The Kingmaker

The sudden demise of third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk has ponder unconceivable duty to then the sixteen year old teenage, the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuk, making him the world’s youngest king. During his reign (1972-2006) Bhutan has witnessed unprecedented development from road to telecommunication, international facelift and the democratization being the gift to the people from the throne.
“The future of the Nation lies in the hands of the people” his address to the nation on his coronation was an awestruck and later his devolvement from the power was a national debate. However, his majesty the king gifted the nation and her people a safe, secured and prosperous Bhutan. He has this addressed in December 2006 to the people “ As I hand over my responsibilities to my son, I repose my full faith and belief in the people of Bhutan, who are the true custodians of our tradition and culture, and the ultimate guardians of the security, sovereignty and the continued well-being of our Country”
 Less than a decade years ago people then led a life of why worry about the whole world, when one can lead a happy-go-lucky life. Now with the power instilled on the mind of old and new thinkers the setup is a different thing. More of the individual rights being accounted, majority the winners and the Social media a firecrackers.
The perpetuation of the current setup has sparked and seen so many changes cropped up at many levels. Your excellence rewarded and the vindictiveness tormented and pulled to pieces. Tittle-tattle on some ruthless individual or responsible officials is helping newspaper earn their revenue and social media unrest. Nonetheless many withers on the vine.      
So many private and national events has already surpassed in the name of His majesty the 4th king’s sixtieth birth anniversary. I got a feeling some flawed the others mentioning the same dedication but rather a business oriented to their stands, while other few were genuine.
Bhutan entered the Genius World Record, planting the maximum number of trees in one hour time beating previous record set by neighboring Assam, India. The Royal Textile Academy/Textile Museum hosted an exhibition, “A TRIBUTE TO HIS MAJESTY THE FOURTH DRUK GYALPO – A KING OF DESTINY.”
Similarly on the same loyalty Tourism Council of Bhutan declared this year as Visit Bhutan Year 2015 without any incentives to the tour operators. A failed initiative with decreased international tourists’ turn-up to date.
On 11th November 2015 our His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the kingmaker turns sixty. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk is undoubtedly one of the revered and greatest leaders the world has ever seen.  An icon and a kingmaker’s development philosophy roars high at home and away at world stage, his legacy a champion package.
11th November 2015 is forty two days away from today. This day will see the culmination of the yearlong celebrations that Bhutan will be observing to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty. To mark this occasion I heard a rumors of another week long bonanza holidays in the month of November for all. In the capital, I have a feeling that the Norzin Lam again will be jam packed with stalls of usual not so well grandeurs display.
In life that for every son, deep within, his father is a role model. His Majesty the fourth King has his shoulder soldiered to the sons. Now it’s the son’s duty to take further, nourish and be thankful for what we were given. My sincere and deepest respect to our kings. May his Majesty’s sixtieth be exemplary, his health profound and the legacy the history.

Blessed Rainy Day-2015

A festive season has kick started, favorable weather is pacing up and famers’ harvest approaching. Peak season for tourism is on roll in Bhutan and a jackpot September to the people in Thimphu just begun last Friday.

The week long Thimphu Dzongkhag (State) holiday was ignited with Thimphu Drupchoe on 19th, blessed rainy day tomorrow and Thimphu Tshechu the following days. Today was only day in a week office runs regular. Conversely, I have a feeling that for some of the government employees’ holiday would have started from the preceding Friday marking Monday on leave.

Tomorrow the Blessed Rainy Day marks an end of farming and the beginning of the harvest season bidding farewell to September rain. In Bhutan it is believed that on this day all natural water resources are considered to be hallowing and clean. Brother in-law talking on this natural annual event he said “bathing with fresh flowers water on this day would cleanse all the wicked deeds, clear obstacles and resolve defilements."

The very traditional believe of bathing runs obsolete and ignorant in me but not the charm of having grand feast all together with family. Anyway I am going to soak bath with lesser intuition believe I have.

Traditionally to this day family members would gather at one place and began with morning porridge and tea, treat themselves with best food and liquor throughout the day. Today pot luck and picnic are common scenes besides treat from the restaurants. Archery and Khuru (dart) are chose one games in this day. Off late women in western Bhutan has also picked up this beautiful game.

To keep the charisma of this year’s blessed rainy day and friendship of two villages I am joining my village folks from Tsheldang for a Khuru match against Buli. We have competed a year before and it was in favor of my village, Tsheldang. This year they have their vengeance with us, hopefully with good team mates technically and diplomatically. It was funny that this time my team captain informed me to memorize few traditional song dance numbers.

