Druk Air: Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement

Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement (ASA) next week, according to the department of civil aviation (DCA).

The agreement will allow national airline, Drukair and upcoming private airline, Tashi Air, the rights to fly to Singapore. A civil aviation team from Singapore will arrive in the country today to work out technical details of the ASA, prior to a final agreement on Wednesday.

Drukair plans to operate to Singapore twice a week from March next year, according to the airline’s commercial manager, Tshering Penjor. But he said that this would also depend on when Drukair is able to acquire a third airbus jet. Drukair will also have the rights to operate to Singapore through Kolkata, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A representative for Tashi Air said that its international destinations will only be worked out once the airline’s domestic obligations are fulfilled. The private airline’s aircraft is expected to arrive in the first week of October.

DCA director general, Phala Dorji, pointed out that an added benefit to an ASA with Singapore would be obtaining training opportunities for Bhutanese aviation officials.

The aviation sector is a key component of the Singaporean economy, and its civil aviation authority is also major provider of training for international aviation management personnel. Bhutanese airlines will also be able to use Singapore for its high level of aircraft maintenance and repair services. “This will go a long way in terms of benefits,” said Phala Dorji. The director general also pointed out that Singapore had initiated the ASA.

Bhutan now has ASAs with seven countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and now, Singapore. Phala Dorji said that DCA is under instructions to establish as many ASAs as possible. He said that DCA is currently focused on establishing ASAs with all SAARC countries. Bhutan does not have ASAs with Pakistan and Afghanistan. He added that Qatar had recently expressed interest in establishing an ASA with Bhutan.

While ASAs can be established, it is up to airlines whether a route will be formed and operated. Drukair does not operate to the Maldives and has discontinued its Myanmar stopovers. Drukair is currently focused on expanding its services to and within India, where domestic passenger traffic is growing at a rapid pace. Passenger traffic between Paro and India increased 26 percent in 2010. The international air transport association (IATA) ranked India’s domestic passenger traffic growth second (14 percent) globally for the month of June. Drukair is considering establishing routes to the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai.

The national airline is also looking at establishing a Hong Kong, China route.

Source: Kuenselonline

Four Powerful Animals

Known as “The Four Dignities,�? these powerful animals represent sacred qualities and attitudes that Bodhisattvas develop on the path to enlightenment; qualities such as awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power.

The Dragon (Inscrutable) enjoys resting in the sky among the clouds and wind. It is energetic, powerful and unwavering yet gentle and playful. The Sky Dragon symbolizes generosity, spontaneous achievement, elegance, and equanimity.

The Garuda (Outrageous) is daring and fearless. Possessing great strength and power it soars beyond the beyond - no holding back. It symbolizes freedom from hopes and fears, the vast mind without reference point.

The Snow Lion (Perky) represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise. It’s synchronized body and mind results in a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight.

The Tiger (Meek) symbolizes unconditional confidence, disciplined awareness, kindness and modesty. It is relaxed yet energized; resting in a gentle state of being with a natural sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

About Bhutan

Bhutan Map

Population (2004)
Population: 752,700 : Male: 380,090 : Female: 372,610

Age Composition (%)
0-14: 42.1
15-49: 44.0
50-59: 6.8
60+: 7.2
Urban Population(%): 21.0
Rural population(%): 79.0
Population Density (person/sq.km): 19.6
Median Age(years): 19.4
Index of Aging: 10.1

Land
Area (sq.km): 38,394
Dzongkhags (districts): 20
Geogs(Blocks): 201

Time Zone:
Bhutan has only one time zone, Bhutan Standard Time (BST). It is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), 30 minutes ahead of India.

National Bird: Raven (Corvus Corax Tibetanus)
The tutelary god Mahakala took the form of a raven to guide the country’s unifier, Zhabdrung to Bhutan. Raven (local name Jarog) lent its name and features to the crown of the king of Bhutan.

National Tree:Cypress (Cupressess Corneyana)

Cypress has distinctive characteristic of slightly conical with a broad base and tapering top. When old, it is a tall impressive tree. It has green leaves all the year round. Compared to other trees, its leaves do not resemble needles. Its leaves are narrow, thick and leathery. Drooping leaves make tree look graceful. Trunk erect and ridge with grayish brown bark which flake of in short, thin strips. Life span of centuries. It grows naturally in Bhutan between 2500 – 3000 m but it is also planted at lower altitudes. It grows well on steep limestone areas and is occasionally found in our forests ( Pho Chhu valley north east of Punakha and on the west slopes of Pelela ) Plantations of Cyprus can also be seen between Dochula and wendeygang and at Taba.

National Emblem:

The national emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond thunderbolt placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The double diamond thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power; which results from the Buddhist religion on its Vajrayana form. The Lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country-the thunder.

National Dress:

Bhutanese men wear gho, which are longish robes tied around the waist by a cloth belt, know as kira. The womens ankle-length dress is known as kira, which is made of bright colored fine woven textile with traditional patterns.

National Currency: Bhutan’s currency is Ngultrum (Nu) equivalent to Indian Rupee.

National Animal: Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor)
Locally called Don Gyem Tsey is chosen as national animal because of its uniqueness and its strong association with the country’s religious history and mythology. It is a clumsy heavy animal similar to gnu and musk ox, it lives in flocks in places 4000m high and eats bamboo. Weighs as much as 250 kgs.

National Flower: Blue Poppy (Meconopsis Grandsis)
Locally called Euitpel metog hoem, is a delicate blue or purple tinged bloom with a white filament. It grows at high altitude.

National Language: Dzongkha

National Game: Archery The national sport of Bhutan is Archery. Other traditional sports include digor - a kind of shotput, darts and wrestling. In Bhutan a game of archery has always been a serious business. Traditionaly if two villages or districts were to compete in a game of archery, elaborate preparations preceded the actual duel. Astrologers consulted the stars and their books of wisdom to divine the most auspicious day to play the game, including even the most favorable sequence of shooting for their players.

National Flag :

National Flag of Kingdom of Bhutan

The National Flag of Kingdom of Bhutan is divided diagonally into equal yellow and orange halves. The division starts from the lower corner of the flag where it is hoisted and runs along the diagonally opposite corner. The yellow portion lies on the upper part of the diagonal division and it represents the yellow scarf worn by His Majesty, which in turn represents the being of His Majesty, the King. The orange portion lies on the lower part of the flag and it represents the orange scarf worn by the Je Khenpo, the religious head of the country.The National Flag has a white Dragon which spreads equally along the diagonal division towards the upper end. The dragon holds norbu(jewel) by its claws.