Winter Timing –Self Perspective

Hello Sancha,

I got a surprise email from a friend in Guinea this morning. He stated a few pertinent points, which I feel like sharing here. 

 

How is Bhutan? 

I always love to visit your beautiful country. I want to learn more about GNH from your country and people. It was so nice to see your beautiful king and queen giving their best for the country. I was happy to learn that COVID situation was very much under control. Keep it up! 

 

I wasn't sure what to reply. Instead I landed up writing about recent winter timing for civil servants, which raises many concerns. 

 

I sincerely applaud RCSC for making a bold decision about winter office timing for civil servants. It is a win-win situation for the country and the individual. All the civil servants will continue to work from 9am to 5pm this winter was the press statement. This is not a real big deal for all of us who have come from a very hard time. I am not so sure if this trend will continue to remain the same for the coming years. But I would love to have the same working hours hereafter.

 

It was disheartening to see many grievances being passed down in social media platforms. It has raised some genuine concerns too. I see two inconveniences. First is travelling home as the dark set 30-60 minutes early. Second is the bitter cold and windy weather. Anyways, there are plenty of solutions at our hands to overcome this tough perk. Nonetheless, an extra one-hour should become worth spending in respective offices, or workstations. 

 

I heard about the winter timing, but honestly I wasn't sure of when it starts and ends. Being in the education system, I don't care about office timing. No matter what, I am used to with working extra hours with the future of the country. So far, I have never worked differently for the winter and summer.

Should we thank, or curse this pandemic for such a big change?

 

It was worrisome to learn that the country's GDP has shrunk at an all time low of negative 10.8 per cent and hell bed is being dug for loan debt of 112.6 percent of the country's GDP. Shocking! 

 

I was happy to learn that civil service being the key to good governance and efficient delivery of the services, bears the responsibility to support and accelerate economic recovery. 

 

Starting November 1, 2021 by working 1 hour extra, we should learn a very different lesson, lesson to develop Bhutan. This start is just a tip of an iceberg to know and realize how the rest of the world works and functions. Small nation like ours, this change should have happened a decade ago, however, it is time for solidarity in such hard times as this to put and risk everything for the country. We must contribute individually at our own capacity and style to make this change workable, impactful and lasting. 

 

Positivity is a must now. Changing mindset is a must now. Unity is a must now. Thinking as one is a must now. Becoming resilient is a must now. However one thing is certain, this change may take time but we must stand out together, we must come together strong and united and make this change happen in a very meaningful way for the nation. 

 

I hope our biggest economy, BPC alone, won't be happy and pocketing the net profit. At the cost of raising the utility bill for electricity and water, together we must work for the cause. Let us learn to give our fair service to people of any background and qualification, status and race. 

 

It's fine for the education system; we don't use room heaters in our staffroom. Fair from our end, it's a net service for a country. Like never before, it's a golden opportunity for us to serve our country and people well.

 

I am proud to put my statement bold and straight. I have served our king, country and people with full dedication and loyalty, and it was great thus far. I never felt the pressure of time and work nature, although there was time for an unprecedented situation. As long as I am physically fit, I am ready to serve TSA-WA-SUM. More so, as a school lopen, I am used to working hard all day long. Used to working by setting an alarm clock to monitor study and other activities, which happens beyond school hours. I have even sacrificed most of the holidays and weekends for the cost of benefiting the future of the country. This is truly a cause of nation building. 

 

We must feel proud of our smallness and our visionary kings. Perhaps, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck, first King of Bhutan who unified the country under difficult circumstances and handed it over to us safe and united. From 1907 and on, by now everything including the road network, education and health service and policies should be world class. 

 

Anyway, we aren't late to start this reform. We have many more flaws to fix including working mindset, good work culture both at home and work place. There is nothing wrong being workaholic, or addicted to work. Let us learn to give 100 per cent for the country that has given so much. Rest will be taken care of by itself. 

 

Life is like riding a bicycle 

I feel sorry for my friend who is seven continents apart who thought my country is flawless in everything. But we are struggling to fix our TIME and POTHOLES.