Visit: Kamji Middle Secondary School (KMSS) will be the second central school in Chukha dzongkhag with the school scheduled to start as a central school from the 2016 academic session.

Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay announced this yesterday while meeting the people of Geling gewog where he encouraged the crowd of about 100 people to take the opportunity of the school.

“Geling gewog is not developed like other gewogs in Chukha,” the Prime Minister said, explaining it was due to this very reason that KMSS was identified as a central school. The other central school is the Pakshingkha Central School.

A budget of Nu 52M has been allocated for structural development at Kamji Central School (KCS). Lyonchoen said the government’s responsibility was to ensure the central school had enough teachers, finance for all structural developments, and other facilities.

“Your responsibility is to take this opportunity,” he said.

KMSS today has 918 students and 28 teachers. The current teacher-student ratio in KMSS is 1:32, which is higher than that in Darla Middle Secondary School (DMSS) and PCS. Teacher-student ratios in these two schools are 1:21 and 1:24.

Starting next year, a border student would receive central school facility worth Nu 52,000 annually, while the government would spend about Nu 28,000 per day scholar student annually.

Lyonchoen also expressed his appreciation to the Geling people for the record of zero gungtongs (empty households) in the gewog. Dzongkhag statistical records show zero gungtongs in Geling from 165 households.

“This is very good,” Lyonchoen said, advising the locals to maintain the positive record.

Bongo gewog has 20 gungtongs, while Darla has nine.

He also informed the people that roads and bridges were important aspects that would encourage upholding zero gungtongs and that the government would ensure such infrastructure in the remaining two years of the Plan period.

The gewog is today without a Gewog Connectivity (GC) road. However, the GC road has been proposed to start from the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway bypass at Bunagu, which will end at Chanachen gewog centre.

Home minister Dawa Gyaltshen and Chukha dzongdag accompanied Lyonchoen during the visit to the gewogs.

Rajesh Rai, Kamji

Forex: The country’s rupee reserve has more than doubled in three months – from Nu 9.7 billion (B) in July to Nu 20.4 B as of September this year.

The rupee reserve held with the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) has increased from Rs 9.1B in July to Rs 18.2B in September.  Like wise the reserves held with commercial banks have also increased.

Rupee with Bank of Bhutan’s (BoB) has increased from Rs 304 million (M) to Rs 1.2B during the same period. Bhutan National Banks’s rupee position has improved from Rs 29.4M to Rs 391.5M. T-bank’s reserve increased from Rs 68.7M to Rs 79.7M, and DPNB’s share swelled from Rs 216M to Rs 507.9M between July and September this year.

RMA’s director for foreign exchange and reserve management, Karma Rinzin said that the increase in country’s gross international reserves, including the rupee, from USD 932.4M to USD 1.14B could be attributed to inflow of grants and aid.

This was because whatever foreign currency the country received, be it rupee or USD, in form of grant, loan or hydropower earning, it is held with the central bank as reserve. However, equivalent amount of ngultrum was released for the particular activity.

But sources said that certain portion of convertible currency or USD the country receives in aid or grant today are straight away sold to buy rupee, reducing the rupee burden.

The standalone convertible currency reserves with the country also increased from USD 780M to USD 833M between July and September this year. Most of the hard currency reserve is from revenue the tourism sector earned.

“As of now, we are comfortable with the rupee position,” Karma Rinzin said adding rupees are made available to Bhutanese all the time.

With regard to the informal exchange rate taking place along the border, he said the central bank couldn’t exercise its regulations across the borders.

The new governor Dasho Penjore, in a recent interview said that should the country’s improved rupee position continue, exchange counters would be established at the border points to curb the informal exchange of the two currencies.

Today people buying goods from Jaigoan  pay between 15 to 20 percent more if the payment is made in ngultrum. There were also instances where people withdrew rupees from ATM machines in Jaigoan and sold it for higher rates.

Meanwhile, the country’s rupee reserve is enough to cover almost five months of merchandise imports, while convertible currency covers almost five years of merchandise import.

The Constitution mandates a reserve that covers 12 months of essential imports.

Tshering Dorji

APA: Meat production in Trashigang has been declining by the year.

Production of beef dropped to 24MT in 2014 from 32MT in 2013. Production stood at 65MT in 2012. Similarly, production of pork dropped to 10MT in 2014 from 13MT in 2013.

For 2014-2015, the dzongkhag livestock office has set its Annual Performance Agreement (APA) target to produce 8.6MT of pork. Trashigang doesn’t produce chicken or fish.

Pork is produced only in the five gewogs of Lumang, Kangpara, Udzorong, Yangnyer and Khaling.

Apart from limited production of beef for self-consumption in livestock dependent gewogs like Merak and Sakteng, the meat is hardly produced in the dzongkhag today. The ban on slaughtering of animals imposed by the dzongkhag tshogdu in 2007 has drastically curbed beef production.

Dzongkhag livestock officer (DLO) NS Tamang said that despite the office encouraging farmers to take up meat production, religious sentiments and social stigma attached with slaughtering of animals has impeded any progress.

“We do provide financial assistance and technical support for those interested yet only few come forward with proposals,” he said. “Thus, we are focusing more on dairy and poultry farming in the dzongkhag.”

Even if farmers are interested, clearance from the community is one major factor that kills any such proposals from passing through.

“Self sufficiency in meat is a far fetched dream for Trashigang. Should production increase, it would also mean the quality of meat could be controlled but this is not happening anytime soon,” the DLO said.

However, change has started to set in but at a slow pace. This year, two semi-commercial piggery farms have come up at Bidung and Kanglung. Although small, the setting up of these farms could mean farmers are slowly opening up to the idea of meat production, livestock officials said.

Two small fisheries at Kangpara and Thrimshing and a large fishery at Lungtenzampa that spans over 100 acres are being established as well.

“But the possibilities of farmers willing to set up broiler farms is almost nil. It could take a very long time before Trashigang becomes self sufficient in meat,” the DLO said adding that during festivals, a truckload of meat gets sold in a day.

