Strangling the sovereign Dragon.

The headline news of 20th March,2015 which coincidentally also happened to be the  International Happiness Day was far from being happy for Bhutan. The Government of Bhutan, " has deferred the constructions of the 68.3 kms. Nganglam to Dewathang  highway ( NDH ) indefinitely, and aborted the 98 kms. Lhamoizingkha to Sarbang highway ". The old name for Lhamoizingkha is Kalikhola the most isolated Dungkhag in Southern Bhutan. The reason cited is, " Security ". The Big Question is, " Whose Security and how real ? "

The total length of the largely ADB soft loan funded  nationally vital  Southern Highway is 166.3kms which is the same length and of importance as the existing Thimphu to Phuentsholing Highway. For so many past years, Bhutan has been yearning like a desert for water for such a southern  highway life line. . And this  national dream goal had become a reality within this ongoing 11th 5 Year Plan. And then out of blue, lightening struck down the national vision of independent southern Bhutan road connectivity. The Cabinet of Bhutan showed its red face once again and this time the victim is national socio - economic and security priority, the Southern Bhutan Highway.

A national highway in Southern Bhutan from Samtse to Diafam would enhance the security of South Bhutan and bring about far greater socio-economic prosperity to the whole nation. For too long the communication within Bhutan had suffered because travel between different Dzongkhags in South Bhutan was possible only through the Indian lateral highway running through the Indian States of West Bengal and Assam. Whenever a strike occurred in West Bengal or Assam, Bhutan was adversely affected. Things stood still on the Bhutan side of the international border.

The Government's stated reason for shelving the construction of the Southern Highway was that now the Cabinet had to to be, "mindful of Externally Funded Project Component". What a Reason ! Almost every development project in Bhutan has been externally funded for the last 55 years of Bhutan's modern era since 1960. Only the Southern Highway Project is too sensitive security wise to be funded by ADB? Why and How ? If it was so, how come until 2nd of March,2015, the whole national political hierarchy was for the construction of the the Southern Highway. Till then the Bhutanese Governments were for the interest of the overall development and Security of the whole of Bhutan and in particular the citizens and Dzongkhags of South Bhutan.

On 1st March, 2015, the Secretary of External Affairs of India came marching into Bhutan and met the Bhutanese political hierarchy and on 2nd March,2015, the very next day of his visit, the Cabinet of Bhutanese Government issues orders to cancel the Southern Highway Projects.

The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement had to return the bidding documents and bid securities of construction firms who had participated in the Tender for the highway construction. The Tender evaluation had been completed. Could a Foreign Construction firm Japanese or Chinese have qualified for the highway construction project? It should have been possible for Bhutan to cite the sensitive northern border issue of India and award the contract for the highway project to an Indian construction firm. In fact I thought from the onset, it was decided that it would be solely a Bhutanese venture in so far as the actual construction was concerned to promote national capacity of private construction firms in Bhutan. So it cannot be the issue of specific  contractor for cancelling the highway project.

It had to do with India's anathema against Bhutan securing an independent communication network of road transportation within her southern border regions from extreme West to end of Eastern border in the South. A few months back, the unfortunate victim of this Cabinet was the secondary national highway of the Southern Bhutan centred in between Dagana Dzongkhag  and Lhamoizingkha Dungkhag.

The highway and the secondary highway  in the South would have  put an end to infiltrations from Indian side. These highways  would free Bhutan from a national hostage situation each time there is a strike in the Indian States of Assam and West Bengal. It would finally make possible for Bhutanese to travel safely and conveniently to different parts of their nation without using the security risk Indian lateral route. The highways would greatly enhance the moveability of Bhutanese Government Agencies during any crisis in South Bhutan.

The Southern Belt is the weakest link in sovereignty of the Bhutanese nation. Since 1950s, there have been two brinkmanship Uprisings in Southern Bhutan and one near catastrophic occupation by supposed to be various insurgent groups all well armed and trained forces of Indian origin. The Southern Highway is not just a national connectivity roadway. It is of strategic  importance to national sovereign stability and unity. It benefits directly not just Lhotsampas but all other Eastern and Western Bhutanese who have been resettled in the 4 regions along the southern belt. How could a sovereign nation accept the surrender of its  vital national interest by a Ruling  Political Party who seems obligated to India? India's concern is imaginary whilst Bhutan's needs are real and urgent.