So to this stunning setup by our ancestors, I take pride to show the world our beautiful tradition of Blessed rainy day. Regards and prayers to everyone for a beautiful day and happy Thimphu Tshechu.

Far

Time doesn’t meet the desire we have in common,

Wanting to talk more, share love, and feel the presence though far apart.

Phone calls, Wechat, Facebook & Skype doesn’t take all the intent messages we crave,

For other side to get the exact pronunciation and the right expressions.

Visiting the places we have been together doesn’t quench the thirst,

Not convincing as was in our togetherness.

The Soft voices that eases ear fades soon,

Eating deemed needless, sipping arouse no taste,

Writing become a daily dose, literally littering thoughts,

But the bond I suppose to be long bonding makes me yearn for it.

Loving escalates mounting top, fly sky high, beats Usain Bolt record race.

Orgyen Choling Monastery, Zhemgang

Orgyen Chholing Monastery is located on the serene mountain top between two villages Tsheldang and Nakhar under Nangkor, Zhemgang Dzongkhag. People are unsure who to be grateful for the unpredictable farm road connection after a long wait. The snail’s pace speed conditioned road limits few vehicles plying. But much to the greater delight the road has helped bring in some changes and seen few officials attending the beautiful annual Drupchen at the Orgyen Choling Monastery.     

The monastery has been

Founder of Orgyen Choling Monastery-Chene Lhendup Rinpoche

in place since early 1920s preserving and propagating the Buddha’s teaching. Despite the isolation of monastery from modern means of living and road networks for many years, people of those two villages has been supporting to run the events throughout the calendar year with so much of joy furnishing community vitality. Much has preserved and still on smooth run with support from devotees and locals. 

Historically late Meme Lama the father of the founder of the monastery has started and blessed the site with small retreat hut in place. Meme Lama couldn’t build bigger temple from small retreat hut.

It was then in Mysore while the founder of the monastery Late Chene Lhendup Rimpoche was attending the teaching from His Holiness Polo Khen Rimpoche. There in Mysore His Holiness Polo Khen Rimpoche prophesized and directed Late Chene Lhendup Rinpoche that there is a special elephant sleeping shaped place surrounded by mountains with a form of male on right and female dragons on the left. Building monastery in the center would benefit all sentient beings and create enormous pleasant situation for dharma propagation in future.

In 1960s, H. E Khechen Dazar Rimpoche from Tibet visited the place and blessed it. Later in his visit there were so many unbelievable signals like rainbow rising on the hill of Monastery. He then said that it was the blessing and secret place of Bayu Lama Shakaya Ozer who had the rainbow body and other yogis during the 18th century.  Later many great masters like Thuktse Rimpoche, late H.E Geyshe Pema Thinley and others great teachers are said to have been in retreat.

With the prodigious intent, late Chene Lhendup Rimpoche realized the importance of the presence of monastery and the order of Sangha to preserve and propagate the holy dharma to benefits the beings around.

Orgyen Choling Monastery 

Consequently with great perseverance and with the support from his followers and people from those two villages, he started the work in 1970 and progressively came up with small temple.

 Later in 90s Late Chene Lhendup Rimpoche offered the monastery to the present H.E Gangtey Tulku (lineage holder of Pema Lingpa Traditions in Bhutan). It was then from that time enormous expansion and changes picked up and given new atmosphere. Besides tending to everyday running of the monastery he has been the central supporter/benefactor for coming up of new temple.

Today Orgyen Chholing Monastery stands at its pride as one of the beautiful pioneering monastery in kheng Region. The monastery conducts several religious events, one of the highlight is the annual five days Drupchen with unfurling of Guru Thongdrel presided over by H.E Gangteng Trulku in the month of February. The monastery showcase mask dances and cultural programs for three days. However, the sudden demise of the founder Late Chene Lhendup Rinpoche in 2014 was great loss to the Monastery, locality and many people. Our Continue prayers and wishes could bring his successor home soon. Please keep praying and dedicating merits. The monastery once had 35 students, two teachers. Today when the means and ways in the monastery has enhanced many ordained monks once has turned their fate and chosen to become laymen. 

During Annual Drupchen 

To these days only couple of young monks with a teacher are seen studying, doing their daily evening and morning prayers. Nonetheless my father told me their (ex-Monks) contribution in those two villages and Monastery are immense. Thank you from my family side too, our annual Chogu (Ritual) wasn’t challenging.