Tshering Wangdi, Trashigang

Health officials say they do not know why the number of cases shot up by 10 folds in the last two years 

Health: With at least two persons infected with the mumps virus every day in the last 11 months, mumps remains the most infectious disease reported in schools across the country this year.

In the last four months alone, a total of 445 cases were reported up from 299 cases reported between January and August this year. The figure, health officials say, is alarming compared to the outbreaks in the previous years but they admitted they do not know why the number has escalated.

Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection with an incubation period of 14-18 days from exposure to onset of symptoms. The virus usually spreads through saliva affecting the parotid salivary glands. These glands are found toward the back of each cheek, in the area between the ear and jaw. In cases of mumps, these glands typically swell and become painful.

The number of outbreaks reported fluctuated each year since 2010. The least number of outbreaks was reported in 2013 at 20, which increased by more than ten folds to 206 last year.

While health officials said the absence of a vaccine could be one of the reasons, there is no diagnosis on what could have caused the cases to shoot. Between 2010 and 2012, a total of 678 outbreaks were reported.

Safe for symptomatic treatment where infected people are given oral medicines and care advises, no vaccines are available in the country to treat the infection unlike in other neighbouring countries.

However, the number of mumps outbreak could decline beginning next year should all go as planned and the health ministry’s plan to introduce MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccines come through.

Programme officer of the vaccine preventable disease programme, Tshewang Tamang said this new vaccine currently used by other WHO member countries would replace the current MR (Measles Rubella) vaccine. However the cost of replacing the vaccine will more than double.

Annually Nu 3.8M (Nu 32 per dose) is spent on buying MR vaccines. The health ministry estimates that the annual cost will increase to Nu 6.65M in buying MMR vaccines, he said.

The Japan Committee for Vaccine through UNICEF that funds the vaccines’ purchase is positive about funding the increased costs.

“Although there is no mortality due to mumps infection, the increasing cases is a cause of concern,” he said. “Complications are less and most outbreaks occur in crowded areas such as schools.”

Meanwhile, after no outbreak was reported for the last two years, the health ministry saw six measles cases this year. The latest outbreak was reported in Phuentsholing hospital on December 7.

Tshewang Tamang said although Bhutan is on its way towards eliminating measles a year or two year before the WHO target, few outbreaks are expected.

“We’re sustaining a high immunization coverage so no major outbreaks are reported,” Tshewang Tamang said. “Those few cases are reported in people who travel across the border.”

Beginning August this year, the Department of Public Health launched the National Early Warning, Alert and Response Surveillance System (NEWARS). Since then the system receives information either via Short Message Services (SMS) or online, from health centres across the country on possible diseases outbreaks.

The information is then investigated and verified by officials at the Public Health Laboratory (PHL) in Thimphu.

Records with NEWARS show that there were 115 chickenpox outbreaks in the last four months.

Nirmala Pokhrel

The commission however maintains that there is no need to amend the Election Act 

LG: With the completion of the functional literacy test (FLT) in the three thromdes of Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Gelephu earlier this month, there are now 5,165 perspective candidates across the country for the upcoming local government elections.

Lack of candidates with FLT certificates has been one of the issues in local government elections. However, the number of eligible candidates is likely to increase when the election commission holds fresh rounds of FLT across the country in the coming months.

Chief Election Commissioner Chogyal Dago Rigdzin said the centres for conducting FLT would be taken to gewog centres to make it easier for people to sit for the test. “We will try to take the test centers from Dzongkhag to Gewogs to make it more accessible,” he said.

Twelve persons sat for the FLT on December 7 in the three thromdes, and 11 of them passed the exams. The one who failed was from Phuentsholing thromde.

In Thimphu, a lone candidate sat for the FLT. Five persons in Sarpang and six in Chukha appeared the test.

However, candidates who already possess the certificates do not have to sit for the test again. Once an individual obtains a certificate for functional literacy test, the commission accepts these certificates for subsequent bye-elections or LG elections.

The election commission however did not reveal the poll dates. Chogyal Dago Rigdzin said the date for polls would be announced soon as the tenure of these thromdes concludes in early 2016.

“We are ready for the conduct of thromde elections in a free and fair manner,” he said.

According to electoral rules, announcement and notification regarding the poll dates will be issued not later than 90 days before their tenure ends. The local government would be reconstituted on the date their term expires as per electoral laws.

The election commission plans to hold elections for thrompons and thromde thuemi simultaneously. “A major change from the first thromde elections will be the election of thromde thuemi at the same time as the elections for thrompons and thromde tshogpas,” he said.

He said the local government machinery would continue functioning even during the election period, but elected members who wish to re-contest should relinquish office. “If incumbent elected officials wish to contest then they must have demitted their office to participate in the nomination process,” he said.

This is to ensure a level-playing field, which the election commission believes is vital to free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, the chief election commissioner maintained there was no need to amend the election Act and that issues, if any could be solved by amending the rules and procedures. The National Council recently passed a resolution to amend the Election Act 2008.

“We respect the concerns raised by any and all tsugdes  (institutions) of democracy,” he said. “We found that most issues raised are genuine but can be addressed through adopting or amending rules and regulations without the need for an amendment of the Act,” he said.

In particular, he said the election commission is confident that all stakeholders will strive to strengthen democracy in line with the provisions of the Tsathrim Chenmo, of which the Election Act is an embodiment under which series of Parliamentary elections and Local Government elections were conducted.

MB Subba

Ranking: Bhutan’s ranking in human development index is up by four places at 132 out of 187 countries, according to the human development report, 2015, which was released on December 15.

The human development index (HDI) value for Bhutan is 0.605, which places the country in the medium development category along with India and Bangladesh from South Asia and 39 other countries.

Annually the index has grown at 1.39 percent.  From 0.573 in 2010, Bhutan’s HDI value has moved to 0.582 in 2011 to 0.589 in 2012 and 0.595 in 2013.

The UNDP’s HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development – a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living.

A long and healthy life is measured by life expectancy, while access to knowledge is measured by mean years of schooling for the adult population, which is the average number of years of education received in a lifetime by people aged 25 years and older.  Standard of living is measured by gross national income (GNI) per capita, using purchasing power parity (PPP) rates.

