The Power of a Positive Workmate - I

Picture: Rode is with round hat, its a selfie time

Just as my friend had warned me, I ended up in a car wash. It's like a dream come true in a foreign land. 

As simple and easy as it may seem to other, melancholic feeling is within the chest. Over the course of time, I have learned about professionalism and customer care. Essentially, I have learned to organize myself. As I work through the day, this line anchor my heartbeat –"there is no free lunch in life". 

Rodney became my new friend. He added a helping hand. A guy who is so humble and graceful. He bears the utmost coolness of a gentleman's quality. Initially, he seem reserved and firm, but he is all different when he opens up with a conversation. 

After a brief introduction to each other before throwing his hand to work, I warned him of a few essential things -spraying water, wringing chamois, and bending. 

Over the days, we became closer as we shared more about ourselves. I have quizzed him like a journalist to learn a few secrets about how his nation prospered. 

He claims to know a few things about Bhutan from one of his cousins who visited a few years ago. I added a few fancy about Bhutan. 

I told him a few challenges that are hindering Bhutan's development, like being landlocked and difficult topography. To make things easy, I compared states to our districts or regions. It wasn’t so equivalent, but it made sense. 

To keep the conversation running, I purposely asked him few best things to do in Canberra - beaches are not too far away, there is diverse food to try, and many great places to visit, etc, etc,

It was left up to me to do a search and explore. However, he assured, Canberra is the best place for retirement. He feels proud of the healthcare system, good road network, and fast and efficient government services. 

He likes a Holden brand car, which he said used to be quite famous. 

As we progressed with our cleaning, he showed me another Holden car from a different series. Deep inside, I felt sorry for him because he deserved one of them, sincerely. I hope I can help him get one. 

He has ideas about “Alfa Romeo''. Until he pointed to "Fiat," I knew nothing about this brand of car. He told me that being inside a Fiat feels a bit Italian. And I knew it was an Italian car brand. 

As much as he likes Holden, I was a Toyota fan. Like him, I pointed toward the white RAV4 Hybrid and told him of my dream car. He told me to keep dreaming and work hard. 

I told him jokingly, that I so often fall in love with more cars than beautiful ladies. If not for owning one for myself, I at least have a golden chance to touch it, and feel it. It gives a good feeling for the whole day to go around and get lost with the smooth and beautiful cars around the yard.

I was deeply touched when he told me these two things. I was asked to make a saving habit early on life for the unpredictable future and try to get a good academic grade.

We have discussed almost everything under the sun to pass our time. We talked from politics to the health care system to skyrocketing living cost to currency, taxes to pensions, to infrastructure development. However, we did not even spare topics like agriculture, industry, and some recent developments in AI and networks. Perhaps, knowing his unparalleled discipline, I was lost in this thought—How Rich Nations Think. 

He was interested in a few Dzongkha words. As I explained these and a few other tough words, it was time for us to leave for home. 

As I unplugged the hose head, I told him his blueberry picking and his boyhood flirting were interesting. He threw back his quizzical smile and silently vanished from the RAM door. 

And I drove home and got lost in Rode's voice...

HRH Gyalsey: Our Own North Star

THE EXAMPLE IS HERE, OUR HRH GYALSEY. 

Seeing HRH Gyalsey leading our nation gives off a good vibe. I wish every one of us had this discipline to serve and become a part of the country. It is the face of the nation and the future of Bhutan. There is nothing more humbling than seeing our HRH Gyalsey show the best of what eight-year-old kids can do. 

This is a great example we must take forward to develop our minds and mentalities to serve our nation and make our country great. We have our own North Star. The time is now! 

It is always nice to see our young prince already leading the nation. As much as he is humble and charming, he is so disciplined. I don't doubt the future of our nation, but we need a collective oneness, a nation-building mentality, an eye for perfection, toughness, and rigor to move the nation.

