BHUTANESE POLITICIANS TOO RIGID TO ACCEPT UNCERTAINTIES???

"SOMETHING THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO KNOW"

With the institution of Democracy in Bhutan in 2008, the first five years of democratically elected government is now over. That was a new history in Bhutanese politics after having spent a peaceful time under leadership of our visionary Kings for a century. Bhutanese got the right to elect their own leaders as enshrined in the Constitution of Bhutan. However, I think the democracy of Bhutan is still at nursery stage and it needs time to nourish. But the unavoidable circumstances do come on its way straining its move to a vibrant democratic Bhutan.

During 2008 election, there were many speculations about cases of corruption, misuse of money and resources to garner votes, misleading voters, political candidates throwing parties, bribing in terms of monetary, transportation, things etc. There were also cases where voters were even threatened with harsh consequences by grass root level party workers if they do not vote for the party that they supported.

According to psephologists, if such cases are true then it is a true sign of unhealthy democracy. There are many Constitutional institutions like Anti Corruption Commission, Election Commission of Bhutan, Office of Attorney General and strong Judiciary system in Bhutan to curb and prevent unhealthy politics if any. However, few fishes do get out of the net and their presence and effects are felt. Hence, it is a duty of each and every citizen of Bhutan to prevent such trends of politicking in Bhutan.

In 2008, People's Democratic Party (PDP) contested national election  against Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) in which DPT won with a landslide margin of seats in the parliament. That was the time for PDP when they did not believe the election results. PDP had to serve the country as first opposition party of first Democratic Bhutan. Similarly in 2013 election, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) failed to get the required number of seats to be a ruling party though DPT won Preliminary Round of election. Therefore, many questions need to be raised;

     1. Are Bhutanese politicians over estimate the numbers? OR

     2. Are Bhutanese politicians so rigid to accept the loss? OR

     3. Bhutanese voters are so intelligent in electing a government? OR

     4. Bhutanese politicians are power hungry?

Instead of causing division among communities, villages or families, Bhutanese politics should promote Unity, Peace and harmony. Our country is very tiny sandwiched between two giant countries. Therefore, unity and promotion of peace and tranquility among its citizen is the only way to survive. Moreover. the vibration of international politics has already felt in Bhutan and will be felt too. It is sole duties and responsibilities of parliamentarians to deliberate and legislate policies pertaining to sustainable economy instead of fulfilling personal desires.

In political dynamics, we can always expect the unexpected. Just as the number of sweets that matters for a kid, number of votes matters for the politicians. I think Bhutanese politicians may have to learn to accept loosing and winning is also a part of election as in other sports too. The mindset of voters do change.

A true politician is like a social activist and social worker who always fights and works for the welfare of those drowned with problems. And this is a problem with many politicians around the globe once they are elected to power by the voters. The journey of democracy in Bhutan has just begun. Politicians need to know election is a game of numbers and uncertainty. 

Bhutanese politicians may have to learn to practise a habit of Winning and Loosing. 

MY 200 DAYS REPORT CARD IN CIVIL SERVICE. (1st January- 20th July, 2013)

Having got an appointment letter from Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) of Bhutan as Civil Servant on 1^st January 2013, I started my service to TSA-WA-Sum (King, Country and People) with Oath Taking ceremony convened by RCSC.

As Post Production Officer under National Post Harvest Centre (NPHC), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, I met and got introduced among NPHC fraternity. The head office of NPHC is in Paro, Bhutan and has three regional offices at Dagapela (Dagana), Shumar (Pema Gatshel) and Goling (Zhemgang). These three regional offices look after post production activities in Agricultural sector and value addition of fruits and vegetables in the Integrated Food Processing Plants.

Presently, I am posted in Integrated Food Processing Plant (IFPP) at Dagapela under Dagana Dzongkhag. As the mandate of National Post Harvest Centre backs, our regional office works to reduce post harvest losses of cereals, fruits and vegetables through trainings, value addition and introduction of post harvest technologies.Other important mandate of NPHC is to maximize food products from agriculture resources through research and development of appropriate post production technologies; post harvest and food processing.

Below is Integrated Food Processing Plant, NPHC (Dagapela);

Integrated Food Processing Plant.

During my 200 days in the service, I have learnt and achieved following works;

Gave technical support and guidance to Daga Shindrey Tshogpa (Farmers’ Group) in processing of products like orange pulp, bamboo shoot pickle, Dollai chilli pickle, sauerkraut, etc.

Product Profile

 Trained around 100 farmers on Food Safety and Value addition of agricultural produce.

Value Addition of farm produce.

Trained more than 100 farmers on Post Harvest Handling of oranges under both Tsirang and Dagana         Dzongkhags.

