Personal Perspectives on Current Events – The 7th Series

The Bhutan Education City

Is Education City a closed chapter, I ask myself? So much has been said and varying views expressed. It is not fruitful any longer to reflect on the past, the stands of DPT and PDP formed Governments, the role of DHI and Land Commission nor the validity and responsibility of the high powered Education City Board and the Education City Act.

What is important and relevant is what happens here after. What does Bhutanese authority intend to do so that all the efforts, time and money invested up till now in the project is harnessed for the benefit of the nation as a whole?

There is a rumor that the 1000 acre area of Bhutan Education City may be converted to Bhutan Film City. I would have discounted such an idea but rumors in Bhutan have disturbingly proved true in the past. Moreover Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji has been closely associated with Bhutan Film Association and he is quite influential. So the rumor cannot be just brushed off as simple political sarcasm. The last big news I heard of Bhutan Film City was about identifying a large tract of land in Paro (way above Ta-Dzong) for Bhutan Film City and commitment of required fund from some sources for developing the area. So there will be a much desired Bhutan Film City somewhere in Western Bhutan without misusing the Education City investment.

Now regarding the utilization of Education City in the most appropriate way i.e for the education purpose of the nation could be achieved by transferring the project under the Royal University of Bhutan. The Nation needs many more colleges to absorb the class XII pass outs. RUB could have two or even three colleges at the 1000 acre Bhutan Education City site. The goals of Bhutan Education City could be met in terms of: a)  expanding national capacity for tertiary education  b)  harnessing Bhutanese students presently compelled to study in colleges in India and  c)  saving very scarce rupee resources. Moreover it is good investment for developing and shaping the direction of the young Bhutanese generation. As for improving the quality of education, I feel it should be a national goal covering all the colleges and schools not just a particular institution installed in an artificially created elite location.

The main disagreement regarding the present Bhutan Education City project is not the education goals and objectives of the project. It is the issue of leasing land to foreign entities initially for 30 years and then renewable twice over. This means 90 years which is comparable to the 99 years lease of Hong Kong and Macau.  More than 100 years ago, China was a vast but weak nation. The 99 years lease of Chinese sovereign land of Hong Kong and Macau by Britain and Portugal was forced upon China.

Such long term lease has huge multi-dimension implications on national sovereignty in terms of security, immigration, social and religious issues, political and economic influence etc. So it is natural for a true sovereign Leader or a sovereign agency to exercise anxiety in regards to surrendering of land in the heart of the Kingdom to foreign entities for a period of 90 years. In fact all Bhutanese should share such an anxiety.

Bhutan need not surrender another 1000 acres of heart land of Bhutanese Capital City to foreign entity for 90 years. I think Bhutan already has enough of long term foreign residency settlements occupying huge land areas scattered all over the Kingdom. We can do without leasing out an additional 1000 acres under foreign domination.

By the way, the name of the Education City area ‘Wang-Sisina’ really had me misdirected. I could not get the fix on the spot until I saw the fresh cutting of the motor road on the hill sides of the Dangkala Range that drops to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu Rivers. The hill sides used to be totally barren but over the decades, conservation and afforestation efforts of the Bhutan Forest Department had nursed an admirable crop of young blue pine trees that gradually covered the vast area. The education project will harm the natural vegetation but if it helps in nourishing young Bhutanese minds, I could live with this kind of barter exchange.

Khushwant Singh of India.

I came to know of him as Editor of Illustrated Weekly of India. He is known to be a man of independent thoughts and wits. I always thought he had a colorful flair even for Sikh standard. With his departure from this world that was home to him for 99 years, I felt a sense of deep loss as I watched the NDTV coverage of his death. For a man who never shied away from speaking his mind or controversial subjects, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the day of World Happiness. What a beautiful way to say good bye to 99 years of worldly chaos and colors. Illustrated Weekly was part of my little world that included News week and Times Magazines, Readers Digest and later on India Today. I really enjoyed reading and learning from these journals. Things are different now. There is a flood of social media and 24 hours TV channels. Today one has access to so much information, knowledge and news that require so little investment in terms of time and money. And yet we seemed to be rather un-informed these days on important issues.

On each occasion of passing away of such high caliber figure, one mourns not just for the person but for the character, the conscience and kind of life that the person had represented. May the soul of respected Khushwant Singh-ji rest in peace!

Bhutan Happiness Day

The 20^th March, 2014, International Happiness Day adopted by the General Assembly of United Nations and which in fact is a tribute to the happiness doctrine of King Jigme SIngye Wangchuck, passed fleetingly away, almost unnoticed by the general public of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

UN officials, Foreign Diplomats and Cabinet Ministers of Bhutan did light butter lamps at the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. May be for Bhutan Happiness is meant to be a memory of the past as is the memory of His Majesty the Third King and Father of modern Bhutan. I personally would have preferred the Happiness Day Butter Lamp Tribute to have taken place at Tashichho Dzong Kye-rena before the altar of Lord Buddha - the guiding light for the nation towards harmony and happiness. In the decades to come I hope that this International Day of Happiness would remind Bhutanese all over the world about the great King who put the wellbeing of his people above all other achievements and light a butter lamp as a symbol of peace and harmony.

