tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67795722830495365972024-02-25T14:33:48.620+06:00"The Land of Thunder Dragon"Travel to Bhutan, Visiting Bhutan, Bhutan travel information, Tour to Bhutan, explore the virgin Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan with us, the Land of Thunder DragonTashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-8583118069982896182018-03-15T11:21:00.000+06:002018-03-15T11:21:35.859+06:00Traditional Bhutanese architecture to Preserve <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUIFV34Vvf2aom4YsVwfpz6Nh-t0XM_M_ZhniV-7Fm4GuiLQ-9wxA_lEG8obclVb24ZSVebP73ndqZDu993mapi4YXDH7xVLwnvX_nbfE3gJO_YEVrNPducdMUlRFoEQXPeQl5k_Vjf_p/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="500" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUIFV34Vvf2aom4YsVwfpz6Nh-t0XM_M_ZhniV-7Fm4GuiLQ-9wxA_lEG8obclVb24ZSVebP73ndqZDu993mapi4YXDH7xVLwnvX_nbfE3gJO_YEVrNPducdMUlRFoEQXPeQl5k_Vjf_p/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
At the deliberation on the survey on traditional rammed earth buildings yesterday in Thimphu, three traditional houses from western region of Bhutan were proposed for preservation.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
These buildings are in Kabisa in Thimphu, Changjokha in Punakha, and in Talung Toed in Haa.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The survey began in 2012 and is ongoing. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The project began following the September 2012 earthquake, which damaged most of the traditional buildings in the country.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Head of Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites (DCHS), Nagtsho Dorji, said that among the main objectives of the project were to study the structural characteristics of traditional buildings, methods to improve disaster resilience, and to study feasible and appropriate manner to preserve their heritage value.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
She added that activities in the project concentrated on architectural study, which looked at typology of the traditional houses, chronological and regional features, construction methods and practice of traditional buildings, and to understand the views of Bhutanese on conservation of the traditional buildings.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“After the earthquake in 2012, everyone wanted to reconstruct the buildings in a very modern design, which would have sufficed to the immediate requirement but in the long run would have actually affected the cultural heritage of Bhutan,” Nagtsho Dorji said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The survey also measured and analysed vibration characteristics of the traditional buildings. More than 100 buildings in Haa, Punakha, Thimphu, Paro, and Chukha were surveyed.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Along with officials from Department of Culture (DoC), experts and representatives from Japan, house owners of the proposed buildings for preservation attended the workshop.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Financial constraint for renovation and sustenance viability were among the concerns raised at the workshop.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Nagtsho Dorji said that the works and human settlement ministry had taken the concept of providing incentive in certain areas. She added that waiving off underdevelopment tax and timber subsidy were an option. “We want to look into providing financial support without interest. We also hope that the government will provide money, which will happen once we have legislative documents.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Experts from Japan said that the scientific evidence from the survey on the importance of the traditional buildings and initiatives from the locals in conservation of the buildings would help gain financial support from government and donors for sustenance.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
DCHS’s senior architect, Yeshi Samdrup, shared the benefit of enactment of the culture heritage bill.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
He said that the bill’s registration and designation of the culture heritage aspect would foster people’s sense of ownership and help achieve good balance between culture heritage and other values, including economic development. “For the buildings to be recognised as a culture heritage, distinctive typology, specificity of style, historical value, aesthetic and artistic value, and social value are required of the vernacular houses.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The bill, which was drafted in 2016, will be forwarded for enactment in the next Parliament.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Head of the conservation planning research section of Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Japan, Masahiko Tomoda, said that the most common typology of Bhutanese traditional houses are on the verge of disappearing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
He added that a legal framework for the protection of the traditional houses, which is important, is encouraged. “The old buildings are important as a testimony of the past. It is not only important to preserve these houses, but also to encourage the people to make similar houses in the future. So, we are looking forward to the outcomes from the survey’s structural strength of the buildings.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-91664902817345973172015-12-18T14:06:00.000+06:002015-12-18T14:09:47.219+06:00Bhutan: Gelephu domestic airport received its first scheduled flight, yesterday.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
More than three years after it was inaugurated, Gelephu domestic airport received its first scheduled flight, yesterday.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The national airline, Drukair, flew seven revenue paying local passengers and four government guests, including the information and communications secretary to Gelephu from Paro. From Gelephu, the airline picked up the information and communications minister and other government officials on its return flight to Paro via Bumthang.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The airline will conduct two flights a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Gelephu.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The promotional fare for Bhutanese is currently Nu 6,000 for a return ticket to Gelephu, and Nu 3,500 for a one way ticket. The flight time between Paro and Gelephu is 45 minutes.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Foreigners will be charged USD 250 for a return trip and USD 140 one way.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Drukair CEO, Tandin Wangchuk said that commercially the flights will not be financially sustainable and that the airline is simply following the government’s directive. “We’re respecting a government directive and we’re operating,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The government instructed Drukair to begin flying scheduled operations to Gelephu in April and in November.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
He pointed out that Drukair would operate to Gelephu even if there is only one passenger flying one way. But when there are no passengers, the airline will not operate.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The CEO said that the government could make the business more sustainable for Drukair if it were to provide aviation fuel facilities at Gelephu domestic airport. Up to 30 percent of the cost of a flight is spent on fuel.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Department of Air Transport (DAT) director, Karma Wangchuk said that it may not be commercially viable for the Bhutan Oil Distributor to have in place aviation fuel facilities at Gelephu given the potentially low number of flights to the airport. However, he said that the DAT will ask the fuel company.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Tandin Wangchuk also said that the government should consider expanding Gelephu airport so that both airlines can use it to temporarily halt there when there is bad weather at Paro international airport. He said this would be a cheaper alternative than having to halt at Kolkata or Bagdorgra.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Karma Wangchuk said that there are plans to eventually expand the airport but that significant costs would be involved. He said any expansion would depend on the government and fund availability.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Tandin Wangchuk did not rule out Drukair approaching the government later on if it is found that the route remains unsustainable.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The erstwhile Department of Civil Aviation constructed the airport at a cost of Nu 225.3 million. A further Nu 9 million was spent to build a new terminal at the airport when the runway had to be shifted and it was found that the first terminal was located too far away.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-28707981111116916462015-12-18T13:06:00.004+06:002015-12-18T13:07:39.738+06:00Bhutan Celebrate 108th National Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The whole town is awake and the people are rushing to the celebration ground.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
This day’s observation of 108th National Day celebration in Paro is special. And this is happening at a historically significant venue – The Ugyen Pelri Palace – the seat of the once powerful Paro Penlop Kusho Tshering Penjor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
It is early morning, 3am. Paro, December 17.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The winter sun is mellow and the air cold. But the day is bright and the atmosphere most serene. The significance of the day has added special colour to the day. And the King arrives.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
People turn solemn and earnestly reverent all of a sudden. Glad they are that the monarch extraordinaire has come to partake of the joy and success of the nation with the people of Paro Dzongkhag. And there is His Majesty the Fourth King and the Royal Family.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The National Day is important to us, His Majesty said. “On this day in 1907, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary King of Bhutan, and from that day onwards, the successive Kings, the government, and people, have worked together in harmony to build our nation. Their collective efforts over the years have resulted in the peace and prosperity that we enjoy today.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
