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

Bhutan is collaborating with an Indian based HCL Info Systems

In a move to make the country a knowledge based society through information and communication technologies, Bhutan is collaborating with an Indian based company called HCL Info Systems Limited.

Towards this, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Information and Communications and HCL Info Systems.

The agreement was signed between the Vice-executive Chairman, George Paul and the Information and Communications Secretary, Dasho Kinley Dorji, last evening.

The collaboration will enable setting up of manufacturing units for IT products in Bhutan.

The company will also train Bhutanese on IT hardware technology and related repairs and management. Among others they will also put in place appropriate e-waste management strategies to protect the environment.

With such collaborations, Bhutan aims to achieve its aim of universal connectivity by 2011.

Source: BBྠྠྠS

News: His Majesty the King granted audience to the India's Chief of Army Staff

His Majesty with Chief of India’s Army Staff

His Majesty the King granted audience to the India's Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor today.

General Deepak Kapoor was escorted in traditional chipdrel ceremony to the Tashichhodzong. In the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong, he was presented a guard of honour by the Royal Body Guards and the Royal Bhutan Army.

General Kapoor was then ushered into the throne room where he received the audience with His Majesty the King.

General Deepak Kapoor was commissioned into the regiment of artillery in June 1967 and has held important Staff and Command positions. He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. He took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on September 30, 2007.

Following the audience, General Kapoor called on the Chief of Operations of the Royal Bhutan Army, Major General Batoo Tshering. He also called on the Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering.

His Majesty the King also hosted a luncheon for General Deepak Kapoor at the Dechenchholing palace.
Source: BBS

News: Bhutan Hundred graduates to undergo intensive IT training in India

Hundred graduates are leaving the country today to undergo intensive IT training in India, courtesy of Infosys technologies ltd. The training is being provided free of cost by the multinational company.

“This is very significant,” said information and communications minister, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai. The minister told the graduates at a final briefing yesterday that they would be representing Bhutan as ambassadors, and that it was very important they succeed. The 100 graduates represent the government’s first official move to create an IT skilled work force for the upcoming IT Park. They will be trained in business processes and software development.

“It’s much more than just training,” said department of information and technology director, Tenzin Choeda, “it’s a test for the country as a possible ground for future investment.” Developing the IT sector to provide an environment to attract local and foreign investment and provide employment opportunities is one of the major goals of the government.

“I don’t know how far this will be beneficial for us,” said Sherab Dorji, one of the graduates, “but it’s an opportunity for those of us who are unemployed.”

Sonam Zangmo, who graduated in June 2008, said she was happy to be selected for the training. But, because of the rising unemployment rate in the country, she said, the success of the training could only be measured once the trainees return. “I hope I get a job when I return,” she said.

Ministry of labour and human resources secretary, Dasho Sonam Tenzin, was very optimistic about the graduates finding employment after completing their training. He said it was not easy to get accepted at an institute like Infosys and that it was only through the goodwill of the company that the 100 Bhutanese were being trained. “They’ll all get employed, even if not with Infosys, they’ll get it elsewhere,” he said.

Source: Kuenselonline