The Amochu Hydro Project has been shelved and the Samtse Phuentsholing road construction has slowed to a snail pace and the Dagana Lhamoizingkha secondary highway construction has been sabotaged. And finally now the construction of the most vital southern Highway has been grounded to a full stop.

The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement is the parent Agency for national road connectivity in the Kingdom that is devoid of any railways or water transport facilities and air transport almost nil within the Country, The Minister of this Ministry has been reduced to declaring that fair weather ( seasonal ) farm road is adequate substitute for the national lifeline that southern highway represents.  It cannot be a genuine view of a first woman civil engineer of Bhutan. At her all important Cabinet berth , she had to be all geared up to make a positive difference to national development. But today the first woman civil engineer heading the largest development Ministry of Bhutan is mainly engaged in preventing or upsetting national development plans. A Minister needs no sympathy especially from a non entity citizen but I pity the professional engineer who made it to the pinnacle of engineering profession only to use her official powers to obstruct major national development projects.

The present Government began its 1st day of governance by lining up to receive the Indian Ambassador. By design or coincidence this incident made it appear that the Cabinet had shadow master. Maybe it was a bad Omen that foretold of grave days ahead. Bhutanese people by and large may not be too particular whether the power centre is with the the Palace or the Cabinet but gradually it seems to be shifting away from Bhutanese Leaders. Today I wonder how many of the elected 67 MPs of Bhutanese Parliament had not visited the Embassy of India in Thimphu. I do not mean to pay homage but for any assorted purposes or reasons.

It is the official responsibility of any foreign Embassy in any Country to protect and promote the national interests of the nation which it represents. Therefore it is understandable that Ambassadors of India to Bhutan of past or present era as well as visiting dignatories will do utmost to enhance Indian interest in Bhutan. By the same token, it is the sworn responsibility and duty of all Bhutanese national leaders to protect and enhance national interest of Bhutan and the Bhutanese people. The oath of national allegiance and duty is meaningful if only upheld. The mere words confirming the willingness to offer one's own blood to Pel Yeshey Goenpo in defence of Tsawa Sum does not amount to much if deed and intent are missing.

Today we surrender South Bhutan to the social,economic and military stranglehold of India. Tomorrow what happens to North Bhutan ? We are yet to conclude the northern boundary talks with China. How would China interpret the political changes  in Southern Bhutan? India may not favour South Bhutan Highway that stretches  from Sibsoo in Samtse Dzongkha to Diafam in SamdrupJongkhar Dzongkhag. The proposed highway could become a part of South Asia or even Asian Highway. It is possible that India would want to preserve its dominant influence over Bhutan and therefore does not kindly look upon this South Asia Economic Venture of which the Southern Highway is part of.   Is it possible that Indian Defence Forces suffers from a phobia of China to the extent of fearing that the proposed South Bhutan Highway could become the the Chinese Invasion route to North Eastern States of India? How could India a nation of over a billion people with a rapidly growing economic and political world power ever need to fear an invasion from China or any other Country? Why bully Bhutan to such a low degree of submission. I just wonder what unkind fate has doomed Bhutan to sacrifice the foundation of national umbilical cord the highway upon the alter of unwarranted security fear of India.

Bhutan and Appeasement:

The Appeasement Policy was pursued to the hilt by the Prime Minister Clement Attlee of Britain with Germany before 2nd World War. It failed miserably. Closer to home the Chogyel of Sikkim conceded almost everything of Sikkim to India in faithful pursuit of Appeasement Policy and in the end he got thrown out and Sikkim was annexed by India. On the other hand the King of Nepal defied India of Rajiv Gandhi. In later years, the King and whole of his immediate royal family members including the Crown Prince got killed in a mysterious palace plot. However, the national character of defiance that the Monarch projected did not die with the royal family. It survives today intact along with its sovereignty. A Sikkimese Khazi Lhendup  was the 1st Chief Minister of annexed Sikkim. Later he was expelled from the Indian State of Sikkim to spend long agonising years in Kalimpong under the State of West Bengal. So personally it does not pay to betray one's own Country. And the Policy of Appeasement is generally an assured failure. And then policy of defiance has grave personal and national risk. The options before the leaders of Kingdom of Bhutan is not only limited but also very unattractive. Meanwhile the tiny East Himalayan Kingdom jammed between the giant neighbours: China in the north and India in the South is being pushed towards a even more tight corner.