 

 (Foot note: This is my honest morning feeling seeing this updates on facebook page)

Photo: His Majesty's Official FB Page

10 February 2024: 

In a special ceremony befitting the profound significance of the occasion, His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck received the Royal Charter for the Establishment of Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region from the sacred Machen Lhakhang in Punakha Dzong.

His Royal Highness The Gyalsey offered Marchhang - libation offerings made to all deities and dharma protectors of the land - to invoke their blessings and protection for the successful launch and realization of His Majesty The King’s vision for the future of Bhutan. The Marchhang offerings were made before the Zhabdrung Khamsum Zilnon.

 

His Royal Highness The Gyalsey received the Royal Charter placed at the sacred Machen Lhakhang of Punakha Dzong. This is in keeping with the tradition of receiving blessings from the Machen Lhakhang for matters of the greatest national importance.

 

In recognition that the Gelephu Mindfulness City is established for the future of Bhutan, about 400 children from the region were invited to participate in the ceremony.

Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the ceremony, which was attended by the Prime Minister, ministers, and senior government officials, and presided over by the His Eminence the Dorji Lopen. 

 

The Royal Charter, granted on the 1st day of the 1st month of the Male Wood Dragon Year, is a significant milestone in the establishment of the Special Administrative Region which will be known as Gelephu Mindfulness City, as announced by His Majesty The King on the 116th National Day. 

Declaimer : Copied from His Majesty's Official Facebook Page for future reference, archive.

A Perspective on School Feeding Program and Cooks – Part I

Recently, one of the media papers made an interesting highlight:

“Fill the Nutrient Gap report raises health concerns among youth because of poor dietary habits.”

What the paper shared did not surprise me. Indeed, we were accustomed to such happenings. I am neither a nutritionist nor a fitness coach. However, I do like a fit body and, more so, a slim belly.

According to some reports, schoolchildren, especially those residing in boarding schools, are facing some health issues because of the lack of balanced diet meals.

One report has beautifully stated, “The ministry has issued a notification calling on school authorities to prohibit school canteens from providing junk food.” Have we changed? Has the school canteen changed? Did it affect anyone? Did our children change?

The new plan and programs seem interesting. The ministry is looking forward to focusing on salt and rice intake, raising awareness among parents, using software for directing day meals, and having a robust monitoring system. I am fine with the plan; however, no new change will happen unless the mentality of our kitchen staff and other relevant stakeholders changes.

Let me share with you my perspectives on (what, where, who, when, and how) feeding less fortunate kids in schools is not happening well. The main issue is with the mindset and mentality of our “cooks/kitchen staff and in-charges.” What goes on in their heads and minds affects the quality of the food that goes into the mouths of our young kids. Our cooks, kitchen staff, and in-charges can do so much more in performing their duties. Perhaps it is surprising that a few of them pretend and say they haven’t gotten any training.

I believe the kitchen is the face of the “cooks,” and substantial meals lie in their “willingness and commitment” to work for the less fortunate kids residing away from their parents.

In the words of Mao Zedong, “The war lies in the barrel of a gun.” To me, the combined ‘quality’ of men and guns determines the outcome. Equally important are the mindset, mentality, toughness, and willingness to perform the task with great accuracy.

I always tell my friends and students about what Bhutan should look like in the eyes of the outside world. Although we are so small and population, we have so much to show the world that we are equally capable.

Although we are struggling with an unstable economy, we can still do so much better for the country and the people together. We must share ideas. Listen to great minds, follow their footsteps, and make a bit of a personal sacrifice to perform the duty with care. Like no other time, we must think as one and work hard with conviction to uproot corruption, eliminate nepotism, and put forward an excellent system, a great legacy, and precedence for the future.

“Japanese School Lunches completely blew me away.” It gives me a sense of how dedication and professionalism bring about a change in society. The video explains the strict requirements for children’s meals, cooking, serving, and cleanliness. It shows the people working in the kitchen are like any other parents preparing meals for their kids at home. They don’t falter an inch in their service, quality of work, integrity, commitment, and professionalism.

