The Bodo militants opened fire on the RBA soldiers and ran towards the forest. The RBA soldiers took cover and returned fire.

According to the press release the soldiers from Taraythang Outpost were sent to reach fresh vegetables on foot to another Outpost at Kanamakura, both under Sarpang District.

The soldiers were returning after handing over the vegetables when the incident occurred.

One person was apprehended from the area and brought to Gelephu for questioning.

He denied of having any link with the armed group and was later handed over to Indian authorities across the border.

source: bbs

“We want to reconstruct the tsachu as soon as possible and we’d like to work together with Japan, considering the same culture of hot springs in Japan,” Lyonpo said, during his meeting with a team from Arima hot springs in Japan, who visited Gasa tsachu to explore the possibility of reconstruction.

The Japanese team, which visited the site early this week, presented two possible options for rehabilitating the tsachu. They suggested permanent structures, requiring ground drilling to assist in identifying sources, which is deemed expensive.

They also suggested simpler structures by protecting the existing spring sources, the damaged material of which can still be reused to rebuild the hot springs. The team said that bottling of water and establishing stone bath were possible as well.

“Bhutanese in general love hot springs. This is the only relaxation for Bhutanese, especially during winters,” Lyonpo Minjur Dorji said. “If the tsachu is restored, there’s no way that the place will be vacant.”

Although nothing has been finalised with the Japanese team, the government expects some expertise from Japan.

Gasa dzongda Sonam Jigme said that river diversion work was being carried out at the site today.

“The diversion work is expected to be completed by the end of this month, which will then give us a clearer idea of how many hot spring sources there are actually,” he said, adding that two excavators were deployed for the river diversion.

Sonam Jigme said the river diversion works began only late last November as excavators could not be transferred to the site because of the absence of a road or a bridge.

After the May 26 flood that completely washed away the five soaking ponds and the VIP bathhouse built around the spring, the hot springs now flow under the Mochu river. The flood also washed away a canopy, a stable, an outreach clinic (ORC) and attached room, shops and public toilets.

source: kuensel

Dasho Karma Ura, the president for the centre for Bhutan studies (CBS), said that the “rich dialogue” had “enriched” the understanding of GNH for both Bhutanese and Indian participants. The seminar saw, what a CBS press release described as, “influential minds in India” talking to Bhutanese counterparts on various topics related to GNH. The Indian delegation included young politicians, sociologists, environmentalists, conservationists, and health activists.

“GNH offers potential that needs to be unlocked,” said Peter DeSouza, director for the institute of advanced studies in India. He added that GNH is relevant today, as it offered a framework within which the ideas contained offered a counter discourse to the western development model.

“GNH shows how Bhutan thinks ahead of time, it’s an evolved state of thinking, a brilliant concept,” said Koustubh Sharma (PhD), a regional field biologist with snow leopard trust, the largest organisation concerned with the conservation of the endangered snow leopard. He said that India is now suffering the consequences of a fast paced development policy based on the western model.

Koustubh Sharma said the dialogue on GNH showed that it did not exist to hide Bhutan’s underdevelopment as skeptics might observe. But he added that some aspects have to be addressed, such as ensuring minor details, such as the needs of specific groups of people are not undermined, when using only one value to express the people’s happiness and development.

“A pivotal issue is whether GNH offers an alternative framework for evaluation of policy or a state imposed prescription,” said Akhil Sibal, a lawyer. “I’m definitely convinced that GNH is really a more of a useful prism through which to look at policy rather than a dogma to be imposed.” He added, “It’s an ideal worth working towards, to apply not only within Bhutan but abroad.”

“Ideas and ideologies keep evolving so it’s never sufficient, but for now, yes,” said Latika Dikshit, a social development consultant on whether the seminar had provided a thorough understanding of GNH. On whether GNH is too Utopian, she said, “All dreams start off Utopian, it’s the path that leads to it that has to be realistic.” Latika Dikshit said she hoped she would be invited again for another dialogue on GNH.

Comments were also made that perhaps GNH needed to be modernised to include younger generations.

Dasho Karma Ura said Bhutan could certainly do with more discourses on GNH and that the dialogue would be continued in India in August this year. He also added that more discussion on GNH is needed among Bhutanese, particularly one that includes all three branches of the government and private sector.

