4 February, 2008 - Fondly known as Tashi among his colleagues, Toshihiro Tanaka, deputy resident representative of UNDP, entered Bhutan four years ago, a stranger yearning to learn about the country’s tradition and culture.
Today, Tashi and his friend Pema Namgyel, a finance associate, have a handsome number of fans across the globe and received the much-coveted United Nations Administrator’s award in special talent category for 2007 on January 30.
The award comes with a cash price of US$ 5,000 each for their tireless efforts to promote a conducive atmosphere in the office, at the same time preserving and promoting the country’s culture.
The effort till this point, according to Pema, was not a tedious uphill task, but a period marked with beautiful and joyful memories. “Basically, we were trying to bring out a happy working atmosphere in the UN office and doing it with traditional songs and dances paid off well,” said Pema, who has sang several songs for an upcoming music album.
Drawing inspiration from the country’s national development philosophy of GNH, Tashi and Pema, with close cooperation from office colleagues, formed a UN cultural office group called Happy Academy of Performing Arts, famously known as HAPA, to promote gross office happiness.
“We’re rewarded by certain events like the textile fashion show where we performed in front of Ashis and many Bhutanese dignitaries,” Tashi said. “It promotes the spirit of volunteerism and make others happy, which ultimately makes oneself happy.”
HAPA had won a similar global award last year. The group will be releasing its first music album, to commemorate the centenary celebrations, the coronation of the fifth Druk Gyalpo and the new democratic government.
The United Nations offices in the country today can boast of a warm and happy working environment, largely due to the concerted efforts of two men and also their dancing troupe.
By Tshering Palden
