [read more]

Memorial archery tournament in the semis
The ongoing annual Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial National Archery Tournament has reached the semi-final.
Ministry of Finance will meet JPS Enterprise in the first semi-final of the tour­nament on April 17 and 18. Ministry of Finance defeated Sha C Team 25-17 and 25-7, while JPS Enterprise demol­ished Chhimi Automobiles 25 -2 and 25-11 in the quarter-final.
In [...]    [read more]

Money over degree
The opportunity to mint mon­ey has made many Bhutanese opt Australia and western countries over India for fur­ther studies.
Sangay Thinley, a Human Resource Officer in Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), said not many people opt to pursue master’s degree in In­dia. “For India, we get appli­cants mostly from education ministry and Royal University of Bhutan. [...]    [read more]

Bhutan News archive for 21 April 2010

April 21, 2010 - From

International Sources

Bhutan all set to host SAARC summit – Meri News
… are expected to be in Thimphu to cover the proceedings of the summit.” The summit will greatly enhance Bhutan’s international image as a sovereign, independent, responsible and equal member country of SAARC, expressed the Bhutanese Prime …    [read more]

India’s Tigers are Moving On Up – Environmental Graffiti
The Manas and Buxa tiger reserves on the India-Bhutan border are being increasingly encroached upon by human settlement, driving the tigers farther into the Bhutanese mountains. Many scientists are calling for further study of the tigers’ ability …    [read more]

100 teachers a year from Canada – Kuensel Online
… s many educational institutions grapple with a shortage of Bhutanese teachers, the Canadian government intends to send some of theirs to fill that vacuum. Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Bhutan Canada foundation (BCF …    [read more]

Bhutan and Afghanistan establishes diplomatic relations – Kuensel Online
The joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed between ambassador and permanent representative of Bhutan to the United Nations in New York, Lhatu Wangchuk, and the ambassador and permanent representative of Afghanistan …    [read more]

Indo-Pak issues hijack SAARC agenda – Rediff
Persisting ambiguity over the possibility of an Indo-Pak dialogue taking place on the sidelines of next week’s SAARC summit in Bhutan, has once again hijacked attention from broader and more complex issues involving this nearly 25-year-old regional …    [read more]

Indo-Pak trust deficit looms large over Bhutan SAARC … – New Kerala
By Naveen Kapoor, New Delhi, Apr.21 : Persisting ambiguity over the possibility of an Indo-Pak dialogue taking place on the sidelines of next week’s SAARC summit in Bhutan, has once again hijacked attention from broader and more complex issues …    [read more]

Top 10 scariest runways – Edmonton Journal
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]

Super grandma – Hindu
The article on grandmothers took me back to my childhood days. For four years, I lived with my maternal grandparents as my parents were working in Bhutan. Those were the best days of my life when happiness filled my world. My grandmother managed the …    [read more]

Volcanic impact: Tough times for stranded passengers – Express India
For foreign travellers, who were on a trip to India or neighbouring countries like Bhutan, it has been a harrowing experience as many of them have run out of money. Barbara Cekam, 50, was scheduled to leave for her hometown Munich on Saturday, but …    [read more]

Saugata Mitra conferred the strategic & Iconic HR … – PRLog (free press release)
The award was conferred on him by His Excellency Hon’ble prime minister of Bhutan , JIGMI Y.THINLEY and Bhaskar Chatterjee,IAS, Secretary to Government of India , Department of Public Enterprises at the Congress.    [read more]

Kuensel – Bhutan’s National Newspaper

Bhutan and Afghanistan establishes diplomatic relations
The ambassadors sign the joint communiqu

21 April, 2010 – Bhutan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have established formal diplomatic relations from April 20 this year.    [read more]

100 teachers a year from Canada
Continuing Ties: BCF chairman Sam Blyth and education secretary Sangay Zam after the MoU signing in the presence of education minister Lyonpo Thakur S Powdyel

21 April, 2010 – While the country’s many educational institutions grapple with a shortage of Bhutanese teachers, the Canadian government intends to send some of theirs to fill that vacuum.    [read more]

Goshi without gewog centre
Construction incomplete even after 4 years
Unfinished Business: Deadlocked between tardy contractor and dzongkhag

21 April, 2010 – Gewog centres, which house the offices of agriculture extension workers, forest and the gup, serve as a crucial hub for villagers.
   [read more]

Bhutan Star is back!
Singing With Joy: 2008 Bhutan Star, Sonam (File photo)

21 April, 2010 – The Bhutanese masses which was been enthralled for months by the home-made reality show, Druk Star, broadcast live on national TV, need not wait long for a similar show.    [read more]

Culture and commerce in harmony
21 April, 2010 – Going by the number of people glued to their televisions every weekend, there is no denying that the recently concluded reality show, Druk Star, has so far been the most popular TV show in the country.    [read more]

Immunisation on May 5
Fears about the vaccine prove to be false alarm

Human Papilloma Virus21 April, 2010 – The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, known to protect girls from cervical cancer, will be launched nationwide for girls between 12 to 18 years, as scheduled on May 5, but on voluntary consent of the parents or guardians, the health ministry announced yesterday at a press conference. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Bhutanese women.    [read more]

