Drawing My Family Tree

I decided to sacrifice a few Sundays to sit face-to-face with my father to discuss and list down on our family tree. It came into my mind a long time ago. But every time I have the mood, either my father is away, or I have some other work. This time I had the perfect coincidence –I had my father by my side and I was free. 

It was a tough battle to track down and put them into the correct order and sequence. Despite grueling hours of sitting with my father, unlearning and relearning past history, it was quite challenging to recall some names of some past generations who were lost long ago. Simply, few names couldn't be traced at all. We left it for some other occasions. I want to discuss the missing names and lineage with one of my cousins who has some ideas and background on one fine day. I also expect some other family members would definitely help us add and trace down a few missing names in future, as I would keep adding to the list.

 

Total Family Lineage of Dilumpa Rai [https://www.familyecho.com]

I felt sorry for my unschooled father to whom I had to quiz him like a criminal. I briefed him about my small work to sort out the relationship and draw some images of my great great grandfather. So that his grandchild and other future generations won’t have to suffer in identifying their past and bloodline, which is obviously going to become more complex and forgotten.

 

With all the information carefully arranged and drafted, I am sure this family timeline that I have drawn would someday be useful for all of us. Through this work of mine, I am sure that they would know the relation and order –who is who? And more importantly, when I grow old, I shall proudly recall and look back that I have done some outstanding work to plot a family tree. 

 

Embarking on a family tree assignment is exciting but equally tasking which requires good oral information and documents. Throughout the process, my father, whom I always consider a man rich in oral history, is the backbone in shaping this present form. 

I was sensitive and careful throughout the sitting with my father. If I wasn’t sure, I had redirected the questions and asked him again and again. I made sure the family tree is correct and precise. For missing names and sequence, I shall give more depth and color during some other time.

 

Concentrating on my great great grandfather line

Through this work, I could connect to many of my unknown cousins who live in different parts of the country –Gelephu and Daifarm. Dhansiri and Manaytar. Maley and Moaugang. I could find new ways to reconnect with them. It wasn't a waste of time and resources. My time and effort has created an indelible impression on my family members and perched an open link in the blood relation about the past, present and future generations.

As the discussion progressed, I knew which generation of my great-grandfather had exactly set foot in this land, the first ancestral lands and settlements. One point of our discussion was massively interesting but so critical, why my great-grandfather entered Bhutan and directly went to settle in the extreme corner of Tsirang, into the valley of Dodomchen. My great grandfather has settled into a virgin forest on the Burichu River bank. The place is rich in wild animals, fruits, vegetables and berries, fish and water. 

Why didn't they settle around Thimphu Valley, Paro Valley, Phuntsholing Valley and Gelephu valley? [Story in some other fine mood]

It could be probably, he was a crazy non-veg guy and into hunting. One thing was clear that most of my great-grandparents have never been to schooling. That was so sad. Although few had their non-formal education, they didn’t reach far in school. Most of them remain behind for farm work, herding animals and contributing labors. It was interesting to learn that most of the family members seem active and progressive since each line has at least five, or six children. It was evident even from the present generation that each branch has a minimum of five grandchildren. It was as high as eleven children. But, coming to the present generation, the clock has reversed and I am worried someday some line will become extinct. 

 

Link to my grandfather line

I was crystal clear on three critical branches in our family lineage. First the link between Hasta Dal Rai, Jantaray link [missing proper name] and Chakra Dhoj Rai. I came to know how we are different now. Second, I came to know the real father of my great-grandfather "Deekpal Rai" and his brother "Prethi Dhoj Rai" and his bloodline. Third, I came to know how "Bhopal Rai" and "Purna Bdr Rai" are related as first cousins. They all are the surviving first cousins whom we considered as very close.  

This family tree will serve as the soft tool to remind us and pave the way forward. I couldn’t include all the names of the grandchildren and others as it was overly populated and more. Someday, I would make a point to detail it out and share with some important family members.

 

This will remain and occupy a special place in my heart and hopefully to other family members and my kids. I want to frame it and put it on the wall. My kids must know their roots and bloodline.

 

The Future of Ronald Koeman

Seven continents apart, one year ago, on this day I predicted the future of Ronald Koeman. 

