Editorial

The March 20 fire accident in Tsenkari, Nganglam came as a rude reminder to all of us. If we are a little more careful, disasters that destroy properties and lives and cause untold pains can be prevented.

An expatriate worker died after falling off a building that he had been working on in Phuentsholing earlier this month.

Agriculture minister encouraging farmers to kill wild boars is a picture of a desperate situation of human-wildlife conflict in the remote villages. However, this measure should not be seen and adopted as a long-term solution.

Having crossed the thresholds on GNI per capita and human asset index, Bhutan was found eligible for graduation to the middle income country category in the 2015 triennial review by the UN. Bhutan would possibly be recommended for graduation at the 2018 triennial review. This means, considering the three-year transition period, Bhutan would be graduating by the end of 2021.

The narrative of Bhutan’s development journey has reached a critical point. As a late starter, we had so much distance to cover in terms of achieving our development priorities and national goals.

As a Buddhist society, we believe in giving, being kind, caring, and compassionate. We take into account, quite automatically, our intention while trying to be helpful to those in need of our help. The underlying wisdom is: If we give with good intention, there invariably is spiritual merit to be gained from it.

An investigation has dismissed allegations that a bar and smoking zone were in place during a karaoke party in Tendu Central School recently.

An important initiative that will help Bhutan realise the goal of food self-sufficiency kicked off this week.

Addiction is the greatest scourge we face today, calling us to deal with it urgently and effectively. Considering more than half our population constitutes young people, addiction should be viewed as a compelling problem of modern life.

The biggest health challenge we are faced with today is the rising instances of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Going by available health reports, almost 60 percent of death in the country is attributed to NCDs. And the threat continues to grow. As we develop, diseases of affluence will be the major killers.

During a panel discussion held at the ongoing national conference on women in governance, leadership, and politics in Thimphu, a concern was raised that the mainstream media in Bhutan is not gender-sensitive.

The judiciary has begun undertaking vital review and reforms. What this indicates is that people’s expectations from the institution has evolved. This is a good development.  Administration of justice must evolve to suit the changing times.

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day. The day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and is also an annual call to accelerate efforts towards achieving gender parity.