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?

 

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

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. 

 

 

115th National Day: A Water Tank Gift

It's a national day. One big day for Bhutan and Bhutanese to reflect and to forge a new journey.  

 

The National Day is a big day for all of us, for each Bhutanese. On this day 115 years ago, our Great Hero Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck, the founding father of Bhutan unified the country from all evils and external forces. It was on this day, the Hereditary Monarchy was established and the country came under Wangchuck Dynasty.

 

This day is also a day to remember and thank our first Monarch and successive kingship for their sacrifice for this land and for making each one of us safe and proud Bhutanese citizens. Like our brave monarchs we should also learn to sacrifice for the country and it is a reminder to each one of us for how bravely our first king has unified this nation. Therefore, we must love our country, but honestly and intelligently!

 

My 115^th National Day was a bit different for the second time. First in 2019, I was busy fixing a toilet pot for my students when the rest were ushering in the national day in a remote corner of Zhemgang. The same evening I was engaged in listening to the rebroadcast of His Majesty’s National Day Speech. 

 

Undoubtedly, I fell in love with HM's Dzongkha, the eloquence, the meaning, the beauty, the richness, and overall, it was a joy to listen to a beautiful speech for the country and people by our beloved monarch. 

 

This year was no different. I was having a long pending work for the project I was undertaking. The construction of a small water tank for SAP activities. Often I was left with doubt that I may disappoint my foreign donors and other people involved to get this deal. 

 

There was no day and moment I was at peace. Despite giving a hard try, everyday I worry about completing the project. There was no day I was without any burning task in hand –teaching, planning, counselling, gathering, meeting, and other personal engagements. 

 

However, just to give a final touch to my project , and to make it memorable on this big day, I planned to escape my national day celebration at the Damphu Public Ground. Although I was missing the live celebration and HM's National Day Speech, I am making history for myself and it may become my year's national achievement. 

 

I was expecting for a rebroadcast on tv, social media platforms and in print media.  For these assurances, I just diverted my attention to give a final touch to my project. As much as I am missing the live celebration, I am making history, history for myself and for my school. I believe this is nation building!

 

Let me share a few reasons why this project was delayed till the last month of the year. First, the project came at a time when the country is regaining momentum from COVID. Second, the collection of raw materials came handy. Third, the actual expertise was lacking to materialize the project. Fourth, Tsirang being at the southern belt, summer becomes heavy with rain, which somehow have deterred the construction. Fifth, being a teacher myself I was heavily being used for teaching and other administrative work. Sixth, almost all the Saturdays and Sundays were packed with online training for Bhutan Baccalaureate (BB). Seventh, getting someone (laborers) who can handle the concrete construction was difficult. Eighth, I was engaged with some personal matters at home. Ninth, I was medically unfit due to severe back pain which made my presence often difficult.

 

With prayers and wishes, I sincerely dedicate my small project to our greatest National Hero Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck and successive monarchs for their selfless leadership, sacrifice and power for making us one nation. 

 

On this day, 115 years ago, on December 17th 1907, our first King made a history by unifying this Drukpa Land, and today on 17th of December 2022, I am making my small contribution to remember and thank our brave and national hero, our King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. This is a day we must come together to deeply reflect the great work done by our successive kings. 

 

 

Pelden Drukpa Gyalo la...May this nation be always like today and may this nation be always under the visionary kings and may this nation remain happy and peaceful... 

 

Face–to–face With S.G –Part IV

Image: Google

My decade of service in education as a teacher has been both beautiful and demanding.

However, nothing significant has changed over the years despite a lot of push from government and relevant agencies. We are in the same old building, classrooms, assembly ground, labs, library, hostel and dining hall. 

 

Summer goes by in the heat, sweating without a good working room fan, and winter is more severe with the broken windows and doors. 

 

In such circumstances, students have all killer plans making them susceptible to smoking, drinking, chewing and other unproductive activities. 

 

What compelled me to discuss this matter is due to some odd behaviors and manners I have seen over the years. We have His Majesty The King, His Holiness The Je Khenpo, and other National Symbols, yet our children idolizing Bob Marley, Marijuana Leave, and Rasta Colors define our weakness. 

