Plastic Carry Bags Gift to My Mother

With the ban on plastic carry bags starting from April fool's day, let me share my little story.  

 

–As a young and responsible citizen, I never have thrown my waste carelessly. As long as I can remember, I have never dumped any plastic related waste out into the environment, –not even a paper, or a sweets wrapper. I am so addicted to this habit. I feel really bad, or kind of uncomfortable when I see anyone throwing waste openly and irresponsibly. Sometimes, I feel so sorry for their loose character. 

 

The other habit I have is – perhaps I carry my own bag during weekend shopping. Any plastic that I bring home never goes out into my bin. I collect all of them and take them when I go home. I called it a plastic gift to my mom. I told my mom; I was able to bring home so many plastic carry bags as a gift for you. Since I saw her having a difficult time especially when she needed to store some edible items and while packing things back to us. Some it goes to my other siblings and few to relatives, but I caution them. Please, use it and dump it properly!

 

Although it is such a small act yet a promising habit that is enough to protect our Mother Nature and put end to many diseases. For this action we need a collective hand and not the law when almost everything comes in plastic packaging. 

 

In 2015, the United States succeeded in reducing plastic and micro-beads usage. Similarly, few other countries took the challenge and they succeeded too. 

 

It's our turn now. Let us also try this national move and feel the change. Let's be the agent of change and holder of this nation.

 

Let's love our actions and love our country hingleyra!

Photography More Than a Club

Unlike past years, clubs (in ZCS) are scheduled to happen only twice a month on alternative basis to be more effective and less tiring. Nonetheless, the first week was already used for the formation of different clubs.

It was the second week – I formally welcomed all my club members and I have sincerely thanked them for choosing the photography club.

I equanimously briefed them about photography, the mandates and few objectives. Nevertheless, I told them what it takes to be a photographer. I have equally warned them that it's not easy as you see someone with an expensive camera in front of you or in the crowd. As one delves into the world of photography, it takes one's passion, dedication, commitment and sacrifice. However, for me time and money have hooked me to pursue my wildlife photography dream bigly. Nonetheless, I have never stopped honing my skills for someday.

To make photography better and lively, I have added some piquancy – "Photography is a rich man's hobby". However, money is not everything. One can always use a simple camera. And today with advanced technology mobile phones are equally good and powerful tools that can serve the purpose of taking any kind of images. In fact, it became more easy and friendly for not having to carry an expensive camera everywhere. All it requires is a few basics of photography.

I told them the power of photography does not always lie with the expensive DSLR cameras that someone carries. It all depends on how you frame the image, to your creativity, unsurpassable sacrifice, to your enthusiasm.

I have reminded them that with change in time, photography has become an extremely important medium of communication, it helps to document one's professional life. In fact, photography is becoming more than a way of life. I hope I am not doing –dog eat dog world star by saying all these stuffs. But I am simply trying to help them for their life.

” Dog Eat Dog World Star

I have stressed light! As one understands more on light, photography becomes easy, engaging, attractive and appealing.  

I told them I can connect myself very well with nature through photography. I can share my innate feelings for nature through the images that I take on a daily basis. To me going out and capturing different images have helped me immensely relieve my tension and rebuild my mood. I always keep my image simple. Because good photographs help speak your heart.

I told them there are endless opportunities not only in our country but also around the world – but one must be creative, must work extra miles with dedication and must remain focused in the field.

I have promised them so many beautiful dreams about the photography world. I vowed them I would teach them all the fundamentals of photography (both technical and practical aspects) as we go deep with the photography lessons.

If or should everything go as planned, all of them won't regret being in the club. The club plan is quite ambitious and engaging. It basically focuses more on skill based learning – creativity, team work, communication and sacrifice, etc, ...

I leave here with the old cliché by Steve McCurry that goes, "I think life is too short not to be doing something which you really believe in".

Nutritious Food for School Children???

BBS News dated 12th March was brilliant but not exciting, nothing new –Government to focus nutritious diet in schools. What are our school children eating so far? –rock –paper, and –scissor.

I would like to point down a few observations regarding this and our governments pledges. In the world deluged by self-driven motives, money and fame are excessively becoming powerful. Therefore, I can summarize a very nutritious diet menu into four factors that can solve long standing puzzles of ours.

