Department of Revenue and Customs a house of corruption or what ?

It is appalling to read that more than 20 million ngultrums could be leaking out  daily at Phuentsholing Revenue & Customs Check Post. This has got to be corrected and it should be possible to plug this continuous haemorrhage of tax money at various international check points.  After all there had to be honest officers still dedicating their service to the nation.  The system of governance must be geared to encourage honest environment. When authorities favour incapable yes men  and forcefully remove or suppress honest able officers, the culture of corruption has to spread.

Long ago some smart employees had realised that the culture of successful survival lay in the practice of joint corruption wherein the spoils are split up and down. That way lush posting is available and promotion is guaranteed with rewards unlimited. Corruption is not a disease as some have termed. It is becoming the core of  systematic style of national management.

Honesty and frankness is frowned upon. Even informers are penalised by administrative agencies. Therefore even
ACC cannot match the might of corrupted individuals and Agencies that enjoy government confidence. And very soon ACC too could get corrupted or blunted by sheer force of the nature of entrenched system of corruption.

The public hears a great deal of anti-corruption talks and orientation workshops but hardly any concrete sample of leading the crusade by example. The ills of corruption is not restricted to any specific individual, agency or government nor to definition of haves and have nots. It is prevalent all the time and at every opportunity more so where transactions are huge and a plentiful like check posts of Revenue and Custom and mining activities and at banks. Recently I even heard of a terrible story of passport renewal fee fraud that victimise students studying in third countries. There is no shame and  no boundary and definitely no fear since it is conducted at team work level.

I just wonder if the Ministry of Finance would be willing to contract out the whole system. Maybe it is possible to enrich the cash strapped Government to some extent through a honest and able supervision and management of such custom and revenue and mining check posts in Bhutan. A system of healthy and continuous check and balanced management needs to be introduced and enforced to encourage diligence and honesty.

Celebrating life through Poetry at Sunshine

Today the 24th of April, 2015 is Sunshine School  Poetry Tribute Day celebrating the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Jewel of men His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo. The event was graced by Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Her Majesty is an accomplished author and a lover of poetic literature.

The guests were impressively entertained by the recitations of array of Poems and Proverbs in English and Dzongkhag  sprinkled with songs by the young souls of Sunshine School. You had to see to believe and admire what young minds can be coached to perform. Each class from PP to VI performed turn wise on the stage. And every group displayed its own charm and skill of articulation and expression. As one watched the lines of different class groups ( PP to VI ) silently and sweetly file in to take their place on the stage, one could feel the nervous excitement and pride of each individual student. 

Once on the stage, what was most visible was the tremendous coaching efforts that the teachers had invested into their pupils our children and grandchildren. They then greeted the Queen mother and other  guests  before  reciting their poems or proverbs with sparkling countenance and innocent ease and again gracefully bowing out to exit the stage in single orderly file not in regiment rigidity but in soft orderly shuffle of eager tender feet.

As I watched the whole show, it dawned upon me what really constituted wholesome education. The crux of education is grooming from early stage to bring out the best in the most enjoyable and participatory manner. Every student, each class and all teachers collectively participated to stage a poetic show in celebration of the 60th Birth Anniversary of the King who sacrificed his youth and prime life to nuture to blossom the full potential of his people and kingdom.

The theme was ' SUNSHINE Celebrates LIFE through Poetry '. And a celebration it was as both Ministers of Education and Health and few other guests joined Sunshine School students in the recitation of Poems and even contributing to the wealth of Bhutanese proverbs.

The celebration with Sunshine gracefully  concluded with the recitation of the Poem,  ' The Jewel of Men ' by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck the Queen Mother.

Tomorrow is reserved for all parents to share the celebration of LIFE through poetry at SUNSHINE School.  I encourage you to witness the performance of your children and share their joy and pride tomorrow as this will lay the path to enjoy their accomplishments in later life. Thank you Sunshine for your endeavour in shaping able citizens of the future.

A jackpot of all jackasses.