According to the report, life expectancy at birth for Bhutan is 69.5 years, expected year of schooling is 12.6 years and the gross national income per capita is USD 7,176.

The report, which is themed ‘work for human development’ also ranks Bhutan 97th in gender inequality index, which is a measure of inequality in achievement between women and men in reproductive health, empowerment and the labor market.

While the percentage of male and female with at least some secondary education is almost equal, men’s participation in labour force is 10.5 percent more than women (66.7 percent).

According to a press release for the Asia and the Pacific region, transferable and higher skills needed to secure human development progress in Asia and the Pacific region. The region may have been experiencing fast growth and rapid human development, but not necessarily fast job creation.

“The availability and quality of work is key for human development in Asia and the Pacific, a region that is home to two-thirds of the world’s working-age population,” said the Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau, Haoliang Xu. “In order to ensure that the work-force is capable of adapting to rapidly changing demands, the governments need to make strategic investments into education and health care.”

Bhutan’s population annually has grown at a rate of 1.6 percent between 2010 and 2015, which is 1.2 percent less than the growth between 2000 and 2005.

Nirmala Pokhrel

Fifty-four-year old Tshechula knew something good could happen on the National Day yesterday.  Like most Bhutanese, he did believe in dreams and he had dreamt of climbing uphill carrying something.

However, he never thought the load would be the huge Mitsubishi tractor worth more than Nu 640,000. The father of four had won the first prize in a lucky draw.

The moment was even more precious for him because he had spent the last decade guarding the Agriculture Machinery Centre in Paro, which houses such machineries.

As a security guard, he has only watched over the machines and observed others operating it.

Tshechula, a former solider doesn’t know how to ride it but he said, he and his only son who turned 14 recently are going to learn to drive the tractor.

“This is a priceless gift from the King so we’re not going to sell it,” he said.

Winning the tractor has also made the family to decide to return to his village in Kheng, Mongar. His family owns two and a half langdo land in the village.

“There is only about two years for my retirement and we wish to take it home and work on our farm,” he said.

Tshechula is keen to go home but won’t miss the national day celebrations. “Of course, we’ll attend the next national day celebrations, like we do every year,” the father of four said.

His Majesty The King, through a lucky draw, granted two tractors, including a Kubota make from Japan, a Yenmar power tiller, two rice mills with accessories, a mobile phone and a jersey cow to the winners.

Tshering Palden

In recognition of their distinguished and meritorious service to the nation, His Majesty The King awarded the Lifetime Service Award to 45 retired civil servants, who have served in the civil service between 1985 and 2011.

“I congratulate the 45 retired civil servants who have received the lifetime civil service award this year,” His Majesty The King said.

His Majesty the King said the medals to recognize civil servants were initiated in 2013 and civil servants have received recognition for having completed 10, 20, and 30 years of service.

“This award recognizes the importance of our civil servants, and also their services in all the 20 dzongkhags and 205 gewogs of Bhutan,” His Majesty said. “This award is an expression of appreciation to our civil servants, and more importantly, a reminder to the civil servants that they must continue to shoulder their responsibilities impeccably. I am deeply satisfied with this award because it recognizes individuals irrespective of their position in the civil service.  There are many other civil servants who have received the medals for 10, 20, or 30 years of service, and I am pleased to extend my Tashi Delek to them as well.”

In recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in the field of education, His Majesty The King awarded 50 educators with the National Order of Merit yesterday.

The National Order of Merit, Gold was awarded to six educators from the Ministry of Education, Royal University of Bhutan, and the Royal Institute of Management, in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in the field of education for excellence in leadership and management.

Twenty-two teachers were awarded the National Order of Merit, Silver, in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in the field of education for excellence in teaching.

The National Order of Merit, Bronze, was awarded to 22 teachers in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in the field of education for their dedicated long tenure and service in remote and difficult areas.

Educators have been repeatedly recognized during every National Day celebrations– this reflects the immense importance we attach to the future of our country, His Majesty The King said.

“We cannot afford to be complacent because Bhutan enjoys peace and happiness today, but instead work with a concerted effort to consolidate the future of our country. This future will be determined by the capabilities of our youth. Our national priority is to nurture our youth, and ensure that they receive an education that will enable them to build an even better future for Bhutan,” His Majesty said. “For this reason, teachers will continue to receive the encouragement to keep working hard, to adequately prepare the future generations to shoulder their future responsibilities.”

Harald N Nestroy

In recognition of his services to Bhutan, His Majesty The King awarded the Executive Chairman of Pro Bhutan, Germany and Bhutan’s longstanding friend, Harald N Nestroy the National Order of Merit, Gold.

Harald Nestroy, 77, is a retired German diplomat, who has been a longstanding friend of Bhutan since 1987. Pro Bhutan, Germany has assisted Bhutan in constructing health and education infrastructure and traditional structures, such as the Punakha Hospital, school for hearing-impaired students in Drugyel, and the Punakha Bazam.

Dr Sanduk Ruit 

In recognition of his services to Bhutan that has helped restored the sight of hundreds of Bhutanese, His Majesty The King awarded Dr Sanduk Ruit a National Order of Merit, Gold.

Dr Sanduk Ruit’s innovation in cataract surgery has enabled thousands of people across the world re-gain their eyesight. An internationally renowned eye-surgeon from Nepal, Dr Ruit has conducted modern cataract surgery and training in various parts of Bhutan since 2000, and has restored sight to hundreds of patients. Dr Ruit has also assisted in bringing HPV vaccines, which help prevent cervical cancer, for young girls in Bhutan.

“It’s great to work in a country like Bhutan with wonderful people, good government and Kings,” he said calling the moment one of honour and privilege. “I’m privileged that I’ve been invited here more than 15 years ago to work.”

Lama Zhenphen Zangpo

A Buddhist monk from Wales, Lama Zhenphen Zangpo was awarded the National Order of Merit, Gold, in recognition for his contributions for the past seven years in mentoring Bhutanese youth and helping substance abusers make positive changes in their lives.

