Bihar CM Visit Bhutan for 5 Days

The chief minister of the Indian state of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, is on a five-day goodwill visit to Bhutan, on the invitation of Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley.

In his meeting with Lyonchhoen yesterday in Thimphu, the chief minister said that land to build a temple, an area for meditation and a rest house - dharamsala - had been identified in Rajgir, which is visited by thousands of Bhutanese every year.

Lyonchhoen had made a request for a three-acre plot of land in Rajgir, during his visit to Bihar in September 2010 as the president of the Mahabodhi society.

An exhibition on tourism in Bihar and a cultural performance, followed by a lunch, showcasing the rich cuisine of Bihar, will be held today at the Tarayana centre in Thimphu, organised by the Bihar state tourism development corporation and the tourism council of Bhutan.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who arrived on May 1, leaves the country today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan: Indian helicopter carrying the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, India missing

A helicopter carrying the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, India which was reported missing since yesterday has not been found so far said the Home Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji. He was speaking to the Bhutanese media this afternoon. The Home Minister who is coordinating the search operation said “the entire government machinery has been mobilised and all the dzongdas (governors) of the six eastern districts have been alerted.”

The helicopter left Tawang for Itanagar, the state capital, at 9.55 a.m. with five people on board. Because of bad weather, it had to change route and attempt to fly over Bhutan.

The search has been narrowed down to three areas; Merak and Sakteng area in Trashigang district, Dungte in Trashiyangtse, and Shingkhar Lauri in Samdrupjongkhar. Hundreds of people including district administration officials, armed force personnel, local farmers, park officials, and teachers are combing the area to locate the missing chopper.

“The area is uninhabited and covered by thick forests, the terrain is extremely rough, and the weather conditions unfavourable making the search efforts difficult,” said the Home Minister.

With the Prime Minister closely involved, the Home Minister and the Cabinet Secretary Dasho Tashi Phuntshog are coordinating the efforts with Royal Bhutan Army, the Royal Bhutan Police, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Department of Disaster Management, and the Indian Embassy.

“His Majesty the King who has been informed regularly on the missing chopper is deeply concerned,” said the Home Minister.

A number of helicopters are searching the area where the chopper may have been lost. Communication problems are also hampering the search efforts.

The Cabinet Secretary said “the search will continue till the chopper is located.” Nobody is sure where it has landed, in Bhutan or in India. “Search is on, on both sides of the border,” he said.

Prayers are also being recited in the six eastern districts for the safety of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and other people on-board the chopper.

Source: BBS