His Majesty said while some countries suffered economic crises, others had to deal with internal conflicts, terrorism, war and natural disasters in 2015, Bhutan, with the blessings of the<i style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Kenchosum</i>, the merit of the people, the prayers of our ancestors, and the protection of our guardian deities, this year was filled with peace and happiness. “I am deeply satisfied by our hard work and achievements.” His Majesty informed that next year is not only the birth year of Guru Rinpoche, who came to Bhutan in the 8th century, but also marks 400 years since Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel began the wheel of the dual system of governance in Bhutan.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“Since then, 54 desis governed the country, beginning with Desi Umze Tenzin Drugyel, and ensured that Bhutan remained united. We have had an unbroken line of Je Khenpos beginning with Je Pekar Jugne, to Je Trulku Jigme Chhoeda today. Their efforts have helped the dharma to flourish boundlessly,” His Majesty said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“Since 1907, with the installation of the hereditary Monarchy, our successive Kings, along with the people, have worked tirelessly to achieve our national goals and strengthen our country.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The collective efforts of those years culminated in the establishment of the democratic system of governance in 2008, said His Majesty. “With democracy, we aspire to build a just and harmonious society, strengthen our beloved country, and fulfill all the aspirations of our people.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
His Majesty bestowed upon some 45 retired civil servants gold medals for the service they rendered to the nation and the people with true faith and utmost dedication. Among them were teachers and educators, engineers and agriculturists, linguists and lamas.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
This award to the citizens emeritus was instituted by the Royal Civil Service Commission in 2013 to remind and encourage the young and highly potential civil servants to work even harder for the benefit of the country and the people. The success of this fast prospering nation hinges on the strength and dynamism of its civil servants, said His Majesty The King.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
This year’s National Day in Paro, the one-time capital of Bhutan, was also markedly extraordinary because His Majesty the King gave special recognition to education and the educators. Bhutan has come a long way in terms of socioeconomic development, but its future will inevitably depend on the success of education and growth of excellence in teaching, said His Majesty the King.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
His Majesty The King emphasised on the importance of protecting and preserving Bhutan’s rich culture and heritage that give shape to the face of a nation that is increasingly becoming an example of a good and successful country in the comity of nations. In the last one decade, seven dzongs in the country were renovated, three newly built, and some 300 choetens entirely rebuilt. There are still 2836 choetens in the country to be rebuilt.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
That is why the service of some seven Bhutanese traditional engineers and architects were recognised with gold medal.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“We are lucky to have been able to celebrate the nation’s most important day with His Majesty The King. We pray for the nation to succeed beyond what it has been able to until now. Peace and prosperity will come so long as we have monarchs like we have been blessed with,” said 78-year-old Aum Kencho.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
His Majesty the King informed the people that Bhutan has a unique advantage to achieve great heights. Time has now come for the people of the country to act for the benefit of the country and its people. It is a matter now of whether we can muster the courage to do it, not of whether we can, said His Majesty The King.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-63181814388720286302015-12-15T15:35:00.000+06:002015-12-15T15:35:07.832+06:00Bhutan: Sex tourism, an emerging vulnerablity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Bhutan is slowly emerging as a destination for sex with tourists from the West and the sub-continent looking for young girls and boys in Bhutan.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
This was one of the emerging vulnerabilities listed in the recently released study on status of vulnerable children conducted by RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) with support from Save The Children.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
While there are no figures to support this “invisible findings” the study states that this has been happening for some time.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“This is the area where high-end sex workers also enter,” the study states. “Tourists are preferred due to the monetary incentive and also the fact that they would leave the country, thus protecting identity of the service providers.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Other emerging vulnerabilities, according to the study are commercial sex workers, which include children besides children born to HIV/AIDs patients but are negative, family and neighbours of children with mental illness and children of parents serving time in prison.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Based on case studies, the study states that with various categories of sex workers, the profession was slowly becoming well organized. It further states that single women can be picked up at bars and discotheques and are paid a paltry sum of Nu 200 to 500 while school drop-outs and the unemployed, who mostly approach men themselves in intoxicated state, often siphon off everything that the man has.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The study also states that there are commercial sex workers below 18 years, whose identity and phone numbers are known by few people. “High-end girls, both children and youth insist on going to hotels of their choice for sex,” it states.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The study highlighted that under-age girls, including students being engaged in the trade and attributes this trend to poverty. Those serving high-end customers charge a minimum of Nu 15,000 a night.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“Clients are mainly Thimphu’s mobile population, particularly Indian tourists and those working in various hydropower projects, apart from other tourists and few Bhutanese,” the study found.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Tour operators and guides agreed that there could be women catering to tourists with the increase in visitors. However, they said it has to be verified as the information are based on hearsay.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Guides Association of Bhutan’s president Garab Dorji said that from what he heard, it was quite rampant.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“We hear of cases where some tourists indicate or demand female guides and escorts to accompany them during their stay in the country,” he said. “If true, it needs to be monitored as it could lead to bigger issues in future especially if it’s arranged by tour operators, guides or drivers.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
A tour operator said the issue was more prominent among regional tourists than the tariff paying tourists. “But it’s not right as Bhutan is known as an exotic cultural and spiritual destination,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The study also states social stigma, low self-esteem, single parents and poverty have made children born to HIV/AIDs patients but are negative, more vulnerable.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Lhak-Sam, the study states was not able to bring this group into their family while there is no record on the number of HIV/AIDs patients who are married and have conceived. “Neither is there a record of children who are negative but born to HIV/AIDs parents,” it states.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Mental trauma such children faced has led to attempted suicide among them, the study states.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The study also categorises children of parents serving time in prison as the vulnerable lot as they are often subject to social stigma, poverty, negligence, exclusion or deprivation and exposed to abuse.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
One of the limitations highlighted in the study was the difficulty in contacting vulnerable groups like commercial sex workers. As conducting focus group discussion with them was impossible, since the girls do not want to know each other, snowballing sampling was adopted to get information on this vulnerable group.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Another limitation was lack of a standard definition of vulnerability or a baseline indicating the prevalence, type and factors making children vulnerable. “For obtaining a nationwide status of the vulnerable, a national level study should be conducted,” the study recommend.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
For the purpose of the study, a vulnerable child was defined as “a child in difficult circumstances,” incorporated from the Child Care and Protection Act.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Of the total sample size of 891 children, 459 were in Trashigang, 235 in Paro and 197 in Tsirang. Respondents were children with one form of vulnerability or the other.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-89959549736269130802015-10-17T16:47:00.000+06:002015-10-17T16:49:19.179+06:00Bhutan: 60th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, celebrating from November 9 till 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The entire country will observe three days of celebrations and
festivities beginning November 9 and culminating on the 11th for the
60th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the Fourth Druk
Gyalpo, it was announced at a press conference on Thursday.
