His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies

His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies.

Delegates from Austria- Bhutan Society, Les Amis Du Bhutan, France, German-Bhutan Himalayan Society, Greece-Bhutan Friendly Association, Society Switzerland Bhutan, The Bhutan Society of United Kingdom, Friends of Bhutan, Netherlands, and Swedish Bhutan Society were hosted high tea at the Tashichhodzong.

Source: BBS

The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip

The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip, named after Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, was publicly launched today at the Nehru-Wangchuck cultural Centre in the capital.

The new tulip plant has been specially cultivated in the Netherlands for the Royal Wedding. It was chosen by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen from a lot of newly to-be-developed tulip bulbs.

With deep red petals edged with golden yellow colours, the “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip has been developed and cultivated in the Netherlands.

It was offered to Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen as a royal wedding gift from the Dutch citizens at Lingkana Palace.

The tulip was first launched in the Netherlands on September 22, this year.

The tulip reflects the longstanding friendly relationship between Bhutan and the Netherlands, and also symbolises the growing business relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Bhutan and Partners, Hank De Jong said the flower reflects the Queen’s personality  that of  warmth and kindness.

Various government officials, diplomats, representatives from the Dutch community and the local business community were present during the launch.

Source: BBS

Punakha gears for Dechhog Khorlo Dompa

The 10 hotels in Khuruthang town, Punakha, have already been booked for the first public blessing of Dechhog khorlo dompa (Chakrasamvara) that begins on December 20.

“All nine rooms in our hotel has been booked,” manager of Shivling hotel, Tandin, said. “We’re booked for all 15 days of the wang (blessing).”

Given the limited lodging facilities in the dzongkhag, which serves as the winter residence of the central monastic body, because of its warmer climes, devotees have also booked traditional houses near the dzong. “Many devotees will have to pitch tents in Zomlingthang, and on the harvested paddy fields,” Punakha dzongda, Kunzang N Tshering, said.

The construction of the wangkhang (pavilion), where His Holiness the Je Khenpo will preside over the blessings, has begun at Thangzona, a flat area located behind the Punakha dzong, the venue of the royal wedding in October last year.

In front of the pavilion will be a public seating area to accommodate around 30,000 devotees.  The shed will be built with wooden poles and tarpaulin sheets as a roof.  The people of the dzongkhag will contribute poles.

To supplement the existing water supply of the dzong, water from the Mochu will be pumped in, and several water tanks will be borrowed from Punatshangchu projects.

The dzongkhag plans to put in place a number of dustbins to check littering. “Our main worry is sanitation and waste management.” dzongda Kunzang N Tshering said. “Given the mentality, waste could get out of control.”

Shuttle buses will also be provided to pick and drop devotees, mainly to ease congestion.  Devotees can catch the shuttle from Khuruthang, Lekithang and Zomlingthang, all areas close to the dzong.  No private vehicles will be allowed during the wang.

The zhung dratsang’s tshukla lopen, Samten Dorji, said since the Dechhog Khorlo Dompa is the main yedam (tutelary deity) of drukpa kagyu, the wang is sacred. “The blessings will also cover many other yedam deities,” he said.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan traditional bamboo craft

Kangpara gewog under Trashigang Dzongkhag is seeing a decline in its traditional bamboo craft with craftsmen pursuing better economic opportunities elsewhere. Tsarzo is no longer practiced as a source of livelihood.

A 53-year-old, Ap Dorji Tenzin, from Pasaphu village is one of the few surviving bamboo craftsmen in Kangpara gewog. But unlike in the past, Ap Dorji Tenzin rarely weaves bamboo products now. He now practices Tsarzo as a hobby during free time or when guarding his fields from animals.

“I started weaving bamboo products when I was around 30 years old. I educated my children through Tsarzo and it has been an important source of cash income for me and my family,” Dorji Tenzin reminisces.

Lack of raw materials, according to Ap Dorji Tenzin, is deterring them from keeping the tradition alive. “We have to travel to far off places to get the raw materials. It is a lot of hard work.”

Developmental activities, like farm road construction in the gewog, are also affecting the tradition.

Tshogpa Sangay Wangdi says the youth are ignoring the Tsarzo because it is no longer profitable. “They say it is better to work at the construction sites than to weave bamboo products.”

The art of making bamboo products in the gewog has been spiraling down since 2005.  A businessman, Sonam Wangdi, said he used to make minimum three trips to Thimphu to sell Bangchungs and other bamboo products. “This year I haven’t been able to make a single trip as no one is weaving any longer.” He said people these days weave only to gift it to somebody.

