Jun 22, 2007
23 June, 2007 Democratisation creates a structural change in the government. It is not meant to alter the priorities and values that are inherent in our system. In fact we hope it will preserve them. We therefore welcome the National Assemblys resolution to give teachers greater incentives so that good people will be attracted to the teaching profession.We all know that teaching is currently a last resort profession for Bhutanese job seekers. And those already [... Read More]
Jun 19, 2007
20 June, 2007 – It was re-assuring that the National Assembly, with all the distractions of political excitement, paid attention to issues that are important to the people. For example, the discussion on the sand and stone policy was one that will have a long-term impact.The resolution, inspired by a royal kasho, has many healthy implications on the governments future decision-making process and on the nature of governance as whole. It ensures equity.
As the different [... Read More]
Jun 13, 2007
13 June, 2007 – It would not be farfetched to say that almost every Bhutanese family would have lost a loved one to alcohol and its multiple ill effects. With its easy availability and cultural acceptance, drinking is seen as a way of life in Bhutan. But the problems associated with alcohol dependence and abuse is one of the more pertinent issues affecting Bhutanese society – yet it [... Read More]
Jun 13, 2007
13 June, 2007 – Having accepted that we have to deal with corruption in Bhutanese society we have known that it will always trigger thorny discussions. The underlying issue is often not who is guilty but who is innocent? But, as long as it keeps coming up, and as long we keep debating the debates, we are on the right path.We have to continue questioning, even more seriously, the clarity of understanding of corruption, the [... Read More]
Jun 8, 2007
9 June, 2007 – Even as the National Assembly deals with a range of issues we are looking at broader concerns, one of them being political leadership. The democratisation process has gained momentum and the question of parties and party leadership is now coming into greater focus.And it is getting exciting.
Having accepted the wisdom of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo to establish a Bhutanese democracy and the leadership of the fifth Druk Gyalpo to [... Read More]
Jun 6, 2007
More and more Indian tourists visit Bhutan in summer
6 June, 2007 – A digital camera hung around his neck and a woman in a bright pink sari by his side, Harbinder Singh from Kolkata, India, is in Thimphu on a honeymoon. I had planned it before because I liked the place, said Harbinder who visited Bhutan six years ago.Come summer and the capital is flooded [... Read More]
Jun 6, 2007
6 June, 2007 – Our political pendulum on the emergence of Bhutanese political parties appears to be reversing. Having seen no sign of interest for months we now get the impression that there might be a sudden rush of people to join political parties. So what next?The slow start was understandable, given the fact that we were overwhelmed by the changes initiated by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo. As newcomers to the world of [... Read More]
Jun 4, 2007
4 June, 2007 – If you come across children in Trongsa carrying a bottle of ara (local brew) dont jump to conclusions that they have taken to drinking early.Trongsap children carry the brew for safety; it is to keep away snakes that are known to be slithering around all over the dzongkhag particularly during the warm and wet months of the year.
Karma Dema, 25, from Bemji in Trongsa who works [... Read More]
Jun 1, 2007
2 June, 2007 – The mock election landslide victory of 46 out of 47 constituencies that wanted to preserve the past was a resounding declaration of the views of Bhutans electorate. If it had been a real election democracy would have been democratically defeated.There is no surprise here. Bhutan is on an irreversible path to a parliamentary democracy only because it was initiated and driven by the Throne. The people have always been very clear. [... Read More]
May 30, 2007
30 May, 2007 – Unemployment is on the rise. But that is no surprise. We knew, since we began the development journey, that we would have to deal with unemployment, sooner rather than later. And we have seen the trend grow, step by step.It is not just a question of providing jobs for youth. It is now a question of dealing with the urban drift and a range of social problems.
Once crime, drug and alcohol [... Read More]
