Images of performances of Leaders in the 1st live BBS telecast of political parties' forum 2018 organised by ECB.

1. DPT President tells DNT President that if the disease he fears is to do with experience  than both DPT & PDP have it and no medical doctor can counter it. DPT President appealed to voters for support to take off where it was left off in 2013 to a self reliance goal 2025.

2. PDP President fended off well the 3 pronged attacks and said that  PDP will do more of what it has been doing the last 5 years. The President asked people to support continuity and march along PDP  in the service of Tsawa Sum for progress and prosperity. Hail to the King !  Seemed  his call to the people.  

3. DNT President painted a picture of dire consequences if power is not transferred. And if elected promised huge changes foremost being an all Party 2045 vision of abdication ( Namlo nhi-tong zhibchu zhi nga lu Gyelpo Gongshu beni chha-zhi tsym-ni).  Begged voters for power to demonstrate ability and transform the nation in 5 years.  

4. BKP President was in a different mode. She was not quite comfortable on that partucular stage. Not sure whether it was weariness or disinterest. Spinster nang-gi-aum suddenly seemed splayed out among three nang- gi- aps. But she did let fly off sparks about eradication of corruption and fears of fear. She appealed for votes the BKP way. She was firm about BKP going for the long haul

The two established Parties DPT and PDP have shared experiences of both Ruling and Opposition roles. Both have Self Reliance goals but approaches are quite far apart.

The other two Parties DNT and BKP have adopted very contrasting national approach.
DNT is for 5 years full sail or not at all. BKP is for the long haul as in the intent to be there always  to participate and influence the course of the nation.

To each his or her own style, speech and aspirations. What matters is not what or how the calls to voters were made. The impact depends on the national mood. And whoever among the Party leaders managed to set on fire the mood of the nation, that political Party will harvest the votes. It is important to note that both DNT and BKP had recently conducted 20 dzongkhag familarisation tours. So they may have got some accurate feelers. People tend to behave differently when the role is reversed wherein the leaders are begging for favourable considerations. 

Despite cries of possible foul plays, majority of voters cannot be bribed or coerced. Only the voter is supposed to know which button on the EVM has been pressed in the secluded voting cubicle. So the voter has all the power to make the self preferred choice.  And if ECB includes Party Reps in EVM vote tally sessions, then all should accept  the result. Mourning loss or celebrating win is natural sentiment.   

Hard to determine the consequences of election outcome upon national peace, prosperity and sovereign dignity.  But for sure, any and all consequences  will have to be digested in all its elements once the majority decides. Democracy is not about rights and wrongs. Its all about majorty handing over power of governance to few,  largely out of better expectations.

Each Political Party had different strategy to lure voters.

DPT emphasised on the Party's self reliance policies  and equality.
PDP asked for vote of confidence in the continuation and expansion of its endeavours the last 5 years.
DNT called for anti- establishment votes and transfer of power in every 5 years.
BKP called for support for the long haul towards a corruption free society.

P.S. the order of Parties are set as adopted in the forum. 

Perception and reality and ugly truth.

Suppose upon your elevation to the Deputy post, you proudly apprise your boss that now as second most powerful person,  you have set in motion the celebratory plans for his Exit.

Would you fault others for construing your act as a scheme for early grab of  power?

I thought it was a clear case of power hunger. And did not think it called for so much allegations of in-appropriateness.

If people are itching to pour allegations then perhaps the following political call-outs deserves some attentions. Assorted calls. and claims. Enjoy the game of allegations. 

1.   In the last one month,  we have visited all nooks and corners of the Kingdom on familarisation campaigns. And we  know what people desire and why people live in fear. Oh! Yes fear is fearful. Thus we are leading anti-incumbent authority movement. And  Calling you to vote us to power now. Please! Please! You better or else who cares !

2. Vote for us now or else we guarantee Chaos and  Bloodshed later.

3. Our  goal is to oust goverment authority every 5 years. Nobody needs Stability and Progress! We find Nothing much done till now and we will not do much, hereafter. The goal is power but not electrical.power. Its governing power we seek.    

4.  Once elected to govern, we shall symbolically  " Narrow the Gap between RICH  and POOR " by replacing the private Landcruiser with government provided chauffered Prado for PM and Whatnots ".  

5. We shall eradicate corruption. No one will be allowed to talk about corruption. The source of corruption is money. And  we will bank the money into our accounts. No worries. Everyone else stay clean and dry.

