As big as the recent DT discussion on doing away with the 30-min parking system, there are other equally, or more pertinent issues to address at the earliest, if not wisely. The lifestyle is rapidly changing and the need of the hour is beyond what our ancestors had forged on for centuries. Time to be smart and resilient. Should we further delay in being futuristic and innovative, the graveyard is already deepening closer than ever.
My first suggestion is –the segregation of waste. People residing in and around Damphu town are quite fortunate to empty their waste bin twice a week (Monday and Friday) in a waste-truck that comes at the door-step of each household. However, I have been thinking about why not –one time wet waste dumping and the other day for dry waste dumping. Time is now when we are small and compact. We can do almost everything at this stage when we are still delicate, mendable and fresh. Population is increasing, more buildings are coming and infinite development is in the pipeline. The path ahead seems difficult as people are heading into very different futures. It is sure to cause more damage in the near future to our environment. One of the very serious and least bothered areas is the concept of waste management. So how has this agenda missed the DT discussion? This needs a collective responsibility at the earliest. DT should lead the way and Thromde Ngotshab should cast a shadow in collaborating with relevant agencies such as schools, parents, environment division, local leaders, shopkeepers, automobile workshop and building owners to create effective awareness, or educate each individual in the heart and bone. How to effectively manage waste such as plastic wrappers, papers, pet bottles, beer cans, etc, need serious, or perhaps next level of discussion? This is not a rocket science and uncommon thing to address, but needs very serious and careful planning and mindset. As we are small in geography and demographically, we have to set a standard. Time is now, or it is never.
My second suggestion is – improve the present vegetable shed. Although it is beyond your capacity, you can float your concern to other DT members in a session like Dzongkhag Tshogdue. Share your concern on better, or improving present vegetable shed for both vendors and customers with better facilities such as accessible toilet, handwashing station and drinking water facility. This would not only empower our struggling veg vendors but also it talks about our strength.
My third suggestion is –there is also an urgent need to discuss safe footpaths in and around town. Our roads are in dire need of realignment since most curves and turns are life threatening, potholes are ruining the cars and maintenance costs are escalating. Therefore, working together with our RSTA officials in addition to their normal routine check can help identify risky turning and curves and narrow roads, so that our future is safe and secure. This is an act of nation building.
My fourth suggestion is – tabling the idea of greening the core of Damphu town. This may appear quite weird but revamping two lanes of core town with ornamental trees alongside seasonal flowers would not only give shades and fresh air but also the aesthetic sense. Our town should not only become a place we love to visit but also a place to learn and take home the aesthetic sense and beauty to their community. Our town has to develop progressively for the needs of different times since we are living in different times. I consider this small act as a nation building.
My fifth suggestion is –please bring in more smart solutions to solve the sewer line from buildings and septic tanks. More so the drainage system needs relooking since I have witnessed on several occasions that light rain is enough to cause havoc and easily disrupt some portion of road and traffic.
My sixth suggestion is –to institute an Early Learning Centre (ECCD) for the small kids belonging to Damphu town and nearby places. I have come across many underprivileged kids being neglected and away in the right age –in their golden age to base their learning. One way we feel it’s a burden, but it's their right to avail the foundational years in learning attitude, behaviors, discipline before they actually start their formal education. Early learning etched a permanent mark in the life of children. What I heard and experienced was that kids who attend the early learning centre in their young age seem to be more organized, more mannered and even perform better in school and later in their life in all disciplines.
Please try to do what you can in your capacity. Time is running out but you can fix some.
I must warn you the plans and ideas may appear strange to most of the DT committee, but it’s the act of nation building. All you need is to keep pushing your ideas, polish and make it happen anyway. I must tell you that the future would be secured by such an act and perseverance and mindset.
It shouldn’t hurt our future generation with the action or development that we initiated today. Rather it must be a strong foundation to build a stronger and secure future for them and their kids and beyond. The longer we push any ideas and development, we are further away and we are delaying our own progress. I am sure, it may become an eye opening event and there is no looking back. So that you may well be remembered not by how many roads you have travelled, but how well you have travelled. This place becomes of you.