May Pelden Drukpai ChhoeChangs open a way forward to prevent the little dragon kingdom from being strangled to suffocation.

Final Reckoning Day at Jigmeling.

Today Sunday the 15th March, 2015 is  probably the grandest day in the history of  Jigmeling Police Training Institute at Sarbang Dzongkhag. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen graced the Passing Out Parade of the 47th Batch of Police Trainees known as Gagsars.

The atmosphere this morning was tensely exciting. For the last several months the 200 Police Trainees, six Cadet Officers led by over tasked and over stretched Instructor Lopens and Dashos under the overall Command of Training Centre Director Lt. Colonel Pema Gyeltshen  assisted by Deputy Director Major Kinlay Chophel was preparing for this Day Of  Reckoning. It is a historic day in the annals of Royal Bhutan Police. For this reason even the Chief of Police Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel along with Deputy Chiefs of Police  had stationed themselves at Jigmeling Centre supervising the final preparation for this epic day.

The Day of Reckoning passed off with flying colours. Their Majesties the King and Queen were most pleased with the presentation of the Passing Out Parade. His Majesty was pleased to don the Commander-in- Chief uniform and address the six platoons of Gagsars led by six Officer Cadets. Before that their Majesties reviewed the Line of Platoons. It must have been a moment of heaven on earth for all the Trainee Policemen and Cadets as their Commander-in- Chief and the beautiful Queen walked the very ground upon which they themselves had for the past many months trained and slogged heart, soul and bodily to perfect the art of service to the Tsawa Sum. For today 's performance, Kudos to the Instructors especially to Major Sisir Chettri the overall in-charge of the various Drills.   And Kudos to the Trainees for excellent executions.

Today's Address of the Supreme Commander was brief and to the point. It was a lesson that not just the smart in drill formation Platoons but even the assembled parents would cherish and uphold. His Majesty called upon the fresh policemen and Cadet Officers to keep at their core of national service the essentials of nationhood:

1. The Security and Sovereignty of this tiny Kingdom in between the two giant nations of China in the north and India in the south.

2. The Peace and Unity of the Nation.

3,  The goals of  Self Reliance and Sustainability.

4.  The Rule of Law both legislated and naturally woven out of our social and cultural heritage of tradition and practice.

The Supreme Commander called upon his recruits to serve the Police Force with the zeal to strengthen and improve the service quality so that ultimately the people develop genuine confidence in the Royal Bhutan Police. The Supreme Commander coaxed the troops to serve with honesty and integrity and cited examples of most recent deeds of several servicemen who defied corruption by overcoming temptations in their line of duty.

His Majesty also recalled the establishment of Royal Bhutan Police by his own grand father King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1965 with a force of 550 Policemen and Officers drawn from Royal Bhutan Army and how it had grown under the stewardship of his father the 4th King and now under his own Kingship. Today RBP strength stands well over 3650. His Majesty expressed his happiness with the Royal Bhutan Police Force and the service of the Chief of Police Kipchu Namgyel .

Today the Gagsars were attested to assume the duty of Gagpas hereafter. Today 200 well trained and properly sensitised policemen join RBP. Its a proud day for them in particular but so many others especially the parents would be overwhelmed by today's experience. The Passing Out Parade is an Event that tells a different side of police life that the public in general are hardly aware of. If only we knew even a small percentage of the drills and grills the Gagsars undergo to graduate to qualified Policemen, maybe the man on the street would develop that all so important affinity towards the blue uniform that dedicate to preserve law so that society does not trample over each other.

I hope many Parents could attend the POP. At the end of the royal Address, His Majesty was most kind to convey royal  greetings to the Parents and others who had come to attend the Passing Out Ceremony. I am happy and deeply touched to be on the same Jigmeling parade ground on reckoning day with my youngest son Cadet Officer Sangey Dorji along with his five fellow Cadet Officers and the 200 Comrades for life Policemen. It was not possible to meet him today in person but that's O.K. They all had a Day to perform and celebrate. I believe that His Majesty was most pleased to Command for Jigmeling Police Training Centre to celebrate with a grand party. Well, Enjoy it ! All of you and the Nation deserve the celebration.

