Wang Sissinang Cliff

Cliff Story extracted from the book-When Loss is Gain

Once upon a time, long ago, Jazam, the wife of Chogyal Tsongtsen Gompo halted at Sissinang. She was young and beautiful, and the cliff fell in love with her. She was in a hurry to carry on with her journey to India, but the cliffs wanted her to stay. It’s said that every time she tried to leave, something would happen to stop her. It would either rain heavily, or boulders would mysteriously roll across her path. Once when she was all set to go, the cliffs moved. Jazam lost her balance and fell down, spraining her leg. She could not move for days.

Jazam had treasures, valuable baskets, caskets like tea chests and full of presents for her family in India. Afraid of thieves, she slept close to them. It’s believed that one night the cliffs have spoken to her and said “don’t go. We will build you home and make a beautiful place to stay here. There is nothing you need we do not have. Fruit trees grow in our crevices. Water washes our feet. There are caves within us larger than homes. Firewood is available in plenty. On our forehead is fertile soil for paddy.” Tormented Jazam woke up in sweat and decided to leave the place at dawn.

At first light, Jazam collected her treasure and set out to leave. She thought she could see streaks of tears on the face of the cliffs, but she was not to be moved. The cliffs made the last attempt, boulders bounced across her path, huge trees bent down to hold her, the ground shook, the river rose. But she was adamant. This time she didn’t stop as she had her family waiting for her and also she wanted to be with her husband dearly. She hinted of not loving the cold, bare, ugly and windswept cliffs.

Just as she was about to step off into the valley beyond, the cliffs took revenge. The cliffs let her go, but all her valuables, the bamboo baskets and caskets full of treasures were turned into the stones, today we witness on the other side of the river.

The stone shapes on the cliffs within them of bamboo baskets and Chests reminds the cliffs of the woman they loved but couldn’t possess. Sometimes people see conch shells in their cracks.

Other narration check the link- https://audio-video.shanti.virginia.edu/video/account-hindu-cliff-wang-sisi

Besides the beautiful tall cliff the other side of the river, the place held significant Wang Sissinang Chunmo House, Old age Home initiated by His Majesty the king, and the secluded Sissinang, Shechen Orgyen Chodzong Nunnery.

Then a small nunnery and today an institution was the first monastic center founded by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in Bhutan after he left Tibet.

Teachers from Schechen Monastery in Nepal are training the women on various monastic courses. Few volunteer turns up to teach English language. This training equips the nuns to eventually return to their communities to teach and create further opportunities for women. Few nus undergo retreat.

A beautiful serene place for everyone to sink and sync with the environment.

Wang Sissinang Cliff

Short Steps, Long Strides-Sandals Project to Shali School

The 93-footsteps resound dreams. It is a far cry from the east and like most of us did; it is about becoming a doctor, an engineer, a simple farmer or a homemaker.

Every morning, their long walk to education is an inch closer to their becoming. So this initiative is about being part of their dreams.

We may not join their walk, we may not endure the hardship, but we did for once, aspire to achieve. They are on the same path too.

So, The House is looking at mobilizing fund to sponsor a slipper for each student this monsoon. For information, the season is not forgiving in the area. All you need to do is sign up for the initiative and contribute NU: 100. To have everyone on board, we will not accept more than two sponsorship.

Interestingly, for the first time since the establishment of Shali Primary School in 1991, nine teachers are standing before the assembly. We believe it is a promise of a secured future. We will be glad to have you together in this journey. By the way, as you go through this, one of the walls of the water tap in the school does read, “A drop of water is worth more than a sack of Gold to a thirsty Man”. Let’s be that drop!

Shali Primary School in Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag unlike many other schools in the country is independent from the Central School System sustenance. The school rests on a gentle hill 12Kms away from Dzongkhag Administration- hemmed by neighboring remote villages of Gongpong, Gamong and Shali.

Basketball Court: Olakha

Olakha now has a new land mark. The beautiful game of Basketball ambience is shaping up and near completion. The Baskets at two ends installed, concrete surface set and site development ongoing.

It’s been few weeks’ time since the basketball court which is not complete has attendees. Most of the visitors are students playing after school hours on the court which has no lines drawn for now. Once complete the sight development would definitely give people at Olakha a better recreational dwelling.

Whoever sponsored the construction, a big thank you as I am one of the residents of Olakha and also same gratitude to Thimphu Thromde.

However the bitter part and the prevailing trend in construction engineering shows no deviation at the site. It’s more demoralizing that concern people here has not shown their love for youth, respect to a beautiful game and the integrity to the public work.

The Rim on the board is an eyesore as you witness on the photos. A construction rod like a metal curved into circle and fixed onto the glass board. The expended screws on the board are going to hit the hearts of Game lovers hard.

I am sure many would not complain but enjoy what is provided. I am not complaining but requesting to reshape, fix the Rim to the least. The work is still going on; having a proper Rim in place sooner would melt the hearts. 

I am sure many would not complain but enjoy what is provided. I am not complaining but requesting to reshape, fix the Rim to the least. The work is still going on; having a proper Rim in place sooner would melt the hearts.

I am hopeful Basketball Lovers would gather and build the resonance...
Thank you.