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Showing posts from May, 2011

Questioning the purpose of life

I guess I have taken a long break from blogging. Quite long that some of my blog’s reader might have drawn conclusion of my losing interest in blogging. It wasn’t intentional but my busy schedule barred me from doing so. Today I forced myself a time and thought of writing what has bothered me for quite a long time. Source:  http://www.youracreator.com Did you ever ask yourself, what is the purpose of life? Why am I born? for what? Such are the questions capable of making you feel dumb headed animals. For the past few years these questions have been and still troubling me. Why am I born? The biological answer is to reproduce!!! The answer from the religious perspective will be to help all sentient beings liberate!!! From parents’ perspective, they needed a child to help them during their old age, as they would prefer to live with their children rather than “old aged home” before they breathe their last. If you ask anyone, you would land up coming across countless answers but nothing

Bhutanese Drivers

A Professor in India (one of my Professors) remarked, “I trust your way of driving, but I don’t trust the driver coming from another direction”, when he was given a lift by one of his friends. Over time, I started to realize that his “16” word has more meaning than I imagined and condenses everything. It is always scary to drive in Bhutan’s never ending snake winding narrow roads accelerated by the Bhutanese “style” of driving. We (Bhutanese) lake sensibility of driving and respect for another driver. Disrespect and mutual understanding between the drivers may be the rationale for increasing number of accidents in the country. Source:   http://www.movetransport.com Honking has become the part of Bhutanese drivers. Honking is imperative, but making use of it in right time and place is more important. It is disheartening to see people honking for everything, right from teasing those people walking to embarrassing another driver, instead of honking in turnings to warn another driver c

Research in Line (Dissapering transhumance and change in mindset of nomads after development)

Note: This not a scientifically written article, it is just the summary of what I have submitted for approval to CORRB (Council of Renewable Research of Bhutan). I received the approval and will be heading to the field for about two months (starting August, 2011). There are no citations and references. If anyone is interested, I will give the citations and references. Title: Disappearing tradition of transhumance and changes in mind-set of nomadic communities after developmental activities A typical nomadic village in Bumthang Introduction: The transhumant yak system is limited to the alpine-cool temperate areas around the world. Throughout the Tibetan areas and northern parts of Bhutan, India and Nepal, nomads are an important element in the local economy and society. It has been reported in the number of literatures that, in high altitude grasslands of Bhutan, yak herding is an important source of livelihood for the nomads. Yak herding is one of the dominant activities for the p

Student as I Age

When I was offered a scholarship to undergo M.S studies in the University of Montana, the USA, I was overwhelmed and looking forward to another two years of schooling in a country where I have never been. After processing all the formalities required I headed to New Delhi, India for my visa interview. Everything went well; probably “SERKHEM” (offering to deities) was playing a greater role. Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Foretry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India. It was June and in the middle of school for my daughter and I had my tickets to US on August, 2009. It was hectic for all three of us (my wife and daughter) trying to arrange everything, right from acquiring transfer certificate of my daughter and getting her enrolled in the school in my home town (Panbang in Zhemgang Dzongkhag) and packing dry chilies to keep us moving while in the US. The day finally arrived and my wife and I headed to the US. After having explored the area for a week and completing all t

Advice from a seasoned friend to accelerate success in job

I completed my M.S defense today, or I would rather say, i completed my master in resource conservation majoring in Non-timber forest produce. As I stepped out of the room after one hour of public presentation and one hour of toughest questions I have ever faced, and after hearing "congratulation" from the same  professors  who grilled me an hour ago, I started to reflect my initial days of service as a forester. Topic of my research It was 9.30 AM, January 15, 2007. It was auspicious day according to ZAKAR, and that is when I first entered the line of government service. I met one of my senior friends by the entrance of the office with many new pair of eyes sticked on me with curiosity ("Is he khengpa, sharchop, ngalong or lhosam). It was usual day for them but not for me. I was excited as well as nervous with very little or no knowledge on how the office functions and what would be my TOR (Terms of Reference). As expected, it took me awhile to adjust to the new en

On a lighter side (Promoting GNH in my own fashion)