The 58-year old has counselled many youth, helped them enter rehabilitation programmes, and later find employment.

“It is a great honour to meet His Majesty and to be awarded this award but personally I don’t think I deserve it,” Lam Zhenphen said. “I don’t know if I’m doing any work, I just like hanging out with the addicts and I’ll continue to do that.”

Tshering Palden

As a Buddhist country, we have many sacred sites in Bhutan, which are part of our valuable cultural heritage, His Majesty The King said yesterday while recognizing the works of the country’s craftsmen during the National Day celebrations in Paro.

“Many choetens that were built for the wellbeing of the country and its people over the generations have fallen into disrepair. Of the 2,836 chortens, restoration works on 1,607 have been completed, and 1,229 are on going,” His Majesty said. “In these works, the zorig crafts are invaluable– they represent our history, and are part of our cultural heritage, which must be handed over intact to the future generations.”

The recipients of the National Order of Merit, Gold are:

Lhadrip Sonam Dorji

Lhadrip Sonam Dorji, 60, from Trongsa learnt painting as a novice monk in Trongsa dratshang.

His paintings can be seen at iconic national monuments such as Punakha dzong, Talo lhakhang, Sangchekhor lhakhang, and Taktshang monastery, among others.

“Those days we have to go to lhakhangs and monasteries carrying things on our backs. The young generations are fortunate because there are roads everywhere and they are paid allowances as well,” he said. “Those days we didn’t make any such claims and the authorities also didn’t mention any.”

After 35 years of service, I am not as productive as before but my commitment is no less, he said.

“I would like to contribute my services in remote places where there is shortage of skilled people,” he said. “I had the privilege of receiving few awards for the number of years I served but nothing beats this award from His Majesty The King recognising the importance of zorig chusum.”

Zopoen Rinchen

Zopoen Rinchen, 60, from Tshekha, Punakha, has worked on Punakha dzong, Paro Taktshang and Paro Dongkala, Phajoding, and Dochula Choeten, among others. He also contributed in the Chadri work during His Majesty’s Coronation in 2008.

Dozop Chado 

His ancestors built the majestic Wangduephodrang dzong, which was destroyed in a fire a few years ago. Now, Dozop Chado from Rinchengang, Wangduephodrang, will return to work in the reconstruction of the dzong.

The 74-year old worked on national monuments such as the Dechencholing Phodrang, Thimphu, Trongsa and Punakha dzong, and Taktshang monastery, among others during his career as a mason for the past 35 years.

“This award motivates me to shaare what I know with others to contribute towards realising our Kings’ aspirations to preserve tradition and culture,” the father of four said. He started work as a mason when he was 14 and retired from service three months ago.

Zopoen Naku

A self-taught carpenter who spearheaded the renovation of Punakha dzong was one of the recipients of the National Order of Merit Gold.

In the last 25-years, the 78-year old from Gumkarmo, Punakha, has worked on national monuments such as the Punakha, Trongsa and Simtokha dzongs and Taktshang, among others.

“Today, there is a lot of change we see in carpentry but we feel there is no substitute for the traditional ways,” he said. “I’d also join the reconstruction of the Wangduephodrang dzong to help them and share my knowledge of the trade, after the honour given to me today.”

Tshering Palden

We come together on December 17 every year. We celebrate the National Day. We celebrate nationhood. The Druk Gyalpo addresses the nation, offers his appreciation to the people and shares his wisdom leaving the people inspired and comforted.

It is also a day when the King honours his people for their contribution to nation building. There is always an element of surprise as anybody from every section of the society can be recognized. Yesterday in Paro, we had civil servants, teachers, members of the clergy, friends of Bhutan and social workers, who were recognized.

The surprise this year, however, was the recognition of a small group of people who have contributed immensely to the country. In appreciating the service of the zopoens, a dozop, and a lhadip, and rewarding them with gold medals, His Majesty recognized a noble profession that many seem to overlook.

The wisdom was profound as this is a profession that is integral to what Bhutan stands for. Our unique culture that we readily boast off will not be what it is without the service of this group of people. The physical artefacts – the majestic dzongs, the intricate lhakhangs, the beautiful choetens of various shapes and sizes – stand tall and give us identity.

Yet our artisans – the painters, the sculptors, the carpenters are wrongly put at the bottom of the social structure. We often forget their contributions because they are not qualified when they are indeed the most qualified people. Someone once said that almost all the noblest things that have been achieved in the world, were achieved by poor men: poor scholars, poor artisans and artists, poor philosophers, poets and men of genius.

These are the people that matter to us. They give shape to our identity, meaning to our culture that is one of the pillars of Gross National Happiness. They have kept alive, for centuries, indigenous skills and crafts that were passed down by our forefathers. All of them haven taken part in building or renovating our national monuments. Recognizing them under the gaze of the Rinpung dzong at the Ugyen Pelri palace ground, His Majesty has reassured us that our age-old tradition and culture will flourish.

His Majesty spoke of the importance of the Zorig Chusum. This is timely as imported ideas and innovations are influencing us to believe that the old and the original is out-dated and unsophisticated. It is important because this is one area that is not receiving attention. Whether through budget allocation or in our grading structure it is not receiving the emphasis it deserves. Those who work for the government are in the lowest rung of the grading structure or position classification system.

Those who were recognized at Paro yesterday are in their twilight years. One of them in an earlier interview with Kuensel said his greatest worry was that his skills may die with him. This is more worrying for us as a nation.

His Majesty The King yesterday recognized four individuals, including a foreigner with the Druk Thuksey medal during the 108th National Day celebrations in Paro

Former Yangpi lopen 

Bosokarp

“I am about to die and never expected this award, but this award made me feel young and rejuvenated again,” former Yangpi lopen Bosokarp said after receiving the Druk Thuksey medal from His Majesty the King.

The 88-yeal old former lopon who has retired to a life of prayers in Phajoding had excelled as a student under Je Thrizur, and has been an exemplary member of the clergy, “a jewel among lamas”.

“This is the most memorable day in my life,” said the former lopon. “Let alone the Thuksey, just a few words would have been enough to make my life,” he said.