<br />
The conceptual guidelines for the three days of celebrations was presented by special coordinator Dasho Sonam Tenzin.<br />
While celebrations and festivities will be occurring, Dasho Sonam
Tenzin pointed out that His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo has made it
clear to the organizers that the emphasis should be on “nation building”
as commanded by His Majesty The King, rather than a birthday party,
Dasho Sonam Tenzin said.<br />
In line with this over arching theme, the focus of the celebrations
will be on reflecting the achievements of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, taking
stock of the current status of initiatives and achievements, and to
plan for the future based on the vision, wisdom, and direction of His
Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.<br />
“Everything we have is because of what He has done,” Dasho Sonam Tenzin said.<br />
His Majesty The King will be addressing the nation on November 11.<br />
While prayers are already being conducted for the occasion, the Zhung Dratshang on November 7, will hold a <i>Goempoi Tongtshog Kurim</i> by 100 monks at Tashichhodzong and a public <i>Nyen-ney Yenlag Gye-Pai Dompa</i> by the Dorji Lopen at Tendrel Thang. On November 8, three <i>thongdrols</i> will be unfurled at Tashichhodzong and other rites conducted.<br />
The activities, which will commence on the 9th, are divided into
three categories: paying tribute and gratitude, the offering of
collective prayers, and celebrating the occasion of His Majesty the
Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 60th Birth Anniversary.<br />
Some of the highlights during the three day celebrations include His
Majesty The King presenting one statue of Chenrizig to each of the 205
gewogs enabling the people to pay homage to His Majesty the Fourth Druk
Gyalpo. Each statue is to be placed in a temple that is mutually agreed
upon by the people of the gewog. However, if there is disagreement,
throw of dice will determine which temple is chosen.<br />
The Queen’s Project Office in collaboration with the 60th Birth
Anniversary Celebration Coordination Unit will launch 60 different
products from various dzongkhags under the One Gewog, One Product
programme. The products shall be displayed in tents and sold to the
public.<br />
While deferred to after the celebrations, a Druk Gi Norbui Kachen to
pay tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s extraordinary
qualities of <i>Ku-Sung-Thug-Yonten-Thinley</i> will be built. The
monument will be made out of solid stone and be 30 feet high. “The
presentation of the monument will be simple but striking with profound
significance as the Asoka pillar,” it was pointed out.<br />
The monument will eventually be replicated in all dzongkhags.<br />
The celebrations have been organized into four themes.<br />
The first theme is the offering of <i>kurims</i> and longevity prayers for His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Nationwide <i>kurims</i> in all dzongs, monasteries, temples, gomdeys, and <i>shedras</i> will be held. A collective recitation of <i>Kanjur</i> by various shedras will also take place. <i>Soelkha</i> will occur in all <i>goenkhangs</i> nationwide and <i>Baza Guru, mani, tshedo</i>, and <i>tshedrub</i>, will be recited jointly by the dratshang, rabdeys, chhodeys, drubdeys, and the public.<br />
The second theme is to create a special event and environment for
people to express their gratitude, love, devotion, and loyalty to the
His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.<br />
An elaborate <i>chipdrel seldrang</i> will be staged for the final
day of celebrations. A guard of honour by 1,000 army personnel, will be
presented three times to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. The <i>Zhung Dratshang, rabdey, chhodey</i>, civil service, <i>dakhagsum</i>, and public, will offer a <i>Mendrel Ku-Sum-Thugten</i> or Mandala.<br />
A <i>zhabten</i> for His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, described by
Dasho Sonam Tenzin as perhaps the highlight of the programme, will also
be offered collectively by the 1,000 representatives of the Dratshang
and Chhodey, and representatives from various other sections of society.<br />
Dzongs, boulevards, institutional buildings, and streets will be
decorated with flowers, trees, the respectable display of pictures of
the monarchs, and illuminations.<br />
The third theme is to stage for the highest quality entertainment
programmes that legitimises the event philosophically, ritually, and
ceremonially. All schools will be provided with the opportunity of
coming up with exceptional programmes and the best ones screened in
their respective dzongkhags.<br />
The Dratshang shall display the <i>Zhing-Sheg Pem Chham </i>by 100 monks at Changlimithang.<br />
Senior citizens, above the age of 70, both male and female, will
perform a traditional dance for His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.<br />
Thousands of colourful bio-degradable balloons will be released.<br />
The fourth theme includes parallel entertainment programmes to be
organized at different places at different timings in Thimphu city by
private entertainment associations.<br />
Shows will be organized at the Centenary park, Dechenchholing,
Changjiji, Clock Tower square, Mothithang park, and on Norzin lam.<br />
A treasure hunt is planned for November 9 to be held at Mothithang, Dechencholing, and Nazhoen Pelri.<br />
On November 10, a marathon for the elderly, above age 60, will begin
and end at the Clock Tower square, besides various other entertainment
programmes.<br />
On November 11, a cake cutting ceremony will be held in three locations.<br />
Separate avenues may be created to stage all traditional sports of Bhutan.<br />
All 205 gewogs will observe and celebrate the occasion.</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-16621263792536008552015-10-14T16:04:00.000+06:002015-10-14T16:04:36.702+06:00Bhutan Jumolhari Third Mountain Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
After trekking for two days from Shana in Paro and as temperatures dipped to almost zero degree, about 200 people including tourists joined the local communities last week at the third Jomolhari Mountain festival to celebrate life in the mountains.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCN__fmjxnJGLJnqdNv8nKzB5zwzQ4yBgtTRShcQY6bZOOh1YH-LWyduhGJ09aBBhmpvuETo41G5wCLWeI3acgeHBdvC97gxqsVP-oPmurIWdlbACxcjdNc63xNuPhUuwTtuB9EMME-0/s1600/IMG_0408-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCN__fmjxnJGLJnqdNv8nKzB5zwzQ4yBgtTRShcQY6bZOOh1YH-LWyduhGJ09aBBhmpvuETo41G5wCLWeI3acgeHBdvC97gxqsVP-oPmurIWdlbACxcjdNc63xNuPhUuwTtuB9EMME-0/s640/IMG_0408-660x330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: #e6e6e6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 11px; text-align: left;">Amusement: Winners of a horse race, which was held as part of the Jomolhari Mountain festival last week (Photo: Lhendup Tharchen, JDNP)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3;">Perhaps the coldest festival celebrated in the country, the two-day fiesta at the base of Mount Jomolhari, which is about 3,850 meters above sea level, is organized annually to encourage wildlife conservation through community participation and promote ecotourism opportunities in the Jomolhari region.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Among others, one of the highlights of the fest this year were the hikers sighting the elusive snow leopard, the national bird ravan, the Himalayan black bear, blue sheep and marmots.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
About 50 visitors, in groups with local guides hiked to Tshophu, Lhaliphu, Bagala and Thomphuna. The guided tours, said festival organizers help the local community generate income besides the fest also providing a forum for them to market their dairy produces.</div>
<figure class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_141086" style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 25px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; width: 389px;"><a data-slb-active="1" data-slb-internal="0" href="http://www.kuenselonline.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0384.jpg" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;"><img alt="Health camp: A resident gets his BMI checked during the mountain festival" class="wp-image-141086 tie-appear" height="584" src="http://www.kuenselonline.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0384.jpg" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 1em 0.5em 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" width="389" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Health camp: A resident gets his BMI checked during the mountain festival</figcaption></figure><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Through various events such as the horse race among the community’s men, the festival, which the Department of Forests and Park Servcies’ director general Chencho Norbu opened on October 7 also showcased local culture and tradition and encourage yak herding among the people in the highlands.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Unlike in the last two festivals, this year, a team of five officials from the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health (FNPH) joined the community and provided a free health checkup. The Bhutan Foundation, which had supported the first two festivals, funded the health camp, which the people received well, said park officials.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“The health checkup, which was done for the first time benefitted the communities including park officials,” Jigme Dorji National Park manager, Lhendup Tharchen said. “Given the long distance that people have to travel to avail health care, the check up saw a good turn out.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
