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Vol 08 issue 02 saturday 12 January 2019 nu 10 Leading the Way A deep dive into ISBS leads to a ‘Bhutan Studies’ in its own right and a better insight into Bhutan on its own terms Tenzing Lamsang/ Oxford over 80 countries taking part in 12 sessions in various diverse s any Bhutanese will fields, three plenary sessions be acutely aware, and two key note addresses. ABhutan is broadly Each session in turn had an defined in two ways. One, is average of three speakers with that of a small but strategically a time of around one hour and important country lodged in 30 minutes. between two giants along with The sessions were about its various implications and cutting edge research complications. into linguistics, ecology, The other definition of anthropology, law and Bhutan can be seen in travel international relations, GNH, articles and magazines of being development, food, education, a ‘Shangri-La’ or romanticized history, Buddhism and Kingdom in the clouds. governance in Bhutan. As a result, there is limited The speakers and scholars international understanding presented their in-depth papers of the real Bhutan and its followed by usually spirited people, given the two dominant and in depth questions and narratives above. comments that made it both Even in the world of The former Prime Minister Dasho who led the Bhutanese delegation spoke an academic exercise and also international academics, at the opening of the conference a collaborative event with the Bhutan, so far, has been studied University made the important Some speakers highlighted with the potential to be audience. only as one of the subsets or first step of discussing and the point that Bhutan deserves both a valuable resource The quality of the conference countries of the ‘Tibetan and studying the diverse and less its own study group given the group and one that helps and papers presented in the Himalayan studies’ group that discussed aspects of Bhutan in fact that it is the only and strengthen Bhutanese identity sessions was apparent from also includes , China, a large international academic last independent Vajrayana and understanding in the that fact that many Bhutanese , Bhutan and Pakistan. setting. More importantly, it Buddhist Kingdom. international forum. participants got additional and The International Society set up and gave shape to an In that sense, the ISBS The conference from 8-10 even new insight into their own for Bhutan Studies (ISBS) independent international is not just another academic January, 2019 saw a large inaugural conference in ‘Bhutan studies’ group in its conference, but holds special number of Bhutan experts in Magdalen College, Oxford own right. significance for Bhutan, various fields gathering from cont. on pg 08 Ex-PM’s Key-note address at Oxford focuses on Monarchy, Sovereignty, Culture, Democracy, Environment, GNH and welfare

Tenzing Lamsang/ Oxford the interest of is unique, and was established in 1907, so it establishing that successful in is only 111 years old. All of us he Former Prime Minister ‘Bhutan matters.’ its own way, in Bhutan love our Kings – we TDasho Tshering Tobgay Dasho started because of one revere them, and we look up delivered the main key note his speech by and only one to them as Plato’s ideal of the address at the Sheldonian conveying the factor – the philosopher king,” said Dasho. Theatre in Oxford University on greetings and extraordinary He gave various examples 9th January as the main event warm wishes of leadership of of the democratic reforms of the three-day International His Majesty the our Kings who instituted by the Monarchy to Society of Bhutan Studies King of Bhutan. have led by the handing over of democracy. (ISBS) conference. He said that example and “Here’s another The topic given to the Bhutan was never who continue extraordinary fact: our King former PM was, ‘Does Bhutan colonized, its to do so,” he has no personal wealth. Today, Matter? Stories from a young culture is thriving, said. when some of the richest democracy.’ the country is “That’s why people in the world continue As per the title, the main a biodiversity the monarchy to be monarchs, our King does task before Dasho was to show hotspot, Bhutan is the most not own any personal property,” that ‘Bhutan matters.’ is the only carbon important said Dasho. He said that while he is neutral country, it institution in “All citizens have access to acutely aware of the many is a functioning welfare state most – what we hold to be the Bhutan. It is the symbol of the King. We celebrate the fact problems and challenges and that Bhutan is one of the most sacred above all else – is our unity, the protector of our he asked to be indulged for youngest democracies. our leadership, specifically the people, and the fountainhead of glorifying his country in “But what we revere the leadership of our Kings. Bhutan our future. Bhutan’s monarchy cont. on pg 10 & 11 page 02 12-01-2019 drukyul speaks its mind The Vital Isolation of Indigenous Groups Editorial including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, In the Andaman chain, of the opinion by India, and Peru – have pursued a four tribes that survive, the two Understanding “no contact” policy toward these that were forcibly assimilated by groups. This policy is anchored the British have become dependent Bhutan Brahma Chellaney in laws that protect indigenous on government aid and are close to people’s rights to ancestral lands vanishing. Indigenous communities’ hutan is at an important juncture as NEW DELHI – The remote, and to live in seclusion, and combined share of the world Bwe stand ready to graduate from our coral-fringed North Sentinel Island reinforced by an international population now stands at just 4.5%. least developed country status in 2023 and made headlines late last year, after convention obligating governments To be sure, leaving secluded become a middle income country, albeit at an American Christian missionary’s to protect these communities’ lands, tribes alone is no guarantee that the lower end of the scale. covert expedition to convert its identities, penal customs, and ways they will survive. These highly This graduation will mean that we have residents – the world’s last known of life. inbred groups are already seeing achieved or are close to achieving our main pre-Neolithic tribal group – ended It is illegal – and punishable by their numbers dwindle, and face the and basic socio-economic goals. It will also in his death. The episode has cast a prison sentence – for outsiders specter of dying out completely. But mean that our economy is heading towards a spotlight on the threats faced to enter India’s tribal reserves. they will probably die a lot faster if self-sufficiency. by the world’s remote indigenous Yet Chau dodged Indian laws we suddenly contact them, bringing Having achieved and maintained groups, which are already on the and coastal security, according to with us modern pathogens against political and economic stability and with brink of disappearance. his own diary accounts, to make which they have no antibodies. our sovereignty strengthened, the question The Sentinelese people targeted repeated forays into North Sentinel These tribes might be isolated, to ask is -what next. by the slain evangelist John Allen over three days – an arduous effort but their demise will have serious At one level, Bhutan, despite having Chau are probably the most that was facilitated by a Kansas consequences. With their reverence limited resources, has never hesitated to go isolated of the world’s remaining City-based missionary agency, for – and understanding of – for its own identity and growth model that remote tribes, and they are keen to which trained him for his journey. nature, such groups serve as the we now know as GNH. This has served us stay that way. They shoot arrows to The Sentinelese killed him only world’s environmental sentinels, well and played a huge role in getting us warn off anyone who approaches after he ignored repeated warnings safeguarding 80% of global diversity where we are today, both as a nation and their island, and attack those, like to stop trespassing. and playing a critical role in climate people. Chau, who ignore their warnings. But the threat to the Sentinelese change mitigation and adaptation. Bhutan is a soft power in its own right, It was not always this way. When people – and, indeed, all isolated When the devastating 2004 Indian and as we graduate and move ahead Europeans first made contact tribes – is far from neutralized, as Ocean tsunami struck, more than we should capitalize on this not just to with the Sentinelese, the British some have taken Chau’s death as an a quarter-million people died strengthen our international presence and naval commander Maurice Vidal opportunity to argue that we should across 14 countries, but the two identity, but also to better understand our Portman described them in 1899 as reverse the policies protecting isolated Andaman tribes, which own domestic issues and challenges and “painfully timid.” But the profound isolated tribes. And while some have rely on traditional warning systems, solutions to them. shift is not hard to explain. Tribes good intentions – to provide access suffered no known casualties. For this, we have to not only engage with like the Sentinelese have learned to to modern technology, education, But, as Bolsonaro’s promises the best minds in the field but with those associate outsiders with the ghastly and health care – others do not. underscore, indigenous societies who also deeply care about Bhutan. violence and deadly diseases For example, Brazil’s new far-right have been pitted directly against This is where bodies like the International brought by European colonization. president, Jair Bolsonaro, has loggers, miners, crop planters, Society of Bhutan Studies (ISBS) comes British colonial excesses threatened to repeal constitutional ranchers, oil drillers, hunters, and in providing us with a valuable and well whittled down the aboriginal safeguards for aboriginal lands in other interlopers. In the last 12 years networked resource center that does not population of the Andaman order to expand developers’ access alone, according to satellite data, just focus on the usual GDP and hard power, Islands, which includes North to the Amazon, the world’s largest Brazil’s Amazon Basin has lost which we lack, but focuses on more relevant Sentinel Island, from more than rainforest. forest cover equivalent in size to areas of strength like culture, ecology, bio- two dozen tribes 150 years ago Whatever the motivation, the entire Democratic Republic of diversity, good governance, linguistics and to just four today. The tribes that connecting with remote tribes Congo, the world’s eleventh-largest more. escaped genocide at the hands of would amount to a death sentence country. It can also look at important social issues the colonizers did so largely by for them. The first waves of Indigenous people are an essential like education and public health, among fleeing to the deepest and most European colonization caused element of cultural diversity and other areas. inaccessible parts of jungles. a calamitous depopulation of ecological harmony, not to mention Bodies like the ISBS is not only a way That was the story in North indigenous societies through a biological treasure for scientists to strengthen our own academic, social Sentinel, which Portman and his violence and the introduction of seeking to reconstruct evolutionary and policy resources but it will can help us forces raided, abducting the few infectious diseases like smallpox and migratory histories. The least to shape and control our narrative at the children and elderly who failed to and measles, to which the natives the world can do is to let them live international academic level. flee into the dense rainforest in had no immunity. in peace in the ancestral lands that time. As a 2009 book by Satadru In Brazil, three-quarters of they have honored and preserved Sen notes, Portman used members the indigenous societies that for centuries. of Andaman tribes as subjects in opened up to the outside world his supposed anthropometry have become extinct, with the rest Brahma Chellaney is the Q research, forcibly measuring suffering catastrophic population Professor of Strategic Studies at Just a quote and photographing their bodies. declines. Over the last five centuries, the New Delhi-based Center for The research, according to Sen, Brazil’s total indigenous population Policy Research and Fellow at the reflected a perverted “fascination” has plummeted from up to five Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin “What is soft power? It is the ability with “male genitalia.” million to fewer than 900,000 to get what you want through attraction After the decimation of people, with the introduction of Oped in arrangement between rather than coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a country’s indigenous peoples under constitutional protections for The Bhutanese and Project culture, political ideals, and policies.” colonial rule, the countries indigenous territories in the late Syndicate (Copyright: Project Joseph S. Nye Jr where isolated tribes remain – 1980s aimed at arresting the decline. Syndicate, 2018). Democracy in Action 12-01-2019 page 03 TVET program allocated only 1.8 percent in the 12th plan period