I have been blogging on quite a serious topic since I started blogging. I decided to write something which may lighten reader’s mood. The idea of writing this topic struck me when Banu Tamang (I hope Banu will not be disturbed for spelling out her name) brought up a topic on “smile” in facebook (Blogyul-Blogging Bhutan group). I never tried to write stories or any kind of jokes till date. The writings may look bit un-organized but I think I made a point to convey the real humorous state of the story. I discovered writing stories or conversation is not my piece of cake. I accept here that someone might have really made the story look better than what I did. Anyways let’s proceed…… Source: http://www.123rf.com/photo_8643818_test-tube-color-drawing.html Once there was Dr. X, Y and Z (all Ph.D.) from three different countries attending world congress of science (hypothetical). After the conference they thought of

Mother's Day

Source: http://www.everythingmothersday.com The most beautiful word ever recorded in “English dictionary” is Mother , known by different word in different languages and dialects. But, whatever the language may be, it is the first word that every child speaks and where everyone seeks refuge as a child and even after having their own kid. It has a magic infused in it. No sooner one hears mother, he/she is driven in a completely different world surrounded by love, compassion and beauty. Mother’s day is celebrated in most of the countries. It is celebrated on March 8 in some countries but in US and good number of countries, second Sunday of May is generally celebrated as mother’s day. The difference in dates of mother’s day rose mainly because the holiday was adopted from the US. The dates were then accordingly changed to fit the already existing celebrations honouring motherhood. I think starting a celebration of Mother's day is the great

ONE Heartbeat Away

As I walked in the University campus (University of Montana, the USA) today, I bumped into the health function organized by the health center of the University. The campaign was providing free body massage and health check ups. I was handed over a pamphlet stating “ONE Heartbeat Away”. As I read through "back of" pamphlet, I was….(Okay, I will let yourself experience how I felt)…. Here is how it reads..... The cover of the book "Beep….beep..beep.. The sound of a heart monitor somewhere in the distance comes into focus as you slowly return to consciousness. Your sides hurt tremendously and you can’t feel your legs. As you wonder where you are, you hear muffled voices that sound like doctors. Beep..beep..beep …The heart monitor continues beeping, letting the doctors know that you’re alive….at least for the moment. You vaguely recall what happened – you were driving around a curve when out of nowhere came the flash of highlights headed directly toward you. You remem

The Complexity of Human Behavior: Bhutanese Craze to Compound Bow

Single limbs bow. Photo source http://shop.ebay.com I am slowly beginning to realize the complex nature of human being. I love playing archery (both with compound bow and traditional bow) and have been into the game since 1998. Way back in 1998, my dad bought himself as “single limb” Bear compound bow for just Nu. 7000.00. Since it was the first compound bow in Panbang (Lower Kheng under Zhemgang District) it was pride to own one and shoot. Gradually everyone started buying (all were single limb) and the game was gaining its popularity in the area. I was than in class X. In 1999, I went to Sherubtse College (last batch of PU student). When I returned home for my winter holidays, I was taken aback to find another bow (single limb), but had a price tag of Nu. 17,000.00. My dad up-graded his bow and in following year he bought another bow, but this time it was double limbs bow, where he paid Nu.22,000. Double limbs bow. Photo source http://shop.ebay.c

Birthday Boy

As I embark 30 years, I received the highest number of birthday wishes since I came to this world. Friends all over the globe have proven to be very kind in lightening my day. In such cases, “social media” seems to be playing major role in shaping somebody’s day. With much gratitude I would, from the very corner, bottom, inside-out, of my heart like to thank each and every one of you for having taken your time to write down all your wishes and prayers. Thank you all again. Photo courtesy; http://www.animationblog.org 30 years!!! I realize, I am growing older every passing second. When I contemplate my 30 years as human, son, father, uncle, brother, student, teacher, husband, friend, etc. I realized of not achieving or caring to do anything wonderful work. What a waste of 30 years. Looks like I was just a year old yesterday and suddenly I turned 30 today. Now I realized the importance of life and promise to write down my achievements during my 40 th