The Ukraine Crisis

This is my third perspective on Ukraine troubles. Crimea has voted to be part of Russia and the Russian Duma was quick to favorably respond. President Putin has signed the documents making Crimea part of Russia. The Russian Gateway to Black Sea and thereby to Mediterranean and other warm waters has been secured. As a citizen of a small Kingdom between two giant nations, I have my self-interest national reasons to be wary of Crimea being part of Russia even though 97% of voters in Crimea demonstrated such a desire through the ballot box. At the same time it was predictable because Russia would never tolerate a hostile Ukraine controlling her access to the waters in the South. 

The West led by USA, UK and France must be stunned and dismayed at the outcome of their coup conducted through the Ukraine Parliament that resulted in the unconstitutional ouster of the elected President of Ukraine. For all the information gadgets, intelligence apparatus and hundreds of highly paid political pundits/advisors, the West did not foresee that their goal to create pro-west Ukraine would result in them handing over Crimea to Russia on a democratic platter. 97% of Crimea voters voted to join Russia rather than be subjugated to pro-west Ukraine government.

This Ukraine fiasco of the West must be a miscalculation that is equivalent to West influenced India under Nehru attempting to expand North-Eastern Frontier boundary in 1962 banking upon China to remain submissive. China was not submissive in 1962 and Russia showed no fear in securing her Mediterranean gateway this time.

Western media has attempted to stoke up Cold War era fears by alluding that Russia would not stop just at Crimea but would attempt to expand further. However, I do not think that the general people of both Eastern and Western Europe believe in such possibilities. Russia simply wants to secure independent access to the world waters. She would not want more land along with more social, political and economic problems of her neighbors.

At the UN, the western powers attempted to censure the Crimean referendum but Russia vetoed the move and China refused to participate. And now even India the old Ally of Russia but under new rapprochement process with USA, has refused to back the symbolic sanctions against Russia. So the West hyped propaganda about isolation of Russia is rather far-fetched.

Economically about 35 billion dollars of foreign investment moved away from Russia and 240 billion dollars of Russian money moved away from the West and America to safer Nations. So even economically the West suffered more for their Ukraine coup if statistics given by the media are facts. I think the Ukraine crisis will peter off and very soon things would be as usual except the change in Crimea status.  

Personal Perspective on Current Events - The 6th Series

UKRAINE CRISIS - THE THIRD WORLD WAR?

John Kerry states that the incursion by Russian troops into Crimea is an “incredible act of aggression”. That may describe the one sided view of the western world. However, the attempt by the American led western countries to create a hostile UKRAINE on the doorstep of Russia is an incredible blunder of Third World War possibility. Russia is defending her sovereign security and Black Sea route. It is not a choice intervention in Ukraine affairs. The grizzly Bear cannot back down when it comes to Russian sovereignty.

The CNN mouthpiece Fareed Zakaria teamed up with Madame Albright and Brezezinski to paint President Putin of Russia as Hitler and called on USA and NATO forces to confront Russian forces. They further called on China to keep off from backing Russia. Fortunately President Obama is not controlled by war mongering anti-Russian lobbyist in the Democratic Party and those in the Republican Party. This two-term American Black President has a deep sense of responsibility to world peace and to the welfare of the common citizens of America who elected him as the 1^st Black President of America against all odds. Therefore, in-spite of American media and former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor plus possibly many others calling upon America and NATO to declare war on Russia, President Obama would exercise prudence.

It was easy to get NATO involved in Afghanistan and Iraq but Russia is altogether a very different scenario. America may succeed in getting U.K, France and Italy to co-operate but Germany may never again venture into another war with Russia. Once beaten is twice shy but twice beaten is forever wary. And without the economic and military might of Germany, NATO is just another over extended and ineffective American force in Europe.

A war in Ukraine between Russia and NATO forces will rope in South Korea, Japan and Australia who share security pacts with America which of-course is the NATO leader. Under such a scenario, China cannot remain neutral. Geo political factors would compel China to put its forces on full alert and extend economic and logistical assistance to Russia. A defeated or weakened Russia exposes China to the risk of western hegemony. It will be a World War III begun in Ukraine.

The solution to Ukraine crisis is not NATO forces. Crimea will become autonomous state with its own independent foreign and defense portfolio. The unity of Ukraine will suffer as did that of Yugoslavia and Sudan because the West chose to encourage break away groups. A general election will have to be called for the rest of Ukraine and a government which is neither hostile nor pro Russia or Europe need to take over the reign of the country. Ukraine does not have to be a war zone to settle the supremacy of the West or the East. The people of Ukraine need economic assistance from both Russia and the West.

It is not possible to isolate Russia economically although the attempt is being made by America and her allies. America is under trillions of dollar debt. And except for Germany, most NATO allies are in economic doldrums. Neither G-8 nor G-20 and for that matter even United Nations, without Russia and China, are ineffective world groups. May the people of Ukraine and Crimea be free from international pawning games and find peace among themselves. 

