Friday June 19, 2020

Kengkhar’s innovative craftsman

The remote gewog of Kengkhar in Monggar, known for producing the finest palang, a wooden container used to store ara, locally brewed alcohol, is now the first in the country to produce a wooden thermo flask.

Pema Dorji, 32, a local artisan from Shingchongri Chiwog in Kengkhar, is the innovator who designed and crafted the wooden thermo flask using an insulated bottle from imported thermo flask.

His new product has received praise from his artisan friends, villagers and the public in social media for its innovation, creativity and utility. And orders are flowing in from as far as Thimphu and Paro.

In the past one year, he has sold some 60 flasks. The price of the flask ranges from Nu 1,950 to Nu 5,200, depending on size.

“I have been getting many online orders from people across the country but due to lack of raw materials I am not able to meet the demand,” says Pema Dorji.

Pema Dorji learnt the craft from his late uncle a decade ago and has been an active craftsman producing palangs and now the wooden thermo flasks.

“In the past, we practised the craft at the household level for self-sufficiency. It was also time consuming due to lack of machines and technology,” he says.

Much has changed since then and craftsmen are now integrating new ideas to design innovative products. He also uses the Internet and social media to advertise and market his products. “I don’t travel around selling thermo flasks. I sell my products online through Facebook,” says Pema Dorji. 

However, just as other businesses, the Coronavirus hasn’t spared his handicraft business too. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more and more difficult for him to get raw materials. “I have plans to upscale production but I am not able to because of lack of raw materials,” he says.

 In fact, for a large majority of Kengkhar’s craftsmen who are involved in various craftworks, getting raw materials has become a major challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Kengkhar Gup Pema Chodup, various traditional art and crafts flourished in Kengkhar Gewog following the visit and blessing of Lam Sherub Jungney, who was an accomplished artist himself.

Sonam Tshering

Source:BBS

MARRIED LIFE IS NOT THE END TO BUDDHIST PRACTITIONER

Life is full of uncertainty and constantly refuses to remain on the line that you wanted it to be on. Unexpected can surprise even people with a highly awakened spiritual practitioner. It happened to him.

He was brought up by a family with a spiritual inclination. He would listen every day to his father’s prayer lines that were said before dawn and at the end of the day when light is eventually consumed by darkness.  He knew that one's human precious life is wasted without following a spiritual path and this single thought gave him the determination to become a monk. 

His dream came true when he was admitted to one of the monastic schools in India, that has a reputation for producing highly learned scholars in Buddhism. It was joyous and happy days in his life in the monastic school until his body no longer could bear the pain of odds. He was sick and he could not continue his studies. This has shattered his life-longing dream. He was given to understand that every success cannot be assured of its continuity.

He returned to Bhutan and took refuge in one of the highly learned and respected Lama. He did not regret his past since he was able to practice everything he desired under his new lama. He always thought that it was a blessing in disguise for not been able to continue his studies in the monastic school in India.

In due course, everything changed in a short span of time. He married and fathered a few babies. This was seen as unacceptable for a person like him by others, and even a few close relatives and friends started to distance him.  Notwithstanding his realization of the darker side of the marriage, he stood firm with his conviction. He continued practising and following his Lama's instruction every day as he was taught not to be a servant of other's expectations.

He has never changed his views to others from what he had held before and indeed, he was more appreciative of having seen people lowered their expectation on him and bothering him much lesser than before.

The way he continues to live by following what he learned through his teacher in his everyday life gave me inside of how people must continue to have the right views from the beginning than having wrong views on the right thing at the end. He finally made me understand how the marriage life approach is taken as a progressive course in one's life by Buddhist practitioners though I have read a few biographies of great Buddhist masters with similar courses.

Though I am still having no guts to congratulate him he truly shows that married life isn’t the end of what you wanted to achieve as a Buddhist practitioner in life. My only prayers for him are for his long life and seeing him achieving enlightenment through all odds to inspire dumbfounded sentient beings like me.

