Two Great Souls Lost at the Same Time

In the midst of fighting COVID-19 pandemic war, the news of two great souls lost within an hour's gap is something very painful and unlikely. However, interestingly two souls are perfectly similar in nature and attitude. 

Karma Wangchuk Sir as I know by far is one very simple human being. Someone very much and infinitely the vessel of English Vocabulary, honest nature lover, artist, music lover and a photographer. Although you departed forever, and very far away, I will always remember your diction of wisdom. 

He is basically a man of few words. A man whose wisdom and inspiration drive was infinitely large. 

Kenny Roger is an American singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. A great human being whose love for music was indeed infinite and eternal.

What I know little about him was all through his songs. Whenever, I feel lonely and alone, I tune to his music roll and listen until everything is fine and I could wave some dreams of happiness. His song not only gives immense happiness and attachment to the country but also loved one, family and friends.

Sadly what a coincidence, a few weeks before, when Chemistry was too heavy, abstract, invisible and untouchable, I had his Music Video played in two sections of twelve sciences. I played them, and we enjoyed his great hit, "The Greatest Gift Of All" together that was played for the second time in a row in less than one years gap. Those are the days songs have words and meaning. 

Roger's some solo hits like Lucille, coward of the country, you decorated my life are my favorite list of mine. Please you too try his hits!

I pray for these Two Great Souls of Similar Wisdom and Smartness to Rest In Peace!

Actor Tshering Gyeltshen; Someone I admired For the Longest Time

Keta, Tshering Gyeltshen. Pic, from his FB Page

The story began in the late autumn of 2005, when I was a little naughty school boy. I can still remember the setting of the Live Drama he and his team have performed for two schools; Damphu HSS and Damphu LSS. 

It was in Damphu LS basketball court, when I saw Keta Tshering for the first time with his acting team (TGMI) performing a live drama kind of show to staff, students, and some public nearby. I believe it was a kind of awareness created to uplift the power of drama. Anyway, it was an educational outfit. 

I saw his team giving the best live performances ever. I got the feel of what Drama is, and the power of acting. However, towards the end of the program, Keta Tshering gave a closing remarks and the objectives of his show in his best vocal and probably in a very fluent and lively English tune. It was that time, I started to admire and follow his work so closely. As a little boy, he became my immediate idol, and a source of inspiration. He is one of my biggest North Star still today!

Honestly, for most of the students like me, he was better known as "Chapai Bu gi Keta" and his personality over the time perhaps had captured the hearts of everyone around.

Few years back, or so, he was known as "Hingtam gi Keta". The role in the movie, Hingtam had furthermore captured the heart of every person, perhaps in the whole film industry. However, a few years later, the movie "The Perfect Girl" had honestly thrilled the whole nation with a new level of film genre and excitement in quite a culturally preserved country. His role in the movie was another reason to admire even more. Although, the movie was culturally sensitive but it didn't fail to impress the admiration and support of all the audience and all the media houses. I guess the movie was heavily promoted and became a blockbuster, hit of the time. Perhaps, overall it was an educational hit and an eye opening lesson for everybody. 

Through his movie life, I find him a great human being with a great personality and a naturally acting actor in Bhutanese Film Industry. Although an average guy in his height but he still is one of the most good looking and a handsome actor in Bhutanese Film Industry.

With all his great movie personality, as a little school boy, I grew up looking Keta Tshering as my role model. He impacted my life in so many ways. 

I hope he will continue to shine, continue to produce good educational and a good family movie. As he grows old, I love to see him taking up a fatherly role. 

Nevertheless, he is still the heart-throb in Bhutanese Film Industry.

Her 3rd Happy Birthday

As we celebrate your 3rd Happy Birthday, your mama and I are so happy and lucky to be by your side growing older happily together each day –Playing. Fighting. Nagging. Requesting. Chasing. Sleeping. Eating. Jumping. 