Lopen Nyapchi

Lopen Nyapchi joined the Trongsa rabdey at the age of seven. He began serving His Majesty the second Druk Gyalpo at the age of 13 and continued his service with His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo during His Majesty’s Coronation in Paro. He also served Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother assisting Her Majesty in her numerous works in the construction of many lhakhangs across the country.

In recognition of his dedicated and loyal services to four generations of Kings, from the time of the Second King to this day, he was awarded the Druk Thuksey medal.

“Today is definitely my good day as predicted by the astrologers. I could meet both the Kings in person, so my happiness knows no bounds,” the 85-year old said.

Drungtsho Sherab Jorden

Drungtsho Sherab Jorden joined the Kharchu Dratshang at eight, and began studies at the Chakpori Medical Institute at the age of 17. On the command of His Majesty The Third Druk Gyalpo, he set up the first traditional hospital in Bhutan in 1967.

He received commands from His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo to ensure that traditional medicine does not disappear from Bhutan. As a result of his efforts, the Kawangjangsa traditional hospital produced 70 drungtshos and over a 100 menpas in Bhutan.

Recognizing his contributions, His Majesty said the medal was in recognition of his services rendered to three generations of Kings, and the people of Bhutan.

The 80-year old drungtshog, who is the private doctor of his eminence Namkhai Nyingpo, said he was humbled by the award. “I’ve not done anything worth this honour but His Majesty has magnanimously granted me this award” he said.

Dr Arthit Ourairat

Awarding the medal to the president of Rangsit University Dr Arthit Ourairat, His Majesty The King said Dr Ourairat is an exemplary citizen of Thailand and a longstanding friend of Bhutan.

“Over the years, he has made a significant difference in the lives of many Bhutanese, particularly in the fields of education and health,” His Majesty said.

Till date, 84 students have completed their education from Rangsit University and 48 more are pursuing their education through scholarships offered in the University due to his goodwill. He has offered scholarships worth Nu 300 million to 150 Bhutanese students for master and bachelor degrees in Rangsit University.

Speaking to Kuensel, Dr Ourairat, 77, said the award was the most unexpected, but an honour in his life.

“What I have tried to contribute to Bhutan is from my heart. Bhutan is the country that  I would like Thailand to be and that is why I try to contribute,” he said.

“There are two more years of the 10-year agreement and we’d be pleased to do anything His Majesty The King and the government would want us to do.”

Tshering Palden

Recognition: The best was saved for the last.

His Majesty The King conferred the coveted bura marp to the chairperson of Royal Civil Service Commission, Dasho Karma Tshiteem yesterday, making him the sole red scarf recipient at the 108th National Day celebrations in Paro yesterday.

Karma Tshiteem has been serving in the civil service for 26 years, His Majesty The King said and that he had earlier served in the capacity of the Secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission for seven years, during which, he ensured that the plans under the 10th Plan were executed successfully.

“The red scarf is awarded to him with the expectation that he will continue serving in his new role with the same level of dedication,” His Majesty The King said. “The Kabney and Patag have deep symbolism- the kabney represents the compassion of the Buddha,  inspired by whom the wearer serves the people, and the patag represents the strength with which the wearer would protect their nation whenever the need arises.”

Dasho Karma Tshiteem, 50, was appointed as the chairperson of RCSC through a Royal Kasho on March 31 last year.

“I am deeply grateful to His Majesty for this great honour and will always strive to remain worthy of it,” Dasho Karma Tshiteem said. Searching for words between handshakes and pats on the back, he said, “I would also like to share this joy with my family, friends and colleagues, particularly those who I worked with in the GNH commission and now in the Royal Civil Service Commission.”

Dasho Karma Tshiteem began his career in 1989 as an assistant finance officer. He has a Masters degree in Business Administration from Canberra, Australia.

As the chairperson of the RCSC is being recognized today, His Majesty The King said it is an occasion to reflect on the importance of the civil service in nation building.

“We cannot foresee what will be the required strength and responsibilities of the civil service in the future, but today, their greatest duty is to ensure that all the objectives of the 11th Five-Year-Plan are realized,” His Majesty said.

“As a developing country, our people still have many difficulties, and the foundations of our new democratic system need to be strengthened further. In these endeavours, there is still a great deal of work that must be done,” His Majesty said.

The civil service is the strongest in terms of numbers, investment, skills, and experience, His Majesty The King said.

“Therefore, the greatest responsibilities towards nation building fall on the civil servants. They must utilize their approximately 200 workdays a year, as well as our limited resources, judiciously to bring benefit to Bhutan for generations,” His Majesty said. “Our small size means that we can achieve greater efficiency and speed in all our work. The civil servants must work with the greatest cooperation and harmony to achieve the best results. We must pave our own road ahead for a bright future.”

Tshering Palden 

His Majesty celebrates National Day with the people of Paro

Celebration: The whole town is awake and the people are rushing to the celebration ground.

This day’s observation of 108th National Day celebration in Paro is special. And this is happening at a historically significant venue – The Ugyen Pelri Palace – the seat of the once powerful Paro Penlop Kusho Tshering Penjor.

It is early morning, 3am. Paro, December 17.

The winter sun is mellow and the air cold. But the day is bright and the atmosphere most serene. The significance of the day has added special colour to the day. And the King arrives.

People turn solemn and earnestly reverent all of a sudden. Glad they are that the monarch extraordinaire has come to partake of the joy and success of the nation with the people of Paro Dzongkhag. And there is His Majesty the Fourth King and the Royal Family.

The National Day is important to us, His Majesty said. “On this day in 1907, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary King of Bhutan, and from that day onwards, the successive Kings, the government, and people, have worked together in harmony to build our nation. Their collective efforts over the years have resulted in the peace and prosperity that we enjoy today.”