To revive the tradition, the villagers in collaboration with the Royal Society for Protection of Nature have planted bamboo plants near their village.

Source: BBS

Foreign Exchange Reserve

While Bhutan already faces a deficit rupee reserve, compelling the central bank to borrow rupees from banks in India to meet import payments, its convertible currency reserve is also already more than utilised.

Constitutional requirements state that the economy’s convertible currency reserve must cover 12 months of essential import expenditure.

But there are other requirements the convertible currency is used for.  Apart from debt servicing on convertible currency borrowings, a certain portion is pledged against the Rupee borrowings made from Indian commercial banks.  It is also used as a back-up currency for the ngultrum printed and issued by the central bank.

Adding up these requirements, Bhutan’s total foreign currency reserve today is short by USD 20M (Nu 1B accounting in today’s exchange rate).

The requirements add up to USD 762M, while Bhutan’s total foreign currency reserve, according to the central bank’s latest publication, is USD 742M.

The task force, formed to tackle the rupee shortage in April this year, redefined what constitutes essential imports, and recommended that Bhutan maintain a minimum foreign currency reserve of USD 500M to meet essential imports expenditure.

Bhutan pledges USD 100M for the Rs 5B borrowings it has from Indian commercial banks.  Borrowings from the government of India line of credit do not require any collateral.  Its payments on concessional borrowings made from institutions, such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, today stand at USD 22M.

About USD 140M is used as a back-up currency for the Nu 7.3B that has been printed and issued by the central bank and is in circulation in the economy today.

Economies throughout the world set aside a certain amount of their foreign currency reserves, or maintain gold bullion, to back up currency in circulation, in case public loses confidence in the currency.

A local economist said that printing and issuing currency more than the value of the foreign currency means the government is doing business on risk.

While there are no explicit legal provisions requiring central bank to ration a certain percentage of the reserve for the currency in circulation, it is accounted for in the central bank’s balance sheet.

Given this scenario, the central bank today, if the reserve continues to remain the same, cannot print any more ngultrums, nor borrow any more rupees from commercial banks in India.

In April this year, when the task force redefined essential imports, Bhutan’s total foreign reserve was USD 716M.  The collateral for the Rs 10B borrowings from India was USD 200M.  While figures for convertible currency debt repayment were not available for that time, the currency in circulation was Nu 6B, for which USD 109M would have to be kept as back-up currency.

Even after discounting for currency held by banks, and the repayment on convertible currency debt, the foreign reserve was short by USD 93M (Nu 4.8B).

The central bank, which is responsible for managing the economy’s foreign reserve, said that reserves must now be used cautiously.

Deputy governor Pushpalal Chhetri said figures kept changing and with rupee inflows, the collateral for the rupee borrowings would decrease, which would ease the deficit.

Source: Kunselonline

Druk Chirwang Tshogpa

Selecting competent and right candidates have become a race of sorts with four new political parties aspiring to contest in the 2013 elections. Druk Chirwang Tshogpa said even though identifying candidates is a challenge, they have 30 candidates confirmed.

The party’s spokesperson, Tandin Tshering, said out of the confirmed 30, nine candidates are women. He said they are still looking to fill the vacant constituencies. “Roping in candidates has been very challenging,” he said, “In fact it is difficult for all the parties, even for the ruling government. After the government dissolves you never know if all the candidates will be with the party.”

He also said they have identified two people as the possible party president. “One of them is a woman,” said Tandin Tshering. He said both of them are civil servants and they will be resigning soon.

Tandin Tshering said they will be registering their party with the Election Commission of Bhutan by next month. At the moment, the party has 300 members.

The spokesperson said their manifesto and charter are in advanced draft stage.

Source: BBS

Drukair will resume domestic flight

Drukair will resume domestic flight services to Yongphula and Bathpalathang by next month according to the Department of Civil Aviation. Drukair had suspended its flight operations to Yongphula in May and Bathpalathang domestic airport in July this year.

The flight services were suspended on the recommendation of the Safety and Quality Department after they found out that the runways had developed several cracks and gravels had resurfaced.

The Director General of Department of Civil Aviation, Wangdi Gyeltshen, said they have carried repair works of both the airports. “The runways only required minor maintenance,” he said.

According to the General Manager of Domestic Air Services, Namgay Wangchuk, the reasons for suspending flight services was because of safety reasons and not because they weren’t making profits.

Meanwhile, about 50 people have already booked the tickets for next month.

The domestic airports were launched for flight operations in December last year.

