The Silent Brave Tears.

" Through loyalty and dedication we exel ". This is the motto of Royal Bhutan Army.

Let me have the honour to reproduce the brave mixed emotions of an Officer's wife. Written in words in 2014 but had to be reflection of agony felt in December, 2003 during Operation All Clear.

As you walk out of the door
And as I bid farewell
I tell myself not to weep
I say its only a while

I know that the emptiness I sense
The silent tears that I shed
Are just the start of a long road ahead
Its just not what I'd planned

But with time I've learnt to acknowledge
That this is why you're trained...
Its what you do...
Its why you breathe...
Its who you are...

Unheard, unseen your labour
Neither for gratitude nor accolade
But to keep us safe and protected

Though you are weary and you are sore
Never have you protested or cried
For the most agonising wounds inflicted
You have buried deep inside

I know I must be strong
I know I must have faith
But its so difficult when you are in harm's way
And so with trembling hands I bow my head and say a silent prayer

Dear God, keep my husband close to your heart
And let him be safe, for
On his safety depends the safety of many.

By Aum Sangay Deki w/f Major Kezang Namgyel , Wing IX Gelephug.

Courtesy Royal Bhutan Army annual magazine 2014 December. Today during a brief rest between building maintenance works, I chanced upon this 2 year old magazine and among the write ups was this poem. Thought some fb friends may equally admire those that followed His Majesty the Fourth King during Operation All Clear Southern Bhutan 2003. Thank you Aum Sangay Deki for sharing the depth of personal despair and height of national pride.

The complexity of gender and simplistic views of equity for some proponents.

As a matter for sharing thoughts I give credit to those promoting gender equity. But in doing so, do not destroy the very goodness of the qualities that distinguish males from females and vice versa. Between men and women, there are more appreciable differences than just phallus and baka. That's how couples find interest and comfort in their relationships.

Generally women are more the anchor of a family than men precisely for the task they undertake which might seem mundane to some folks especially those who think gender equality is doing same work. There is a traditional Bhutanese home moral,  " phoja aumtsu lan-gu shey-ni dhi , chhi-kha khe ma chheb ain "( a man who takes over household chores is not capable of facing the task outside ). That was when men were considered the providers and women the keepers. My Mom was such a traditional fanatic and my wife too a true believer. So my Dad and I had no choice but to be successful in fields outside the home. Today every morning and evening, I bow before the portraits of Mom and Dad. I thank Mom for teaching me to trust my wife in building a happy home and I thank Dad for teaching me how to face the outside  world.

Of course now with both spouses engaged in routine 9 to 5 timetable jobs, this may not hold true. Still even in modern age men are expected to hold the family fort against outside world and women to hold the inside order of the family fort. So to reduce gender equality to equal cooking time in the kitchen is rather pathetic pessimism in an enduring couple relationship.  Also there are many household chores beside cooking that can be shared. And yes some men are better cooks and better nannies too. So do what you do better when it comes to family home life. Not out of equation compulsion but for love and efficiency. If the mother can better guide the kids in home works, Go Ahead ! Let the father burn the dinner. Its only one dinner, not the future of the kids.

Gender equity need not be so narrowly viewed because in reality not everything should be equal. The charm of feminine gender and bravo of masculine gender are beauties of opposite sex relationships.   Otherwise all may go for same sex marriage where everything is naturally designed to be equally same. Happy Equality can be found in appreciating the good qualities of the opposite sex and providing understandings for weaknesses.

Bowing down the Bhutanese Buddhist way.

Praying and bowing down on knees and hands ( both knees and palms resting firmly on the floor with forehead also  lightly touching the floor ) is how Bhutanese Buddhist pay obeisance to all Buddhas, lamas and deities.

Now days if you visit a temple you would witness devotees bowing down in this way three times towards the seat of the Lama opposite to the Kikhor / Alter/ Chhoesoum even if the seat is unoccupied. After that they will turn around towards the Kikhor ( the actual Chhoesum ) to pray and bow down three times. This practice has a devotee turning his/ her back to the Kikhor and facing the often empty seat reserved for the Lama.

