CONFUCIUS QUOTES; A TRUE MANIFESTATION OF HUMAN VALUES.

" Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit  yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of known"                                                                          ------ Confucius-----


"If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed;if in terms of ten years, plant trees;if in terms of 100 years, teach the people"                                              ------- Confucius-------

The above two quotes by Confucius (Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher) have indeed been a source of inspirations for me to express my opinions relevant to life. Having acquired a vast dynamics of knowledge and experiences through teaching and dealing with people as a teacher and politician, Confucius' quotes are truly heart touching. Out of thousands of quotes, these two quotes for me are truly inspiring. 

The first quote underlines the cases where people complain about the circumstances and environment they wish to work. Generally, people seek comfort and satisfaction in  the job that they do. Optimistic people do not complain about whatever tasks they are assigned with. They possess positive views, attitudes and they succeed ultimately with ease. If people are not optimistic and hardworking, anything that they do project as a restraint towards success. All in one, it is an attitude of an individual which determines to associate with people and work. 

It is not through names that people are remembered but obviously through good deeds. Media hype may temporarily create an image of a person in public domain but real picture of a person will unearth with time. Such incidents have happened in the past, happening today and will continue the same trend in future too. Therefore, a true colour of a man is his achievements and good deeds during his service in public life.

Second quote is yet another interesting one which relates to a character of a person. A good man does not look for short cuts and instead he executes the tasks with true diligence. In life, we meet and deal with people from different walks of life. It itself is a diversity and complexity which requires a clear conscience while working. As rightly quoted by Confucius, we need to think and work for the long term benefits and happiness. Name and fame will naturally follow.

Knowledge has been a super tool which polishes, refines and grooms uncivilized human beings. Through ages, teaching/preaching has been a conventional method/practice to make people know each other, recognize and discover the possible fault lines and thus safeguarded human community into a harmonized society. 

With time, life is becoming increasingly tough today. But the fact is that, it is an individual who matters. If you are good, do good and think good; you naturally are projected by people around you as good and PEOPLE remember you even after you no more on this earth.

WHY BHUTANESE JOB-SEEKERS DREAM FOR CIVIL SERVICE JOBS?

Why select jobs?

Every country has a national policy of maintaining a small, compact and efficient civil service to deliver public services. Similarly, Bhutan has such policy and Royal Civil Service Commission is a constitutional body vested with responsibilities and powers to manage the core man power of the country through comfortable, viable and stringent legislations to govern civil servants as enshrined in the Constitution of Bhutan. Numerous legislations (Acts, Rules and Regulations) that pertain to improve the quality of civil servants came into picture based on past statistics and records over the years.

For every Bhutanese, I guess it is a dream to become a civil servant and serve TSA-WA-SUM. Civil Service Commission has a good framework of rule to recruit young graduates through different stages of tests (preliminary examination, main written examination, viva voce). RCSC tries to explore, discover and test the capabilities of young graduates. Once recruited, I think civil servants of Bhutan have a secured life and good future prospects.

As far as I am concerned, the private sectors of Bhutan need to nurture and create impression to jobseekers for a secured life. There are not many Multi-National Companies (MNCs) in Bhutan where job opportunities are created for Bhutanese. Interestingly, private and corporate sectors of Bhutan are gearing up for the same and many jobseekers are looking for jobs in those sectors. Jobseekers are gaining confidence in both private and corporate sectors gradually. However, there are many factors that determine the attitudes of jobseekers. All if not most of the jobseekers want to get into civil service due benefits, incentives and healthy working environment.

RCSC serves as a guardian for all civil servants across country and looks after the welfare of each and every civil servant. 

MY PERSONAL VIEWS ON GIVING NU. 2 MILLIONS AND SERVICE UTILITY VEHICLES TO GEOGS OF BHUTAN.

Being a Bhutanese, the pledge of giving Nu.2 million to each geog had generated a set of mixed feelings in my mind from the day this pledge was formally made by People’s Democratic Party during election campaign. Though, it would be absolutely unfair to oppose on this topic at this time yet I strongly feel making my own personal judgement is worth justifiable in any forum. Therefore, I request readers’ discretion at first instance before I precede blogging. It is not my intention to undermine/underestimate any institution neither to hurt anyone at any cost. This blog is purely based on personal views.

