My Own Thoughts

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An honour of delivering His Majesty’s 'Soelra'

Have you ever tried, even once, to stand outside in winter for few hours? Ok, let me be more lenient. Let’s keep it for few minutes? I’m pretty sure that a minute or two out in cold would send anyone rushing back to heater or Bukhari. "Concerned that Desuups have to brace the unforgiving winter cold, His Majesty's Soelra was bestowed with supply of firewood" It so happened that when lockdown 2.0 in Bhutan was imposed due to community outbreak in December last year, the temperature was plummeting especially in Thimphu. During such time, Desuups came forward in large number in spirit of volunteerism to ensure lockdown protocols are adhered by general public. "When many people got bored locked inside their home, we were daily engaged in such tiring work" The nature of duty during such time entailed carrying out patrolling, guarding certain area, unloading of essentials, to name few. But the guarding of ‘red buildings’ I personally noticed was really challenging. ...

We Care, We Share] Inspiring story: “Sabji, Sabji,” – delivering vegetables during lockdown

“Everyone took vegetables for granted until the national lockdown. Until then, nobody cared to even grow a single leaf of spinach in their backyard. ‘Everything we need is readily available in vegetable markets’ is what everyone thought,” began Ugyen, continuing, “But come lockdown, first thing they found running out was the vegetables in their kitchen. Due to its short shelf life, the little they bought the earlier were exhausted too.” Ugyen Tshering volunteered to deliver vegetables to residents of Thimphu during the national lockdown in August. He serves as a Sr. Forest Ranger at Forest Resources Management Division (FRMD), Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), Thimphu. The Government devised a plan to deliver vegetables to people’s doorsteps and the Thromde initially facilitated the delivery. However, with mounting orders, limited work-force and other logistical issues, the Thromde was overwhelmed. I questioned myself that if I...

When the whole colony is exterminated

A 40-year old man is sitting on the improvised verandah of his ramshackle bamboo hut, basking in the sun. He appears lethargic, perhaps intoxicated by the warm winter sun. Except for occasional stir, he seems to be really relishing the sun. Nothing seems to be bothering him, not even a loud barking of a dog right near his house nor the clucking of a hen after it had laid egg. But suddenly, like a lone spotted deer spooked by lurking tiger, the man becomes ever alert, attentive and rapt. A lone Asian giant Hornet bee just buzzed by. He transfix his gaze to the bee and follows its every move. Its orange-striped body with bright orange head makes it not too hard for him to lose the sight of the bee. He is so focused with the hornet that he won’t realize stepping on a coiled snake. "He is an expert bee hunter in the village and it’s just the kind of opportunity he was waiting for" He is an expert bee hunter in the village and it’s just the kind of opportunity he was waiting for...

An unending war in Wangling battlefield

It is mid-summer and Goshing Wangling, a remote village in Zhemgang has transformed into an extraordinarily beautiful hamlet. The quaint little hamlet has turned extravagantly lush with tropical vegetation fencing the village while the inside is chock-full with different varieties of agriculture crops growing green and fresh. It is possible to literally hear the butterfly wing beat and feel the soft seasonal breeze transport to some magical land of peace and plenty far away from the crowd of modern settlements. The vista stretches far beyond the little settlements. One wonders that if Wangling can contain and give so much, what amazing wealth of floral and faunal beauty could exist between the tall, splendid mountains faraway and the vast spotless azure sky behind them. Peace that appears to reign so abundantly in this small village, however is not absolute. Hidden behind the façade lies a chronic problem. "The Wangling farmers have to constantly face rampaging wild animals tha...

Thinley Dorji out for hunting ‘Buddha Mushroom’ in Blue pine Forests

Bumthanps in droves collects magic mushroom helping mint lots of money All thanks to income he generates from selling Matsutake mushroom which Blue pine forests in Ura, Bumthang is endowed with, Thinley Dorji, 36 was able to put up decent roof over his head. This is in addition to the steady follow of money for educational expenses of his three school-going kids. But it is easier to be envious of such benefits than having to hear the whole lot of story behind the facade. It simply takes someone a whole lot of determinations and sacrifices in collecting the marvelous Matsutake mushroom. Thinley wakes up early, from the shed he spent his other night guarding his potato crops from wild animals. Believing that “early bird catches most worms,” he needs to be in the forests ahead of all other folks. Otherwise, what is grown will have to be shared among the parade of collectors. "Lucky for him, there was a light drizzle, the other night and Thinley heads out optimistic of the good...

Are we scared to know the Truth???

Intoxicated by the lesser worth of enjoyment and indulgence in unworthy activities, we often fail to realize the real truth of being born as human. A guy in the discotheque, the rooms filled with puking sting of alcohol and the plumes of cigarettes hardly realize that even though he is right now in the higher realm, there awaits the day when he will meet an end. But he reacts to the beats of the music and pretends he is enjoying as if this is going something that will keep happening to him for all his eternal life. But, sparing a serious and in-depth thought, these are all very short-lived. "...I comforted myself with a gush of fresh autumn wind..." Leisurely baking over the morning winter sun outside the office, I comforted myself with a gush of fresh autumn wind, fresh and clean right into the depth of my tired lungs. The clear winter sun illuminated the mother earth. Far in the jungle, the deciduous trees are slowly giving way to bitter winter, shedding their leaves. The l...