The Politics of TIT for TAT the UPA way, India

There is a way in the political system of India to bypass the Parliament to put a Bill into effect. That bypass is known as the ordinance route. The government can submit a Bill in the form of an ordinance for assent of the President. The approved ordinance then becomes immediate law though the same has to be later passed in the next parliament session.

Last time Rahul Gandhi tore down the ordinance on criminally charged Netas that was submitted by ManMohan Singh Cabinet for the President’s approval. So the proposed ordinance was withdrawn. This time Rahul Gandhi wanted the UPA Cabinet to put the anti-corruption Bills through the ordinance route. It was to enhance his Mr. Clean image, the same objective that he had sought to achieve when he publicly tore the last ordinance Bill on Netas.

The Indian Prime Minister is ageing and is on his way out from the UPA Prime Minister post. He does not have his own grass root base. However, India’s Mr. Honest seems to have his own reserve of influence and integrity. This time the UPA cabinet under Prime Minister ManMohan Singh has refused to play the Rahul tune. The Cabinet has rejected the ordinance route for anti-corruption Bills. The 10 year term Prime Minister ManMohan Singh may go down in Indian History as the intellectual with potential greatness shackled in by mother and son Congress high command. However, he seems determined to put a stamp of individuality in the last days of his Prime Minister-ship as he had done in the nuclear deal.

UPA especially Congress Party sits on a very precarious disharmony between the senior leadership led by ManMohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues and the young Turks led by Rahul Gandhi backed by Sonia Gandhi.

The Gandhi name is a very important landmark in the political arena of India. However, over the years that landmark has been badly eroded with charges of corruption, nepotism and insensitivity. It has reached a stage where UPA was reluctant to identify its 2014 election with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Ministerial candidate. BJP said that a mother is instinctively not ready to sacrifice her child for a lost cause. However, the real behind the scene reason could be a lack of resounding endorsement by diverse UPA leaders in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi chose to remain a shadow super Prime Minister and refused to join ManMohan Singh cabinet. The UPA cabinet resigned itself to this arrangement until Rahul Gandhi publicly humiliated the Prime Minister who was on official tour to USA and lambasted his cabinet over the corrupted Netas ordinance. And in no time, the discord between UPA allies and among Congress leaders widened. The situation suffered more because there was no longer the firm and respected wisdom of Shri Pranab Mukherjee to soothe over wounded egos of allies or senior colleagues. Shri Pranab Mukherjee is the President of India and can no longer play the cementing figure role for Congress, UPA and with Opposition Parties.

Lately the retired top brass Army Officers have joined the political fray. They say that they wish to steer the national ship to proper course through political participation. In India, the Institution of the Army represents the highest standard and integrity of India as a nation. Until this year, there never was a case of en-mass entry of former top brass into politics. Many have joined BJP and some would join Congress or other parties. However, they do not intent to extend their service of bondage to their once political masters. Their goal is to change the political standard of the political parties so that national interest will prevail in matters of governance, thus very truly serving the nation.

I wish well the new political forces arising in India. May the people of India as well as the neighbouring countries benefit from this new found Indian national sense of integrity and fairness!

Personal Perspectives on Current Events – The 5th Series.

1.       34^th Birth Day of His Majesty the King.

The nation celebrated the 34^th Birth anniversary of our People’s King. The celebration at Thimphu Changlimithang Stadium was a huge success and the chief guest’s summary of His Majesty’s service to the nation was of historical note.  We the people and the nation as a whole are most fortunate but I feel that this year the people who would really be feeling incredibly fortunate and happy would be the rural farmers. His Majesty the King has made it his top priority to settle the issues of farmers’ land holding disputes. And so far 10 Dzongkhag rural farmers’ anxieties have been put at rest. And I feel by the 35^th of the Royal Birth Anniversary, farmers in the remaining 10 Dzongkhags would have proper Thrams for their very valuable land holdings. Your Majesty, thank you for tackling headlong this agonizing land issue and with so much compassion for your poor rural dwellers. It’s a good reason for Bhutanese to celebrate your Birth into this Kingdom.

2.       Financial Aid from India.

India has been and for the foreseeable future would be Bhutan’s chief development partner. In the 10^th Plan India agreed to grant Rs.34 billion. However, now India has refused to honor its commitment for Rs.660 million which is part of the Rs.34 billion. The public excuse is that the last DPT government of Bhutan had implemented the identified projects for the Rs.660 million before India gave her formal approval. The concerned Indian officials should be ashamed of such lame reasons but politics that govern Indo-Bhutan relation has moved beyond any shame or decency since June, 2013. I had prayed and hoped that India would stop playing Bhutanese Political Parties against each other. But I guess the temptation is too alluring and Bhutanese Political Parties too willing to participate in the political game of India. So India has dawned the Santa Claus cap to drop a gift bag of Rs.5 billion for the People’s Democratic Party of Bhutan (in governance now) to meet the campaign promises of the Party. However, India has the devil’s horns up and blocks the committed fund of Rs.660 million for the projects that both India and Bhutan identified and which the previous Bhutanese Government of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa political party had executed during the sun set days of the 10^th Plan. Bhutan’s sovereignty has never been so blatantly and publicly compromised.

