Lesson to Bhutanese Contractors and Engineers.

Capturing Osama Bin Lhaden had been the main objective of the United States of America since the presidency of Bill Clinton. After the vigorous search he was finally captured and killed brutally by American soldiers. Anyway, the history was made. But, this is not what I wanted to write here. 

I wanted to share two pertinent concerns. First is QUALITY and the second is WORK ETHICS. 

Like how ambitiously America have chased and killed Bin Lhaden, we also need to end this war of quality work and work ethics. Honestly, I don't like the way our contractors perform their work. They are morally and ethically very poor at works. They all work for profit and never work for betterment of the country, forget about providing quality service. 

When was the last time we came before time for our work? Rather, we don't mind to come late for work and day starts with heavy grumble and complain of this and that. We bellyache knowingly or unknowingly for every bits of work responsibility given to us. This is absolutely horrible for a tiny Buddhist nation. With all such poor mentality we can never build secure, stronger and stable nation in any length of time. Which mean we need to plan and send our people back to school for serious lessons on ownership, sense of belonging and responsible citizen. 

My concern is actually not unique and different but worth million dollars. I raise this voice because I love my country like anyone of you. I am saying with our existing work morale, I could see the future of our country in danger. It is sickening every moment with more and more junkie people around. When the population is still manageable, government must plan to eliminate this hide-and-seek game to end from the base through the system of strict monitoring services is in place. We can do it. 

What are some of the corrective method our government is doing to tackle this problem? Why the road that was built few days before has to form crack and cleft? Why the government buildings are poorly built? Why every time the government buildings has to be the victim of wears and tears within few months? Where is the actual lapses –is it the government or engineers or contractors? 

Now it is time to sort it out sincerely. I do not mean our contractors cannot make profit from their work. It is in their hand and it is their right to make any level of profit. But, the choice of their profit shouldn't compromise the quality work done and timely completion of the work. Honestly, I don't like the way they perform their work, ethically very poor. What is our site supervising engineers doing? 

We still do not have clean and healthy toilets in place. But, we never forget to talk about Rocket Science and Artificial Intelligence. 

Footsteps that belongs to 1958 structure.

I have a very interesting fact to share here. It was somewhere in the mid-October I had Aue, Passu the owner of Bhutan Toilet Organization as a guest from capital city. He came to assist my SkyHydrant water filter project that come from Rotary Club of Thimphu, funded by Disaster Aid Australia. The school that I am working is one of the very fine and in fact very old education institution in the country. I feel proud to be in this school. According to some oral history, it says the design of the present Zhemgang CS was indeed copied from Late Father Mackey, a Canadian Jesuit Priest who was responsible for establishing the modern education system in Bhutan. I find the school structure is still strong, firm and beautifully laid. If given a bidding choice, it would fetch the highest bid price because it is still free from crack and cleft. In whole of the Zhemgang Dzongkhag, it is one of the finest and the oldest structure. Of all, I often fall in love with the building design which is very cool.

No sooner had my brief outline of the school was ended than he asked me about the conditions of the footsteps. Footsteps! I was confused. Initially I wasn't sure about his actual intention for asking me this particular question. I told him, it's there, its fine. To better authenticate I took him to the footsteps that lead to the main block. Perhaps, to my utter surprise he told me, isn't that footsteps shining. Not even a single crack and cleft was formed long these many years. I know many dignitaries would have walked across these footsteps and countless engineers may have made from the same building. But, not concern like Aue, Passu did. Had it been the modern buildings, crafty contractors and lousy engineers, the fate of this footsteps might have ended differently. It would have definitely stand for multiple fracture and repairs. There are still many unlearn lessons our people, contractors, engineers and policy makers have to learn from the Late Mackey's buildings. The present schools like Punakha CS, Drugyal CS, Jigme Shurabling CS, Sherabtse College and Damphu CS are the copy of Late Mackey's building structure. The good thing about these building structures are earth quack resistance and corrupt free structure. We need such contractors, contractors of my Grand Father's time. Perhaps, corruption wasn't there. They don't know how to prepare fake bills and eat money. Had it been in the hands of present contractors, this buildings would have gone into ashes and ruins. 