Sonam Yangdon/ continuing reality, which has led the been ineffective after such initiative industrial linkages. Some TTIs economy to be overly dependent on only caused confusion among trainees, reported that for industrial linkage he special committee of the foreign workers, particularly in the institutes and industries. program, they select industries based TNational Council for Technical construction sector,” reported the “As of now, Technical Training on the relevancy of TTI courses and and Vocational Education and Training committee’s chairperson. Institutes of MoLHR provide TVET sign MoU once in a year mainly for (TVET) presented their findings from Several members of the lower house programs only at the certificate level. the purpose of on job training. the interim review report on the TVET raised that majority of the youths It has neither been able to provide Despite recognizing TVET as an after the house, on the 16th Session, opt for TVET due to lack of other government scholarships nor avail important driver to absorb 20 percent December 2015 resolved that there was opportunities and not out of interest attractive scholarships from TVET of the students from higher secondary a need to conduct a comprehensive or to pursue their passion. institutions outside the country to schools in the TVET system by 2024 diagnostic study on the current TVET The preliminary findings by the provide an opportunity for the top and generate skilled workforce for system. special committee, which was based performing TTI graduates to pursue gainful employment, its share in the The rationale behind conducting on broad consultation with the higher technical and vocational 12th plan period is only 1.8 percent the assessment was to study the primary stakeholders revealed several education. This is one of the reasons (Nu. 2.1 billion) of the overall outlay. effectiveness of the TVET system in inadequacies in achieving the desired why TTIs are not able to attract good In order to find a clear way meeting desired quality and relevancy outcomes from the TVET program. performers from school education,” forward, the Committee will present of skills, as well as in meeting the With about 100 registered training stated the findings by the special its complete review findings along required skilled workforce in the providers – government, private and committee. with appropriate recommendations priority sectors, particularly in NGOs offering numerous programs/ It has also been found that in the summer session after the construction, manufacturing, courses at certificate or diploma level, Department of Technical Education extensive consultations with the automobile and hydropower. Phuntsho Rapten, said that some of the (DTE) under the labour ministry is Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Presenting the review report, programs are broadly governed by the bogged down with the bureaucratic Industry, Association of Bhutanese Member of Parliament Phuntsho policy and related regulations of the works and is not able to provide Industries and Bhutanese Automobile Rapten, who is also the chairperson labour ministry while some programs focused and timely professional TVET Association. of the committee said that despite are implemented independently by the services particularly in the areas of It has been found that there are considerable investments made in the sector-specific agencies in the health, research and development, curriculum currently more than 50,000 foreign public TVET system, it still continues to tourism, agriculture among others. review and development, professional workers engaged in the country, of face significant challenges- particularly Due to such hindrances, it has development. which the majority is employed in the in access, relevancy and quality of skills become challenging for the MoLHR TVET instructors and graduates construction sector. which are further aggravated by the to carry out holistic national expressed dissatisfaction over their There are six Technical Training rapid economic transformation and planning, coordination and aligning certificates not being accorded the Institutes (TTIs) and two Institutes changing labour market requirements. skills development to the economic same level of recognition like their of Zorig Chusum under the purview “As a consequence of TVET system’s priorities. peers in other sectors for the job of Ministry of Labour and Human inability to respond effectively to Rebranding the TVET institutes promotion and position. Resources (MoLHR) and several the emerging labour market needs, to make the program more attractive At the institutional level, there other registered private and non- prolonged shortage of skilled workforce and improve the overall image of the seems to be a lack of well coordinated governmental organization TVET (mismatch of skills) has been a TVET programs were also said to have and standard practice of establishing training providers.