On 22nd April 2015, the jackpot of all jackasses @drukleaks tweets the following remarks regarding my article about patang and kamni to quote:

" @Wangcha Sangey. Guess it is sparked frm not him being awarded 1 but he shld be grateful that he has to right to wear a  white one ". Unquote.

This jackass hides his identity but his intention is naked chamcha trumpeting till blue in the face to gain personal favour. I do not know this chamcha but possibly  some others would personally know this public jackass. I have a message for him :

Quote, " My allegiance is raw and naked. Not polished to solicit favour as like a chamcha. I believe that white kamni is an age old custom and not anyone's right as such.  However, if it was meant as an implied threat, you display a sad and unhinged existence.

I am not jealous of those who are honoured with patang and kamni. This  is why I support that such personalities keep wearing the colour kamni even without patang after retiring. I always thought it was an act displaying respect to the authority who granted the the honour as well as displaying one's honoured social position.

You jackass now can wear all the colour kamni of the retired Dashos to your early grave since you object to them wearing so. To me the tradition of colour kamni and patang is an honour granted by an authority which possess the prerogative power.  Patang and kamni  is not a natural or automatic right of any person whether civilian or elected or simple ordinary citizen. Even under democracy, it is not an electorate right. At least it is not specifically mentioned in the constitution that an individual elected to represent a constituency is entitled to patang and colour kamni. It is an honour not an individual entitlement.

Therefore to my understanding such an honour is an honour no matter how or where or when or to whom it is bestowed. As such, such honour cannot be erased by simple revocation: denying wearing the kamni to the grave unless the whole system undergoes a total revolution of change wherein  social, cultural and traditional meaning and concept are changed legally or politically. I sincerely thought that the sanctity of an institutional prerogative would be best upheld if it is not subjected to variations and different definition. However, I have no problem with any final decision of an authorised Agency. As the jackpot of a jackass pointed out I have no colour kamni so I cannot be a victim.

The difference between me and the jackpot of all jackasses is that he lives for self  preservation whilst I endeavour to preserve the goodness of sovereign nation and institution. I have been reminded in no uncertain terms that I am nobody to make such an endeavour. And I  humbly accept that I have no official or unofficial position nor any type of influence.  It is just that the allegiance  to this nation and the institution that steered it, is part of my upbringing and so it is difficult to change overnight.

I do not posses a variable political and social character as in jackpot of a jackass. My heart cannot betray Bhutan  though I read the implied threat when the chama jackass writes that I should feel  grateful for the right to wear white kamni. I know that only Bhutanese who are imprisoned are denied wearing kamni.  Sad is the day when this once Camelot of a Kingdom is now also home to such a jackpot." Unquote.

It is believed that it takes at least a year for natural truth to be revealed by super natural forces. I therefore pray that by this time next year for Pelden Lham and Yeshey Goenpo to separate the milk from the water. The detractors who have misconstrued the intent of my article and maliciously reported  should also submit to the judgement of Pel Yeshey Goenpo and Pelden Lhamo.

I had deleted my article on kamni and patang and had also requested Kuensel moderator to please not publish it. Further to those who inquired about it, I had requested that they kindly accept my decision to withdraw the article from the social media. I do not wish it to be misconstrued. But detractors like jackpot of all jackasses who still won't let go but insist on fueling controversies for personal gains need to be answered in their own language.

Divided Congress Party of India ?

The Farmers Rally in Delhi last Sunday showed no sign of revamping Congress Party and no resounding endorsement of Rahul Gandhi as an able accepted Leader of whole of Congress Party. At best a Congress Spokeswriter maintained that there was no rift between mother and son since both shared the stage during the Party organised Rally. Such statement rather than reassuring actually highlights Party disorientation. It would have spelt political suicide of the Party if Sonia Gandhi had been absent during the much touted farmer rally organised to reintroduce Rahul Gandhi.

