the league of extraordinary gentlemen

I find this piece by Dawa T Wangchuk from Business Bhutan very interesting. Old habits die hard, eh?

 

the league of extraordinary gentlemen

POSTED BY DAWA T WANGCHUK | 05 JUNE 2010

The retired dashos’ club is asking for vehicle quotas, duty free benefits, diplomatic passports and unique vehicle number plates

To avoid the plight of being relegated into the dusty annals of once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-dasho tales, 40 retired red scarf officers, including three women, are grouping to voice their concerns.

Dashos Business Bhutan talked to said with democracy in, the orange and blue colors are getting more prominence.

“I was humiliated by a policeman while going to the dzong, who took me for a gomchen,” said a retired red scarf officer. Following tradition, a dasho who has retired from service does not wear his patang (sword). With just the red kabney, the policeman thought the former officer was a lay monk.

The club comprises of former dzongdas, drangpons, and director generals, who once commanded immense power and glory.

Known as the Retired Red Scarf (Nyekem) Officers Club, the group aims to help fellow dashos in times of need as well as to “serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum as and when called upon by His Majesty.”

According to a former dzongda, nyekem is a lifelong privilege awarded from the Golden Throne. “This will revive the prestige of the red scarf,” he said, adding that the association has the blessing of His Majesty the King.

The club has raised issues regarding privileges like vehicle quota, duty free benefits, diplomatic passport and unique vehicle number plate.

“A vehicle number plate like that of the MPs will help us to travel with ease within the country,” said a former dzongda.

However, the club is careful with their demands. “We do not want anything which has financial consequences to the government,” said another former dzongda.

Unique number plates for vehicles and diplomatic passports do not financially burden the government, another one said.

While visiting places where a red kabney is not required, it is good to have an identity card signifying the rank, a former director general said. “At places like the hospital, the security guards feel we are old useless people from the villages and treat us badly,” he added.

There will be four regional coordinators who will look after the club activities in the east, west, central and south. “The executive committee and coordinators at the regional level will keep in touch with all retired officers in their region and help in times of sickness, death and other difficulties,” added a member.

The club will also organize pilgrimages within and outside Bhutan. “And for this, it was felt necessary to have diplomatic passports,” said a member.

Will the club wield any political influence?

“Absolutely no,” a member said.

The club is apolitical. Period.