The seminar was jointly organised by CBS and Malvika Singh, the owner and publisher of Seminar magazine in India.

source: kuensel

“We can’t run after the big clients initially,” said Wangchuk Dorji, vice chairman of the Tashi group, who owns 20 percent of the Nu 220 mn bank. Maximum lending capacity to an individual client is determined by the capital base and reserves, which in T-Bank’s case comes to about Nu 64 mn.

The bank will also try and give highly personalised and faster service, with every client assigned a credit officer to take care of the paperwork and running around, rather than setting off a pricing war. “Competing with the established banks isn’t going to be easy, so we want to focus on service,” said T-Bank’s chief executive officer (CEO), Tshering Dorji, who worked with the Bank of Bhutan, the country’s oldest and largest bank, for 39 years and retired as its CEO a few years ago.

Tshering Dorji said that T-Bank decided to launch yesterday, even though the office needs a bit of finishing work, a day after getting the operational license from the royal monetary authority, because the coming (Bhutanese) month is dhana, an inauspicious month.

The promoters of T–Bank were the first in Bhutan to apply for a banking license in 2004, after the government indicated that it would liberalise banking. “We were even issued a letter of intent and we did a Rabney to start the project in December 2005,” said Wangchuk Dorji. “With major changes coming to Bhutan in the following years, there were delays and we had to refocus.”

Three promoters – Wangchuk Dorji, Tobgay Dorji and Savitri Dorji, who are members of the same family – hold 20 percent each in T-Bank. The remaining 40 percent, Nu 88 mn, is to be raised from the public through shares.

Although the promoters held 60 percent and were the owners of the Tashi group of companies, it did not make T-Bank a subsidiary of the Tashi group, said RMA’s Eden Dema, who heads the financial institutions services division. “The 20 percent by each promoter is being held on an individual basis, not as a company,” she said. “Regulations require T-Bank to be a public limited company.” The bank was initially proposed to be called Tashi Bank, but RMA objected and it changed to T Bank.

Eden Dema also said that there were restrictions on T-Bank financing Tashi group companies. “It must be within the limits of related party transaction regulations, which is 10 percent of the capital fund,” she added.

The CEO of Bhutan National Bank, Kipchu Tshering, welcomed the new bank and said that they would have to be little more alert and careful. He said that, at the moment, BNB had excess liquidity, mainly from corporate deposits, which would probably take off after Bhutan had more power to set up new industries.

BoB CEO’s Kinga Tshering said that the new bank would service a segment of customers that require financial services but, as the market matures, each one would try and find their own niche. “We’ll need to shift strategy and think of competing in the corporate sector as well,” he said.

T-Bank has to raise to raise its share capital to Nu 300 mn, as required by RMA regulations.

source: kuensel

And baffled we are, learning that there are several gays, lesbians and heterosexuals amidst us.

It is the diffusion of western life, which Globalization ferried to Bhutan. This is what most of us would say. Others would construe that homosexuals have always been a part of our communities, which is now raising its head. You can take either of the two, the truth remains unchanged; we have gays and lesbians in Bhutan.

And they are tired of trying to portray themselves as someone they are not. They are coming out slowly but steadily. They know that Rome was not built in a day. They also know that it did not take decades or a century.

How would we react if we found out that our sister is a lesbian? It will differ.

Some might erase her out of their family tree. Some may laugh and pull her leg all the time, while some will accommodate her.

We do not know how Bhutan and Bhutanese will take this. However, from what some of them say, we get a rough picture of a tough life. The privileged and edu­cated lot, who know that gay culture is not considered “unusual” and that several role models and celebrities are homosexuals are the very ones who shun them most. Hypocrisy at its heights! Manifested by those who swear on Elton John and his melodies but would throw toma­toes if it is a Bhutanese in John’s shoes. They are fine with lesbians in Paris but not in Thimphu.

Balloons blast when the pressure or air inside exceed the balloon’s elasticity. Similarly, we can look away or put our feet on those we consider “unusual”. But not for long!

This is already happening as manifested by the scores of gays and lesbians who were fighting to make their point to the media. The media, they say is the only one whom they trust and believe will enable them to live like the homosexuals in Europe and other parts of the developed world. The pen they say is mightier than the sword.