Source: BBS

His Majesty the King promoted Colonel Kipchu Dorji

His Majesty the King promoted Colonel Kipchu Dorji from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier this morning at Tashichhodzong. His Majesty the King awarded Tashi Khaddar to the Brigadier in the sacred chamber of the golden throne room. Following the ceremony, Brigadier Kipchu Dorji made an offering at the goenkhang of the Tashichhodzong.

Brigadier Kipchu Dorji is from Haa Toe village in Haa. He was born in 1955. He was commissioned from Indian Military Academy in December 1974.

Brigadier Kipchu Dorji joined the Royal Body Guard in 1976. This is his 38th year in his service at the armed force.

Source: BBS

Road to Semi Final " Yangphel Archery Tournament"

Teams Yul Gyel and Ata Boning have made it to the semifinals of the ongoing 16th Yangphel open archery tournament.

Yul Gyel team beat Sichey Mavricks, a Sikkimese team and Bhutan Expression Tours to book its spot in the semifinals yesterday. The matches were played at the lower archery range at Changlimithang.

Playing at the upper archery range, Ata Boning team came out victorious after beating Chituen Construction and Planet Gym in the 15th round.

Each of these three teams had won a game set each to have to settle the scores through a penalty shootout.

In the penalty shootout, Ata Boning team hit two kareys to win over Chituen Construction that hit only one and none from the third team.

At the other range, the spectators were for the Sikkimese team despite its opponent having won two straight sets through an impressive three bulls eye hits.

The last quarterfinals will be played today among Paro Snow Lion in Style team, Phuntsholing Kencho Tshering and Phuntsholing Tshamgar Construction to reach the semifinals.

The winning team will be up against eight teams of Pelden Group of Companies, Dragon Roots, Druk Lhayul, Ice Berg, Sonam Automobiles, Gyelyong Gaki, Ata Boning and Yul Gyel to reach the finals.

Of the initial 260 teams from across the country participating and playing in different venues, 27 had made it to the quarterfinal round.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan: A Holland & Holland gun

A Holland & Holland gun is considered as among the finest of modern times. It is known for its brilliant craftsmanship and today is one of the world’s most expensive handcrafted sports gun.

There is one such gun in Bhutan. It is a .458 double barrel. With engravings of the big game animals of Bhutan, it is the only of its kind and now worth more than £ 80,000.

The fourth king received it as his coronation gift in 1974. The managing director of the gun company, Malcolm Lyell, travelled from London to personally offer it. Lyell’s handwritten notes says, “The official day for present giving was Tuesday, June 4th but the King couldn’t wait! We were summoned the day before and presented it to him in the Royal Cottage.”

The third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, had ordered the gun two years earlier in 1972, before he passed away. The third king first met Lyell in 1949, in London at the Westley Richards’s gun showroom where, as Crown Prince, he had gone to buy hunting rifles. Ever since, the two gun enthusiasts maintained their friendship.

The doyen of the London gun trade visited Bhutan as the guest of the king. He first came in 1970 and was one of the earliest to trek extensively in our northern mountains. Using hand-drawn maps of botanist Frank Ludlow, Lyell and his family made four such expeditions into the then largely unknown northern mountains. Lyell was a game enthusiast and keen on wild animals and, during his treks, saw and recorded many of these wild animals namely, the blue sheep, blue bear, wild yaks, takins, and snow leopards.

The Gun
In 1972, after returning from one such trip, Lyell had the gun of our king engraved with the large game animals that he saw during his treks in Bhutan.

For example, the right lock plate has an engraving of a group of takins - the national animal. The fore feet and body of the lynx are also just visible on the “fence” (standing breach at the left hand end of the barrel).

The left lock has an engraving of the Indian rhinoceros, which are found in the foothills of Manas. The tail and back of the snow leopard are scarcely visible on the “fence”. A Tibetan antelope, found along the Chumbi valley border, is engraved on the trigger guard, and the grip cap has an engraving of a blue sheep or bhurel.

History
Crafting a Holland & Holland gun took a long time and this became a setback as the soaring inflation of the 1970s cut into the company’s profit.

To sustain the business, Lyell started to craft presentation guns. These guns were fully functional but, because of the intricate artwork, enhanced its costs, and hence inflation did not affect its value.

Inspired by the gun makers of the 18th century, Lyell came up with the rococo gun, with deep engravings in gold and silver of classical motifs, such as Diana the huntress.

In 1966, the Shooting Times described it as the finest gun of modern times and, from then, Lyell produced a series entitled “Products of Excellence”. These included such guns as the Set of Five; beautifully matched shotguns in every gauge from 12 bore to .410; the African hunters series of big game rifles; and finally the Saurian four bore, decorated with scenes of prehistoric life.