6. Once in power, we shall  proclaim 'Vision 2045 Abdication on the  first day of office. Happy ?

7. Youth unemployment problems ? Worry not. There will be a Committee to blame.

8. Irrigation and Drinking water ?  Stale News!  Any way a Commission will be set up to explore the necessity. Someday everything will be fixed or give more time to fix.

9. Absolute Kidu for all Students. Automatic admissions for all in government High Schools and Colleges?   All will be declared passed. No failures. Just give us few decades to build schools for all students. Till then go back home. Enjoy the holidays !

10. Exams ?   Guaranteed No Examinations. No need to study. Just be ready to replace Indian labourers at Hydro- Construction Projects after college. You will never face job problems hereafter. Satisfied?

11.. PE Examinations ?  No! Not required. This system has enabled too many commoners to become officers. We plain to go back to the old system. No PE and No RCSC Exams. Just fill vacancies with children of the elite families and Party Patrons. Till now those children of common people have ousted all big shots and rich people children who are weak in Maths and do not speak dzongkhag. No PE and No RCSC Exams is very good for children who do not study in bhutan. So out children of Commoners from Civil Service jobs. Haha! Good Idiots. No PE and No Civil Service Exams! 

12. Farmers' Needs?  You have been given land and home by the King. Now all you really need is time. We give you all the time. Electricity  to work in the night also. Also after 2018 no need to waste time in voting for Local or Central governments. We will stay on. Just toil and feed us.

13. Money for all commitments of political parties? No worries!  Your votes are our money.
Here and there and from somewhere. Lots of honey combs we just have to discover.  

14. We only tslk  of your welfare in grabbing power for ourselves. So take it or leave it. Who cares!

I confession that I have not travelled the length and breath of the nation inciting or imploring voters. So I have no idea about public sentiment. I only write my views based on what Party leaders and others say in public forum.
Not much time to debate nor the necessity to cry foul. The plain truth of public sentiment will be out in around 2 weeks time.

The Parties are in contact with voters at all levels of the society. Their gauge of public mood could be on the dot. The rest need not wait for long what majority desire.  I respect whatever the  verdict.         

Government and Media friend or foe.

They are neither friend nor foe of each other. Their common interest is to monopolize influence and have the public believe in their ways. Both politicians and journalists would like the people believe that they only work for common good. Although the main agenda is working to better and prosperous livelihoods.  Something like the concept of Rimpoches being  detached from women and wine but women and wine attaching themselves to Rimpoches. So any vice of politicians and media personnels are people's misconception like women and wine attaching to " holy " Rimpoches. 

It is said that media is the 4th estate, Media is the keeper of good governance. Media is the pillar of democracy. Hear it, learn it but don't believe it. For it is the people who must bear these responsibilities under the democratic system.

Sorry folks !  The war of vengeance between the most powerful democratic government and most free media enterprise in America has thrown into the drain all such nonsensical  glorification of the media world.

President Nixon was brought down not just by two journalists but by democracts using the media as their lynch tool. Likewise President Trump is being challenged by democracts 
and forces of establishment that he trampled over to capture the American Presidency. And these forces are using the established media as their most effective and trusted weapon of singular destruction. However,  it is not having the expected Nixon resultant effect.  Unlike President Nixon's world, times have changed. President Trump  has direct access to the people via his Twitter account. So whatever negative established media dishes out, he is able to counter. Due to his position as the President of the only super power, he may be having a wider audience base than any or collective tv networks.

I mention the importance of direct access to the people because real power is not established media. It is direct and instant access to the public. So real power lies in communication channels  that were,  at one time,  controlled by giant Corporate powers who ran the   news prints or radios and tv channels. This is no longer the case under the present scenario. .

At best the Media can now do is to bring about transparency. And  transparency is not exactly as  understood by Bhutanese journalists. For most journalists,  transparency is about government officers sharing their decisions before declaring in public. That is wrong concept and lazy attitude. Transparency is more than parroting/ sharing news of a government statement or decision or policy. It is exposing ins and outs of such a decision or policy. Media houses do not have all the expertise or the  means to carry out such exercise by themselves. Thats where personal contacts, long experiences and professionals in respective fields play the roles. Thats one enduring strength of Tenzing Lamsang at The Bhutanese. He has contacts and information source and the knack. Like him or dislike him. But he is undeniably able. 