The Parade Ceremony was well attended. There were the full force of dedicated Royal Secretariat; the Chief of Operations Lt. General Batoo Tshering and other senior RBA Officers  and naturally almost all of the high command of Royal Bhutan Police; from the Civilian there were the Parliament Speaker, Finance and Communication Ministers, several Government Secretaries, Dasho Dzongdags and Dasho Drangpons of both Tsirang and Sarbang Dzongkhags along with other senior Officers. I thought that it was good for all the present to hear in person the Address of His Majesty. We all needed to be reminded from time to time of the dignity in serving humbly and the essence and importance of each individual  Bhutanese role in fulfilling the national goals. The royal words were spoken to the Passing Outs but addressed to all of us. A Leader always coaxing and guiding his people along the national path of coexistence and sustaining nationhood unity. That is how our People King is.

Palden Drukpa Gyalo !  Indeed, today at Jigmeling, it was Victory for Palden Drukpa.

BJP on a India suicide path ?

BJP got massacred in Delhi Election as Modi donned several crore worth ( auction price ) republic day suit and civil rights turnabout power hungry politician Kiran Bedi made battle cries for BJP.

Now BJP targets ManMohan Singh through a Special CBI Court on a criminal conspiracy charge regarding coal allotment during UPA tenure.  If a true Mahatma Gandhian personality like former Indian Prime Minister ManMohan Singh is said to be personally involved in criminal conspiracy what hope is there for India as a Nation ?

Politics cannot get dirtier than this. It is appalling and common Indians have to rise up to stop this invasion of national dignity.

BJP is acting larger than India. BJP states that CBI must probe regardless of position or stature but this is not about position and stature. This is ManMohan Singh who is more than just 2 full term Prime Minister of India.  He is the the epitome of simple, honest and capable Indian. He is a respected economist with unquestionable integrity. He is not a politician fibre but a wholesome Indian national leader.

ManMohan Singh is different from Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi or Narendra Modi. He is not vicious nor power hungry politician. He is a man of peace and prosperity and consensus national builder. His priority is India and that must be how the world at large saw the person that honourable ManMohan Singh is at heart and in deed like the nuclear deal. BJP needs to restrain from toppling the mother ship whilst captaining it.

Perplexing attitude of Parents

Last Saturday the 28thFeburary,2015, the Jigme Namgyel School Thimphu held its 1st Parents and Teachers Meeting of the year. Among many matters of orientation for parents , one was about safe drinking water for the students. The choice put to vote by raising hands was: Provide daily a bottle of boiled water from home or prefer the proposal of the school to buy one water filter for each class to be paid collectively by parents. Majority raised their hands favouring to pay for the water filters. That somehow seemed perplexing. Why was it so difficult for parents to fill a water bottle with boiled water each day along with the packed lunched ?

It seems that after going through the difficult process of securing admissions for their wards in the School, the parents did not wish to appear opposing the school proposal. The school has PP class to Class VIII. There are more than 1200 students and each class has around 40 students. This means 40 water bottles would have to be filled from a single water filter. The classrooms are congested with some students having to sit on the inside ledges of classroom windows.

I feel that even after buying the water filters, the parents will have to continue sending filled water bottles with the pack lunches. Parents of younger students in any case come to the school during lunch break to feed their wards.  Time and logistic just does not favour the water filter system as laudable as it may have intended to be.

RCSC decision to reassign the three Government Secretaries.

In matters of national politics, there is very little room to manoeuvre for a Constitutional Body. If the three Secretaries were reinstated in their respective Posts, the Cabinet would have had to resign. That would end the little Kingdom's foray into elected governance experiment. And if the three Secretaries who were surrendered by the Cabinet were removed from the Civil Service, then the system opens up to ultimate Dictatorship. That would not just end the ongoing  democratic process in the very near future but also would gnaw away the national balm that the Throne is looked up to always provide. A Dictatorial Political Party and Constitutional Monarchy cannot co- exist.

