Why not just shelve the miserable Druk air incident. A nightmare that that is not allowed to go away. Why further torture the public sentiment ?

Why not just shelve the miserable Druk air incident. A nightmare that that is not allowed to go away. Why further torture the public sentiment ?

So now Ministry of Communication wants to know about the Druk Air dumping a helpless very sick passenger who was on his way to Bangkok to seek medical treatment. And the Ministry of Health is investigating why a registered Doctor with the Medical Council of Bhutan issued the air travel fitness certificate. Why the charade ?

According the the media, Druk Air says it will provide the same clarification made in the Press Release   And the Doctor confirmed that he issued the certificate and had not revoked it ( contradicting Druk air claim) and in fact he again issued a similar one when Bhutan Airline wanted to fly the patient to Bangkok ( reference Kuensel ). And the patient was successfully flown to Bangkok without suffering health mishaps in the air, as certified by the doctor who issued the air travel fitness certificate.

Though the patient was initially deplaned by the Druk Air pilot, the final decision to refuse flight passage to him was taken on the ground not on the plane. I somehow cannot believe the decision was taken alone by the Pilot. Druk Air HQ is at Paro and these days mobile phones enable instant consultation with any concerned authority if necessary.

Raising hands or not raising hands when a question of yes or no is asked is voting though Druk Air denies voting took place. Maybe to Druk Air voting was not done properly  as per Election Commission procedure because CID was not verified and fingers were not inked and EVM was not used. And most crucially it was not sanctioned by the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan.

A tourist couple maintained that they had initiated collection of contributions from the passengers. . In fact later,  out of pity they even offered to fund 50% of a chartered flight cost according to the tourist husband. Druk Air said they initiated the collection. An Initiator usually is the first and primary contributor. Just how much of the sum equivalent of the 1700 dollars collected as contribution was put in by Druk Air ? The inability to take on board the patient because of odour problems may not be a subject of investigation. But the other facts or lies need to be investigated if Ministry of Communication is really genuinely interested in correcting denial disease to the extent of falsifying records by any participant or stakeholder. Otherwise let bygones be bygones instead of rubbing salt to a wound that can hardly ever be made good.

I hear that the odour from the sinus patient was really bad and so it is understandable that other passengers especially in the Business Sector would express their difficulties since the patient was in the Business Class. It makes no difference now but I wonder if the patient could have taken the flight if all other passengers were shifted towards the front and the patient with family members arranged to be seated at the tail end of the plane. Maybe a compromise could have been reached that way.  Of course it is possible that the flight was absolutely packed or the patient family refused the seating arrangement at the tail end which is doubtful. According to a foreign tourist ( Kuensel ) the family was crying uncontrollably as other passengers proceeded to embark again. So the family seemed desperate and I feel any seating arrangement may have suited them except grounding their patient.

I had read the letter of the daughter to Druk air. Later a fb friend requested me to respond on line but I told him to wait for positive official response because the case would have already reached concerned authorities. I never imagined that drulair would cold shoulder the public dismay and the state of the patient.

I was, therefore,  shocked and saddened when I read the BBS news online stating that when contacted Druk Air responded they will only comment on Monday. It seemed the patient was too insignificant for such a proud and indispensable Airline as Druk Air status to bother about. Even the only National Broadcasting Television Service was unable to solicit a response from the Management of Druk Air.

The decision to dump the patient may have been made under stressful circumstances but why did Druk Air Management chose to ignore the public outcry when contacted by BBS on Saturday ? There was no CEO so maybe everything was confusing for a headless organisation. A system failure I suppose ! It is perplexing. Due to intense public pressure Druk air responded on Sunday but by then drukair had to know that the patient had reached Bangkok hospital on another chartered flight.

