The junk food generation

COVER STORY On auspicious days, several things happen.

One is, altars of monasteries across the country literally transform into grocery shops.

This alteration is aided by the good intentions of the devout that come to pray, offer thanks and make offerings.

The offerings are an assortment of processed snacks and foods in attractive and shiny packaging, along with incense sticks and hydrogenated vegetable oil (dalda) for the butter lamps.

Within no time, the altar is filled with [... Read More]

Government’s control on junk food

INITIATIVE More than 1,000 people suffered from hypertension last year, records with the Thimphu referral hospital show.

Three years back, a Gross National Happiness survey revealed that more than 15 percent of the population were overweight while 21,000 were obese. About 34 percent of the population suffered from high blood pressure, states a survey on  non-communicable diseases (NCD) conducted by the health ministry in 2007 states.

Over the years, there has been a drastic rise in [... Read More]

Eating right!

Some schools are yet to follow the trend

SCHOOLS In an effort to discourage junk food consumption among students, a few schools in the capital have taken certain measures, which are now gaining momentum among many schools.

It started with some private schools disallowing students from bringing packaged junk food like chips and fizzy or sweetened drinks to schools.  Since then teachers have also been emphasising the need to substitute unhealthy products with healthy food, such as fruits and homemade snacks.

Apart from [... Read More]

S for Security Guard

WHAT CAN I BECOME? If you are fascinated by smart uniformed security guards, and responsible enough to prevent mishaps through vigilant protection, why not consider being a security guard as a career option?

Who can become a security guard?
Someone who:
-Has studied class VIII and above
-Is physically and mentally fit
-Is vigilant, alert and active
-Can remain calm in times of trouble
-Is punctual and responsible
-Has good communication skills
-Has good [... Read More]

Tsho offerings in lhakhangs

OFFERINGS The practice of offerings made to deities during rituals dates back to the 17th century and, since then, people have been offering varieties of food and drinks whenever rituals were conducted.

Tsho is referred to as food, therefore tsho offerings include offerings made from all kinds of food items.

Lam Yonten, 59, with the Changangkha lhakhang said, as long as people offer food that are made in a clean way, one can gain merit [... Read More]

“Rest is equally important as hard training”

HEALTH & FITNESS I play basketball and love the sport but my friends tell me I lack stamina although  I practice everyday. I am not tall enough so I wonder how I can excel in basketball?
-Pema, 15 years

Hi Pema,
I have always encouraged everyone to follow their passion.

In order to excel as a sportsman, there are three important aspects:

1. Training: despite nutrition and genetics if one trains hard, properly and consistently, there [... Read More]

DK meets Zangmo Chodzom

Zangmo Chodzom’s house

DRUKPA KUNLEY The more you learn about Drukpa Kunley’s time in Bhutan, the more you will appreciate his girlfriends. This strange, raggedy man was truly gifted at attracting girls who were both sexy and meritorious. One of our favorites is Zangmo Chodzom, whose weathered, old house can still be seen in modern Thimphu.

Kunley encountered Zangmo Chodzom while she was fetching water. In his usual style, he asked if she had booze, and, if [... Read More]

How to hold on to your teeth for life

LAST PAGE  Caring for your teeth is very important.  A person just gets one set of baby or milk teeth that will eventually be replaced by a set of adult or permanent teeth.  Your adult teeth must last for the rest of your life.  To make sure they do so, you must take good care of them.

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, if not after every meal.  Brushing helps [... Read More]

Dochula – The rhododendron paradise

COVER STORY The overcast sky threatened to rain any minute, a common sight at this time of the year, as Wangda drove towards Dochula with four tourists.

Wangda, 41, and his group had started early from Thimphu to hike to Lungchutse, a 3.5km uphill walk from Dochula, the mountain pass on the Thimphu-Wangdue highway.

After the obligatory circumambulation of the 108 stupas at Dochula, the group took the gentle trail, just as a thin mist [... Read More]

Three-day rhododendron festival begins today

FESTIVAL A three-day rhododendron festival begins at the Lamperi botanical park today to showcase different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitat.

Of the 46 rhododendron species recorded in the country, 29 are found in Lamperi botanical park, 35km from Thimphu.

Officials of the nature recreation and eco-tourism division (NRED), under the forests and park services department, said May was the perfect time to showcase the beauty of rhododendron, as it also [... Read More]