We do not know if the government is aware of this ever growing population. They should be. And if they are, they should clearly express and inform people the Government’s stand on homosexuality. The one provi­sion we have in the Penal Code is vague; confusing not just the masses but even the lawmakers.

We are a democracy, where people elect the govern­ment of their choice by voting. And in most democ­racies, governments have accepted gay marriages. Political as well as social factors direct the path the gov­ernment takes. We are yet to see what the Druk Phuen­sum Tshogpa (DPT) does or whether anything would be done at all.

In the last few days, banners advocating women’s rights have been telling us that all of us are human beings first. And yesterday was a day dedicated to all women; the 99th International Women’s Day (IWD).

Homosexuals are also human beings. When would we see similar banners asking and requesting for gay rights? Or will we ever see it? We do not know.

What we know is that gay culture is spreading and growing.

What we know is that there are people, our own fellow citizens, waiting for the day when they will see banners calling for gay rights all over Bhutan.

source: Bhutan Today

Though gay and lesbian relationships are considered a taboo in Bhutan, there is an increasing number of them, thriving behind closed doors.

“I want to be free” says Sengkey, a young man with a normal career and friends. He has the same interests as any other young man except that he is exclusively gay.

“I am not at all shy and embar­rassed to be gay, because that is what god has made me and I ac­cept it in bliss,” he adds.

But, unsurprisingly, even the educated lot are mostly ignorant of the existence of gay and lesbian population in Bhutan which com­prises people ranging from the young to old and the married.

Leksel, 19, a class XII pass out, is one such person. She has a cropped haircut and is dressed in black half pants, a sleeveless jacket over a hooded sweat shirt and sneakers. To her friends, she is just like any other girl, and addi­tionally, a potential partner.

Leksel has been the “Tom” since her childhood days. She teases girls passing by, and boys were always jealous of her since she had all the beautiful girls vying for her attention.

“I qualified for Gaedu College but since I have to wear kira all the time, I am not going” she said.

Most of the girls are influenced by their “Tom” girlfriends. They copy the “Toms” and some con­sider it a fashion statement. Most of them feel safer in the society when they behave like boys, since then they won’t invite unsolicited attention from males.

Yangkey, 21, a civil servant, is in a relationship with her girlfriend for the past two years. She does not care what people think about her. But though she does despise hearing awful things behind her back, she wants to continue with her relationship.

Kezang (name changed) said when it came to being lesbian, the illiterate lot were more accom­modating than the educated ones, and added that she will settle in the east with her partner because people there are more welcoming.

Research has revealed that most gay people are bisexual as they need a female partner to keep up appearances. The gay commu­nity is guarded and secretive as the society is more open towards lesbians than gays.

Tashu, a friend of a lesbian, says, “At first I was shocked to see lesbians and felt really funny, but at the same time it was sweet seeing them loving each other so much, which we can’t always expect from boys”.

He added that all they need is encouragement from both their friends and family.

“Our country is becom­ing like the western coun­tries. It’s sad to see people acting like this,” says Lopen Dorji, a monk.

“But if they are happy, who are we to say any­thing? It is known as Tsen Negh Ma Nee (people con­sisting of opposite charac­ters) in Buddhist text.”

Tobgay Jordan, a stu­dent, feels that may be a reason for increasing suicides, drug addiction and frustration is because gays and lesbians are not considered normal.

“We should support them and if given civil rights, everyone will want them” he says.

One lesbian said that being a “Tom” is accepted by parents as harmless, but what they would not accept is their daughter having a relationship with the same sex.

“I was bashed up by my girlfriend’s brother, when he knew that we are in a relationship but for me, it is not a problem, because I know that my girlfriend loves me a lot” says Son­am, a class XII pass-out.

According to Aap Kar­ma, a villager, people have started adopting western culture in the name of modernization.

“It’s due to their pre­vious life’s sin (tse nye mayi lae) so one can have no control over it. But to see one of them in reality would be a surprise for me.”

According to Bhutanese observers, 20-25% of the Bhutanese population comprises gays and lesbi­ans.

“Let’s not live in the pre­historic ages and accept what is in the present,” said Purna, a graduate.

“Every individual is born free with individual rights, so they have the right to lead their lives their way,” says Lobzang, a school teacher.