The 11^th Five Year Plan has a huge chunk of financing from India. This time its Rs.45 billion. The way the approaches are being made I have an uncanny feeling that at the end of the 11^th Five Year Plan, the government of Bhutan  would not have spent even Rs.30 billion of the supposed to have been committed financing of Rs.45 billion. And a lot of that Rs.30 billion maybe implemented with the involvement of Dantak the para-military force of India stationed in Bhutan to execute development projects in Bhutan. The Government of India is naturally more inclined to release fund speedily when the projects are executed by Dantak. Personally I think Dantak maintains good work quality. The Paro Airport strips is done by Dantak so it is functioning. The Airports in Bumthang, Yongphula and Gelephu are done by Bhutanese contractors and are not in use partly because of poor quality of air- strips. However, when Bhutanese contractors are engaged in development Projects, the nation benefits in that the money stays within the country and our construction industry along with other Bhutanese run commercial enterprises grow and expand from the experiences and the economic benefits including employment for our youths.

3.       Ukraine Politics a Lesson for Bhutan.

America and her western Allies have turned their attention to former Eastern Europe. Their sojourn in the Middle East and Afghanistan turned out to be another Vietnam. This time whilst Russia was busy with Winter Olympics, the West staged a coup and had the Ukraine Parliament throw out their duly elected President. The Ukraine people are suffering whilst the West and Russia get locked in a fierce strategic battle. It’s a lesson that Bhutan and Bhutanese can learn and feel. The general populace of Ukraine cannot be either pro or anti Russia or the West.  They are simply the victims of their politicians and upper class cadre who chose to side with either Russia or the West. Bhutanese populace in general are struggling to live from hand to mouth. The parents are busy working hard to meet life’s obligation including the education of their children. Most Bhutanese youth are busy studying or looking for sustainable jobs after leaving high schools or finishing colleges.  Politics does not provide food, shelter or jobs. Being pro India or anti-China is meaningless and self-defeating.   Being Bhutanese and etching out a decent living is the immediate objective and the long term goal is to always secure that very important pride of being a Bhutanese in a sovereign Bhutan. I hope and pray that the King of Bhutan will marshal all his wisdom and leadership to help and guide the Bhutanese populace to achieve both our immediate objective and long term goal.  And may the sovereign people of the Kingdom celebrate together with their Majesties the King and Queen the Day that gifted the 5^th King to this Kingdom, for decades to come.

The Unintended Debate on Celestial Beings

My reference to the Speaker’s address has nothing to do with the sects or communities. I leave that to the zealots. My observation was simply a natural instinct to a sense of change of wind. Only time will tell the significance. Had the address been made by a person without prior legislative experience, maybe the political nuances would have escaped notice. However, a former Secretary of National Assembly is worthy of attention when something out of normal context is said in his role as the Speaker. It is not for me to judge the right or wrong of it but when I sense a possible change in the wind, I do think aloud.

I am writing this 2^nd article as a result of a spark created by the way Migma a commenter in Kuensel forum had structured his very informative comment. I just felt an elaboration is warranted.

I do not personally know Namkhai Ningpo and Jamyang Khentse but that is no surprise because I do not know many other religious personalities. However, they are Buddhist Trulkus deeply revered by Bhutanese including myself and other Buddhists. I have a photo of the father of Jamyang Khentse in my home altar. I found it in a book given to me by a pious person.

My reverence for Jamyang Khentse is not based on his linguistic ability to speak the birth languages of his yab and yum and the much commonly spoken English language nor his knowledge of the Old Testament the origin of Islam, Judaism and Christianity etc.

I respect him for his well thought out and very frank even bold views on every day happenings. He makes Buddhism easy to understand. I listen to his BBS interviews. Very Profound! I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Rinpochey for stating aloud for all to hear that, “Education is more than just securing a job.” At this juncture of time, it is necessary and beneficial for all Bhutanese parents and youths to appreciate such profound outlook on education.

I have seen the enormous establishment of Namkhai Ningpo at Bumthang. It is a huge investment of money, time and religious sentiment. Also one cannot fail to notice the large number of devotees and followers inside and outside Bhutan and elsewhere in the world. He is undoubtedly a Buddhist Teacher of the highest order.

I do not really believe that Guru Pema Juney visited Bhutan 3 times but I do revere the knowledge that the saintly Lam Pemala imparted to us at Ugyen Wangchuck Academy that Guru visited Bumthang and there are 8 manifestations and many holy places of Guru in Bhutan. I often recite the Kathadhup of Guru.

As a born Buddhist of the general kind, I simply hold in veneration all Lams, Rinpocheys and personalities of other religions for their piousness and knowledge and not for dollars or wealth that surround them. If dollar income generation is basis for veneration than all Bhutanese Travel Agents should be awarded saffron robes and revered.

I just lead a general Buddhist life not a professional occupation. To me Buddhism is a simple religion of Buddha and Guru but made complex by crowds of assorted others including many conflicting claims of reincarnations of the same personalities and the kind of hereditary type of Trulkus often a product of inbred offspring or blood line of a former great Buddhist Teacher. So I take a simple approach. I do not differentiate between home grown or outside grown, incarnate or self-attained. As a Buddhist I bow before a Buddhist Teacher and receive Blessings when occasion presents.