Regarding the much touted Powers of a pilot. I would not dispute the absolute powers of a pilot though I do not know the rules of engagement in civil aviation.  World events have demonstrated the powers of pilots. A hero pilot landed his plane with damaged engines on a river in New York to save all passengers and possibly the plane. A murder pilot deliberately flew his plane into the Alps in Europe killing all his passengers. So pilots have life and death powers over the passengers. Then there are cases of unruly and even smelly but otherwise healthy passengers being sent out of the planes by pilots. However,  I do not know if sick and helpless patient certified fit to fly and needing crucial professional  medical attention that is only available 4 hours flight distance away has yet been dumped by any pilot or by Airline Management.
 
The patient has died in a hospital in Bangkok and nothing can change that. Now if Communication Ministry wishes to make things easier for such future patients they could consult how it is done elsewhere and propose fitting regulations. Its no use beating a dead horse for solutions. Let Druk Air be taken over by the new CEO and hope for better social attitude thereafter.

And if registered medical doctors are not allowed to practise their profession then deregister them. Why register them as medical professionals and then impose rules barring them from practising. The whole thing is very confusing and in a way nationally demoralising . A national airline of the Kingdom cannot fly a helpless sick patient who is in dire need of  professional medical service and a registered doctor of the Medical Council of the Kingdom cannot issue air travel  fitness certificate though it has been demonstrated practically that the patient was fit to fly as certified. There are exceptional rules for exceptional people and no win rules for general people. How are people to comprehend the system?

The politics of Hydro projects of Bhutan.

It is  interesting and quite an intrigue. It is often thought that if Nepal had cooperated with India to construct hydro projects, India would not have made so much investment in Bhutan in developing  the same. And mind you it is not just a recent retrospection. This thought has been expressed by very senior Bhutanese officials before.

Lyonpo Om Pradhan shares similar thought in his book , " Roar of the Thunder Dragon ". And Lyonpo was very senior active player in the pre democracy Bhutanese Government.

The 1st Prime Minister of Democratic Government of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchen Jigmi Thinley and his Cabinet Ministers also felt that Bhutan grabbed the opportunity whilst Nepal dilly dallied.

I shall not dispute such thoughts but I shall simply write what my personal thoughts are. Mind you, I was never a senior officer in the Bhutanese Government and I have no close contacts with the past or present democratic Governments of Bhutan. And I do not have concrete idea of Nepal politics of past or present. I have one good quality that is managerial quality and keen perspectives of events. I observe with due diligence.  I read a lot and do not base my thoughts on personal prejudice. And often my observations have proved to be right lucky.

After Chukha Hydro project, Tala hydro project was taken up. India badly wanted to do this project. In fact at one time it was referred to as Chukha Hydro Project II.  His Majesty the 4th King tied the Tala Project with the Dungsum Cement Project. The two projects were signed at New Delhi the same time and I recall late Lyonpo Dawa Tsering the Foreign Minister of Bhutan calling the two Agreements " historic ". India was not at all in favour of taking up the Dungsum Cement Project. And the delaying tactics that followed is also historic.

As years followed possibly the performance of Chukha Hydro Project convinced His Majesty the potentialities of the Bhutanese fast flowing rivers. The King called  the river sources white gold a kind of comparative term to black gold of   OPEC  that brought about economic magic for petroleum nations.

Did Bhutan outsmart Nepal in drawing Indian hydro investments to Bhutan from its intended destination in Nepal ? In my opinion the answer is no, not at all. And here are my reasons. If I had tonnes of money and I had the opportunity to invest in two similar locations which one should I choose ?  Would it be at the location where I had 100% control or 75% control ? Hydro Project is a long term investment. The gestation period is comparatively long but production is quite constant and raw material which is water is near infinite under a well protected natural environment. The key crucial factor is the security of the hydro plants and delivery system of transmission lines and my capacity to have de facto control of all these equations. Therefore,  if I were India and the choice of location Nepal and Bhutan  for investment, where would India invest ?
Why do you think India is against the Amochu Hydro Project under Samtse Dzongkhag? Is it too near to China ?

Bhutan is a natural strategic choice of India not Nepal for hydro project investment by India. This is not to say that India does not have investment interests including that of hrdro projects in Nepal. However,  I do not believe Bhutanese leaders had to try to take away hydro investments of India from Nepal. India has a heavier presence in Bhutan than in Nepal though Nepal is a far larger Country. Bhutan is simply ideal for India to construct its power supply plants.