Inventorising our forests
Draft Land Policy21 April, 2010 – Until a few years ago Bhutanese boasted about having more than 72.5 percent of its land under forest cover. That figure dates back to 1983.    [read more]

Enabling society, empowering a nation
Total Solutions: Lyonchhoen with the NIIT’s G Raghavan (centre) and Indian ambassador Pavan K Verma (left)

Chiphen Rigpel Project21 April, 2010 – The prime minister yesterday presented a cheque of Nu 200M to G Raghavan of NIIT, India, to mark the start of the Total Solutions project that aims to enable and empower Bhutanese society in using information and communication technology (ICT).    [read more]

New bird spotted in Bhutan
The Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater: An unusual sighting at these altitudes

21 April, 2010 – A group of bird experts from the United Kingdom on a bird watching trip has sighted a new species of bird in the high altitude mountains of the Thrumshingla national park.    [read more]

Compensation uplifts Lhumilum
Worth The Wait: Farmers receiving recompense for last year’s crop damage due to storms

21 April, 2010 – Heavy rain and fierce storms destroyed acres of maize fields spread across Lhumilum in Dunglagang, Tsirang last July, robbing the residents of their staple and livelihood.    [read more]

Bhutan Observer

Mobile internet users on the rise
Internet users on the mobile phone, especially in bigger towns like Thimphu, is on the rise.
Tshering Norbu, General Manager of Druk Net, said they have about 10,000 mo­bile internet users.
Tashi Cell has about 2,500 mobile internet users, accord­ing to Tashi Pelmo, Marketing Officer.
And the number is rising. Most people say using inter­net on the mobile [...]    [read more]

Kuzoo RJs keep historical characters alive
Dzongpon Aucho Tshering and his lover Penzo Bum, Alu Penjo and his lover Gensa Lham, Pemi Tshewang Tashi and his beloved wife Phurchu Zam, Gyelong Sumdar Tashi and his ill-fated wife Nidup Bum are some of the popular historical characters fast fad­ing away from the memory of modern Bhutanese.
In the nick of time, Thim­phu-based Kuzoo [...]    [read more]

Reviving rock climbing
Rock climbing, an outdoor sport, which started with much passion in 1996 in Thimphu, is now on the wane.
But Vertical Bhutan Climbing Club, which was formed in 2000 with 18 members, is all set to revive the sport in the country, especially among the youth.
Sponsored by world re­nowned French climber, Christopher Dumarest, the club is [...]    [read more]

DAO refutes allegations
Trashigang Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer (DAO) has refuted al­legations of manipulating the construction of Khangma-Yonphupam-Jomtsang farm road for his benefit.
“The allegation is not true and I did not manipulate any­thing for my personal gain,” said Dhendup Dukpa, the DAO. The road is built from Khangma Yonphupam ac­cording to the 10th five-year plan (FYP).
“We cannot change any [...]    [read more]

Battle against infernos
This year, Bhutan has already seen 27 fire incidents. How does the country battle rising infernos? Sonam Pelden finds out.
Buddhist astrologers had predicted that Bhutan would witness fire haz­ards in 2010. The prediction seems to strike home.
Of late, there has been at least one report of a fire out­break every week from across the country. [...]    [read more]

Pig rearing vanishing from villages
Pig rearing is a vanishing practice in the Bhutanese vil­lages across the country, Bhu­tan Observer has found.
Most farmers cite reli­gious reasons for dropping the centuries-old practice. Farmers from Pam village in Trashigang said they stopped rearing pigs after some lamas told them how utterly sinful it was to fatten up animals for slaughter.
Radhi Gewog under [...]    [read more]

Dress up little angels decently
Sir,
Everybody enjoys televi­sion, especially after a quick dinner. Sometimes one lands up watching either Norling or Etho Metho hoping your child’s concert would be shown. I don’t know about other parents, but I feel a heap of dissappointment when I watch little girls dressed in short skirts and ties dancing to Hindi music. It makes [...]    [read more]

Memorial archery tournament in the semis
The ongoing annual Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial National Archery Tournament has reached the semi-final.
Ministry of Finance will meet JPS Enterprise in the first semi-final of the tour­nament on April 17 and 18. Ministry of Finance defeated Sha C Team 25-17 and 25-7, while JPS Enterprise demol­ished Chhimi Automobiles 25 -2 and 25-11 in the quarter-final.
In [...]    [read more]

Money over degree
The opportunity to mint mon­ey has made many Bhutanese opt Australia and western countries over India for fur­ther studies.
Sangay Thinley, a Human Resource Officer in Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), said not many people opt to pursue master’s degree in In­dia. “For India, we get appli­cants mostly from education ministry and Royal University of Bhutan. [...]    [read more]

NRDCL to take up mega stone quarries
From now on, Natural Re­sources Development Cor­poration Limited (NRDCL) is going to completely focus on stone quarrying to meet the stone demand from mega projects.
While the need of local constructions is met from quarries operated by private companies, the government mega projects are facing an acute shortage of stones.
NRDCL’s plan is to start big quarries [...]    [read more]