His Majesty said while some countries suffered economic crises, others had to deal with internal conflicts, terrorism, war and natural disasters in 2015, Bhutan, with the blessings of the Kenchosum, the merit of the people, the prayers of our ancestors, and the protection of our guardian deities, this year was filled with peace and happiness. “I am deeply satisfied by our hard work and achievements.”   His Majesty informed that next year is not only the birth year of Guru Rinpoche, who came to Bhutan in the 8th century, but also marks 400 years since Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel began the wheel of the dual system of governance in Bhutan.

“Since then, 54 desis governed the country, beginning with Desi Umze Tenzin Drugyel, and ensured that Bhutan remained united. We have had an unbroken line of Je Khenpos beginning with Je Pekar Jugne, to Je Trulku Jigme Chhoeda today. Their efforts have helped the dharma to flourish boundlessly,” His Majesty said.

“Since 1907, with the installation of the hereditary Monarchy, our successive Kings, along with the people, have worked tirelessly to achieve our national goals and strengthen our country.”

The collective efforts of those years culminated in the establishment of the democratic system of governance in 2008, said His Majesty. “With democracy, we aspire to build a just and harmonious society, strengthen our beloved country, and fulfill all the aspirations of our people.”

His Majesty bestowed upon some 45 retired civil servants gold medals for the service they rendered to the nation and the people with true faith and utmost dedication. Among them were teachers and educators, engineers and agriculturists, linguists and lamas.

This award to the citizens emeritus was instituted by the Royal Civil Service Commission in 2013 to remind and encourage the young and highly potential civil servants to work even harder for the benefit of the country and the people. The success of this fast prospering nation hinges on the strength and dynamism of its civil servants, said His Majesty The King.

This year’s National Day in Paro, the one-time capital of Bhutan, was also markedly extraordinary because His Majesty the King gave special recognition to education and the educators. Bhutan has come a long way in terms of socioeconomic development, but its future will inevitably depend on the success of education and growth of excellence in teaching, said His Majesty the King.

His Majesty The King emphasised on the importance of protecting and preserving Bhutan’s rich culture and heritage that give shape to the face of a nation that is increasingly becoming an example of a good and successful country in the comity of nations. In the last one decade, seven dzongs in the country were renovated, three newly built, and some 300 choetens entirely rebuilt. There are still 2836 choetens in the country to be rebuilt.

That is why the service of some seven Bhutanese traditional engineers and architects were recognised with gold medal.

“We are lucky to have been able to celebrate the nation’s most important day with His Majesty The King. We pray for the nation to succeed beyond what it has been able to until now. Peace and prosperity will come so long as we have monarchs like we have been blessed with,” said 78-year-old Aum Kencho.

His Majesty the King informed the people that Bhutan has a unique advantage to achieve great heights. Time has now come for the people of the country to act for the benefit of the country and its people.  It is a matter now of whether we can muster the courage to do it, not of whether we can, said His Majesty The King.

Jigme Wangchuk

This finding, conservations say, reemphasizes the need to protect the bird’s habitats in Bhutan

Conservation: Bhutan has the highest population of the White-bellied Heron (ardea insignis) globally according to the recent draft resolution of the second international workshop on White-bellied Heron conservation conducted by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN).

“Of the 60 individuals, 28 are found in Bhutan, 23 in Myanmar and 7-8 in India, making White-bellied Heron (WBH) even more critically endangered than previously thought,” RSPN senior ecologist, Rebecca Pradhan said.

Bhutan now has 47 percent of the WBH global population up from only 14 percent prior.

The draft resolution stated only 60 WBH individuals were confirmed through respective surveys carried out in Myanmar, Bhutan, India and China. Earlier, the population was estimated to be 250 birds.

“One of Asia’s rarest birds, WBH has only 60 confirmed individuals throughout its range against IUCN’s earlier estimate of less than 250 individuals,” the draft resolution stated.

The White-bellied Heron therefore qualifies as critically endangered. “Meaning WBH is at significant risk of extinction unless appropriate measures are taken to address persistently increasing threats to its habitat from developmental activities,” the resolution stated.

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE) ornithologist, Sherub said while the news of Bhutan holding the majority of WBH population increases the country’s stature in conservation, the WBH becomes the most critically endangered of the threatened and endangered species of Bhutan because of its global rarity.

“While any species with global population of below 250 is considered critically endangered I think with just 60 globally, WBH can be said to be near extinction now,” Sherub said. He added there is an immediate need to protect the bird’s habitat.

The ornithologist also said it is high time artificial breeding and release is resumed because of problems in the recruitment success of the juvenile birds. While breeding seems a success, juvenile fledging is still a problem because of the difficulty in increasing its local and global population.

“The WBH population could get crushed if there isn’t adequate juveniles to succeed especially should the adult population happen to die at once in large numbers,” Sherub said, adding native fish must be re-stocked in river systems inhabited by herons and in rivers where dams are constructed besides keeping provisions for fish ladders at dams to supplement damaged feeding grounds.

WBH historically existed even in Nepal but is extinct now. China might likely have only one or two WBH as of today.

Conservationists recognized the urgent need to step up proactive measures to improve the WBH conservation status across its known range countries of Bhutan, India, Myanmar and China.

One of the key actions being tagging young herons with satellite tracking devices before leaving the nest to better understand their dispersal and threats.

“Adult birds will have individual colour leg bands fitted as and when opportunity allows,” the resolution stated.

To supplement the population against extinction in the wild, captive populations will be established in Bhutan when funding is secured. The eggs will be taken from nests, with minimal possible detriment to the wild population.

“RSNP has already submitted the proposal to Punatsangchu hydropower project seeking assistance for captive breeding,” Rebecca Pradhan said.

The individuals from captive breeding will establish an insurance population against the extinction of the species as well as help restock small populations or areas of historic occurrence.

“The captive breeding would provide key information about the behaviour and biology since more still needs to be understood of WBH,” Rebecca Pradhan said.

The resolution also highlighted increasing threats from infrastructure development, dam and road constructions, overhead power lines, hunting, fishing and human encroachment on river sides to WBH. Between 2008-2015, three of 10 herons died from collisions with transmission conductors or electrocution.

Extractive industries such as mining, quarrying and sand dredging also puts the WBH at significant risk.