Preservation and promotion of culture to be reinforced

Damchoe Pem/ Thimphu important historical community- be constructed and existing ones conduct research, organize national managed lhakhangs and making maintained and restored. They will events including awareness programs reserving and promoting culture Dzongkha more user-friendly and register cultural properties, conduct and improvement of language contents. Pand tradition has been identified promoting Dzongkha computing. research, and document in order to The program will specifically document as one of the National Key Result In addition, the government also safeguard cultural heritage. Museums 18 indigenous dialects native to Bhutan Areas (NKRA) with the aim to has various programs which they and cultural library services will be for use and preservation. The program strengthen the country’s identity and will implement to achieve the said enhanced. Furthermore, the disaster will be implemented by the Dzongkha sovereignty. NKRA like sustenance and continuity management capacity of cultural Development Commission. Culture and tradition encompass of cultural heritage, promote heritage sites will be improved. The intangible aspects such as knowledge, contemporary arts such as films and program will be implemented by Culture and traditions skills, attitudes, beliefs, music, oral music, enhancing spiritual values, Ministry of Home and Culture Affairs. preservation and promotion traditions, and festivals in addition promotion of national language This program will aim in preserving to tangible culture, which includes and local indigenous languages and Enhancing spiritual values and promoting culture and tradition by dzongs, temples, arts, antiques, culture and traditions preservation and It aims to promote meditation, maintaining tangible cultural heritages antiquities, indigenous food, and promotion. monkhood, and spiritualism. The such as community lhakhangs and sports. program will be implemented by the chortens in respective Dzongkhags. The Therefore, in order to address Sustenance and continuity of . program will also focus on the promotion the challenges in preservation and cultural heritage and preservation of intangible cultures promotion of culture, and achieve the This program aims to undertake Promotion of national language such as local songs, dances, folk stories, NKRA, the government has identified the preservation and conservation of and local indigenous languages and local festivals. The program will be few strategies- preserving age-old both tangible and intangible cultural This program aims to promote implemented by the LGs. traditional festivals and highland heritage. Based on requirements the use of the national language and Ministry of Home and Cultural traditions and culture, supporting new Dzongs and Lhakhangs will other local dialects. The program will Affairs is the lead agency for this NKRA. page 04 12-01-2019 business Govt to reduce unemployment rate to 6.5 percent in the 12th FYP The reduction rate is down from the earlier target of 9 percent Sonam Yangdon/ Thimphu of unemployment rate in the said the labour minister. as suggested, the government System, the labour ministry urban areas than in rural areas Acknowledging the already has plans to institute projects to create employment reating productive and where more than 22 in every concerns expressed by the Employment Responsibility opportunities for 67,000 Cgainful employment has 100 youth in the urban areas MP from Shompangkha, the System from Royal Civil Service youths in the 12th plan. The been identified as one of the are without a job. Therefore, I labour minister said that the Commission, corporations, government will also continue National Key Result Areas think the government should government will be focusing private organizations with the Direct Employment (NKRA) out of the 17 NKRAs also aim to reduce the number on creating conducive among others to address the Scheme which has been revised in the 12th plan. of youth unemployment rate in employment opportunities in unemployment problem. The further to improve the scheme The key performance the urban areas by at least 10 in the construction sector which ministry is currently exploring better- the scheme is projected indicators under this particular every 100 youth in the future,” has huge potential to absorb ways to make the system more to employ 20,000 youths,” priority are to maintain said the MP . hundreds of youths. “On one efficient and doable. With clarified the labour minister national unemployment The labour force survey hand, the unemployment rate the new system, we plan to during the Friday question rate below 2.5 percent and found that the unemployed is increasing in the country collaborate with all the nine hour session in the National reduce youth unemployment youth are concentrated more in and on the other hand, the sectors that we have identified. Assembly. rate from 12 percent to 6-6.5 the urban areas with 17 percent construction and agriculture The government agencies and Lyonpo also percent. On the same line, and only 8.6 percent residing sector are facing shortage of sectors will come together added that the government MP Rinzin Jamtsho expressed in rural areas. skilled labour forces. Thus, and will be the responsible for will continue with the Overseas during the ongoing parliament The labour minister, the ministry plans to make creating certain number of jobs Employment Program. “It is session that it was important Ugyen Dorji responded opportunities in such sectors in each sector.” important for the government for the government to set that the government will attractive either by improving During the Friday question to equip our youths with the minimum target below 2 aim to maintain the youth the incentives or through new hour session in the parliament, necessary education and skills percent if his proposition to unemployment rate at 2.5 policy frameworks aimed at labour minister said that more and the government will look reduce it to 1.5 percent sounds percent or below as deemed employing more youths.” than the hydro projects, youths into the existing loopholes in very ambitious. healthy internationally. “To The labour minister, in need to be regarded as the the overseas program, rectify The MP also suggested avoid further confusion, the response to the opposition jewel of the nation and that and come up with measures to that the government, in their government will set the target leader’s suggestion to institute the government will invest in implement the program more objective to reduce the youth to reduce youth unemployment a committee that includes their skills development more successfully.” unemployment rate from rate to 6.5 percent explicitly. members from all the relevant than ever before. The labour minister also 12 percent to 6-6.5 percent, And on the need to focus more stakeholders to address the “In the 12th plan, it added that in the 12th FYP, the should be clear and specific on the youth unemployment issue of youth unemployment is projected that 82,000 labour ministry has decided to reduce the rate either to 6 in urban areas, I think the in the country said that the jobseekers will enter the job to allocate 75 percent of the percent or 6.5 percent. government’s aim to reduce the concerns of the government market, of which 77,000 will be total budget for the ministry “Currently, an important youth unemployment by 6.5 and opposition seem to vibrate the youths. Thus, through the for technical and skills issue is on the high prevalence percent will address the issue,” on the same frequency. “Just Employment Responsibility development of the youths.

Govt plans to address citrus greening and target production of 68,000 metric tons of oranges in the 12th plan

Pema Seldon/ Thimphu challenges related to citrus greening.” increasing the area under citrus for new orchard development Lyonpo also said, “It is not right to say orchards and improving the varieties which includes promotion and uring the question hour session on that the government did not do anything and enhancing the production through diversification of citrus varieties DTuesday, member from Lhamoi to address the issue of citrus greening. the implementation of appropriate adaptable to different agro-ecological Zingkha-Tashiding constituency Until 2016, the government was involved management practices are the zone and for different market questioned the agriculture minister in studying the problem associated programs, strategies and actions purposes. on the plans and programs to address with citrus greening and in 2017 the proposed in the 12th Five Year Plan.” “Nu 400 mn is proposed for citrus greening disease affecting the country produced 28,000 metric tons of Lyonpo said, “In the 12th plan, Nu climate smart irrigation to revive and farmers. mandarin and exported 16,000 metric 250 mn has been proposed for citrus sustain the production. Orchards are In response, the agriculture minister, tons, earning Nu. 479 mn in that year.” orchard rehabilitation. Since citrus mostly under rain fed condition and lyonpo Yeshey Penjore said, “About 39 “According to the information decline is mainly due to erratic rainfall, suffer inadequate rainfall leading percent of the rural households are received by the Ministry of Agriculture drought, pest and disease outbreak, the to rapid decline. However, some of engaged in citrus production and citrus and Forestry (MOAF), in 2018, citrus rehabilitation is being developed the orchards are far from irrigation is grown in 16 dzongkhags including production has improved and export to guide rehabilitation program sources with limited scope for sarpang, Tsirang, Dagana, Samdrup has also increased with support from the by replanting old orchards beyond irrigation supply. So, development of Jongkhar, Pemagatshel and Chukha.” government”, lyonpo added. MPs from rejuvenation scope, rejuvenating old irrigation supply to citrus orchard is Lyonpo said, “Inadequate orchard different constituencies questioned the and declining orchards to revive and one of the key intervention in the 12th management practices adopted in agriculture minister on poor allocation sustain the production and identifying plan”, lyonpo added. the field, erratic rainfall resulting of budget for the agriculture sector, and promoting alternative crops.” While Nu 45 mn is proposed for from climate change, pests, fruitfly water shortage and failure to pay the The government is planning to large scale commercial production and trunk borer, abandoned orchards loan due to citrus greening. produce 68,000 metric tons of oranges and Nu 10 mn for capacity building and difficulty in implementing citrus Agriculture Minister said, “Reviving in the 12th plan. of farmers and extension on citrus ordinance are the key issues and the orchards in citrus declining areas, He said Nu 200 mn is proposed orchard management. About Town 12-01-2019 page 05 Incorporated pledges of the other three political parties in the 12th plan: Finance Minister