Media is not always sincere or even professionally correct. For example much of American media was devoted to bashing North Korea or nuking it.  Even today they do not whole heartedly support the peace initiatives of President Trump. So do not croak too loudly about Media being a voice of reason and good governance. Media houses have their share of bigots and fanatics and even hypocrites.

Media can also act very, very dishonestly. Last year during Doklam, the Indian mass media deluded the world about a " Security Pact " between Bhutan and India. No such pact or agreement was ever discussed or passed in the National Assembly of pre- democracy era. And no such pact was ever signed between India and Bhutan since democracy was introduced. The 1949 Indo- Bhutan Treaty which was  revised in 2006 had no clause/ provision/ reference to anything about security or defence pact. A huge shameful lie on part of Indian media. And Bhutanese Media stayed like sheep in the pens. So Media has no ethics. It is a tool of the government by its own choice at times and at other times act as adversary of the government to suit its own agenda. But hardly for sake of truth or transparency.

In Bhutan, a journalist was deadly against DPT government and the same journalist  has been deadly for the PDP government. Such behaviour pattern has nothing to do with media ethics or misdeeds or good deeds of a particular government.  Another journalist got an opportunity to work outside and went out but created the impression that atmosphere within Bhutan was not conducive for " able " and " free " thinking  journalist. Haha ! Then returned several months later to work in Bhutan. Apparently the grass was not greener on the other side. So journalist's principle can at times be related to the appetite of the stomach. Nothing to do with journalistic ethics. Similarly  the media also act to suit its own agenda not necessarily of public interest. So try not to issue edict of warning to politicians or Political Parties when your own base of principle is so wobbly.

In nutshell, the Government is not the boss of Media. And Media is not necessarily the conscience of the public nor the keeper of good governance. There are no such thing as True Media or True Politician.  There are no fully powerful Government under democracy and no wholely free Media in free world.  The Boss is supposed to be the People.  And both politicians and journalists live off the nation.   

Doklam politics of tragic betrayal haunts India too

The transgression into Bhutan- China Doklam by Indian Army was for 72 days and possibly covered several tent areas of non- descript land space. Now the after impact is ripplling into  2019 Indian General Election.

The 2017 Doklam transgression by Indian Army chilled Bhutan to frozen silence.  There are no friends. Only vultures eyeing tiny Druk Yul. 

Recently Rahul Sharma of BJP says " through  diplomacy, China bowed down " at Doklam.

Rahul Gandhi of Congress says " the truth is that Chinese are still at Doklam ". Meaning Chinese forces had not bowed down but instead very much settled down at Doklam.

The fact is that last year from June to August for around 72 days, Indian Army as a result of its transgressive act, got fixated to the pressure cooker spot. It's ordeal ended when India managed to negotiate with China a clean and quiet withdrawal from Doklam. 

Externally, the three nations  Bhutan, China and India act like that all are back to normal but the tri- nations can never be the same in spirit since the June, 2017 transgression. China and India are back to the status of silent state of war across borders. The  Indo- Bhutan  supposed tree of 50 year friendship has been transplanted upside down courtesy Doklam storm. . Druk Yul and her reverred institution of Monarchy stood betrayed as half a century trusted friend and generous donar India marched her Army into Doklam to declare war on China from Bhutanese soil.

Only through the grace of the Deities of Bhutan, the status-quo of prior June transgression, was regained after Indian Army withdrew at the end of August.  But for 72 days , the Kingdom was psyed to the edge of paralysis state.

That was Bhutan last year through Doklam experience. Today Indian media and  political scene reverberates in loud echoes of that ill fated and ill advised Doklam venture. And everything suggest Doklam storm blowing into 2019 General Election of India. Regrettable situation.       

The other side of Bhutanese history.

Let me share my take of the history of Bhutan after due acknowledgement of many tales and write ups from different quarters including official versions and numerous learned individuals. I have been simply trying to reconcile information with events.  

1) The 1907 historucal  " Genja " is more an oath of allegiance to the new hereditary King by various officials of the time rather than " an agreement " between King Ugyen Wangchuck and the representative of the people of Bhutan. By 1907, most rivals were put to rest or vanguished. And it was also in the interest of British India to have a friendly and stable sovereign Kingdom of Bhutan.  

2) The most tale telling  part of the allegiance document is the manner it was drafted and the date which reflect the style of British Raj of India. Note the month " December " and " Taari " ( date ) and even the British title " Sir " laboriously  recorded down in the document. Very much reflective of foreign draft rather than native and natural. But validity is not only unquestionable, it has been put in full and faithful practice.  

