A Bhutanese's view of Bhutan NOW

Bhutan is a heaven on earth and a nature oasis amongst the concrete world. The world knows Bhutan for her holistic development approach- GNH and the rich biodiversity along with her unique culture and traditions.
60 percent of the tiny Himalayan realm is covered in natural forest which plays home to numerous flora and fauna, including some of the world's fewest species. The elusive snow leopard and the elegant ludlow roam the wilderness of the nation. More, the majestic tiger and the gentle giant white bellied heroin find safe haven in a place where environmental conservation is a top prority.
The Bhutanese people are generally straight forward and innocent, too innocent at times. We enjoy an intricate society woven together by the family values, social bondage and rich cultured festivals. Every Bhutanese has the utmost faith in the triple gem and the monarchs. The identity of Bhutanese come from the age-old values, culture, traditions and the religion.
Buddhism has flourished on the soils of the blessed nation and it plays a vital role in the society. Temples and stupas or monks and religious sounds are at galore. The culture of Bhutan has been shaped alongside the flourishing religion.
Bhutan has moved forward from a land locked isolated nation into the fast lane. The country is developing at an ever speeding pace. Mordern features found its place in this country. Education has been the most important agent for Bhutan's development. Yet Bhutan is cautious of its move into the future. ...
The transition of Bhutan from a monarchy to democracy has been the biggest change and challenge for the country. The birth was accepted warmly yet with some consequenses. On the worst side, the blame game, the divides and literacy on healthy democracy are sad and shameful things. The best worst example was when few people politicized the blast tragedy in Haa. This is not the act of a Bhutan that the world admired.
Nevertheless, like the Bhutanese cliche states,
With the grace of the triple gem and the benevolence of our monarchs...then the luck of the people, Bhutan will be Bhutan: a nation who believes in development with values...people with unique culture and traditions. ..a safe haven for the co-existing flora and fauna. ..and a mindful country.

GANG RAPE IN BHUTAN

Lets make our society safe for our girls and women!

I write this post as a brother, a parent, a teacher, a neighbor, a friend, a man and a social being! The content may be contemplated in one's own view and consider it a fiction, a hearsay or a true story. I beg my deepest forgiveness from the victim and her society, if considered a true story. But I write this with courage and the highest hopes to pass a wider message.

The 2012 December gang rape of Delhi shook India and the world...man's worst animalistic instincts won over the human values and beliefs. A girl was brutally murdered after being raped to her last breath. 

Can this kind of rapes occur in the so called GNH Bhutan? A question to ponder over. If it happens, the definition or the crime of gang rape is same, be it Thimphu or Delhi. And obviously the culprits should be sentenced to the harshest sentence under the laws of the land.

If you care to read. ...I'm sharing a story of a gang rape in Thimphu, the tinsel town and hub of our small Bhutan. Like I made it clear in the earlier part of the post, the conclusions you draw from the story is purely in your hands.

She is a young and beautiful teenage girl....just a couple of years into her teenage years. A sister and a daughter. ...a social being and a citizen. She goes on a holiday spree to Thimphu and meets her old friends there. Like everyone does, she goes out for a healthy gathering with her friends, never expecting that the worst day of her life is awaiting. A quick acquaintance with some friends of her friend leads to the most traumatic event of her life. She asked for a clean glass of water but the evil inhuman instincts of her friends leads to drugging her in pretext of giving her water.  She loses her senses and she is escorted out of the hotel or hall. She had some senses left with which she shouted and screamed for help but the men warned her that they would kill her if she does it again. Then the 4 or 5 men take her for the worst ride of her life to the outskirts of the city. The night and her unconscious state acted as an advantage for the men as they took turns to brutally rape her. Lucky was the innocent girl that the rapists didnt kill her, like in Delhi.  She was taken to some place and dumped in a car....left there with pain and shame...left to die otherwise if stated. The car owner finds her in the car in the morning and reports to the police....
I cannot continue the story hereinafter... maybe I lost my imagination or I didn't hear the story after this or I am out of words....I'm so sorry for the innocent girl and all I can do is pray for her quick recovery...especially her mental healing.

So folks, what do you think?  Is this possible in our shangrila tagged nation? What should be done with the culprits? How many such cases are reported and justice served or more importantly and saddening, how many goes unknown and not reported?  can we help the victim? And how can we help our Bhutanese girls or girls around the globe so that the next victim only remains in the fictional stories or in movies?