Sonam Yangdon/ Thimphu which is 2.4 percent of GDP as planned are in line, will have detailed blueprint gaps between haves and haves not, and by the government to maintain fiscal with clear plan action, dedicated addressing the needs of the vulnerable resenting the overview report on deficit within 3 percent of GDP,” said resources, clear plan of action and group which includes the senior Pthe 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) to the finance minister. The fiscal deficit assignment of responsibilities to citizens, disabled persons, orphans the first session of the third parliament, is expected to be financed through an implementing agencies, added the among others. finance minister said estimated external borrowing of Nu finance minister. Another key priority of the that that the 12th FYP period has been 4 bn from ADB and World Bank on The 12th FYP has also incorporated government in the coming years is moved to November 1, 2018 to October highly concessional terms. pledges of the other three political to strengthen the economy through 31, 2023 in order to align with the term “The remaining deficit of 25bn will parties as some of the pledges were economic diversification, and of the incoming government unlike be financed from domestic market deemed to be of national importance youth employment generation. past plans which commenced from through issuance of government and for the common good of the The government will also focus July. And likewise, the future FYPs will bond and treasury bills. However, to people. on preservation and promotion of also follow the incoming government’s relieve pressure on the domestic credit The 12th plan, considered very culture and traditions, environment tenure so that plan period will be market, efforts will be made to access important as it is the last plan before development, and strengthening good aligned accordingly. new external grant financing windows Bhutan graduates from the list of governance. The fiscal projections, the finance such as trust funds and green climate Least Developed Countries in 2023, The government has also laid out minister said has been made based on fund,” informed the finance minister the government’s key priorities over the consolidation and maintenance of the medium term economic outlook to the house. the five years are addressing the last existing infrastructure and investing and the government will strive to As per the projections, public debt mile challenges such as reaching on softer aspects of developments such achieve the target of maintaining by the end of the 12th FYP is expected the unreached, improving quality as human resources as one of the major average fiscal deficit below 3 percent to touch Nu 249 bn- which is about of health and education services, priorities for the coming years. and plans to cover 80 percent of 87.6 percent of the estimated GDP. Of poverty reduction, narrowing the the total expenditure by domestic the total debt of Nu 249 bn, external revenue. The government also targets debt is projected at Nu 215 bn (80 to maintain tax to GDP ratio at 12 percent on hydro debt) which is about percent, maintain budget variance 75.9 percent of GDP. Hydropower debt below 3 percent and maintain non- will constitute 68.4 percent. Taxi driver arrested for hydro debt below 35 percent of GDP. “With the expected commission The resources envelop for the 12th of Mangdechhu and Nikachhu FYP is estimated at Nu 280 bn, of Hydropower Projects in the 12th FYP, illegal transaction of which domestic revenue is Nu 217 bn the external debt stock is projected to and the grant is Nu 63 bn. According decline,” said the finance minister. tobacco products the plan, grant constitutes 22.5 percent The finance minister also said that of the total resources and will finance another notable aspect of the 12th Damchoe Pem/ Thimphu tobacco (Baba) from his possession. 54.3 percent of the capital expenditure. FYP is the flagship programs that are Police said that although the suspect “The estimated revenue is expected to instituted mainly as an intervention to n January 4, 2018, Thimphu was sent on surety, he will have to fully cover the current expenditure and address high priority national issues Opolice apprehended a 41-year- pay fine to Regional Revenue Custom finance at least 21 percent of capital that includes economic diversification, old taxi driver from Olakha vegetable Office (RRCO) for the possession. expenditure,” said Lyonpo Namgay employment generation, drinking market at around 1:30 AM. The Police will charge sheet the case to Tshering. water, healthcare, and public services suspect is from Trashigang and was the court at the earliest. “As mentioned earlier, the fiscal through coordinated multi-sectorial arrested by the police patrolling team. This is the first case of illegal deficit is estimated to be Nu 29 bn, approach. The flagship programs that Police have seized 4590 packets of transaction of tobacco in 2019.

Faculty of Traditional Medicine Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan Kawang Jangsa, thimphu Ref. No. FTM/ADM/17/2019/681 InvitationsInvitation oforf Bids Bids (I FB)(IFB) The Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Kawang Jangsa invites sealed bids for the construction works detailed in the table.

Name of Work Estimated Cost Bid Security Duration Class Bidding document cost Construction of Dongdrem Model Nu. 5,26,826.00 Nu. 10,500.00 Three Months Small Nu. 500.00 (Non- refundable) (Medicine tree) A complete set of bidding documents can be purchased from the Procurement Section. Sale of bidding Documents : 10th January 2019 to 11th February 2019 Last date & time submission : 11th February 2019, 12.00 PM Date and time Opening : 11th February 2019 at 02.00 PM Prospective bidders can seek clarification from Sr. Administrative Officer, telephone No.02-321473/ 17117113 during office hours. (Dean) FoTM page 06 12-01-2019 Advertisement Dagachhu Hydro Power Corporation Limited Chhulumithang, Dagana: Bhutan DHPC/TSMMU/PROC-05/2019/35 Notice Inviting Tender Dagachhu Hydro Power Corporation Limited (DHPC) is pleased to invite“Sealed Bids” from the interested and eligible National Supplier holding valid trade license for the following bids: a) Office Stationeries b) Tyres and Tubes 1. Bidders may obtain further information and inspect the Bidding Documents from DHPC, Technical Support & Material Management Unit (TSMMU) at +975-17116137/24 during office hours. 2. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on the submission of a written application to the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Nu. 500.00 (Ngultrum five hundred) only and 1000.00(One thousand) only respectively. A soft copy of the bidding document is also available at http://www.dagachhu.com/index.php/downloads/ 3. Bidders who have downloaded and printed the bidding documents and wish to participate should submit an application to the above address and make a payment of non-refundable fee of Nu. 300.00 (Three hundred) only and 500.00(Five hundred) only respectively to make the bid enforceable. 4. Bids must be delivered to the address above on or before 15:00 hours of February 08, 2019. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at15:30 hours of February 08, 2019, at DHPC Corporate Office, Chhulumithang, Dagana. TSMMU Royal Government of Bhutan Dzongkhag Administration Wangduephodrang Human resource Section DAW/HRD-01/2018-2019/4036 VVacancyacancy A Announcennouncemmentent “The Dzongkhag administration, Wangduephodrang is pleased to invite applications from eligible candidates for the following vacant positions to be recruited on consolidated contract;

Contract Sl. No. Position Title Slots Qualification Eligibility Criteria Placement Duration Minimum Class 1 Matron 3 18-50 years 24 months 1 each for Samtengang CS, Phobjikha CS and Gaselo CS XII Passed 2 Caretaker 4 NA 18-50 years 24 months 1 each for Wangdue PS, Sephu PS, Phobjikha CS and Tencholing PS. 3 Sweeper 1 NA 18-50 years 24 months Bajo HSS

4 Cook 4 NA 18-50 years 24 months 2 for Gaselo CS and 1 each for Phobjikha CS, Nahi PS.

The following documents should reach HR Section latest byJanuary 25, 2019 and the short listing will be done onFebruary 01, 2019 and will be notified in the Dzongkhag website at www.wangduephodrang.gov.bt. The interview will be held on February 07, 2019 at DT Hall at 9.00 am; 1. Civil Service Employment Application Form (Form 4/1) 2. Academic Certificate and Transcripts for Matron post 3. A copy of CID card 4. Approved Security Clearance Certificate (Online Approved Sheet) 5. A copy of Medical Fitness certificate 6. No Objection Certificate (If employed) 7. Please do not forget to provide your mobile number in the application form. All are requested to bring the original documents during the time of interview. For further information, please contact HRO at 02 481896 during office hours” Sr.Dzongrab Advertise with “The Newspaper that makes the biggest impact in Bhutan”

Call us@: 335605 /335139, 334394 / Fax: -02- FIND US ON FACEBOOK 335593 / Mobile no. 77351243 Please visit us at www.thebhutanese.bt Youth 12-01-2019 page 07 Sudoku Crossword puzzles Across 1. Off course 7. Hen concern 10. ‘’Waterloo’’ group 14. Haifa greeting 15. La Brea stuff 16. Legal wrong 17. Easter-song animal 20. Shuttle org. 21. Comeback 22. Long tale 25. Queen or drone 26. Under-the-bed clump 30. Tra __ 34. NATO member 35. Therefore 36. Photogs’ settings 38. __ one’s time 40. Skin layer 42. Singer James Difficult rating: *** answer next issue or Jones 43. Sharp-tongued 45. __ Antony 47. Harden Down NATO 44. A-one 48. PRNDL pick 18. Sherbet flavor 46. Greek X 49. Carroll tea-party 1. Hoops network 19. Yuletide songs 49. Repetitive host 2. Perlman of 23. Grandpa chant 51. Wyo. neighbor ‘’Cheers’’ Simpson 50. Bonnet holder 53. Role for Carrie 3. ‘’Phooey!’’ 24. Hurdy-__ 52. Cartoon