Arguably, Bob Marley, the most influential figure, was equally known for his love of Cannabis and Rastafarian faith. I am against all these cultures. One thing I know about is the one with this habit is the one who uses Marijuana and in most cases happens to be an addict. 

If you happen to see anyone with a Rasta Color handkerchief, belt (kera), muffler, hat, shirt, arm band, and badges, they are into this cool-looking-kid circle. There are few exceptional cases at school, students using Rasta color (red, green and yellow) mixed sellotape to cover their books, you must follow their footsteps and watch them accordingly. It is a sign of Marijuana addict!

 

Declaimer: The information shared above is the author's own and does not intend to harm anyone both living and dead. 

Face–to–Face with S.G –Part III

 From listener to a user today –smoking of Marijuana is becoming a trend now and looks like it is going to remain forever. 

After the introduction of television in the year 1999, Bhutanese have had access and were bombarded with many foreign contents. There is no less denying fact than to consume whatever is made available on television. Now is the era of the Internet and smartphones, there is no looking back. 

 

The use of these grass plants dates back to around 2800 BC, when it was listed in the Emperor Shen Nung's pharmacopoeia and set to be originated from Asian nations. Cannabis has been used for its alleged healing properties for millennia. And in some parts of the world, the plant is used for religious purposes and more. Given its demands world-wide, the sale of the plant benefits many poor sections of society for their livelihood. 

 

This plant is truly a gift of nature!

 

The first time I heard about this plant was when my mother used it to subdue the pig from its madness. She occasionally administered these raw techniques to put some naughty pig into a long good night sleep. It not only makes them lazy, but also helps them gain weight because it improves appetite. This could be one reason our youngsters wanted to experience and be like that lazy hog but only to find themselves addicted. 

 

There is no concrete data, or finding on when the usage of this plant actually started in the country. There is some oral information that it must have started from early 2000. With little findings, the popularity of this plant became popular once television was introduced in the country. Undoubtedly, this trend is becoming a fashion especially among our youngsters. It could be due to peer pressure, or influence. 

 

Besides smoking and drinking, this plant is one of the highest used drugs among adolescents (around 12%). I am pretty sure, this figure could be even higher. 

 

Going by report, or response from many students, the cool kid fashion to boost confidence to relieve some acute pain to overcome anxiety to be in a friend circle, cannabis abuse is a worrying trend. 

 

Without knowing much, at a larger spectrum, this habit would simply cost the government in meeting up with growing demand on mental health related issues. 

Present trend is already worrisome for the fact that many of our school-going adolescents are addicted. Beside smoking weeds, there are around 60-70% of our young kids who are into smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco and consuming other deadly tablets. The Doma and Supari fashion is another picking up trend amongst our youth. 

Each year schools across the country are facing a huge crisis of our young and abled-children dropping out of school. The bigger reason cited was due to addiction to drugs and alcohol. In this figure, I am sure there are just a few exceptional cases of family background compelling them to quit their education. 

 

Face-to-Face with S.G – Part II

  

Google

Wednesday, one tough day for the two of us. We came to a critical submit. The point that shall matter so much. Many firm decisions have to be made because it's going to affect someone's innocent life...forever.

 

I was heavily involved in the discussion for several weeks and the positive impact was felt with both the parties. Initially, he assumed that I do not know much about the case I am dealing with. So, he gave me some loosely cooked response. The response created more suspicion than to believe him. He claimed an impossible mission just to escape the rendezvous. 

 

I have changed the topic because I wanted a more real response. I patiently waited for the right moment to strike the gong. I took a different course. No statement and punishment. I requested for an honest reflection on his strengths and weaknesses. Looking at his writing, he was simply giving me some easy response to escape from me. Next I asked him to give me his childhood memories. I even asked him to give me his best and most difficult moment of his life. All these created more fuss. 

 

Every point was made to make a deeper connection and preciousness of our life. The love and care of parents. The hardship and beauty of life. The power one has that can change the course of life and beautiful and luxurious life one can have. 

 

S.G, would you like to continue with your old habit? Are you happy with your life?