About 100 people got their health checked, the dean of FNPH, who led the team Dr Chencho Dorji said. “We checked their Body Mass Index and people were quite happy to get the facility, even though there is a BHU there,” he said. “Those who were found with hypertension and high sugar levels were asked to visit a hospital.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The teachers and students of Jomolhari School also participated in the fest with cultural programs while an art competition was also organized for the students.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“The main objective of the festival is to strengthen community based conservation by involving the communities,” Lhendup Tharchen said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) with the gewogs of Tsento and Soe organized the Nu 5.5M festival that the Tourism Council of Bhutan funded. The festival is held every year on the 25th and 26th day of the eighth month of the Bhutanese Calendar.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-32411937170771450772015-09-29T17:11:00.000+06:002015-09-29T17:11:58.542+06:00 Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO): Regional tourists will be able to process tourist permit online<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Regional tourists will be able to process tourist permit online if the government agrees to the request from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The ABTO recently wrote to the government to make the service online, and the association is hopeful of a positive response. “We are yet to hear from the government,” ABTO’s Executive Director Sonam Dorji said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Regional tourists coming in by road today need to show up in person at the border check points to process their tourist permit which will be valid for Thimphu and Paro dzongkhags only. If they plan to visit other dzongkhags, they need another permit from Thimphu.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Regional tourists coming in by air do not need to process the permit for Paro and Thimphu dzongkhags like those coming by land. However, they also need to avail another permit from Thimphu if they wish to visit dzongkhags besides Paro and Thimphu.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“So far, only dollar paying tourists can apply for permit online,” Sonam Dorji said. “It takes time for regional tourists to process permit at the Phuentsholing international border.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Last year about 85,000 of the total 133,000 tourist arrivals were regional tourists, out of which 68,000 were from India. Regional tourists comprise tourists from India, Maldives and Bangladesh and officials argue that it has become important to transfer the issuance of the permit online.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Tour operators believe that the proposed system would not only reduce hassle for regional tourists but also help formalise the informal tourism in the country. Those tourists coming in on their own without routing through tour agents are called informal tourists.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Sharing his personal view, home minister Dawa Gyaltshen said he was positive about the idea although the government is yet to reach a consensus. “In this era of ICT, I think we need to do that in future,” lyonpo said, adding that the cabinet hasn’t been able to sit in the recent weeks.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Indian tour operators also raised the issue when they recently attended the Indo-Bhutan tourism conclave in Thimphu. They said it was a hassle for regional tourists to process the permit, which they said takes time.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
An Indian tour operator from West Bengal who attended the conclave said having to wait for hours at the border check point to avail permit was a big problem for regional tourists. “I have been visiting Bhutan for quite sometime and I had to wait for four hours to avail my permit to Bhutan,” he said</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“We have to come in person, which is a big hindrance for the growth of Bhutanese tourism industry itself,” he said. If tourists can book permits online, he said they could do that in advance and make a secured trip to Bhutan.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Some tourism officials said that the introduction of the proposed system would contribute in bringing regional tourists during off-season. Bhutanese tourism being seasonal in nature is the main constraint the industry is facing today, according to officials.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Indian tour operator Rajat Goswami said services such as issuance of permits should be made easier. He said regional tourists are equally important for Bhutan, as are dollar-paying tourists.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“We give business when Bhutan has nothing. It’s not alternative business,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Indian tour agents said they also receive late responses from their Bhutanese counterparts. “People these days have no patience,” he said. “But we get response from Bhutan counterparts very late,” he said</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-78132368628283040132015-09-26T11:41:00.002+06:002015-09-26T11:43:37.093+06:00Bhutan Festival: What’s tshechu really, and why do we observe it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
The answer is simple you may think. It is in many ways. But tshechu is much more than how it is understood today.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYFQ0jGWRml8YDMPZ4QleftGlhCCPVA-7pGXhdPa63PGd0JNz2PTNatHBpGPhiIblO8Qqvzdt2HMdqpU_SfSODdk6m5tVStCvuIEcmMPLdtSM2RP7-mEvJfL4I22_YCxUEwRsRY4LxkPV/s1600/DSC_8902-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYFQ0jGWRml8YDMPZ4QleftGlhCCPVA-7pGXhdPa63PGd0JNz2PTNatHBpGPhiIblO8Qqvzdt2HMdqpU_SfSODdk6m5tVStCvuIEcmMPLdtSM2RP7-mEvJfL4I22_YCxUEwRsRY4LxkPV/s640/DSC_8902-660x330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
History has it that Guru Rinpoche, the great scholar, visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century and 9th century. He visited Bhutan to help the dying king Sindhu Raja in Bumthang. Guru performed a series of such dances to restore the health of the king. The grateful king helped spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Guru organised the first tshechu in Bumthang, where the eight manifestations of Guru were presented through eight forms of dances.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
But tshechu is more than celebration of Guru Rinpoche’s extraordinary life and contributions. It is a moment to give thanks; it is a time for people to supplicate for good days ahead. However, with time, tshechu has come to mean something totally different.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Tshechu was initiated long time ago as the most profound public teaching – how we live our lives, how we need to conduct ourselves as an individual member of society, and how we could work together for the benefit of all. It was meant to be a time of celebration for people who had to work for days on end in the fields, a moment for members of family to come together and celebrate their success.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
All these have taken a different turn today. Tshechu these days is a holiday and time to have some fun, nothing more than that.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“Tshechu is fun. We get to see a lot of different things and time to hangout during nights,” says 17-year-old Kuenga Tenzin. “Chams are a bore, really. There should be more modern dance and songs.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
But 76-year-old Aap Thinley Penjore disagrees. Tshechu is not a plain celebration, he says. It has a deep significance. “Tshechus are kurims for the nation and the people. What is important is that one should have a complete devotion. Prayers need to be earnest. Only then will good things happen to the people and the country.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
But to the young people, the twirling and twisting of the masked dancers mean nothing. There is nothing to be gained from it, materially, emotionally and spiritually.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Raksha Mangcham, the dance of the Rakshas and Judgement of the Dead, which is based on the Book of Dead – Guru Rinpoche’s scared teaching – is, at the best, a funny act to most young people today.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“I don’t understand why these dancers are going about wasting so much time. And look at the rain. What’s the purpose of it,” says Sonam Choden, a 19-year-old student. “I have heard that the dances have special meaning. I don’t get it.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Shingje Choegi Gyalp, the Lord of the Dead, has been basking for a long while, in the rain not for no reason. The judgement time will soon begin. Black and white deeds will be counted and the fate of a person will be decided.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“Not many people understand the significance of tshechu today,” says Aap Kinley Sithub of Kabesa, Thimphu. “Tshechus were initiated to thank gods for peace and prosperity and to invoke the power of the higher beings to grant us continued prosperity and happiness.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Today, tshechu has come to mean a time to flaunt one’s wealth. How best one is dressed and how richly one eats is Tshechu. For young people, it is a time to find a mate and have a good time, however fleeting the moment.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Says Lopen Pema Thinley, a retired teacher: “It is good that we now have commentators at tshechus. Otherwise, our young people will not understand anything about tshechu. It is crucial that we understand why we are doing this. It is more than just culture, tradition and belief system. It is a life lesson.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Shingje Choegi Gyalp is looking on, almost motionless. Acts unfold and the rain continues. Thimphu Tshechu is coming to an end. Outside, on the streets, traders and merchants are busy selling garments and things varied.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Has tshechu also come to mean business?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-38260934671145420042015-09-25T17:33:00.004+06:002015-09-26T11:44:37.890+06:00Higher flexibility.Lower fares<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsQJDttonez4FfrnNCQ7cvzaVzgeF-qCXyTcywJcUgTFSCutOgoO_1_CqhQnvfQBNSlfZAo4ABtPwMbEm1TPjLiFhDxPBsVizwkN8pDFmkpL2-o-ZrqHDAll2G_tazcxVeZhjPP1PNSiF/s1600/tcb_071515_Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsQJDttonez4FfrnNCQ7cvzaVzgeF-qCXyTcywJcUgTFSCutOgoO_1_CqhQnvfQBNSlfZAo4ABtPwMbEm1TPjLiFhDxPBsVizwkN8pDFmkpL2-o-ZrqHDAll2G_tazcxVeZhjPP1PNSiF/s640/tcb_071515_Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-34738663679462789922015-09-25T16:41:00.000+06:002015-09-25T16:41:56.947+06:00Tourist arrivals in Bhutan fall during Peak season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTOsI5oXvA0mR1s_5fmbtaM_w5lLGtFrODemHCPoaqIXbyPIEDGCwUJa_c7ANmf1yKol1m5EcLg2OqXdFWk1UMhU_0ZDzF-ezZQACNkyWkIulrrqIObgcVhhiKjH4MzepBtBhK18JHnYG/s1600/DSC_8089-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTOsI5oXvA0mR1s_5fmbtaM_w5lLGtFrODemHCPoaqIXbyPIEDGCwUJa_c7ANmf1yKol1m5EcLg2OqXdFWk1UMhU_0ZDzF-ezZQACNkyWkIulrrqIObgcVhhiKjH4MzepBtBhK18JHnYG/s320/DSC_8089-660x330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
