Ara -the traditional alcohol of Bhutan

Drunk man

Our country, the Kingdom of Thunder Dragon is referred to as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of cultures and traditions that are still alive. The cultures and traditions that are passed from our ancestors or grandparents are accepted as most valued ones. Our cultures and traditions are different from rest of world and due to its uniqueness, the thousands and lakhs of people from around the world visit to see how it is preserved until now. They travel around the country where there is unique cultures and traditions that are alive.

One of the numerous cultures and traditions that are alive is our traditionally fermented Ara. Ever since, the live on the earth started, these traditions of brewing or fermenting Ara must have initiated, because our ancestors during those times must have used alcohol to recreate their tiredness and exhaust. This is very unique cultures which was existed since many centuries and is still alive in rural Bhutan. The people in rural areas use such methods to ferment the alcohol for their family consumption, which directly or indirectly preserves our culture and tradition of fermenting alcohol. Today, the people in rural areas sell their fermented Ara in the village and nearby towns. The beverage is usually a clear, creamy, or white color.

 

Traditional method of fermenting alcohol

Ara is the traditional wine or alcohol fermented in Bhutan. The Bhutanese traditional fermented alcohol has to undergo various processes and methodologies such as collection of materials, followed by boiling it and adding of yeast to take reactions. Then it is stored in the air-tight container for a month or more. Thereafter, one should undergo some few steps to ferment it to make consumable. This is brewed using pot or cylindrical container. Add a bowl full of Chang Aum (Nursery Wine) and water. The small container is placed inside the cylindrical container using three sticks, with little amount of water. The cylindrical container should be made air-tight with its lid and also wrapped with piece of clothes. The final stage is we should add water in the container on top of the cylindrical container and change it for four to five times when water gets heated. Now, alcohol is ready for consumption.

 

Alcohol

As and when I visited the village in December, 2013, I asked one of the oldest men on my way to village about locally fermented wines or alcohol. He shared why they consume alcohol which is locally fermented. He shared his individual thoughts that are interesting and also helpful to me. I talked with him or several hours asking questions on other living cultures and traditions of the village.

Here it goes:

We live in village; we generate whatever we need within the village. We work hard for our family. We start our work early in the morning and until late evening. As and when we reach home we have to drink to recreate our tiredness and exhaust of doing hard work for whole day. This has been our regular schedule for last many centuries. We sometimes, drink in groups and sometimes individually. Before few years, when we contribute labour to our neighbors, the owner has to serve us with lunch and dinner along with enough alcohol. During lunch, we are served with alcohol more than two to three cups. Moreover, an alcohol was served during dinner time, there is no limit. The owners never feel dire for how much we drink but rather they encourage us to drink as much as possible. This too has been part of our culture.

Now system has been changed after thorough discussion in the village level. We are served with lunch with alcohol. In the evening we are served with Alcohol before departure for respective homes. We used to take alcohol a cup or two and depart home for dinner. The dinner for laborers was cancelled. As soon as we reach home, it is our culture that we took a cup or more to recreate our tiredness and exhaust. I am sure that this tradition of consuming alcohol will be alive forever as this tradition is followed by our children too.

When we drink alcohol, we never leave our daily works aside. We have keen interest in our daily works and when completed our farming works, we join construction sites and earn few thousands to support our school going children and meet daily need at home. I will share my personal life being an alcoholic man. I used to drink alcohol ever since I can remember. My late parents used to drink excessive alcohol. Yet they were strong enough. They passed away at the age of 86 and 82. Until they died, they were alcohol consumer. Me too, I am alcoholic and I will be same hereafter. I drink a liter or more every day. My children working in various places are advising me not to drink more. But I never listened to them. I drink and I work hard where dosage of alcohol is minimized. I am 66 now and I have been drinking for more than 57 years, yet I am free of diseases.

Today, the office goers, school goers and others are drinking too much and died out of alcohol. The reason is they never work hard. They travel in vehicles, sit on chair for whole day, and eat less and so on. They do not have to sweat like us. This lead to alcohol infected diseases and finally they die. If they drink and work hard, the alcohol may not affect them anyways. This is difference between rural and urban settlers. When I see news in BBS and from my friends on call who lives in other parts of the country, I feel sad but when I work, I have no choice than drinking alcohol.

