January, 2009
Trashigang’s to get new drangkhang
13 January, 2009 - The chief justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye conducted the sa lhang tendrel (groundbreaking ceremony) of the new three-storied district court building for Trashigang dzongkhag on January 9. The construction of district courts is aimed at delivering faster justice and strengthening the judiciary in the country. "In every society, ... [more]
A tough job well done
CEC Dasho Kunzang Wangdi with his first grandchild PROFILE13 January, 2009 - In the small space of Bhutanese society, simple issues can become extremely protracted, personalised and tense. When the general election was announced and two major political parties emerged, the Bhutanese populace knew it was not going to be an ... [more]
NC pulls up political appointees
12 January, 2009 - The National Council resolved that the appointment of the four DPT party workers in the cabinet secretariat was unconstitutional and violated the civil service recruitment rules. Council members said that, although the number was seemingly insignificant, the appointees could set a trend that could politicise the ... [more]
The commercialisation of culture
Does the government need to draw the line between use and misuse of religious artifacts 12 January, 2009 - Thankas (painted scrolls) as wall decorations, religious figures on calendars and T-shirts, and düngs (religious trumpets) as door handles — Bhutanese religious artifacts have found novel functions today. While these roles are admired ... [more]
Coming to tourism’s rescue
Government, hoteliers and Druk air lend a hand to the industry in troubled times 12 January, 2009 - Following measures requested by the tourism sector against the present global downturn, the government yesterday agreed to defer the tariff revision till a later date and provide discount on royalty. The association of Bhutanese ... [more]
As times change, so must culture
Driglam namzha in democratic Bhutan: Doesn’t it need to evolve too? OUTLOOK12 January, 2009 - In the old days, an ordinary person was smacked for making crunchy sounds when eating his food in front of a government official. The risk of injury was bigger if he failed to bow low when ... [more]
Bhutan’s ILO membership mooted
12 January, 2009 - The standard of Bhutan’s labour will not be questioned if the proposal of the ministry of labour and human resources (MoLHR) to join the international labour organisation (ILO) comes through. The MoLHR director general, Pema Wangdra, said that the standard of Bhutan’s labour is questioned when it ... [more]
Buddhist answers to common questions
9 January, 2009 - Lam Shenphen Zangpo answers basic questions that every Bhutanese man, woman, and child on the street wants to know. I am not as smart as my friends. This makes me feel inadequate and shy. Can Buddhism help me overcome this problem? I’ll answer this question with ... [more]
On the pay raise
7 January, 2009 - What is the purpose of a government salary revision? It is not to make the lives of public servants more comfortable but to help build a government that can serve the people better. Does that sound too esoteric? With the salary discussion scheduled for January 19, the ... [more]
Druk Nangpei Zhoennu – Celebrating Buddhism in Bhutan
8 January, 2009 - A group of young Bhutanese will celebrate important Buddhist events to promote and propagate Buddhism in a “modern way”. Formed by a group of trainees of royal Bhutan polytechnic in 2008, under the guidance of Garab Rinpoche, the Druk Nangpei Zhoennu will first celebrate Lord Buddha’s birthday ... [more]