Expression from an Idiot by birth:

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Beautiful Thimphu gearing towards Choked Thimphu

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that where we live remain clean, safe, well organized, and beautiful, for all times to come” His Majesty The King of Bhutan, address to the Nation, 109 th National Day, 17 December 2016 It is about time Bhutanese respect the genuine concern remarked by His Majesty and not take His Majesty’s vision for clean society lightly. We are lucky to have such humble leadership with broad vision for Bhutanese and Bhutan. Vials and syringes [Buddha Point] Collected by Barma Enteprises Bhutanese at large has always been a “great” planner and law makers, but has always been bad implementer of what transcribed from the meeting or the plans. We somehow fail to continue what was initiated and leave the great initiatives to face natural and slow dead. We have many profound Acts and Rules, however we tend to implement what is inside the Acts and Rules for about a week and then forget after that. I suppose, it is a disease we have, which we

Reading is Fun as well as Tough

Here is what i wrote in December 1, 2015. "Today is December 1, 2015 and I am half way reading 'Work Hard Be Nice' by Jay Mathews. This book is about two young american teachers who thought outside the traditional education system and revolutionized the whole Education system in America. Now, I am into reading, i intend to read following in the year 2016, provided I live the next day: 1. Who will cry when you die? - Robin Sharma 2. The fifth mountain - Paulo Coelho 3. I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai 4. A Guide to the Bodhisattva way of life - Shantideva 5. Words of my Perfect Teacher - Patrul Rinpoche 6. Turning Confusion into Clarity - Yongey Mingyur 7. Brilliant Moon - Dilgo Khyentse 8. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini 9. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khalid Hosseini 10. The Mystic Eye - Sadhguru 11. Taking the Leap - Pema Chodron" Today is 6th September 2016 and I m not even half on what i promised myself to read. This far, i read: 1. The Kite Runner - Khaled H

Bhutan's Mega Farm AKA Slaughter House

I am a vegetarian and I love animals. Unless all Bhutanese go vegan, I am for the establishment of slaughter house for Bhutan has to become meat self sufficient. The issue on establishing a mega farm AKA slaughter house is again tabled for discussion in the National Assembly when the opposition questioned the government citing the sentiments of Bhutanese at large. I felt that having understood the economic un-stability of the country by our so called policy makers, such initiatives should not be questioned at-all let alone opposing it. I am for the establishment of mega farm with following reasons: 1. Establishing a mega farm mean meat self sufficient - Though statistically not proven, I am pretty confident that about 50% of Bhutanese eat meat. I feel even more than that. And to make matters interesting, almost all the Bhutanese meat eaters are heavy meat eaters with majority going for beef and pork (rural areas); and chicken, fish and mutton. Don't believe me! visit any mea

Reading is FUN - Really!

Enough of arguing on Bhutan tourism policy, hydropower policy blah blah...Lets talk something else! Besides the prescribed text books, lecture notes and notes dictated by teachers and professors; i never had the enthusiasm or rather the passion to read. May be, reading wasn't emphasized during our time or at-least not encouraged as it is being done now a days. Reading is now becoming a fashion within the Bhutanese youths - which i believe is a GREAT fashion. Reading should be encouraged in whatsoever ways we can. The cohorts (those who were born) of 1970s and 80s, were exposed to some fairy tale books and comic books to read and I was no different. I read lots of tinkle comic books, jakarta tales, reader's digest and wisdom as a school going kid besides the prescribed text books to pass our exams. Since these books contained short stories with pictures, it was much fun to read than the novels. Thus, i never read novels until recently. And you could judge that from my not

Bhutan Tourism Industry - "Coming to Bhutan is Expensive"; A myth which should be cracked

I MAY BE WRONG, BUT AT-LEAST THIS IS HOW I SEE The country is divided when the law makers of the nation tabled the minimum daily tariff of USD 250/tourist/day for discussion. The debate is on and i believe that debate is healthy for any kinds of paradigm shifts and developments. My vote was for doing away with minimum daily tariff, however to maintain the daily royalty of USD 65/tourist/day. There are many thinkers who believe that tourism policy and the minimum daily tariff has worked in Bhutan and there is no need for revision or rather discussion. I will not argue on this as it has made Bhutan one of the most sought after destination and only about 5 % of those in whose bucket list Bhutan is reflected is able to visit the country. And this is not because Bhutan is expensive. It is because many tourists has always thought that Bhutan's visa is difficult to get which is further coupled with the daily tariff of USD 200-250/day/tourist. It isn't the fault of the tourists,

Bhutan Tourism Industry - USD 250.00/day/pax : DEBATE

I MAY BE WRONG, BUT AT-LEAST THIS IS HOW I SEE Before i begin anything, i am for the change provided the royalty of USD 65/tourist/day goes to the government exchequer. My arguments: The current tariff of USD 250/tourist/day is of-course in-line with the policy of 'High Value - Low Impact' policy which seem to be doing very well to the Bhutan's economy (I m not arguing in this front nor with regards to the policy). However, i believe that the royalty of USD 65/day/pax may be tabled for discussion. Beyond the royalty, the rest should be left for the tour operators or to the tourist themselves. The current fixed tariff seems to benefit only those hotels/guest houses wherein the tour operators are friendly as it leaves either with no choice or very little choice to the tourists themselves. I believe that leaving it for the tourist themselves to decide will remove the complacency of our tour operators as well as the guest houses/hotels: With the fixed tariff, besides USD