As we celebrate your Birthday, we have few memorable moments spent with you –your heavy slapping often was surprisingly painful and unforgetful one. Biting and scratching game between us with an unfair referee was indeed painful when we used to miss your favourite candy. Dear, sometimes we forget purposefully for many good reasons, and on a few occasions we did not have enough cash $$$ to buy your candy. SORRY$$$ for that!

I used to blame Kinder Joy Owner, an Italian company “Ferrero” for being too selfish and smart. I am still unsure what that little crazy box contained inside has that attracted every kid of your age. I saw many similar wars and nagging happening around neighbourhoods of my kinds for the same candy.  

Playing by your side was another sweet moment everyday and every second of our life, it used to be as awesome as always, however bit tiresome when your demands are endless. Jump here. Jump there. Run here. Run there. Bring this. Bring that. In fact, endless squares of things happen especially when you have nothing to do. 

As you grow older, you are becoming beautiful and lovable each day, you are teaching us many lessons which we didn't learn in our schools. Our curriculum is still so selfish, usually it does not prepare anybody for the future although it says wholesome education for all. Life with you is no more solitary, everyday is a mixture of different experiences and a very different journey, perhaps, beautiful altogether.  

So as you grow older, we only wish you to become a responsible daughter, cheerful student, helpful friend, great leader, trusted wife, caring mother, kind neighbourhood, and patriotic citizen.

As the country is busy battling the COVID-19 epidemic, your Birthday is still so special and memorable one. 18th March is special in many ways than one. 

Dear YESHA Baby, I offer my sincere prayers for your continued happy life. Many Many Happy Returns of The Day, Happy Birthday! 

Beyond Common Sense

This morning as I was briefly updating some Newsfeed on latest COVID-19, I came across this interesting post made in STCB Ltd page –STCBL commissioned its first ever fuel retail outlet at Ramtokto, Thimphu, today. Venerable Laytshog Lopen inaugurated the fuel retail outlet. This is not the news I was surprised and wanted to share through this post.

I was amazed if not for the first time with this warming news of –"Besides fuel, the outlet offers drinking water, clean restrooms, and free air service for customers." It immensely surprised me that we have people with some good common sense. I thought of these kinds for so long and it happened by surprise. Perhaps, we have room for better service and business as always.

This is how we need to think for a small developing nation with a very small and unstable economy. More than the news of COVID-19 pandemic that has grieved the world, I was gripped by their kindness, good gesture and innovation. We need such a forward thinking company, individual, office, institutions, lawmakers and more so our engineers who are the mother of design. 

We need business of such class and improvement, and not the business that only robs the customers alone for the poor service, this is what I feel is true –"Building a good customer experience does not happen by accident. It happens by design." Indeed, Clare Muscutt was a brilliant guy. 

With change in time and space, we need such good innovation especially in business, because I feel customers pay for the total sum of all while availing the service whatever may be the cause. Sometimes less is more!

So far most of our businesses are very plain and most of them are seen below an average. We are in need of such futuristic and innovative design in our business. This happens with good managing skills, leadership matters.

I hope this fuel station would be a role model for upcoming and already existing outlets to learn and adapt to the changing world. More importantly, all the services in the station are safe, enduring and viable one throughout. Prayers!!!

What COVID-19 did ?

This COVID-19 has shaken the world shaken in so many ways. The World Economy disrupted very badly. Thus, it did not even spare a very tiny and isolated nation –BHUTAN! 

However, for us the much alarming fear came only after confirming the country's first COVID-19 case in a 76-year old American guy who came via India tested positive for the disease? The good news was that the impact was felt and the different contingency plans were immediately drawn before the virus spread -beyond. Nevertheless, more hoax was the fear of death and not this Naughty Virus.

1.     There is no room for complacent and easy-going in this war, which we are actually good at. 

1.     Bhutanese poor hand washing habit was greatly enhanced at least for this time. In fact, hand washing can save the spread of so many germs that cause different diseases. Thus, hand washing before and after meals, visiting the washroom, touching animals and other unhygienic places are as important and necessary as always to keep us healthy and fit.

