World AIDS Day –December 1, 2013

“Getting to Zero” – Towards ensuring Zero Parents to child transmission of HIV

Today is the Day that is celebrated all over the world to mark as World AIDS Day. The theme for this year is “Getting to Zero” – Towards ensuring Zero Parents to child Transmission of HIV. The theme this year also includes Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. And Zero AIDS related deaths. To success the theme framed for this, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other related organizations and the people from all over the world including our country – Bhutan is celebrates the day, today.

To commemorate the day, I on my behalf of we, the people of Bhutan and on my own behalf, convey message how HIV/AIDS – the dangerous disease transmit or spreads from person to person and measures to prevent it.

The disease HIV/AIDS transmit or spreads through various means of unsocial acts, such as unprotected and multiple sex partners, sharing needles and blades, sharing injecting equipments, pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding, and many more.

To conquer or overcome this disease, we should be faith with our partner (Spouses; Husband or wife), use condom while engaging in multiple sex partners (Other than husband or wife or with known and unknown men or women), do not share needles and blades, injecting equipments, do not breast feed the child after birth (Only AIDS infected mothers) and get tested now and then.

If you are free of HIV/AIDS today perhaps you will be HIV Positive tomorrow if you do not be faithful. One thing the AIDS spreads all over the world and within the country is due to multiple sex partners as reported. When we look at the face, we cannot judge the person is infected with HIV/AIDS but when we engage in unprotected sex with them then we will know the fact. However, we have prevention to be free of HIV/AIDS, avoid having multiple sex partners, sharing needles, etc.

As Kuensel reported prior to World AIDS Day, the most infected groups of people are unemployed, following farmers and private/Business people. Therefore, there is very high need to advocate those regarding AIDS. The students/trainees mark the least infected due to awareness programs organized and campaigns going on for several times. I would urge our government or other organization to take greater initiatives to advocate in schools, colleges and institutions as they will share to their family and friends regarding such.

There are many ways to keep ourselves away from HIV/AIDS. We can be uninfected with HIV/AIDS forever. The HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through, hugging, kissing, handshake, sharing bed without sex, sharing toilet, sharing utensils, mosquito bites, using condom while having sex.

Consequently, save yourself and your loved ones from the HIV/AIDS. Advocate the people in rural and urban with helping heart to keep them away from HIV/AIDS. This is hazardous or treacherous disease which takes the life inviting numerous diseases within very short span of time.

Make commitment to what you truly feel and fight against it.

“Commitment is our priority; use Condoms to keep ourselves free from HIV/AIDS”.

Pilgrimage to Drak Karpo and Dzongdakha

The excitement generated out from pilgrimage to Dzongdakha lingers in my mind for whole night. I could not sleep well as it was my first ever time to visit such a holy places of Paro. 

Early in the Morning of 1st November, 2013 I on behalf of my two brothers prepared a breakfast and lunch as well. After an hour of hard work in kitchen, I finished preparing and packed it and get ready for the pilgrimage. My youngest brother helped me in offering Choepa the clean water offering as we used to do before. 

 

Before I proceed for pilgrimage, I offer butter lamp solely dedicated to our Monarchs - the former King and His Majesty's coronation. I offer my deep prayers for the King to live long life ahead and continuity in ruling our country as the People's King.

Three of us then proceed towards the Shaba the meet point destination where Jewon Chotrul Ponlop Rinpoche's entourage from Thimphu. Three of us waited for few minutes then Rinpoche and his entourage reached the place. We greeted whole heartedly and receive chawang from Rinpoche. The group purchased some Dalda to offer lamp and Tshog to offer in temple.

We proceeded towards the Ney- Drak-Karpo. Starts from Shaba satellite town towards the north following the unpaved road for almost 20 to 30 minutes was great journey which gave us tremendous experiences of travelling in unpaved road. After certain time, we reached up on the hills of Youtha Goenpa. I noticed Open air Prisoners are working there. We proceeded further to our destination - Drak Karpo. There are several points to enter the Ney where we took lower entry. After few minutes having tea, we proceed to the Temple. 