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Zakar garfield Saturday Good day to appease local deities, perform wealth accumulation ritual, appoint to new post, start new education, start new business, shift house, make medicine and start medication, marry, hold good discussion, sow seeds, plants trees and flowers. Bad day to consecrate, enter new house, roof house and hoist Lungdhar. Sunday Good day to conduct Lhabsang Thruesoel, consecrate, start education, appoint to new post, enter new house, shift house, hold good discussion, start new business, roof house, sow seeds, plant trees and flowers. Bad day to appease local deities, marry and celebrate. page 08 12-01-2019 Nation

cont. from pg 01 A deep dive into Bhutan country. a rich repository of Bhutanese suited to their conditions and An important observation for the ISBS. An important There were many knowledge and culture. development. of Romolo was that the information that came out international scholars who Fergus Lyon and Kuenga In a fascinating electoral system of Bhutan, from the session is that the had dedicated years and some Wangmo presented their presentation called ‘Ideal where only two parties make ISBS has started the process even decades in studying the study on the case of building Happiness,’ Yoshiaki Takashi it to the final round, made it a to register as an international various lesser known aspects earthquake resilience in addressed the issue of why much more intensive affair and civil society organization in the of Bhutan. The conference Bhutan which saw several Bhutan scores in the 90’s in this was also partly reflected in USA given the better tax laws also saw good Bhutanese questions and comments from the annual World Happiness the social media culture. in USA when it comes to such participation and high quality the audience. Report, which is an outcome The end of the second day CSOs. of presentations from Bhutan. Francoise Pommaret of the happiness resolution saw two key note addresses ISBS is also expected to One well researched field presented her paper on the moved by Bhutan in the UN from Dasho Tshering Tobgay keep itself active throughout was the two linguistic sessions various seasonal traditional General Assembly. (see story on page 1) on ‘Does and also have a conference where Gwendolyn Hyslop migrations within Bhutan Looking at the methodology Bhutan matter? Stories from every three to four years. expounded on the history and including the lesser known he suggested a cultural factor a Young Democracy,’ and There were several other development of East Bodish ones and highlighted the case at play as most Bhutanese Dasho Karma Ura’s address on sessions and high quality Languages like Bumthap, that Bhutanese valleys were have a very balanced idea ‘Development with integrity: papers, but attendees had to Kurtop, Dzala, Upper not as isolated from each other of happiness and know that Bhutan’s development and chose which ones to attend Mangdep, Khengkha, Chali as it is made out to be. 100 percent happiness is not its given that there were as high and Dakpa and how studying Nitasha Kaul in her paper realistic. Index.’ as three parallel sessions going them helped in learning about ‘Where is Bhutan? The Taking the cultural factor Day three saw a full on at the same time. Bhutan’s ancient history. She historical production of an into play he presented a auditorium as the former NC While ISBS was formed in said that there are around 19 ‘in-between’ Bhutan,’ said that modified version of the Chairperson Dasho Sonam 2015, this conference was the languages in Bhutan. Bhutan cannot be seen just methodology to calculate Kinga talked on, ‘Modernity first to give it real form and Fuminobu Nishida went from the lens of being a small happiness called ‘Happiness of Monarchy: The case of the impetus. in-depth into Mangdebikha country caught in-between Adjusted’ which saw Bhutan’s Wangchuk Dynasty.’ The current President language but also gave a two giant countries. happiness ranking going much The after noon session saw of ISBS is Sabina Alkire, broader exposition of the She pointed out that higher and closer to the results two interesting papers from who is the Director of the various language groups in Bhutan is so much more and in Netherlands. Dorji Penjore and Kuenga Oxford Poverty and Human Bhutan. deserves to be recognized on Dorrine Eva van Norren Wangmo. Dorji Penjore in Development Initiative Selin Grollmann showed its own rather than in mere co- gave an eye opening his presentation ‘Chukor: (OPHI) and one of the main how Tshangla is not just relation to its neighbors. She comparison of the Sustainable Water sharing institution for driving forces behind the one uninform language but went into the historical roots Development Goals with that sharecropping and subsistence conference. Sabina was in a has an incredible array of of how and why Bhutan got of GNH and other philosophies in Samcholing, Bhutan’ Kira on all three days of the diversity through various defined with an ‘in-between’ of Ubuntu in Africa and Buen brought forward the central conference. dialects including the little entity and she argued that this Vivir in Ecuador. idea with anecdotal evidence The ISBS Conference was known Bjokapakha, which is neither correct nor fair. She showed how Ubuntu that it is far more effective to made possible due to active she argued is so different from A plenary session on in Africa is a collectivist invest in small community participation and inputs by the popularly spoken Tshangla Buddhism saw Lopen Gembo worldview where the irrigation projects than go for the Center of Bhutan Studies, that it can even qualify as a Dorji talk of the significance of interdependence of the mega and expensive projects Samuel Centre for Social separate language. the masked dances of Bhutan. community and group is given which are difficult to maintain Connectedness and University An interesting observation Lam Lotay Singay gave an precedence over individuals and sustain. of Oxford. was on how the Bjopakha exposition on the the religious and Buen Vivir or good living Kuenga Wangmo’s The ISBS seeks to also speakers passed themselves music and chants from Bhutan is bio centric and gives equal presentation ‘Archaeology support Bhutanese scholars, as Khengpas or Khengpa and their significance while rights to all living beings in Bhutan: Understanding both junior and speakers in front of others to Draplop Rinpoche Sangay where there is harmony with Ancient Mortuary Practices,’ established, and it also assimilate better with their Dorji went deep into the nature and a balance between gave an eye opening insight on seeks to create intellectual Khengpa neighbors, but spoke mandala and arts of Bhutan. spiritual and material wealth. various current and historical community and academic Bjopakha amongst themselves. In the evening of the A session that saw a packed burial practices including exchange and provide Pascal Gerber talked first day the ISBS guests room and a lot of buzz was mound burial, sky burial and opportunities for networking, about the Gongduk language experienced the famous on ‘Politics and Elections in even a cliff burial. and sharing. of 1,000 to 2,000 speakers Magdalen College Choir Bhutan: The Role of the Social These burial methods The ISBS also seeks to which had been discovered by which is its signature cultural Media,’ by Romolo Gandolfo not only give an insight into contribute to the happiness of Professor George Van Driem tradition. The Chaplain during who has done in-depth Bhutan’s history, but can also future generations, so the it in the 90’s, who did a lot of the event also led prayers for research on the field. hold valuable archeological will engage both the guardians pioneering work in linguistics Bhutan and His Majesty The The room was visibly and historical artifacts. of culture and tradition and in Bhutan. King. surprised to see the deep level This was followed by those able to use the research Both Selin and Pascal are On day two, on a session of penetration of the social a plenary session which to enact positive change on the lecturers but also students of on GNH and Development, media in Bhutan. looked at the way forward ground. Van Driem. Matthew Schuelka talked Romolo, while presenting They called for the need about the constraints of the the positive aspect of social to preserve these mostly education sector in Bhutan. media in Bhutan, also delved Subscribe to endangered languages quoting He called for the into its darker side. Van Driem who said that losing Bhutanization of education He said that the former a language is equivalent to given the various flaws in the Bhutanese Prime Minister losing a conceptual universe. current system of schooling Dasho Tshering Tobgay had The linguistic field is giving case examples of how the highest percentage of the “The Newspaper that makes the biggest the internationally most countries across the world electorate following him on impact in Bhutan” well researched and have given themselves their facebook, more than any other Call us@: 335605 /335139, 334394 / Fax: -02- documented field, making it own education systems, world leaders. 335593 / Mobile no.17801081 nation 12-01-2019 page 09 Fifth Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition to be held in Samdrupjongkhar

