News – Page 9 – BIIB Blog

Effective Delivery of Kidu to the People

Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck

In the course of His Majesty King Khesar’s many tours around the country, His Majesty has granted kidu to the most vulnerable sections of society including, among many others, the disabled, aged, destitute and also students needing financial aid to attend school. In order to ensure the effective delivery of such kidu to the beneficiaries, His Majesty has instructed Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses to constantly travel and work in various dzongkhags. While Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck is based in Thimphu, Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck lives in Mongar and Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in Bumthang.

Their Royal Highnesses live with the people in order to evaluate and monitor welfare kidu programmes for destitute individuals and students, both from the perspective of improving the well being of the recipient as well as the system as a whole. Their Highnesses undertake regular visits to remote villages in all gewogs in the dzongkhags in order to interact with the youth and rural communities on behalf of His Majesty. Continue reading Effective Delivery of Kidu to the People

Wake Up! PM Tells the World

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, just six kilometers away from the collapsing stock markets of Wall Street, Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley called the world leaders to break away from the shackles of the powerful market forces.

“Economic wellbeing is not human wellbeing,” he told the Assembly on Friday, as heads of nations listened to a voice asking the world to cooperate and not compete.

Standing behind a marble podium bearing the UN logo as the first democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan, the small Bhutan flag pin shone in contrast to the simple black gho he wore.

“We need to wake up from our narcissistic slumber and self-indulgence,” he told the 63rd session of the Assembly. Continue reading Wake Up! PM Tells the World

Museum at Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu Inaugurated

October 01: A meuseum was inaugurated at the Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu yesterday. The shedra is located about three hours walking distance from the Samtenling roadhead.

The museum was inaugurated by the Venerable Drabi Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang and the Director of Dratshang Lhentshog Karma Penjor.

Speaking to BBS the Principal of Dodedra Shedra Khenpo Sangay Dorji said the museum is a tribute to the monarchs of the kingdom and is to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King.

Continue reading Museum at Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu Inaugurated

Resort Business Boom in Paro

Tashi Namgay resort – New resort opposite Paro airport

29 September, 2008 – The resorts business in Paro has gained steam with more than 30 percent of the country’s resorts and hotels for tourists already in the valley and about 19 more under construction.

But do they have enough customers to survive? Many of these resort and hotel owners are private individuals and families who already own properties in Paro. Some of them manage to survive with a limited number of tourists coming in a year, say one of the resort owners. Of the 101 resorts and hotels approved by the tourism council this year, Paro has the highest number with 30. Continue reading Resort Business Boom in Paro

Why a strong economy matters

Source: bhutantimes.bt

By Passang Dorji

Sept 24, 2008-Thimphu: When Bhutan adopted Gross National Happiness as its development philosophy, it had thrown down the gauntlet at itself.

And today the challenge is staring straight and square at the country’s soul.

With the economy yet to gain strength and stabilize at a self-assuring digit, Bhutan’s immediate challenge, some economists say, is to remain unscathed by the inevitable forces of the global trade integration.

But, to do so Bhutan must strengthen its economy – a Catch-22, for the time being. The test doesn’t end here, either. There is a weightier challenge, because Gross National Happiness demands more than a tangible economic development. Continue reading Why a strong economy matters

The Monpas of Trongsa are Monpas no more

Distinct old ways are vanishing with the pace of progress

Source: Kuenselonline.com
By Tashi Dema

INDISTINGUISHABLE – Except for language, their culture and tradition have succumbed to modernisation

26 September, 2008 – Cool clouds drift over the Wangling village in Trongsa dzongkhag bringing the inhabitants respite from the searing afternoon sun.

Lhakpa, 15, in faded jeans and black half-sleeve shirt, is on the ground near a old hut. He is in pain. While chipping at tree barks his knife fell and cut his ankle.