When a religious prayer is being conducted, at certain point of the prayer ritual, a devotee is called upon to pray and perform this obeisance. At that time the devotee first performs the obeisance act to the Lama who is leading the prayer ritual and then turns around to perform the obeisance towards the Kikhor. It is believed that the Lama in the process of performing the prayer ritual is able to acquire the position of being the effective medium between the devotees and Buddha Spirits. Therefore. the devotees bows first to the Lama and through him to the Buddha/ Buddha Spirits. This might be something like praying to Shiva through Ganeshji for a Hindu devotee..

I still follow what I was taught at an early age. If a ritual is going on, I first bow to the Lama to pray to him for assistance to reach my prayers to the Buddha Spirits. And then face the Kikhor to offer my actual prayers and obeisance. And if I am in my  home Chhoesoum or in a temple without a Lama , I simply turn to the Kikhor to offer my prayers and obeisance. I neither seek the assistance of an absent  Lama nor bow down to an empty lama  seat. For me the Lama and the Buddha is one and same.

In some temples that are built by a Root Lama, I suppose a devotee would probably feel the need to first pay respect to the seat that was once graced by the Lama when alive. But at the same time the image/ statue of the Root Lama would also be among the Kikhor so even directly bowing to the Kikhor should not offend the Root Lama. So I guess to each devotee his/ her own way of paying respects.

In thinking over this ritual among Buddhist, I wonder how things are done in other religion. For example,  I have seen Catholics kneeling and praying to crucified form of the Christ. And Catholics also bow their head or kneel on one knee before the Priest and kiss his hand/ ring. I wonder if the devotees kneel and kiss the pulpit in the absence of the priest.

Bowing down the Bhutanese Buddhist way.

Praying and bowing down on knees and hands ( both knees and palms resting firmly on the floor with forehead also  lightly touching the floor ) is how Bhutanese Buddhist pay obeisance to all Buddhas, lamas and deities.

Now days if you visit a temple you would witness devotees bowing down in this way three times towards the seat of the Lama opposite to the Kikhor / Alter/ Chhoesoum even if the seat is unoccupied. After that they will turn around towards the Kikhor ( the actual Chhoesum ) to pray and bow down three times. This practice has a devotee turning his/ her back to the Kikhor and facing the often empty seat reserved for the Lama.

When a religious prayer is being conducted, at certain point of the prayer ritual, a devotee is called upon to pray and perform this obeisance. At that time the devotee first performs the obeisance act to the Lama who is leading the prayer ritual and then turns around to perform the obeisance towards the Kikhor. It is believed that the Lama in the process of performing the prayer ritual is able to acquire the position of being the effective medium between the devotees and Buddha Spirits. Therefore. the devotees bows first to the Lama and through him to the Buddha/ Buddha Spirits. This might be something like praying to Shiva through Ganeshji for a Hindu devotee..

I still follow what I was taught at an early age. If a ritual is going on, I first bow to the Lama to pray to him for assistance to reach my prayers to the Buddha Spirits. And then face the Kikhor to offer my actual prayers and obeisance. And if I am in my  home Chhoesoum or in a temple without a Lama , I simply turn to the Kikhor to offer my prayers and obeisance. I neither seek the assistance of an absent  Lama nor bow down to an empty lama  seat. For me the Lama and the Buddha is one and same.

In some temples that are built by a Root Lama, I suppose a devotee would probably feel the need to first pay respect to the seat that was once graced by the Lama when alive. But at the same time the image/ statue of the Root Lama would also be among the Kikhor so even directly bowing to the Kikhor should not offend the Root Lama. So I guess to each devotee his/ her own way of paying respects.

In thinking over this ritual among Buddhist, I wonder how things are done in other religion. For example,  I have seen Catholics kneeling and praying to crucified form of the Christ. And Catholics also bow their head or kneel on one knee before the Priest and kiss his hand/ ring. I wonder if the devotees kneel and kiss the pulpit in the absence of the priest.

Kuensel a National Paper should not be hijacked for personal vindictive goal. Shameful !

Woh ! Woh ! Kuensel .  What a vindictive goal you have set to achieve in your Front Page Headline complaint article titled "  Erratic orthodontic services irk patients".