Politically, the pledge of allotting Nu.2 million to each geog might had been a tactic to garner votes but this idea seemed very genuine and beneficial to general public at larger interest. Such a step is a true manifestation of devolving of centralized powers (Wangtse Chirpel) to common people in reality. Moreover, it also signals a direct assigning/vesting of responsibility to people at grass root level (local government) for the first time in Bhutanese history and making them accountable to what they plan and do. All in one, what I am trying to say is “Gups are given full financial powers in terms of planning, implementation and follow-up to directly benefit their geogs”

Unlike in the past, Gups need to be extra careful in discharging their duties especially in financial matters. According to some sources, the biggest concern for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for next five years is how this budget will be utilized effectively by the geog in most transparent and accountable manner. Similarly, National Council members expressed their concern about how this budget will be meaningfully utilized during the first sitting. There are many factors why ACC and National Council members are worried; a handful of uneducated gups (No formal education) in some geogs, inexperienced and lack of competent human resource dealing with financial matters at geog level, etc. I personally feel it is immature at this stage to give Nu. 2 million to a geog before considering possible loop holes which might hinder the implementation. If serious attention is not given, it may result to fraud, corruption, misuse of fund etc. Some Gups may land behind jail after five years.

The Service Utility vehicle (SUV), Bolero for each geog is yet another good pledge that many people will cherish when it is materialized. This vehicle will help common people to carry dead bodies (corpse) to cremation grounds, ferrying sick people to hospitals during emergency, carrying surplus farm produces to markets, etc. However, there is every chance that this facility may be misused by local leaders for personal gain. Therefore, it is always recommended that a stringent terms and conditions are placed properly in the system before the geogs are provided with vehicles.

In Bhutan, the degree of physical development in geogs varies from each other. Some geogs already have roads, electricity, clean drinking water, good communication facilities, good irrigation channels etc while some geogs especially in the east, south and north are deprived of such facilities. Instead, the past government had entertained these geogs with other alternatives. Therefore, I think fund may be allotted to the geogs based on the factors like availability of facilities, population, area, etc.

It is my premature views and the real scene will be witnessed by every citizen in next five years. 

MAN; A DIFFICULT CREATURE TO TAME.

While education may be a tool to guide as a light for a man to walk in the dark, it is sometimes surprise to note the tool proves otherwise. Man is a super creature on this universe that has a capability to tame and control other animals. Human beings have reached moon and places beyond imagination. Man has invented sophisticated machines and developed technologies. For instance, a man can control almost everything but it becomes a big issue when he does not know how to control and convince himself.

We harness a ferocious galloping stallion; tame giant wild elephant to work for man but a man hardly succeed perfectly in taming another man. A man also has a power to drill through a huge mountain, drive deep down to bed of an ocean, climb up to top of the highest peak in the world, etc yet a man superficially brings other humans under his control but fails practically. The repercussions of a man trying to control other men always result into violence, murder, atrocities and other inhuman acts. The world has witnessed many great personalities but yet they could not fully influence and mould the people in the way he/she wanted. Their philosophies had seldom worked in a practical world. Over the period, the world has witnessed two great world wars. The bloodiest and disastrous wars almost ended the human race from this world.

It is the ego, self centered mind set, colour, region and cultural differences that make very difficult to bring all the people under one umbrella. Practically, a teacher may teach a group of students from all walks of life but the capacity to grasp the ideas will vary. In short, what I am trying to say is “sometimes, it becomes practically very difficult to change the mindset of people who are partially or fully educated’. Though a man may superficially agree to the ideas of other man but his inner instinct over rules him. Ultimately, this results in the clash of ideas, personality, expression, etc

Person with irrational thinking will not really incline to the opinions and ideas of others. That is why, rounds of talks are convened time and again to remind and rephrase the points/ideas resolved at one point of time in the past. When an educated man becomes infamous with filthy thoughts, it results in obnoxious consequences which impact the whole society in general. If an education is a true solution to end all the violence then we need to raise a question as to why we come across violence frequently despite a good literacy rate.