2.     We have learnt about the importance of hand sanitisers. What can it do? Maybe for the first time, we have got mass non-classroom lessons but it was an absolutely impactful and lasting one. I wish the same could happen for our WASTE MANAGEMENT. I pray for another deadliest virus for poor waste management! 

3.     It is a chance for all of us to know the basics of viruses and bacteria, and it's impact. We could at least know that the virus is not alone.

4.     It's a great lesson for our politicians and government to have a good and resilient contingency plan in place for such a huge disaster. Proper distribution of budgets was also felt this time in such an emergency situation. Often I fall in love with this simple yet meaningful quote –"The best way to predict the future is to create it." 

5.     It is a chance for all of us to keep oneself healthy and hygienic by eating healthy food and not panicking. Nothing can, and nothing shall bar the way, whatever maybe the world situation. After all, life has to go on. 

6.     It is a great opportunity for individuals to showcase their commitment to come together and serve The King, Country and People with Tha Damtshiand utmost dedication. Because at the end of the day we are one integral part of a happy family under One King and One Government. 

Note***COVID-19 has crushed everything –especially economy but everything was in fact built by human beings, so there is nothing much to worry about this break-down.

However, more dangerous was with the increasing Fake Account holders spreading fake news and information, that may put many into unnecessary accounts. Things like Mouth Masks and the myth of Alcohol curing this disease are getting much attention, which basically are min-interpreted by many around the world. Happily some may become drunkard with untrue information.  

Where Are We Failing?

Things are changing rapidly. Technology at its best. Economy expanding like no other times. Deadliest virus keeps attacking humans and fancy cars on the road. Therefore, it is not surprising to see our society changing as time passed by.  However, our new generation is so well integrated with all these changes. 

 

It is a matter of time. However, as a small nation we are failing somehow for so long. Some knots are seemingly loose. Maybe we are too complacent and do not hurt others. These were good in those olden days. 

 

The behavior and attitude of our youngsters are changing and seen as danger for the future. I feel we are failing in good parenting. But, good parenting isn’t all about a lavish financial support to spending holiday abroad, taking out for a dinner to hanging out with phones whole night to letting them sleep until noon.  It is –beyond that call. 

 

Poor parenting leads to a poor society. Youth with poor work ethics led to weak social bonds and poor sense of community. All of these led to slow progress be it development, or financial growth, which ultimately is very dangerous for a small nation with a weak economy like ours. 

 

It happened to me a few days back. I was rearranging some tables and chairs that were freely lying but so recklessly around school corridors. I was genuinely seeking some help to rearrange it in a human manner –more orderly and appropriately. Ofcourse, I knew who did that cheap arrangement. So, I gathered some students to help me fix that arrangement. Except for a few, all seems not so willing and forth coming even after several requests. However, I did not give up seeking their help. Looking at their unwillingness, it pained my heart so badly. It hurt me so much. I bitterly worried about their future and the future of the country. Sometime, I find it very hard to believe –“the future of the country lies in the hands of our Youth.” With such poor work attitude and commitment, we will reach nowhere, we will continue to be still poor and an average nation. We will never experience a new level of excitement in our development and progress. It seems like we will die poor. I didn’t find a single sense of belongingness especially in our young ones. There is no sense in their survival. There is also no proper sense of direction. Such are the manners when education is free. Therefore, holistic development of behavior and attitude shall come only when good parenting is up and constant. Should good parenting go well, it is not difficult to fix all this attitude and manner. Time is now, or never!