Efforts would be made to identify unknown WBH populations in inaccessible remote areas and in areas likely of holding unknown populations to compile standardized data.

Each country will attempt to ensure the highest level of protection to WBH populations through legislation and its subsequent enforcement.

However, effective conservation of WBH would need significant amount of financial resources. “Ongoing and increasing collaborative efforts to save WBH will be key to its survival,” the resolution stated.

Conservationists from India, Myanmar, China and Bhutan and representatives from concerned international organisations attended the workshop.

Tempa Wangdi, Bumthang

The bountiful mountain areas of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) are a cornucopia of diverse, high-value products. With an abundance of niche goods, the region has a comparative advantage over other markets due to the increasing demand for high-quality, unique, natural products derived from traditional know-how.

Specialty crops and value-added products offer opportunities for mountain communities to earn higher prices and increase profits.  Fruits, nuts, root crops, vegetables, legumes, spices, condiments, tea, coffee, cut flowers and ornamental foliage are all considered high-value specialty crops that significantly contribute to the mountain economy. In addition, mountain communities offer non-timber forest products, cold water fish, honey, livestock products, handicrafts, handmade papers, pashmina and woolen products easily distinguishable and capable of fetching a better market price.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, production of apricot, cherries, figs, plums, peaches, pine nuts, walnuts, sea buckthorn, wild thyme, black cumin, chamomile, stevia, and silajeet is contributing to the livelihoods of more than 50 percent of rural households. In Nepal, high-value products such as ginger, turmeric, timur (Nepali pepper), coffee, orthodox, tea, cardamom, honey, medicinal and aromatic plants including yarchagumba (cordyceps) also provide a livelihood base to many rural households.

For example, in the coffee value chain, more than 30,000 households produced 524 tonnes of coffee in fiscal year 2013/14, of which, Nepal exported about 65 percent. Similarly, Nepal produces about 4,500 tonnes of high-quality orthodox tea annually, an in- demand product in high-value markets. Likewise, large cardamom generates substantial income to rural farmers. According to the Trade and Export Promotion Centre, Nepal exported more than 4,900 tonnes of large cardamom valued at Rs 4.27 billion in the fiscal year 2013/14.

Bhutan’s high-value products include apple, oranges, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, incense sticks, handwoven clothes, and dairy products. Mandarin oranges are first in export earnings in relation to other horticultural commodities, with a gross product value of over $22 million. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, more than 25,500 metric tons of mandarin were exported to Bangladesh and nearly 9,000 tonnes to India in 2014/15. The country also exported more than 5,000 tonnes of apples worth $3.5 million to India and nearly 1,400 tonnes worth more than $900,000 to Bangladesh in 2014.

In the hill districts of Bangladesh, there are a range of products grown in ‘jhum’, the traditional shifting cultivation practice, which are ‘organic by default’. Weaving, bamboo crafts, and a unique style of food preparation using ingredients collected from the forest, are some of the key attraction for locational marketing.

In mountain regions of China, products such as walnut, tea and garlic not only support local food security and livelihoods of most farmers through generating high income, but also significantly contribute to the national economy.  Similarly in Afghanistan and Myanmar, fruits, nuts, handicrafts, and precious stones provide a livelihood base to mountain communities.

Challenges to harness high-value market

Mountain people typically face many difficulties producing, marketing and selling high-quality, high-value products. Weak communication infrastructures; lack of information, training and expertise in new agricultural and other technologies; lack of registration; certification and labelling to protect products; inadequate marketing skills; lack of wider market access; high transport costs; and unfair trade all pose obstacles.

Mountain people rarely explore the market potential of high-value products. Often, they are still engaged in producing staple commodities whose prices are declining. Consumers don’t always distinguish mountain products (particularly those products which are also grown in plains, e.g. honey) from others when displayed in the marketplace. Cost of production of many such products are lower in plains, thus mountain farmers face increasing competition with products grown by large holders in plains due to lack of proper traceability mechanism for geographic origin. Beekeepers in the plains can get 50-60 kg/colony/year from the European honeybee; whereas beekeepers in mountain areas hardly get 10-12 kg/colony/year from the native bee. Both honeys look alike, but mountain honey has some unique ingredients that make it more hygienic and healthy. A lack of collective marketing is also a challenge. The HKH region is the largest producer of ginger in the world; China ranks as the world’s largest producer followed by India and Nepal, but common standards and collective labelling are lacking.

Though the potential to increase incomes and improve the livelihoods of mountain farmers exists, there are challenges to overcome. How can we transform mountain farmers’ products into high-quality and high-value ones? And how can we enable mountain people to compete in markets and fetch premium prices for their goods and services at home and abroad?

Potential to tap into a high-value market

The HKH region offers huge potential to tap into a high-value market. Collective labelling (i.e. one region, one product, one standard) and branding are important areas for collaboration to tap into high-value markets. Many consumers seek more wholesome products, which reflect their values and are willing to pay more.

Linking small farmers with customers is key to improving livelihoods. Consumers trust small farms more than large industrial farms to produce safe food responsibly. ‘Farmer-owned cooperatives’ and other ‘joint marketing setups’ need to be developed to get small farms connected to the customers in high-value markets.

Adding value to agricultural products yields higher investment returns, creates opportunities to open new markets, extends the producer’s marketing season, and establishes new recognition for farms. Strengthening linkages between value chain actors, service providers and enablers is important in achieving sustainable growth. Strengthening farmers’ groups and cooperatives ensures bulk supply and improve bargaining power. Strengthening business relationships of producer groups and cooperatives moves into joint processing and marketing adding value. Encouraging producers to take up some pre-processing functions such as cleaning, sorting, grading, etc. instead of supplying unprocessed products, streamlines production. Improving access to information and services benefits all allowing groups and cooperatives to tap into high-value markets.

Contributed by 

Dr Surendra Raj Joshi 

(Surendra.joshi@icimod.org) is High Value Products Specialist, Livelihood Thematic Area at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Motor vehicle accident certificates will have to be counter signed by insurance companies 

Accident: The motor vehicle accident certificates will now have to be counter signed by the concerned insurance company to authenticate insurance claims.

