Narendra Modi the Hindustani with global vision

This seasoned politician has been overwhelming mandated by the people of the world‘s largest democracy to be the Leader of the 21^st century India. And by the looks of the way he has decided to conduct both national and regional Affairs, Narendra Modi seems to be the man of progressive India and anchor of SAARC.

The RSS wants to outcast Pakistan for being a Muslim nation. In fact Shiv Sena leader even condemns proposed cricket games between India and Pakistan. The South India Political Parties want to outcast Sri Lanka for Tamil problems. And Congress under Gandhi family have bullied and trampled over sovereign rights and dignity of small and weak SAARC members especially Bhutan. The Gandhi duos sought to rule India and SAARC. Modi is there to serve India and promote peace and dignity among SAARC members.

Prime Minister Modi has shed away in one day the culture of Indian bigotry and political domination of its neighbours. He has invited all Heads of SAARC countries to attend his SWEARING IN as Prime Minister of India at 6pm on 26^th May, 2014. The 26^th of January is India’s Republic Day and maybe historians will mark 26^th May as SAARC Day. It will take more for Modi to strengthen ties with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the level of proper trust and confidence. But with Bhutan it can be achieved at a wink of an eye. Just do away with Gandhian policy of bullying, bribing and strangulating Bhutan.

Bhutan can never do without India. But Bhutan can do a lot if not so subjugated by India. Unfortunately even within Bhutan’s very small society, there are elements that demonstrate euphoric ecstasy when India dictates the terms of Bhutanese sovereignty. However Bhutan was never meant to be under another Nation- not that of British India, not of Hindustani India and not of Mao-Tsedung China. But Bhutan must have proper sovereign relation with China even though India is and always will be Bhutan’s chief partner in development and in many regional and international forums.

India deserves a confident and decisive national leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Only then India will develop the pre-requisites for a well-regarded regional power by its immediate neighbours. No one doubts India’s potentiality to be an effective progressive nation and SAARC countries would not begrudge India’s lead. But Indian Government central thinking has to change. Due regard and respect must be demonstrated by India towards its immediate neighbours. It is hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP Party with NDA partners will fulfill the long awaited and much desired spirit of true friendship and trust and good will for its sovereign neighbours.

Haa – Dra-Gong the rocky Horse Head Hill

I have received the following note from a Vice Principal Mr. Nima Singye inquiring about the Horse Head Hill. It’s not possible for me to expand on his findings but never the less I share what I know of the heritage environment of which Dra-Gong is a very vital pillar. As this is something about Haa I am sharing in the Blog with fellow Haaps and others who may be interested.

Nima Singye:    “Kuzuzangpola Dasho, I am working as Vice principal working at GUDHSS, Haa... I am from Jyenkhana Haa... I have taken a picture of the hill near wangcha, and edited as posted in my page... I would like to request your honourable Dasho to highlight on the story of the hill having the Horse head, so that i can further convey the message to the studets and public as well...

I got second hand information that your honourable dasho has the knowledge of this place and also most of my ffriends suggested me to contact dasho for any historical information of Haa. Thank You la”

  

 (Photo courtesy: Nima Singye, facebook page)

Dear Vice Principal Nima Singye,

First I am happy that you are from Haa Jyenkhana and holding the post of Vice Principal at GUDHSS. It is a very important post for a person from Haa because education is the foundation of participation of Haa people in the national affairs of Bhutan. I hope you have been selflessly devoting to educating the Bhutanese youth. Please accept my reverence for a teacher. I myself benefited greatly from the selfless efforts of many Guru like teachers.

I think it will be a surprise to you but thank you for the Horse Head information. I was not aware of it. You seem to have hit the nail on the head but how did you come across this historic belief? By the way your email to me was dated 23^rd April, 2014 but it appeared on my screen only on 4^th May, 2014, thus the delay in response. Sometimes there does occur strange electronic hiccups.

You know we have the Miri Phuensum 3 hills on one side of Haa River and on the other side we have the alternate distinctive 3 lesser hills with Dra-Gong your Horse Head rocky Hill in the centre, Phrey-Dra in the north and Tho-Khap in the south. Wangtsa village is between Dra-Gong and Tho-Khap and Kar-tsho (Katsho) Village is in between Dra-Gong and Phrey-Dra. For anything to exist in wholesome manner, it is said that both yang and ying must be present. Yang and Ying means male and female element. These two opposite elements when in union form a complimentary wholesome existence which is said to be the source of all beings and substance. That may be the relation between the 2 sets of 3 hills on the opposite side of Haa River. My humble belief is that the wellbeing of Haa people is determined by the state of these hills and so we need to protect these in their original form.