These observations are not heresay. The document is well  preserved for all to see, read and debate and draw conclusions perspective wise.

However, my following observations of historical events are not based on original  documents but simply an honest effort to  reconcile events with their reflections out in writings or related by word of mouth from generation to generation. Again just different perspectives and has no bearings of whatsoever since past history is past and holds no relevance to present contexts.

1) Going back to the 1st Desi appointment in 1650 and supposed death or meditation of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. He is said to have died in 1651 but his death kept secret for some 50 years. Zhabdrung himself could not have wanted his death to be buried that way. He was prepared for such a day. Even if his adopted heir was not of age, he had KhamSum Singye statue built to represent him after his death. In retrospection, the great Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal may  be the most glorified political tool of the last four centuries of Bhutanese history.           

2) The possibility is that Zhabdrung may have been deposed from power from the time of the instalment of the 1st Druk Desi. But Zhabdrung's name and reverrence used to hold onto the power by the 1st and 2nd Desi. Both seem to have died whilst in reign. The 3rd Desi Chogyal Minjur Tempa was so enraged when he discovered that Zhabdrung had long died. He had the 'Machen Lopen' bound and thrown into the Punakha river. So it is safe to assume that though rural people may have been unaware, most officials in administrative and religious centres came to know of Zhabdrung's death in 1667.

3). The Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tempa was appointed the 3rd Druk Desi under the official seal of Zhabdrung. So Minjur Tempa initially believed he was appointed by Zhabdrung himself. In similar manner the 1st and 2nd Desi could also have been appointed by the coterie of inner circles of late Zhabdrung at Punakha Dzong the seat of power. They probably  meant well for the nation because they had chosen candidates who had the influence and power base to rule the country.

4) The title of " Chogyal " for Desi Minjur Tempa actually ended the dual system. If the dual system existed then Desi Minjur Tempa could not have been referred to as " Cho- Gyal " Minjur Tempa. In our written history, Zhabdrung is referred to as the Dharma Raja ( the title is foreign which roughly translates  to Cho- Gyal ). And he is credited to have establishef the dual system of Desi the  political leader and Je Khenpo the spiritual Leader. Zhabdrung was supposed to be the Cho-Gyal the Head of both temporal and spiritual affairs. But one should note that the dual stytem came into being only in 165O just before Zhabdrung banished from public sight. Could he have died earlier ? And his inner circles came up with this convenient system separating temporal power and spiritual power held by Zhabdrung  to accommodate the ambitions of powerful religious leaders. Both Desi and Je Khenpo appointees came from the clergy circles and both enjoyed equal powers.

  5) It is very possible that Zhadrung was deposed off in 1950 or died and the inner circle used the spiritual isolation practice ( Meditation ) to keep his death secret and  rule in the name of Zhabdrung. Their ploy failed when Minjur Tempa after becoming the 3rd Desi, insisted upon receiving audience with the person of Zhabdrung.   And when he discovered that Zhabdrung had died, he had the inner coterie punished and the its leader put to death.     

6) Lam Ngawang Namgyal did not seem to have believed in his own re-incarnation.  Maybe he did not have faith in the process of identifying the incarnate. Anyway, he married with the objective to produce an heir after which he took the oath of celibacy. But his son died of an illness. Then he is said to have identified a young monk Tenzin Rabgye from Drukpa Kuenlay lineage side  as his heir. Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tempa raised the heir apparent.

7). In 1687, Desi Cho- Gyal Minjur Tempa suddenly resigned. Hard to tell whether he was forced out by his protege Tenzin Rabgye who was installed as the 4th Desi. Anyway  Cho-Gyal Minjur Tempa retired to Tangu-Cheri and died few years later.    

The Honourable Chief Advisor of Interium Government got it right!

The responsibility of interium government is to preserve harmonious national environment during the General Elections. And ensure that services to the nation and the people continues and day to day affairs of the State is attended to whilst major policy decisions are not taken.

Good to know that respective Advisors will not be engaged in micromanagement of Ministries. This will prevent unnecessary harrassment of the bureaucracy and uncalled for auditing of the performance of the past elected government.

A royal appointed interium government with royally neutral intent to bridge the 3 months gap between democratically elected governments and nothing else. An act that  re-assures our faith in the democratic monarchy system for the Kingdom.

