The COMMON Visions of my Kings

On this joyous National Day Celebration, I would like to pay my humble tribute to our kings who gave us so much and sacrificed their all in the service of their people. As we celebrate this joyous 108^th National Day, may the gods and goddesses, divines and angels, and lords and power above continue to bless our nation with peace, prosperity and happiness for all times to come.

 

MY BELOVED KINGS

The Buddha of all times and Realms blessed the Pelden Drukpa with the gifts of selfless kings. All our beloved kings had a common VISION and that is the HAPPINESS and WELL BEING of their people. All through the times and ages they kept on persuading their common vision in chronology, and they gave all theirs to see us smiling. Here are some instances of our kings persuading the well being of us all

His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuk, the Founding Monarch’s letter written to the viceroy of India dated September 5, 1921. (From the book Myth & Memory by Tshering Tashi)

“In 1914 I sent 45 boys to be taught in Kalimpong, and started a school in Bumthang” that is the first step to remove barrier of ignorance from my people for development. Letter continues… “the problem now is how best to utilize them, there is a great need of medical knowledge to relieve suffering (of his people) to deal with these epidemic I like to see at least two of them trained as doctor” in the following lines king also requests two students to be trained as veterinary doctors to take care of animals and three be trained in agriculture as real basis of prosperity lies in agriculture and almost the whole population depends on it. He also wanted six to be trained in science for initiating a system of education for people at large.

It’s so emotional to know our king begged assistance for us “I take the liberty of asking your Excellency’s warm interest in the welfare of my country and of laying before you certain proposals for its development” letter ends 

His Majesty Jigme Wangchuk, the consolidator’s concern for the well being of his people (as stated by Dr. Sonam Kinga in his book Polity Kingship and democracy) 

Our second king could not tolerate to see a bit of injustice in the society that would hamper the well being of his people in any way. He was not happy about the interest rate of lending money in the society, so in a kasho to Gongzim sonam Tobgay he wrote, “thus far, the interest rate for the principal sum of nu.20 is Nu. 5. This is very high and I feel it is oppressive for the people. Thus an interest of Nu 4 be charged hereafter”

In a similar instance the law requires a foal born to any taxpayer’s mare be offered to government but our king abolished it and instead granted a horse each to smaller family to help. Like his father he had great love and care for his people and most of all he inherited king fathers vision of creating a fair society. Therefore, he begun the tax reform from the moment he was crown the successor to his father.

His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, The father of Modern Bhutan’s prayers and wishes for the future. (Taken from the book The Facts of Bhutan by Lily Wangchuk)

Bhutan and the Bhutanese were brought into the lights of modernity and secured its independence at the international fonts with its dream membership in UNO and still his big heart wishes more for his people. He had two most demanding task at hand the moment he was crowned. He had to attend to his father’s inherited vision for more just society within and pressure of modernity from outside to open up. But with his wise wisdom he served the people and created democratic system in the form of Tshogdu, serfdom, RAA and council of ministers but also timely ended the isolation that his father maintained. Country was set on planed development path and security sealed and he had this prayers: 

“If I were to make a prayer, I would ask that during my sons reign the people of my country would be more prosperous and happy than they are today…”

 

His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the visionary King (extract from His majesty’s speech in Deothang, 2003 taken from the book Nation’s Gem by Kuensel )

No praise or gift would ever be adequate to thank his 34 years of selfless and excellent service to the people of Bhutan. As we retrace and relive our great fourths reign and time we just know he is the god who chose to measure a country’s progress through the smiles of his people.

Shouldering the responsibility of looking after his country and people from the very tender age, he taught his people to be independent; he trained his people to govern themselves through systematic DYT and GYT programs, sacrificed his life for the country's security, kept ready made leaders for the people and gifted the Democracy from the throne. 

 

Here is one touching line of our king (extract from His majesty’s speech in Deothang, 2003 taken from the book Nation’s Gem by Kuensel ) “I will not stay in the capital and give orders. I hold the responsibility of safeguarding the security and independence of our nation. I am here today, to look after the safety and welfare of our soldiers, because I worry from the heart for you are all like my own children. This is my true responsibility”

KADRIN CHEY MEWANG CHOG.