When I was in high school, I used to have fried rice—mixed white rice and maize rice—with black tea for breakfast. Lunch used to be white rice, curry (fried or with soup), or dal. Dinner used to be a lunch copy. All day long, through weeks and months, the kitchen staff served the same kind of meals to us.

I have never complained of white worms, bugs, or anything else that often comes as side dishes. Give up or starve for the day. The choice used to be so difficult: I used to close my eyes, pretend not to see anything, push the bug to the side, and continue to eat. All I trusted was the power of my digestive system. What was even more interesting was that I ate the same menu for six years in my high school years. Lucky for me, I’m a legend who has survived all the deficiencies! Thanks to my engine, which did exceptional work.

Looking back, we have made significant changes, but they are not enough. The old time has gone, and we can’t afford to be with the same old thinking.

How much have we changed?

I was back at my old school as a teacher. Nothing much has changed since I left in the year 2008. It gave me a lot of nostalgic feelings to see the same old kitchen, old pot and pan, old working environment, and still the same old, broken footpath. However, it gave me a pleasant feeling to meet a few cooks still serving the school.

For these school feeding programs to be successful, we must always consider the cook factor, the management factor, and the kitchen factor at the forefront of the change.

Should we take a bold step toward change, or else will we continue to suffer in anguish?

 

Ms. Sarah, the Leader from Another World

 

Good Morning Sarah, 

Thank you for hosting me and sharing with me your lovely afternoon yesterday to discuss many beautiful journeys of yours. It was truly amazing to listen to you. You have opened me up in many ways and I will surely keep all those discussions archived in my diary. 

Thank you once again.

Secondly, I was so happy to meet your esteemed team members, especially Mr. Sonam who shared with me many good things happening in the center. It was a brief but eye-opening session. 

Thank you for the chance.

I have promised you heaven and hope I can prove you right in times to come. Thank you for listening to my side of the education story. 

I felt both of us share many similar dreams and a passion for education. It worth all my afternoon to meet a person of your vision and experience. Thank you for sharing your story, the journey of your education, training, and many more.

I wish I can listen to more of your journey in times to come. 

It would be too early to promise everything, however, I would like to work for you and love to learn many unpacked childhood education journeys from you and the team. 

Kind Regards

Sancha 

To Our HRH Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck

 

Photo: His Majesty's Official Facebook Page

To our beloved HRH, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, the heart son, the future of us and Bhutan. 

I join the nation in offering our heartfelt prayers and good wishes for the good health, peace and prosperity of our Beloved Gyalsey on his 8th Birth Anniversary. 

May you remain humble for the nation. 

May you bring peace to our country.

May you shine like a diamond.  

May you be happy all the time.

Unveiling Teacher Agendas for the New Education Minister

As the torch of leadership in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development is now formally passed down to new management, the time is now for a revolutionary agenda that transcends the conventional. In my vision for the future, I present a condensed plan to redefine education, assessment, aesthetics, and holistic development at the forefront.

Assessment?

The cornerstone of my agenda for education lies in the reformation of the assessment system. I advocate for a fair and inclusive evaluation process that goes beyond standardized testing. What can we do more than solely rely on exam scores? Can we give a little more space than the typical means to judge different students?

By incorporating diverse assessment methods, including project-based evaluations, practical assessments, continuous feedback, and topic-wise assessment, we can honor the unique strengths of every student. This shift towards fairness ensures that no learner is left behind, fostering an educational environment that values the individual journey of each student. Let's not depend upon the face value of Dorji, Tashi, and Sonam. I wish we could have a system of grade systems of A+, A, or B, something holistic rather than mere reflection of marks. It does more harm than good. 


Better Primary Schools

The foundation of a strong education system rests upon the quality of primary schools combined with early childhood education. My agenda involves a focus on enhancing primary education by investing in the finest infrastructure, passionate teachers, and a flexible curriculum. Creating an environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking at the primary level and early childhood education sets the stage for lifelong learning and success. And if any education system fails to connect these two dots, no education system will succeed. 