Bhutan is undergoing a very delicate process of political orientation. Six or seven years into even a guided democracy procedure can be taxing on the Constitution, the Throne, the Political Parties and the Bureaucracy. Our democracy has to operate within a preset parameter. Gradually as the nation matures with responsible experience and people's awareness of political gravity of their votes sink in, naturally the present parameters will be have to be recast. We need time and patience. Any drastic change could upset the stability and security of this sovereign Kingdom.

The recently appointed Commissioners of RCSC have acted with matured national wisdom and responsibility. I am also relieved that the Media has failed to solicit any kind of response from the Secretaries as well as the Cabinet on the RCSC Press Release. We need to stride ahead beyond who is right and wrong. At the level of the Committee of Secretaries and the Cabinet, the interest of the nation and respect to the Tsawa Sum must take precedence over any other fiefdom.

I hope that all that ends well will be allowed to proceed well. Palden Drukpa ! Lha Gyelo !

His Holiness JeKhen Trulku Jigme Choedra and the 61st Birth Year.

In keeping with the tradition of Bhutanese astrology the Female Wood Horse Year had been bid adieu on 20th December,2014. And the Female Wood Sheep Year dawned on 21st December,2014. This year of Sheep is considered a pivotal year especially for those who celebrate their 61st Birth Year. His Holiness is 61 years old by Bhutanese calculation and 60 years by western method. In due deference to this pivotal period in life, His Holiness had decided to go into Retreat to spent time in meditation.

His Holiness had already appointed the Venerable Dorji Lopen as his Representative to preside over the Zhung Dratsang. In fact the holy role of Dorji Lopen had commenced on the auspicious day of 21st January, 2015 coinciding with the Bhutanese 1st Day of the 12th month. The Bhutanese Public at large may associate the Day with Chhunipai Losar which is celebrated as a national holiday since several years back. However, the Day has a very different significance to the calendar of Zhung Dratsang.

On this day all monks of Central Monastic Body who have the Punakha Dzong as their official residence are required to be present. It is on this Day that the new calendar year of Dratsang activities begin with the appointments to the all important Kudrung ( Prefect ) Posts by the Je Khenpo and Dhars offered by all monks to the new Kudrongs. This year the Khudrungs were appointed by Dorji Lopen. I therefore assume that the Venerable Dorji Lopen will be presiding on behalf of His Holiness Je Khenpo till 30th Day of the eleventh Bhutanese month.

Presently His Holiness himself is at Autso Kurtey and will be conducting the Moenlam Chhenmo Prayers from 26th February to 5th March, 2015 coinciding with the 8th to 15th days of Bhutanese first month of the year. According to unofficial sources this may be the last religious deed in public before entering the Kuentsam (meditation). Many faithfuls would be heading towards Autsho destination to receive Blessings as well as to get a last glimpse of His Holiness and of course to pray for reunion a year hence.

In his almost 2 decades on the Dharma Throne, His Holiness has transformed Zhung Dratsang and the national religious sentiment, awakened almost every Bhutanese to the call of Wang,Lung and Thri and promoted Buddhist Learning and Practising centres all over the Country. Today many of us feel enlightened in our own religious and cultural ways because His Holiness devoted so much of his time to share with us his immense knowledge and methods.

It is not necessary to be a Buddhist to appreciate the superior qualities of this incredible enlightened personality. His sense of duty, discipline and time management with on the dot kind of punctuality is a class of its own. His enthusiasm, stamina and understanding nature with holy patience  superimposed by his energising aura and motionless stillness of a Buddha gracing the Kikhor is a wonder that is felt but impossible to explain. From dawn to dusk, His Holiness lights up the congregations like the rays of the sun as he recites the scriptures and explains in layman term the essence of Dharma. There are even intervals of light moments of laughter as His Holiness touches real life incongruities of social and community happenings as examples to illustrate the inter winding of normal life and Dharma.

On a more personal note, I am convinced that till date His Holiness is the only Spiritual Leader who offered a substantive explanation about the inter connection between the complexities of Buddhist Scriptures and the discoveries made by scientists. That was during the one day Ngondro initiation conducted by His Holiness at the Thimphu Tashichhodzong Tendrel Thang. The discourse was to do with chastity but it was not about oath of celibacy. A happily married man like me do not believe in celibacy unless nature takes over and dictates. It was about seeking refuge, purification and general meaning of life and its relation with the world around.