His Majesty Jigme Khasar Namgyel Wangchuk, the people’s king shares how he shall serve as king. (Coronation speech on 7^th of November, 2008, Changlimithang, Thimphu)

 Our beloved his majesty the king, like his king father do not have any desires for himself except for his people.

“Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.”

It’s so fascinating to know how a common wisdom is being passed down from generation to generation, we are lucky to be ruled by the kings whose only wish is to see us smiling…

Photo of Gyeltshen: A sign of Victory captured at Digap on 10/11/2015

Thank you your Majesties’

PELDEN DRUKPA GYALO

 

A Day With The Stray Dogs

I have heard people saying: Dog is man's best friend and yes they are one loyal friend too, but are we their friends too???

Recently I had this fantasy; what if dogs ever talked… and if they ever did then all funds will be drained to built prisons for mankind. I know they will have volumes to protest against the mankind. Had it been an agreement of mutual benefits signed 30,000 years ago when dogs were domesticated, human kept none of those clauses.

History of animal domestication says; during the most recent Ice age there lived two superior hunters, Wolves and human. Humans and wolves are competing for the same prey, but there are advantages for both in teaming up. For the wolf, human ingenuity and the use of weapons mean a share in a greater number of kills and for humans, the wolf's speed and wildness is a new weapon.  For the mutual benefits in teaming up, human kinds nurtured the young cubs and these cubs soon learnt the rules of human society. That’s how all dogs are of wolf’s origin.

Upon teaming up these wild brothers of mankind served us well, showed us their love and of all they had been the most loyal…

With roads at door step, electric fencing and CC Camera for security in human life, their utility to mankind became minimal and thus not required. People trend to hate the presence of their ancestral friends and to my quite surprise I have seen the cruelty of mankind here. Some people pour hot water on dogs when they come begging for food and some kept a sharp object to hit them. I have also seen those people in so much of a celebrative mood upon hurting those innocent animals.

Picture of he Dogs being injected by Mr. TN Timsina (Animal Husbandry officer, Dophuchen)

Recently my school became a hideaway Paradise for dogs, kindness of equally innocent kids and left over to feed on has turned this place into a dog paradise. Upon close gaze I observed some dogs suffer from the results of human cruelty while others suffer from Dermatitis. Dermatitis is a common skin condition caused by inflammation of the skin. There are several different forms of dermatitis but all are caused by the skin reacting to allergens or irritants. Long rainy season is one main cause of the disease here and in long run the dogs lose their fur, wounds get worse and foul smell dilutes the air where ever the go until death bless them.

The danger of spreading it to kids here is risks losing their paradise; so I gathered a group of young warm hearts to save their lives and paradise. With the help of those boys and Mr. TN Timsina (Gewog Animal Husbandry Officer, Dophuchen Gewog) we undertook a short campaign to inject those infected and wounded dogs against Dermatitis and Maggots in wounds. It was successful and I am very happy with the task.

warm hearted Volunteers from Class VII 'B"... 

Upon completion of task I called all the volunteers and told them the best service is something that you do without expecting anything in return and that’s what you all did, I applauded them. I also told them we should take care of existing ones while we control their population too as none wants them now.

Are we Tshethar Tshopas now? A boy questioned me. “Yes we are but with zero account and there’s no need of it too;” I said.

Thank You for reading and please visit again

Losar Tashi Delek to my neighbors

The festive season is here and I send my heartiest New Year greetings to all the lhops around. Theirs is the first of the festivals to follow; owing to the mountainous geographical landscape partitioning the regions and historically being ruled by many petty rulers there are infinite festivals in Bhutan. These festivals evolved out the belief system, myth and mythology of individual regions, some well known losars we relish are Lomba, Nyilo, Thue-Baab, Chu-nyi pai losar, nya-ru, Dassian, daw Dangpai losar etc and lhop lo is one such festivity developed on the banks of Amo chu river.

Lhop dancers adorning their ancestral dress during the inauguration of
 new court building.