After Suarez's departure, Messi ruined the club. This is the power of how important Suarez was to the club and Messi. The club he worked for the past 21 years is now in ruins. 

The club board has made a wrong decision. It shouldn't have happened that way. Although the idea behind releasing Suarez was to build a new team in the shadow of Messi, their plan had gone wrong. Koeman should have known that Barcelona wasn't only on the shoulder of Messi alone. Although Messi played a critical role for the club, but Suarez was equally important and critical for the Barca fans. He should have relieved him of his will. 

FC Barcelona is undergoing a hard time, but I am sure the club will get back to their toe slowly after the Messi Factor fades over Camp Nau arena. It will take time. But Barcelona and fans have to survive and move on. 

Although I am not a Barcelona fan, I have been an avid fan of Leo Messi for the past many years. One of the greatest players I have ever seen in the modern Football game after Kelvin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. These are the players I always look up to when I watch the game of Football.

If there is one leg I cherish in my life, which is Leo Messi's Left Leg. The God gift one!

Book Review: What Makes You NOT a Buddhist

Surprised by the facts written in the book, I was thoroughly moved by the analogy, story, reflection and insight. The book for everyone who wishes that life is merely empty –exist, or doesn’t exist.  

This book has far more reaching views of one inner self, peace, vegetarianism, meditation, maroon robes and shaved head. The views written in the book don't mean to differentiate between different religions –people, race and background. It means to say that everyone is exactly the same no matter where one lives, eats, does, and preaches. Everything under the sun is absolutely the same and experiences the same cause and condition, no matter how small, or big are the size. 

 

I liked the concept and logic shared to explain the difference between the beautiful and ugly –the concept of beauty and ugly however is very phenomenal and unique and very significant, but both are all the same in different eyes. The idea of Heaven and Hell is very much similar and resounding to what I have been thinking for long. My logic of these two unknown and overly complex entirety is very same although I do not have any right and expertise, but my idea and thinking to what book laid down was similar –once while spending a time with my students, the topic of Heaven and Hell came out of nowhere and while throwing my views on these, I told them because of certain cause and conditions, if one become happy, that moment is a Heaven state. To make them understand Hell, I gave an example of an Earthworm. As I explained to them, I told them that as long as the Earthworm is inside the earth, or in its nest, it experiences the Heaven state but the time it comes out of its nest and has to experience certain unexpected causes and conditions, it will be in the state of Hell. Simply putting them in the fire, or putting them in the water, it experiences a state different to the nest and that is a seemingly Hell state for it. 

 

However, the law of emptiness stated was very much real but needs a lot of imagination and thinking and reflection. It was also a great lesson to learn on having a satisfactory, peaceful and free lifestyle. Perhaps, the ideas of impermanence were vast but interesting and useful. Similarly the book also has great lessons on ways for a happy and beautiful life. Through the path taken by Siddhartha, there always lies a hope and goodness of life. The positive and negative are absolutely the same in Buddhist philosophy was another pile of ideas I had while reading the book.

 

One of the interesting topics I came across was –Heaven: The Ultimate Vacation, a beautiful Buddhist narration shared on the topic was something extraordinary. As I read through the lines and paragraphs, it gave me a nostalgic feeling about the poem I read a decade ago in English Class. Death: The Leveler –The power, social status, wealth and intellect becomes nothing as one heads to the final state of life. However, the goodness and virtuousness of people will be honored even after death. The bagger is exactly the same as the most decorated and wealthy man when death toll the final breath. Therefore, multiplying good deeds when one has time and energy is a must for everyone. Knowing all these impermanence, why Gautama Buddha abandoned his Royal Fortune and Status had shunned me and kept me glued to the very last lines. However, the Author of the Book doesn't mean to highlight the need to follow the Buddha path nor one has to become Buddhist; it simply means what makes a good human being while one has taken a human form on this Earth.  

 

Reading this book gave me a lot of lessons. It was eye opening for many invisible and untaught lessons at school. Perhaps, bigger and more useful to life than what I have learnt in school. Understanding of life and the concept of impermanence and every compounded thing are bound to die are something to ponder upon seriously.  