Almost two decades later, after the launch of the “product of excellence”, in 1972, our late king ordered the .458 double barrel gun, which he never saw. In the memory of the late king, Lyell had it engraved with the big game animals of Bhutan and presented it to our fourth king during his coronation. Malcolm Lyell died early this year.

Source: Kuenselonline

Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 12 Days

Private Bhutan Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary for 12 Days

Day1: Arrival at Paro International Airport

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival art Paro International airport the representatives from Bhutan Majestic Travel, Guides and Drivers Introduction and will escort to Hotel Altitude of Paro is 2240mts.

Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 by Great Fortress builder to defend ourselves from Foreign Invaders, especially Tibetan Invaders in those days. Today it is the Paro District Administration Centre, Office of the District Governor, District Judge and House of the Buddhist Monks (Study and Live). After that visit the Ta-Dzong (watch tower) for Paro Dzong built in same time and later in 1868 it was changed to National Museum of Bhutan, one of the main treasures of Bhutan. Visit Festival

Evening Paro Town stalling and meeting the local Bhutanese

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 2: Paro – Paro

After breakfast drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flaming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to the Ruined Fortress the Drukgyal Dzong meaning Bhutanese Victory Fortress built in 1649 by great fortress builder and also the man who unified Bhutan in 17^th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu Distance – 65kms. 2Hours Drive.

After breakfast drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chu (River of Paro) which divides the whole Paro Valley into two after one hour you will reach the Chuzom, where the Thimphu and Paro Rivers met and forms Wangchu. Drive till Chu Zom takes about One Hour. It is again a four road junction, where one lead to Thimphu, one lead to Haa Valley, one lead to Southern Bhutan, Phuentsholing closest town to the Indian Border and one that you had just drove. It is again One hour drive from here and you will reach Thimphu for your Lunch.

After Lunch Visit the visit the Memorial Stupa, built in 1974 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the Father of Modern Bhutan, The Third King of Bhutan. This Tibetan & Bhutanese Architecture mixed Stupa has got three different sects of Buddhism such as Gongdu on the Top floor, Drukpa Kagyud on Middle with Second Buddha figure facing the Sun Rise and on the Ground Floor it is the Phurba. Visit the Festival.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to visit the Changangkha Monastery which is built in 16^th Century by the son of the Great Drukpa Kagyud Saint called Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and where the Buddhism flourishment continued in Western Bhutan. Visit the Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see the TAKIN, the National Animal of Bhutan, which has head of a Goat and Body of a Cow and as per the legend it is been created by a Saint from Tibet who visited Bhutan and popularly known as Lama Drukpa Kuenley or Devine Madman.

Drive to BBS Radio Tower (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) to get the magnificent view of Thimphu and also known as Lovers’ point.

Lunch will be served in Down Town.

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unified Bhutan in 17^th Century

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 6: Punakha – Punakha

Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty and dedicated to the well bring of the nation and love life of the Crwon Prince.

After Lunch visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. On the way back to Punakha Hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15^th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is believed that the couple who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 7: Punakha – BumthangAfter breakfast drive to Bumthang. On the way visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. After crossing Pelela at 3340 mts. Decend down to Rukhubji and then to Chendibji where your lunch will be served and circumambulate the Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century. Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.)

Day 8: Bumthang –BumthangVisit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso” The flaming Lake” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang – BumthangDay excursion to remote and beautiful Ura Valley. Picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight hotel in Bumthang

Day 10: Bumthang – WangdueAfter an early breakfast, drive to Wangdue.
Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue

Day 11: Wangdue – ParoAfter breakfast drive to Paro. Lunch stop at Thimphu, after lunch shopping and going around Thimphu city, drive to Paro for overnight
Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 12: Depart Bhutan

Early morning drive to airport and board the flight for onward destination.

Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

Thank You very much for visiting Bhutan with us and we look forward in hearing and re-organizing same Pilgrimage Tour for you, your family members and Friends!!!

Bhutan Income is necessary but not an end-all to be happy

It may come as no surprise but, the higher your income, the happier you are, at least in Bhutan.

This glimpse into the findings of the 2010 GNH survey was provided during a presentation at the ‘happiness and economic development’ conference, yesterday.

Yet, while income may play a major role, up to a certain extent, several other significant factors were also found to positively impact an individual’s happiness. This was mentioned during an analytical presentation of survey data on ‘subjective well-being’ by the centre for Bhutan studies (CBS) president, Dasho Karma Ura.