Farmers training.

Training on Post Harvest Handling of Citrus.

Gave Hands On Training of Deep fat frying machines to potato growing farmers’ group and potato growing farmers.

A Farmer operating a sealing machine.

    Monitored and follow up of construction of 30 improved maize and potato cold stores in villages under Tsirang and Dagana Dzongkhags.

Maize & Potato cold store.

Trained farmers on Zero Energy Cold Store (ZECS) facilities funded by SAARC Development Fund at IFPP centre.

Zero Energy Cold Store, (Through SAARC Development Fund)

    Developed new products like Rose syrup, Blended Herbal Rose & Mint tea under Post Production Research and Development mandate. Research on a pilot scale is under way on crab apple candy and juice.

Rose syrup

 Analytical food testing and recording the observations in the    laboratory.

    

 Some of the photos taken during field visits are;

Tent during tour.

Tour in Tsirang Dzongkhag.

Travelling in summer (Leeches).

With two senior most civil servants.

     My journey in the civil service of Bhutan has just begun...................................

MY COLLEGE LIFE AND FRIENDS.

My world was a blank page when I first reached College of Dairy and Food Science Technology in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. That was for the first time I started experiencing many new things; first travel in train, first time in Delhi, first time trying to talk in Hindi and first time away from Bhutan and for the first time entering into the place where average temperature was 40 degree Celsius. Moreover, it was for the first time I entered into a class with pant and shirt among other Indian classmates. The most embarrassing thing was when other college mates started staring at me at each step I took in the college. I guess that was how my college life chapter opened.

My Bhutanese senior, Dorji Rinchen came all the way from College about 8 hours travel by bus to collect me. I had never seen my senior until that day though I talked to him over phone. My nervousness and home sickness escalated as I moved far and further away from Bhutan. Though weak in the heart, I gathered my confidence and started thinking that everything was part of my life ahead.

On 13^th October 2008, I reached Udaipur accompanied by my senior and he took me directly to D.T Boys Hostel to his room. By that time, I was physically exhausted after days of travelling and obviously due to heat too. I went to take shower in the bathroom and I was so shocked to see a room full of DT Boys Hostellers who came to see me. All I can recall was my senior who was compromising with them to let me rest.

Next day, I went to College with my senior and he took me to Dean’s chamber, introduced me to H.O.Ds, Professors, lecturers and other classmates. My senior helped me to do admission formalities and also to open bank account in Rajasthan Bank Ltd. After all my admission formalities were completed, I went to attend my class for the first time. When I first entered the class, everyone started starring at me which I got nervous and cold sweat. Right after one class was over, every student in my class turned back to me and started asking my name, address and bla bla bla… Majority of them were talking in Hindi which I did not understand. Fortunately, a handful of students did talk to me in English.

My first day in the class and college is still vivid; Kailash Verma and Manish Parsoya sat next to me surrounded by others like Chandra Shekhar Salvi, Shankar Dayal Sagar, Purushottam Meena, Om Prakash Meena, Hariman Meena who all later became my close group friends. They helped me every time since then, and started to teach me Hindi. Some of our group photos are shown below;

University Campus

After getting selected during Campus interview.

University Road.

Holi Festival.

Picnic at Nandeshwar.

My friends came from different places under Rajasthan state; Manish Parsoya from Sikar District, Chandra Shekhar Salvi from Chittorgarh District, Shankar Dayal Sagar from Baratpur, Purushottam Meena from Kota, Kailash Verma from Rajsamand, Om Prakash Meena from Jaipur and Hariman Meena from Dausa districts.

Mr. Kailash Verma.

By the way, we had interesting nick names to our friends among ourselves; I was called as Captain, Ajay Devgan for Kailash Verma who was a great fan of Ajay Devgan. Kailash would maintain his French cut moustache style and hairstyle like Ajay Devgan. And yeah, he would also keep Ajay Devgan as his mobile wall paper. At times, Kailash would speak movie dialogues of Ajay Devgan. He would read notes prepared by Om Prakash Meena towards last minute.

Mr. Manish Parsoya.

Manish Parsoya, who we popularly called him as “Mr. Akon” was very interesting. We would sit down together and I still remember saying that he wanted to go till Mumbai to meet Akon when Akon came to promote songs of Ra-One movie which he sang. He was a true fan of Pitbull too. That was the reason why he would trim his hair so short all time. He would mimic dialogues and actions of many Bollywood actors and Comedian. We used to call him as “Nana Bhai”. Manish is one who, I have partied for most times and he taught me Hindi.

Mr. Hariman Meena.