 

Overall, the book gave a lot of valuable lessons. So there is no need to be different from others to be a Buddha, or Buddhist. One's good action is a Buddha path. Whether one lives in California, Sahara, Paris, Amsterdam, Beirut, Cape Town, Oymyakon, practicing Buddhism is absolutely free that doesn't require books, or text, or background. Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime can practice Buddhism and lead the way for a peaceful self, community and country.  

 

Let me share you this line –if what makes you NOT a Buddhist is a doubt, what makes you a Buddhist is a far cry. 

The Humble Captain

–O Captain! Please accept a few lines as my deepest appreciation for your goodness.

We seldom realize and appreciate the small act we sacrifice each second of our life. The world is overly becoming selfish and individualist. A naïve behavior and prejudices are on the rise. Unbecoming and arrogant behavior has become a part of life. However, despite many odds, I find you different. Perhaps, we do not need to promise Heaven and Secret Maitreya Jewel. Being simple and humble within you is the best thing ever happened to you? Please keep up the same spirit hereafter. Damphu Campus would be a heaven if we have 100 more like you. 

I am not just pleasing you, not garnering your attention for respecting me. Small acts, as this is priceless. Such things are difficult to find. It's not easy to bow down and respect someone. It comes through patience and with great virtue. It also shows the path taken by your parents and community. Please continue to do the same, even more as you face a more different world. Your act of goodness won't evaporate; instead it will make you glorious and dignified someday.

When you welcomed me in your classroom, I was muffled by a gust of happiness; I was amazed by your kind act. I was moved by your little sweet words. It need not have to be big and special. My heart shrunk. It gave me a different feeling altogether. More so, when you made an offer for the chair, which was lying on the other side of your class, it melted my heart so deeply. Although I wasn't part of your class, you made my 50 minutes of substitution class fruitful and memorable. I wasn't sure how fast the time flew away, the book I was reading –ended merrily. I wish you kept the same room and open heart for the rest of the teachers and friends as well. I must tell you, your classmates are in the safe hands, the luckiest one to have you as a class monitor, you lead by example, and that's very important. It is the vision of His Majesty the King. He would feel happy, if all Bhutanese have such high self-discipline –Tha dhamtse and Lay Zhumdrey like you preach. We want each one of our friends and communities to have a strongly rooted Bhutanese value like you show.  

Let me share with you a few things. I'm someone who deeply falls in love with education everyday. I love to be surrounded by young pupils like you sharing wisdom and knowledge. I like sharing vision of education and the type of future we look forward to as a peaceful nation. 

I was heavily made to think and rethink and overthink on your very generous courtesy shown towards me for the substitution period. It is becoming scarce and hard to find people with goodness these days. The charm of people is losing its end at the razor of technology. Sad to know that human beings are getting divided, and ignored in the face of the hi-tech world. Please keep up your goodness, do not stop from being a good human being even after education is long forgotten, even if no one appreciates you, it's absolutely fine to be you. You don't need anyone to validate your good self, the Earth is your witness and God is by your side.  

You became a gateway to inspiration and hope, glory and success to the rest of your class members. You don't have to offer someone with Humvees, or Ferrari. Diamond, or Harry Winston ring. Your small act and sweet mouth is more precious and secret.

I've no doubt that peace and harmony will prevail, prosperity and happiness will continue to sway on each Bhutanese as we head more into a complex world.

Thank you for making me so special!

My Sweet Little Girl

YESHA THE BOSS!

You wake up in a dancing mood. Then you run and dance with all your energy. There wasn't a single day you got silence. Though you are merrily funny and nagging but always worth being by your side. I am growing older by your side and everyday is a new beginning. You make me wiser and cool. 

We fight over breakfast –You always have a wrong demand. The food item that wasn't in the store becomes your menu. Banana when we forget to buy, broccoli when it wasn't the season, burger when lettuce was lost to frost, brown marry biscuits when it was hidden by the rat, milk when the cow wasn't on the mood, munch when you lost all your teeth, and watermelon when your aunt was running behind the cart. 

We fight over the dress –I choose white shirt and black pants. You go for the pink and purple dresses. I choose purple and pink; you go for brown and white. I choose brown and white; you go for mixed with green. I choose green and white; you turn back to frocks and heels. On average it takes some time just to decide what to wear. Luckily we don’t have to board the plane and cross the heavy traffic; otherwise I would have been rusticated long before you found me. And the battle was for so long now. I just wish you turned big soon.

