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Work. Life. Pain



I rushed outside with my two kids to catch the precious winter sun around the parking lot. Instead, I made a mind to head directly towards my house owner's new building construction site thinking that I can hang up my kids outside longer. 

 

Like no other place on earth, my two kids like this site because they get to see, touch and play with different things. The shrilling and occasional hammering sounds attract them even more in the area. Apart from this, they also get to interact with different faces and the languages. 

 

For the past few months, the site has become a favorite spot not only for me but also for my two kids for many good reasons. As we watch them work, we get to learn the art of carpentry, masonry, lifting, loading, carrying, mixing, fixing, etc. Above all, the fine hands of Indian Bhaias. The sacrifice they make each second to lift our country to greatness. 

 

One Bhaia in 40's who has worked all his life in building construction with courage picked an unusual topic –The Australian Rush!

 

I guess maybe he must have heard about this news from friends and passersby that every –Nima, Dawa, and Karma of Bhutan are leaving to work and study in Australia. 

 

I honestly do not know why he strangely picked this topic to discuss with me. But, he meant it seriously. I can sense some urgency and authority in his voice.

 

Bhaia, there could be many stories behind this rush. But, to me and what I heard from friends and through social media is that there are part-time jobs for students and good earnings for the dependent paid on hourly basis which we lack here. Bhutanese in Australia are doing so good in the eyes of Australians and in return they are granting more visas. 

 

The other point that came to me was the inflation and salary which is contributing more people and especially civil servants to quit their job and look for greener pastures abroad for work, earn and study.

 

One thing that seriously struck was his tone in which he told me this.

 

Sirrrrrrr...., please, don't leave Bhutan. Here, it is more peaceful (yeha, achaa hay!) Moreover, you are a civil servant and a father. You are treated high in society. You have good future scope. You can do many good things for your king and the country. Your kids need you in every moment of their lives. They are growing, more than the Australian dollars, they need your physical and emotional support. You are educated. The choice is yours. You know the best for your kids. Bhutan is a good place to work and live. There is more urgent work to do here in Bhutan than in Australia. Honestly, there are more jobs in Bhutan than the people here.

 

As I had the sharing and the pain, my two kids had enough for the day. The warmth of the sun. The shape. The touch. The sound. The sand. The soil. The air. 

 

I had to stop him! 

 

Because it is time for us to head home and cook. I was heavily put to think by my friend [Indian Bhaia] with his Soul Piercing Questions!

 

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