On her part Mrs. Sonia Gandhi said Rahul spoke well as expected at the Rally and when asked about his Party President role, she said only Rahul can answer that question. Following Sunday Rally, Rahul spoke up the next day in the Parliament. Only 20 of the 44 Congress MPs attended the Session. Did the majority take sabbatical leave? This is serious indicative absence because an oral whip was  supposed to have been issued that all should attend the Session. If a written Party whip had been issued and more than half chose to be absent, then politically Rahul had no business to even hold on to the Party Vice President Post.

Rahul charged Modi of being away from farmers but he himself lacked any contact with farmers since the defeat in the last General Election. So it was like the kettle calling the pot black. He accused Modi Government of being pro rich and anti farmer. And in turn the Government accused Congress of reserving words for the farmers and deeds for the rich.

Few prominent figures of Congress Party have been quite vocal about the need for Sonia Gandhi to continue staying on as Party President and some hinted that they will resign if and when Rahul takes over. Now it looks like the ball is in the Rahul court. Only he can answer as his mother had commented. Will Rahul Gandhi move over and out to save the Party or he will choose to break the Party and become President of what's left over of old Congress Party? Perhaps the answer will become clearer once the fate of the Modi Government proposed Land Acquisition Bill is decided by the Parliament.

PCAL in Deep Water Question is dragged to Court by an under performing embarrassed Management.

Will PCAL Management be able to reverse the trend of receding company performance by going to the Court? I have my doubts. How does the Company explain low sales apart from blaming competitors.? Everyone is required to face competition in every day life from birth to death therefore especially for a seasoned commercial enterprise challenges from competitors cannot be a valid reason for continuous under performance.  Would the lawsuit against Kuensel justify decreasing profit and explain why the CEO had to resign ?

What could be the logic of wasting both financial and human resources in senseless  litigation in the name of saving reputation. Whose reputation ? If those who decided to do something about their supposedly tarnished image then concentrate on improving the 2015 Corporate balance sheet. It is the dignified norm to answer critics. Wasting shareholders money on legal ego trip is way off the corporate way.
I just cannot see how the commercial success of PCAL would be adversely affected by the Kuensel article ? It should rather motivate the management and the Board to do a better job hereafter. As a shareholder I am astonished with the absolute bamboozled response of PCAL to a not so flattering article about it.

People Democratic Party ( PDP ) and Election commitments:

1. Power Tiller in every Chiwog:

This could be achieved. Already every geog has been given one as per Government announcement. Within the 11th Plan the Government may receive the balance from the Government of Japan. The Government and the people of Japan have shown extraordinary interest to improve agriculture life of rural Bhutan where over 65℅of national population struggle to live a rural sustaining life. The many power Tillers donated in the past have eased manpower shortage, relieved back breaking physical exhaustion and have improved crop production by enabling tilling of fields better and deeper than a pair of bullock was able to. The side benefits that are unaccounted are better health, shorter labour days, convenience and more economic in hiring power tillers rather than caring for bulls throughout the year although the need is seasonal. Saves time and expenses and also reduces animal bondage and conserves natural resources and prevents nature degradation from over grazing. Human porterage is also drastically reduced with rural roads and power Tillers. Thus Ultimately power Tillers bring about a better standard of living in rural Bhutan. The Japanese Power Tiller is a true agent of change for better life and livelihood of rural Bhutan.

The Government decision to hire out Power Tiller at all inclusive cost of Nu: 1400 per day is commendable. The proposed rate is similar to prevailing hire rate of private Tiller. However, I have one anxiety. That is  farm work is seasonal and this creates prolonged period of idle days and then sudden huge demand for urgent seasonal work for the power Tillers. The Government may need to workout strategy to meet seasonal demand and also generation of income for Power Tiller Hiring Unit during off season. One way would be to fix per Kms rates for farm product transportation. I do hope that the Power Tiller Scheme can be fully implemented as this will transform rural farm life as well as meet food production goal.

2. 9 months maternity leave:

I really do not care for the implementation  of this election promise. Such a compulsory scheme could deny employment opportunity to fair sex. Not even the Government which is adopting a lean and clean administrative machinery can afford such a paid leave for civil servants. The corporations and other private business enterprises are facing constraints to even afford the present 3 months maternity leave.