Politically there will be Bhutanese and Nepalese who do not like each other and do not support each other. Some may even try to sabotage. However, geo-politically it would be self defeating for both Nepal and Bhutan to wish that the other either fell under India or China. Independent  Sovereignty of two Countries actually strengthens each other. In fact if Tibet and Sikkim were still independent States, Nepal and Bhutan would be in more comfortable position.

So there is not much national reasons for Bhutan to rejoice at present predicament of Nepal. Its not choosing Nepal over India or testing what China would do. By the way, China is no more what it was 25 years ago. It has surged far ahead and if any Bhutanese political faction thinks China will desert Nepal, such thoughts would be sand blinding. I hope it is not a reflection of Indian view. That would be a repeat of 1962 miscalculation of otherwise astute statesman Nehru. I personally pray for amicable solution to the ongoing India Nepal tussle. It will be good for Nepal, India and even Bhutan for India Nepal to co-exist in peace and harmony.

Mix not Bhutanese internal political party politics with Nepal India situation.

Whatever is happening between India Nepal presently need not be judged or looked upon by Bhutanese as for or against the policies of Bhutanese two democratic governments with both India and China.

Would China help Nepal to meet fuel and other shortages? The proof of pudding is in the eating and actual truth has to come out soon. It cannot be a long wait if the blockade from India is not lifted soon say within the 1st week of October because interim arrangements by Nepal could be hard pressed to solve shortages by then.

Powers that be at the United Nations at New York the last several final days of September,2015.

At other times you have the media especially western media saying and writing all sort of things. They accuse Russia of aggression in Ukraine and standing against west in Syria and demand united action against Russia. And American media made so much accusations against China about unfair currency devaluation and cyber attacks.

Well this time President Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping  of China came to America, looked into the eyes of the western leaders, faced the western media and declared their intentions at the United Nations General Assembly. And all became tame at the western front. What happened?

President Xi Jinping came to America before the Russian President and he began  the Chinese campaign from the city of Seattle. A politician with an intellectual capacity or the other way round , an intellectual with a political ambition,  must go through the address Xi Jinping made to the Seattle Gathering. Every phrase and sentence of facts, jest, economy and history cut like diamond sharp across the western glass dome. There was no pretence, no threat, no hesitant lingering and it was not a test drive speech. It was of China and her leaders in full awareness of world politics, world economy and world psychology. It was China ready to be friend at the highest and broadest level and if driven to, defiantly ready to meet any challenges put forth by adversaries. In a nut shell it was ' Firmness ' devoid of any nonsense and political frills.  He told his audience that he spent 7 years in the remoteness of China dwelling in caves and sleeping on mud beds where along with poor villagers they yearned for a meat diet that could never be secured. He quoted the best and most famous writers of the west and American great Presidents and spiced them with references to popular American films. Then he described the China of his Presidency time, the real China now which is a dream so far to dream during his young days as a communist worker in the villages. I wish I could have been there to see the stunned/ mesmerised looks on the faces of supposed to be know all and experienced all intellectuals powers of America.

I think the message got through to all of America including the President of America. A day later the official welcome ceremony at the White House was grand. Even the Pope of Rome had to await in the UN Building at New York for the televised ceremony at Washington to conclude before he could deliver his speech at the General Assembly.

And later the joint Presidential Press Meet was respectful and final statement was that America and China needed each other.  There was Presidential truce in cyber war and not a word on currency devaluation. .

President Putin addressed the United Nations General Assembly after Obama. It seems what President of United States said made no difference to Putin. He told the Assembly that Russia backs Assad in Syria and Russia will strike ISIS from air if the United Nations sanctions. In other words Russia will not hesitate to counter America in Syria and she will abide by UN decision not United States in dealing with ISIS threat. The western European Allies of America was divided. France blindly following America and Britain softly selling the Russia Iran plan on Syria.