Lhakpa picks up a piece of cloth lying in front of the hut and wraps it over his wound. His single mother asks him to go to the basic health unit in Jangbi, located at about a two-hour walk from their village. She speaks to him in their local dialect – Monkha. But Lhakpa does not want to go anywhere. He has to attend his non-formal education class in the evening. Continue reading The Monpas of Trongsa are Monpas no more

Bhutan goes Bollywood

Source: India Today
By Saurabh Shukla

The coronation of Bhutan’s new King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk next month will feature a surprisingly varied cast from India.

jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuck — King Jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuck

Led by chief guest President Pratibha Patil, a power-packed delegation comprising not merely top political honchos but also Shah Rukh Khan will travel to Thimpu. The Indian delegation will manage a double act of cementing ties with Bhutan and entertaining the new king.

The crowning of Wangchuk, 29, who is world’s youngest king, will be a special affair with lots of colour and fanfare. While UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is a special invitee, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is also expected to be there along with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Continue reading Bhutan goes Bollywood

Old trail in Bhutan to be restored for tourists

Source: kuenselonline.com
By Nima Wangdi

23 September, 2008 – A beaten trail, that passed through Ura to Gayzamchu in Bumthang, was once trodden by villagers from the east to transport goods offered as taxes to local chieftains resident in Bumthang, Trongsa, and Punakha. In the ‘50s, the people of Ura used the path as a mule track to barter butter, betel nuts, and clothes.

When the lateral highway emerged, about four decades ago, the path was used only by occasional mushroom collectors and cattle herders.

Today, the diverse ecosystem along the trail, including mushrooms like Matsutake growing under the pines, and different animal and bird species of the region, will change the purpose of the trail altogether. Continue reading Old trail in Bhutan to be restored for tourists

BHUTAN: Ranked Among Top 10 Travel Destinations in 2008

Top 10 Places to Go in 2008

The destinations that rank on our list include renascent cities like New Orleans and emerging countries like Bhutan that are fast becoming the world’s next travel hot spots. Get there now, before the crowds do.

By Shermans Travel Editorial Staff

Choosing the world’s next big travel destinations is never an easy feat, especially when there’s seemingly so little left of the globe to discover. But when our editors got into a room to hash out our top picks for 2008, we realized that we could have done a Top 13 this year, as all eyes will be on Beijing (when it hosts the Summer Olympic Games), and there’s never been a better time to visit Quebec City (which celebrates its 400th birthday in 2008) or Liverpool (the year’s European Capital of Culture). Here’s the remainder of our list.

1. Bhutan

Cradled by the majestic Himalayas in a remote corner of Southern Asia, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” has long held steadfast to its rich culture and Buddhist heritage. Though an isolated locale and high tourist entry tariffs (of up to $200 per person per night) keep crowds at bay, these factors have also permitted this last Shangri-La to keep its traditions intact. If the lush valleys and snowcapped mountains, ancient temples and monasteries, and expansive markets full of cheerful locals haven’t lured you to Bhutan yet, reconsider in 2008, when the 101st anniversary of the country’s monarchy will be commemorated by a yearlong celebration. Continue reading BHUTAN: Ranked Among Top 10 Travel Destinations in 2008

Hong Kong cinema star couple wed in Bhutan

Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau cut their wedding cake in the Kingdom of Bhutan July 21, 2008.[Agencies]

One of Hong Kong’s leading entertainment couples, actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau, were married in Bhutan in a Buddhist-inspired ceremony attended by the tiny kingdom’s royalty, local media reported on Monday.

Leung is one of Hong Kong’s biggest film stars on the international art-house circuit and a longtime collaborator of prize-winning Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai.

Leung and Lau married in the reclusive Himalayan kingdom, known for its breathtaking, pristine natural scenery, on Monday at the exclusive Uma Paro resort.

Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau smile during their wedding ceremony in the Kingdom of Bhutan July 21, 2008.[Agencies]

Newspapers and websites carried photographs of Leung and Lau, who have been together for many years, posing before a congregation of monks in red robes, Leung wearing a tuxedo and Lau in a white gown.

Bhutan royalty reportedly attended the ceremony along with 100 guests, including Canto-pop diva and actress Faye Wong. Continue reading Hong Kong cinema star couple wed in Bhutan