My own preference would be to extend the present maternity leave to cover every child birth instead of maximum two at present. Bhutan needs population growth in real human birth terms not statistical manipulation to show artificial growth. And instead of longer maternity leave the target should be to improve mother child health. This can be done for example by providing a nutrition allowance to the mother say one month additional gross salary for every birth. For private enterprise this cost could be shared by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The Corporations should be able to afford the amount. Also paternity leave needs to be increased to 3 weeks. It will be good family happiness sharing experience and less domestic strain on new mothers.

3. Helicopter Service:

This emergency service is essential but as I had earlier stated it is not worth the national pain of having a larger Indian Air Force Wing in Bhutan. The small Indian Air Force Unit at Paro airfield is proving more than national headache for Bhutan Civil  Aviation Authority.  Some feel that Bhutanese people should not express aloud such grievances against India because the situation can get worse. I on the other hand feel that it will help in developing a respectable long lasting Indo- Bhutan relationship if the Government and the people of India know the true grassroot sentiment of Bhutan.

4. Bolero Jeeps for every Geog:

This of course is in the final stage. I feel that altogether this will be a big maintenance headache and a real tool of misuse. The initial capital is said to be grant from India. However the expenses for drivers, fuel, spare parts, repairs and misuses will drain resources that could be better productively utilised elsewhere in the Geog activities.

5. Central Schools:

Central Schools will have huge impact as in those bygone early decades. The question is can the nation sustain the system. In the past we had to gradually do away with the Central School system because of financial constraints. I have only one question to the otherwise well intended Policy. Why provide the sun, the moon and the stars to the students that are housed as boarders and only a mid- day meal to dayscholars?

It would be only fair to share national resources as equally as possibly among all Bhutanese students. There may be hostel space shortage but the dayscholars should be provided with uniforms and sports wear along with the mid- day meal. Why does the Government come up with such one sided policy?. The dayscholars should not be given foster children treatment. This policy  seems to be reflection of similar agenda that guided the pay revision last year. I feel that Bhutan is too small to absorb the two class segregation system. I hope the Government can revisit the incentive part for the dayscholars. Thank you.

I conclude these thoughts with the prayer and hope that the Government will find the necessary political will and luck in executing the 11th 5year plan successfully especially the roads because road transport is national economic lifeline. I do not doubt the anxiety that the national leadership face but with the help and faith in our Deities may we succeed in our development endeavours.

The reconstruction of Congress Party of India or final political gamble on Rahul?

Foreign news media has noted the resurface of Rahul Gandhi.  Rahul may have absented himself from disastrous political scene for the last 2 months to seek a path to political rebirth for himself. It is said that he attended a meditation centre in Myanmar a known Buddhist Country.

Lord Buddha is not revered for political goal but King Ashoka of ancient India gained historical greatness in following Buddha path.  Ashoka was a very successful King and General even before he met the Disciple of Buddha. On the other hand, Rahul has failed in every battle except that of the womb wherein he was born the son in a society that largely idolises male supremacy.  Even then I see some hope for Rahul if he has meditated on the essence of respecting his party elders whilst endeavouring to lead the younger members.  It simply does not pay to feed the present generation on the griefs of the senior generation and that was what Rahul political mantra was in the past Congress inner party politics.

This Sunday is set to be perhaps a desperate political attempt to create for Rahul Gandhi an acceptable position at the helm of Congress command centre.

Congress Party is holding a Rally against the Land Acquisition Bill of Modi Government at New Delhi tomorrow the 19th of April,2015. The rally is planned to star Rahul as the key speaker and it may have been planned on a Sunday to attract spectators among curious weekend Delhi crowd.  Outwardly, it is possibly a penultimate field show of Rahul before pushing over his mother Sonia Gandhi as Congress President. However, this Congress farmer rally could be within Party battle of senior versus younger Congress leadership and unexpectedly a real fight between rival younger leaders of Congress. The political young wolves have smelled blood in the failing health of popular Party President Sonia Gandhi, the continuous political woes of heir apparent Rahul Gandhi and the disintegration and disinterest  of senior leaders of the Congress Party.