In the same compound, there are some modern buildings. Designed and built by our engineers. Looking at its face, it was built not many years far. But, the way it appears is not so pleasing. It has torn apart into multiple injuries, the doors and the walls are gone –beyond repairs. The footsteps that stand between the two buildings have formed multiple crack. It isn't shining like the footsteps of the old structure. The only difference is that the contractors are different but the same building materials were used. The actual difference is the way it was made. In the first case the strict monitoring, right proposition of cement and other materials was used and contractors wasn't unkind. In latter case, they have breached all the rules of the country. 

Modern footsteps built not very far.

Shapeless and shameless footsteps.  

This is crazy footsteps.

This is how footsteps in government 
land looks like.   

This is completely a failure of lousy supervising engineers and greedy contractors. The main failures comes from our lawmakers. They have failed terribly. But, aren't we failing together?

Pelden Drukpa Gyelo...

This article is completely a personal views and it do not intend to defame anyone.

Blessing in Disguise

Water Tank ready for use.  

Finally, I have my rush of adrenaline increased issues have subsided, because my long awaited water filter project have made its end. Perhaps, I am finally relieved from the daily routine. Honestly, for a yearlong all my heart and brain was filled with water here and filter there. It took me almost a year to materialize my project successfully. Indeed, the project came at the cost of millions of sacrifices but never thought this project would reach this far. Although, it took good amount of my time. But, it was life enriching experiences and thoroughly a new lesson to take –beyond the call of life. I was informed that this SkyHydrant water filter is first of its kind in Bhutan making me so so lucky and my school kids!

Initially, when I started to dream about doing this project. I did not dream for such a huge and expensive project to stand my way. However, I did it with all the support from Rotary Club of Thimphu and Disaster Aid Australia.

 

Filter installation with the help from BTO team. 

Let me briefly talk about my dream of this project.

The rough idea came to me when I have visited to Sarpang HSS for an exam invigilation duty. It was in late 2016. I was thoroughly impressed by their drinking water facilities in the school. It was clean and safe. I owe for the school management for installing such a good system of clean drinking water policy in place for many innocent kids. Although, it was a brief stay in the school. However, one good thing I came back home is with the rich idea of installing same or similar kind of drinking water facilities in my school too. I have inquired school principal about the installation cost and the availability of the system in the country. To his best, he gave me the full length of the project installation. In fact, he was kind and generous to share his experiences and wisdom about the water filter. He has some hands in this project too. THANK YOU SIR!

I know it was quite expensive to work on my own expenses. In between this, I took some domestic break. During this course of time, I came to realize Aue, Yeshey Dorji, who serve as Club Secretary for Rotary Club of Thimphu. Rotary Club is a kind of NGO that support people from all works of life across the world. Club's main focus always lies in the field of education and life skills, health and well being, farming and food security. And my case is no different. 

I know him for quite long time as a seasoned blogger and a fine professional photographer. I admire him professionally and follow him closely to the brink of my heart for his photography passion and skills. He is also my Hero! All I know is, he can easily sacrifice his own life at the cost of photography and raises a strong and patriotic concern over to those who is unsympathetic to environment. 

Perhaps, he is a rare species in kind!

Actually, I have never thought such would be my project. I have never started this project to end to such a high end expenses. I just wanted my water filter dream to end in simple and decent water filter system. Yet because of Aue, Yeshey Dorji and Rotary Club of Australia for making my dream of water filter project possible with lavish SkyHydrant water filter system in place. They were the one to make my dream ambitious and true. THANK YOU!

The intent of the project is never for a personal gain. It's all for the sake of many innocent school kids and for staff at large. Please, remember the water that comes out from this filter system is cold and fine, perfectly filtered, comes ready to drink. Enjoy fresh and high quality water out from my tap.

However, to do this project I have actually sacrificed my professional, personal and family time. But, after having done such a huge and expensive project. I am finally satisfied and relaxed. I am content with what I have started one year back with a project proposal never to end at this level. 

This project is a collective work of many people around the world. My first thanks and appreciation goes to Aue, Yeshey Dorji, Club Secretary (Rotary Club) of Thimphu and Rotary club of Australia for donating and supplying such an expensive gear, which I never thought would happen in my school. I thank DCM driver for safely delivering two polythene water tank from Thimphu to Zhemgang. Aue, Passu, owner of Bhutan Toilet Organization for installing the water filter system. I would also like to thank my school management (principal), school plumber, students and colleagues for supporting me with necessary support and energy.