(This opinion is mine alone, and does not represent the opinion of anyone else, including my employer. Please accept my apologies if anyone feels offended or disrespected by the article. Your kindness will always remain with me)

A Beauty – Lost Forever

I was looking for a decent apartment to be rented before my family joins me in Thimphu. During those days it was difficult to find an affordable house that is proportionate to your remuneration. This forced me to zone out looking for an apartment in the periphery of the Thimphu town. Finally, I had the luck to meet my friend moving out of the house from one of the lonely standing semi-concrete houses at the corner of Jungzhina where one has to walk around five minutes from the motorable road. I liked the place and house as it was quiet and peaceful unlike places adjacent to the main circle of Thimphu city with motor sound.   

My house was the last structure to stand before walking a few minutes to the road point to catch the next settlement where there were few houses. Now, I always miss three seasons of the year of this place after constructions started booming in the area. My house was surrounded by paddy fields with greenery scenes everywhere before winter welcomes farmers to rest from growing their crops. I would always go out to enjoy the fresh environment around and to see the beautiful flow of Wangchu river next to the paddy fields. I use to enjoy watching farmers working hard in the field to make their daily living often confusing me if I am living in the capital city and constantly giving me nostalgia feelings of my growing up in the remote village. 

Over the years, the emergence of development activities in the area and with the extension of Thimphu town plan to this place, the beauty crowned to this place is lost for once and forever. To my surprise now it has been three years that farmers have stopped farming in the paddy field. While asking them I was told that they are waiting for a new town plan, planning to build their house. The authority has stopped farmers from farming but did not see the new town plan coming soon. They are deprived of farming. Some of the farmers had to go to other places to work in the construction to feed their family members. Recently, the construction sector has also dwarf in its progress due to the economic situation of the country. It is reported that there is overshooting inflation due to the rupee crunch. There is a huge trade deficit between Bhutan and India. 

I had to keep my gentle smile to my self after much contemplations on it. Farmers are forced to keep their land barren for the last three years and made to buy and eat imported rice instead of the local rice they produced themselves. Meanwhile, a few buildings are still maintaining their pace to grow despite the economic situation of the country. Poor farmers keep dreaming to build one in the future.

All have forgotten the paradise of the place once it used to be, be it the owner of a new building or one who aspires to be an owner of building in the future in this area. 

View of new structures at Taba

Kids enjoying the green lush and sunshine

Construction of the new structures 

(This opinion is mine alone, and does not represent the opinion of anyone else, including my employer. Please accept my apologies if anyone feels offended or disrespected by the article. Your kindness will always remain with me)

Student engaged in various activities to support parents during Holidays

Over these years I felt that growing in the small and least developed corner of the country was of more enriching experience with an enjoyable and inspiring moment in my life than living in this competitive city for the last few years. When Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) was airing the story on rural students undertaking manual jobs like crashing stones during the winter vacation to help their parents, it took me back to my high school days and strengthened my aspiration to go back to the village after retirement.

Though suffering would be endless in the village yet you are confined to simplicity and peace-loving life. I always remember that money was hardly found and there was an increasing pressure to earn three meals a day which could be a hard-fought battle for a family in rural life. 

In the simplicity of rural life, you never forget to help each other in times of need. You are never bound to have obligations like a financial loan in the town, no matter, even if you are running numerous troublesome, everyone understands the hardship and help each other. 

When students in the urban are enjoying holidays or partake in fruitful activities given access to so many platforms, students in rural would be busy lending helping hands to their poor parents in household chores and farming. If there is not much work at home, they go to other places to work and earn such as crushing stones at the side and carrying oranges to the nearest motorable road from the village. Therefore, when it comes to exposure, there is no comparison between students living in rural and urban, and this results in creating a huge gap between poor and rich.

Is it difficult to curve this gap so that everyone gets the almost equal and same opportunity? A little pro-rural policy intervention could be of a much-needed policy to uplift the rural face. I find we are at the right juncture to frame such a policy as it will be difficult to rectify once it is blown out of proportion. We can learn lessons from our neighboring countries. 

While rural-based students are not exposed to the western and modern lifestyle, we must not forget that they learn a reality of the life that our forefathers went through as well as they are mostly accustomed to the core human value of simplicity which every successful people in the world talks at the end of the day. In this way, I always believe that rural people can keep our true legend of Bhutanese identities such as the value of our tradition and culture. 

The government could consider setting a library in rural areas, taking youth program of the Ministry of Education to villages [Seen most programs are held in the city and difficult to participate by economically deprived students] and also encourage Non-Governmental Organizations to help youth to learn necessary skills.