So come this pivotal Sunday in Delhi and the eyes of the political pundits would be on the other Speakers besides Rahul Gandhi and the reaction of the crowd towards them. In the past, Mrs. Gandhi has solidly backed her son but the heir apparent has never been enthusiastic with the political wisdom of his mother especially her confidence in the senior Congress stalwarts. And this rebel attitude of Rahul has largely contributed to the decimation of Congress Party in the last General Election. I had predicted the possibility of Congress debacle whilst UPA was still in power.

Congress Party is so historically tied to Gandhi family that the Party does not have much of a choice other than Rahul unless Priyanka Gandhi is willing to take a chance and steps forward. This will depend on Rahul response. Would Rahul welcome his sister in the interest of providing the best chance for the Party revival ?

A note of explanation to Bhutanese readers please.  On all international politics, I write as a democratic world citizen and not just as a Bhutanese. I pursue it as a way of testing the accuracy of my own political perceptions in a totally free political environment. And on all topics on Bhutan I write as a dedicated faithful experienced Bhutanese citizen. I have no other ulterior motive except the respect and prayer for the goodness of sovereign Bhutan under constitutional Monarchy system. And my perception of Bhutanese society and politics have withstood the test of time and the events that followed both during absolute Monarchy time and during last several years of constitutional democracy. Even then I apologise for any unintended personal offence and public controversies that outright frankness could cause. I sincerely feel that misunderstandings happen mainly because whilst most are deep in the past and present affairs, my thoughts are on coming future and end goal devoid of present nitty gritty. Thank you.

The Breach of Sovereignty- a heart wrenching knockout for true Bhutanese.

The seemingly all purpose official gazette of the Bhutanese Cabinet " The Bhutanese " under its 6th April,2015 " Editorial " and " Two highway projects" article  confirms that the two crucial  South Bhutan  highway projects have been shelved because of Indian Army Operation against Militants. The Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay has finally blurted out the truth to the ' The Bhutanese '. The duration of the  Indian Military Operation is termed indefinite. It can go on forever.

The  Prime Minister of the Bhutanese Nation has near about admitted that South Bhutan Jungles have been taken over by the Indian Military Forces for indefinite period and therefore the two nationally crucial highway projects that run along these very Jungles of South Bhutan had to be shut down. Thank you Prime Minister for at least being honest and  voicing out the state of your helplessness.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan bestows upon the royal shoulder of the constitutional Monarch the security of the Nation and the Kidu welfare of the people including the grant of land and citizenship.
So security of South Bhutan is not in the hand of the ruling Cabinet.

A democratically elected Government's main mandate, therefore, seems to be , to  shoulder the responsibility of implementing to the fullest the 5 year Development Plan. Possibly for this reason a newly elected Government takes over the rein of governance at the onset of a new 5 year Plan. The elected Government takes over the proposed 5year plan and after incorporating any new additions or deletions in line with its Party manifesto and Election Promises, submits the same to the Parliament for passing the planned activities and required budget. Once that is done, the governing Political Party has the moral and executive responsibility to get the job done. And just as you cannot save the baby if the womb is removed, the 11th 5year Plan does not have a soul if the South Bhutan Highways are shelved. All other nitty gritty and sleeping walking affairs of the nation can be done by an interim government. It is not necessary to have a democratically elected pro active vibrant Executive Government.

I humbly pray to the Prime Minister to please submit his Government's predicament to the Throne. If he is unable to implement his Government's 5 year Plan because of precarious security problem in South Bhutan, do not approach Tenzing Lamzang of The Bhutanese. Only His Majesty the King has the constitutional mandate to ensure ( in this particular case ) the physical internal security of the  Kingdom in the South.  Not Tenzing Lamzang and certainly never the Indian Army that should dictate how the Bhutanese Government should govern and fulfill its mandate.