We fight over the dinner –Pasta on the table, you drop down and demand spicy curry and rice. After a rush of preparation, you turn down rice and egg. Again after a quick jump over your demand, you loop out for noodles… our story never ends in harmony. 

When I cannot fulfill your unending demand, you lashes me with all your anger, the heavy punches and screams. Thank God our neighbors were all dumb and asleep. Thank God I am iron made to receive your Sholay punch. Sometime I doubt you may be the reincarnation of a great Muhammad Ali, or the Bruce Lee. 

Because I'm afraid of your flying kick and sharp claw flapping over my barren head! 

Your afraid 

Dad

Our Food Story -The Idea of Cross-Pollination

As part of The Royal Academy (TRA), I took charge of presenting Cross-Pollinated Learning Experiences through one activity on behalf of Damphu Central School. I took it because I was willing to give the beauty of teaching and in between I was interested in exploring the ideas of Cross Pollination, the future of education. 

 

I have chosen "Food Guide Pyramid'' to scaffold our understanding on cross pollination concept. The activity was beautifully assigned to all of us to ponder on the day's learning, smart and middle path journey by TRA faculty. The presentation topic was chosen with keeping many things in mind. As easy as it sounds, it is related to everyone despite differences in age, subject of specialization and background. The topic was fair to be on the screen for presentation, discussion and to wave the ideas on Cross Pollination. On the other hand, the main idea was to propose how to teach rather than what to teach beyond syllabi.

 

"Apple" Zhey La was the formal opening to my presentation. Not quite sure how many got the message across, but it was intended for the topic I chose to talk about for the half-hour mark followed by 10 minutes of lively Q-&-A session.

Three more slides down were all about school going children's choice of food. The photographs were taken a few weeks ago on my way home. The students featured were from the nearby school. I often stop and talk to small kids about their favorite food –fruits, vegetables and snacks. The picture was basically chosen to send the message across the audience and trainers to show the Bhutanese Food. It wasn't far from the truth –we are the Cheese Lovers! 

 

The second slide showed that we are overly exposed to junk food items from an early age and subsequently develop unhealthy food habits.  

As I went on to present the topic "Food Guide Pyramid", I told the audience, I just took the empty chart paper. Since students were already briefed on the lesson, all the students came with one food item. Class monitor made sure that no food items were repeated. I was happy that at least everyone was with one food item. I reminded them that education doesn't happen in isolation. I took five different items. It was basically sharing food knowledge and becoming part of a learning community. 

 

When everyone was settled on the open ground, I displayed the empty chart. Within a few minutes we made a beautiful Food Guide Pyramid, more beautiful and real than what was in the book. The whole idea was to make the learning more realistic and interesting. We didn't agree more than what was made together as a team. It involved a lot of collaboration, patience and effort. 

Once everything was on the chart, I took charge to explain the whole concepts of the Food Pyramid. It was fun sharing such a beautiful story with little innocent kids. 

 

To continue with the activity, I have arranged three notebooks near the Food Guide indicating three meal plates. After that interested students were called to prepare their food menu from the items displayed with each nutritional value. Some had impressive items for the menu. We questioned a few friends –why they chose to go for such lavish items and many more. However, before we closed our lesson a few students were curious to know about my menu. I roughly prepared my menu in front of them; many were utterly surprised. Since I chose to go for more fruits, vegetables and soup meals. The unbelievable fun was that my food menu was unique from the rest of them. I prefer to eat very little rice, or no rice is fine. 

 

To make things real and short, I told them how Gautama Buddha got enlightenment with a single grain and a drop of water a day. So it's not always necessary to eat rice for all three meals. I don't know how funny I sounded, but I did my part with honesty.

To make the idea more lively and exciting, I shared the screen with Labay Sangay Dorji from the Dzongkha Department to briefly highlight food values through a holy view. In just two slides, he added a completely new element of food significance –food has to be consumed like a medicine, neither with hatred nor with attachment and eating food with the right hand and drinking liquid with the left hand was never far from the truth.  Altogether, listening to him was so enriching. 