Hariman Meena was called as “Professor”. There is a reason behind why we called him as Professor. Hariman Meena was a career oriented guy who would be with books all the time. And we found him in tension and worries all the time. He wears spectacles which resembles like our Professor, Dr Subramanium of our College too.

Mr. Purushottam Meena

Purushottam Meena was called as “Haroti Hero” as he was fun loving guy. But his mood used to swing everytime. I mean he was a moody guy. He loves partying everyday if not most often. His local dialect was Haroti and he would wear black goggles whenever he rode a bike.

Mr. Shankar Dayal Sagar. 

Shankar Dayal Sagar was called as “Shahid Kapoor” for collection of Shahid Kapoor’s wall paper photos. And Sagar was also a gym freak as I was. We used to frequent to gym as Gym facility was very close to our hostel. Sagar used to dress in Shahid’s style.

Mr. Om Prakash Meena.

                        

Om Prakash Meena was the shortest among our group friends. That is why we gave “Gutti” or “Rajpal Yadav” names to him. He never used to get annoyed whenever we tried to make fun of him. But he used to forget most often. I still remember calling him during lecture when his mobile was in ringing mode, and he was subsequently warned by lecturer.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Salvi.

We used to call as “Mr Remo” to Chandra Shekhar Salvi as he would show his dance moves at any places; like hostel, canteen, tea stall, college corridor, and even on roads. He was also one of the busiest friends as he would go to canteen and tea stall frequently. He was a care free guy as he would write his assignments towards the last minute. He would be short of attendance and he approached me to write an application to Dean seeking permission and mercy to sit for examination. I still remember his dialogue, “Sonam, don’t fear, Salvi is here”. Riding bike with him was one interesting moment during college days. He would run after Hariman’s notes whenever exams approached.

We used to go out in the city together for movies, shopping and to visit places. The most enjoyable moments were picnic to Nandeshwar, Udaipur visit during first year, visit to chottorgarh fort, playing football in the rain, table tennis in hostel, cricket match against juniors, etc.

Another memorable moment was obviously the celebration of Birthdays where we used to kick and bash up birthday boy. Going for a late night walk inside University campus, celebration of Holi festival with colours, and grand party after declaration of academic results, compromising after misunderstanding, college politics, camp fire outside hostel, chess competition among hostelers were some important memories which are still fresh within me and I guess the same will be with those of my friends. Above all, gathering at a tea stall (Shivji Thadi) every evening and morning for a chat and cracking jokes and many more.

 During four years degree, we stood and stayed together. We really had a good time and today, they are working in different organisations across India;

1.      Kailsh Verma, ITC Limited, West Bengal.

2.      Chandra Shekhar Salvi, Mehsana Dairy, Gujarat.

3.      Shankar Dayal Sagar, Mehsana Dairy, Gujarat.

4.      Purushottam Meena, Kota Dairy, Rajasthan.

5.      Om Prakash Meena, Jaipur Dairy, Rajasthan.

6.      Hariman Meena, Electricity Board Of India.

7.      Manish Parsoya, Pursuing Masters Degree.

Therefore, I wish them a very Good Luck.

  

BEING UNIQUE AND MOVING FORWARD.

“Wise men do not do different things but they do the things differently. This makes them unique to move forward”. 

Problems are considered to be obstacles on the way towards success. However, it is a matter of ways in how we deal with problems. Different people have different ways of dealing with it. Wise and hardworking men always embrace problems and take them as a perfect platform to execute their talents to accomplish certain goals in life. Former President of India A.P.J Abdul Kalam is one live example known for his brilliance and strength of being unique in execution of his ideas. For wise men, failures mean an opportunity to try and think unique which opens the doors with ample options.

Thomas Edison failed thousand times before inventing electric bulb. Had it been a common man, he could have given up at first place and declared himself a looser. One needs to have a mindset to break the ice irrespective of surrounding situation. Being unique in the way of thinking and doing things makes a vast difference. This is a simple secret of winners. Uniqueness is backed by a strong determination irrespective of demotivation factors during the course of time. 

Just as above picture depicts, it clearly underlines one should focus on the pre set goals. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an icon who led African American Civil Rights Movements gained great momentum. On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. His speech “I have a dream” gained him reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history. Looking back and pondering upon what has been done wastes time. The shadow of actions automatically serves as a stepping stone for planning future actions (acquiring experiences).

As a saying goes, “the finest steel has undergone the hottest fire” just as a highly educated gentleman who has encountered and overcome different sort of problems. Problems make a man to refine himself. Instead of getting disheartened as a common man usually does, it is otherwise to know that we actually learn to make lemonade out of sour lemons. Therefore, being prepared and ready to move forward is a true sign of a GENTLEMAN. 