Redesigning Hostels?

I hope I am fortunate with unending cash flow. One thing I wish to change is the hostel design and facilities. Our hostels are barely a structure with nothing of modern touches. 

I shared my concern and design of how our hostel should look like with the necessary facilities to someone who claimed to be the Ministry's Chief Engineer some years back in person but nothing has changed. I don't know how much change we are thinking in designing modern structures with Bhutanese touches.  I believe Hostel life is an integral part of the educational experience and the ones who take hostel journeys are usually less fortunate to be with their parents. Our hostels need a series of changes to both interior and exterior touches with good facilities and natural landscaping so that our students will have a good time and feel at home and safe. 

We don't want a washroom 100m away and water tape in another location. By embracing sustainable architecture, incorporating a lot of green spaces, facilities for snacks, coffee, eatery, and sports, and fostering a sense of community, hostels become not just places of residence but environments that inspire growth, and a connection with nature. 

Tailored School Designs for Different Class Levels?

I may sound a little odd but I am being blind honest about how we can pass the new design of primary schools to be the same as higher secondary schools. The needs are different. The kids are different. Therefore, I believe the approach of our school design should also change. 

Recognizing the diverse needs of students at different class levels, my agenda calls for customized school designs is a serious matter to think about and give a try. Higher secondary schools, for instance, should have standard classroom heights of 8ft, or 9 ft or more. I don't know how many copy paste designs are happening?

I am still wondering why footsteps and toilets are large, why not interview, survey, or seek suggestions from small kids about what and how they want their classrooms and schools to look like? The answer is not in the air, but in our young children, they are the world, they have to validate the progress, and they are the ones who would be using, this I believe is how we build a great nation. Aesthetic view is another aspect we have forgotten long ago, we have never cared about how a beautiful campus is associated with good learning. Tailoring the physical environment to the developmental stage of the students enhances their overall learning experience has never been in our agendas. 

Beyond Rice, Curry, and Dal Menus?

A significant aspect of holistic education involves nurturing healthy habits. My agenda extends beyond traditional diets of rice, curry, and dal to incorporate a diverse range of nutritious food items such as green vegetables, fruits, and soups. I have been shouting that we have mountains of locally available vegetables and fruits better than anything in the world. Why not make the best use of it? Our habits have to be nurtured daily and more so in formal school settings, in gangs. By partnering with nutritionists, schools can create menus that cater to the nutritional needs of students, fostering not only academic excellence but also overall well-being. Our people in the kitchen are basking all day long, a little more homework would be a journey to heaven.

Parent Partnership?

Education is a collaborative effort, and my agenda emphasizes the importance of parent partnership. Why not make better use of our parents? 

By establishing open lines of communication, involving parents in decision-making processes, and organizing regular parent-teacher interactions, we create a supportive network that actively contributes to the holistic development of the child. 

More than a School Surrounding? 

The physical environment plays a crucial role in shaping the educational experience. My vision includes creating aesthetically pleasing school surroundings that inspire creativity and a love for learning. Our school surroundings are deserted with broken pieces of rock, windows, doors, chairs, tables, and more. Beautiful landscape campuses and thoughtfully designed spaces contribute to an atmosphere that fosters curiosity and intellectual exploration.

Diversifying the Curriculum?

To prepare students for the complexities of the modern world, my agenda targets a diversified curriculum, more than what we have. Beyond traditional subjects, students should have the opportunity to explore beyond arts and sciences, but more vocational education to the interest of students. This approach not only caters to diverse interests but also cultivates well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the world.


This school teacher agenda for the new Minister of Education and Skills Development is a call to reimagine the educational landscape through hardship and experience in different schools and management.

The time for transformation is now, and this agenda paves the way for a future where education is not just a process but a profound journey of discovery and growth.