There, the bog rock which took more than 20-30 minutes to finish a round. There secret/holy places such as Nub Namkhai Nyingpo's Drukhang, Guru Rinpoche's Zhugthri, Khandomai Zhukthri, etc. are present. Numerous holy places too are present there which I failed to ask anybody due to lack of Advocator - the Neyshaypa. After a round, we got in the temple which is built attached to the rock. It was built professionally that we can't imagine of climbing there because of rocky area. 

Inside the temple, care taker of Temple was there. He explained about the ney/holy and sacredness of the place. The main statue there is Guru Rinpoche. The Nye was said to be Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave where he subdued the evils there. The Paksam Joenshing the tree of wealth was also there in the form of Rock. In secret sites, we ordinary beings can see only rocks and water but for the extra ordinary beings, they can see rocks as real things.

Rinpoche's entourages offer the prayer in the main temple where Guru Rinpoche's statue was stationed. We then slowly and steadily flew back to the point head. On the way back to road head, I met with few people staying there and circumambulating the so called Zangdo pelri - the huge and massive rock. 

Then entourage flew to Dzongdakha. On the way to Dzongdakha, we had lunch. Then our trip started towards Dzongdakha. Almost 10 minutes drive we reached first temple that is built on the rock. It seems the private temple where private house is built adjacent to the temple. We offer our prayers, prostration and Nyendar. 

We then flew to Dzongdakha temple which too was built on the big and massive rock which was unimaginable for all of us. This temple was said to be built during Jetshen Milarepa, but no concrete evidence was found as there was no Caretaker or neyshaypa present there. 

We visited first lhakhang where the main Relic is Guru Rinpoche. There the Temporary Neyshaypa shared whatever he knew about the ney. Second temple from top is where secret Chorten-stupa is built inside the temple. As per the verbal statement of temporary neyshaypa, it is said be built before many centuries. He says that inside chorten there is one small glass chorten as its main Zung - internal relic.

The stupa near the temple is under reconstruction. So, we could not see its whole physical structure. 

Tsheringmai Drupchu-the holy water is also accumlated in tank built attached to the source. The entourages wishfully drank the drupchu stating that the clarity and pleasantness of the voice would be better. However, it’s just belief in our own ways. 

The important thing about dzongdakha is Paro Tshechu starts from there on 8th of 2nd Bhutanese lunar calendar and goes till 10th. Then on 11th the tshechu is being conducted in Paro Dzong till 15th and on 16th the Paro Tshechu concludes in Dzongdakha. There is very long history of conducting the tshechu in such way. 

Then we flew back to home. On the way to home, entourage had tea above the road side and Rinpoche's shared some jokes and talks of past, present and future raised within encourage.

Finally, after long time spending talking and chatting, the entourage flown back to the respective homes. Those came from Thimphu along with Rinpoche flown back to Thimphu and we proceed to Paro town where we stay.

What is the effect of Media coverage on Election?

Our country being landlocked is under developing in terms of anything. The media houses too have not developed well compared to media houses of the world. The media and media person in the world is most powerful person. Media person will rise whatever they feel. Thus, media is above all. The media in our country plays a vital role in our young democratic Bhutan. The media coverage in election will have negative and positive effects when election is in swing. Likewise, media coverage of election gives people a chance to think before they cast their precious votes. The positive and negative effects are discussed as below.

The media coverage in Bhutanese society during election has positive effects on every voter. If the parties formed and contesting for the election will share their ideologies, manifestos, and many more for the entire people of the country though media. When they do such in media, they indirectly introduce themselves to the voters far and around. The voters will gain confidence on party and will decide for which party or candidate they will vote for. The good decision would be taken before the election. As a result, media coverage has positive effect for the voters who genuinely vote for.
  

While, media focal person interviews and ask several questions regarding parties weaknesses and so on during panel discussion and during an interview will affect party in various ways. Through media, people in and around will know how government has ruled before and how party elects will rule henceforth. Media will give true picture of party and its candidates contesting for the primary and general elections. The media have right to question and broadcast and print news for public interest, where parties and its aspiring candidate lose votes or supporters. Consequently, the media coverage in Bhutan has negative effect on election.