I hold His Holiness the JeKhenpo and Zung Dratsang at the pinnacle of my respects for the simple reason of tradition, faith and national sentiment. It is not just that the two are part of the adopted constitution. The two represent the historical roles played by the religious personalities and institutions in Bhutan. And I remain always grateful and appreciative of the contributions that molded Bhutan which provides my identity as that of all Bhutanese.

Chukha Tariff Revision: Good News!

Last year Dasho Chhewang Rinzin of Druk Green Power Corporation publicly declared that there will be no downward revision of the tariff agreed between India and Bhutan for Chukha power. Instead he had stated that the Bhutanese Government had already asked India for a hike in Chukha Tariff. It is good that the present Government has successfully followed through and got a 25 paisa hike. Any increase in electricity export tariff would positively impact the Bhutanese economy. It is good national news from Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk and his delegation team members. I hope this trend will boost the export tariff from other hydro-projects.

Personal Perspectives on Current Events IV

National Assembly Act Amendment

By a show of hands the National Assembly voted to amend its own Act as under:

1.       A National Assembly member will have to refund the General Election campaign fund the state provides if he or she voluntarily resign before assuming responsibilities.

2.       An elected member may resign on grounds of physical disability or mental incapacity.

This amendment puts to a tame end to the furor of the ruling PDP Party against the resignation of former DPT President. In my opinion, it was all a most unnecessary and irrelevant furor. In other countries a Political Party would rejoice if the leader of the rival party resigns or is ousted after a General Election. However, in Bhutan, this does not seem to be the political attitude.  The amendment cannot have retrospective impact on the resignation of former DPT President. And it raises the issue of authority for that period between declaration of General Election results and Swearing in of elected members of National Assembly. An un-constituted National Assembly cannot exercise power over that time period of political ‘Bardo’. This in-between space of time is a kind of no man land between the Election Commission and National Assembly.

I invite the Legislators of National Assembly to a closer examination of the Constitution. The National Council is designed to be a continuous House and more over His Majesty the King is also part of the Parliament. Therefore, the Parliament of Bhutan is never fully dissolved. It is only the National Assembly part of the Parliament that remains dissolved until it is reconstituted after the General Election. An MP elect cannot be held answerable to a non-constituted National Assembly and the National Assembly Secretariat does not have the necessary power to deal with the resignation of an MP elect. The National Assembly Secretary could submit such resignation case of MP elect to His Majesty the King for appropriate decision. The Constitution might not provide all details in black and white but the way it is designed seems to reflect that the powers of the vacated Constitutional post or Body until reconstituted would revert back to His Majesty the Constitutional King.  The members of the Interim Government headed by the Chief Justice of Supreme Court are appointed by His Majesty and the members of NC and the Cabinet are given Dhar by the King.

UN Happiness Day verses Gross National Happiness Day

The 2^nd National Assembly of Democratic Bhutan has decided to acknowledge the UN Happiness Day of 20^th March but do away with the national holiday that was instituted by the 1^st Parliament. It also decided to dedicate 11^th November as a GNH Day in addition to the already dedicated Children’s Day and celebration of the Birth Day of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

As a Bhutanese citizen and an admirer of the GNH philosophy of the 4^th King, I am deeply grateful and vastly appreciative of the President of United Nations General Assembly for declaring the UN Happiness Day. It is a great world tribute to our King and Kingdom. And as I did last year, I shall light a butter lamp this coming 20^th March, 2014 to celebrate with the rest of the world the philosophy of Happiness being central to good Governance as so advocated by a great King who came upon the Dragon Throne of Bhutan in 1972.

The Tobacco Law

This draconian Law needs to be vanquished because it is creating a kind of social holocaust for the have not masses. Tobacco is legally affordable only by those with money and time to spare. An ordinary Bhutanese citizen cannot devote 3-8 days in a month to visit border towns of India to procure in person the legally permissible monthly tobacco quota. It is not permissible to buy 12 months quota at one go. And no other persons even close relatives, off-springs, siblings or parents can buy the quota for another family member. The Law was designed to demonstrate the powers of the new political elites and the helplessness of the poor masses. Tobacco and Doma is a pleasure for the well offs and a refuge of stress relief for the poor. The Legislators who are supposed to represent all walks of Bhutanese have one choice: vanquish the Tobacco Law or vanquish Tobacco altogether.

Indian Politics

The 2014 General Election in India will not only determine the economic progress of India but also its relations with other countries. Presently the political game in India is at a stalemate. The Pundits are quite perplexed by the new populist AAP Party. Could AAP Party + Congress steal the thunder from Modi led BJP? One thing seems clear. Rahul Gandhi’s position has been weakened since the day he so crudely and brutally attacked UPA Cabinet and Prime Minister and publicly tore the political ordinance on corrupt politicians. And now his high moral stand has been proved shallow by his partnership with Lalu Yadav of fodder scam (Personally I find Lalu Yadav a fascinating character with exceptional political acumen). Recently a UPA member NCP has called upon Rahul Gandhi to respect the Supreme Court verdict on Modi and AAP Party has called for the reinvestigation of 1984 Delhi anti-Sikh riots.

