Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk Factor in Zhemgang.

Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk, Education Minister

"Kuzozooo…zangpooooo…La…zhemgang", began Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk in his deep shimmering voice like he used to do in the parliament house. My students were surprised, they have never faced him in person like this before. I am sure many of my students would have seen him for the first time as an Education Minister. As he begin, the hall went mad silent which was –beyond my expectation and even to those students who have been the most boring and sluggish have their head high up in the air trying to make some sense through Lyonpo's thrilling and hilarious talks.   

Honestly, this talk has been the best so far in my school hall. I feel very sorry for some Class VIII students who couldn't have made due to limited space. And to those who have been purposefully absented from the day's program are the most ill-fated and unlucky one in their entire life. Perhaps, they have missed Lyonpo's talk forever like a flowing river. The lucky half who have attended the talk have graciously snooped Lyonpo's talk with all their energy and interest they have in their fate.

Lyonpo busy in his talk with students and staff of ZhemgangCS

Lyonpo's talk basically was about the youth, their poor mentality and attitude towards tradition and culture, the way they perceive their lifestyle and the balance for quality of education. 

Of all, I liked Lyonpo's classical example of a gallant and a cool guy is what I too have during my school days. The concept of a cool guy is all to ambush the girl you are in love with a piece of cigarette in one hand and gogs on his forehead. I could feel the same psychological break-down of behavior and mentality  of cool is still hanging around with our youth today.

Lyonpo trying hard to control three balls

To further exhibit what actually is trying hard, he took out three different colored balls and immediately started to juggle with his two hands so merrily and mercilessly. The hall filled with surprise that turned into a huge round of applause for his talent and ability to play the ball in the air. However, his recent example of how he have won the Open Men's Double National Level Badminton Championship is all due to his co-partner and his positiveness. So, the lesson is that sometime being positive alone is more important than talent, is what I called as Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk's Factor!

Lyonpo giving a real trying juggling shot in front of students
and staff

Lyonpo in action

However, His Excellency's example of beautiful volcano eruption on plasma TV screen have captured my attention the most. But, I worry how it could be possible in Bhutanese Classroom setting, when the classroom wall is still poor.

Honestly, I have never seen my students responding to any speakers so impatiently like this before. I must say, it is not that he is a Minister but his talk has all the substance that have captured the audience mood the most as a parent, educator and a politician. His real life experiences have added all the charm in his talk show. The big laughter came when he cited an example of his most ugly friend and his 10 pages love letter. However, the hall went pin drop silent when he finally said that his ugly friend have left the school when the girl he loved the most have terribly failed to accept his proposal. It is lucky that he is still alive with different life partner.  

There are many things to learn from Lyonpo's talk and I am sure everyone present in the hall would have deeply committed within themselves of the strong take home message. He also have shared that his two kids are far too superior to him in fiddling smart phones and other items is what amaze him the most.  

To further authenticate the reward of hardship, he narrated and took us to the world of movie. He shared how he took the challenges to become a successful movie script writer? He also said that it took him sleepless night to become a successful writer. Now, given a challenge he can write any good movie script within a week time. He was proud to say that, some of his movie was very successful and even earn the title of blockbuster film. Some of his movie script includes, 'Senglem, Sleeping Beauty', etc…

His Excellency then talked so proudly about the magic of hard work and positive mindset. Within very short span of time as an education minister, he was deeply fascinated by the fact that change in curriculum was successful. He is also happy to see the talented and skillful youth all across the country. The way they play with all kinds of gadgets is incredible and awesome. However, at the same time, it is little disheartening to see many of the youth are ruining their life into drugs and some even to unlawful activities. As an education minster, he worries about the quality education, the declining values and culture over time with the introduction of western cultures that are slipping in through different forms. 

He also have noticed that the most vulnerable stage is when our students reach to class nine until they finish class twelve, he reminded to all of us that, this four years of schooling is very important and crucial. What he have noticed was, most of the drop out and criminals are made in this segment of schooling. He have shared his concern over our young, talented and beautiful youth start to mess up their life into drugs and alcohol. 

And particularly, to me I have been longing to see and hear from him in person for a long time. Because I have heard few hundreds of his ability to talk to any kinds of audience. His talk would especially benefit young school going children and some cynical heroes. I am quite sure there won't be another set of such talk in future from him. But, let us make a point to hold whatever he have said for long one-and-half-hour talk till the very end would do a magic in our life for all times.

His message was strong to those who think education is the vehicle and game changer for whatever maybe the reasons; religion, blood and the color won't matter in education. He requested all the teachers to be a role model and continue to educate -beyond textbook. He also have deeply reminded to us that no matter what ever maybe the curriculum and how high end technology that may slips in, we must not forget to prepare our child for 21^st century. Lyonpo said that, although we are seven ocean apart from United States of America, yet we are politically and economically connected. Which means we share many common aspects of life, and education is a game changer for all of us. 

We must remember that education is a big vehicle and we must start to build this vehicle a responsible vehicle for all times to come.