The Prime Minister has made extensive reference to the 2003 military campaign led by His Majesty the 4th King to oust the armed insurgent groups of Indian origin from these very Jungles of South Bhutan. The Triple Gem King led the military campaign personally at the head of his own Defence Forces because he realised the grave national risks involved if Bhutan entrusted the Indian Army
to oust the Indian Insurgents from South Bhutan. And now after 12 years the Indian Military takes over.

What is the difference to the sovereign status of the Kingdom of Bhutan between the occupation of South Bhutan by armed Indian Insurgent Groups till 2003 and now the " indefinite period " of Indian Military supposed Operation against Insurgent Groups that requires the Government of Bhutan to lay off its development jurisdiction over South Bhutan? What really did the National Defence Forces  achieve in the 2003 military campaign if South Bhutan still lies captive to foreign forces ? And of what use is our Defence Forces if according to the Prime Minister they cannot even ensure safe travel to Bhutanese even if his Government constructed the two highways in South Bhutan ? Forget guarding the Kingdom against external aggression, the Defences Forces of Bhutan cannot be relied upon by  the Government to ensure safety of  Bhutanese travellers inside Bhutan along the  if constructed Southern highways. A fearful reason for national lament.

The Paper quotes the Prime Minister stating that the South Bhutan Highways were shelved, " for domestic reasons and not under any advice or pressure of any foreign Country ". What can a Bhutanese citizen honestly say against such a declaration. It was not any Foreign Country just India or since when had Indian Military Operation become a domestic issue of Bhutan.

In a nutshell , one can assume that the citizens of the Kingdom would be aggrieved that the Government has been prevented from implementing its flagship development activity of the 11th  5year Plan. Therefore, the strong reactions in the social media. However, the Leadership must not feel  that the animosity is directed towards  it. The animosity should be rightly directed towards the Southern Neighbour which is the cause of South Bhutan highway projects stoppage under whatever national or regional reasons. But grief will be expressed to the national Leadership for where else could the citizens of the Kingdom look for leadership ? It is for the Leadership of the Kingdom to impress upon the Government of India and her Military that South Bhutan cannot be held hostage for indefinite period. I for one deeply respect the Government and upon my soul hold the highest of reverence and faith in the Throne. But the Policy of India towards Bhutan especially in the recent times poses danger to the Nation and therefore to the Throne also. Bhutan needs to gain jurisdiction over its Kingdom and for this reason I am passing this message to India.

Of all the Countries in the world I have genuine reasons to be grateful and like India and her people but by the oath of Pelden Drukpa I love Bhutan above all else and will forever in my lifetime express and practise this loyalty and love for my Country. It is not my responsibility to call upon fellow Bhutanese to join me. A Bhutanese has a sovereign duty to find where his or her heart lies. It should not be in the gut of the stomach. It should be in the nerve centre of self existence in a sovereign Kingdom. We must support our beloved Monarchs and the Prime Minister in the dark hour when even most imperative core development plans  and  of indispensable national nature are stopped for reasons of Indian Military Adventurism. With Love from Sangey of Haa Wangcha Bhutan.

Pelden Drukpa Lha Gyelo ! ! !

A memorable walk in the heavenly Valley of Paro.

Today at Ugyen Pelri Palace Paro Bhutan, I and my partner had the privilege of being among the Zangthopelri of congregation of beauties of nature and people that the 60 year old Monarch King Jigme Singye Wangchuck devoted decades to nurture to full blossom.

The Flower Exhibition organised by Her Majesty Queen Mother Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck represents a united love and effort of many agencies and individuals of the Kingdom to pay a fitting tribute to the the Triple Gem King. Today I finally comprehended the aura and depth of love that " a Metho gi Chhoeba " represents and reflects.  Thank you Lungtenchen gi Queen Mother and all who contributed to the creation of this symbolism of national blossom of love and gratitude to the 4th King. His Majesty embodies the earthly, heavenly and kyka ( enduring spirit of faith and fate ) of the nation and people. A Paradise of nature in full blossoms,  cherished and admired by so many visitors makes possible for this one day a true feeling of happiness. And when we came to the Gadhen Kyestel Garden, I had to ask my 2nd mother of our family to pose together for a photo before we entered the mystique valley of Shangrila. Love is ageless !