While spring has not been so bountiful, there is not much to look forward to in fall either for the tourism industry that saw a drop in international tourist arrivals by about 14.62 percent as of August this year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Even the ongoing Thimphu tshechu, one of the highlights of the peak season failed to draw as many international tourists as it did last year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Records with the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) show that a total of 3,495 international tourists have been booked to arrive for the Thimphu tshechu this year against 5,280 international tourists in 2014 for the same period.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Bhutan recorded a total of 99,709 tourists as of August 31 of which 32,877 were international visitors and 66,832 regional visitors. While this is an overall increase of 30.83 percent, in terms of international tourists, this season saw a drop of 14.62 percent.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Regional tourist arrivals continued to increase this year. As of August 31, regional tourists recorded an increase of 77.25 percent compared to the same period last year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Visitors from India, Maldives and Bangladesh are considered as regional tourists. They are exempt from the minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and 200 during the peak and lean seasons that the international tourists pay to visit Bhutan.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
TCB officials said the Bhutan-Thailand friendship offer for the lean months of June, July and August brought in a total of 8,842 Thai visitors that boosted the international tourist arrivals statistics.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
However, they also said that the tourism industry continues to be affected by the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake and the bomb blast in Bangkok, Thailand since Bangkok is the preferred choice of entry point and circuit destination for visitors coming to Bhutan.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The drop in arrivals, which is compounded by the increasing number of tour operators and guides leaving, has left the industry in doldrums.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Hotels and Restaurants Association of Bhutan’s president Thinley Palden Dorji said that while the association doesn’t have data on occupancy yet, going by the demand, there is a decline from last year. “This year it’s relatively calmer and easier to get rooms unlike last year,” he said, adding this has left many hotels worried.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
However, Thinley Palden Dorji said that last year as the Thimphu tshechu coincided with the puja holidays in October, it had increased demand for rooms from regional tourists.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
As for tour operators, most said they recorded a drop in arrivals compared to the past years.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“For us, it’s been the same like last year but this year it wasn’t difficult getting hotels,” a tour operator said. “Still there are many hotels available while last year there was shortage of rooms everywhere.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Etho Metho tour and treks’ director Sangay Wangchuk said they experienced a drop in tourists by about 30 to 40 percent compared to last year. He attributed the drop to the Nepal earthquake, which led to cancellation of trips.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Some tour operators said that Myanmar and Sri Lanka emerging as new destinations had an impact on Bhutan as a destination. Besides, tour operators said that the increasing number of Bhutanese tour operators led to more competition.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Guides Association of Bhutan’s (GAB) chairman Garab Dorji said that at this time of the year, the association receives many requests for guides. “This year there are hardly any requests which means there is a drop in arrivals,” he said. “Most guides were saying they aren’t engaged this time.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
During peak seasons, GAB arranges freelance guides for tour operators when the demand soars. However since last year, Garab Dorji said the market has been inundated with guides. “Every year about 400 to 500 guides enter the market,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
A tour operator said that the drop in international tourist arrivals this fall is proof of how volatile the tourism industry is. “It only goes to show what we are up against if the country becomes too dependent on tourism,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
There are more than 2,300 guides, 1,600 tour operators and 123 tourist standard hotels in the country as of last year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-5474772248028353342015-09-19T16:50:00.000+06:002015-09-19T16:50:47.944+06:00Bhutan Khesar Gyalpo Archery Tournament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The Khesar Gyalpo Archery Tournament (KGAT) started in Trashigang yesterday with three teams from the gewogs of Merak, Sakteng and Radhi.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Teams from the 15 gewogs of Trashigang will be using traditional bows and arrows. Teams are to follow the rules and regulations of the Bhutan Indigenous Sports and Games Association (BIGSA).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Similar tournaments are also happening in the other five dzongkhags of the eastern region. Top two teams from each dzongkhag will qualify for the finals that would be played at Gyalpozhing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Archers must only Tabzhu and Changzhu bows. Archers are also required to wear their team colour (Nyarey) to differentiate one team from the other.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lQlwTtNm1AG56gbWRWxPWN-gJzVtbB13584G6WafheiYfbJOAZ9Z480ttsKsdlvRDvXdsmKASYOOz4Ov8dH6UVkdJqYzYjyZXThwyVkfPBtoj8RHLbxxDIsp6K39cDaNMke6GTivuG8o/s1600/DSC02031-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lQlwTtNm1AG56gbWRWxPWN-gJzVtbB13584G6WafheiYfbJOAZ9Z480ttsKsdlvRDvXdsmKASYOOz4Ov8dH6UVkdJqYzYjyZXThwyVkfPBtoj8RHLbxxDIsp6K39cDaNMke6GTivuG8o/s320/DSC02031-660x330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Apart from the commemoration of the 60th birth anniversary of The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Trashigang’s Sr. Dzongrab, Pema Dorji said that one of the objectives of KGAT is to promote Bhutan’s national sport.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“Further, the tournament will provide a platform for interaction among people from different places,” the Sr. Dzongrab said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The Office of The Gyaltshab in Gyalpozhing is organizing the tournament under the command of HRH The Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The KGAT committee will coordinate the tournament and shall act as the dispute settlement body as well.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, the dzongkhag administration should submit the lists of those teams, which have qualified for the final level tournament (FLT), to the Office of The Gyaltshab. Finale is scheduled on October 18</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-64940843382940897372015-09-09T17:40:00.002+06:002015-09-09T17:40:44.060+06:00Former health minister Sangay Ngedup honoured<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
In recogniation of their path-breaking interventions that helped improve the health and well-being of people in their countries, the World Health Organisation South-East Asia Region yesterday conferred the Excellence in Public Health awards to former health and education minister Sangay Ngedup and former President of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Former minister Sangay Ngedup is recognised for setting up the Bhutan Health Trust Fund (BHTF), to fund vaccines and essential drugs when he served as the director general of Health Services.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, who is currently the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, has been awarded for building sustainable health services, specifically in training medical doctors.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
“The award is an appreciation and acknowledgement of their significant contributions to health care services,” Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said at an event on the sidelines of the WHO Regional Committee meeting in Dili, Timor-Leste. The award comprises of a citation and a plaque.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Sangay Ngedup, who became the director general of Health Services in 1992 and the health and education minister in 1998, brought unprecedented development in the health sector, both quantitatively and qualitatively, states the WHO press release.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
During a decade of dedicated service, he oversaw the expansion of health infrastructure as well as health services and left behind the legacy of the BHTF.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Health ministry officials said that the BHTF was the former minister’s brainchild and its main purpose was to put aside a sufficient amount of funds in a trust to ensure the continued funding of two critical components of health services – vaccines and essential drugs. The target capital required for BHTF was estimated at about USD 24 million (M) to accrue the returns that could sufficiently fund the requirements for vaccines and essential drugs for the whole country.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The Trust Fund was established through a Royal Kasho in 1997 to ensure the future provision of preventive and curative health services to the people, independent of the government or donor funding.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
In an interview with Kuensel in October 2000, Sangay Ngedup had said that the concept of BHTF arose out of concerns over the sustainability of the present health care system, especially the essential drugs and vaccines, which are the backbone of primary health. He added that the government provides free health care beyond its capacity whereby patients requiring referral or specialised services are referred outside the country.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