The Syrian war

The Syrian Government delegation has not agreed to discuss the issue of Transition Government but Talks are being held with the Opposition Parties. The fact that the two sides are meeting is in itself a hopeful sign but as long as the Opposition insist on the removal of Al Assad, there may never be a peaceful settlement. Russia and America may have to work out a dignified position of less political influence for Assad before a political settlement between the warring parties can be negotiated.  

Arab Spring

The Arab Spring is experiencing its winter especially in Egypt. The Army is now preparing to consolidate its power in civilian suit with the Army Chief proposed to be a presidential candidate. It seems Revolutions in Middle East do not lead to Democracy. It’s simply more chaos.

Thailand and Democracy

Come 2^nd February, 2014, Thailand will decide who will occupy the relic position - Rule of Democracy or Rule of ancient Elite. It seems that the people in majority prefer the ballot box to settle the score and the Thai Army has for now decided to support the Government’s decision to go ahead with the polls. Whatever happens, Bangkok would still be a popular destination for many Bhutanese shoppers and I wish the people of Thailand Peace and good Business.

The Polar Freeze

For quite some time, environmentalists have been citing the polar ice melting as a sign of Global Warming. This Winter the opposite is happening. There is over freezing of both South and North Pole regions. It just proves that mankind is still far behind in unraveling the mystery of the Creator. May be the world is in danger of either being deeply frozen or deeply fried.

A Major Policy and Political shift by Bhutanese Parliament

On 22^nd January, 2014, the 2^nd session of the 2^nd Parliament of Bhutan held it’s opening ceremony. The Speaker Jigme Zangpo in his address expressed the gratitude of the Parliament to His Majesty the King, His Holiness the Jhe Khenpo and the other “two eminent Lams venerable Namkhai Ningpo and Dzongsar Jamyang Khentse” (reference Kuensel Dzongkha edition of 23^rd January, 2014).

Traditionally the Speaker on behalf of the Parliament expressed thanks and gratitude to the King, the Jhe Khenpo and the Dratsang. The Institutions of Monarchy and the Central Monastic Body are symbols of national sovereignty and identity that represent nation-hood in conjunction with the people and the geographical structure of the Kingdom. However, in this 2^nd session of the 2^nd Parliament, it seems that the Dratsang has been relegated by the Parliament and His Holiness the Jhe Khenpo and the venerable Lams Namkhai Ningpo and Dzongsar Jamyang Khentse have been placed at par. The opening session of the Parliament is graced by His Majesty the King. There are also representatives of foreign countries and agencies as well as senior officials of the Royal Government. The event is also live telecast. So what is stated in such an august Hall reverberates. It seems that the Speaker has exposed a major shift in the political and celestial affairs of Bhutan.  

Personal Perspectives on Current Events III

A tribute to Hon’ble Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

He was jailed for 27 years. For over seven decades, he endured the wrath of the apartheid regime of South African minority whites. The humiliation, pain and suffering heaped upon him far surpassed that of Lord Buddha of Buddhism, Holy Christ of Christians and Mahatma of India. And in his ultimate success, he liberated more humans than all of them put together.

In liberating the black people of South Africa, he brought a new liberation to all supposed liberated black people in the whole world including America. And the rippling effect of the change in South Africa even raised the plateau of the oriental race to the level of the plateau of the White race. Today prejudices remain between races, religion, rich & poor, man and woman but the exclusive club of white race has been vanquished from the world because Nelson Mandela refused to bow down to inequality and the dictates of Apartheid.

He was born into Xhosa speaking Thembu people of South Africa. It almost sounds as if he was born into Zongkha speaking Thimphu people of Bhutan. Like Lord Buddha, he was a prince but he fought for salvation of others in this world.

Nelson Mandela the soul of humanity passed into state of Nirvana on 5^th December, 2013. May Madiba the father of South Africa grace the heavenly abode of the thousand Buddhas.

Tobacco Act Amendment again!

If Tobacco Act was a name of a patient, I could comprehend the proposal of another surgery. But Tobacco Act is a devil created by the group of elites to terrorize the poorest of the poor masses in Bhutan. If the present National Council and the National Assembly posses any sense of basic human propriety, the devil of a Tobacco Act need to be vanquished.

More stringent penalty for drug peddlers!

The Chithuen Phendhey Association must be a pseudonym for an authoritarian civic agency that is desperately groping for national power. These people seem to have the same brand mentality as those behind the Tobacco Act. There are always hopeless leaders who cannot lead but occupies the front row and ultimately end up leading the society into ambush of Chamgang Central Jail or more despicable situation.

It seems Bhutanese administrative and civic leaderships are totally bankrupt in solutions and therefore brimming with oceans of threats and penalties that would further deteriorate the social environment.