Unveiling My Agendas for the New Ministers

The new government was formed under the dynamic leadership of Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay as the Prime Minister (for 2024-2028). There is no looking back now for whatever reasons that has happened during the entire election period. 

 

Whether we like it or not, the general public has given the People's Democratic Party (PDP) the power to rule for the next five years and hopefully they will set a good precedence for the future of the country. 

 

However, as a concerned citizen, I would like to spell out a few agendas for the new ministers. 

 

1. Ministry of Health

 

In the words of Karthik Ganesh, "the foundation for all happiness in life is health. There is no compromise on the health of anyone in the society. Therefore, we must pay the highest attention to the health system of any nation." 

Therefore, I would like to share a few lines with the new cabinet minister to push agendas on ways to make health easily accessible to all ages and all corners of the country. 

 

a. Work out a way to get the e-token system mentioned with specific room and time, especially in our National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), and Regional Hospitals. So unnecessary lining, waiting and crowding can be kept at a minimum. 

 

b. Finding ways to establish some good private clinics with international standard infrastructures and working culture may drive quality public service delivery and attitude of our people, health professionals, and society. 

 

c. Redesign and expand the infrastructures of the present RIHS. Increase student intake to multifold and do away with all diploma courses. Make a bilateral and affiliate with some European health institutes so that our health professionals get equal justice to work anywhere in the world with their nursing degrees or any other qualifications. 

 

2. Ministry of Education and Skills Development

 

a. Make Assessments more vigorous and more transparent with technology. We don't want our teachers to simply give face value at the end of each term. Should we continue to determine the real ability of our learners by a 3-hour exam test, our education system will continue to remain behind. Time to explore means to be little more than one single exam score. 

 

b. Redesign Quality School Infrastructures place-based and grade-wise. There is no point in primary schools having the same classroom height as higher secondary levels. Same football field and library size. I still wonder how it makes sense to have the same sized classroom door, footsteps, and amenities. Our preschools should be way attractive, and fun-loving places with a lovely environment. 

 

c. Pay utmost attention to primary schools in terms of human resources and facilities. If we continue to compromise our primary schools, we will continue to fail more productive youth. We need some of the best human resources to be in our primary schools because a child's fundamental years begin in primary school. No matter what, primary kids need care and special attention. Therefore, we must make a plan to make preschool more attractive and wholesome. 

 

d. Encourage and incentivize teachers across all domains in the content creation platform. I saw many talented pools of educators who can change the course of our education mania. 

 

e. Look out and make a mass national move to redesign our food habits, especially in boarding schools. Can we be a little more creative than a 'rice, curry, and dal' meal all day long? We have mountains of fresh, organic, and green vegetables to make healthy meals. Our cook can do a little more homework. Appoint a separate in-charge responsible for meals in schools. Let's be serious! I feel school is a good place to form our habits and values. 

 

f. Send an executive order to all the agencies to avoid disturbances in school. No ad hoc program of visitors, no chadri, and unnecessary exchange programs that bear not much learning. 

 

3. Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

 

I believe infrastructure and transport are key components in the success of any country. Without any doubt, it is the backbone of any economy, and without it, a country can be left behind. 

 

Therefore, on many occasions, I have always raised my antenna on how our road network is built. I don't mind a narrow stretch but more smooth and safe is all I wish for a peaceful ride. Similarly, there is always a need for better bridges, more and appropriate road signage that the ministry can do along with other affiliated agencies. 

 

4. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

 

This ministry by far can frame a policy that seemingly can encourage our farmers to grow more vegetables and foods. Setting up a chain of easy access to markets at each level is important. In addition, setting up an easy buying and selling mechanism right from the farmers' doorsteps can encourage them to grow even more food items. 

 

I am always intrigued by how more developed nations manage their perishable food so well, the magic is in setting up cold storage, not just one big one in one place, based on population density and need based. 

Extraordinary Moments