I have witnessed the annual Drupchen three years in a row and each year i saw many changes, much better way a year before. Khenpo Rigzin Wangchuk then undertook the initiative, put on place many masks for mask dances amongst many others. Rinchen Khandu, who resides in Taiwan and Singapore to these days has sponsored last three years' annual Drupchen. His financial aid went unnoticed, so many people are unaware of his help. He has fulfilled a promise he made to late Rinpoche. Unfortunately so far i haven't heard anyone coming forward to do the same.           

Undeniably helpless with deep regret of less helping hand I will put this way, anyone who wish to help can contact Orgyen Choling Monastery directly or I will help you get to monastery admin. 

Christian Medical College and Hospital

I have transfered this from my facebook timeline knowing it could be of some information to some. 
My experiences and some observation so far here at Christian Medical College Hospital. We were first admitted here on 5th July 2015 and still ongoing. 
"Please provide the Bhutanese patients the immediate treatment. Don't worry of their fees, their finances taken care by government"- one of the senior doctor I assume advised his colleague doctors on round. Money still their priority, this sucks. 
I am on an escort to my sister's health review. We just planed for a week and now it's taking more than anticipated. However it's nice that i get more time to write so many thank you notes & sister her needful treatment. 
We are thankful for the royal government of Bhutan and the precedence of free health care in Bhutan. I felt the pinch over the health finances, now this is giving me a strength to remain healthy and use medical facilities we are provided free, wisely. 
In this line I would like to share some of my experiences that would help patients who will be coming to Christian Medical College for treatment. 
1. Transport: The cheaper route Phuentsholing-Siliguri (Bus, Rs. 99), Siliguri-Badogra (Taxi, Rs.400), Badogra-Chennai (Air, Rs. 6200+- per person) and then to Vellore CMC hospital by taxi (Rs.2300) 3 hours. The train ply on Gauhati- Bangalore route twice a week, on Wednesdays & Fridays. 
Note: if you want to book Indian local air, recommend Travel agents in Jaigoan. They charge you 2 time less than those in Thimphu. 
2. Admission to the Hospital: Prior to your journey inform Laison officer Namgay Dorji (H/P- +91 98-43-092907) of your travel plan. He would help arrange the taxi from Chennai airport to vellore Bhutan Laison Office. While you are here and your envelope from JDWNRH delivered and consented. New patient will be escorted by officials here for the complex admission to the hospital and those who are on review, your appointment dates are important. 
Right after you fill necessary forms from international relation office, you will be asked to pay Rs. 10000 advance fee. The bed will be provided on availability or wait until you find one vacant. 
3. Attendee or an escort: Female a preferable ones. Males are not allowed inside ward after 10pm. Recommend he/she understands both English & Hindi or English only but not Hindi alone. Not everyone here speaks Hindi, Shame on them. 
4. Government entitlement ward/rooms: The hospital here has different wards; general Ward, private Ward and Air conditioned Ward. The latter two are not entitled for Bhutanese through government fundings in any situation or seriousness of patients. Money talks and Laison officials here has some home work to do. 
5. Lodging: Bhutan Laison office is located two hundred meters from hospital gate. No bargaining with Auto drivers required. The mere presence of Laison Office at RJ Mansion Hotel provides Bhutanese the convenient lodging. It's Rs. 200 per night, no air condition by the way. They don't allow using of any electric cooking appliances (rice cooker in particular) rather they provide cooking gas for (Rs.600 +300 security deposit) and set of kitchen utensils for (Rs.10+200 security deposit) per day rental fees. 
6. Fooding: If you are renting rooms then off course one can do cooking and treat your patient and yourself your favorite. There are also canteens that would cater varieties of South Indian food within the hospital campus which are more healthier than our ema datsi. 
7. Accounts: Pay first and get their services or drugs, you will have to look forward to. I would recommend you arrange enough cash in hand or Visa cards. Another route to IC, have a Axis account and get debit card with BoB or other banks, I believe you can withdraw 50000 a month. 
Off course the treatment goes free, however, you will need to pay clear all the bills first by yourself. Reimbursement is latter only upon submission of bills to the laison office. This hurdle could be no hassle if our officials could do the talking and make arrangement of payment in whole at latter stage. 
8. Things you carry along: Most importantly carry thin sponge mattress (can't find this here) & blanket or bedsheets, a small flask (to store hot milk or water), meals tiffins, small cups, small knife, flip flop, many underwear, half pant and vest for men and bras for women. Carry books.
9. Treatment: Off Course comparison is of no values, in Bhutan being free and here hell lot of Gandhi picture notes to be cashed in for any services rendered. The attention from doctors are awesome. They come in group and take to one table for inferences and further recommendations. I saw only sisters in wards. No brothers. They keep toiling every regular interval of five to ten minutes. Few rude professionals but most of them kind. Services like CT Scan, X-ray, MRI, Echo are not instance rather follow up the appointments. Pharmacy is 24 hours so long you pay bills first. 
Thank you for your time for going through this. I wrote this outta a plenty time I had and thought this would cater some help. 
Cheers.