These losars are usually an end product of a good harvest and provided people of differing regions with differing platforms to thank the forefathers for the tranquility bequeathed, local deities for the best harvest, friends and family for the help, relish new harvest, appreciate their input, etc and it’s also a big time to smile at the bygone years with celebrations and look ahead with hopes. Timing too is different as the growing season and harvest season differs from place to place.

Normally we follow two types of calendar in Bhutan i.e. solar and the Bhutanese lunar calendar but the lhops of Dorokha region follows the third type i.e. Tibetan lunar calendar. I am not aware of the third one and upon inquiry I learnt that theirs is a month ahead of ours. 29^th day of seventh month of the wood female sheep year in Bhutanese calendar is considered as the 29^th day of the eighth month of the wood female sheep year in Tibetan lunar calendar.

Like the 1^st day of eleventh month is a new year for haaps and parops [though celebration starts on 29^th of the tenth month] the 29^th day of 8^th month of Tibetan lunar calendar kick start a new year for the lhops and they become a year older (birthday makes less sense here). On this day families join together to have a good time and it all starts with ku (maternal uncle) making the offering. In lhop culture it’s the groom who leaves his ancestral home to join brides’ family but the maternal uncle is the sole decision maker and head of family of his ancestral home. Ku is highly respected by the family member.

The complete offering were not done at my host’s place due to recent demise of a family member and also it’s not his paternal home otherwise he’s a always on with celebrations yet I enjoyed everything that’s LHOP. I understood that the first day is just a simple one and continues for few more days with different mandatory offerings and merrymakings. Will catch up each program as it unfolds…

Please join me to wish them a prosperous year ahead… 

Call for a Ministry

15-0 humbling of Dragon boys by Qatar in the second round of world cup qualifier made me to go beyond my usual thinking margin. I was all set for the match half an hour early with all my usual chores completed before 9:00 PM which normally stretches till the mid-night.  Night favored me with a clearer sky after continuous down pour since last few days, which otherwise would have disturbed my DTH signal or might have prompted recurrent power cuts that has revolved over as a habitual customs in Dorokha.

source: BhutaNews

 I knew it would be an uphill battle for Bhutan yet I was rather optimistic about the prospect of holding the game into a competitive end. The pre-match analysis went quite my way despite the fact the analyst had a better idea of opponents strength. The recent success of our young boys boasted our morale especially with the qualification to this round after hammering Sri Lanka home and away. Over all spirits were high and last two defeats haven’t dampen Bhutanese moral.

In spite of conceding 28 goals in last three international outings I still hold high flying hopes on our young boys. Football in Bhutan is a recent history yet we came too far with limited infrastructures, funds and most of all a very little tactical & technical knowhow. We do not have a reputed football academy nor do we have an advance selection procedure, with these many shortcomings instead of luxury at our disposal I think we must sort it out in an appropriate manner for our very own good.

Taking the football to other level or exhibiting Bhutan to the outside world along with GNH needs a thoughtful investment and careful planning which means what we are doing today is good but not enough. The relevant stakeholders, departments and BFF are exceptional till date yet the demand on the international font is incomparably high in all dimensions.

I believe instituting a ministry exclusively for the development of sports and sports related infrastructures would do us good. Our boys are young and have a long carrier ahead; we also have junior talents with lots of promise. Careful and consistent molding will help us attain our goals sooner rather than later. Not only are we good at football, we have the potential to compete in all other disciplines. A gold medal at Asian Boxing championship in Bangkok by Tashi Norbu recently is a green signal of the rising competency of the Bhutanese in world of sports. We have all the riches in terms of potential and enthusiasm, so a ministry with specialist personnel, wisdom, fund, investment, continuous molding and etc would shine luck on us soon.

Hoping for a ministry to keep up the level we are hoping for…

Note:- its my humble thought and would love to hear your views la

Amo chu And Her Ecosystem (Doyas in Focus)

Starting off from the glaciers and glacial lakes are numerous streams and rivers that wind down terrain Himalayas through the foothills into Indian plains, Amo chhu is one of the five glacial fed major river systems of Bhutan lying to the south-west of the country. The river swiftly flows down from Chumbi valley through Haa and Samtse into the Brahmaputra touching the lives and living beings, forming a unique ecosystem throughout its course.