Agreed that drug peddlers are social nuisance but they do not represent organized Crime Associations who are said to make millions in other countries. Bhutanese drug peddlers are desperate individuals attempting possibly a last resort to feed themselves and their families through sale of mostly painkiller tablets. Of course drug peddlers must be discouraged and prevailing laws do that. The Royal Bhutan Police seem to have a good network of informers and RBP could take far more effective measures if necessary resources like fund and personnel are made available.

More legislations and heavier penalties do not solve larger social issue of drugs. Broken families, unemployment, iron fisted laws and penalties lead to social despair that force people to turn to drugs which in turn creates a demand for role of drug peddlers. There is the need to tackle the root cause because window dressing like that of Chithuen Phendhey Association drive for signature for harsher penalties causes the social wounds to go septic.

Whether it is Tobacco Act or Drug Act or any other Act to treat undesirable social ills, the mentality of Bhutanese proponents and legislators must move away from draconian apartheid attitudes wherein penalties, restrictions and levies suppresses the society that it is suppose to uplift. 

Personal Perspectives on Current Events II

A Philosophical reflection from India

The present political persona of India Narendra Modi BJP chosen Prime Ministerial candidate declares that Constitution is his Holy Book, national development his only Prayer and that India Government’s religion has to be “India First”. Election rhetoric or not, the statements do stand out in contrast to Bhutan’s political philosophy of pleasing India our Holy policy; Power our only Prayer and DPT constitutional development grants or PDP gewog development grants official bribes to promote “Party First” religion.

Bright spots for Middle East (Iran and Syria Talks)

1. Iran and America have taken the first necessary steps to co-exist peacefully. Western media is saturated with western power claims that Iran buckled due to impact of Sanctions. It is true that Iran is having economic problems but almost every nation has the same economic problem be it America or India or France. In spite of Sanctions, Iran continues to influence events in Middle East and her nuclear program had progressed steadily. The 5 Permanent UN Security Members and Germany have now tacitly recognized the right of Iran to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. America has agreed to release Iranian money frozen in Western Bank accounts.

In my opinion the nuclear Talk was successful because America has decided to engage itself with the real world situation. Mecca may be in Saudi Arabia but the spirit of Islam prevails in Iran. Israel may have been at one time a successful surgical Striker and war Strategist but Hezbollah held its ground when Israel tried to root it out from Southern Lebanon. Iran nourishes Hamas and Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not fear a nuclear Iran. They are afraid of Iran’s influence, wealth and unity. And America is wary of Chinese and Russian influence in Iran. I am particularly happy with America’s new regional politics of realism. It will be good for all. America has helped Bhutan with the Jaffa refugee problems thus giving new dignified life to refugees and easing international pressure on Bhutan. America is in position to improve everyone’s life if she chooses to pursue a world policy of unbiased leadership.

2. It has already been decided that Syrian Peace Talk will be held in January, 2014. This is again a positive approach by America. There is every possibility of scaling down the hostility in Syria. Bhutan will have no direct benefit from successful Syria or Iran Talks but peace in Middle East will surely impact the price of crude oil especially with the prospect of lifting sanction on Iranian oil export. So Bhutan too will indirectly benefit through cheaper petroleum products.

Bhutan Government’s 100 days.

The first 100 days idea originates from the American Administration. Generally a new President is given a hundred days of honey moon administration by the media and critics. There is not much to say about the People’s Democratic Party 100 days in power. However, the 100 units of free electricity for rural Bhutan is Pure Blessing. It is not a political ruse for popularity. It is an authentic consideration for well-deserving hard working poor rural families. It is a blissful way of sharing a national resource with poorest of the poor. In other matters, I wish the Government had not panicked so much over the delay of fund release from India. Panic leads to surrender but Bhutan does not seem to have much to surrender or offer except our say in our internal or external affairs. It never occurred to me at the onset of Bhutanese Democracy that Democracy for Bhutanese meant more say by India in Bhutanese national affairs. Maybe we could revert to Mono-Cracy where we had elected members in Royal Advisory Council and National Assembly and the Monarch firmly and courageously guided Bhutan’s entry into United Nations to assert Bhutan’s Sovereignty.

The Proposed Pay Raise for Bhutan Civil Servants.

I hope everyone gets a good pay raise including the Ministers. I recall reading in Kuensel the anxieties of a Pay Commission member expressing worries over the economy, rupee crisis and impact on corporations because of pay raise. This member left nothing for the King and the Prime Minister to do. I thought Pay Commission is to look into the quantum of pay raise for all civil servants and other Government budgeted personnel including politicians and local leaders. And leave the issue of economic problems, rupee shortages etc to the Cabinet and the King. And let DHI, Private Sector take care of their responsibilities when it comes to the issue of salary in corporations and other business entities.

Thailand: A Kingdom in Crisis Again

Bhutan has very friendly relation with Thailand. In fact our national sovereignty has been strengthened with Druk Air flying directly to Bangkok. Therefore, one does feel sorry for the instability of Democracy in Thailand. There really seems to be a power struggle between the ambitions of the established hierarchy and the democratic vision of majority of voters. This time the army is offering to meditate and not dictate as it did during Thaksin’s time. But meditation could be a passive form of persuasion to compel Government to give into the demands of the protestors. Hard luck Democracy!