 

Students enjoying fresh and fine water.

I have earnestly requested all my students and colleagues to enjoy clean and fresh water hereafter. At the same time I have also warn them to be a responsible person. 

I have requested them to handle water tap with Love and Care. Close the tap after use. Finally it became our property! 

Pelden Drukpa Gyelo...

Crazy Price for Petrol and Diesel

On the upswing of ball freezing temperature, this November month is crazy in many ways. In the eve of Birth Anniversary of Fourth Druk Gyalpo, government has announced a huge reduction of the price of petrol and diesel. The prerogative was clear to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty. But, I feel this is honestly not the right way to celebrate King's birthday.

How a government can float the price of any commodities that is below the actual imported price?

According to some media outlet, India revise the prices of petrol and diesel on daily basis. Daily rise and fall of the petroleum prices is mainly due to shift in currency exchange rate and this in turn helps public in maintaining actual profit in the other commodities. Perhaps, it save and control people's money outflow. It keep everyone fit on the supply and demand of commodities. It also keep laws and order in place. After all money matters more than anything. Several study have shown that such system in place have benefited larger public. Since, the prices of other commodity depends directly upon the petroleum prices. But, not in BHUTAN. 

In Bhutan even if the dollar exchange rate falls down, the price of commodities remains the same. I find this rather a chance for our greedy shopkeepers to give new price of their shop items in the name of petroleum product price shooting up every second. I can't remember our shopkeeper selling the commodities at a lower rate so far. When was the last time our government have announced that the prices of rice and oil have gone done by 5%? Or is it that our shopkeeper are too stingy and unkind? Or are they above the national law? Actually we have very best principles and laws in place. Failing in monitoring could be the only reason for all this unnecessary hoard of price escalation. If monitoring would have happened intensely and humanly we would have enjoyed the better fall in price of other commodities by this time. This is a serious matter to bring out for discussion with our Government and concern agency now. 

I do a usual week shopping from one particular shop. I started this customary merchandise long time back in 2013. I became quite close with them over the years. I even loan some cash and credit some salt when I run out of my bank balance. But, every time I make a visit to buy some essential goods they remind me of the fuel prices getting higher overnight and they sometime they levy me extra charges indirectly without my notice. I know their clear motives but I never say it. I don't want to embarrass them. I don't have any option than to visit again and shop some goods for succeeding week. I have been a constant victim of petroleum price being rise by inch and commodity prices by double fold. Is this fair? Where are our policy makers, market monitoring officers and other concern agency?  

But, looking at yesterday's crazy news on the massive reduction of petrol and diesel prices, I am thoroughly relieved for now. However, it equally worries me for its sustainability. For me the latest fuel prices is admirable, who not only had to survive their family with the honest salary but also to fuel the vehicle with sky rocketing fuel price in the past. Thank God! I am safe for now. 

It is double good for people like me. Since, almost Nu. 10.00 per litre can be used for other purposes and who knows sometime the same amount can also go for long term savings. I simple tense, it can generate better profit to my self, family and country at large. If such can also happens for other necessary commodities, our people around can enjoy bountiful cash and luxury like any other rich people. 

But, this massive reduction of the petrol and diesel prices have given me a very narrow thinking of a big political game being played by both Bhutan Government and Government of India. This should have happened rather in other ways, like Government should have done it inch-by-inch and not at a go. Such reduction must have happened on other very needful and essential life surviving elements like Rice and Oil. Since, almost 90% of our people depends upon imported polished rice and refined oil from neighboring country. If such is the concern, why this has not happened five years before. 

However, it is completely shameful to celebrate Birthday of His Majesty like this. Our Monarch is not a commodity. Whatever maybe the game or cause King's birthday cannot be played with commodity price. The government should have done it with something related to environment if they really wanted to celebrate King's birthday and ease the burden to public or onto something more prominent than the price of a commodity. So, in this way our policy makers are not looking for long term goals and aspiration. Moreover, government is not being mercy on people with this particular move. It will only going to benefit people with many cars and the construction company and not the ordinary people.    

However, I feel this time the choice to mark 62^nd Birth Anniversary of Great Fourth was completely outlandish, shabby, unforgivable and shameful.