 

I have lately realized that our waste problem is everywhere and its everyone’s waste afterall, I strongly feel that it is a total failure in our good parenting and failure of primary schools. 98% of our waste are sweet covers and fizzy drinks bottles that are carelessly thrown mostly by our school going students. National highways are pitifully littered by our drivers and passengers, who were once students. Needless to say, Doma wrappers are savagely dumped by our educated lots despite several national headlines that cause serious national problems. In urban areas, 70% of waste is waste made from kitchen that are carelessly dumped everywhere that are making our environment inappropriately ugly and untidy to survive, who were once students, and a son/daughter of someone educated/uneducated. Now we are failing together as a nation. 

 

Looking at the mindset of present society, it seems to me like we are somehow failing in our primary education. This stage of education is very important and crucial. Anyone at this age needs to be cared for well. They need intense care and nourishment with good values that can last a lifetime. If everything has to go well, we must give 300% more importance in our primary school teachers and young students. We really need to take care of these young lots, going to be future custodians of ours, the guardians of peace. It is time to invest in our primary schools infrastructure and good human resources. We need absolutely more qualified and committed teachers working in our primary schools. Someone who can really change the mindset, attitude and behavior of our tender minds in a more holistic manner. Therefore, I offer my sincere special package for primary teachers and principals in order to compensate for their sacrifice and commitment.  

 

Should we take care of these two social components, I am sure we will not seemingly fail like this. This is a national concern.  

Coronavirus has Shaken the World

Not long ago the news hit with the Coronavirus case in Wuhan city of China. Alarmingly death rolled to 362, and 17,373 were infected with the virus globally. Also more than 20 countries were currently affected by this virus. Therefore, it is a very tense moment for all of us.

With such new disease in the easy market these days, I am worried I may not get a beautiful burial like my grandpa had, who died peacefully with old-age and got dignified death rites. Thus, this virus is fearsome to all of us. Therefore, we must prepare together and wisely, otherwise, everyone's death would be together like a Titanic Death. 

January month was declared as Coronavirus Global Health Emergency Call.  However, some expert's words have kept us alive since the outbreak of this virus. They are constantly working out for the possible medicine/vaccine to fight back this epidemic. 

We are happy to know Bhutan, a small country led by a Medical Doctor is well equipped not only mentally but also physically to battle this virus is something that keeps us alive and moving forward. 

But, there is no room for complacent and easy going. We need to be extremely watchful until the virus is completely controlled. 

My only worry is how our concern authorities are monitoring all our very disorganised and porous entry and exit points. I am worried about the biggest travel hub -Phuntsholing, where thousands of people travel across the border for business and holiday purposes. I am equally worried for Sarpang, Samdrupjongkhar, and Samtse districts for very easy access points as well. I am hopeful for the Paro entry point at least because of better and more organized travel points, and more resilient people working around.  

Although, we cannot completely stop the travel ban on every point with infected countries because life must go on, there must be a continuous supply of goods and services as we live in a very interdependent and interconnected world of economy and goods. Therefore, we can only minimize the travel of our people. The other is by reducing the entry points with an efficient system. 

We must put a collective effort and timely technical support whenever necessary. Therefore, it is also a very good opportunity for all of us to come together and fight this Virus, and also an opportunity to understand each other well. It is the test of time now. 

It would be an uphill task for Bhutan and Bhutanese if in case this virus happens to enter the country, since we greatly lack medical experts, technical resources, and other facilities. Since, very advanced countries (technically, financially and medically) like China are facing a challenging task in cutting down the further spread of this destructive virus so far.

Therefore, until we come and fight together, we cannot fight this virus alone. We need to remain cautious, we need to organize ourselves well, we need to be resilient at our outlets and we must unite well like no other time. We need to defend ourselves well with all our strength and courage in this win-win situation of Deadliest Coronavirus to ensure everyone is safe from the virus.

I extend my prayers and wishes for the life lost already due to this virus and equally I pray for the infected ones for their fast recovery. 

I pray for China to resume Her Global Economy Power and regrow even better and uphold soon, otherwise, far needy countries may suffer from hunger of supply goods than fear of Coronavirus Death. COVID-19!