America may be the only super power but the recent demonstration of political strength was that China and Russia too are ace players whose policies and declarations are or will be backed by deeds.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in America for medical treatment and the vusit strategically timed with the gathering of world Leaders in New York. But It seemed that  the normally defiant United States decided not to make bone fire in the presence of the real fire Dragon. So His Holiness cancelled all official engagements on the doctor's advice. At least that's what my take is from the announcement. I pray that he is not really that sick.

Prime Minister Modi visit to America was fully covered by Indian media. I suppose his demand for a UN Security Council permanent seat will remain simply a call. Bhutan supported the call but who else ? Certainly not the five permanent members though one or two among them may pay lip service.

And at the Peace Conference the true symbol of Peace was the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan waving at each other. Pity they did not have the courage to shake hands and exchange pleasantries such as " How is your mother " if they could not talk politics. Really what's wrong with these supposed to be products of ancient cultures of grace ? The irony is that the Government of India denied even the small gesture of acknowledging  each others presence by the two leaders. So it was personal right hands wave not official left hands wave.

And finally let me come to the Prime Minister of Bhutan. I appreciate the fact that the delegations of Nepal and Bhutan had a real Meeting. That was a good gesture on the part of Prime Minister of Bhutan. The Indian Press also appreciated the support and the congratulatory greeting the Bhutanese Prime Minister made to their Prime Minister. All in all it was a good successful trip to the United Nation General Assembly and His Excellency Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay made a sensible and appropriate speech to the world leaders. Congratulations ! Your Excellency.

Nepal and her people sacrifices a great deal for national dignity.

Monday 28th Sept, 2015, Kuensel issue had regional news on refuelling difficulties for air planes flying in and out of Kathmandu, Nepal.   Due to aviation fuel supply cuts from India, Nepal is putting in place measures to curtail fuel consumption without reducing flights. At the same time the leaders seem to be working out arrangements to import fuel from China.

This time around, like Bhutan, it is a busy tourist season and also festival time in Nepal. So not just tourists but many Nepalese working away will be flying in to join their home families. Pressure on aviation fuel and other products usually imported from India will be huge. Tourism is the backbone of Nepalese economy.

Flying in fuel from China would be very expensive. For the immediate need,  it is possible China may provide subsidy to reduce cost but in the long term. its going to be a high political price. But Nepal does not have a better alternative.

Nepal and Bhutan economies are very dependent on India because of geographical advantages. Imports from India and through India are far cheaper and faster. But when it comes to national sovereignty and national Constitution structure, what compromises could Nepal once known as Gurkha Kingdom make for India?

Actually it would be more economic for Nepal to import fuel from Bangladesh than China because shipping port of Bangladesh is much nearer so air freight distance is much  shorter. But flights from Bangladesh have to use Indian sky and maybe that's not permitted ( unless being members of WTO guarantees such trade air routes). So  import has to be from and through China. As expensive as it is, Nepal can import by air because it has adequate airport facility to receive large planes.

But economy is not the only national concern for Nepalese leaders. There could be ethnic related disturbances that can be instigated to escalate. Bhutan had similar experiences. 

What is happening with India and Nepal equation now is bleak news for the Himalayan region and possibly for whole of South Asia. It is bound to have repercussions on Bhutan, too. And as I had said earlier in my recent article " Border sealing and fuel supply blockade ".  this present India and Nepal tussle could very well reshape the Himalayan political equation drastically. And small land locked two countries would suffer. SAARC could disintegrate though this regional body could never make much positive impact till now. So it will not be missed so much. The regional body has no clout no voice without Indian approval.

I just hope that upon return of Mr. Modi to India from his visit to America, he will take the time to review the external policies of India. Surely if he wills it, his political experts can find a palatable solution. A win for Indian diplomacy without tampering with basic foundation of the dignity of the Nepalese people. I look forward to good and accommodative
leadership demonstration from the Indian Prime Minister.

No apology and no regret and now regards also nil.