“But GNH isn’t equivalent to subjective well being alone,” he said. It tries to combine both objective and subjective elements of happiness, while presenting the analysis from a subjective wellbeing point of view, he said. He added that some are economic factors, such as the amount of land owned, sufficiency in household equipment and the level of education possessed. Postgraduates reported higher happiness levels than university or college graduates.

Bhutanese, who are more inclined towards positive emotions, like calmness, empathy, compassion, and contentment, are happier than those, who experience more anger, frustration, and worry.

The GNH survey also found that meditation increases happiness, although only an extremely small percentage meditated daily. But spending two hours on average in prayer daily is a general practice.

Contrary to what single Bhutanese may claim, married Bhutanese are much happier, compared to their fellow citizens, who have never tied the knot. But those, who never married, can be happier than those who married and are divorced or widowed.

Other activities that increased happiness for Bhutanese is frequent socialising with relatives, trust in others, good physical and mental health, and in which dzongkhag you live. According to survey results, living in Dagana, Pemagatshel and even Thimphu can negatively affect happiness levels.

According to statistics presented, the U-curve, whereby the happiness level of individuals drops to the lowest point some time between 40 and 50 years of age was also confirmed. But the U-curve of subjective wellbeing is flatter, if the data is restricted to farmers, because their income is stable throughout their lifecycle, while that of salaried people is not, he pointed out.

The survey also found that the happiest people are those that have “less work and more leisure, and eight hours of sleep.” The findings of the 2nd GNH survey, carried out between April and December 2010 by CBS, will be released next month. About 8,000 Bhutanese were interviewed for the survey.

Japan and Brazil too shared their experiences with GNH surveys and activities conducted so far, revealing some universal factors that contribute to an individual’s happiness.

Professor Shigeru T Otsubo, Nagoya university, pointed out that a 2010 survey in Japan found that health, family, income, and spirituality made up the main elements for happiness. He said that the desired goals for Japanese society are securing safety, concern for others, and spiritual enlightenment. He added that Japan needs a more connected society and sound economic growth.

The survey also found that females and younger people in Japan are happier, despite social conditions that favour males and older generations.

Susan Andrews, who is involved with implementing GNH in Brazil, described how far the effort has progressed. She said that the objective of Brazilian GNH is to get communities involved in decision making, establishing social networks, conducting practices for physical and mental well-being, and encouraging participatory democracy.

Like in Bhutan, an ‘educating for happiness’ program is also being implemented in Brazil. But, instead of a Buddhist-based approach, since students are of multi-cultural backgrounds, a universal scientific approach is used, she said. Some of these exercises include lighter practices, such as comedy theatre, and more serious activities, such as group “deep listening”.

Susan pointed out that youth has also be trained to conduct their GNH survey. The advantage of this approach, she said, was that the survey was not expensive.

Plans are afoot to implement the GNH approach in seven more communities.

Distrust, apathy, alienation, exhaustion, and television addiction are some of the problems Brazilian society is grappling with, according to Susan.

The three-day conference ends today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan summer festival at Haa

As the two-day summer festival came to an end yesterday, Haa residents said it was not as bright and sunny as last year’s if sales from the stalls are any thing to go by.

Nor the food stalls nor the handicraft stall saw good business during the festival and stall owners said the Kathri took their crowd. Tshering Dem, 53, from Katsho gewog said the sale of food items in her shop is about 60 percent less than last year’s.

“Last year we were very busy with too many people and this time we are waiting for people to visit our stalls,” she said. “It’s because everyone is attending the Kathri ceremony.” Tshering Dem’s stall had Hoentey, Tse Thup, Khuley, tea and doma on sale.

The Tarayana rural craft stall also saw a drop in sales by almost 80 percent, program officer Karma said. “Last year we sold products worth more than Nu 40,000 in the two days,” he said. “But this time we sold products only worth Nu 11, 000 in two days.”

Likewise, other stalls also saw a drop in their sales but said they would continue participating in the festivals. A total of 61 tourists attended the festival, 10 more than what the festival saw last year.

While a number of programs were planned until 8pm, the festival had to end by afternoon because local participants wanted to attend the blessings at the Kathri ceremony. The photography competition was also cancelled because the tourism council had not received enough entries.

Haa dzongdag Rigzin Dorji said they had started the festival well last year and thought they’ll do better this time. “But since lots of events have coincided, we could not pay much attention to the summer festival,” he said. “While we attach equal importance, but with limited manpower and the people pre-occupied in attending the Kathri ceremony, the festival did not do well like last year.”

Source: Kuenselonline