To raise awareness and support for BHTF, both from within the country and abroad, former mnister Sangay Ngedup undertook the Move for Health, an arduous task of walking from Trashigang in the east of the country to Thimphu, the capital in the west, chalking up a distance of more than 560 kilometers on foot along ancient tracks, and carrying his own rations required for the entire journey of 15 days.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Today, BHTF is close to its target of USD 24M and, in a recent move by the government, the health contribution of all employees is now channelled into BHTF, making it large enough and sustainable to guarantee the availability of all vaccines in the national immunisation programme, and all medicines on the national essential drugs list.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
As the President of the country in 2003, Mr Gusmao, had signed a historic agreement with Cuba for building sustainable health system and training medical doctors in Timor-Leste. Two years later, he signed another agreement with Cuba to train 1,000 Timorese medical doctors. Today all 42 villages in the country have at least one doctor in each of their health centers and health posts.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The WHO awards were initiated last year to recognise public health professionals or institution/ programme, whose work had resulted in far-reaching implications and gains.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-29801351103282822262015-07-23T18:05:00.002+06:002015-07-23T18:05:53.659+06:00Taktsang Zhenta Detsuen’s positive impact<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The coming together of horse owners, in Tsento Gewog under Paro Dzongkhag, to form an association, has brought about positive impacts in horse riding business.</strong></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The members say after the formation of the group, their riding business has become systematic and efficient.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Previously, some would get to go around twice in a day, while some, who were shy and less experienced, wouldn’t even get a single customer,” said the group’s chairman, Rinchen Dorji.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He said after the association was formed every member gets equal opportunities to make money since the horses are sent out in order of a list.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Horse owners of Tsento Gewog came together to form Taktsang Zhenta Detsuen in March, this year. The 27-member group has established an office at the base of Taktshang.</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 320px;"><tbody style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th align="center" scope="row" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><video class="video-js vjs-default-skin" controls="controls" height="240" id="MY_VIDEO_1" poster="http://www.bbs.bt/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Horse-riding-tshogpa-.jpg" preload="auto" width="320"></video><br /></strong></div>
</th></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Members have to bring their horses and the office assigns them with their daily duties.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The group has around 170 horses which are assigned in order.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I have to open the office by 6:30 AM. When customers come in, I take their order and distribute their orders accordingly,” said the association’s accountant, Thinley.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The horse-owners are now able to concentrate more on their services without having to worry about finding customers.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Earlier when there was no group there were a lot of problems. We couldn’t concentrate on the quality of our services. Since this group was started everything started to work smoothly,” said a member, Phub Dorji.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Customers have to pay Nu 660 per horse regardless of the business season.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Horse-owners get Nu 600, while Nu 60 is deposited in the association’s Bank account.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20.1599998474121px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The group plans to initiate other small projects, such as a canteen, from the money saved in the bank.<br />
<br />
<br />
Source: BBS</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-59811744198379513652015-07-23T17:56:00.000+06:002015-07-23T17:56:04.889+06:00Bhutan’s saving unique written culture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdqKdfG1IWoDUI8QYnclWdYhIKPVaS9NRwn4QoLYCLNQ6tAN31j1d8_B5mie1vC0YFYivjuYexuddoOwrO-ObfMjOXviJdZRwcrNm-uVoLgP0Arzx9t5jliDEHYBn6JXUUFIcQ2hAC0cY/s1600/Denma-Tsemang3-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdqKdfG1IWoDUI8QYnclWdYhIKPVaS9NRwn4QoLYCLNQ6tAN31j1d8_B5mie1vC0YFYivjuYexuddoOwrO-ObfMjOXviJdZRwcrNm-uVoLgP0Arzx9t5jliDEHYBn6JXUUFIcQ2hAC0cY/s320/Denma-Tsemang3-660x330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Traditional calligraphy and xylography in the country are on terminal decline with increasing population being exposed to computers and electronic gadgets, researchers said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
In an attempt to preserve the traditional calligraphic, xyllographic and print culture in the country, experts from around the country are working on the National Library and Archives of Bhutan’s (NLAB) three-year project. German Bhutan Himalaya Society is funding the first phase with Nu 2.16 million.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
They are conducting a research on historical significance of ancient calligraphy and xylographic print culture, and making videos of the calligraphic skills. The national library would also have a small museum with various exhibits collected during their research.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
The project is divided in to two phases of 18 months each. In the first phase that ends in December 2016, besides collecting initial samples, the researchers would compile and produce a draft book.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
One of the researchers and the project consultant, Gregor Verhufen said that the country has a unique written script, a vast and great tradition now threatened by the explosion of technology.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Gregor Verhufen is a German researcher on Tibetan language and culture including its neighbours and has helped create a digital catalogue of the 140,000 texts in the national library in a 10-year project in the early 2000.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“<i style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Mgyogs yig (jo-yig)</i>, a script introduced to Bhutan by a disciple of Guru Padmasambhawa, Denma Tsemang during the Guru’s second visit is unique to this country,” Gregor said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
However, an English explorer in 1907 discovered a sample of the script in a monastery now called Dunhuang, on the old silk route, in China.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“So the question is how did the script reach thousand of miles away from here, which is interesting to research,” he said. “This is not just significant from a religious point but also from the cultural side.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Chief research officer of NLAB, (Dr) Yonten Dargye said the project could not lose any more time. “There are still few experts on the writing culture and we would document every aspect of it for preservation,” he said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
“Few years down the line, we may not be able to achieve what we can today.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Researchers said that without proper research and documentation, the significance of this heritage that forefathers valued may not be properly understood and appreciated by future generations.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Given that great Buddhist masters introduced the preponderance of this heritage to establish national identity, it is important that the most accurate information possible is gathered, analysed, and documented for posterity, researchers said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
The book has eight chapters on topics including traditional paper-making, ink, pen, origin of the Bhutanese script (<i style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Mgyogs-yig</i>), xylography, and printing texts, among others.\</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Source: Kuenselonline.com</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-65772353113794138112014-06-20T12:19:00.000+06:002014-06-20T12:19:48.487+06:00Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay yesterday refused to receive the revised salary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Surprising parliamentarians and the people, Prime Minister Tshering
Tobgay yesterday refused to receive the revised salary, and announced
that he would donate the additional Nu 50,000 from his revised monthly
salary to charity.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While presenting the State of the Nation report to Parliament,
lyonchhoen said many people have criticised the salary for members of
parliament and cabinet ministers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I’ll not defend the increase or argue whether it’s too high or not,”
lyonchhoen said. “However, on the prime minister’s (PM) salary, I also
agree that it’s too high.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Our country can’t afford it and my conscience will not be able to accept it,” lyonchhoen said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lyonchhoen stated that he would be accepting the salary equivalent to
that received by the cabinet ministers, and the additional monthly
amount of Nu 50,000 would be donated to charity organisations at the end
of his five-year term.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“There’s no motive, I’m just driven by the understanding that the PM’s salary was too high,” lyonchhoen told Kuensel.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lyonchhoen said that, on one hand, the government was trying
austerity and, on the other, the PM can’t be accepting such a big
salary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Several members, both in the opposition and the ruling party, said
that I have to take it, but I said I couldn’t accept this and, if the PM
must get more, than give him Nu 1 more, just as a token, which wasn’t
accepted as well,” lyonchhoen said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He added that the first Parliament, in its sixth session, approved
the pay scale and the present government, the day it took office, should
have legally started accepting the higher salary, because it was
already passed by the parliament.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“But we didn’t, because we felt responsible to drive the austerity