The complaint article covered the 1st page and 2nd page of Kuensel issue of Friday the 1st of April. Then again the very same complaint article was splashed over the whole of page 3 of the same Kuensel issue.

Complaints are not front page News. Therefore , it does not warrant a Front Page Coverage. And it is absolutely unheard of the same Front Page article being again splashed over the whole of the prominent 3rd Page of the same issue. And do not tell me it was unintentional ! A technical mistake- a needle in the hay stack.

It is clear that some one at the top management level at Kuensel has personal issues with the orthodontist. Could Tempa Wangdi who authored the complaint article be that vengeful person. Doubtful as he would not have the authority to categorise an article in the nature of grievance as front line News. And then again have it splashed in the whole of prominent 3rd Page.

It is a disgusting act. Totally out of rules of  journalistic engagement. Whether the complaints are true or false, I call upon the Hospital authority and the Health Ministry to conduct separate independent investigation. But Kuensel Editorial has shamefully crossed all lines of proper main stream media ethics and abused the respect and public status that Kuensel had earned over the many years. It is an unforgivable journalistic crime. The irresponsible person/ persons must leave media profession/position.

The media Association of Bhutan as well as the Kuensel Board of Directors must exercise the public responsibility to find the reasons for misusing Kuensel coverage to settle personal grievances.

The complaint article states that there is only one Orthodontist in the Thimphu Hospital. I know one such Specialist. And his name is Dr.Tamang. His chamber number is 4. If the complaint is against him then let me also tell what kind of a Specialist he is. If he is not the Specialist the complaints are directed at, then I do not know any other that they are referring to.  But still my charge against Kuensel stands and I submit to those administrative Agencies to conduct a through investigation. Someone at Kuensel has crossed the bounds of all decency and misused Kuensel and its good reputation.

I came to know Dr.Tamang few years back when I had dental problems.  I came across a through professional. He is a medium size Bhutanese man  with bushy eye brows. His mannerism is correctly professional but on the side of confidence inspiring. He is not egoistic and not at all abusive. But what I really appreciated was his sense of responsibility to his profession and patients and punctuality.

The 1st appointment is easier once you are referred by another Doctor or by the Reception depending on the nature of dental problem. After that its all in order of appointment dates that are available as of that particular day.

I was quite shocked and worried the first time when I was told that my appointment would be some 3 months later. But then he showed me the appointment diary and it was all filled up. I thanked him. On the appointed day I went and without any hassle my denture process began that day. Another appointment again several weeks later. The next appointment was always quite some time away never within say the next few weeks. He is very busy and there are many patients.

I can be a very patient person when necessary but denture procedures is taxing both on patience, anxiety and discomfort. I remember that I had missed one appointment. I simply forgot the day. It happens when appointments are made some months in advance. Two days later I sheepishly went to apologise and seek another appointment. He was not angry and when I apologised for having upset his schedule, he kindly said it happens but the appointment time was filled in by another patient so his and his nurses time was not wasted. I was given another appointment time. After that I had all my family members informed of my dental appointments so that one of us us would remember the crucial appointment date. At another time I got a call from his nurse that my scheduled appointment was deferred for some 10 days because the Doctor will be away attending a Seminar. I was grateful for the advance notice.

All in all, the two denture processes spanned over 12 or 13 months. The cost came to around Nu:24,000. One denture got broken and had to be redone following the same appointment schedules. But it was done free of cost because the fault was technical not misuse.

I never felt more relief than that day when the procedures for my two dentures were completed. And since then every year though I did not meet him in person, I dropped at his clinic chamber a pon ( 80 walnuts. I ask my wife why pack 80 and not 100. She reminds me that Doma and Tagu are always packed by " pon" ) of kashmiri walnut as an offering from my walnut trees to a man who practised so professionally a godly profession. ( walnut is a symbolic offering for wishing good health and prosperity but Dr. Tamang like many medicine men may not be aware of the significance ).  

Imagine he never missed his appointment with me except one deferment  with advance notice. And I usually a very punctual man who needed to keep track of just my own appointment and not of so many other patients that he had to be mindful about, forgot an appointment with him.