Now I am becoming older, so, I am feeling lazy to prepare alcohol. There is trouble in making and fermenting alcohol. But with help from my wife, we always ferment twice a day and we drink together. My children drinks a lot when they were young, but now due to advocacy programs and other related advertisement, they stopped drinking and advise us a lot.

Ap Thinley shared his views and story on alcohol.

When people in rural areas are core consumer of locally brewed alcohol, the more people are died out of alcohol in urban areas. When I asked about how much deaths in villages are occurred out of alcoholism, he says that death is not caused by alcohol rather its depends on our fate. “Death is already written on our forehead, so we should not think that it is caused by alcohol. If person does not consume alcohol, then for what you will blame the death of that particular person.” He notified me with question.

From medical point of view, the locally brewed alcohol is harmful to our health. The alcohol is strong and alcohol content is 100 percent. Alcohol takes away the life of consumers. Today, the people of any age, consumes alcohol for the various reasons; some drinks it to overcome their frustration, some drinks for pleasure, and so and so on. Once I visited hospital along with friends. There we can see more numbers of patients are related to alcohol. Alcohol ruins the life of many people in the world.

Smoking is much debated issues in the country. Smoking too is not good for health and import is strictly prohibited in the country. To my point of view, the alcohol act should be drafted and advocacy programs in rural areas should be carried sooner than later.

We all know that there are uncountable negative effects of alcohol in human life. The bars, restaurants, hotels and other places in the country are filled with people of all ages to take pleasure of alcohol. They sit together and drink a lot to make their life gratifying. The happiness out of alcohol is unacceptable for me. Our country being Mahayana Buddhist country, it is not good consuming alcohol every day and night. This should be taken measures to bring down or eliminate from the country.

We know that alcohol kills, but why people imports foreign wines and alcohols in to the country. The alcohol ban program should be carried out in the country to minimize alcohol related death in the country. I heard that people who drinks alcohol creates problem in the society. The alcohol and related problems are leading in the society today.

Due to increase in alcohol consumption in the country, the imports of alcohol are increasing. The huge amounts of cash are flowing out of the country which leads to economic depreciation. The young people are died and many are admitted in the hospital and health care centers owing to the alcohol related infections. The car accident occurs because of drunk-drive. Many people lost their life to accidents in various places across the country. The quarrel and struggle within the families, friends and relatives are aroused. After consumption of alcohol, the people feel as if they are on top of the world. They argue what other a person speaks. Their egoistic feelings increases and then finally violence against wife, children and neighbors are occurred.

Burglary, robbery and theft problems are rising in the cities and towns. The several unemployed youths are loitering in the town which led to alcohol consumption. When they drink heavily and get addicted, they robe shops and other business centers. This lead to social problems in the society; this is all due to alcoholism.

                གུ་རུ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་གིས་              

ཆང་ལ་འདོད་ཆགས་ཞེ་སྡང་གཏི་མུག་དང༔ ང་རྒྱལ་ཕྲག་དོག་ཉོན་མོངས་མ་ལུས་པ༔

སློང་བའི་རྒྱུ་རྐྱེན་འདི་ལ་ཚང་བ་ཡིན༔ དེ་ཕྱིར་ཆང་ནག་མ་འཐུང་ཞལ་གདམས་ཡིན༔

Rough Translation

The lust or desire, anger, ignorance, ego or pride, envy and hatred are all caused due to consumption of alcohol. Therefore, never and ever drink alcohol. This is my advice for all.

 

WATER -the source of Happiness

Beautiful Waterfall in Bhutan

“Water covers two-thirds of the surface of the Earth, but Fresh water is 0.002% on Earth”

Bhutan - our motherland is located in the heart of eastern Himalayas. Our country shares its international boundaries with China in the North and India in the East, West and South. We all know that our 38,983 square kilometer land is naturally divided into mountainous terrain and some very lesser amount of plains in the south. Despite being rich in culture and traditions, our country is rich with more than 70.46 percent of forest covered land, surrounded by lands from all the sides of the country. Our country is sometimes called as rich cultural and traditions and birth place of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which states environment as one of the four pillars. The Environment includes water bodies of the world. So, water is very important parts of the country.