Pledge Factor –

Of Course, the government can work to fulfill their pledges. But more than a pledge they must also look at the ground reality. Government must genuinely study the existing system before making it national. For kind information every boarding school has already a balanced diet menu and some even have better and sufficient menus than our individual homes. 

Stipend Factor –

Money alone can't solve this equation. I feel Nu. 1000.00 to Nu. 1500.00 or little more per student per month is a good sum. One can easily manage a very good balanced diet menu with Nu. 1000.00 in mass. Increasing stipend without planning is a loss in itself. Let's cook the mouthwatering menu to our children and not from the prime minister's desk. Most of the schools across the country have already very good nutritious menus --eggs, meats/fish, butter, fruits, Yogurt, milk, lentils, green vegetables, chilli, chickpeas etc etc... What more? We only need proper and transparent management in the kitchen to suppliers. 

Way forward –let us also implement some good food habits in our kids. I feel every meal shouldn't be Rice-Rice-Rice.

Cook Factor –

The biggest challenges I can see in our schools is with cooks. What if government employees trained, genuine and educated cooks? Government can look out for a better pay package for our cooks so that the right menu with quality food can reach our children. The other most important issue our cooks face today is the housing problem. Most of them either build their own hurt or rent low quality houses which makes them morally low. All we need is to provide them with a better working environment. That would bring more work proficient, a sense of belongingness and better work ethics. We all must also know that everything (right menu) starts from them (cooks).

Working condition Factor –

If we want quality food to reach to our children, we must also look for better working conditions. What if we can replace the old oven with modern gears –Rice Cooker. Rice cooker is more environment friendly, safe and easy to use. It also saves time and energy. 

Way forward –some workable engineers, please think for modern kitchen with a proper water supply.

Why does a student have to go to the Agriculture ministry, when education has a separate division who looks after the school food and nutrition/feeding program? Instead of making it a more delicious menu, it would further escalate inconsistency and more problems.

If we want to see the change in our school kitchen, we need to change the mindset by making the cooking job more attractive, /some investment in our cooks. We need someone who can serve the nation with loyalty and to TSA-WA-SUM with honesty.

Chang's (Yesha) Second Birthday

18th, March ---

I can feel the time fly so fast. I feel it's like yesterday –You came tiny and alone. You cried and sobbed. You made us happy and sad. You made us special and honored.

Sometime, I wish I can turn back the clock and cherish those moments you came to us for the first time. But nevertheless, every Birthday is special for us because on this day you made us a parent, you made us a very special person in our life. Above all you taught us the parental love and the value of life. After you came to us, we experienced a new meaning in our life. You became the most powerful influence in our life.

You showed us how to love, how to care, how to cry, how to jump, how to run, how to swim, how to dance, how to nag, how to sleep and many more. But more importantly you brought many joys and happiness in our family. Thank you for everything, for the lesson you taught us.

So, for your Second Birthday, I dedicate you this lovely song which you sing every time and often to make us feel happy. Your babyish voice has never failed to impress us when we felt sad, when we felt empty and when we felt incomplete. 

Here your song goes...

Johny, Johny,

Yes, papa?

Eating sugar?

No, papa.

Telling lies?

No, papa.

Open your mouth

Ha!

Ha!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

If there is one thing I can cherish –It is your BIRTHDAY every year. I offer my sincere prayers for your good health and success throughout. You are only our hope. I wish you, Happy Second Birthday. May you grow up to be a very responsible human being!  and to a brave girl! May you live long and happily ever!

Liverpool in favorite EPL title race, Man city in trouble

I watch many football leagues that happen around the world but not like this year’s premier league season. Unlike other football leagues; Premier League title race is becoming very tight –Both Liverpool and Manchester City are the favorites to win this year’s EPL champions. Anyway, the remaining eight matches will decide their fate. However, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are also a favorite title contender if possibly both City and Liverpool lose their 4-5 matches.

I have been following Manchester City for little over a decade now and I haven’t seen such a tight race. I know how city have grown under the new boss. Last season (2017-18) was their easiest season. After Peps arrival we have witnessed the new glory of premier league history.  Sir, Alex Ferguson to Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham have also changed a lot about football mentality. But Jose Mourinho failed for his ill-tempered attitude. 