measures, and we didn’t want to take the high package,” lyonchhoen said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said that the salary reduction was discussed earlier and submitted
to Parliament. However, the proposal had been already endorsed and
approved by the first parliament.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“That is law. We can’t just change it and that’s why, we didn’t
accept it and we didn’t change it,” he said. “We submitted it back to
Parliament and I requested to revise the PM’s salary downward, but none
of this was accepted.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lyonchhoen had however not identified the charities that he will donate his approximately Nu 2.7M at the end of his term.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Economics affairs minister Norbu Wangchuk said that the PM’s decision
has been made in good faith, and it set the tone for others to follow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It’s a noble gesture and will set a role model for leaders,” he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Minister for information and communications, DN Dhungyel, said the PM
was recommended a higher salary, but it was the wisdom of the PM to not
accept the recommended pay scale.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Personally, the minister said he did not support this decision,
because the cabinet ministers and the PM had two very different types of
responsibilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finance minister Namgay Dorji said that the pay scale for PM and the
ministers was a resolution of the National Assembly, which could not be
over-written.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“However the PM’s intentions are clear and we respect his decision,” lyonpo Namgay Dorji said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While some cabinet ministers applauded the move, Bhutan Kuen-Nyam
Party tweeted, “An intentional raise of 131 percent disagreeing to the
pay commission report and now a donation gimmick…wake up Bhutan and
realise.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It also tweeted that the pay commission’s report on pay raise for PM
and cabinet ministers was lower than the government’s pay revision
report.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party president Sonam Tobgay said, “There are large
variations between the pay commission’s report vis-à-vis the
government’s pay revision report.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, Druk Nyamrup tshogpa’s interim president, (Dr) Tandin Dorji, said he appreciated the PM’s gesture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline </div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-71767887913175715902014-03-13T23:57:00.000+06:002014-03-13T23:57:16.698+06:00Trashi Yangtse Tshechu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The annual Tshechu in Trashi Yangtse drew a huge crowd this year compared to the past years. This is because the Tsechu was held for the first time in the new Dzong, accommodating the increasing number of people.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the past the annual Tshechu was held in Dongdey Dzong, which used to be the old Trashiyangtse Dzong. Since Dongdey Dzong is about five kilometres away from the proper town, not many people could attend the Tsechu.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
After completing the construction of the second <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Utse</i> for the new Dzong, the Tshogdue decided to organise the Tshechu in the new Dzong. The decision was taken for the convenience of the public, according to officials.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Our reporter, Cheyche, said that the courtyard of the new Dzong is also more spacious than the old Dzong accommodating more devotees.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
“It is more interesting to watch here compared to the old Dzong. People were not willing to come to the old Dzong to watch tshcehu. But here everyone is interested to come since there is lots of sitting space to watch the Tshechu,” said one of the local reidents,<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Neten.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
According to some of the regulars, the number of people coming to witness has increased by almost thrice. “I also went to witness in the old Dzong and there were not many people. People were not willing to go to the old Dzong since there is no proper place to sit and watch Tshechu,” said Passang Tshering, a local resident.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Some of the people said that only Dzongkhag staff and monks would watch the Tshechu when organised at the old Dzong.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
The monks and the Dzongkhag mask dancers performed various mask dances during the three-day tshechu. The Dzongkhag dancers and students from various schools performed cultural dances to entertain the crowd.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Tshechu concluded with the unfurling of Guru Tshengay Thongdrol yesterday. The Tshechu was initiated in 1999.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: BBS</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-19511628991648015552014-03-02T11:37:00.000+06:002014-03-02T11:37:00.897+06:00The Bangladesh Ambassador to Bhutan presented his credentials to His Majesty the King<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf27vVDAGfl7aBtDJ_X5VfbAvkq2nSdh775ORxIqO_Qksf25fg3JXi1oxMUhRXFtWCKPzYheNAooauJTet0ZVTYzuXMlyWrYVsNgAe9ITEUu_ka-okX4IuMuQfplgjW9YY1CtgR8KgN48J/s1600/Ambassador-of-Bangladesh-to-Bhutan-Jishnu-Roy-Choudhury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf27vVDAGfl7aBtDJ_X5VfbAvkq2nSdh775ORxIqO_Qksf25fg3JXi1oxMUhRXFtWCKPzYheNAooauJTet0ZVTYzuXMlyWrYVsNgAe9ITEUu_ka-okX4IuMuQfplgjW9YY1CtgR8KgN48J/s1600/Ambassador-of-Bangladesh-to-Bhutan-Jishnu-Roy-Choudhury.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Ambassador designate was escorted to the Trashichhodzong in a traditional chipdrel procession. He was then ushered into the golden throne room where he presented his credentials to His Majesty. Following the presentation of his credentials, His Majesty the King granted an audience to Mr. Choudhury.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Prior to his current appointment, Ambassador Jishnu Roy Choudhury was the Director General and Additional Secretary in the Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had previously served in different levels of field administration within Bangladesh and also in the Ministry of Finance.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Mr. Choudhury has M.Sc in Public Economic Management and Finance from Birmingham University in the UK.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Later in the afternoon, Mr. Choudhury also called on the Foreign Minister, Rinzin Dorje.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: BBS</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-27099909518757661272014-02-11T16:18:00.003+06:002014-02-11T16:18:38.757+06:00Highest Tourist visiting Bhutan were Americans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">American tourists dominated international arrivals last year, surpassing Japanese tourists who topped arrivals in 2012 .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Of the 52,798 international tourists, who visited the country last year, the highest were Americans, with about 6,927 visitors, a tentative arrival list by nationality show.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">After the US, the other top source markets were China with about 4,764 tourists, Japan with about 4,015 and about 3,494 Thai tourists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Americans continued to dominate international tourist arrivals until 2011. However, in 2012, for the first time, it was Japanese tourists that topped the market.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Tourist arrivals by nationality</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Japanese tourists surpassing American tourists in 2012 was mainly attributed to Their Majesties’ visit to Japan in 2011, which generated “enormous” publicity, followed by Tourism Council of Bhutan’s (TCB) follow-up promotions in Japan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Also, for the first time in four years, Chinese tourists surpassed Japanese tourists, emerging as the second top source market last year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">The country usually saw the highest arrivals from the US followed by Japan. In 2010, Germany saw an increase of about 42 percent in arrivals, overtaking the UK.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">“During the same year, China represented a promising new market and was rated among the top five major markets for the first time with an increase of about 30 percent over 2009,” the tourism monitor stated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">In 2011, China emerged as the third top source markets with 2,896 visitors, records with Tourism Council show. During the same year, Thailand stood fifth among the top source markets with 2,235 visitors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">While arrival figures from top source markets were important, the tourism monitor stated that measuring source markets based on duration of stay was a valuable indicator. “Yield and revenue are linked to the duration of stay,” the monitor stated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Despite the increase in arrivals from neighbouring Asian countries, Tourism Council records indicated that tourists from US always visited for a longer period, contributing to higher revenue, followed by countries like the UK and Germany.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">After dominating the top source market for a long time, the US dropped to the second in 2012, followed by Chinese, Thai and British tourists. That year, the country recorded 105,407 international and regional tourists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">“A record increase in the top Asian markets like Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia propelled the Asia/Pacific region to be the dominating market region in the world,” the 2012 tourism monitor stated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">The increase in arrivals from neighbouring Asian countries, tour operators, said was an advantage for tourism industry, considering the effort towards promoting the country as a all year-round tourist destination.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">A majority of Asians, tour operators said, travelled during summer months to escape the heat. “So that’s when we have to package tours and market accordingly to attract Asian tourists and so far, our efforts have paid off,” a tour operator said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Last year, 116,224 international and regional tourists visited the country, an increase by about 10 percent or 10,810 tourists from the previous year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Of the total arrivals, 44,267 were international or Dollar paying tourists, 8,531 under international business, while the rest 63,426 were regional tourists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Source: Kuenselonline</span></div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-58048069685198037252013-03-07T12:55:00.003+06:002013-03-07T12:55:57.398+06:00Second friendly match for Sikkim United in Bhutan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It ended in a tie, 1-1, this second friendly match for Sikkim United
