One More Empty Chair

Heart felt message from our Dear Friend 
Image: Pem C

One more empty chair in the Science Department of the Damphu Campus. School has lost a teacher but we have lost a great friend. 

It says –easy to meet but hard to depart. This is so true even for the great enemies. A few days back, we hosted a simple dinner to say a final goodbye to a young and talented colleague of ours, who would be landing in the land of Kangaroos soon. Indeed, the dreamland for all of us. 

 

As we came to say the final few words, we got some personal space to share, learn and express our wishes and more.

 

There are already many friends in line who are leading their way out of our campus in the coming months for the greener pastures. This is becoming too painful, especially for schools and students to lose an experienced pool of people. 

No doubt, the office can replace him easily, but not our friend, not his experience. However, a gathering such as this gives a relaxing moment and a great space to dig deeper down the depth of friendship.

 

We have also agreed and promised ourselves not to forget our culture, values, tradition, country, and monarchs. Nevertheless, to call ourselves Bhutanese.

We are going to feel some emptiness, but this is part of life. We hope the time will heal our hearts. We wish for our friend to bring a lot of fortune to his family and the country. 

Safe Journey my friend!

Depth of friends expression to out going colleague

Work. Life. Pain – Part III

I located my friend [Bhaia] at the corner busy with his business. 

 

I just went around to share about -The Australian Rush and more. In our previous talk, he shared little about the pain of leaving behind family and country to live and work in foreign soil. 

 

Bhaia, everyone, including the government feels the pain of losing a talented pool of young, qualified, trained and experienced people out of the system and the country. This is a serious concern even for a family and especially for the old parents and young kids who are left behind all by themselves. This is too much for a country of a small population. 

 

"Sir, you are one of the lucky guys in the world." "Said Bhaia"

 

"I asked him, why?"

 

You are a government servant. You get paid every month. You don't have to worry about anything. Need not have to work so hard like me.

In my case, year after year, I am away from my family. If I am sick, I don't have anybody around to take care of me. This is because we have less jobs for people like me. And more importantly, the wage is very low. 

Sir,,, in your case, it's not like mine. You have a secure and well paid job in hand.

  

Of course. But, these days more than a job and dignity, money matters for anything and everything. Listen, the monthly salary is just hardly enough for rent and bills and food. I am happy for a few days of the month and rest go by in pity. Nothing much can be done with my salary.

  

Bhaia, with so much pain, sacrifice and hard decisions, our young and talented people are leaving for Australia for the sake of their livelihood and family. As much as I am concerned, I am also equally happy because the money, experience and exposure each Bhutanese gets down there would one day benefit our country.

 

With great assurance, I promised my friend that it will take time, but someday with every bit and piece of money and experience and exposure, we will build this nation ever stronger and beautiful.

I wish our friends in Australia and those who are planning to move out will learn and earn a lot of dollars. And someday we can build this nation to greatness.

Humble Lam Of Tsirang Dratsang

"9:30 am sharp to kick off LA. Shall send the details once prepared." "Command in the group chat from the Principal."

 

It was past 7:41 pm when I read the message. Not very late to float my idea because the next day is a big day for all of us. We are staring a new academic year and we must start well, very well and together with good wishes and prayers. 

 

"I replied." "As we are starting a new academic year, what if we make a collective visit to Dratshang in the morning hours to offer our prayers, good wishes and butter lamps. Just a suggestion. Friends can share your thoughts." 

 

"At 7:42 pm, one agreed. Then many agreeing chats followed. All agreed in unison."

 

"At 7:50 pm, one chat popped up…communicated with Lam Neten. Time fixed is 9:30 am." "Wrote Principal."

 

"The message relieved me immensely. Because the idea worth sharing."

 

"I had a peaceful sleep." 

 

"The next day, I headed directly toward the Dratsang and waited for all to arrive."

 

We set our foot exactly on the agreed time towards the secret altar room for the power and blessing and to sanctify ourselves. 

There were few interesting facts I'd like to share out of my happiness. We were received by Lam Neten which is unexpected of such a profile figure. It was not the first occasion I have seen Lam doing such good service. He is an absolute humble person I have ever seen in the whole community. His humbleness is something we must learn in the public service delivery. 

 

In the secret room, Lam floated the idea to offer bowing together. Lam himself led the session, which is unlikely attitude of such position. We were blessed with such an exceptional piece of example. With little hesitation, deep inside I feel uncomfortable because such modesty is quite hard to showcase so spontaneously. It is also a lesson that each public servant must portray such a humble attitude far from being on the rotating chair. This is above the example set for us by the lam himself. 

 

With utmost silence and discipline, we received blessing from the venerable Lam. Such a token of blessing and organization was something unexpected but we had it in the leadership of lam. 

 

The next, we took a seat in front of the secret altar. 

 

After the blessing was over, Lam came down off his seat and gave us a few pieces of advice and lessons. 

 

He thanked us for making a visiting Dratsang at such an important day. This must be the kick start of any good institution. Lam highlighted that school is as secret as any monastery. Therefore he has high regard for schools and teachers. And moments like this are very special and rare.

 

Teachers are the vast institution who make this world a better place for all. Every single child in life starts with a.b.c.d…& Ka, Kha, gya, nga…to any complexity of humanity all has started from the hand of a teacher. Therefore, the teacher's role is considered so special. We were reminded to continue our secret duties for the benefit of every sentient being now and beyond. 

 

Lam also highlighted, his position today is the sum of all his teachers. Therefore, he always regards all his teachers for being so kind and helpful and resourceful. 

 

We were requested to be one humble human being and continue to serve this nation with integrity and dedication. 

 

Every word spoken by Lam came as humble but with great authority because he meant it for the sake of our innocent pupil who can become the future leader of this country. Our small act of being humble and teaching and showing them goodness and taking them through the right direction can become our own nationhood. 

 

I was thoroughly shaken by the humbleness of Lam for being so authentic and coming down to serve this nation in such leadership is something each one of us should possess, not just for pleasing someone but as a daily habit. 

 

We did not waste an hour session with venerable lam Neten of Tsirang Dratshang on the day of new academic year.

 

Dignity of a man is not made by his possession and power, but simply by his humbleness.