(This opinion is mine alone, and does not represent the opinion of anyone else, including my employer. Please accept my apologies if anyone feels offended or disrespected by the article. Your kindness will always remain with me)

GOLDEN JUBLIEE CELEBERATION AT KENGKHAR LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Kengkhar Lower Secondary School was established in 1963. The first batch of students was from Kengkhar Gewog only (including Jurmey Gewog which was bifurcated as separate Gewog in early 2000). As per the assumption of the present school management, approximately  1500 students had passed out from the school. The alumni serving in different parts of the country in various capacity including prominent figures like Member of Parliament, Doctors, Engineers, and businessman private sectors.

The Fourth Dragon King

The monarchy institution is deeply revered in the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is known that Monarchs in Bhutan have guarded the people and country well even at the cost of their life. All monarchs are considered by people to be the manifestation of Buddha and other Buddhist saints. 

His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, during his 35 years reign has brought more peace and prosperity to already happiness accustomed society. HM was always a concern for his people and the country's well being. He traveled the length and breadth of the country to discuss the issue with people. HM always ask people that they should be at the forefront to take responsibility themselves to tell the government on what are the needs of the people. In this way, HM seems to have initiated many reforms including the political structure of the country. In the midst of enjoying continued peaceful journey under HM, there was a sudden announcement on devolving full executive powers to the Lhengye Zhungtsho (The council of the Ministers), elected by the National Assembly by HM in 1998. The Lhengye Zhungtshog was empowered with full executive power except on the need of informing the king on the matters concerning the country’s sovereignty and security. 

Though His Majesty asks people not to keep the responsibility on the king on the country's sovereignty and security during the HM's formal discussions on the draft constitution with people of twenty districts in 2005 people managed to task the King on responsibility for country’s sovereignty and security. 

The elected Minister chaired by the Lhengye Zhungtshog on a rotational basis in a sequence of the number of highest votes obtained during the election. For there only people started realizing HM's initiative of decentralization of power to people in a gradual manner. The District Development Committee in 1981 was instituted and the Block Development Committee was formed in 1991. The people were made to shoulder responsibility for the peace and stability of the country in the future. The king was firmed on establishing and strengthening the human resource and institution capacity by making citizens of all levels to participate in the socio-economic development process of the country.

I heard that in one of the Assembly sessions, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo proposed the vote of confidence for the King. The proposition was not new to Bhutan to be asked by the king. The third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had also asked National Assembly in 1969 for the vote of confidence in him.  This initiative was taken to judge the king, primarily on the performance and capability to lead the country, not by the virtue of the birth. However, none doubted the prophetic initiatives of all the kings and instead reassured the faith, dedication and commitment towards the king in his support to lead the country for further positive change in the country.

On 4^th September 2001, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo briefed the Council of Ministers, Chief Justice, and Chairman of Royal Advisory Council on the need for a written constitution in the country. The thirty-nine members consisting of each representative from the twenty districts, two members from the Monastic Body, the National Assembly Speaker and the member of the Royal Advisory Council formed a drafting committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Bhutan. The first draft was submitted on 9^th December 2002 followed by numerous rectifications and resubmission of the draft. On 18^th July 2008, the constitution was formally adopted at Tashichoedzong Kuenrey after extensive deliberation by the First Parliament after the inception of democracy.

The Fourth Druk Gyalpo shocked the nation during the National Day Celebration at Tashiyangtse District on December 17^th,  2005 by declaring that he will abdicate the throne for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was formally given the charge of leading the Kingdom on 14^th December 2006. The Coronation was held on 1^st November 2008. The Fourth Druk Gyalpo insisted that it is his wish and prayer to remain Palden Drukpa strong and glorious, achieving greater prosperity with the sun of peace shining on our people during the reign of the Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar  Namgyel Wangchuck.

Drukgyel Zhipa also guided the Kingdom to conduct a successful election to form democracy government in 2008. The election was successfully conducted in line with democratic principles. It took a long time for people to wake up from the shock of his abdication but was reassured that His Majesty the King is equally good like his father to lead the nation.  People are enjoying the same peace and stability under the guidance of His Majesty the King. 