Dra-Gong the Horse Head rocky Hill is in the fore front of Haa prosperity. This hill originate from the main Chilai Gung Karpo Range that divides the valleys of Paro and Haa. The Gung Karpo Range is blessed by Dupthob Pao Dorji. At the bosoms of this Range there is the Chilai Gompa Monastry in the south and in the north the Kar-tsho Gompa Monastry and Juneylo Guru Temple. From this Range flows 3 streams – the Kar-tsho Chu, Wangtsa Chu and Changnana Chu. Then again 3 underground springs flow – the perennial springs at Simkha in Kartsho at the foot of Kartsho Gompa Hill and Simgongma spring at Wangtsa Village at the foot of Khendum Dratsa.  The other seasonal stream but not dependent on monsoon is the Simchu Pang Spring stream that flows from the foothill of Dra-Gong. In order to appreciate what Dra-Gong really is, you have to know Wangtsa Village. At the head of Wangtsa village is the Wangtsa Temple. This temple was damaged during the last earthquake so it was brought down and a totally new one was built on the same spot. However, on the new wall of the temple a mural painting of His Holiness Je Sherab Gyeltshen appeared miraculously. The miracle happened over a period of several days last year 2013. The legendary Dupthob Pao Dorji and later their Holinesses Je Shakya Rinchen, Je Sherab Gyeltshen and Je Younten Pelzang are part of the history of Wangtsa Temple.  After them other lesser known but very learned Lams Yeshey and his descendent Lam Rinchen, grandfather of my father followed. Lam Rinchen passed away when my father was 9 years old. He remembered the funeral in-front of the temple. May be losing his adorable father like figure grandpa Lam at such an early age exhausted his own young mind thus turning him away from further pursuit of Dharma. Never the less I glimpsed that Dharma trait of his family on the night of Tuesday 10^th January, 2012 when he left for the next world at the age of 96 years. Lam Rinchen along with another Lam from Wang (Thimphu) were chief disciples of His Holiness Je Sungchokhor.  The 2 disciples went their separate ways only after the Je died and rites completed. Next temple Lam was Gelong Tashi Pema a monk who was not so learned like Lam Rinchen but still a very pious person. Gelong Tashi Pema was from my mother’s family side. His father was from Talo Nobgang. My father who stayed on in the temple as a young attendant recalled annual trips with the elderly lanky Gelong Tashi Pema who visited his relatives at Talo Nobgang and Rimchu. Decades later, my parents got married and after I was born, the astrologer advised that for my wellbeing, I had to be kept for at least 3 weeks in the temple. So for 3 weeks my mother moved with me from our home to the temple.

I write this background to explain my sentiment for Wangtsa Village and the Temple and my opposition (last year) to the proposed mining industry at Dra-Gong the backbone of Wangtsa Village and fore front of 54 years of Haa development. I suspect you also wrote to me about this Hill because of my stand last year. If only one cared to pause for a second and view Haa Valley, one cannot fail to realize that the thrust of 54 years of Haa development since 1960 is centered on and around the lap of Dra-Gong. It is the Shho-Drel the main lead horse of the caravan of Haa development. It is the central prosperity pillar of Haa Dzongkhag. Take time out to climb to the peak of Dra-Gong and view the whole of Haa valley. What I have written, you will discover printed in your heart. More than ¾ of the population of Haa whether Haaps or otherwise have their livelihood centered in and around Dra-Gong from whose foothill flows what a Kuensel reporter called the psycho stream. And from which legend has it that a pair of birds gold and silver flew. The golden bird to form the Kar-tsho and the silver bird to form the Nak-tsho. The lakes are not visible to human mind/eyes but one can visit the villages of Kar-tsho below Kar-tsho Gompa and Nak-tsho below Drana-Gompa. The abundance of water at these 2 villages would definitely make one to presume the existences of the white and black lake. Legend has it that from Nak-tsho village a Phajo of Haa demarcated the northern boundary of Haa at Pangkar Chorten in China Tibet and southern boundary at a point in Samtse. Whilst from the village of Kar-tsho, dominating religious figures came about. Together they represent the 2 Thrao and Shio features of life. Haa is a legend of gold, silver and platinum ( white ) birds. The Lhakhang Karpo site was decided upon appearance of a platinum coloured bird.