 

I could immensely feel the intensity of his heart. There was a bit of hesitation even though he falsely claimed that he already stopped a few weeks ago. I wasn't in a rush to conclude anything nor I have any ready-made solution to offer him. 

 

All I wanted was the more authentic response so that I can help him stay clean, or minimize the intake. I would like S.G to slowly change the course of his life once and forever, the life he had been for the last four years. 

 

Indeed, this is some kind of fashion with our youth today. And there are almost 35% of our productive citizens using this hemp plant which is slowly draining and consuming both our health and wealth. 

 

This is a worrying trend we have for over decades now. There is nothing wrong with this but in the long run this might simply become a problem. 

 

Honestly, at school there are a mix of boys and girls who are into smoking and chewing habits from as low as from grade three, or some even before they enter school. Coming from such a background, we don't feel this is an issue to address since we have big influence from our big brother and neighbourhoods.  

 

S.G's best time for doing this is just before morning study, after breakfast, and after school -just before evening study. And it also happens after night study which puts him to a good night sleep. This is his routine. Nothing can stop him but his determined self can. 

 

In the depth of our discussion, I was taken aback of my hostel life, the hardship, the loneliness because our hostel hasn't changed much over a decade –the barren hostel rooms, water shortage, toilet issue, fooding have crunched all these habits. 

 

This is how this little boy by name S.G has forged into this path. Like this gentle boy, there could be thousands of productive youth involved and more are planning to gallop. 

 

At times I have acted rude like medieval rulers to extract more exact points. I have squeezed him like mustard oil but nothing much has come out of this quiet boy. I was happy that his intake has significantly dropped and started to feel bad for his smoking habit. 

 

We could reach many definitive solutions such as reading, walking, playing, sleeping, eating, chatting, drawing to slowly keep this habit at bay. 

 

Whatever, best solutions we agree upon, it is after all going to matter for rest of his life. And there is nothing beautiful than making someone realize the preciousness and power of human life. 

 

 

 

NOTE: My achievement of the year goes to this little work I have done in a past 2-month period. 

 

 

2022: A Special Year For Us

With heartfelt gratitude, we bring this academic year to a close. It has been a year of great gains, but also one that demanded hard work, persistence and resilience from each of us.

This year shaped us not just academically, but personally preparing us to face challenges we never anticipated. Before we break for the winter break, we gather to celebrate our accomplishments and bid farewell to some of our outgoing friends.

Today, as we reflect on our journey, let's honour the dedication, effort and sacrifices each of us made to reach this point together.

It has truly been a joy and a privilege for me to serve you all.

The introduction of the Bhutan Baccalaureate (BB) was unfamiliar, but we embraced it wholeheartedly. Looking back, we have achieved so many memorable milestones together.

Midway through, we found ourselves torn between covering the syllabus and managing our time. Despite holidays, illnesses, assessments and an intense academic schedule, we still made time for laughter, bonding and joy.

The year was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Yet, we learned to stay grounded and focused with humility and self-discipline guiding us through the final, most challenging months.

Throughout, I entered this campus each day with the sole intention of serving you with sincerity and integrity. I truly hope your time here has been meaningful, and that you leave with a strong sense of values. That, to me, is the essence of nation-building.

If at any point I seemed strict and unfair, especially about punctuality during SUPW—I ask for your apology. My intention was never to trouble you, but to instill habits that will serve you in life. This too, I believe, is nation-building.

I know some of my personal values like caring deeply for nature, being punctual and managing my own waste, may have seemed unnecessary. But I see these small actions as powerful habits of a responsible citizen. Again, I believe this is nation-building.

Remember that every small, positive habit you build will lead you closer to your dreams. These habits shape not just your life, but your contribution to the country.

Though our mentor-mentee sessions are ending, our bond, friendship and care still continue to be strong and spread beyond this campus.

I may not have met all your expectations, but I gave my role everything I had. I will always be here to support and guide you in whatever way I can. This, too, is nation-building.

If you aim for something beautiful in life, be ready to sacrifice, work hard and give more than what is asked of you. Keep learning. Stay optimistic. Set high standards. These will bring you one step closer to happiness and success.