I explained how the Food Guide Pyramid was related to The Five Areas of Development. I touched upon how each area of development was interconnected with brief ideas and perspectives as reflected on the above slide. I have also shared how it was related to Cross-Pollination concepts with proper reasons. 

 

In the above two slides, I have mentioned that the idea of the Food Guide Pyramid doesn't end with the end of classroom lessons. It goes beyond the four corners of the room and into daily life. Much of the agriculture work at school happens with bigger intention. The billboard on the Food Pyramid to nutritional value and timing are all part of wholesome learning. I briefly highlighted on WFP (World Food Programme). On a daily basis, the organization feeds millions of people across the world and since long Bhutan has been part of it and we have benefited so much from this programme. I shared many concerns on the importance of the food that comes on our plate. Therefore, teaching food values and its wastage at school mess and at home are perhaps very crucial. Since, millions of people on the other side of the world are going hungry everyday. 

As expected I couldn't furnish my ideas well. Since I had some discomfort talking, or being in front of the camera. I wasn't born to be a public speaker although I have a strong desire to be on the big stage. Definitely someday I will overcome this fear of the camera and be myself. 

 

I was happy that I could at least present on Cross-Pollinated ideas and didn't embarrass team Damphu for not having anything to present. 

 

The whole idea was thickly surrounded by reasonable answers. If there is one thing to barter, it is my fear of the camera.

Punatsangchhu Happiness

I grew up watching the groundwork of one of the biggest Hydropower Projects in the country a decade ago. Back then as a little schoolboy, traveling between Tsirang and Thimphu used to be entertaining stretch between Wangdue and Tsirang. Not sure about the other passengers, but I have a deep inclination towards this project and seamlessly made memories to last eternity. It was around this place I saw heavy and complicated machines operating on the walls and deep valleys like in dreams. 

Like any other traveler, every time I take a journey, I purposefully take a chance to keep myself awake throughout the area so that I can silently enjoy the unearthing and tunneling work. On several occasions, I counted the number of long and big lorry ferrying with project materials only to find the numbers were puzzling. However, what amazed me most was the tunneling works and still today I find it to be an amazing art of human work. The tunnel always kept me wondering about the depth and its ending points. I never felt my bus journey was boring and long. I too never felt the roads were bumpy, risky and slippery unless I started to drive myself a decade later. 

On one occasion, while traveling with my mom, I put my own interpretation and explained many things to her and much later, I realized some discussion was quite funny and useless. I'm so sure, she won't remember beyond a few tunnels and machines. 

The area for most passersby used to be the exhibition piece –especially tunneling and display of machinery. I never thought such Rocky Mountains could be dug like easy Rat Hole and change the course of the powerful Punatsangchhu, since we are incapable of building a suspension bridge over it.  

***

Despite many odds, one thing that never failed to impress me was the Highway Tunnel at Rurichhu. Ever since I saw this breathtaking tunnel, I have desired for many more to come on our roads, since I found this could be a game changer for our country.

Highway Tunnel –DUNGKARBJA, is the Landmark Civil Engineering Piece Born out of PHPA and it should serve as the sample for us to drive deeper into our development paradigm. I hope many more of such pieces will get through the table of our bureaucrats as we become mature and strong in our economic status. Such development will not only reflect on our strength of underground space engineering but also greater human experts and resources. I always wish our civil engineering sector take this matter seriously in hand as we face the razor of the changing times.  

Entry From Tsirang Side

Mid-way Tunnel

Exit Toward Wangdue

Since the never ending roadblocks, falling boulders, sinking areas, potholes, etc, have raised a huge national concern and eaten up a huge government fund every year. We must plan more reliable and safer road networks with tunneling at necessary points. It is high time for us to realize and plan on our past development errors. So far, we have lost invaluable land and other resources into broad valleys of India, we can't afford to lose more of our prestige and scarce land piece anymore. As we progress in a new era, full of technology and experts, one thing I always hope can solve our road issue is underground tunneling technology, it will not only save our land resources, but also rich biodiversity of the plant and animal kingdom. 

Tunneling Lamperi to Hongtsho not only save travel time, but also serve a great deal of snow drive and thick foggy areas and save rich biodiversity. However, this human art takes careful planning and dedication. 

Above all, such development shift would become a country's wealth and strength...

***