Paro Tsechu
 |
Paro Tsechu 29 March, 2010 – Every spring, the Paro town comes alive for five days when visitors from all over the country, and the world, flock for the annual tsechu festival. It is a time for the religious to gain merit and blessings, and also enjoy the pleasures of travel.
For the local businesses, it is a festival time when they can make the most money.
But three days into the festival, business has not been as good as last year, say local establishments.
“Compared to last year, business has really dropped,” said Raju Rai of a local handicraft shop, Made in Bhutan. He explained that a fair being held by the dzongkhag administration on the Tshongdue archery ground had taken away business this year.
About 18 stalls have been set up for the fair, offering a variety of consumer goods, from handicrafts to everyday wear, and toys to food.
“Some stalls have the same items as what we sell,” he said, referring to local handicraft shops.
Pema Lhamo, who owns Druk handicrafts, also said that business this tsechu had been bad. She said that the tsechu happened only once a year and it was a time when local businesses should benefit.
Another local businessperson, requesting anonymity, said that, since operating costs for local establishments are high, it was not sensible for the fair to have stalls selling the same items. The local businessperson said that the dzongkhag administration wanted to increase its budget without thinking of the local establishments.
The businessperson added that the ‘lucky dip’ method of selecting who were awarded stalls was also flawed. “Many people from the same family or establishment had coupons to increase their chances of setting up a stall.”
Another businessperson, also requesting anonymity, made the same observation, adding that the next time the dzongkhag should try a more sensible approach to awarding stalls.
Raju Rai said that policies had to be formed to take into consideration local establishments during festivals like Paro tsechu. “Just to ensure every one benefits equally.”
Source: kuenselonline.com