Bhutan: Earthquake and Tsunami that hit north Japan

His Majesty the King and the Japanese community in Bhutan offer Karmi Tongchey (a thousand Butter lamps) and prayers at the Tashichhodzong yesterday, for the victims of the March 11 earthquake and Tsunami that hit north Japan on Friday.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan Gasa Dzong Renovation

Within a span of more than a year since work began, about 80 percent of the renovation works on Gasa dzong has been completed.

Dzongkhag officials are optimistic of being able to complete the project within the next six months, irrespective of the usual obstacles like roadblocks and carrying material to the site.


Although collection of local material began since 2008, Gasa dzongkhag’s junior engineer Kuenga Tshering said the real renovation work began in full swing only by October 2009.

Kuenga Tshering said initially Nu 4.7M was approved for the project, considering that the dzong would be renovated with same design as it stood before the fire damaged a part of the dzong.

“But later the design of a structure was changed which now would cost much dearer,” he said. “To incorporate those changes would cost the government around Nu 14.6M instead of the approved 4.7M.”

Those aspects aside, he said the dzongkhag was constructing two new structures.

“A two-storied structure has reached the roof stage, while the other structure is progressing just as quickly,” he said.

In the two-storied structure, the top storey served as the administrative block, while the lower one housed the Kagye lhakhang.

With the administrative block having moved to another new structure that was built just outside the dzong where they will remain, the previous administrative block will be turned into Mithrup lhakhang.

A dzongkhag official said they had to construct two new buildings outside the dzong for office space after the last fire.

“A building is already being used by administration and engineering cell, while the other is still under construction,” he said.

The apartment that previously accommodated the caretaker will serve as torkhang, room dedicated for monks to make ritual cakes or torma, of the dratshang once completed.

The Kagye lhakhang, the koenyer’s room, administrative block and an engineering cell of the Gasa dzong were reduced to rubble, and the main statues inside the lhakhang charred in the 2008 fire.

However, the 17th-century dzong and its main nangten (spiritual treasures) survived the potentially devastating fire.

“We’ve constructed a hostel for monks at Phulakha, about a 15-minute walk from the dzong, ever since the monks were rendered homeless after the fire, and the ongoing renovation work after it,” dzongkhag officials said. “They’ve yet to move to the new hostel.”

Kuenga Tshering pointed out that last year’s roadblocks between Punakha and Gasa closed the dzongkhag from the rest of the country for about a month, which hampered the work progress.

“We couldn’t transport construction material and even the labourers ran out of ration,” he said.

Today the road to Gasa has reached Zamina since last year, leaving a gap of about an hour’s walk to the dzong.

Although the road had reached Zamina last year, he said it was closed for traffic. Besides, road blocks from mud slides made unloading and carrying construction materials to the site from Gezapang, which is about a four-hour-walk from Gasa, difficult.

In absence of the road that reached Zamina, officials said even gathering local material to the work site was a major hurdle.

“People had to carry stones to the construction site, just as they had to carry timber from the forest,” he said.

Although workers were called at the site, they could not work comfortably throughout the year, because of the harsh weather the dzongkhag is known to brew.

Heavy showers in summers that made working at the site impossible and the snow in winter that froze construction material, besides working hours reduced as workers reached work site late in the morning and left early with the approaching dusk.

Around 50 workers, excluding villagers from the four gewogs of Laya, Khatoe, Khamay and Lunana providing voluntary services, are working towards the project on time.

Source: Kuenselonline

The Bhutan airline finalised its move into the domestic sector

Drukair has confirmed that it will enter the domestic air services market by a stipulated April deadline.

The national airline finalised its move into the domestic sector, following its board of directors meeting yesterday.

The chairperson of the airline’s board, Kesang Wangdi, told Kuensel that Drukair would “respond to the call of the government”. He pointed out that the government had selected both Drukair and Tashi group of companies’ Tashi Air, and that the national airline would be “letting down” the government if it did not enter operations.

In a surprise for both Drukair and Tashi, the government chose in December the two companies to operate domestically. According to the request for proposals (RFP) floated in July last year, only one company was supposed to have been selected.

Tashi had approached the government, expressing its concerns on the financial viability of such a move, earlier this month. With an untested domestic market, survivability of two operators was worrying the company.

This prompted the government to hold meetings with representatives of both companies. Following the meetings, the communications minister Nandalal Rai said that the government would not reverse its decision to see two operators in the domestic market. A Tashi representative chose not to comment until a further date.

“The board has considered all options,” said Kesang Wangdi, in response to whether similar viability concerns were shared by Drukair. “Viability is a concern for both airlines, it applies to Drukair as well,” he said. But he pointed out that tourist numbers are expected to increase. He added that the board saw the existence of two operators as “cooperation” rather than competition.

Drukair CEO, Tandin Jamso, also said that the domestic market is “uncertain” for the airline. He pointed out that, if competition is a factor, even the international sector could be of concern. “In the peak season we’re doing all right, but in the lean season, occupancy is below 50 percent.”

The CEO said that the airline is expecting to commence domestic operations by April. The national airline will be operating a twin-propeller ATR 42 aircraft for domestic and short haul international flights. “Drukair respects the RFP and will be guided by the RFP,” he said.

Source: Kuenselonline

His Majesty in Kuwait

His Majesty with the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife soon after arriving in Kuwait on February 25, to attend the 50th Anniversary of Independence, and the 20th Anniversary of Liberation of Kuwait. His Majesty leaves Kuwait for Thailand today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Closing time for discotheques and bars in Bhutan

As an interim measure, discotheques may follow previous timings said the Information and Communications Minister, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai. This will come as good news for party goers and discotheque owners alike.

As per a recent notification issued by Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority, bars have to close by 10pm. Discotheques by midnight.

The Information and Communications Minister made the concession after several bar and discotheque owners approached him requesting the ministry to reconsider the recent notification.

Bar and discotheque owners argue that the new rule will seriously hamper their business with some saying that they might as well close shop.

Previously, discotheques can remain open till 2am in the morning.

Tashi Gyeltshen who runs Club Banana, a discotheque in the heart of the capital town, said the matter was never discussed with them.

“We want to cooperate with the government but the government should have discussed this with us before issuing the notification,” he said.

Kinley Penjor, the owner of Splash Club, said “people do not come to the clubs directly from work. They go home, rest and visit the clubs after dinner. They arrive by 11pm. If the clubs have to close by 12, we only get one hour to operate.”

The notification has also affected employees who work in bars and discotheques. Phuntsho Wangdi works as a DJ at Space 34, a swanky night club in the town. “My owner has already decided to cut my salary. How am I going to meet my household expenses,” he said.

The Information and Communications Minister, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai said the new rule was introduced to tackle the growing social problem.

He agreed it was an ad hoc decision and said the issue could be re-discussed if it is affecting business.

“We will discuss the issue once again with relevant stakeholders and see if we can do anything other than shortening the time. We will look for other alternatives,” said Lyonpo Nandalal Rai.

Club owners can keep their business establishments till 2am for the New Year celebration. What is to be done after that is yet to be seen.

Source:BBS