There is a spring well below the Wangtsa Temple. It was, until pipe water was introduced, the drinking water for the temple lam and source for water offering. This spring-well dries up during Paro Tsechu time. Legend has it that the Tsomin goes for Paro Guru Thongdrel. In fact both the perennial springs at Kartsho Simkha and Wangtsa Simgongma’s volume reduces during Paro Tsechu for several days. In the early morning hours of the 15^th Day of the 2^nd Bhutanese month, puffs of holy smoke arise from the 2 tall and ancient cypress trees behind the temple. The 2 cypress trees are attributed to His Holiness Je Shakya Rinchen.

The so called psycho stream at Simchu Pang takes a hiatus in Spring season and returns to Haa between day 4 to 10^th of the 6^th Bhutanese month. Legend has it going to Paro to attend Paro Tsechu and Changla (Rice plantation). But in winter, it is very much in Haa and those days students of now GUDHSS found the warm water of the psycho stream a great blessing in the freezing winter. The hiatus duration seems to be varying now. The hiatus of Simchu Pang Spring stream is getting longer whilst hiatus of the spring-well below the Wangtsa Temple has shortened. During those early years of my life, the spring-well remained dry for whole of Spring season. But now except for few weeks during the Bhutanese 2^nd month, the well remains brimming with clear spring water. It may have more to do with the purity of environment in religious sense rather than that of physical change. Where Tsomins find residence of comfort, there will be spring water or pools. 

I am no authority on the history of Haa. We all can do with contributions from knowledgeable people from Haa and elsewhere in Bhutan. This is the other reason why I am posting this reply to you in my blog to attract comments and information from knowledgeable Lams from Haa and Central Dratsang. Haa and Bhutan however governs my central being. With Haa and Bhutan I am someone, something. Without the two, I cannot claim self being. There is no identity without place of birth and country. As a fellow of Haa, I ask you to love Haa and love Bhutan even more. And I humbly take this opportunity to call upon the people of Haa to endeavor to conserve the 2 sets of 3 Hills of Haa. In their preservation and healthy conservation, Haa will continue to partake in its historic role in the protection and enhancement of sovereign Bhutan.

With warm regards and deep respects for your profession and thanks for your warm affection. Many seem to refer to me as Haap Sangey. It is incorrect and audacious because there are many Sangey in Haa. However, I do have a rightful claim to be Sangey of Haa Wangcha and therefore the introductory name Wangcha Sangey. I am not a Dasho in the sense of a wearer of a Kabney and Patang but I strive to be a ‘Draksho’ meaning above average good human being from which the title ‘Dasho’ may have been derived.

May Miri Phuensum grant my wish to have the Horse Head Rocky Hill called Dra-Gong forever grace my birth village and central Haa. Dra-Gong the natural Chorten stands out as a monumental tribute to the goodness of all that is Haa and the blessings of the Dharma. Thank you. Yours an elder Haap Wangcha Sangey.

Bhutan at cross-roads? The 8th personal perspectives

This Kingdom has leaped into the 21^st century at a galloping speed. It really began with His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ascending the Dragon Throne as the 3^rd hereditary king of Bhutan. From 1952 to 1972 in a period of 20 years, His Majesty transformed cow-herders to national administrators, pony trails to national motor highways, serfs to responsible equal citizens, trail blazed national health services, education and agro developments. The King instituted people governance through establishment of National Assembly, Royal Advisory Council and enabled orderly social and political functioning through framing the 1^st national foundation of Law ‘Thrimshhung Chhenpo’ and laid down the Judiciary system. Under his kingship, Bhutan entered the world stage. Bhutan was the 1^st nation to recognize Bangladesh as an independent nation and this independent sovereignty exercise was topped with Bhutan becoming a member of United Nations.

It’s now 52 years since the untimely end of the 3^rd reign and Bhutan has moved to another era. 2014 is the 7^th year of what is called constitutional Democracy under constitutional Monarch. And Bhutan has its 2^nd elected government nearing its 1^st infancy year. The 34 years of Happiness Reign of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuk has gone by and this is the 8^th year of the reign of the 5^th King His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. This is supposed to be the promising era of the Bhutanese people with their people king.

However under democracy, events have moved to a speed that may finally have the nation gallop away from the historic dream of the past. Where we are and what plan are we following? Let us look at 2 main features of national policies under democracy: (1) The development of hydro-resources and (2) management of external affairs.

1.       Hydro projects

Chukha was long ago but Kurichu and Tala should still be fresh in mind of projects executed before 2008. The project funding was 60% grant and 40% loan.

Since 2008, all projects are 30% grant and 70% loan. That’s what Democracy brought us: More loans and less negotiation pride. Still it was not a total give away of national interest. Bhutan had some say in the matter of identifying hydro projects. Now we have had to surrender this. The Amochu hydro project is scrapped. Apparently India thinks Amochu hydro project is a security risk. Is it possible for China to use the Amochu water reservoir lake as an amphibious landing air field?  Or do we fear that the Amochu River that flows down from China Tibet to Bhutan will carry Chinese influence to Southern Bhutan.

