For the last eight years, Zhemgang has become my new home. The eight defining years have made me a more wholesome man altogether.
Honestly I do not have any plan beyond Zhemgang CS. This just happened because of some unavoidable circumstances. I wouldn't have left this place for anything, but sometimes we've to make important choices that are more important than beautiful places. I never thought I'd spend eight long years in this place that others call it "least developed dzongkhag".
Indeed, eight years was a hell of time. I had eight fulfilling years in Zhemgang. One can do many things. So many things have changed around the places and within me. My first batches of science students have already started earning and most of them would have become parents or started families or some have their kids ready for Kindergarten and few to abroad. People came and went. I'm among the few who came and stayed for eight years and started a family and had many golden opportunities. Perhaps, eight years have slipped so quickly keeping each moment just like a distant memory.
I have packed all my belongings to Tsirang. Some call it a vegetable bowl –it's my hometown. There is nothing exciting since I had all my upbringing and 13-year of education in this place. If everything favors, I would be going back to my old school, indeed in the same old classroom of Damphu CS. I would be toiling the same path, which I've trodden thousand times as a student.
Last few weeks were busy and different –packing and clearing bills. I've made great friendships with people of all walks of life hidden behind the Black Mountain and great Mangduechhu. However, on the other hand, I'm quite sure I may have disappointed some friends and colleagues, but it was never intentional. In my eight years in Zhemgang, I tried everything within and beyond, some worked well and some still in pending. Everything I did was to benefit my school and the community nearby. Toilet thing was great but I could do just little, the waste thing didn't rise well in the community, filter water was enormous and large, the reading thing did well only with a few gangs, but I could put up my timing culture well to the class I've taught if not for the whole school.
I hope someday I'll find time to come back to finish my long overdue project of writing a book on "Birds of Zhemgang", exploring rich Khengpa forest and pursuing my photography passion. However, opening up a book café in the town was my long awaited dream but couldn't start. For the last eight years it came out of my mind and I secretly ruined myself. I shared my dream with a few of my friends. However, I couldn't make it. Perhaps, I'm going out with many regrets and shame. But I'm happy that I could at least plant some trees and some flowers. The plan for "Orchid Garden" was all in vain. This place has taught me a lesson –beyond the call of an ordinary teacher. I'm happy that I'm going out with many memories of my lifetime.
Many of my friends, including my own parents used to frequently ask me –in deed so often this question –Why am I so glued to this isolated and least developed place for so long? My reply used to be very simple and straight –"Bhutan is almost very same whether you live in Thimphu or in Laya –development, people and landscape are almost the same." Therefore, I don't find any difference living at Zhemgang or at Thimphu. So I love Zhemgang like any other place.
My love and passion for this great learning institution (zcs) will never change. The institution and the wonderful people, lovely students made all the difference in my life. However, my teaching career has to go on elsewhere. I will dig and start all over again in a new place with new people, management and young pupils. I have done it in Zhemgang and I will do it in other places with utmost loyalty and dedication.
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