Chubachu-Jungshina Expressway—Is it a Dead End

The recently opened Chubachu-Jungshina expressway in Thimphu has become cause of a concern for various reasons. Initially, this road had picked a hard turn especially for North-Thimphu residents, offices, and schools. Perhaps, what I thought from miles away was that it's an opportunity to showcase our engineering piece, however, traffic diversion has caused palpable congestion and other inconveniences. Then came little happiness upon seeing the shaping of roads but only to find unlimited obligation –one common concern is for the over-speeding!

The reasons for over-speeding could be due to smoothness and wide space. The other reasons could be the only pothole-free roads to showcase a driving test. Maybe for these reasons, this highway picked up news for over-speeding, accidents, hitting and wrong turns. Nevertheless, manual monitoring can not only become disaster for extended period of time but also taxing and expensive. 

Why do we need to man this road involving traffic personnel with long range cameras to trap overspeeding, when we have advanced technology at hand, which is far more cheap and efficient than the current system. What I am not happy about is the manner in which the current monitoring system. How far can this action and monitoring go? What if a more sustainable system of check and balance is put in place rather than deploying check-points of traffic personnel for 24-hour? Is education too little to win the heart of Bhutanese drivers, or are we sort of good brains? I like the idea of monitoring the driving skills of our mindless drivers, however, I don't buy this manner of doing things at such an advanced time and age. 

I am sure it is costing us more, the government coffer is sinking and these personnel on duty can be used to perform some other useful task such as in nation-building. I have an easy solution to offer for those drivers who wish to fly, or drive. Let them fly, or drive as they wish –let them, because nothing will cost more than their own speed. These measures will take a long to ignite Bhutanese deep-seated brains. It sounds more like a “Dog Tail Tale” and littering agenda and water-shortage issue to address. For a prosperous nation, small things like this should be guided by our human instinct and free education. This is too crazy for a nation -whose dream is bigger than a Dog Tail. Simply, it's Okay to lose some lives! We may lose a few precious lives, but no all. The action has to stop by the experience and not merely by some protocols. I personally feel this small act of individual responsibility of self-care and self-love can be a game changer for this matter. If one can't stand for a nation-building, stand to drive carefully and with the required speed-limit, rest will be taken care of of its own accord. 

To keep everything on check-and-balance, what if a co-partner, friend, or stranger takes the same car to educate an aware driver flying a car and their lives are at stake. Incase of public transport, it is the fundamental right of each passenger to be driven at a reasonable speed and not at the killer speed. Otherwise, it is an act of violation and one can sue the other party for risking their lives. 

Let us go by our instinct and love for self and not by mere force, it is too expensive in nature.

Views on The Future of Printed Materials

The fate of printed newspapers and books have gone off the shelf as the cheap and easy online access is on the rise as it is just away on a click of a button. On this fact, I agree with the notion that cutting-edge technology and the ever expanding internet access is only set to mark a different footprint in the near future as we are grappling and heading into uncertain times.

One of the reasons of fading the charm of reading the printed copy of materials such as –newspapers, books and journals; is that paper-based materials are considered to be handy, expensive and difficult to manage in this time and age, when the same copy is easily available on a press of button in the powerful device called mobile phones and other electronic gadgets which is shaping the world in a different manner. This is due to the turn-over of a new cutting-edge technology and this is only set to get better and better. For instance, if I would like to read a book, or any other reading piece, which is not available nearby, I can just take a phone, click the source and instantly I get to read with the press of a button which is far cheaper and easy to manage. Furthermore, all news channels and Ebooks have their own version of online and offline apps, which is affordable that feeds every bit of information and gives updates on any new books available for reading. 

 

The other reason is that the speed of the Internet is getting better, faster and more reliable as it is also important driving force why most people opt to read online these days making a easy choice of paperless reading of any length of pages as it takes milli-second to download and open which is the ultimate desire of anyone. Nevertheless, with Internet broadband getting sharper and faster, sharing of any kind of documents with people of any choice is possible which is why most of the people glue themselves with online and offline reading choices. For example, a friend of mine is so addicted to online reading such as updating news, books, journals and research papers, which is a clear indication of fast, and reliable net connection making life easy for everyone by cutting the cost of buying printed materials. 

 

In conclusion, reading hard copy is a choice made by only a small section of old and illiterate people and it's only set to get low over the years in the face of a superior technological world backed by fast and reliable net connection regardless of backgrounds and regions one occupies.

The Royal Address At RIM, and What is Your Take

What is more reassuring than these lines by our beloved King. The challenges are boundless but I am sure with our king in the forefront, our future seems promising but we must commit invariably and sincerely. What we must have is clear. Therefore, in the making of Bhutan -We individuals are the responsible agent of change, change must come from within each one of us. And it is time to love our country more intelligently than even!

I wish the 2019-2022 batch of graduates good luck. 

The below is the Royal Address copied from "Kuensel". 

In an informal conversation with the 746 graduates and RIM staff, His Majesty spoke about our challenges as a nation, concerns over issues we face today, and our way forward if we are to secure a bright future for Bhutan.

His Majesty said that to achieve all our goals and aspirations, it is of utmost importance to be consistent and persevere - with discipline, even our smallest daily efforts can add up to big results.
His Majesty pointed out that if a person works 8 hours a day for 30 years, they spend roughly 80,000 hours of their lives working. It is, therefore, important for people embarking on their careers to choose something they are passionate about, as they will be spending so much of their lives engaged in doing what they have chosen.

Finally, His Majesty advised them to choose a career that enables them to continue learning and growing - in these changing times, if we are not constantly upgrading our skills, we will invariably fall behind.

His Majesty said that Bhutan is going through a transformation because we have a window of opportunity in which to forever change the course of our future, and ensure that our children inherit a successful nation.