Change in work and the clothes I wear

I honestly want to divulge here that I've not been after the greener pasture albeit I'm presented with an opportunity to work in Capital city for that matter at the HQ of the parent Ministry. I know many – atleast those who know all about my professional background would have concluded the way I fear they'd have. This is because after serious and exhaustive contemplation, my change of workplace has even resulted in change of the major occupational group (MOG). And not necessarily hindsight of such change, it is also to do with clothes I wear. "On the lighter side, all I needed to buy was the underwear and few other undergarments" I was working with the Department of Forests & Park Services in one of its field offices spread across the Country. For the services I rendered, I was endowed with forest uniforms which includes cloth piece, jersey, jacket, shoe, beret cap and almost all that is needed to work in the hostile environment. On the lighter side, all I nee...

Gredpo – Mysterious Yeti in my village

Existence of Gredpo is more seen than believed. Pic: Internet “Oiii….,” comes the strange call in the dead night from the distant mountain in my village" “Oiii….,” comes the strange call in the dead night from the distant mountain in my village. “Oiii….’” goes the respond. Who could be in the mountain in such a wee hour calling? As the ‘oiii’ progresses, the one from the far-away mountain get closer and closer. Soon, the dogs join howling towards the direction. “Now stop responding, that’s Gredpo,” warns my mother. Responding the call is feared to invite him to the village, which no one wants to happen. "Scientists might have failed to document it, but who was that, someone making that call in the dead night?" The mysterious existence of Yeti, as known to our community as Gredpo was more than a mystery. It was closer to having existed. Scientists might have failed to document it, but who was that, someone making that call in the d...

Pretty Woman’s Sedation

The folks might have to excuse me since the article I am putting up is about someone is familiar to me with but I did seek the kind consent of the person I am writing about. It is about her personal life, but one must agree with me that it is sometime a charm poking your nose into other’s life. "Without their father, she has to handle the responsibility of both the father and the mother" She is a widow and the mother of three children. Without their father, she has to handle the responsibility of both the father and the mother. Since she is a working woman, she finds it difficult to divide the time between her work and the children. Yet, I must say she is striving and doing very well. But behind the smile, she has deep stress, pressure and frustration. She says, "the best medicine for such trauma is in the alcohol drinks" This has resulted in the loss of sleep. Every evening she finds is really difficult to close her eyes when the trauma and pressure keeps h...

One That Got Away

Dasho Doley embarked on a tour to his native village from his office in Capital. He drove his finest limousine till the road could take him and resuming the journey; he rode on a healthiest and strongest donkey. Soon after he entered the gate erected at the entrance of the village, he was escorted by a line of village girls, with a melody of ‘Tashi Lebey’ "He barely realized that it’s his 25 years memories coming back" Before actually retiring for the day, among the sweetest melodies poured forth by the dancers around the camp fire, supposed to be entertainment treat for a special and highly esteemed village guest, he thought of a man, who is supposed to be a village Gup. He was in front of the queue to offer him the welcome dhar. His familiar face, speech and the man himself left him wondering where he could have met him. He barely realized that it’s his 25 years memories coming back. The same man reappeared with a tray, with glassful champagne. He asked him to share the...

On tour to the distant world

I listened tolerantly with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart, when my associates narrated to me about the knowledge they gained, the experience accumulated and the time they enjoyed in the worlds far away from Bhutan, when they visited such worlds either sent by the government, projects or business. This was not because I am not happy here in Bhutan but I was jealous of the knowledge and experiences they gained. Is there day for me too when I can also go and collect such foreign knowledge and experiences? I wonder. Negotiating flimsy bamboo bridge Every time the metal bird of Bhutan with the mark Druk Air in its tail was on its way to and fro following its route crossing Chukha from high above, I wave safe journey and welcome back safely to Bhutan. I wonder if there is any chance for me to join this metal bird in its daily trip. Our destination is a village afar But did I barely realize that soon I was to be chosen as one nominee from Chukha to embark on study tour of Thailand ...

My New Found Love: - What shall thy name be???

I count myself lucky having met her one sunny day near the place I presently stay. I purely attribute it to the destiny or the fate we shared since it was the invisible string of love and passion that brought us together. None would dare to agree to believe me that she just decided to stay with me midway in Chukha in her journey to Thimphu, having consulted neither her parents nor anyone who took her care. So bold she is, is she? If ever I have been waiting for the fresh love, it was she who would give me the correct doze. "Lucky girl she is!" We have now developed so much of attachment that we can hardly think of time away from each other. We love each other so much that we eat together in same plate, sleep in one bed, go for evening walk and literally do everything together. What love is this if it is not one genuine one? The time I have to be in office is the time I miss her most while she stay at home, sleeping all day till I return home. Lucky girl she is! She eats th...