Indeed, a man is a difficult creature on this universe to tame. A strong and stringent laws may be able to keep a man in a cocoon of harmonious society but he always looks for loophole in the system to do something wrong. Therefore, self control could be perhaps the best control to tame oneself to be able to suit in the civilized human society. Great books and examples may guide a man theoretically yet it is another milestone to be able to know and understand one self.

CHANGING TIMES; CHANGING BHUTAN.

Bhutan, sandwiched between two giant countries (China to the North & India to the South) has been an independent country isolated from outside world until she opened her eyes to the global communities in late 1960s. Under leadership of visionary kings, Bhutanese have been enjoying unprecedented peace, prosperity and harmony. Though small in terms of size and population, Bhutan maintained and preserved its unique identity i.e. her culture and tradition.

However, western lifestyles have started creeping into Bhutanese soil since Bhutan entered into an era of modernization in 1960s. Historical records show that the first modernization started with clearing of highway from Phuentsholing to capital city, Thimphu. Similarly, modern education geared up with the establishment of Haa Ugyen Dorji School apart from traditional monastic education in Bhutan. Today, Bhutanese people enjoy a good road networks, communication, electricity, reliable infrastructures, clean drinking water, free medical facilities and more importantly, a harmonious community.

Within past four to five decades, Bhutan has changed a lot. As truly said by someone, “Education is a true tool for human civilization”, Bhutan has achieved a good literacy rate. Today, the international community eyes on the progresses made by Bhutan. This credit is solely dedicated to our successive kings who have worked ceaselessly for the welfare of Bhutanese people.

Unique Bhutanese cultures and traditions preserved and maintained over generations by Bhutanese have been a strong tool in maintaining its independence. Today, Bhutan Tourism attracts thousands of tourists annually mainly to witness Bhutanese culture and tradition. From the way Bhutanese speak to the dresses they wear is very unique in nature manifesting its uniqueness. Having understood its significance, Bhutan now has many museums, programs and institutions dedicated to promote and disseminate cultures and traditions of Bhutan.

Guided by unique development policy of “Gross National Happiness”, Bhutan is striving to become economically vibrant through tapping clean renewable source of energy. Hydropower sector is a main focus to generate income understanding the fact that Bhutan has many torrential rivers across the country. Recently, United Nations also adopted “Happiness’ as a development paradigm which clearly underlines that world appreciates Bhutanese policies of sustainable development.

In 2008, a historic event was printed in Bhutanese history as Bhutan witnessed a transition from Monarchy to Constitutional Democratic Monarchy form of government where fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk devolved powers to citizens to elect and form government. The first Constitution of Bhutan was enacted and endorsed by first parliament of Bhutan. Unlike in other countries, Bhutan did not encounter any violence and communal disharmony during a historic transition. Far sighted visionary King has peacefully instituted democratic form of government in Bhutan.

In 2008, two political parties contested election for first parliament of Bhutan. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) was elected as ruling party and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as opposition party. Under democratic governance, Bhutan witnessed galloping developments in all spheres of Bhutanese sectors. However, some notable controversies sprung up which confused many Bhutanese. I personally feel those controversies have culminated and reflected in 2013 parliamentary election results. This shows that Bhutanese voters are aware of polity. People’s Democratic Party came into power as ruling government in 2013 and Bhutanese people eye on them to fulfill their pledges and promises. Four aspiring political parties contested for second parliamentary election of Bhutan.

Bhutan will come across many new events and challenges. Bhutan is unique and should continue to remain unique in terms of policy, culture, tradition and association so that world knows the impact Bhutan makes in the international community. While domestic politics may seem meager for some countries, I think Bhutan seriously considers both domestic and international equally important.

Therefore, it is a collective responsibility of each and every citizen of Bhutan to remain united and work for the betterment of future generations. 

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...................................