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WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: The Bhutanese concept of tha damtshig (མཐའ་དམ་ཚིག) refers to personal integrity or moral rectitude and has an Indian Buddhist origin. In its religious application, the term translates the Sanskrit word samaya and refers to the precepts of Vajrayāna Buddhism.

MAIN STORY: The first International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) was observed last week, a welcoming news for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) community in the country. The Equality Flag, which is covered in rainbow colours, was raised at the UN House to mark the day. This is …

RECIPE: Method:  Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat Place chocolate and 100ml of milk in a large heat proof bowl.  Place the bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Melt chocolate, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until smooth and combined with the milk. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set aside to cool slightly

YOUTH IN FOCUS: Lama, for Saga Dawa, could you simply explain the meaning of the ‘Wheel of Life’ painting that we see at lhakhangs? Thanks. SP, Thimphu

MAIN STORY: It was early 1960s. Ap Tsheten Dorji had just arrived in Bhutan. With him, he brought along something really precious – 30 boedra songs from Tibet, which he shared with the Bhutanese people.

HEALTH AND FITNESS: My friend and I have trained together for a few years and made good progress. But since we stopped training for a few months now, I have noticed that my muscles have shrunk a lot, while my friend's haven’t.  What could be the reason? I am very disappointed watching my hard earned gains disappear into thin air.  Sagar 

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: Saga Dawa, the fourth Bhutanese month and equivalent of Vaisakha month in Indian calendar, is a duezang. Duezang, literally means, auspicious time. Due refers to time and zang means auspicious or good.

MAIN STORY: It’s 4pm. A shrill alarm pierces through the air. It’s time for the students to head home. Tandin, 12, however, has a different plan for the day. Instead of heading home, he makes his way out the school gate through the throng of other school-going children. He heads towards the Changlimithang stadium. There, his best friend, Sonam is waiting for him.

RECIPE: Method: Marination: Slit chicken breast from top and make a pocket in it Marinate it with ginger garlic paste, salt, malt vinegar, chilli and turmeric powder Stuff the chicken breast with chopped morels and Philadelphia cheese Keep it in refrigerator for 30 minutes

YOUTH IN FOCUS: I will (hopefully) graduate from college in the summer, and I want to join a small CSO/NGO, but my parents are against it. They feel that CSOs and NGOs are unstable and that I might lose my job after a short time. Instead, they want me to get a job that offers more security. From my point of view, I feel that a small CSO would be more rewarding and allow me to use my skills in a more productive way.  What does Lam think about CSOs? TP, Siliguri