Staff Reporter/ Thimphu government agencies, local government, corporations, private committee headed by the organizations, the business community ASamdrupjongkhar and armed forces are working to planted 1710 saplings of plants develop micro gardens in strategic and flowers around the town, in locations. The stakeholders will develop preparation of the 5th Royal Bhutan fifteen micro gardens of various sizes Flower Exhibition, which is to be held totaling to an area of 9.75 acres. in Samdrupjongkhar. The Royal Bhutan Flower The saplings of plants that thrive Exhibition was initiated in 2015 upon in the southern climates, including the Royal Command of His Majesty protulaca, poinsettia, begonia, Queen The King. His Majesty’s message on the of Bhutan Rose, bougainvillea, and inauguration of the 1st Royal Bhutan bauhunia, among others, were granted Flower Exhibition was: to the Thromde as Soelra from His “Where we live must be clean, safe, Majesty The King. well-organized and beautiful; for The 5th Royal Bhutan Flower national integrity, national pride and Exhibition will be held in for our bright future. This too is nation Samdrupjongkhar. The committee building.” responsible for the 5th RBFE has Thus, the RBFE is envisioned decided to inaugurate the exhibition as an event which would foster on the 21st of February, coinciding with an appreciation and pride in the the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty Besides promoting the local economy at the main exhibition site, as well as community for aesthetic spaces The King. in floriculture and supporting small development of permanent gardens that are well cared for, resulting in Samdrupjongkhar was chosen as businesses though the event, the flower throughout Samdrupjongkhar town the development of beautiful towns the venue for the 5th RBFE in light of exhibition also aims to galvanize town to add to the beauty of the Thromde. and cities in Bhutan. It also aims to the historic and geographic importance beautification. Coordinated by the MOAF and promote local economy, boost tourism, of the border town, which serves as In line with this aim, work for the a local committee chaired by the and encourage local businesses in one of the gateways to the country. flower exhibition includes preparation Samdrupjongkhar Thrompon, floriculture. Fourth pay commission Three cases of newborn instituted abandonment reported Staff reporter/ Thimphu General, , in 2018 Supreme Court, Nim Dorji, Finance s provided under Article 30 Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Damchoe Pem/ Thimphu live birth. Police suspect unwanted Aof the Constitution of the Chhime Tshering, Director, pregnancy as the reason behind the Kingdom of Bhutan and as approved National Statistical Bureau. himphu police have received three abandonment. by His Majesty the King on the Lyonchhen (Dr) , Tcases of newborn abandonment in Since the place of crime was away recommendation of the Lhengye Foreign Minister (Dr) 2018. The last case reported was on 31 from CCTV surveillance, the police did Zhungtshog, the Royal Government and Finance Minister Namgay December 2018. not get any lead on the case. is pleased to establish a time-bound Tshering met the members of The initial incident was informed to Similarly, the other two cases of autonomous pay commission with the Fourth Pay Commission the police by a group of kids who found abandonment, the police said couldn’t immediate effect. this evening and requested for an infant abandoned near the mortuary be ascertained, as the bodies of the The taskforce members for the recommendations based on in- house of JDWNRH. infants were fished out from the river. Fourth Pay Commission have been depth analysis. The Fourth Pay Police said that as per the forensic Due to religious belief, people also bury selected from among cross-sectoral Commission has been urged to report, the infant was a fully developed dead infants in the river, the police agencies for their wide experience consider incentivizing special skills, female newborn. The abandoned infant conjectured. and competence. The Commission recognitions and extraordinary was found wrapped in a pink plastic Section 219 of PCB 2004 states shall comprise the following performance of the public servants with the placenta and umbilical cord that a defendant shall be guilty of the members, Dasho Penjore, Governor, in additionto regular enhancement still attached. offense of abandonment of a dead Royal Monetary Authority as the of benefits. In addition, the forensic report infant if the defendant leaves a dead Chairperson, and the other members The Fourth Pay Commission also stated that no external injury was corpse of an infant in any place or are Dasho Karma Yezer Raydi, Chief will examine and recommend the established. The report also confirmed manner other than required by the Executive Officer of Druk Holding government onsalary, allowances, that it was home delivery. The body of practice of disposal of such corpse. and Investment, Kesang Deki, benefits, and other emoluments for the infant was kept in the mortuary Likewise, section 220 of PCB 2004 Commissioner, Royal Civil Service civil servants and other relevant since then. However, since they could states that the offense of abandonment Commission, Dungtu Dukpa, CEO, public servants. The Commission not trace the mother of the infant, they of a dead infant shall be a petty National Pension and Provident Fund, which will function autonomously handed over the body to the Thromde misdemeanor. Sangay Dorji, Secretary General, will submit its recommendations for proper disposal on January 10, 2019. Police said that they are working Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and to the Lhengye Zhungtshog for Police said that they were not able towards determining the mother of the Industry, Tshering Dorji, Registrar approval by the Parliament. to establish if it was a stillbirth or abandoned infant, police said.