The media coverage gives people the information on parties and candidates. It may led people understand the real pictures of the parties. For instance, Bhutanese political parties and its aspiring candidates follow social media - 'FACEBOOK, TWITTER, etc.' creating public figures. They do campaigns in social media and increase supporters from around the country. Therefore, media coverage has positive effects on election.

But, through media, some parties make false pledges and promises to alter voter’s mind. They release persuasive advertisement for the interest of supporters and well wishers. These false pledges will change mind of supporters to support other parties. Some people change their mind after hearing, seeing and reading criticizing news regarding parties. That will adversely affect the parties to lose the supporters. Thus, the media coverage has negative effects on Election.

Election should be free, fair and liberty for the people should be exercised. Through, media, one may get chance to decide which party is better and which parties one should support for. One can always exercise his franchise on election. Election commission announces the date and time for polls, results - who wins and who lost through media. If the media coverage is 100% then people will be informed thoroughly. The person who sits in corner of his house in far flung village will get news on election and its consequences. Corruption is judged by people through news. In some case, candidates bribe the eligible voters. When bribes are in full swing, media person and media houses may publish in news. When news is read by people around, it will directly or indirectly make people aware of how corrupted the candidates and party is. Thus, the people who want to exercise their electoral franchise will take decision well. He/she will know which party and candidates are good to for the country and its people. Social media also encourages and discourages eligible voters to vote for right, intelligent, ambitious for country's developmental activities not for their own betterment. Hence, media coverage has positive effects on election.

Whereas, election commission of Bhutan restricts social media coverage to blackout for last 48 hours before election is held. Announcement and party related issues in broadcasting services are quitted, which adversely affect people at last movement. Media should be given full authority and liberty to write, criticize the parties and candidates for successful democracy in the country. The criticism is 'Beauty of Democracy', without critics and all, democracy may not be successful. How does criticism be publicized? The criticism will reach to the public through media id only the media coverage well. When critics criticize the party or candidates and their pledges, they will lose supporters immediately, which return gains less votes. These all are just because of the coverage of media not because of contesters’ decision. Therefore, the media coverage will adversely affect the election and electoral process.

The media in Bhutan is full swing. Media is growing day by day, plays important roles in electoral process, keeps people connected and informed each and every thing that election commission does, corruption and corrupted people were legally announced through news, charged under the rule of law, party's pledges and promises whether right or wrong were publicized, and so on. Therefore, people who are eligible voters will always have chance to decide whichever party is better and good for the people. Thus, they can exercise their electoral franchise in crystal clear way. 

Vote for growth of nation with vibrant democratic process, not for growth of individuals.

Should school continue to spend money on fine arts?

The tiny nation - Bhutan is rich in ancient cultures and traditions that are preserved and sealed from many generations to this moment. The fine arts of Bhutan today play an important role in persevering our unique culture and traditions. The fine arts such as wall paintings, Thangka paintings, sculpture, etc. are most valuable arts for Bhutanese people. These all are very much unique from rest of the world, today. Therefore Bhutan’s unique arts are vital to be preserved and unique to be conserved for the generation hereon. Unique cultures and traditions will help the developmental activities come swiftly.

The fine arts today introduced in schools for numerous reasons. The introduction of fine arts in schools has numerous merits and demerits. We, the young generation should always preserve it for the future generations to come on track in future.

Well, we all know the fine arts of our country are very much unique from rest of the countries of the world. The fine arts of our country is enhancing and getting popular in schools these days. To introduce fine arts and spend numerous thousands and lakhs of money will enhance our true Bhutanese arts and will remain on its track without a break. The huge amount of money should have to spend on such arts to keep our unique arts everlasting. Future generations have to cope up with our arts not to lose our track on the way. Ministry and various organizations put efforts and continuous encouragement for uplifting and educating arts in schools. An introduction of fine arts in school will help students to keep their leisure time engaged. Our national identity will be forever brighter than that of other countries. Therefore, school should continue to spend money on fine arts and more than that.