Since my article of 26th Sept. in my blog titled: "  Why bother about corruption when politics of the day backs it to the hilt " there have been three abusive tweets: 2 from agayangay and 1 from pema Lhendup and all 3 abuses instantly supported by khendumdorji. Seems khendumdorji and associates are offended. Baffling !  Sure readers have every right to disagree and express their stand on the same subject. But why the collusion to make derisive personal attacks ?

Let me just say I had nothing but respects for khendumdorji not just as being daughter of late honourable Dasho Lhendup Dorji but she is a very capable person in her own rights. She would have done well in life even if she was not born to a noble family. She has got the beauty, the push and the talent.

The last I met her in person was at Haa Lhakhang Karpo where she had brought the 49th Day death ritual of her revered father. Its quite many years past. The Dorji family is well revered in Haa and as a true and pure bred Haap, I simply went to pay my respects to late Dasho. No conditions no expectations just a homage to a personality I personally admired.

I am little older than Khendumdorji. I suppose that she would not dispute because ladies must always feel younger. She may dispute that I have a broader national political perspective but I think I do. Whatever our age or perspectives are, I have never referred to her until today as Khendumdorji. The age old protocol " Ashi " was never forgotten. People of Haa do have a lot of respects and regards for our Dorji Families, hers being the first and later that of honourable Yab Ugyen Dorji. Only the most revered Wangchuck Family commands more Respects and Loyalty in the Valley of Haa otherwise the second family name on the lips of Haaps would be the Dorji Families.

Whilst I shall not fail in my respects for the Dorji Families from henceforth I free myself from any age bond sentiment as far as khendum dorji as an individual. I have no apology to offer no regret to express and now no regards to hold. Strangers that we are now so free of sentiments and restraints.

Thank God the nation has another Airline.

Thank you BBS for informing all that the patient dumped by Druk Air was able to get to Bangkok on a chartered flight of Bhutan Airlines ( Tashi Air ). It is at times and situation like this that one realises and appreciates why monopoly is bad for  fair business and equity.

Without the Bhutan Airlines of Tashi the patient could not have made it today to Bangkok. Druk Air was not even willing to discuss the case until Monday ( when BBS contacted Druk Air, the response was wait till Monday. Only intense pressure from social media compelled Druk Air to issue their statement this evening ).

Adopting positive attitude a must for cleansing national conscience.

Recently some shocking incidents have taken place. Not at all good for the victims, the organisations involved and for the national conscience. These could be ominous signs of difficult days for the nation. .We need to ward off such undesirable events by being gracious and praying for guidance.

I now plead with Druk Air Management to  please do not further shame all by bringing up excuses of safety, security and whatever else. Simply be,  belatedly gracious and smooth over grievances and kindly provide free passage to the sinus patient and his escort to Bangkok. Embarrassing mistakes happen. Let's just attempt to correct not justify.

Druk Air thank you in advance for hopefully adopting a good attitude. I have always held Druk Air in high esteem for flying high the national flag. A national Airline is a necessary symbol of national sovereignty. Please love Bhutan, the Bhutanese and all your passengers. Good Luck !

Why bother about corruption when politics of the day backs it to the hilt?

Bail for Bhutanese:  The best and the only just way under the present politically biased prosecution system.

Relieved that 7 immigration officers got bail. I hope any and all immigration, revenue and custom officials  charged or convicted for corruption are freed on bail or upon  cash payment in lieu of prison terms by the Royal Courts of Justice.

It is just unfair to apply the Law of the Land only against Bhutanese wrong doers. Those main culprits from across the border are allowed scot free. They are not even required to post cash to get bail. Just a make believe notional sum of from nowhere and no nothing. Whoever thought that it would be possible to tell the Court or satisfy the Prosecuting Agency to collect the cash bond for bail from construed would be debtors at large?

ACC new Commissioners need not feel guilty and resign because firstly Bhutanese need  jobs and secondly any vacant constitutional posts will be filled for name and appearance sake. But forget tackling corruption. The path is politically blocked.