Map of Bhutan showing five major river system and lhop land

Between the deeply interlocked landscapes just before the river drains into adjacent Indian plain is the mysteriously misty land of Lhops (lhop literally means southerners a term mainly used by Tibetans in her reference of Bhutan as lho Mon/Lho yul and people as Lhop: considered to be the early inhabitants). Living in the catchment area, I came to understand that lhops have lived, inhabited and evolved as an important element of Amo Chhu ecosystem. Their songs, verses and folktales give us glimpses of their past, myths and mythology. These people resided in the area and depended mostly on fish, wild fruits, wild vegetables and wild animals. They are mostly non-vegetarian and depended on wilds for almost everything and nature in turn provided their needs favorably, that could be one reason that kept them so close to their culture and traditions and helped preserved it through the time.   

They believe that once the whole region around Amo Chu valley was their home stretching far and wide. It’s said that the lhops apparently lived as far as the Bara-Tendu to the west bordering Indian state of Sikkim but probably a deadly epidemic or a war in the neighborhood reduced the population to the present size. Presently there are some 180 households inhabiting six villages namely Sanglung, Satakha, lothu, Kuchu, taba, and Ramtoe. There are so many hypothetical stories and reasoning on drastic decline in population and burial of lhop tribe in the folds of mountain on sloppy banks of Torsa River. 

Namgay Tashi, a good friend of mine who formerly worked with the election commission of Bhutan has toured and learnt a lot about lhop and their culture during voter education program back in 2007. He told me that he could identify a Lhop individual out of millions anywhere in the world during our usual bed time conversation back in Samtse College of education, I took it a big joke back then and the subject did not interest me much, now that I am amongst them and noticing alikeness in every lhops fascinate me, it took me to different sources to build up a concrete basis to uncover the reasons behind such biological alikeness and genetic connections.

One side of the story says a devastating war occurred between the lhops dwelling to the north of foothills and residents of plains (Indian) on the other side of the foothills, it’s said a group of them went into hideaway place and the war almost destroyed the whole of the tribe. The group that went out hiding came out and inhabited the present area during the post war era, so they say the population grew out of this small group and therefore genetically related. Other story says once the entire lhop population was believed to have disappeared due to deadly epidemic. Only a pair of cousins had survived, a boy and a girl. In course of time they grew into adults. There were no one around and knew nothing of reproduction. One day they saw two grasshoppers stuck together (mating) and in next few days saw many young grasshoppers hopping around. The boy and the girl realized that if they did what the grasshoppers did they would have younger ones and would no longer be lonely. They did what they thought should be done and so came the revival of their tribe with reproduction. While other source unfolds a similar story of devastating war that destroyed the tribe but believed to be amongst themselves and not with their counter parts on the other end of the foothills. 

 

 

you can clearly see the similarity in each of them, starting from face cut to height and build up

Here are some more pictures I captured during a short trip to the place recently to prove that they originated from one family 

It’s very hard to conclude with any of these theories as they lack authentic and chronological presentation. No written documents of the time had been found and nothing is known of the existence of writings or paintings till date but their oral traditions and belief notes that writing culture existed long before outbreak of war/epidemic. They belief the cave beneath the waterfall on the other side of the river houses all their ancient documents and belongings and is said to be the palace of their king. It’s also assumed that no lhops are ever allowed to cross that place as it’s believed to be an ancestral demarcation and thus nothing is retrieved to date.