Whereas, to continue the fine arts in school spending huge amount of money will always have negative consequences on the economic growth of the country. The arts only cannot preserve our unique culture and tradition. Rather huge amount of money spent on arts will hamper economic growth and in return developmental activities will be backward. Spending huge amount, practicing and learning may hamper student's life and studies of the students who learn arts will be ruined. If suppose, the budget for fine arts is used for some other purposes like constructing building, buying libraries, etc. then it will be useful and beneficial for entire students. For that reason, I urge school should stop spending money on fine arts in schools.

The fine arts will allow our charming and scenic ancient and modern arts. Our arts have already got popular in the world due to exhibition in various countries for several times. The unique arts are admired by all types of people from around the world. Due to these reasons, our arts increased our country's reputation as one of the country which preserves culture and traditions for long time. Thus government and schools introduced fine arts class in schools spending huge amount to gain foreign aids, tourists, and visitors as well. In school, money spent on fine arts will help demonstrate and learn our arts from the grass root level. The arts are true pictures of Bhutanese life in ancient, medieval and modern times. Consequently, I urge to continue spending money on fine arts schools for above mentioned reasons.

                                                                                                                    

But, exhibition and presentation of fine arts will be luxurious in third world countries, huge amount is spent and have to spend in future. The money come from other countries as foreign aid may not help sustaining our arts in schools, may not be able to do expenditure for all time. These will create unexpected problem by visitors, throwing waste papers and materials used will hamper environment degradations. The fine arts creates extra burden for government as they have do to double expenditure despite huge amount is already spent on studies – purchasing books and other materials. Government spends money for classroom, painting materials and many more which is extra expenditures just because of few individuals. Hence, I advocate school to stop spending huge amount of money on fine arts.

The arts in school will create employment opportunities as and when they complete their studies. The artists who learn arts in school will do part time job for sustaining their life. The students will become freelance artists and earn their livelihood. The money they earn will benefit themselves and their family. The time will be utilized consciously. One who has skill to art will become cartoonist in print Medias; can also make their valuable works for many purposes when there is need. Thus, fine arts in school should be continued for betterment of students’ life in future.

While, the fine arts in school will waste precious time of students who wish to study precisely. Bhutan is small and young in terms of anything. Developmental activities initiated recently, so, by fine arts, one may not earn their livelihood. Money they earn will not able to sustain them completely. The fine art in school is wrong concept for small country like Bhutan. As a result, I am here to oppose that it’s not good to continue spending huge amount of money on it.

The introduction of fine arts in school is beneficial for all types of students. Students will learn extra knowledge and their knowledge are counted as and when they are employed. The earning will be more, better and cautious for them. The money spends for fine arts are gained within few years time. However, it will benefit government and the people of Bhutan for various reasons. Therefore, I urge and encourage spending huge amount of money on fine arts in schools and more than today.

Chorten Kora

The legend of Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse...

The history of Chorten Kora dates back to the 18^th century’s Lam of Rigsum Goenpa, Ngawang Lodrö who built the Stupa next to swift flowing Kholung Chu River in Yangtse gewog, Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag in Eastern Bhutan. It is said to be one of the important stupas in the country. Stupa was built in order to subdue harmful demon believed to have been at the site taking life of the people who passed by. Lama Ngawang Lodrö was said be Nephew of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The various incidents had happened in the valley, so, group of people from Yangtse valley approached the lama of Rigsum Goenpa to help them to subdue the demon, where he agreed to do so. After performing the rituals lam found that to protect the locality from demon and future incident of demon taking life of human, he prophesied to built the Chorten where it stand currently. The troop leads by Lam Ngawang Lodrö went to Nepal to get architectural design of Boudhanath stupa which he prophesized. The troop came back with model made using Radish. Therefore, the Chorten is said be modeled after the famous Jarung Khashor Chorten in Nepal.