City have made some silly mistakes –the first and the easiest mistake was when Mahrez missed the last minute penalty at Anfield. Otherwise, Manchester City could have a four point advantage by now. 

Pep has made Manchester City a great football club in the world today. I admire his Tiki Taka tactics (short passing and movement). I always like the way City play their football games.

I watch football not only to support my favorite club but also for other disciplines –time management, friendship, right attitude, cooperation, perseverance, preparation, mental strength, patience, team spirit, focus and respect.

I pray for Manchester City to win this Premier League Title. 

My Toilet Dream, Everyone's Choice

As I have already been involved in managing public toilets on a few big occasions, this time when I heard about the BazaGuru Drungdrup for three days (1^st to 3^rd March) I was rather obliged rather than feeling excited. 

To create the toilet of my dreams, I went to check the conditions of the public toilets several times (Moelamchenmo ground, zhemgang). To my surprise the recently constructed public toilet surrounding was in a very hostile condition.  

I tried everything in my control to do some cleaning although the weather was in our favor. 

Before I headed back home, I approached the camp coordinator to support my cause with some toiletries –tissue paper, soap, buckets, jugs, and phenol. I elaborated to him in length that these items are mandatory to keep any toilet clean and tidy. But, he seemed least bothered. He hesitantly accepted to fund my aforementioned proposal. 

For whatever reasons, I did not give up because I know it is for the good cause. It is a public matter and I felt the need is urgent. Therefore, I remained firm and pushed myself even further. I even have to coax some officers in between thinking for some favors to carry out this public service more blatantly and successfully. But, very few have supported the move.

On the first day, we were very excited. Therefore, we reached there by 5:45 am. In fact, before anyone, we took with us our own buckets, jugs and some hard brooms because we knew these items won't be on their list. I left my team to do a final touch and I went straight to the store. I luckily got phenol and the soap. I thanked them immensely. I told them I would remain obliged for their kindness and the support for the cause.

On the very first day, after a few hours we came across acute water shortage, toilet shortage especially for our females (4 units for large gathering is too less), missing tissue paper and maintaining the surrounding clean free of litters.

To keep the mission alive, I immediately rushed to a few officers I knew, for some help –the only word that I could utter was “Water Shortage for Toilet Sir”. Luckily we got immediate supply from the Fire Fighter Truck that lasted just for a few hours because the water storage tank was too small for the crowd. Anyway we managed till the last hour. We even fought silently with cooks over water –they felt the kitchen was more important (of course we too felt the same) and we had our own share of rights (everyone has the right to clean the toilet). I and my team tried our best to convey that toilets are equally important like kitchens. We did not back an inch from our prospect, and our gesture remained unabatingly firm and our mission remained undying like Ashley Eden. We felt the first few hours were less impactful but as time passed by we picked our momentum and slowly everyone felt our presence. Everyone trusted us and everyone seemed impressed with our dedicated service. 

On the second day we ran short of water supply more acutely, we had to struggle to maintain the sufficient amount of water for the toilet; on the other hand some officers’ were reluctant to aid us. But after several special requests, by afternoon Municipal Officer gave us the independent water supply and the two small tar drums which immensely helped us to perform our toiletry works. 

Third day was a bit easy and comfortable. We only needed to check the water supply, phenol, soap and clean the toilet pot from time to time. Although we all were thoroughly exhausted, we never gave up.

After working tirelessly and selflessly, we got some positive feedback – “toilet was very clean, and toilet smells so good”, these remarks gave us a sense of happiness, satisfaction and pride for the work we undertook to serve everyone.

We also had some bitter experience from three-day experience – people become bother less, carefree, and too dependent with free services, which made me reflect on the quote – “Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of every drop”.

All these were made possible due to my dedicated and committed team [7 boys and 3 girls] for which I shall remain ever grateful and thankful. I am also so humbled by their team spirit, energy level, sacrifice and positiveness. 

Let's make toilets a first priority!

    Let's stop to defame mother nature!

   Let's forget the dirty toilet mindset!