I understand the frustrations and discomfort that dental patients go through But do realise its not your parents fault, not your child's fault and certainly not the good doctor's fault. Some bodily defects have to be dealt with patience and patience. The orthodontist that you blame is not god though he has a godly intent. He cannot be everywhere at the same time. And learn to appreciate a professional when he delivers you professional service even if you are a nobody. It is very rare to find  such a professional as Dr. Tamang in Bhutan and elsewhere in the world.

Kuensel editorial team has conducted a shameful personal vendetta. But I am very very certain that his technical assistants, fellow co- workers, colleagues and above all by all the authentic dental patients whom he had so professionally serviced, holds Dr.Tamang above the best of professional standard. Investigations must be conducted and culprits at Kuensel held accountable. A professional has been so wrongfully wronged by some egoistic person/persons in Kuensel Management.

Analysing Political wind of PDP ( People's Democratic Party ) the governing Party of Bhutan.

It is said that media is an important ingredient of Democracy. However, in Bhutan media simply relays news. Of course one cannot discount the value and importance of News that are disseminated by the main stream media like Kuensel and BBS TV. As a citizen and also a blogger, I am grateful for the updates.

However, there is a total lack of analysis of events and News.  In other words the media psychology has not undergone the necessary changes to meet democratic challenges and responsibilities. And it cannot be simply the fear of authority that is stopping media from looking deeper into issues. The constraint may not even be the lack of information although that is often the given reasons.  People love to talk though they dislike being quoted. Moreover, analysis do not need sources because these can be based on available facts and past events and incidences.

As main stream media chooses to remain dormant, let me start a social media discussion/analysis exercise. One need not use original name but please be more substantive than just fiery defendant or attacker. If done under one's honest name, usually the views are more substantive, intelligent and less aggressive, accusatory in tone. I look forward to healthy and substantive analysis of events, from knowledgeable citizens and interested individuals.

The subject is recent cabinet reshuffle in the PDP government. Lyonpos Mingbo Dukpa is out, Norbu Wangchuk is transferred and MP Lekey Dorji is said to be in as Minister of Economic Affairs.

I believe that anyone who becomes a Minister especially in Bhutan had it partly written in his/ her good fortune from birth. Here Cabinet or MP seat is not bought outright with huge contributions to Party coffer. And I have never questioned a Bhutanese capacity to be a Bhutanese leader. It is my duty as a citizen to respect whoever receives the Dhar.

The former Foreign Minister was replaced since he could not continue functioning due to the  Court case. So a replacement
was expected and understandable. But what is the political significance of Lyonpo Mingbo resigning. Possible that he has personal problems including that of health. But who in the world resigns from a Minister's post for problems of personal nature ? No one ! A Minister has more capacity to even handle better any personal problem than an MP or another influential person.

So why was Lyonpo Mingbo let go and what does it say about personal power of the President of PDP and internal Party power struggle? If Lyonpo Mingbo  committed a gross misdeed and had to leave,  then there is no internal Party difference. It is said that Dasho Lekey Dorji had been promised a cabinet berth and so he would be the most likely choice if another vacancy happened especially after he missed the boat in the previous Cabinet vacancy. 

Lyonpo Mingbo is an original 2008 PDP candidate who stood by the Party during the crucial Primary Election of 2013.  I heard that PDP Party President had faced excruciating  scarcity of both finance and candidate, in qualifying for Primary Election. That he succeeded is most admirable. And I admire His Excrllency for his never say die political stamina.

During General Election the choice of Candidates was plentiful and so must have been financial contributions. One just needed to compromise on Party loyalty and opt for political sense of winning and therefore, dumped some of weak candidates though they had enabled the Party to enter the Primary and qualify for General Election.

I just cannot imagine Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay dumping Lyonpo Mingbo to make way for Dasho Lekey Dorji. Did Lyonpo Mingbo commit a Tsawa Sum perjury or was he hobnobbing with the Opposition or commit a judicial crime? Or had Party backers forced this decision upon the Prime Minister. That leads to one wondering whether the Party President has control over the Party.