HOPE WITH A PAIR OF old USABLE shoes

We are not legal charity organization nor own any name. We are of two members, one a teacher with his students at Mongar Higher Secondary School, another a private employee in Thimphu and our good supportive friends all over.
We are writing this to everyone for a purpose. We want to tell you that we are organizing a project on collecting and distributing old usable clothes, footwear and other necessary pieces for school going children and to those unprivileged in remotest places.
Our priority target of collection as of now are for children in Primary and lower secondary schools. However, we would even welcome your contribution for any ages, sizes, or any kinds.
Thus for this purpose our request for everyone to kindly help us gather those clothes of yours which lie idle packed inside box, lil torn usable you do not wish to put on any more and the books you would love other person to share and read.
Collection is already underway and we have been receiving good response from friends we shared this idea.
Besides our social responsibility of human kind, the immediate reason for this very project is to share the joy and bring some education to our young children on giving and receiving. Maya Angelou has “When you learn, Teach. When you get, give” so let us shade some light to those less privileged because we only have what we give.
We have identified some schools and villages far away from modern towns for distribution. We would even appreciate if you could let us know the genuine places where we could reach out. We are hoping that our project might be of interest to you as an opportunity and our sustainable growth on redefined sphere for our work here after.
It may be that you have other ideas that you would like to discuss with us. One of the great advantages of bringing this up in social media. We would appreciate suggestions, comments or some ideas from you the great steps forward that we have already made.
Thank you for having read this and hopeful you would contact us.

Ugyen Wangda (Thimphu)
Contact: +975-17889220
Rinchen Tshering (Mongar)
Contact: +975-17613902

Ap Jochu

Another good time with App Jochu (Radioman). The conversation over a simple lunch at his favorite restaurant at JoJos building has these lil facts narrated to me at his ease of sharing which were unknown to me, you & many others and you wouldn't believe. Well first thing he told me of his good health and indebted gratitude to HRH Azhi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk for the house he was given where he could take rest and chant few rounds of Mani every evening. He is one of the few homeless in Thimphu who has a roof over head.
Well if you are treating him meals, please take him to the restaurant where you would find pork in the menu. He prefer pork given choice over others. I told him of the softness of chicken for his toothless toil, he seemed least interested or not at all.
App Jochu from Sha Rubesa is 89 this year, and still living his life with so much of joy though not willingly from within. He has wandered and meandered so long.
I asked him of anything new with him theses days. Well the answer he has was surprising and unbelievable. He said he has lived life without woman by his side for long long time. He was happy sharing the joy he was with for last couple of months, the unexpected was awesome he laughed. The intimate touch was arousing and a feeling of his young electrifying moment visited him he exclaimed with slight guilt in his speech. He hesitantly in his loud treble Sounds whispered that he made love three times the first time he took home. It didn't end there he was going deep, speaking volume and the good times he had. Well our Radio man was deeply in love and shared his lil life with a woman he call Sharchop Zam. He loved her, she loved him and she moved with him. Both were happy with the life they were moving on with. He was contented, happy and heavenly until the doctor at JDWNRH told him of his new wife's health issues. She was seen not so well with her internal organ. The happiness he was rocking was short lived as she inhaled her last breathe six months later. He understands the mere transition of human lives and seems prepared. He told me he cried for her to go heaven with a gentle wish of meeting her again.
The radio he was carrying wasn't the old one. He has somewhat new but still worn and need a replacement any time soon.
He was chosen from his village to undergo the training for Army during the time of Chabdha. Back then Army was considered one of the most decorated job you would get with no education. He was not ashamed of sharing his incompetence while in Army with little regret of not having given up his full. He told me he was one hell of stupid boy at his young age. Today the limp hobbling legs he is with was because of the kick he got from trainer on his left thigh. He blames on his stupidity and the blatant act of that trainer he no more remembers. Our Radio man was an Army for a month.