I really came to know the holy person of His Holiness through Haa Moenlam Chhenmo that His Holiness graced all these past years. And very possibly His Holiness came to know me through my writeup that was adopted by Haa Moenlam Chhenmo General Meeting as the fundamentals for proper management of Moenlam Chhenmo Fund. I was told that His Holiness had even advised few other Moenlam Chhenmo Committees to adopt similar principles.

Although one gets opportunities to hear Dharma teachings and blessings from His Holiness yet one to one audience that may include exchange of opinion is very rare for layman of my position. But a day did come some ten or more years back. His Holiness had granted a date for audience to representatives of Haa Moenlam Chhenmo Committee. We wanted to request His Holiness to grace the Moenlam Chhenmo of the year and to seek convenient time. Dasho( Dr.) Gado Tshering and PJ who are well known to Chapjey and the Lams at the Gokha had initiated the audience process. I happened to be the Chairman of Haa Moenlam Chhenmo. That was how I was among the privileged in the audience at Punakha. In addition to the main topic ' Moenlam Chhenmo' His Holiness graciously indulged my two personal submissions.

One was seeking the thoughts of His Holiness on the famous Jho statue at Lhasa. And the other was that of my pray for His Holiness to continue his ongoing efforts to propagate the Dharma in the many different ways that His Holiness had embarked upon since enthronement on the Dharma Throne.

I submitted that Zhung Dratsang has to be proactive to combat the increasing encroachment of other Faiths. My contention was that  if there is lack of propagation or difficulty in practising due to scarcity of monks or costly in terms of finance , our age old religion that has been the historic bond of the nation would dwindle with passing years. In the past most Je Khenpos though learned were aged and travel conditions difficult and poor economic status and gruelling lifestyle worked against Dharma propagation which required for people to have the time to listen and reflect. Now Times and economic situation had changed and motor roads connected all Dzongkhags. And in His Holiness the Kingdom now had  a very learned Trulku who is in prime health with immense enthusiasm and stature. I hoped and prayed for a kind of religious renaissance.

More than a decade later today I stand in respectful admiration for the super human  deeds of His Holiness in propagating the Dharma through Wang Lung Thri ; through establishment of many Drubdeys, Sheydra and Lobdras, Moenlam Chhenmo in various Dzongkhags, free funeral ritual services by the Monk Body through out the Country and the construction of  Mitruk Lhakhang with the assistance of Veteran businessman Ap Shey Marb Rinchen near Thimphu Crematorium complex to cater for after death 21 days rituals. The Mitruk Lhakhang is now in service with outer residences built by the Government.

There are so many achievements by His Holiness and the Zhung Dratsang during the last 19 years. The one outstanding would be Dechog Khorlo Wang at Punakha in terms of pure religious empowerment and in terms of enhancing political sovereignty of the Kingdom, it has to be the act of evoking the full force of the Palden Drukpai Chhochang to lead the nation under the brave and wise Supreme  General His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to rid the nation of insurgent forces who had infested the dense jungles of Southern Bhutan.

I am told that the first Je Khenpo His Holiness Pekar Juney was on the Dharma Throne for 21 years and died whilst still reigning. The beautiful imposing Chorten in front of Thimphu Dzongkhag was built as a Memorial to His Holiness I am told. Learned historians would be in actual position to authenticate the historical facts. I know for sure that His Holiness Nizer Trulku was on the Dharma Throne for 17 years and the present Je Khenpo His Holiness Trulku Jigme Choedra would be nearing 20 years.

In deep gratitude, admiration and respect for the Soul of Dharma, I share my feelings on the eve of the Retreat that His Holiness would be soon undertaking. I pray to Lord Buddha, Guru Pema Juney, Goen Tsebarme and Risum Goenpos for successful Retreat and for the opportunity to see His Holiness in good cheerful health after the year long Meditation.

Thank you most Holy Tsawai Lam. I learnt much and owe so much. I have a clear conscience but my heart is heavy for future is never certain. In your Blessings I have found my spiritual refuge.
May Your Holiness return to continue the Dharma task you have begun so profoundly. With deep Respects and Prayers for your sound health. Sangey of Haa Wangcha .