One “Tom” said that the only kira she wears is her school uniform, while it is always gho and pants while out of school.

In another case, Leki, a “Tom,” was not willing to talk openly about her­self, since she is fed up of people asking the same questions.

Gays and lesbians are found mostly in hostels, school and places where the crowds are big.

Ugyen, a student, said that there are many lesbi­ans in her hostel.

“I really feel disgusted seeing them. We have tried to make them understand but they never listen. They don’t even heed the matron.”

The majority of the people whom BHUTAN TODAY interviewed shared the view that it is about time to accept lesbi­ans and gays in Bhutanese society.

Source: Bhutan Today

Inspired by her recent visit to Bhutan, Indian designer Babita Malkani showcased a variety of Bhutanese textiles at the Summer Resort 2010 – Lakme Fashion Week.

Keeping Bhutan as her theme, Babita Malkani’s Boho Chic line was an ode to the monasteries and architecture of the country.

“During my travel to Bhutan, I decided to create a line of garments which will represent the happiest country of the world,” ex­plained Malkani in one of media interviews in India.

Hand-woven Bhutanese textiles in silk and cotton were used on the neck and waist of western wears; traditional matha and pan­gtse were innovated into jackets and pants.

Accessories included yatha sling bags, and kera were also used.

“It seemed like a mix-and-match situation with a mix of patterns and fabrics for capri jumpsuits, pleat­ed dhoti dressed, wrap blouses, intricately crafted waist coats and woven belts that snaked around the models,” reads an arti­cle on the fashion show by the Times of India.

Bollywood hunk Har­man Baweja walked the ramp as the showstopper in a checked jacket with a kera hung around like a bag.

The actor walked the ramp with snooker cham­pion Pankaj Advani dis­playing jackets and coats made from Bhutanese textiles.

Kelly Dorji, Bhutan’s very own first model to make it in the internation­al arena, told BHUTAN TODAY that having show­cased Bhutan’s textile in such an event was wonder­ful.

He said that given the fact that Bhutanese textile was very exotic and being recognized by a designer like Babita Malkani was an indication of the strength of the Bhutanese culture and tradition.

Miss Bhutan, 2009, Tshokye Tsomo Karchung who has also modeled for Indian designers said this was a good opportunity to promote the unique and beautiful culture.

Currently Bhutan is too young to join the inter­national fashion world, however with the unique­ness of Bhutanese textiles she said Bhutan was not really far.

Lakme Fashion Week is a jointly organized fashion event by Lakme, which is the number one cosmetics and beauty services brand in India, and IMG, the global leader in fashion weeks and event production.

The Lakme Fashion Week has been conceived and created with a vision to “Redefine the future of fashion and Integrate In­dia into the global fashion world”.

It is organized twice every year.

The Summer Resort 2010 – Lakme Fashion Week started on March 5 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai and will end on March 9.

source: Bhutan Today

The month-long exercise will assesses tourist hotels and accommodations reg­istered with the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). The hotels have been given two years to upgrade themselves.

The past grading system, which categorized hotels into class A, B and C, was done away with as tourists started demanding international grading.

The government will sup­ply upgradation of hotels. In line with this, TCB is devis­ing incentive schemes in the form of tax breaks, easy ac­cess to loans and duty exemp­tions, among others, to help upgrade hotels. The govern­ment will give a 10-year tax break for hotels constructed between 2010 and 2015.

However, some hoteliers say that taking additional loans for upgradation is a con­cern since there is no guaran­tee that 100,000 tourists will come in by the end of 2012.

But according to the Joint Director of TCB’s services division, Kunzang Norbu, since there would not be major structural changes to the hotels, upgradation of infrastructure may not cost much. He said that the cat­egory of the hotels would not be determined by the number of rooms but basic require­ments. Although star rating will be based on the international standard, the system will be Bhutanised to suit local re­quirements including green or environmentally-friendly elements that can earn extra points.

Lodges, guest houses, farm houses, and apartments will follow a different guideline, not star rating system.

Today, tourists come only through tour operators, but from 2011, they can come through hotels as well. This is expected to increase the tour­ist inflow.