The Fourth Dragon King, after accession to the throne in 1972, there were tremendous positive changes in the county that were arisen from the heart of the wise leaders.  The development process accelerated unprecedentedly in the country and saw phenomenal accomplishment in access to education, health, power, telecommunication, and building roads. The national goals and policies were not mere-based on “Socio-Economic Progress” but also taking account of the emotion and spiritual well-being of people. Therefore, ‘Gross National Happiness’ has become more important than Gross Domestic Product in every policy of the country. 

If we review the pattern of socio-political reforms of the country,  it is always taken by amazed at the success and the flow that knitted with the time and situation of our country. Thank you His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

*** No words of expression can articulate His Majesty the Fourth King’s contributions and insights. This simple article is just to offer my sincere gratitude to My beloved Druk Gyalpo during HM's 58th Birthday. 

(The opinion is of self and at no time represents anybody’s assessment including my employer. If anyone is offended or disrespected by the article I would like to kindly beg for forgiveness to my innocence. I shall ever remain grateful)

Rural Development Bill – Pledge of Mass Electorates, faded in first session of parliament

The Rural Development Bill(RDB), a pledge by candidates contesting in both the National Council and the National Assembly election was noteworthy agenda during the first session of the second Parliament Session. During the election, most candidates declared it as an urgent and crucial bill to top the sequence among other agendas in both the houses. 

On this promise by candidates, not only from the rural folks but also having experienced the sufferings back in village civil servants voted to these candidates who made a promise and to the candidate who has also ability in pursuing the bill. These candidates are now occupying in hounored position of the highest legislative body in the country as the members of the Ruling Government, Opposition, and the National Council. Now it appears that they have landed in the comfort zone.  Where has this pledge disappeared? 

Not even one member has prompted to discuss the bill in the next session forget about getting it to the agenda on the current session.  All have promised to look into it as early as they take a seat to represent the constituency.  The prospect RDB discussion is taking the corner shade and suppressed by discussing the perks of MPs in the house. Going through ‘The Budget Appropriation Bill’ for Fiscal Year 2013-14, the budget for the Agriculture Sector is seen as a surprising decrease compare to the past. The Agriculture Budget is of utmost importance for the rural people. Although the bill could have assured them some development without having to discuss financial aspects, now it seems that rural development will be in thin air for another year.  In the past also most of the agriculture budget seems to be used for the construction of farm roads to woe the voters systematically denying the agriculture productivity program - the main holding nerves of the rural development. 

The denied Rural Development Bill is shot down to abrupt the following  scenario in the country:

1. The widening of the gap between rich and poor: RBD could have pullout maximum poverty lying population suffering from inadequate infrastructure. 

2. The increase in Rural-Urban Migration:  The comparable expansion of opportunities and other programs in rural could have drawn the attention of unemployed youth and citizens in the country and assisted in remaining youths in the village that can ease the problem of Rural-Urban Migration.

3. Increase unemployment ratio: When there are farming mechanization, the youth staying back in the village could have started farming occupation raising employment opportunities.  This could have pulled an answer to the hard founded solution of unemployment.    

4. Trade Deficit: When there is mass agriculture production, this could reduce import which would definitely help reconcile the trade deficit. The rural folk could also set up small cottage industries like furniture house and promote indigenous in the market. 

The sad reality in the parliaments is keeping important agenda in the side like RDB for discussion, MPs are initiating moving the motion to amend the resignation clause in the National Assembly, National Council, and Local Government Act, which seems to be the interest of promoting their political power. I did not find any reasons to amend these provisions at this juncture. This shows giving importance to one or two persons who are against democratic principles. If there are members resigning from Local government or parliament, they should be easily shown the way than giving an indication of the importance of them. I think no one is irreplaceable. We shouldn’t make them feel importance instead the house could gather and show more strength in taking democracy forward in a different stature than individual importance. 

In my opinion, to flourish democracy vibrantly, all must take the responsibility to strengthen the peace and stability of the country by having good policies that would benefit the mass of the country. I see no reason why RDB is not on the agenda and I don't know how MPs are preparing to face their people in the constituency after the session. 

(*The above opinion is of self and at no time represents anybody’s assessment including my employer. If anyone is offended or disrespected by the article I would like to kindly beg for forgiveness to my innocence. I shall ever remain grateful).