The Talking Mountain

Source: Dani Redd, 2024 Bhutan's journey towards food self-sufficiency started long before the First Five Year Plan in 1961, and since then, it has been a key priority at every level of the country’s policy. In 1961, a solid foundation was laid after assessing the country’s agricultural needs. However, progress has been slow, and the impact of Dasho Keiji Nishoka, who significantly shaped Bhutan’s agricultural development, seems to have faded over time. To achieve food self-sufficiency, we need to refocus on agriculture, invest in our people, and encourage a mindset of growth. Bhutan needs a leader like Dasho Keiji—someone who is practical, dedicated, and able to inspire real change in every citizen. For a small nation like Bhutan, food self-sufficiency is easy. If we unite and work together, we can lay the groundwork for a sustainable and reliable agricultural future for our children. Ken Haigh pointed out that although 93.8% of Bhutan’s population is involved in agriculture, on...

I have had the great privileged of meeting one great soul from an oil-rich country, South Sudan. I shared many fascinating stories with him about endless things. His name id BOL and he has been living in Australia for over a decade now. Over the months, Bol has become more than just a colleague; he is a great friend. Like anyone, we both have many beautiful dreams.  Through the scorching sun and long days, week after week and month after month, we have shared countless conversations—not just to pass the time but to learn from each other. Our discussions have taken us on a journey through education, healthcare, democracy, government, and even personal experiences. And, of course, we never escaped talking about CORRUPTION! Bol is one of the most interesting people I have ever met from South Sudan. His humility and kindness are too far to describe.   Free Health and Education "Did you know, Bol, that in my country, both health and education are completely free?" I asked him one ...

  Source: Samuel Spencer, PPT Slides One of the most fascinating things I came across in this lecture was a slide discussing “the future trends in data and why documentation remains more important than Artificial Intelligence (AI). But what struck me the most was how this slide encouraged me to think beyond the obvious. The moment I saw it, I couldn’t stop analyzing it—processing each detail, trying to understand the connection between the topic and the three images on the slide. As a photographer, I found each picture visually striking, and they sparked deeper thoughts and emotions, from simple observations to more complex reasoning. The Clock at 8:13 The first image showed a wall clock displaying 8:13. At first look, it's just a clock on a wall, symmetrical and visually appealing. But when AI was asked to generate an image of a clock at 8:13, it created one showing 10:10 instead. Why? Because clock manufacturers typically set their product images to 10:10—it makes the clock hands...

Source: Scholarship Positions I had yet another insightful and eye-opening learning experience during a guest lecture session for my ITS-Capstone Project, featuring Samuel Spencer, CEO of Aristotle Metadata. One of the most rewarding aspects of studying at a university with strong ties to industry partners and business associations is the opportunity to learn directly from experts who have navigated real-world challenges. It's a mutual exchange, give and take —universities produce a skilled workforce, while industries provide invaluable exposure and opportunities for students. One of the best ways to understand the realities of the job market is by listening to influential leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. These are the individuals who have worked relentlessly, experimented with various ideas, encountered failures, yet persisted with unwavering determination. Their experiences offer lessons far beyond textbooks—they embody the resilience and innovation crucial for nation-building a...

👯👯 Time flies so fast —it's hard to believe it's been already two years since we last held our beloved kids. So much has happened, some moments were beautiful and others unforgettable, but the hardest part has been missing them every single day. Some days, it felt almost unbearable to exist on the other side of the world just missing them, too much —their absence was felt so deep.  There were some moments that knocked so hard, pierced my heart  so deeply, and the world had just collapsed over my chest and emotions ran over the sky. And it was this moment I felt real pain in my heart. (All the whats and hows👀👀👯👯) Birthdays are incredibly special, both for parents and children. They are a time to connect, share love, impart values, and strengthen family bonds.  For my daughter’s 8th birthday, we celebrated through video calls. Thanks to the internet and modern technology, we were able to make the moment feel real and unforgettable, even from miles away. Being away fro...

His Majesty Addressing the Nation on 117th National Day at Changlimithang, Thimphu National Day    is a sacred occasion for Bhutanese – a time to pay tribute to our visionary Monarchs and forefathers for their sacrifices in building this precious nation, and to collectively reaffirm our unwavering commitment to strengthening the unity, peace, security, and sovereignty of our country. This past year, our country was blessed with peace and stability, free from the turmoil seen in many parts of the world. The elections for both houses of Parliament were conducted smoothly, and the new government has successfully launched the 13th Five-Year-Plan. I extend my Tashi Delek to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and all Members of Parliament as they take on these important responsibilities. Recently, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting Australia, where we were warmly welcomed by thousands of Bhutanese in Sydney, Canberra, and Perth. It was a bittersweet experience, as on o...