Thank you Your Excellency the Chief Justice of Bhutan as the Chief Advisor of the Interium Government for the transparency in sharing the mandate with the people through the Press conference ( courtesy Kuensel ). May His Majesty the King always guide the Kingdom in such true and wise fashion.   

     

Life and Tides.

Resignations at the end of a political tenure or supernuation from jobs are part of system in place. Therefore,  awareness should be prepardness. But when time comes knocking with calls of resignation and supernuation, so many are still so unprepared.. Such changes in temporal positions are like experiencing death whilst still alive for many. Impermanence is only a term that we automatically associate with cases of others. But for self, the dream of life and fortune being forever is hard to erase from inner conscience.

Still we human beings have enormous capacity to deal with changing tides if only we are not knocked down by the first wave of transition. Its alright to feel low and somewhat lost and knocked down. Just do not give up or attempt too hard to appear nonchalant. The experience is not normal. Its abnormal though common. So there is no sure set ways to deal with such changes. You are your own Guru. 

Gradually the transition evolves to help create your own space in society. Maybe different, new colleagues than old friends though same persons, same family with adjusted fresh priorities and same community with changed hierachy environment. But there is a space for you somewhere within the society though may not be of your preferred choice.

Few even get a new lease to old life and positions but that too will be gone sometimes later. And again back to that old hollow exercise of ' Bardo '  once again in conditions of less favourable age and health. Life is a scale. It finally settles down after all exercises of balancing. Thats why human beings are said to be born equal though we do not ever lead equal lives even in similar same position. 

The sooner we understand context of life, the better we can live it fully. So come to share my philosphy. Life is just one episode in our universe. Travel the journey your own way. The destination is same whichever path taken. Why try so hard to be someone else? Be your very self from the begining in love, with family, friends and society. Just work honestly hard and live freely unafraid and true. Good Luck with Blessings of Triple Gem!

Colour Kamni and Patang story.

I read the The Bhutanese article about clarifications from Chairman of Privy Council on Patang and colour Kamni.  I think we are still.studying for appropriate approach and acceptance of new arrangements.  

Encouraging people to discard " colour Kamni " like blue and orange scarfs is rather like telling former officials to forget their role and contribution in the service of the Tsawa Sum through those respective positions. I hope they do not feel as if  ousted from heaven.    

There is one complete change in the traditional culture conveyed in the clarifications provided.  Traditionally red scarf Officers did not wear patang after leaving their official posts. Same went for Royal Advisory Councillors. But they wore the red and blue Kamni even in retirement. Even Ministers once in retirement did not wear Patang but wore the orange Kamni.
Now it seems some can wear both and others none after retirement from active service. It all depends on which King granted the honour and on whom and under what circumstances. Confusion is quite agalore. And confusion in culture and practices brings about  obscurity which in turn cause  dilution to the essence and cultural impact of tradition that is no more traditional.

To my knowledge, there are recipients of red scarf honour by civilians unconnected with official positions. They have no retirement age and wore both red Kamni and patang unto death. All others who received red scarf during their official service be they in Royal Secretariat or Government Service, upon retirement wore the same colour Kamni but not the patang. This system was quite clearly established as the nation headed into democracy era.  

We are now discarding the much touted tradition. And making up rules as per mood swings or time demands. This trend does not give dignity nor preserve our culture which  supposedly were recorded  in writing since Zhabdrung time and established widely especially the colour Kamni and Patang practices by successive Wangchuck Kings till now.

I have no historical reference but it looks like the Dratsang had the Kamni culture including the kamni colours and entitled folds.  And patang was a weapon that lay officials already wore. So probably when Zhabdrung conferred ranks to lay officials after introducing the dual system, the lay officials continued wearing their patang also as long as he was in active service.

Prior to 2008 election, there was no indication that MPs would be given any colour kamni or patang. This was a afterthought royal decision. At first blue Kamnis were handed out to NA MPs and then later Patang was handed out or permission given to wear it ( I am not clear on this). But definitely the blue scarf and patang  were not handed out at the same time to the members of the first National Assembly of democratic governance. . 

During absolute Monarchy reigns, the Royal Advisory Councillors elected by the  people were granted Dhar with blue scarf and permission to wear patang from the Throne just like the present National Council MPs though for them patang was also provided. 

The pre- democracy National Assembly members elected by the people had a white kamni with blue stripe in the middle but no patang. They were not given Dhars from the Throne. Today's National Assembly Members are also not given Dhars from the Throne. But handed out blue scarf and patang by the Secretary of  National Assembly Secretariat during 2013. In 2008, blue scarf was simply left hung on the chairs. And patang distributed much later.  