MY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGE; MY CHANGES.

"The power of Education will take you to the height that you never have imagined or dreamed."

Zangthi Community School.

Though the photo seems blur, my vivid childhood memories take me back to Zangthi Community School when I first got my admission in 1995. There were around 45 students in Class PP in my batch. Currently, many of those class mates who studied from this school are serving the country at various capacities.

Located far away from road point at one time, many teachers would refuse to come to Zangthi Community School but today, the situation is otherwise. Since there was not enough affordable note books available at that time, we started writing using chalk and slate board. These slate boards and chalks used to be collected back by class captain after the classes are over. However, a new fortunate page of our school life took turn as we got note books and pencils as we got admission in class I onward. The school uniform (Serthra) was first made compulsory for all the students when I was in Class V.

During weekends, we had to collect fire woods for teachers and sometimes, we had to work  kitchen gardens of our teachers. I, as well as my friends first started playing football and volleyball in the school. the most interesting thing was the volleyball match between my school and Dungmanma Community School which is located at  two hours  walking distance. Another most interesting event apart from academics was "Annual Variety Show" where I first started playing skits like "Ap Wang Drujay, Gasa Lamey Singye, King Solomon, etc". Today, almost all young boys and girls go school from my village.

The front view of Lauri Primary School.

I got admission in Lauri Primary School (Class VI) and I stayed in the hostel as a Boarder for the first time in my life. Studying at night using lantern and standing in queue for daily meals were memorable moments at Lauri Primary School. We would eagerly wait for weekends to rush home and meet our parents. The most common words from every student's lip at hostel was "Saturday Home Firewood" which implies "Hostelers have to fetch firewood on Saturdays and then rush back to home"

Khaling Lower Secondary School

From Class VII -VIII, I studied at Khaling Lower Secondary School.

Jigme Sherubling Higher Secondary School. (Main Academic Building)

Getting opportunity to study at JSHSS was considered to be most fortunate for many students in Bhutan. The fact is JSHSS bears a track record of having produced a set of finest academicians. There are many JSHSS Alumni across Bhutan and overseas working in both government and non government organisations.
Therefore, I am equally proud to be one alumnus as others.

College Of Dairy and Food Science Technology Under Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (INDIA)

 Having got a Scholarship to pursue B.Tech Food Technology degree program from College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, Rajasthan (India) was a clear mark of milestone for my career. It was a like a lifetime opportunity and experience getting a chance to interact with new atmosphere and people from different walks of life during my college days. CDFST is a technical college under Maharana Pratap University of Agri. & Tech offering courses like B.Tech Food Technology, B.Tech Dairy Technology, B.Tech Biotechnology.

Today, alumni of the College are working in renown Multi-National Companies (MNC) within India and other foreign countries like United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Switzerland in the field of Food Processing, Food Quality Management and Legistlations, Agriculture sectors, etc.

TRACING BACK TO THE BEGINNING.

Gonong, Lauri, S/Jongkhar.

Historical Background
This is my village, Gonong. Located at the extreme eastern part of Bhutan, my village has literally remained isolated and ignored for decades; deprive of basic modern facilities. That is why majority of population from my locality was illiterate sometime before 1980.

 According to elderly people in my village, the historical background behind the name of my village "Gonong" describes "Go" means "First", and "Thong" means "sun rays was first seen".  It was called as Gothong but later on, it got changed into present name "Gonong" due to people finding it easy to say.

There are around 40-50 households in my village. The houses are built traditionally with locally available raw materials. The people in my village live in harmony by extending helping hands among themselves. I have never seen any sign of division among the villagers and I was told that people in my village are basically from same ancestral parents.

Changes and Current Scenario
However, my village came into lame light in late 1980 (Nineteen eighties) with institution of primary school, basic health centre, agriculture and livestock centres in the Geog. Since then, the livelihood of people in my village experiencing a gross change day by day.

Today, I am very proud to say that I came from Gonong, Lauri under Samdrup Jongkhar. My village has almost all the modern facilities like education, health, agriculture, livestock, mobile connection, clean drinking water. The works to connect village with road and electricity are in full swing. Nowadays, many farmers have switched from subsistence farming to intensive farming method. Unlike in the past, they focus on growing cash crops like vegetables. The socio-economic status of farmers is likely to improve once the village is connected with road. There are farmers Groups working to collect both forest products etc available locally. 

There are many people from my village working in both government and non-governmental agencies across Bhutan. And many children are in succession in various schools and colleges. The village which was isolated one time back in history is galloping with positive strides at faster pace. As a member, I wish the same momentum continues even the days to come so that peace and tranquility prevail as ever.