This is one of the new components in the tri-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the Royal Bhutan Police (RPB), Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited (RICBL) and Bhutan Insurance Limited (BIL), yesterday.

“For all insurance claims, the focal person of the insurance company shall be liable for verification and counter signing on the certificate prepared by RBP for authentication,” the MoU states.

Officials said the MoU was signed for a convenient and greater operational efficiency during insurance claims. It was also to address the practical difficulties implementing officials faced for insurance claims based on the certificates issued by the police.

The MoU sets forth written procedures among the three parties involved on the inspection, investigation and issuance of motor vehicle accidents certificate (within and outside the country’s boundaries) and loss of property account for insurance claims pertaining to damage of insured properties due to crime and by fire accidents.

According to the MoU, the insurance companies involved should appoint a focal person in each dzongkhag who would bear the responsibility of visiting the accident scene for investigation and documentation.

In case of motor vehicle accidents occurring beyond the boundaries of the country, any cases reported to the nearest police station, and if the vehicle is insured, the officer in-charge will direct the complainant to the nearest office of the company concerned. The insurance company will then conduct its own investigation on the claims.

In case a certificate is required from the RBP, a request must be made in written by an officer not below the rank of a manager from the company. The RBP will then liaise with the foreign counterpart and issue a motor vehicle accident certificate.

For accidents occurring in the country, a joint visit to the scene will be made by the company focal personal and RBP official for investigation. However, if a joint investigation is not possible, RBP may proceed with the investigation. The focal person of the company before counter signing the certificate will verify the motor vehicle accident certificate.

The motor vehicle accident certificate will mention the probable cause of the accident and other necessary information. The certificate from the RBP will be signed by a minimum rank of lieutenant, states the MoU.

In case of loss to properties insured with the companies, RBP will share the preliminary information related to the case on request from the companies.

For cases related to loss of properties from fire accidents, RPB will provide accident certificate for incidents involving loss for those property that are insured. No counter signature of the insurance companies would be required since the local government officials would jointly conduct the investigation.

Chief of Police Brigadier Kipchu Namgyal said the MoU is signed after consulting all parties involved for a clearer terms of reference and procedures specifying separate responsibilities of the parties. “The MoU will help curb false claims to the companies,” he said.

RICBL’s general manager, Sangay Wangdi, said the procedures were already in practice, however, no written documents were available so far. “To have a uniform regulation throughout the country, the MoU was signed,” he said.

Motor vehicle accident certificates signed by the RBP officials are one of the required documents while claiming insurance of damaged properties.

The MoU comes into effect immediately.

Younten Tshedup 

Dzongkhag organize crop exhibition to promote local produce

Agriculture: Trashigang dzongkhag took advantage of the gathering at the National Day celebrations to encourage farmers to grow more vegetables.

As part of the celebrations, the dzongkhag agriculture office organized a crop exhibition where farmers of six northern gewogs participated in a competition in Bidung.

Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer, DC Bhandari said the exhibition was held to encourage farmers to grow more vegetables and impart farming knowledge.

“Since the celebration would mean more people attending, it was the best platform to reach out to more people,” he said. “Such events would not only boost the production, it would also improve the quality of produce.”

Deputy Chief Research Officer from RNRDC, Wengkhar, Kinley Tshering said such exhibitions, which were earlier coordinated by the office have been now handed over to the dzongkhags. Trashigang happens to be the first dzongkhag.

“The exhibition not only motivates farmers, it also makes the consumers aware of the different varieties of vegetables and fruits grown locally,” he said. “It is also one of the easiest means to assess ourselves and see how effectively farmers are using new technologies.”

Vegetables and fruits from the best entries were displayed during the exhibition. Top three entries took home farming tools as prize.

New species of cereal crop like quinoa was also displayed to advocate people on its high nutritional value and how it could become a staple diet.

Research Officer Pradeep Rai said that many varieties of plants like Star Amuse that can act as antivirus to bird flu, grew in the wild but its potential was never harnessed.

“Through this exhibition, we hope to educate people that plants like Star Amuse exist in our forests in superior quality,” he said. “Farmers should be aware of such plants and start cultivating it in future.”

During the exhibition, the livestock department also advocated farmers on animal health and production. The works and human settlement minister, Dorji Choden opened the exhibition.

Tshering Wangdi, Trashigang

LG: Aspiring candidates to contest the upcoming thromde elections should get ready for a busy new year at the polls. The election commission on December 25 will announce the election date for the three thromdes of Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Gelephu.

The commission through a notification yesterday called aspiring candidates to “keep ready necessary documents” required for a candidate to stand for the posts of thrompon and thromde tshogpa. The documents should be produced to the election commission as soon as the election process starts, the election commission notified.

The local governments would be reconstituted on the date their term expires as per the electoral laws.

Should the incumbent thrompons and the tshogpas decide to re-contest, they must relinquish their office. However, the resignation of the incumbents would not affect the functioning of the thromdes.

In the build up to the thromde polls, the election commission will hold public meetings in Thimphu thromde as part of its voter education programme.

Officiating director for the department of electoral registration and delimitation Sonam Tobgay said during the voter education programme, people would be encouraged to come up as candidates and voters would be informed about their rights.

“All voters will be called to attend the meeting where we will talk about the electoral process among others,” he said.

Sonam Tobgay said election officials will also inform people about the criteria for candidates. There are seven constituencies in Thimphu thromde.

Meanwhile, the election commission on December 15 issued the draft electoral roll of the three thromdes for verification. Voters are asked to verify their details and any mistakes in electoral roll should be submitted to the dzongkhag electoral officer for correction within 10 days of the publication of the electoral roll.

According to the election Act, an electoral roll for the constituency should be published and made available for public inspection during office hours at the office of the concerned dzongkhag electoral registration officer.

The draft electoral roll can be viewed at the election commission’s website www.election-bhutan.org.bt by punching the voter identity card or citizenship identity card number.

The election commission has also notified the registered voters of the three thromdes to apply for postal ballot before December 20. Registration can be done at the nearest dzongkhag election office.

MB Subba