Happy Birth Day Your Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Love   Foundation of Family

Love Beyond Boundary

HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck

(courtesy: Facebook)

On 11^th November, 1955, a Prince was born to His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Her Majesty Queen Kesang Choden Wangchuck. Dechenchholing Palace witnessed the joyful birth whilst Tashichhodzong witnessed the greatness of the Prince who became the 4^th King of Bhutan in 1972.

In his reign of over 34 years, the King guided the Kingdom and his people towards unprecedented growth in social and political dimensions and economic prosperity. Today there is a political concept originating from India that democracy is the foundation of development ( an Indian effort to counter economic success of China ) but in Bhutan it was the 3^rd King who laid the foundation of development and the 4^th King who expanded development works to all the corners of the Kingdom. His Majesty also fulfilled the historical commitment to his father’s legacy. The 3^rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck began embarking upon the task of empowering the people since 1953 when the National Assembly was first constituted. At the end of his reign, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck introduced democratic governance by the people and over-saw the installation of his son His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as the 1^st Constitutional King of democratic Bhutan.

Some say that the King is the re-incarnation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Maybe so! I have known His Majesty quite early in school, had the privilege to interact in sports and debates. And over the years of his reign I have formed my own perspective of this great King. In my own perspective, I see him as a demi-god personality endowed with the qualities of Chenrezi, Jampelyang and Chha-na Dorji. In more human term, the King shares a striking characteristic resemblance to Chogyel Minjur Tempa. It was Minjur Tempa as Trongsa Penlop who brought the Sharchok Khorlo Chhusom under Trongsa Penlop administration thus successfully completing unification of Bhutan initiated during Shabdrung’s time.

It was Minjur Tempa who mentored Gyelsey Tenzin Rabgye the adopted son of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel after his own son Jamphel Dorji had died. Tenzin Rabgye, I am told, is actually a blood lineage of the most Divine human being Drukpa Kuenlay through his Toeb Chhadhana daughter. Later Minjur Tempa abdicated his Desi Throne to make way for Gyelsey Tenzin Rabgye. He himself retired to a life of religious retreat at Tango-Cheri monasteries. Today you can still see his retreat room with walls that are filled with beautiful mural paintings done by him. Bhutanese history and governments hardly mention him. Maybe it was wrongly presumed that writing about this great personality could eclipse the legacy of Shabdrung himself. Of course no one can superimpose over the legacy of Shabdrung which is so intensely ingrained in the history and minds of Bhutanese. Even then the fact is that there had been many great personalities especially the Kagyu Lams who played historical part in the making of the Bhutanese nation.

Similar to Minjur Tempa, His Majesty succeeded in bringing about the 3 main regions of Bhutan – the East, West and South closer together in united social, economic and political goals. Like Minjur Tempa, His Majesty is a thorough-bred political strategist, superb administrator, a great General and a very religious person at heart. The King also abdicated his Throne in favor of the Crown Prince, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Whilst Chogyel Minjur Tempa led his post Desi-ship life in retreat, posting his thoughts in paintings and writings, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck leads an active outdoor post-Throne life. And maybe when occasion calls for the inevitable, the King may use the Majestic brush to smoothen over political rough edges or draw a path through national quagmires. The July 2013 political events may have been perceived by many as distressing national happenings but to such a great King with so much life experiences, it must have been a mere drama in the  backyard. For a King who had to confront the Sikkim like Indira aggression at the age of 17 and still in youthful spirit managed to hold on to his Kingdom’s sovereignty, no internal political turmoil can disturb his Royal spirit of equanimity. To him it is just a part and parcel of adjustment of past to the democratic changes of the present or maybe it could have been a storm in the season of monsoon which comprise of many storms and rain that nourishes the nation.

The King’s Samtenling Palace comprise of few wooden one storied cottages that are a far cry from the standards of country side hunting lodges of European Aristocrats. His personal wants are little and yet he is a King who had no qualms to beg for more on behalf of his nation. For the security and prosperity of Bhutan, the King aggressively sought bilateral and multilateral financial assistance from friendly countries. And towards the end of his reign, he literally begged successfully with the government of India to renegotiate the 1949 Indo-Bhutan Treaty. The renegotiated Treaty is a gift to his Heir the 1^st Constitutional King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan so that the Bhutanese nation can hereafter independently choose the Kingdom’s future course. I certainly hope that this rare gift of full Bhutanese sovereignty will not be squandered away for short term personal gains of political Parties.

I find King Jigme Singye Wangchuck fair in war. He went to war to save his Nation not to crush his enemy. He is bold in Love. In this modern era, he crowned four Queens together and years later he thanked his countrymen for their blessings of the Royal Marriage. He is a King of all Seasons - peace time, turmoil time, absolute monarchy time or constitutional democracy time. He is a visionary King to his nation and a responsible head of the Royal Family.

Your Majesty, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for so many great national deeds and even greater personal sacrifices. May Your Majesty live long, always in good health and being handsomely young! And may your heir the Constitutional King fulfill your dreams for him, the Royal Institution and the Kingdom of all Bhutanese people.

With deep respects and gratitude 

                         

Wangcha Sangey