Altogether the 4th of April, 2015 reflected the colours and essence of a Bhutanese family life. The day began as planned the night before. The 1st mother opted out of Tsechu visit. ( As it turned out she as usual was right. It was so crowded and mostly standing leg room was physically taxing at Diyang kha. This holy ground forever blessed by the Guru Tsengye Thongdrel and stomped upon by thousands of pilgrims every year for 5 days of religious festival brought back memories I cherish ). Today was a busy day for the family. The fete day of grandson school Jigme Namgyel was a must visit and parents meeting at Sunshine was another must attend to task. In addition the usual family home chores and social obligations. The family day began at 4 am and probably will end sometime midnight for younger adult members at the gathering of college days friends.

For the two of us parents the sight of early morning Thongdrel followed with a chance to share with the pilgrims the privilege of sighting the King and Queen at Diyangkha and incredibly again at the gate of Ugyen Pelri after our shangrila experience, kindled in my heart the assurance of better years ahead for the nation and of course for our immediate family. Thank You Kenchhosum. A walk in Paro valley was a journey that threaded the past, present and future of my life. Those days at Paro Ugyen Wangchuck Academy, the football games at Ugyen Pelri Palace ground and later the first Paro Tsechu Thongdrel Blessing with the Love and Light of our family the 1st mother. Those past were carefree, full of enthusiasm utopian days and present  much aged and more seasoned but equally happy and grateful days and then the benevolent signs of future.

Wishing to all the Blessings of the Holy Paro Tsechu Thongdrel and warmer and brighter days ahead.

Catching ups with old thoughts and news

1. At the onset of Ukraine disruption, I wrote that Crimea will remain part of Russia but not other parts. Today it remains so.

2. When Rahul Gandhi blasted ManMohan Singh Cabinet on the Ordinance Bill, I surmised that it was the beginning of the end of Congress Party since he was demeaning the old guards that constituted the Party backbone. Today Congress has been reduced to a minimal existence. The only united Congress rallying I heard was when a CBI Court issued summons to former Prime Minister ManMohan Singh.

3. By the way, I am sure glad that Supreme Court of India had stayed the Summon issued by the CBI Court to the honest man of India former Prime Minister ManMohan Singh.

4. After the astounding Delhi Election I felt there would be trouble within AAP and said so. But not so soon ! Politics in India has bullet train speed.

5. In Bhutan I had hoped that Parliament would uphold basic human right and political right for an MP to resign. Thank you Parliament for preserving this little semblance of democracy. Imagine what democracy could mean to the man on the street in Bhutan if an MP faced absolute strictures.

6. I have been praying hard and hoping madly that democracy also bring about more flexibility in the exercise of our national sovereignty to secure national interests. But either the Prayers are unheard or the Pelden Drukpai ChhongChang have taken a much deserved Earned Leave. Our ChhoChangs guided our Kings through so many national crisis before. Maybe like the Buddhist Rimpocheys who claims God does not exist so possible for the Bhutanese  type democractic ruling, , ChhoChang does not exist.

7. World Democracy has taken a new direction recently when so many voices acclaimed late prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew  as exemplary strong democratic Leader. It is written that he promoted school flogging ( sorry " caning " unruly students writes Manish Gyawali a writer and consultant in his 2nd April,15 article on Lee Kuan Yew ) so that the young students followed disciplined adult citizen path when they grew up. My own humble view is that he seems to have an astute very capable strong arm tactic successful Leader. And he had that internationally dominating character which exploited to the hilt the crucial geopolitical location of Singapore as an axis of world shipping lanes. Every Power in the world wanted the island nation to be stable and neutral under whatever governance. May Singaporeans fare well hereafter.