A fractured democracy
PERHAPS, EVEN the founding fathers of the constitution didn't foresee it. And the proponents and promoters of democracy didn't anticipate it, either. But then it happened. A unique rupture that defies the Political Parties Rules of the Election Commission when we saw the slow collapse of a political mammoth -People's Democratic Party.
The catastrophic fall of PDP began on the day the results of the 2008 general election were out. The PDP had won just two of the 47 Parliament seats. Even its popular president, Sangay Ngedup, failed to secure a victory from his constituency. read more...
Support to fight corruption
CORRUPTION, SEEN as the greatest challenge to the country, is seeing a steady rise but the government asserts the rise has been mainly because new activities have been identified as corrupt practices. read more...
Which is more precious?
OF THE 15 applications the industry department received from companies abroad so far to establish businesses under the new Foreign Direct Investment policy, one is in the water sector. read more...
For regional integration
THE FINANCE ministers of the SAARC countries who met in the capital on 24 August reviewed the present economic scenario at the SAARC region and stressed on developing better financial cooperation among the member states. read more...
CDCL to set example
REDUCING DEPENDENCE on expatriate workers, mechanizing the construction sector, and encouraging environment friendly building are some of core areas identified for improvement during the meeting of engineers last week. read more...
MPs make strides
BHUTAN'S 47 Members of Parliament are done with half their five-year tenure amid much public criticism for the quality of debates. People often said the quality of discourse was substandard with many MPs failing to understand the issues of national interest. A number of them never spoke, and others didn't have much to say at all.
However, signs of improvements are visible today. Many have honed their spoken Dzognkha, and others have worked hard to understand the complex issues they need to discuss often in Parliament. read more...
The matter is subjudice, says PM
QUIZZED BY the local reporters during the monthly press conference, the prime minister refused to speak about the case against the government filed by the opposition leader recently
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said since the case is under consideration by the court, and hence subjudice, he would not be able to speak anything about it. read more...
Expertise vacuum
We are at the crossroads. We wear the hats of emerging economy and democracy.The economy has over the years seen various phases of growth and democracy as a culture is yet to become part of our social, economic, and political fibre.
A strong economy and vibrant democracy, we expect, should be the order of the day in the life of a small country like ours. The two do not share the relationship of mutual exclusivity. Rather they are complementary.
For Bhutan to succeed, the success in these two areas is imperative. The way toward a successful economy hinges on how well the democratic culture flourishes and vice versa.
However, what ails us today is the lack of experts in these important fields. We like to say often than not that 'we are still learning when it comes to democracy and the economy is getting stronger with some notches up the GDP ladder.' read more...
.
Young Chogyam
>> The master rides on horseback to Taktsang
Revisiting the mind treasure of Taktsang
By Gopilal Acharya & Dawa Gylemo
IN OCTOBER 1968, a young Buddhist monk travelled on horseback to Taktsang. He had just received the Dorje Drolo (the wrathful aspect of Guru Rinpoche, in which he manifested at Taktsang) empowerment from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
As a lineage holder, and with invitation from the royal grandmother, the young reincarnate monk was on a retreat at Taktsang. Never did he realize, until it happened after a disillusioning wait, that in Taktsang he would discover a great terma (treasure) that had a huge impact on his development as a Buddhist teacher. read more...
Narrowing the divide
>>Bhuddhist monks le arn to surf internet
The boat to virtual world
By Sonam Pelvar/Thimphu
THE GOVERNMENT'S aim to transform the country into an ICT knowledge-based society by 2013 is a tall order and definitely the rural elders will not be transformed into a gizmo-savvy lot within the time frame.
The information and communications minister, Lyonpo Nanda Lal Rai, said achieving the goal in its entirety may remain short in the time frame but it is more important to get it started than never seeing it take off. "If you don't start, it will never happen," said the information minister. He said in order to achieve the goal of an ICT knowledge-based society, the consideration first should be to build an ICT knowledge-led society. read more...
WaHS minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
"Engineers are overworked"
By Tara Limbu/Thimphu
What are some of the common complaints the engineers have brought to your notice?
The complaints brought to us were about not having enough manpower. The workload has increased tremendously over the years and they do not have enough support staff
Are the engineers overworked?
They are overworked in the sense there are so many activities that they are carrying out. Each person is looking after so many different activities in different locations, which means they have to move around and then they have problems with transportations etc. but they are coping with it read more...
"The Walk"
A short story by Rajesh Gurung
GREY SHADOWS deepened into dark blots, grades flitting between black and white. They danced their ritual night dance, fluid forms fusing, fretting and fleeing from each other. He felt a heaviness in his feet. The tendons tightened in the face of the ultimate truth dark skies forebode. He set his weight against the dry earth, fearing flight. I am as heavy as a stone, he feigned false conviction.
They walked, two shadowy affairs limned against the setting sun. He would come back to light before the black sky severed them. How he dreaded the hour, when they had to part ways. He would make sure the lights were on the whole night. read more...
Street plight
>> Parents say Thimphu's street are not safe for young girls
Where art thy feet?
By Tara Limbu/Thimphu
LARGE PEDESTRIAN sidewalks, effective traffic interventions, and safe zebra crossings are the dreams of every person who loves walking in the capital
But then, dreams are dreams and positive attitude alone doesn't help sometime. People just don't want to walk. And those who do are those who have no cars. Affluent middleclass residents of Thimphu don't walk. And generally, walking is not trendy. read more...
For wider scope and opportunities
By Dawa Gyelmo/Thimphu
THE COUNTRY'S national language, Dzongkha, is fighting a losing battle to English.
Be it in schools or workplaces, English is extensively used for everyday business. And those who study Dzongkha say the government hasn't created enough opportunities for them. read more...
Are we creating a Frankenstein?
Professor Sanjeev Mehta teaches at the Royal Thimphu College
EDUCATION SYSTEM in every country is always under public scanner as it affects almost everyone - students, parents, business communities, and the government. The education system ensures elastic supply of the appropriately and adequately skilled manpower. But the quality of education depends on a number of variables that includes the curriculum, teaching learning process, quality of assessment, and adequate availability of logistic support. If any of this chain is missing or is weak, the quality of education is seriously compromised. read more...