A tip of iceberg kind of advice to my daughters,sisters, mothers, aunts, and the women around the world:
1. Be careful with strangers
2. Don't believe easily or trust strangers
3. Don't venture out alone or with strangers, especially at night
4. Take lifts only when you have few friends with you
5. Avoid discos if you are too young or if you are not with a trusted friend
6. Sleeping pills and other drugs are usually used to do such acts...so be extra careful
7. Be in the crowd and with your friends always...do not seek out or be in corners or dark alleys
8. Be mindful and use your life skills
9. Control your lust (sorry for the rudeness or the connotations)
10. The world is not always safe...you need to save yourself from the unsafe

The stories of rapes is on an ever increasing rate (even in our tiny Bhutan) and it is always very disturbing to listen or read such stories. Being a man, I'm equally guilty for the crime committed by my brothers as we share a common brotherhood and a global place.

All you and I can do is PRAY and HOPE! Nevertheless, the society should be a safer place and we alone can make it safe, all but with a collective effort!

If you are with me and care for the women exploited around the globe. ...please share this before someone writes another story or a young girl's life is shattered!

Teaching to kill the Tiger?

Photo from Google

Are we indirectly teaching our students that killing the endangered tiger is normal? I ask so in regard to a short story in class 9 English, 'Tiger's Heart'.

The story is about a hunter who owns a rifle and finds pleasure in killing the tiger. The hunter does so because the tiger has killed a goat in his village.
The story is action and suspense packed but at the end we are doubtful of the themes that our students might derive. Though the story talks of heroism, we must choose a better story to teach the value rather than enjoying a killing story.
GNH values infusion!  Where is it found in this story?
Concerned authorities must look into this though my opinions may be vague and inadequate.

Do not wait to do good things!

Ever thought of doing something good? Are you waiting for a special moment to do something great?  Or is it, " I'll do it tomorrow or next time?"
These are some practical thoughts that most of us go through. You, me and we tend to wait for something to happen or anticipate for someone to do something.
In actuality, we can do anything, be it good or bad, within our own capacity. A small tree growing just next to your house is dying due to some sort of problems. ..you can actually inspect the situation and revive the poor plant. There is no special rule to wait for world environment day or some special moment.
Human beings are powerful in one's own capacity and if we direct our potential towards positive ends, without waiting for a national event or a special moment,  the world will be a much peaceful and happy place.
I am 28 and I'm only realizing it now...that I can do a lot of good things in my own small ways,without having to wait for the perfect time and place to strike.
What do you think folks?

Buddha's Truth

Peace is the answer to everything and it must come or be achieved from within oneself.

Thoughtful Thoughts

Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak...sometimes it means you are strong enough to let go.
~Unknown.

Biking brotherly and sisterly

My kids are learning and helping each other to ride.

Good Morning and Good Luck

The world will be a better place with you and me living in peace....working towards happiness.
Peace is always beautiful!
Enjoy your weekend and live life over the rim.

Community Service for Heritage Restoration

25th August 2013: 33 students of Samtengang MSS committed the day contributing labour towards a better purpose. The group along with their escort teacher(me) travelled to Wachen in Bjena gewog, Wangduephodrang to dedicate a day in the construction of the Wachen Dzong lhakhang. We reached the spot at 8 am and started off with a quick cup of tea and snacks. The students fought the blazing sun and their sweating bodies, carrying soil to the ceiling...up a long ladder and ramming it. It was hard labour yet a great deed. Students didn't mind the hitches or the heat as they know that it is all for a better purpose. Lunch was served grand and deliciously. It was sponsored by the shopkeepers of Tekizampa, a small highway town (if its right to say). Then the work resumed-refreshed and revitalized. The students also learnt about the significance of the dzong through the narration of the oral history by the head carpenter. We were also lucky to receive various sorts of refreshments from the local resisdents and few parents. The group committed,fill time, till 5 pm and it was a day filled with exhaustion and satisfaction. We want to come back and work...when can we come,sir?  was what they said at the end.

As the escort and the organiser, I am proud of my students for volunteering and contributing wholeheartedly in the program. With the grace of god and the students' behaviour, there weren't any sort of problems. 

The program is a part of UNESCO club's Community Service for Heritage Restoration Program and it was initiated by the club with support from the school administration. We would like to acknowledge the management for the meals and bus service for the program.

Where's this?

Where in Thimphu is this place?

Various Visage

Through my lens....

I captured the fleeting moments. ..

Immortalised the transcendent period!