Druk Star Gem

The Contestant from the Southern region Robina Biswa was beginning to capture the imagination of many viewers. Unfortunately she exited in a flicker of time span. Thus the awe and excitement fluttered by the young beauty originating from the womb of Southern Bhutan evaporated on the night the 2015  Valentine Day. Maybe her Valentine awaits at a different time upon another stage of the world. Good Luck inspiring young soul ! Smile Ro- bi- na !

It was first HemRaj who captured my admiration and then  after quite a break in time, this young Singer again of Southern foothills comes along and fills the Druk Star stage with heart throbbing melodious pose and style. There are other Contestants also who are  equally able. But part of the enchantment with Robina was her contrasting root wherein extra effort is demanded for such diverse cultural artistry skills. She  is now out of the contest though like all other contestants, the experience would have substantially enriched her.

This girl had the quality of being among the Druk Star Finalists.  Looked good, sang well. And impressively articulate ! Her demeanour conveyed sincere upbringing and she possessed brimming confidence perhaps from good schooling. A smart promising youth deserving regards and congratulations to all who participated in her development.

An  amusing part of her participation was that for whatever reasons, the judges and the stage managers just could not pronounce her name, ' Robina Biswa ' with confidence. In a way this stumbling block illustrated more than any words, the charming excellence of this Southern Twinkle with an accomplished northern melodious wand.

Predicaments a galore !

The proposal of the police to frisk youths in group of 2 or more after 10 pm have caused concerns in some quarter. The proposal is intended to prevent or at least reduce crimes that most happen during the nights and most perpetrators happen to be youth.

One glaring fact is that Thimphu is no longer a safe city especially during late into the nights. The other fact is that majority of the youth who are out in the nights are simply out to have a good time among themselves. However, there are youths in groups and also adults who take advantage of darkness to commit crimes. Vandalisms, assaults,thefts and break-ins, rapes and gang fights generally occur under the cover of late night darkness and lonesome situations.  The social environment at Thimphu is not completely conducive to movements of single individuals during late nights even if they are just driving home after a dinner or a weekend movie treat.

So how can we secure the safety of citizens with limited police force which is inadequately trained and equipped and comparatively underpaid compared to the high level of diligence and skill required for maintaining a haphazardly over grown metropolitan like Thimphu? Do we restrict the movement of general people during late night hours in some parts of the City where crime rate is high? Do we carry out spot frisking of night owls to discourage or prevent criminal intents or acts?

It is a tough call. Not at all black and white. On one hand we need to have a safe and socially friendly environment where people feel safe both during the day and during the night. And on the other hand infringing upon the freedom of certain age groups is also socially undesirable.

One national trait that we ought to put to the past era is make things overly restrictive and viciously enforced as in the case of gho, kira and tobacco. Do not unnecessarily criminalise the social habits of our own citizens. Caged animals cannot lie still as hoped by the keeper. 

Political Snowstorm at Delhi, India.

The white flakes ( white caps ) stormed out the saffron and all else. AAP Party of Kejriwal sent tremors along the BJP political spine.

Initially I wrote, Congress may get few more seats than last tally since all the talk was about fight between BJP and AAP, leaving Congress to make inroads silently. However the exit poles suggested differently. The indication was that the  voters were leaning towards the Maverick Party. It could be a sign of voter saturation with big power houses, I wrote.  The end result struck off Congress from Delhi. It seems Congress was in slumber not working silently. Maybe it would not have mattered whether Congress slept or worked because BJP was up in arms all the way and ended up being routed to miserly 3 out of 70 seats.

The miracle of Kejriwal AAP Party was spurred on by both Presidents of BJP and Congress. Amit Shah gambled on Kiran Bedi to repeat his political wizardry. She was supposed to win the imagination of the rebellious youths of Delhi and Modi's several lakh rupees republic day suit was to impress and awe the middle class. Unfortunately the combination of Kiran Bedi and remodeled image of Modi was seen as a symbol of Elitist Police State Administration. Perhaps a political taboo for the Capital State of world's largest democracy.

Sonia Gandhi had backed her son and his supposed young team. This is the 2nd time the mother blundered. The 1st blunder was silently watching her son tearing the Ordinance Bill . That public grossly act destroyed the fabric structure of Congress which finally led to BJP sweeping the General Election. Congress Party has Gandhi Family at the pinnacle but the Party's fabric is upheld by stalwarts which Rahul Gandhi targeted venomously.