Community of Bhutanese Bloggers Conference- 30-08-2-15

It was early 9AM for Sunday to kick start my day with prior football match played the night before when I received a call from Sonam Rinchen, one of the pioneer with Ibest. He sounded in demand of heads when he asked me to join for the conference. I replied him with lump throat of not having enough time. He hung up the phone saying “just think over.” 
I managed to get well dressed in formal and was at the venue, Namseling Boutique Hotel at 9:58AM. I greeted him Kuzuzangpo, the return greeting smile from Passang PaSsu Tshering at the entrance was welcoming. He directed me towards the top floor. 
Familiar popular faces like of National Council 
Sangay Khandu, Dorji Wangchuk, Ugyen Lhendup, Zhonba Zhonba, and organizers Nawang P Phuntsho, Riku Dhan Subba, Rekha Monger,Tharchen Tharchen, Sonam Rinchen and few other unfamiliar were attendees before me. 
I presented my guilty presence amongst the elite active bloggers in the conference hall. Slowly narrowed my hand shakes to those idle cornered members and spread to other few. 
The usual setting in Bhutan those who knows amongst themselves are seated together and has picked some stuffs for discussion carrying the same guilt I had. I remember Passu commenting members to spread out and get to know each other. 
The agenda of the First Bloggers Conference has a refreshment break at 1100 hours. However we were served first refreshment of tea/Coffee and snacks before the chief guest for the conference “the Projector” arrived at 1130 hours. The chief guest’s delay had given me/others mere chance to shift from familiar to unfamiliar members. 
After opening welcome notes from Ngawang Phuntsho and Passu, the Bhutanese Bloggers’ App was launched. The members were informed of initial limit of Apps to only those android phones. 
The first speaker Riku Dhan Subbha talked on Importance of Rural Roots. He pointed out the roots as a sense of identity, knowing ones ancestor & bit of history, belongingness and feeling of grounded in a community one grew up. His father’s love story was humorous. His father owned an only radio in a village then and villagers use to come at his place. Riku’s eyebrows raised as he said his mother was one of them. 
He even covered up on some social issues of youth’s addiction and gangs. It’s interesting once the champion in Thimphu, MB boys are also seen in Chuzargang, Gelephu with countable others like Cool Guys and Tamang Boys. The youth has returned home not for good. How and why no one care to ask and nobody has an answer. Last thing he talked was on his personal project “My Village, My Responsibility.” The impact was agreeable and vibrant. He started the project in February 2014 and has a plan of similar nature this winter for 5 days involving 35 youths. He is providing shoes this year and still in need on three more pairs. Interested can contact him Riku Dhan Subba. I am interested to learn something on Chaw Tara. 
Dasho Sangay Khandu started with the Constitution preamble, glue guiding through the procedures of bills, deliberation and passing as a final Act. He pointed out the difference in NC members. The eminent members has an upper hand of getting it put their way. While the elected members has voters populous eyeballing on them. He argued there is a need of leading at helm by people for prosperous democracy. The parliament presentation by Dasho was a lead for learning new at least to me. 
A South Asian University alumni economist Ugyen Lhendup presented his findings on Dynamics of poverty and inequality at the conference as third speaker. It was all stats and numbers. His Lorenz method findings exposed that there is reduction in poverty line between year 2007 and 2012. This concludes the nature of growth in Bhutan was pro-poor and inclusive. The program for poverty alleviation has worked out and was somewhat successful. Thanks to the donor countries and international organization. Of all First Five Year Plan initiation at 1953 he mentioned was a debate not resolved. Any Historian’s comment would be grateful. 
After another round of tea and snacks from Namseling Boutique HotelTshering Dolkar, an educator with Royal Thimphu College started her presentation. Unlike other previous presenter she has her slide printed out and talked on Writing: A Journey. 
The poems she shared were seamless writing from heart. She instilled that in the journey of writing one has to keep scribbling, collect those scribbles and read them time and again. 
I am not an active bloggers, I scribble at times and this may be a good sphere where I can scribble best. Being part of this beautiful first bloggers conference held in Thimphu and the Community of Bhutanese Bloggers itself was of immense joy and a learning in writing. I would encourage aspiring writers, scribblers, and bloggers to join ‪#‎CBB‬.