2.       External Relationship

The most controversial issue was former Prime Minister of democratic Bhutan meeting Chinese Premier in a faraway place in South America in an international setting. A year later it became a huge election campaign issue. In an election many issues are raised and even more promises are made. That is the name of the democratic process. Any dismay if felt is erased away or simmers down once the election fever or furor ends.

However the China domino is now strangling Bhutan. It has resulted in the new Bhutanese Government having to declare a freeze in foreign relation development. Imagine a member of UN freezing itself to isolation in this modern era! The present outgoing Indian Government is against Bhutan having friendlier relation with China. And now Bhutan cannot go through its own officially declared intention to have Japan establish her embassy in Thimphu. It is also not possible to have EU open its office in Thimphu. This diplomacy freeze is the only way to explain to China the Bhutanese inability to further progressive talks in Sino- Bhutan affairs.

Bhutan’s so called corner-stone foreign policy is to maintain and protect closer ties with India. The Kingdom has been provided with comprehensive assistance from India during all its 5 year Plans including the ongoing 11^th 5 year Plan. Indian Military and Para-military forces have their bases in Bhutan since 1960 and in some ways both internal and external doings of Bhutan have been directly or indirectly influenced or affected by India.

Now this helicopter promise of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the Election Campaign might provide a dangerous avenue for Indian Air Force to have its bases in Bhutan. If this happens then it is goodbye to Bhutanese Bhutan.

I think PDP meant well when it promised 2 helicopters and 205 Boleros for 205 geogs and power tillers for some 1500 Chiwogs of Bhutan. But economic situation of the nation is such that good intentions may need to be put on hold for the foreseeable future. The people must be more patient and understanding. The nation may not be able to afford the consequences of some election promises of any political party whether PDP, DPT or others that may follow them to power.

During the constitution draft consultation, I recall HRH Trongsa Penlop reminding the nation of those days during 1970s when Bhutan’s position was like a leaf tossing on a swollen monsoon river. Today under democracy, the kingdom has been placed at a pivotal cross road. Bhutan needs courageous visionary leadership. Should Bhutan plunge into a path of safe and secure status quo in the womb of India or steer gradually to a more risky but a dignified sovereign friendly relationship with India and also other international communities including the northern giant neighbor China? The call cannot lie with two hopelessly feuding political parties or the uninformed Bhutanese at large. With deep prayers and folded hands I submit that it has to be the call of the King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.

The institution of Bhutanese Monarchy is indispensable and irreplaceable for the foreseeable future of Bhutan. Without the unifying force and guiding light of the monarch, the nation will not find peace and hope. The constitution maybe the butter lamp but its flame is still very much the royal institution. The general populace are not in position to comprehend international and regional political implications and the new political upstart leaders are more into party or personal ego conflicts than that of national wellbeing. So as undemocratic as it may seem yet for the sake of a sovereign national present and future status, it is only the king who can meet the challenges of whether only India and China interest or disinterest should govern Bhutan; whether Amochu hydro project is a national security threat, whether the PDP Government provides bases to Indian Air Force so that PDP can fulfill its campaign promise of helicopter service.

Who can really say for sure what kind of leadership Bhutan has in His Majesty the 5^th King. For some, he may seem young, for some he may seem gregarious, for some he is physically attractive and eloquently captivating etc. The fact is his royal father had determined 8 years ago that he was ready to lead the Kingdom. If genes determine leadership qualities then His Majesty has in his royal veins the blood of both Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal the unifier of Bhutan and the blood of the Wangchuck dynasty that has been at the helm of national journey for over 100 years. It is not easy for a tiny nation with very limited both material and human resources to exert its stand and even the best of leaders would need time and caution to pave a safe path. What is relevant is that the King is the most informed Bhutanese in terms of historical facts of the past, the bilateral, regional and international forces and equations and most importantly the aspiration of the diverse Bhutanese populace.

I may be the only Bhutanese penning direct thoughts publicly but there would be many who would be having varying degrees of anxieties or applause for the direction we are travelling and yet refrain from sharing out their thoughts. I write because I have deep faith in the goodness of the nation and the depth and quality of its ultimate leadership. Also at times it is necessary to let outsiders understand that a common Bhutanese maybe helpless but it does not mean a common Bhutanese has stopped caring.

Pelden Drukpa Lhagyel lo!                                                                  

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.