against a second local football club, Zimdra yesterday at Changlimithang
stadium.Watch hightlights<br />
<br />
The Indian league team played its first match last week against Drukpol
that ended 4-4.<br />
<br />
For team Zimdra, who claimed to have inexperienced players and lacked
resource compared with Sikkim United whose players earn their living off
the game, “yesterday’s draw felt like a massive victory”.<br />
<br />
“Sikkim United being a club playing in the Indian league and having a
good mixture of young experienced players from different places, we did
not expect a draw,” team Zimdra manager Hishey Tshering said. “Having
seen Sikkim United’s play against Drukpol, we predicted a draw or loss
by a goal or two.”<br />
<br />
Zimdra players were under pressure for most part of the match with
Sikkim United’s experienced strikers dashing for a goal now and then,
all of which its goalkeeper parried.<br />
<br />
The first half ended without any goals for both teams.<br />
<br />
Sikkim United had its chance to score and win the match in the 70th
minute when on of its strikers’ shot on target was blocked by a Zimdra
player’s hand in the D-area.<br />
<br />
A penalty shoot out ensued with Zimdra goalie faced against one of
Sikkim United’s best feet.<br />
<br />
But the kick Sikkim United player let off directed towards the right
side of the post was intercepted by Zimdra’s goalkeeper’s preempted
dive.<br />
<br />
It was a save.<br />
<br />
That acted as stimulant for Zimdra players who went on the attack with
renewed vigour, which paid off in the 77th minute of the game when
Ngawang Dhendup, from the crowded D-area, sent the ball whooshing into
Sikkim United’s post from top right corner.<br />
<br />
It was not until the 82nd minute of the game that Sikkim United
responded with an equaliser.<br />
<br />
Its player, Linekar Machado, who timed his run to intercept a long pass
one of his teammates sent between three Zimdra defenders, to face Zimdra
goalkeeper, one-on-one.<br />
<br />
All Machado had to do was kick the ball straight into the net through
the right corner of the post as their opponent did into their post.<br />
<br />
One goal each and that was it for the teams who still tried to break the
tie during the extra two-minute time given to decide a winner through a
sudden death playoff.<br />
<br />
The stadium echoed with applauds in appreciation of an electrifying show
the two teams put up.<br />
<br />
Sikkim United coach Nathan Hall said Drukpol had weakness in ball
possession while under pressure, but Zimdra players, physically robust,
as they were, to his surprise he said controlled the ball pretty well.<br />
<br />
“Converting on opportunities is something my team have failed against
Indian league teams,” he said. “It’s the same situation here.”<br />
<br />
Today Sikkim United will play their last match against Yeedzin.<br />
<br />
Their star player, Baichung Bhutia is expected to play for at least 30
minutes of the game that starts at 4:30pm.<br />
<br />
Source: Kuenselonline</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-64688033010952487042012-12-11T13:01:00.001+06:002012-12-11T13:01:40.937+06:00His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EBGHLcmD_exyYEUvj6R5Xxattbs-rI0TbcZSEXXo8KJh-ySWrIBXlY8GGJuOWS61-6ImaJJx8JkHv00pBd1XlQvde4V4SAHs9pbE2s04iEReMAZkP5h22P-UQ5447TrvoAYud7ujLFMO/s1600/HM+EuropeanBhutanFriendshipSocieties..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EBGHLcmD_exyYEUvj6R5Xxattbs-rI0TbcZSEXXo8KJh-ySWrIBXlY8GGJuOWS61-6ImaJJx8JkHv00pBd1XlQvde4V4SAHs9pbE2s04iEReMAZkP5h22P-UQ5447TrvoAYud7ujLFMO/s320/HM+EuropeanBhutanFriendshipSocieties..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: BBS</div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-45213353870140320522012-12-07T10:33:00.000+06:002012-12-07T10:33:51.137+06:00The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip, named after Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, was publicly launched today at the Nehru-Wangchuck cultural Centre in the capital.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
With deep red petals edged with golden yellow colours, the “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip has been developed and cultivated in the Netherlands.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It was offered to Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen as a royal wedding gift from the Dutch citizens at Lingkana Palace.<a href="http://www.bbs.bt/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/QueenOFBHutan-Tulip..gif" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #cd1713; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-20272" height="298" src="http://www.bbs.bt/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/QueenOFBHutan-Tulip..gif" style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); float: right; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="QueenOFBHutan-Tulip." width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The tulip was first launched in the Netherlands on September 22, this year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The tulip reflects the longstanding friendly relationship between Bhutan and the Netherlands, and also symbolises the growing business relations between the two countries.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Various government officials, diplomats, representatives from the Dutch community and the local business community were present during the launch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijeGM3wi6Oo2jNNfdW-Uaj6cJc4iqggVXAnHGlFjgmAtvtLrzVgfhBHpel_J0yaWi6yL8vrItHgLxXk9tMIArGDHd63MkLXgEPXC9h1aVt_0LCnl7ARpCh49uIL9Q03sUI2pMo1p8gjIM/s1600/QueenOFBHutan-Tulip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijeGM3wi6Oo2jNNfdW-Uaj6cJc4iqggVXAnHGlFjgmAtvtLrzVgfhBHpel_J0yaWi6yL8vrItHgLxXk9tMIArGDHd63MkLXgEPXC9h1aVt_0LCnl7ARpCh49uIL9Q03sUI2pMo1p8gjIM/s320/QueenOFBHutan-Tulip.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 20.149999618530273px;">Source: BBS</span></div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-28138498951225042142012-10-18T09:28:00.003+06:002012-10-18T09:28:32.423+06:00Punakha gears for Dechhog Khorlo Dompa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“All nine rooms in our hotel has been booked,” manager of Shivling hotel, Tandin, said. “We’re booked for all 15 days of the <em>wang</em> (blessing).”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The construction of the <em>wangkhang</em> (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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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 <em>wang</em>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The zhung dratsang’s tshukla lopen, Samten Dorji, said since the Dechhog Khorlo Dompa is the main <em>yedam</em> (tutelary deity) of drukpa kagyu, the wang is sacred. “The blessings will also cover many other <em>yedam</em> deities,” he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: Kuenselonline </div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-11847260462922083082012-10-06T10:17:00.000+06:002012-10-06T10:17:18.618+06:00Bhutan traditional bamboo craft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Developmental activities, like farm road construction in the gewog, are also affecting the tradition.</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; width: 320px;"><tbody>
<tr><th scope="row"><br /></th></tr>
<tr><th scope="row"></th></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To revive the tradition, the villagers in collaboration with the
Royal Society for Protection of Nature have planted bamboo plants near
their village.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: BBS </div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-53341335420152067312012-10-06T10:09:00.004+06:002012-10-06T10:14:27.963+06:00Foreign Exchange Reserve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Constitutional requirements state that the economy’s convertible
currency reserve must cover 12 months of essential import expenditure.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Adding up these requirements, Bhutan’s total foreign currency reserve
today is short by USD 20M (Nu 1B accounting in today’s exchange rate).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The central bank, which is responsible for managing the economy’s
foreign reserve, said that reserves must now be used cautiously.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: Kunselonline </div>
</div>
Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779572283049536597.post-73326386732431244652012-09-13T15:27:00.002+06:002012-09-13T15:32:25.226+06:00Druk Chirwang Tshogpa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y__XVRNb6WpYcNnMi8N64T8jHC4b6IrDEOCvCFeF0bvKAAaGGK3S-JrJmu5U9PAWBEfl3Ozo-a-YSZRE_tXJn8MNe5vT2drNk2zTDmPu9VM1GIoE2vu88PDrxbUteEAYTDdNvp6ErUqE/s1600/DrukChirwangParty1.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y__XVRNb6WpYcNnMi8N64T8jHC4b6IrDEOCvCFeF0bvKAAaGGK3S-JrJmu5U9PAWBEfl3Ozo-a-YSZRE_tXJn8MNe5vT2drNk2zTDmPu9VM1GIoE2vu88PDrxbUteEAYTDdNvp6ErUqE/s400/DrukChirwangParty1.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5787591480839515282" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">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.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">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.”</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">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.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">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.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The spokesperson said their manifesto and charter are in advanced draft stage.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Source: BBS</p>Tashi Phuntshohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199294216886830976noreply@blogger.com0