“There can be no greater act of compassion than to be strong, resilient and unwavering for the sake of our children’s future,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty’s foremost concerns were about the economy - individual prosperity is held back because of the size of our market and because of a lack of substantial export of goods and services.

While infrastructure and education are the foundations for building a strong future, these are our weaknesses at present, His Majesty said. There is a great deal of work to be done to improve physical infrastructure and our regulatory environment before planning a more vibrant economy.

We can no longer rely on hydropower to be our sole source of revenue, due to greater competition and uncertainty in the sector. In addition to this, the cost of delivering services in Bhutan is very high– there is a lot of inefficiency in how we manage public funds which are meant for the people.

These are challenges we need to address if we are to change the course of our future. However, His Majesty expressed confidence in the bureaucracy and government of the day to seize the opportunity and take whatever steps are needed to ensure that Bhutan is successful. His Majesty also expressed confidence in the people of Bhutan, who, above all, love our country, to make all the sacrifices necessary to take on challenges with strength and determination.

Our advantage, His Majesty said, has always been that Bhutan enjoys a degree of goodwill and interest from the rest of the world. There is a quality about Bhutan and her people which has inspired others to see us as unique and special.

This is a source for optimism, and something we must build upon. In a world where knowledge and skills are increasingly becoming cheaper and more accessible, values are still precious. In such a world, our true advantage is being dependable, reliable, and trustworthy.

This must become our anchor– something to build as our national identity as Bhutanese.

 

...cause For Nation Building

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.

The Strange Query on TCB

 Hello Sancha

…its been a while…

Friend of mine from South Korea has recently posted some queries on making a trip to Bhutan in October. 

…it says…and I am wondering… 

–Is it a good season to visit Bhutan in the month of October? Is there anything I need to know to try to travel? I heard Bhutan limits the number of tourists per year? Will you be in the country in October?

 

Hi Ms Park…

I am glad to hear from you. I am doing fine here in my small country –BHUTAN. 

While October can be an idle season to travel around in Bhutan, however, it all depends upon the individual to take a trip and feel the essence of tall mountains with little snow. The weather becomes warm and sunny after a heavy summer. There is lush scenery all around with seasonal flowers and forests around with natural scent. The cultural and religious events start to fall over the seasons before cold months catch us with yet another challenge. So mid October till mid of February, you will find us battling the cold weather unlike people of low altituditional places. 

Therefore, what I can assure as of now is –wait for a full reopening of our Tourism Sector. Since, the government plan and proposal of making tourist destinations one of the attractive places to visit is inline with change in the overall system. I am still confused about the fees per person per day in US Currency. The recent government plan is quite difficult to understand for now as it is yet to field out in the sector. 

There is so much debate happening about the reopening of the tourism sector by our government. I am hopeful upon reopening the highly regarded revenue generating sector, many things that we couldn't do before may possibly get fixed and realigned in the best possible manner. Because there is always a concern of stray dogs troubling our foreign guests in the recent past, glorifying trekking areas, sanctifying the holy places, securing of footpaths, homing of hotel and travel services and toilet facilities. For now these things are on the table for finalisation before reopening of the tourism sector.

I hope you will get adequate and right information through the agent you are planning a trip to my tiny Kingdom sandwiched between two Asian giants China to the north and India to south. Although it is a little hard to get a visa, however, you are free to travel and visit Bhutan and places around anytime during your stay here in Bhutan. 

You are correct that the number of foreign tourists coming to Bhutan is kept low for our own domestic reasons of not being able to cater services such as travel, hotel, and other which need some bit of improvement. Therefore, limited numbers are always there for sincere reasons –for the safety reasons and limited high end facilities available in the country. Our tourism sector is working on this and hopefully in the near future, we may be able to open up to unlimited foreign guest. 

I am sorry to bring to your notice that travelling in and getting a visa has somehow become a bit expensive and difficult with the revamping of a new government proposal to enhance our tourism sector. The proposal hereafter is USD $250.00 per day per tourist. Anyway, I shall get back to you once I am very much sure about the charge and other changes especially for our Asian visitors. 

I will be available in the country. There is no better escape than to be in my peaceful country under a visionary leader of His Majesty the King. I do not occupy any sort of special chair in government to seek such a special permission to be and fly over to other places with a high agenda to deliver. As you well may know me as a school teacher and furthest I may travel is to my school. 

Although, I work away from the capital city (Thimphu) and only the international airport at Paro.However, we can always exchange good wishes. Let's see if we can catch up during your trip to Bhutan. 

Best Wishes!

Declaimer: The view expressed in this article is of the author's own and does not intend to harm anyone or any institution. It is from a concerned citizen.

Living in the World of AI

 It is programmed to understand the complex moves and steps required in the chess board to excel the opponent in anyways. It was human programmed, however, it seems smarter in many senses as it was built with the ideas of many computer experts to locate and play all the possible steps in the chess board. 

The feeling is quite subtle at some point as the programmed system appears to be smarter in many senses. I am in a neutral lane in this opinion, as it shows the human power and complexity to think and build such a staggered system, but at the same time I worry a bit as the essence of life is overly becoming controlled by the system humans have built. We have already lost 30 percent of our jobs to AI and other programmed systems, and more is likely to come in as the programmed system seems more reliable and efficient than any best human in the job. 

I feel any game could be built into such a system using a computer programme. One I think of after this AI online course is archery and dark game. If it is built in the manner of a chess game, it is nothing like it. Computers would in many sense continue to win as they can analyze the steps of the opponent very easily and faster. In this way, a programmed system would be far more efficient and systematic. The rest is in the hand of human thinking, we are still better in many senses than the smartest AI system. 

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.