Now it is possible for ACC people to keep their salaries and take the time off. If you are prevented from booking the main culprits why bother to fry the small timers who are errand runners of the Mafia. The political apparatus is diluting further the already weak judiciary system. And there is not much few good and honourable  Drangpons can dare to do to uphold justice when even a Constitutional Body is told to slumber in no uncertain terms.

Several years back , a young Bhutanese monk was jailed for possessing a small amount of chewing tobacco valued at Nu: 99 or was it Nu: 120. And later several Indians were caught in Bhutan with much larger illegal cache of assorted tobacco products. They were let off with a fine. The same disparity in law applications is happening theses days in Phuentsholing. It is a hopeless and shameful trait that the nation is adopting.

The fact of the day is that Bhutanese cannot expect equal treatment  with other nationals even in  Bhutan under Bhutanese Laws. Thus whilst major Kingpins of corrupt trade are let loose scot free by Bhutanese law Agencies and Judiciary, the Bhutanese errand runners get fried. 

Therefore to bring about a sense of social fairness, let us make a call to stop criminal prosecution of only Bhutanese citizens. The nation is not prepared to apply the laws of the land equally upon all corrupt persons and entities. So why just penalise certain category of Bhutanese who are at the bottom rug of corruption. 

Border Sealing Politics and Fuel delivery Blockade.

It seems India will continue to plague Nepal with such bully tactics until the planned railway line and new highway from China Tibet materialises for Nepal. Land locked Nepal has no alternate option but to turn to China though India is the most convenient and generous trading partner in the region.

Geographically, culturally and socially, India and Indians are far akin to Nepal and Bhutan and their people than any other Nations in the world. But Indian political pundits and leaders somehow do not believe in fair exercise of friendship. They opt for subjugation policy at every turn of event.   This aggressive policy of India will definitely upset the Himalayan political cart and will deeply hurt the economies of the two small Himalayan Nations jammed between India and China. And it would not do much good to India in the long run.

India signs a 20 years supply deal with Nepal which denies Nepal from procuring petroleum  products from a third source for 20 years. And then refuses to allow fuel tankers from crossing into Nepal from India. The reason is India does not like the recently adopted Constitution of Nepal.

It took Nepal more than 7 years to finally draft and adopt a Constitution that is acceptable to majority of the Political Parties in Nepal. Should not a giant supposed to be a friendly neighbour India  at least give Nepal a breathing space before ramming its own dictum. Constitutions are not like say the Ten Commandments of the Christian God.  Changes will gradually take shape within Nepal and from within Nepal. The fact that more than 50% of the population in Nepal is Hindus should in itself make India feel comfortable. Why the haste and subjugation at every distress window of opportunity?

Bhutan, too, was subjected to similar Indian political wrath during the 2013 General Election in Bhutan. And Bhutanese political leadership whimpered into submission instantly. Nepalese Political Parties have taken a united national stand and has sent their Emissary to talk to Modi Government in India.

The saving grace for Nepal is that the Nepalese Military is quite independent from its fragile political masters. Its of course no match against Indian military might but it can play a pivotal influence in peacetime Nepal. And that's more than adequate because India cannot declare war or militarily invade Nepal without provoking active Chinese response. It was the Nepalese Army that stepped in to protect the sovereignty of Nepal when some outside forces were preparing to take undue advantages during this year's April earthquake situation in Nepal.

This time the fuel crunch inflicted by India is a severe test once again for Nepal.  Rajiv Gandhi did that to the King of Nepal many years back. And what did Rajiv Gandhi achieve for India when you look back in retrospection. A Hindu Monarch was ultimately dethroned and a Hindu Kingdom has become a Secular Nation today. Rajiv Gandhi's personal ego politics with the King of Nepal is as bad and unfruitful for India  as BJP Government of India attempting to force only pro Hindu population Constitution in Nepal today.

I wish India took its leadership of SAARC more seriously on a broader concept of reliable and trust worthy giant who can be relied upon by smaller neighbours in their time of distress.