However, the National Council Members led by the Chairperson and the Political Party selected Cabinet Ministers led by the Prime Minister were granted Dhar in the traditional manner from the Throne on both occassions in 2008 and 2013.

Now is there a difference in the honour granted with Dhar ceremony and blue Kamni left hung on the chair for the individual NA MPs to adorn. Many may feel that there must be a difference. However, traditionally there is no difference. Many years back, I read the book " Hero of thousand eyes " related by Dasho Shinkar Lam and written by Dasho Karma Ura. In there Dasho Shinkhar Lam relates that His Majesty the Third King simply  commanded that an official  can  wear the colour scarf ( red/ orange ) and from the next day it was so worn with a patang.

So full colour scarfs: blue, green,  red or orange till 2008 are associated with the Royal Court whether granted with Dhar ceremony or by way of command to wear. Both ways are of same value as honour is bestowed upon the recipient from the Throne in both cases. 

Henceforth, what we need to be sure about is under democracy system, do we adopt one more culture that is a patang and colour kamni ( blue for ordinary MPs and orange for MP Ministers ) as  adornment  for the position received  from the people through the ballot box or an honour bestowed upon those MPs and Ministers from the Throne in keeping with the constitutional position of the King as the Head of the nation and guardian of national security and peace.

If Bhutan goes for adopting a new culture then an Act from.the aparliament would be required. But if we consider it as part of royalty associated traditional culture, then a Kasho would suffice for the new system of patang and Kamni.

Personally,  I would prefer the age old traditional system because we still are a Kingdom under the same Wangchuck dynasty though the King is different. But I know that this is taboo to national thinking. So a new system is being unofficially enforced to quote the Privy Council Chairman , " encouraging them to voluntarily give up Kamnis". A royal edit would take care of whatever the Royal wishes.

The former MPs and Ministers under democracy system should sufficiently feel comfortably dignified that they once received the confidence of the people to lead the nation.  Maybe,  few may feel initially naked without the colour kamni. But given time, the sentimental attachment to such adornments would wear off. Afterall, even the white kamni at one time was a useful cloth wrapper for light loads slung over the shoulders. Not really a traditional decorum uniform wear. Culture evolves with time and with democracy kind of  changes cannot be predicted.   

          

Party convention crowd size.

Considering all the challenges of arranging the first 2018 Political Party Convention, I must give a huge credit to DNT. The crowd was  impressive and programme well thought out. Very good marketting of the Party and goals.

Thereafter, BKP had the benefit of learning from the first DNT convention and naturally their crowd size was bigger.

DPT sent out mixed signals. The convention was for registered members though some wrote that it is open to all.  Anyway I guess candidates, their families and supporters attended the DPT convention. And the crowd size befitted  the important occassion.

PDP ofcourse had the advantage of being the last to hold the convention and being the Ruling Party the huge crowd size was not a surprise.

The conventions showed that Primary Election is going to be very, very competitive. Democracy has come to full bloom this 2018.

MPs, patangs and colour kamnis

Initially I thought patang and kamni for democratically elected officials were a symbolic recognition of the  people's choice from the Throne. A display of royal democracy gnh. My grand misconception and tgerefore admiration was short lived. Gradually it became clear that these are only adornments of office routinely  handed out by the constitutional King to MPs who have already secured authority of governance for 5 years tenure through the ballot box or EVMs. 

Now under Bhutanese democracy system, a new practice of power striptease has been instituted for retiring elected officials. Quite a gala at the august hall of Parliament where a public drama of literally stripping of authority was staged. The MPs undergoing the dis-robe ritual.

All can relax now that henceforth, there will not be an iota of fear of these former MPs and Cabinet Ministers exercising the apparently dreaded after tenure residual of influence if any among the people. Maybe,  this striptease ritual will also be  imposed upon retiring  Dratsang Lopens  and the retiring officers of the armed forces, hereafter. 

This power extinguishing script could have been adapted from the ritual of stripping the corpse of normal attires before being shrouded and placed  on pyre for cremation. A kind of finality of banishing to the void. What temporal fear calls for such public exorcism of retiring MPs?

I would have thought that if at all necessary an edict from the Speaker forbidding use of official adornments after exiting posts of authority would be equally effective and also dignified.