Then the construction of Chorten took twelve years to complete. For the chorten to be protective and defensive, a virtuous Khado (Dekini) from Tawang-district of Arunachal Pradesh in India was entombed in Chorten on 15^th day of 1^st month of Bhutanese calendar. Finally, the chorten was installed there. The consecration ceremony was held on 30^th day of same month by Je Yonten Thayae. This day, the festival is conducted for two successive times in same month. On 15^th day of 1^st month Bhutanese calendar, it’s called as Dakpai Kora (circumambulation of the Chorten by the Dakpas – the people from Tawang and native places) and Drukpai Kora (circumambulation of the Chorten by the Bhutanese people from all over the country) on 30^th. 

Local devils and evils or demon that had harmed the people of the valley was apparently subdued and banished. Then the people of the valley continued to live peacefully and happily. Even now the people offer deep prayers for protecting them from such demon or evils. 

Above the Chorten is a town of Trashi Yangtse which is of same name. The town was planned to be built based on traditional architectural design houses. The top on the Rinchengang is where the Dzong (the District headquarters) stands. The Dzong was constructed in mid 1990s after Trashi Yangtse became separate district from Trashigang.

The old dzong (the drungkhag headquarters) located is built on hilly area before reaching Chorten Kora. Now the Dzongkhag Administration is situated in new Dzong and Monastic body headed by Lam Neten is situated in Old Dzong that was renovated old one and additional temple and houses are built in early 2000s. 

Today, Trashi Yangtse dzongkhag is considered as rich in culture and tradition that exists prior to. Dapa is one of the famous productions which are bestselling in the country. The district consists of numerous Holy places such as Chorten Kora, Gomkora, Rigsum Goenpa, Pemaling, Dechen Phodrang, Om Bha Nye, Gongza Nye, and so on. There are various old temples that people used to offer their prayers.

The Living God -Dad and Mom

What you really mean by father and mother?  

Dad and Mom

The father/mother is a male/female parents of a child or an animal; a person who is acting as the father/mother to a child. Thus, father and mother is the important person in our life. Father and mother truly care for us in terms of anything.

Our beloved dad and mom truly love, care, and made us valuable citizens in the society by encouraging with their words. The parents did not be uncertain to endow with expenditure in studies to come up and become imperative citizen. That’s what our parents do for us. 

Similarly, my parents facilitated and assisted me in whatever thing I needed in my life as till now. Both of my parents are farmer by profession, but they did not fail to make sustainable living within the family. They were and are hard working as well as caring/nurturing parents that we the siblings valued more than our life. 

For many years and months they were engaged in planning, preparing, procuring and looking into the accessible ways to shore up the family. Dad as Mason earns few thousand bucks while mom works hardly in fields where they managed to come up with desired money and foodstuff at the end of year. They sent us to the school to learn and contour our life. They delicately poured little earnings shared amongst the siblings for the studies, clothing, etc. 

No doubt my dad and mom are compassionate, sympathetic, and nurturing individuals. Alike others, they have got talent and determination of working hard. They willingly work for the benefit of all the family members. Their dedicated and determined hard works made us strong, determined and developed unexpected enthusiasm within self. We have learned to be good and well mannered personality; we did not engage in unproductive errands. We siblings could discover their love and care for us is absolutely poles apart and unquestionable.

Our living God -Our dearest Dad and Mom, being a poor and backward family, did not consent any circumstances regarding daily needs to become narrower; rather managed and handled sustainably. The shortages are filled up, problems are solved, and love and cares are rendered selflessly.

For me, they opened the bolted door of my life to the world with modern education. They made me vigilant, vigorous and capable with their consistent advices. I learned countless newfangled facts from them which are truly useful now and will be useful for my entire life.

As I mentioned above, no doubt that my beloved dad and mom are my god, teacher and most thanked person who assists altruistically. Both, of you are respected, valued, and believed in whatever you taught till now. Your lessons are treasured in my heart for my entire life. 

Therefore, I am truly indebted to you (Dad and Mom). I am sure that I would be not able to find such person in this universe other than you – Dad and Mom. 

Thank you for everything both of you owe to me and other siblings.