No news is good news, so said someone wise and maybe dead now.
I have been browsing through kuenselonline, bhutan times, bhutan observer for some hint of news update, i mean hot news, and they have none other than the usual kewa dathi feature at KOL, losing candidates cry foul of party politics at bhutan observer, and the link to bhutantimes was dead like the legendary singye karm.
Why they never seem to update their sites, I will never understand. Moreover, links to most government sites are dead or carry the same stuff they uploaded decades ago. Look at National Assembly of Bhutan's site. What is your first thought? Who designed it? Is it supposed to look like that? Frankly, I could have designed a better one when I was introduced to the basics of IT. Then there are some sites...oh forget about it.
Anyway, on this sad note, I wish everyone a very Happy New Year of Earth Rat.
Losar Tashi Delek!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
What should Bhutan fear?
What should Bhutan fear? Threat from militant groups or a natural disaster? We seem to be totally unprepared for both.
Weeks after the explosion of four bomb in four districts, another bomb went off at Samtse. Although no casaulties were reported, its seems they are upto something.
Then Todd Crowell's feature at Asia Sentinel is equally if not more disturbing. In his feature High-altitude flood warning, he says,
Weeks after the explosion of four bomb in four districts, another bomb went off at Samtse. Although no casaulties were reported, its seems they are upto something.
People's expectation and demands are strange that change with time and situation. Back in 1990's, some of these people destroyed public property, murdered innocent people, went againt the nation and left the country all in the name of democracy. Now that Bhutan is introducing democracy, they want to stop the first ever election to be held in March. It is strange.A police spokesperson said that they have recovered leaflets of the Communist Party of Bhutan based in Nepal from the scene threatening to stop the National Assembly election in March. (Kuenselonline)
Then Todd Crowell's feature at Asia Sentinel is equally if not more disturbing. In his feature High-altitude flood warning, he says,
What could be more disturbing? What should Bhutan fear? Militant threat from the south or high altitude flood from the north?Global warming could cause catastrophic emptying of lakes in Nepal and Bhutan.
The upper Himalaya lakes in Nepal and Bhutan that were formed by retreating glaciers are getting bigger as global warming causes glaciers to recede, with possibly ruinous consequences, a development that Japanese scientists have been monitoring with concern.
It is not a new phenomenon, but it is a growing and dangerous one.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Bhutan: into the future
With the completion of National Council elections, held on two different dates due to lack of candidates in some Dzongkhags, the Kingdom of Bhutan seems fully geared for the upcoming first ever general elections to be held towards the end of March, 2008. It appeared however that the National Council election was not taken too seriously both by the people and the media. A few scratches of articles here and there, reported almost unwillingly, it was over as soon as we knew it started.
In the meanwhile, Gasa Dzong survived fire (Kuenselonline) while four houses were burnt down to rubbles (Kuenselonline); four bombs exploded and a boy was found toying with hand grenades.
Elections: one down, one more to go, reads a Bhutan Observer headline. The election that was already down was dubbed huge success (with glitches) by the Chief Election Commissioner. How would the other one go?
A stark contrast in their choice of political candidates and agenda, the twin political parties of Bhutan shouted out their promises to the people even before the Election Commission of Bhutan was supposed to have dictated their campaign dates. In the course of their so called familiarisation tour of constituencies, some of the candidates pointed fingers at each other, accusing each other of corruption charges and other such allegations much to the dismay of the public.
Majority of candidates with PDP are business entrepreneurs while resigned civil servants and academicians flocked the DPT. PDP takes their talk for a walk, the DPT tries to instill a sense of utopian idealism into the minds of the people.
What kind of government do we need? What kind of Bhutan would they create once they assume their responsibilities? Would Bhutan join forces with the rest of world in embracing material oriented society or would Bhutan aspire to create a society of idealism and uniqueness true to its founding fathers?
In the meanwhile, Gasa Dzong survived fire (Kuenselonline) while four houses were burnt down to rubbles (Kuenselonline); four bombs exploded and a boy was found toying with hand grenades.
Elections: one down, one more to go, reads a Bhutan Observer headline. The election that was already down was dubbed huge success (with glitches) by the Chief Election Commissioner. How would the other one go?
A stark contrast in their choice of political candidates and agenda, the twin political parties of Bhutan shouted out their promises to the people even before the Election Commission of Bhutan was supposed to have dictated their campaign dates. In the course of their so called familiarisation tour of constituencies, some of the candidates pointed fingers at each other, accusing each other of corruption charges and other such allegations much to the dismay of the public.
Majority of candidates with PDP are business entrepreneurs while resigned civil servants and academicians flocked the DPT. PDP takes their talk for a walk, the DPT tries to instill a sense of utopian idealism into the minds of the people.
What kind of government do we need? What kind of Bhutan would they create once they assume their responsibilities? Would Bhutan join forces with the rest of world in embracing material oriented society or would Bhutan aspire to create a society of idealism and uniqueness true to its founding fathers?
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Tobacco ban and its aftermath
The case of tobacco ban in Bhutan has rather turned out to be a joke. Sale of tobacco products has been banned without actually restricting the indulgement. Tobacco can still be consumed in most social gatherings like pubs, bars, discotheques, and even in some of the restaurants.
Where do people buy them?
That is not a serious question. The result of tobacco ban has opened up whole new avenue for the establishment of black market where tobacco products are sold at higher price. Yet, people are willing to pay and the shops willing to sell as long as they are mutually available.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has taken every possible measure to curb the problem. A headline at Bhutan Broadcasting Service website reads,
Tobacco products worth Nu. 60,000 seized
Where do people buy them?
That is not a serious question. The result of tobacco ban has opened up whole new avenue for the establishment of black market where tobacco products are sold at higher price. Yet, people are willing to pay and the shops willing to sell as long as they are mutually available.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has taken every possible measure to curb the problem. A headline at Bhutan Broadcasting Service website reads,
Tobacco products worth Nu. 60,000 seized
February 2: In Thimphu, officials from the Department of Trade and other agencies including the Royal Bhutan Police seized tobacco products worth Nu. 60, 000 from a shop in the old vegetable market area yesterday.
The raid was conducted by the sub-committee for tobacco control. Officials said that the raid was conducted in areas in the capital city after a tip off.
The Director of Trade, Dophu Tsering said that the shop raided yesterday supplies tobacco products to other shops in and around the capital.
The Department of Trade has cancelled 34 Micro Trade license since sale of tobacco was banned in 2004. 11 were canceled in Thimphu alone this January.
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