The hotel assessment team consists of members from TCB, Association of Bhuta­nese Tour Operators, Hotel Association of Bhutan, and Bhutan Chamber of Com­merce and Industry led by a consultant, who was involved in designing the classification system.

Today, there are 124 TCB approved hotels, 46 of which are under construction. Thir­ty-three hotels cater to region­al tourists and 33 restaurants, to international tourists.

Back Drop

Facilities requirements

* Three star hotel
* Standard single room – 10 m2
* Standard double room – 16 m2
* All rooms equipped with bath, shower and toilet
* TV, direct dial telephone and clock/alarm in the room
* A lobby, reception desk occupied during day time
* Luggage rack
* Lightproof curtains or blinds in the rooms
* Full breakfast
* Restaurant with ala carte menu
* Room service during the day
* At least one international credit card accepted

Three star guest house and lodge

* Good quality comfortable bedrooms
* Well-maintained practical décor
* Good choice of quality items available for breakfast
* Other meals, where provided, are freshly cooked
* Good level of customer care

Apartments (self catering tourist accommoda­tions)

* May not provide any meals and provide limited other services
* Bed linens and towel changes may not be offered
* Cleaning of rooms may be limited to once a week
* Basic kitchen equipment to meet essential cooking re­quirements and appropriate dish/cutlery is a minimum standard
* All technical quality standards are in compliance to one to three star ratings of hotels and guest houses.

source: Bhutan Observer

Tomorrow, the Mr Chandrasekhar will deliver a talk on “Functions of Cabinet, Committee of Secretaries and Relationship between Bureaucracy and Politicians” at the Tarayana conference hall at Chubachu, Thimphu.

While in the country, Mr Chandrasekhar will receive an audience with His majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. He will also call on the prime minister today. The cabinet secretary will also witness an archery match at the Changlimithang archery ground.

source: kuensel

The accident that took place around 2.15 pm left altogether 13 vehicles damaged, of which an alto taxi, a Maruti 800 car and a Prado car were severely damaged. The bus howev­er suffered minor damage on the front side. The bus is owned by a private com­pany in Thimphu.

Three people injured in the accident – the driver of the Maruti car, the Alto taxi and the bus driver – were rushed to the hospi­tal immediately.

The taxi driver sus­tained minor cuts and was discharged after a few hours of medical examina­tion. The Maruti car driver did not suffer any external injuries but complained of giddiness and was kept under observation at the hospital. The 24-year-old bus driver was in critical condition and was still unconscious at the time of filing this report.

The cause of the acci­dent has not been con­firmed.

Eyewitnesses however said probably the accident occurred due to brake fail­ure as the bus driver was frantically shouting and honking before the bus slammed unto the cars.

An eye witness said the bus was in full speed and the driver was honking and trying to veer the ve­hicle away from the crowd. “It first hit an alto taxi and then went on hitting other vehicles until it came to a halt after smashing unto a Prado car,” he said.

Such was the speed of the bus that the Prado car was propelled some 6 me­ters away from the place where it was parked.

The Thimphu traffic police division however denied that the accident could have been caused by mechanical malfunction. They said the bus was brand new and in perfect condition dismissing mechanical errors as the cause of the accident. The Traffic Division said the accident could be caused either due to reckless or inexperienced driving.

However, at the time of filing this report, the police were yet to take the statement of the driver as he was not in a condition to give one.

People at the accident scene said it was fortunate the accident occurred at a time when there were fewer people in the streets. “Had the accident oc­curred during the rush hour or when school chil­dren were on the move, the consequences could have been disastrous,” said one.

An appalled Rebika, a pan shop owner in Hon­gkong market, said had it not been for the Prado car, the bus could have plunged into her shop. “The bus could have killed me,” she said.

Other eyewitnesses said the traffic authorities should not allow heavy vehicles to ply in the main streets.

“The area in Hongkong market is always crowded and the road along here is narrow and sloping,” said an eyewitness, Mohan. “This incident is an eye opener to the authorities and we hope that neces­sary actions will be taken hereafter.”

A few others said the parking areas along the narrow thoroughfare need to be regulated properly.

While an accident of such magnitude is the first of its type in the capital, the Traffic Division said there had been a similar case last year in which four parked vehicles were damaged because of unlicensed driv­ing.

source: Bhutan Today