It was Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk who spear headed the Cabinet defence  over the scandalous act of suspending three government Secretaries. He stood by the Prime Minister to the extent of even changing events and facts as later revealed by RCSC investigation.  And yet he is the one who is shuffled.

O.K lets agree that Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk is qualified to head Education Ministry and he is publicly happy.  But how come that Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk is suddenly found to be the second best choice for Tengye Lyonpo post at the Ministry of Economic Affairs?

Come on, we cannot believe that he had chosen Education Ministry to continue his battle with Dasho Sonam Tshering's wife who is the Secretary of Education. She would be leaving soon along with other government Secretaries upon completion of tenure. And moreover the larger implication is that he got ousted himself after ousting his Economic Secretary. So the transfer may not necessarily be the
priority choice of the Prime Minister or his colleague Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk.

Thus the turn of political events again makes one wonder if the President of PDP Party and Prime Minister of Bhutan has respectably adequate say in the Party decision of Cabinet composition and portfolio of his Ministers.

It was a PDP representative who was on BBS TV defending the Cabinet merry go round not a member of Cabinet. That too is significantly tale telling. And it was a PDP Party Press Release I believe that announced the Cabinet changes. In other Countries, changes in the Cabinet or any Government decision, it would be announced from the Office of the Prime Minister. Let's see who is on the next chopping list out of the PDP faithfuls to Lyonchoen. Good Luck Your Excellency the Prime Minister.

Question of stability.

Bhutanese democracy is now all about dancing to the tune of Ministers cabinet berth musical chairs. No disrespect to outgoing, incoming or transferee but stability would have been reassuring.

Why do some teachers yearn for corporal punishment?

Corporal punishment is not a cure of a student retaliating under marijuana influence when " he was patted several times by the teacher ". Patting conveys/ demonstrates affection that is a cause for  embarrassment. Patting grown up student whether boy or girl by a teacher does not just indicate the understanding character of a teacher.

It was not right and it is definitely not acceptable that a student hit a teacher. But who ever the boy is and whose son he is,  we who know not the teacher or the student personally, should not blindly rush to condemn.

Would the teachers who advocated  for reinstatement of corporal punishment on BBS TV also tell the public what their fellow  teachers who beat the students to deafness, abused  and murdered student and shamed and threatened students to the extent whereby young people have hanged themselves to death,  really  require more corporal  punishment powers.

I do not think majority of teachers feel that they require corporal punishment powers to teach effectively. Doing away with corporal punishment has not dented the ability of good teachers to teach and their students to learn. Just refer to last few years school results. Few Dzongkhag teachers and Dzongkhag institutions have been hounding students in the last few years. Why is this happening ?

Out of several hundred thousand students how many have physically attacked teachers? And out of few thousand teachers how many have abused students? Please dear teacher commentators,  you reveal the the figures in Bhutan. Let us know how much you really care for teacher/student relationship. Give both sides of the coin.

We must admit that in every sphere of fields there are the good and the bad, the gentle and bully. Few bad teachers and few angry or bad students do not represent all teachers and students in Bhutan. Smoking and drugs are problems of young generation. We have to find better ways to deal with these issues.  But physically abusing " corporal punishment " cannot be a solution for such social illness.

Honouring the Voice Of Democracy & Politics.

A live scene on 3rd March, 2016 at JNU Campus. Kanhaiya, Student President of JNU addressing India and Students. This fellow can think on his feet and he can speak. And speak he did at the JNU campus that evening. Upon his release from 23 days at Tihar jail. He came straight from the prison to the Campus.

Modi govt. will not fall immediately for its attack and conspiracy against JNU and using sedition charge as political tool. But like Rahul Gandhi tearing the Ordinance, this JNU high noon drama will surly be the BJP coffin nail in the next General Election.  When Rahul tore the Ordinance, I predicted the downfall of Congress on Kuensel Online.

Strangely on 3rd March, 2016 whilst replying to Rahul and Congress in the Parliament, Modi recalled Rahul tearing the Cabinet Ordinance on 27th Dec, 2013 when Indian PM was holding meeting with American President in Washington. It showed that , "some people physically age but they gain no wisdom " said Prime Minister Modi in the Parliament. However, this cannot be said of the Sudent President of JNU. This fellow is a different brand and he cannot be silenced that easily by Modi or the RSS.