page 10 12-01-2019 Nation

cont. from pg 01 Ex-PM’s Key-note address at Oxford focuses on Monarchy, Sovereignty, Culture, Democracy, Environment, GNH and welfare that the poor, the landless and Dasho expounded on GNH to the development of the to serve her family. That’s why Dasho said that it is the destitute can approach the and its implementation and Sustainable Development family inheritance traditionally expensive and almost 30% King for intervention and help. said, “His Majesty the King has Goals,” said Dasho. passed from mother to of the government’s budget To create easier access for the paraphrased GNH as simply “All this has made many daughter,” said Dasho. each year is set aside for social people, His Majesty travels “development with values” and visitors to Bhutan wonder if Dasho said that any people programs including healthcare throughout the country. He commanded that GNH must GNH is influenced by Buddhist think that the Bhutanese are a and education. has personally visited almost be “our National Conscience values. In some ways it must homogenous people since there “But the returns are also every village, in every nook and guiding us towards making be so, as Bhutan has been are barely 700,000 Bhutanese phenomenal. In the last 30 cranny of the country, making wise decisions for a better a predominantly Buddhist but this couldn’t be further years, life expectancy increased him the most widely travelled future.” society for an uninterrupted from the truth as Bhutan has from 45 years to 70, while person in Bhutan.” He said the Center for 1500 years.” 19 separate languages. infant mortality rates have Dasho said that most Bhutan Studies has identified plummeted from 140 per 1000 importantly, Bhutan’s Kings nine domains as the conditions Vajrayana Environment live births to just 15. have single handedly secured that influence the happiness Dasho said that Bhutan is Apart from the forest cover, Literacy which was under Bhutan’s sovereignty. and wellbeing of people. one of only four countries in constitutional protections and 50% has increased to 72%, “The first three domains the world that has Buddhism Bhutan being the only country and youth literacy is now Sovereignty are straightforward. Living as a state religion and Bhutan world that is carbon neutral, at an impressive 93%. And Dasho said that Bhutan still standard, health and is the only and last surviving Dasho said Bhutan has great importantly, the proportion remained sovereign despite education. The importance independent Vajrayana bio-diversity in its forests with of the poor reduced from being surrounded by bigger of these have been widely Buddhist Kingdom today. 5600 vascular plant species. 31% to 8% in just 15 years. and more densely populated accepted by all governments “But in Bhutan, Vajrayana “Bhutan has more than 200 Multidimensional poverty neighbors. for quite some time now. is thriving. We have more species of mammals. To put this is even lower at 5.8%,” said “It’s not that foreign powers The next two domains have monks than soldiers, and in perspective, all of Europe Dasho. didn’t try to colonize Bhutan. also started gaining currency many of them – the monks, has just 219 mammal species. “Our GDP is barely 2 billion The Tibetans invaded Bhutan among governments. They are that is – spend years in solitary 27 of Bhutan’s mammals are pounds! But there too we’ve no less than 17 times. And environment and governance,” meditation,” said Dasho. globally threatened. These made considerable progress: after lasting peace was secured said Dasho. “For a population of include the rare Bengal Tiger 30 years ago our per capita with our Tibetan neighbor, we “The final four domains, 700,000 people we have about and the shy Red Panda. 770 GDP was only $155; today had to fight the British. First however, are still at the 2,500 monasteries. What’s bird species have been recorded it has increased manifold to in 1772 with the British East cutting edge of government more, we have 10,000 chortens in Bhutan. All of Europe has $3500 making Bhutan eligible India Company, and then in development policy. These are or stupas,” said Dasho. 700 bird species. Plus, we have to graduate from the Least 1865 with the British Empire,” psychological wellbeing, time Dasho said that that about 900 species of butterfly. Developed Countries category,” said Dasho. use, cultural resilience and Vajrayana is so pervasive in Europe has just 482 species. said Dasho. “Added to that, Bhutan community vitality.” Bhutan that it has not just What’s more, every year we had to deal with threats from He said the Center for influenced Bhutan’s unique hear of more species of birds, Democracy missionaries, immigrants and Bhutan Studies conducts culture but it has defined it. butterfly and insects being Dasho said that though political interference. But we extensive GNH surveys discovered in Bhutan.” multiparty parliamentary succeeded in persevering as an periodically to establish Culture Dasho said that human democracy was introduced in independent country.” where we stand as a nation “Our culture is unique. You activity in protected areas is Bhutan in 2008 the democratic Dasho said that Bhutan’s in GNH terms. The results of can tell by the way we dress. strictly monitored to the extent process has already taken firm Kings did not fail to lead their these surveys are used by the You can also tell that our that mountain climbing is root, with citizens being fully troops personally in battle be government when formulating culture is different from the strictly forbidden in Bhutan. aware of the power of their it in 1865, when Deb Jigme national policies and plans. way we eat. We eat red rice, “As such we have the tallest franchise. Namgyel, the father of the “GNH – Gross National chew on rock hard cheese, virgin peak in the world: “Having voted for three First King, personally fought Happiness – therefore, is what and add butter and salt to our Gangkar Phuensum which different governments in our the invading British army or defines us as a nation and what tea. And we consume copious stands at 7570 meters has first three elections, one has more recently, in 2003, when guides us as we move forward amounts of chili. To us the chili never been climbed.” to conclude that the Bhutanese His Majesty the Fourth King, as a society. GNH has become is not a spice; to us the chili is “All this is ultimately have already developed a led his small army literally Bhutan’s brand image. That our principle vegetable,” said because of the visionary thorough understanding of from the front - to dislodge image is so influential that Dasho. leadership of our Kings. They democracy. Whether my party Indian militants from Bhutan’s many people are convinced “Similarly, the way we sing are the true champions of the wins or not, and whether southern jungles. that the Bhutanese are the and dance is also different. But environment,” said Dasho. I’m happy with the outcome “So the single reason happiest people in the world. what’s truly unique is archery, of the elections or not is Bhutan is a sovereign country We are not. But we do take our national sport. It is a Welfare inconsequential. What is of is the extraordinary leadership happiness seriously, and we celebration of our martial past, Dasho said that a little consequence is that, through exercised by our Kings,” said are trying hard,” said Dasho. our love for song and dance, known fact about Bhutan the democratic process, our Dasho. Dasho said that the holistic and our belief in rituals and is that Bhutan is a fully people win,” said Dasho. approach to governance and ceremony.” functioning welfare state. He Dasho said that His Majesty GNH development has caught “What I like the most about said education and healthcare the King did not just introduce “But what’s the point of a the attention of several our culture is our women. Or are free, and all citizens have democracy in Bhutan, he sovereign nation if people are international thought leaders rather that they have a special recourse to compensation in imposed it. “But His Majesty not happy. That’s why our Kings and public policy experts who place in our society. Women do times of disaster, deprivation went further – he educated have given us, and the world, are attempting to advance the not take their husband’s name and destitution. and trained all his people Gross National Happiness, a ideals of GNH in their own or wear their wedding band “This is why, in a recent in the democratic process. pioneering vision that aims constituencies. when they marry. Forget about survey, our people indicated And most importantly, His to improve the wellbeing and “GNH has also been taking the husband’s name, in that their biggest expense for happiness of our people,” said deliberated in the United Bhutan, a man is expected to healthcare was conducting Dasho. Nations, and contributed move into his wife’s home and religious rituals.” cont. 0n pg 11 nation 12-01-2019 page 11

cont. from pg 11 Ex-PM’s Key-note address at Oxford focuses on Monarchy, Sovereignty, Culture, Democracy, Environment, GNH and welfare

Majesty the King designed our faithful to the ideals of Gross economic implications? better services in education, jobs for the young is another. democracy to suit our unique National Happiness.” And why are such policies health care, roads, and And as we graduate from the needs, ensuring that it is fit- Dasho then gave some absolutely impossible in many electricity feel like,” added Least Developed Countries for-purpose to serve country suggestions on how the areas other countries,” asked Dasho. Dasho. category and donor presence and people,” said Dasho. mentioned by him intersect “Next, studying change “Last and perhaps most changes, we need to re-adjust “So our democracy is not with Bhutan Studies. is vital: How are the rich importantly, research for policy our economic patterns – but an end in itself, it is the means “First, focusing on each, traditional cultural and is also needed to address some how do we do that?” to protect our sovereignty, to it is interesting to study and language groups navigating of the challenges that Bhutan He said coming to Gross nurture our unique culture, understand each of these the entry of cell phones and faces – climate change is a National Happiness, Bhutan to preserve our pristine qualities well. For example, globalization? We know from prime example. has learnt that it does not need environment, to strengthen why is it that visionary our statistics bureau that in But there are other to necessarily follow the policy our welfare system, and to environmental policies are the five years between 2012 challenges too: rapid and models of other countries. ensure that political leaders politically feasible in Bhutan and 2017, multidimensional unplanned urbanization is In some areas Bhutan can and decision makers remain even if they have serious poverty halved. But what do a big one; creating desirable innovate and can lead.

Quality of education and Preventive, curative and skills to given a priority rehabilitative healthcare Tshering Delma/ Thimphu Bhutanese students have performed services for everyone in at par with top PISA-D countries hile a commendable progress but significantly below Organization Whas been made in education for Economic Co-operation and the 12th plan system over the years and is very Development (OECD) average.” close to achieving universal primary ‘Quality of education and skills Tshering Delma/ Thimphu efficient management, tracking and education in a current scenario, the improved’ is one of the seventeen follow-up. main question, however, has always national key results areas (NKRA) nhancing a healthy and caring Considering the exorbitant cost been on the quality of education and of the 12th plan, aimed at achieving Esociety will be the priority of in treating a patient with non- training in country. excellence in student learning outcomes the health ministry in the 12th five- communicable disease (NCD) and Numerous studies highlighted comparable to leading international year plan. The health sector plans high rate of NCDs, the health ministry the shortcomings in both learning standards while also reflecting the to work towards creating a healthier has identified the case as one of the outcomes and skills. “While accessibility country’s rich culture and traditions. nation by taking free, equitable and key challenges that need to be tackled has improved significantly, various Bringing the quality education quality healthcare to everyone which in the 12th plan. studies have pointed out the need to and skills development refers to early includes preventive, curative and Communicable disease on other urgently address issues around the childhood care and development rehabilitative services. hand is also seen as a major concern quality of education”, states the 12th (ECCD), general education, technical The key result areas also include in the health sector due to the fact plan report. and vocational education, tertiary care needs for vulnerable groups that the prevalence of Multi-Drug The report pointed out that in a education, and non-formal and such as senior citizens, child monks, Resistant (MDR) TB and HIV-TB co- diagnostic standardized test conducted continuing education. and nuns, persons with disabilities infection is increasing while the cross in 2008, it was found that a student Some of the strategies outlined in and youth in conflict with law to border transmission is still an issue. learning outcomes were below the the 12th five year plan to address the provide targeted care services. Sustaining healthcare and minimum expectations of their grade challenges and achieve the key result Some of the main challenges financing in the coming years with levels and are unable to perform basic area have been identified in trying to remain in the changing disease gradual phasing out of external numeracy and literacy tasks. “Majority create pathways between mainstream patterns- the onset of a triple burden support is seen as a challenge in of students were unable to understand and vocational education, revamping of diseases and the escalating cost of the future while the issue with core concepts and apply knowledge to technical and vocational education delivering health care. malnutrition and retaining good real-life situations across grades and and strengthening value education are Taking specialized healthcare doctors and specialists is seen as subjects.” alsosome of the identified strategies. services to the needy, upgrading another main challenge. Similarly, the report says that the Some major programs highlighted skills of health workers and ensuring Five programs which are findings by the education ministry in the 12th plan to achieve the key result adequate deployment, promoting outlined in the 12th plan book to be showed that children could not master area includes quality and inclusive Bhutan as a center of excellence for implemented by Ministry of Health the curriculum within the prescribed education improvement through indigenous medicine in the region (MoH) are programs on governance, time, resulting in high primary school consolidation and decentralized system, and curbing non-communicable health workforce and financing which grade repetition. enhancing teacher development and diseases are identified as a strategy are aimed to develop healthcare As per the Programme for support and improving equity and to overcome the ongoing challenges workforce both in numbers, skills International Student Assessment quality of tertiary education. and achieve the priority of the 12th development and improving for Development (PISA -D) Report, Improvement in quality and plan. management efficiency. 2018, it was found that while students relevance of school curriculum and Other strategies also include Improving access to quality in Bhutan in general have higher implementation, enhancing the strengthening tertiary healthcare tertiary healthcare services would be success rates in items requiring lower quality and standard of examination services including referral system, implemented by the national referral cognitive skills, a significant gap exists and assessment systems and enhancing strengthening healthcare services hospital while strengthening medical in performance in more demanding quality and relevance of school and facilities at dzongkhag and products and regulatory services to be tasks. education are also some of the major gewog level and automating and implemented by the drug regulatory “Overall, it was concluded that that programs in the 12th five year plan. digitalizing patient information for authority. page 12 12-01-2019 Nation Population projected to reach only 883,866 persons by 2047