And when you build a life of discipline and goodness, all the things you desire—home, comfort and love will follow naturally. And yes, this too is nation-building.

Despite the challenges, we achieved so much in a short span of time. As we say goodbye to some of our friends today, let us take a moment to reflect on how far we have come and the strength we have shown.

These experiences must become our guiding principles as we step into the future.

Thank you for your kindness and cooperation. It made my work so much easier. Carry these human values with you, wherever life takes you. Our shared learning and friendships will endure. This too is nation-building.

Please, remain a good human being, regardless of what you achieve in life. It is your kindness that will be remembered most.

I would like you to sincerely honour your parents. They won't be with you forever, and their sacrifices are the reason you are here today. Cherish them with all your heart. And yes—this, too, is nation-building.

Life from here on will get harder. But with the right mindset, you can overcome any obstacle. It won't be easy—but after 13 years of preparation, you are ready for the path ahead.

If I had to name one greatest achievement this year—it would be you, and the incredible journey we shared together. 

Thank you for spending your time with me.

Picture Perfect of Gathering-memories crafted 

Breaking The Menstrual Taboo

May 28 of every year is observed as World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The day is basically to break age-old taboo, stigmatization and discrimination against our women and girls at home, school and public places.

To mark this day at Damphu CS, I was assigned to make a short awareness program by the School Management. Although the order came quite late, at a cross-road on a day that was packed with many works, I am determined to arsenal the challenge. It checks my professional ethics and conviction to work. I have to be very careful and have to balance everything and make the day's program lively. However, in everyone's mind, the program has to be short but impactful. 

With heavy concern, I have jotted down a few points in my diary. I got help from a few senior friends which gave me some ideas and broadened the depth of the program. I called a few students whom I feel are confident and who can help me share my ideas and message across on the day. 

Unlike other usual programs, I planned it a bit differently –no drama, no speech, no poster, no guest speaker, no volunteer, no all kinds of Bhutanese formalities, etc. 

I have arranged three students to support me push through the program for the crowds of nearly 800 brillant faces. 

With them I have shared my plan for the next day. I barbed my idea and the messages. We did not write any structured messages. We did not keep any language barriers and other formalities. The program should be free-flowing, lively and fun. A simple theme banner was arranged with the help of a teacher colleague and a few students before we call it a day. 

When I got home –I took refuge by playing, jumping and running with two kids. 

Before I made a move for the day, I briefly scribbled a few key points to present as an event coordinator. 

The day started by handing over a sanitary pad to the school girl captain. I want to say there is nothing wrong with menstruation and the pad.

"Don't wait for

a girl to become 

a woman to 

empower them". 

This quote is relevant for the mood as we usually don’t think to empower our girl and woman in topics such as this. I have shared a couple of statements regarding the menstrual cycle –facts and figures. I asked the favour of one boy student to highlight the world menstrual hygiene day theme. As he presented his lines, he went on to tell myths and ugly side of the menstrual cycle. In the course, a female student came up to defend herself stating many good things about the monthly period and the power of each woman. It is completely okay to menstruate! On her claim, a boy supported the girl speaker. There is nothing wrong with girls and women menstruating every month. It is the ill mentality of our society –men and boys who feel bad and dirty about the monthly period. 

As an event coordinator, I have quizzed a few yet very profound questions to think and reflect on an individual level as it helps us open up to empower our girls and women at home and –beyond because we are part of our women's menstrual cycle anyway. I have also shared five essentials to maintain good menstrual hygiene and the challenges. Furthermore, four gentlemen have helped me spread 4 C’s [coordination, culture, communication and consultation] of an effective MHM program. At this moment, I have requested one lady teacher to help me supplement on the topic and she was flawless. It proved she is the real gem of Biology whom I believe is a strong woman and a teacher. 

To further align the ideas I have highlighted a few key points –being a woman is so special, what man can't do, our woman can do so beautifully and diligently. Therefore, it is us [men] who need to change the mentality over this so that the place we live in is safe and free, lovely and beautiful. 