During his speech, Kanhaiya made reference to Modi's reference to Stalin of Russia in the Parliament and he said he wanted to get into the TV and ask Modi to also talk of Hitler. He said JNU was not seeking freedom from India. It was seeking freedom within India. " Want azaadi from hunger, corruption and casteism".  He said PM Modi loved to speak his mind but not listen.

Kanhaiya spoke continuously for over an hour. Speaking under the Union Tri Colour Flag against the Sedition Charges, he declared that he was seeking freedom within India not freedom from India.

There had been intense political pressure to prolong the imprisonment / detention of Kanhaiya at Tihar jail. The Delhi High Court initially delayed his Bail Hearing and then few days later, granted an interim conditional bail not a proper bail to Kanhaiya.

But I do not see the same Court cancelling the interim bail any time too soon. High Courts in India have such tenacious judicial dedication. They might accommodate political nuances for a brief period or for a specific occasion but long term goal is Justice as it should be. Then there is the Supreme Court which exercises fearsome judicial independence.

This unfortunate Delhi High Court ruling on the interim conditional bail for Kanhaiya invited a humiliating comment from a top jurists Fali Nariman who said  on NDTV  " Sad to see airs of compliance travels into judicial corridors."

Khanaiya is still making waves. The BJP Ministry of Home Affairs does not want to rearrest or detain him. I guess the Government learnt its lesson rather fast. Any further acts of persecution will get whole of India not just university students talking of Kanhaiya and not of Modi. Lessons on democracy and politics are aplenty all the time.

Don't ask how cremation is to be done !

For Kagyupas its at Hejo cremation ground,  the Nimapas at Hongtso and for both at Kichu Lhakhang. For Hindus Muslims at upper Chuzom and Christians in apple orchards. But each individual bereaved family have particular preference of style of last sent off for their beloved no more. Though what difference would such make to the departed member?

In news and in live sites, I have witnessed decorative arrangements as well as just minimum essential make do ones. To both kinds, I have offered silent prayers and respects. What difference would such decks make to the departed loved ones ?

But yes, to the living and those who are gathered, varying arrangements would surely imply even more varying impressions and talks. Maybe ' awesome ' maybe ' acceptable ' and great many ' humble '.  Grandiose or humble, many mourners or few, officiated by high truelkus or lay priests. All details important to bereaved families and onlookers. But what difference would all these make to the departed soul ?

Maybe its six feet deep ground burial in ivory coffin or pine wood box.  Maybe a newly created stupa pyre in enclosure of silken pavilion or one of the the ready installed circular concrete receptacle in which the body is laid with wood and fire lit. What difference would various sent off  arrangements make to a body without the spirit ?

People cry for freedom. People die for freedom. But what really is freedom?
Its all to do with body not the spirit. The body can be held prisoner but not the mind. Humans do everything possible to gain freedom for the body when alive. . And yet upon death, the body is imprisoned as much as possible for the final voyage. 

The richer and more powerful one had been, the more wrappings and enclosures for the body in death. And that is really the sorry state of human grandiose concept.

What really would be the preferred manner of final voyage by the spirit for the body that it once gave life ? I can only wonder !

I for sure would want to be free of all earthly shackles. Make my pyre fresh on the mother earth and let blue open sky roof over it. Imprison not with mundane enclosures and contain not the flame and smoke with colourful frills that only serve to pollute.

A circle of loved ones chanting the mani mantra invoking Chenrezi will just be superb. No other incidentals can make difference where my spirit ought to be.

But for my sentiment, Haa my place of birth should be where the pyre is set on fire. And ashes in Haa Chu that come from Chhundu Gangri and where it flows along the feet of Miri Phuensum. And no prayer flags. I love standing trees especially the tall and straight that are felled for poles.  Just Tsa Tsa stupa made of pure soil numbering my age placed on the hill spire of Gung Karpo as a tribute to Mom and Dad who gave me life. May Love and Blessings prevail in hearts !