Damchoe Pem/ Thimphu said that they also have used In addition, the mortality is not good news for Bhutan. sharp decline in the fertility other nationally representative rate is expected to fall but due He said, “Bhutan’s population rates, the number of babies yonchhen (Dr) Lotay household surveys to study to the aging population, the in 2040 will touch 8 and a half born annually is going to LTshering launched the the past demographic trends crude death rate is going to lakhs, way below 1 mn. But decrease and subsequently, the report on Bhutan’s Population and to extrapolate the future maintain at around the same what I fail to understand is population in the school going Projections (2017-2047) on demographic trajectories. level as in 2017 with a marginal that the growth rate now is 1.9 age would decline gradually Friday in the capital. The report projected that increase to about 8 deaths per and it is expected to fall to 1.7. calling for a policy shift in the Chhime Tshering, the population of Bhutan 1000 population by 2047. It scares me because we know education system. the Director of National will continue to grow but at a With the aging of the that at least there should be Likewise, with aging Statistical Bureau (NSB) said slower pace. population, the age structure 2.2 to 2.3 fertility rate in order population, the median age that population projection The population is projected of the population is projected to replace, but of course, it is projected to increase to is the computation of future to reach 883,866 persons by to change notably over time. depends upon the mortality 40 years by 2047 from 26.9 population based on current 2047, staying below the one The share of the population rate and health care services.” in 2017 (meaning half of population size, assumptions million mark. in the ages 0-14 years will fall “If we put the right formula the population in Bhutan is on future trends in fertility, Bhutan has been considerably from 26 percent in the right place, we can going to be above 40 years mortality, and migration, experiencing steep fertility to 17 percent, and that of ages derive better revenue from and the other half younger), combined with past trends and decline in the recent past and 65+ years will increase from 6 demographic dividends, which would mean increased experts. it is expected to remain below percent to 13 percent during more than the hydropower,” Non-Communicable and He said, “It is one of the main the replacement level of 2.1 the projection period. Lyonchhen reassured. degenerative diseases, giving statistical data that provides an (number of children per woman The urbanization in The projection report also more pressure on health and estimate of future population, during her entire reproductive Bhutan is happening at a reveals that about 30 percent of other social services. which is critical for planning age) in the foreseeable future. moderate pace and by 2047- the total population will reside The report was published and policy formulation. It can Due to the declining fertility it is projected that more than in Thimphu Dzongkhag by by the National Statistics alert policymakers to major rates, the birth rate will half of the total population 2047 and no other Dzongkhags Bureau (NSB) with technical demographic trends and decline substantially to 11 (56.8%) will reside in urban will have a population more and financial assistance from assist in coming up with policy births per 1000 population areas. The population growth than 100,000 persons although the UNFPA. The report is interventions for sustained and the annual growth rate is not expected to be uniform some Dzongkhags could have a prepared at two different socio-economic growth.” will fall from 0.99 percent in across all Dzongkhags. population exceeding 50,000 levels: “National level” and PHCB 2017 is the primary 2017 to 0.27 percent in 2047, Meanwhile, Lyonchhen Dr. persons. “Sub-National (Dzongkhag) source of data; however, he according to the report. Lotay Tshering said that this On the contrary, due to the level”.

Low occupancy in Motanga Industrial Park questioned Sonam Yangdon/ Thimphu just two factories in the area,” operation were existent even industry. The land allotment other zones vacant, it would questioned MP Ugyen Dorji. before Motanga has been orders to these promoters be wise if the government uring the Friday question Motanga Industrial Park is identified as an industrial park. have been issued and some can allot the space to those Dhour in the parliament, in located in Samdrupjongkhar He said that as per the have already obtained their prospects who wish to establish member from Dewathang with an area of 156 acres. master plan of Motanga industry licenses, while some mineral and chemical industry. Gomdar questioned the It is the only park that is Industrial Park, the area are in the process of seeking Lyonpo Loknath responded minister of economic affairs, fully funded by Bhutanese is divided into three zones environmental clearances,” that if the government allots lyonpo on the government. During the 11th of industries- mineral and said lyonpo Loknath Sharma- the vacant spaces near food low occupancy of the industrial FYP, a total budget of Nu 100 chemical based, forest and construing that the grievances and agro based industries for parks. mn was allotted for the park. wood based, and food and submitted by some of the establishment of chemical “The DPT government To this, the economic agro based. However, the prospects over land allotment and mineral based industry, it identified and developed minister responded that food and agro based industry might be in regard to the might violate the food safety a number of industrial industrial development has zone is further divided into allotment for mineral and standard which is hazardous. areas in east, south and been critical in diversification two zones- food and agro chemical industry which has “However, we will explore central Bhutan and all of the economy, job creation, based and services and other already been occupied. other possible measures and political parties promised to export enhancement industries. The reason for The economic minister, carry out a study.” promote balanced regional and revenue generation. creating additional zone is to however, said that since The country’s four development. However, due “Therefore, efforts are made allow services industries and some of the prospects who’ve upcoming major industrial to minimal interest from to develop industries in a other industries which are not been allotted the space on parks- Jigmeling Industrial entrepreneurs, these industrial cluster approach in order to accommodated in the other provisional period are still Park in Sarpang, Dhamdum areas remained largely unused derive the benefits from the three zones. seeking necessary clearances Industrial Park in Samtse, and unoccupied, but on the close geographical proximity “As per the master plan, and project approvals from Motanga Industrial Park other hand it has been learnt amongst industries based on a total area of 27.11 acres relevant agencies, and failure in Samdrupjongkhar, and that recent enquiry to set up establishing value chains and has been earmarked for to which will result in the Bondeyma Industrial Park in an industry at Motanga was the government will work to mineral and chemical based termination of the space Monggar are all expected to met with the answer that the operationalize all the four industry and currently, the allotment, there might still be be complete within the 12th area fully occupied. So, if the industrial parks.” whole area has been allotted opportunity for those who’re FYP, whereby the investors minister could clarify as to Lyonpo Loknath Sharma to 14 promoters, which is interested. will develop and invest in how and when the area has clarified that the existing the exact space earmarked When another member business ventures once the plot been filled up when there are two industries which are in for mineral and chemical raised that instead of keeping allocations are made.

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