 The LHOP king was believed to have resided there beneath the waterfall and LHOPS believe their scrip is still there

Lastly as I think deeper and learn more about Lhops, my appreciations for them grows by the days. These people are really conservative and put their culture above anything else, they are shy, simple and modest with lots of dedications to our King, Country and People, and one best quality they were brought up with is not being in sphere of consumerism, they are one hardworking people relying greatly on what they produce…

Note: This is just a glimpse of their lives uncovered through limited sources, so your kind suggestions and add up will be of great help…  

Amo chu And Her Ecosystem (Doyas in Focus)

Starting off from the glaciers and glacial lakes are numerous streams and rivers that wind down terrain Himalayas through the foothills into Indian plains, Amo chhu is one of the five glacial fed major river systems of Bhutan lying to the south-west of the country. The river swiftly flows down from Chumbi valley through Haa and Samtse into the Brahmaputra touching the lives and living beings, forming a unique ecosystem throughout its course.

map of bhtan showing river system and lhop land

Between the deeply interlocked landscapes just before the river drains into adjacent Indian plain is the mysteriously misty land of Lhops (lhop literally means southerners a term mainly used by Tibetans in her reference of Bhutan as lho Mon/Lho yul and people as Lhop: considered to be the early inhabitants). Living in the catchment area, I came to understand that lhops have lived, inhabited and evolved as an important element of Amo Chhu ecosystem. Their songs, verses and folktales give us glimpses of their past, myths and mythology. These people resided in the area and depended mostly on fish, wild fruits, wild vegetables and wild animals. They are mostly non-vegetarian and depended on wilds for almost everything and nature in turn provided their needs favorably, that could be one reason that kept them so close to their culture and traditions and helped preserved it through the time.  

They believe that once the whole region around Amo Chu valley was their home stretching far and wide. It’s said that the lhops apparently lived as far as the Bara-Tendu to the west bordering Indian state of Sikkim but probably a deadly epidemic or a war in the neighborhood reduced the population to the present size. Presently there are some 180 households inhabiting six villages namely Sanglung, Satakha, lothu, Kuchu, taba, and Ramtoe. There are so many hypothetical stories and reasoning on drastic decline in population and burial of lhop tribe in the folds of mountain on sloppy banks of Torsa River. 

Namgay Tashi, a good friend of mine who formerly worked with the election commission of Bhutan has toured and learnt a lot about lhop and their culture during voter education program back in 2007. He told me that he could identify a Lhop individual out of millions anywhere in the world during our usual bed time conversation back in Samtse College of education, I took it a big joke back then and the subject did not interest me much, now that I am amongst them and noticing alikeness in every lhops fascinate me, it took me to different sources to build up a concrete basis to uncover the reasons behind such biological alikeness and genetic connections.

One side of the story says a devastating war occurred between the lhops dwelling to the north of foothills and residents of plains (Indian) on the other side of the foothills, it’s said a group of them went into hideaway place and the war almost destroyed the whole of the tribe. The group that went out hiding came out and inhabited the present area during the post war era, so they say the population grew out of this small group and therefore genetically related. Other story says once the entire lhop population was believed to have disappeared due to deadly epidemic. Only a pair of cousins had survived, a boy and a girl. In course of time they grew into adults. There were no one around and knew nothing of reproduction. One day they saw two grasshoppers stuck together (mating) and in next few days saw many young grasshoppers hopping around. The boy and the girl realized that if they did what the grasshoppers did they would have younger ones and would no longer be lonely. They did what they thought should be done and so came the revival of their tribe with reproduction. While other source unfolds a similar story of devastating war that destroyed the tribe but believed to be amongst themselves and not with their counter parts on the other end of the foothills.

 

you can clearly see the similarity in each of them, starting from face cut to height and build up...

It’s very hard to conclude with any of these theories as they lack authentic and chronological presentation. No written documents of the time had been found and nothing is known of the existence of writings or paintings till date but their oral traditions and belief notes that writing culture existed long before outbreak of war/epidemic. They belief the cave beneath the waterfall on the other side of the river houses all their ancient documents and belongings and is said to be the palace of their king. It’s also assumed that no lhops are ever allowed to cross that place as it’s believed to be an ancestral demarcation and thus nothing is retrieved to date.

Lastly as I think deeper and learn more about Lhops, my appreciations for them grows by the days. These people are really conservative and put their culture above anything else, they are shy, simple and modest with lots of dedications to our King, Country and People, and one best quality they were brought up with is not being in sphere of consumerism, they are one hardworking people relying greatly on what they produce…

Note: This is just a glimpse of their lives uncovered through limited sources, so your kind suggestions and add up will be of great help…