In a few lines, I have also shared my personal story of how I empower my wife, daughter and sister at home. I have shared this as a matter of fact that we as a man can do a lot in helping and making our girls and women feel good and safe at least at home.

To sum up the 20 minutes event, three quiz questions were randomly asked to girl students. As a token of appreciation, a sanitary pad was given for their active participation in the session.

Finally as an event incharge, I thanked everyone involved for the program. And wishes all girls and female colleagues a Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day. 

Damphu CS, Hope for School of Agriculture

It was honored for Damphu Central School to have secured the national topper in BHSEC exam 2020. It is not the first that Damphu CS placed such a high mark on academic excellence. Back in 2002, Mr. Ghanashyam Kafley had secured the Bhutan topper in class 10 exam. His record of 96 per cent is still the highest and no one before and after could ever dare to break his record. I have seen him so humble and nice. The latest was in 2015 Mr. Leki Tshering, who scored 80 per cent and came third in Arts stream. This boy hails from Zhemgang CS to pursue his XII and he left his trademark permanently on Tsirang soil. Aboveall, they all have made Damphu CS proud and on toe in academic pursuits. 

In fact, such achievements don't come at the cost of one year and one single person, it is a long way, the collective effort of diverse people all put together gives such flying results. For the longest time, we loosely term it as "phunsum tshogo", and that is true for everything, even if you are on MOON, the same law is applied. 

The school would love to see such history unfolding on and on. In fact, this time the duo made Damphu CS fertinity proud once again –Mr. Kelden Ghallay a science student who topped whole Bhutan (XII) with 92.50 per cent and Ms. Priya Rai a arts student, begged third place with 85.5 per cent, both have done exceptionally well in their academic scores. I wish them good luck in their future endeavours. Although I was one week old on campus, yet I share the achievement together as I believe in this phrase, "no man is an island". They made everyone happy and proud of their individual achievement as I've seen teachers sharing overjoyed happiness in the "DCS Forum" for the past few days. I saw all sorts of happiness being poured out and expressed out in the forum. I realize such moments are extraordinary moments for teachers and school. To me, I feel teachers are the one who feel proud of such achievement more than anybody else in the world. Such achievement makes teachers feel great, gives some personal satisfaction and boosts their morale. I know parents have their own level of happiness, but not as great and special and satisfying as teachers have for their students. 

Damphu CS has a fully-grown campus for multi-learning. The school has grown so great in "agriculture". Along with academic learning, the school has various learning platforms such as agriculture farming, piggery, poultry, fishery, dairy, cardamom and orange. This is more than the mandates of a normal school system. Damphu campus is doing quite well in all these pursuits as well, even more so if this institute is fully assigned for agriculture academy. It can do more magic!

Agriculture is a discipline of multiple sciences and in the 21st century we must view agriculture through different lenses. Time to revolutionize agriculture by using technologies such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors and GPS technology. These advanced devices and precision agriculture and robotic systems will allow farms to be more profitable, efficient, safe and environmentally friendly. This is the future of agriculture and we must live up to these changes and it is time for us to develop inch-by-inch a Bhutanese version of "Harvard" and "Oxford" in our agriculture sector.

As I see, Damphu CS beyond academics –has a huge potential to be an agriculture hub, more precisely turning this campus into District Learning Center for farming, or Agriculture-training Center future for the people of Tsirang and beyond as the place is located centrally and on a very suitable climate and has a good land topography. The beautiful campus can easily become a "School of Agriculture" or "Agriculture Academy". It can be a national treasure for the people of Bhutan. 

If there is one thing a country has to develop, it is the agriculture sector. The countries such as Japan, Germany and South Korea have developed thus far in a very short span of time and were credited to expansion in the agriculture sector. We must look into this field of learning, more sincerely and holistically than ever. It is humbling to see a good move the government of the day is pushing through to put a mark on the agriculture sector and the impression is already made by our great monarchs of the past. 

I pray for the best to happen for all of us in the near future. Our strength today is our "smallness", time is now, or it is never. 

Declaimer: The views shared are of the author's own and do not refer to any individual, or any institution. The terms and organization made are for reference.