Modi and his team sidelined the BJP Party  Seniors after the General Election Sweep and now in  Delhi, the even more younger generation of voters sidelined BJP Leadership and their candidates. Its not yet goodbye at national level but the descend has begun for team Modi. The citadel has been fatally breached in the capital city of India.

AAP Party proved to be an inferno at close quarter like in Delhi but it's political fire brand was unable to kindle the mass at national level. And the Party just does not have the copyright to governance. So it may still be unable to govern the voters after winning their votes. Subsidies and promise of largesse and image of humility raises hopes but these are, though important factors, form only a small part of governance. The AAP candidates must be already lobbying for berths and gradually cracks will develop. Even so one would hope that the Party succeeds well so that voters will come to trust and develop faith hereafter in similar Maverick Parties that should come up at regional level in other parts of India.

Kejriwal and young generation voters and volunteers of India have arrived and Politics in India has been recast. This can happen anywhere because the main tool of politics:  the mass communication is at the finger tips of every netizen. And another phenomenon is internet banking where small contributions from masses accumulate to finance Party needs. And the beauty of mass small contribution comes with mass votes. In his fight for Democratic Party Presidential nomination, Obama capitalised on small contributions from masses which also translated to votes to defeat his main rival Hillary Clinton.

The electronic world has finally provided the practical means and ways for common masses to collectively join hands and dictate their political will.. Hopefully the Party of the Common Man does endeavour to serve both the commoner and the nation.

Future Opens at the end of High School.

The all Bhutan class xii results are out. Few would rejoice at exceptional performance, many happy for making it through and lesser number sadder for bad result. In due respects to teachers and honest students I choose to leave behind the shame of authorities in handling the question leaks that is finally followed by horrible denial.

Let me say a few words to all students who have just passed through High Schools. No wise words just what I have observed and deduced through a lifetime of experience.

Your future may have been decided at the time of your conception or birth. Apart from this possibility, the Door to your practical life and hence Future really opens on the path you choose, made to choose or simply cornered to choose because another avenue is just not available upon receipt of your class xii result.

Whatever the honest opportunity that comes your way this time, please develop full faith and plunge into it. Even if it means for few, re-schooling the final high school year, Go Ahead! Its just one extra year investment for a lifetime of better life. This one time, do not let yourself down. Life begs for one opportunity to succeed so have the courage and the will to grant this one chance to yourself.

Dear Parents and students, it is easy to jump in joy when successful and it is difficult to stand when failure daunts and taunts. Maybe, you may even feel humiliated and ashamed. This is not the time to curse, blame or quarrel. And of all reactions, do not make excuses of any kind and worse blame friends, teachers or schools or the systems. Accept failure but do not feel defeated. Failure may be a way of realising another way that could in the long run prove to be the correct path for the future.

In my life I learned not to pray for all good things because that is not what real life is. I prayed for strength and means to overcome trials of life and if that is not possible then at least the endurance to accept the unacceptable and move on. That is not to say that I do not try hard to build or shape life to my desire or comfort. However ,  I learnt early in life, that  some things will happen no matter what one does and most happen incredibly for a reason.

In the end it is not what happens but what way you choose to move ahead. Success and Failure is not determined by one incident of topping in the Exam or failing in the Exam. For a determined sincere individual it is just an indication of how much reserve you must develop within yourself to built your life here onwards.

So dear Parents and Students the success in High School is worth celebrating but its not a guarantee of great life ahead. There is more hard work ahead with plenty ups and downs. Still the 1st successful step is the confident initial  step in the right direction. So Congratulations !

And for Parents and Students who fared less than desired or expected or failed in the class xii exam, you have to know that this is not the end of the road. It is definitely an obstacle and somehow must be surmounted.  You need all your faculties in proper condition so try to do away with lamenting or prolonged disappointment. Renew your hope and will, try harder in the way that is open to you. Do not waste energy and good Karma in banging closed doors. Maybe its not your door.

Fate is not in anyone's hand but all else can be affected by our outlook and determination. Please share this thought with other students and other parents if you happen to read this. Thank you. Always for Better Life !
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