Our motherland, the land of thunder dragon being landlocked and mountainous topography, and moreover, some 70.46 percent of the land is covered with forested areas, water sources in the country is available throughout the country. This is how ‘we’ Bhutanese people enjoy the tremendous peace and happiness in everyone’s life on the earth. The rivers flow from high altitudes to the low altitudes throughout the year. The stream, springs, rivers, tributaries, and lakes are the main sources of water supply in the country. Wherever we stay and move, we are surrounded by waters. We could get fresh and clean water everywhere. This is the natural gifts for the people of Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong Suddrounded by rivers

The rivers flow from the top of the mountains to the plains in the south through various hills and gorges. The rivers are originated from the glaciers, streams, and springs and sometimes out of melting of the snow and glaciers on the mountains, and many more. The spring and stream water that comes out from the soil naturally have high potential of mineral contents and its said to be good for health. There are uncountable mineral waters, hot springs and other water sources in the country.

Today, the country like ours is under developing stage. The developmental activities such as construction of roads, schools, houses, hydroelectric projects, industries, etc. are in the process. Such construction works are carried on in forested areas and also in farmlands. The thousand acres of land are used for above purposes. The trees in that particular area are cut down without hesitation. This may lead to decrease forest covered area drastically. When the numbers of trees are reduced, the stream and spring water sources would dry up. Industries are situating in the country, the industrial wastes such as harm gases are emit in the air, harmful liquids in the water, and in open area. These would have negative impacts on environment which force to water pollution, in which water sources are being lessened. The drinkable waters are becoming undrinkable today.

In the scenarios of the world’s water bodies, only 3 percent of the water on the earth surface is fresh and drinkable. The 97 percent of the water on earth’s surface is salty. The salty water is not good for our health. The 3 percent of the fresh water is shared amongst the billions of world’s population. Coming to Bhutan, the waters in our country is useable. Some spring water contains enough amounts of minerals that are good for human health. We, the Bhutanese people does not have water shortage problem as of now. But things are changing with development activities are underway. Water shortage will soon hit the cities and towns. Out of many small towns in the country will soon face water problem. Our capital city, now facing water shortage problems and even other towns in the country; this is negative effect of the climate change.

Scarcity of Water

For example, Thimphu is our capital city; before few decades, the buildings in the city were sparsely erected. The lesser people were lived there. The fresh and clean water was supplied in every household for 24 hours a day. Today, the houses are already crowded; population is increasing every now and then. Due to crowded and congested area, more construction works carried in the area, the water sources already dried up, which was connected to Thimphu city. Now the scenario has changed. The water supplied for 24 hours a day has changed to few hours a day. This is happens due to the climate change over recent years or the past.

The situation of the country of being available fresh and clean water sources is in the process altering. Every dzongkhag have towns, where thousands of people settled together for various purposes. The water supply has become scarcer than before. There are many rivers flowing in the valleys which have become unusable, because the waste drains from the houses are drained out in the rivers. If this is the case, how we can conserve water for our younger generations? Will our young generations get same fresh and clean water?

Until now, water in our country has been sources of happiness for all the individuals. Compare our country with our neighbor friend, India. I met a young boy who was on the way to Thimphu from Tamil Nadu. He was excited to be back in the country, he shares his story as and when I asked him. Here it goes; “In early September, I travelled to Vellore, India for further treatment. I stayed there for few weeks. It was sophisticated to stay there, because of unavailability of fresh and clean water for drinking purposes, forget about taking bath and all. We had to buy bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes. To take bath and wash clothes, we had use tap water that’s muddy and dirty. These were the water problems or scarcity of water in India. Back to Bhutan, as soon as I reached Phuentsholing, I could experience or see fresh and clean water. This is difference between our country and our neighbor country”.

Due to climate change taking place in the country and in world as a whole, the water is getting scarcer and scarcer yearly. This problem is rising because, the people in the world today use greenhouse to plant crops and vegetables. The greenhouse has positive impacts but also has negative impacts, which lead to the climate change that directly affect our water sources. Industrialization is one of the reasons for water becoming scarcer. For the industries to be set up, large amount of land is needed. The land is being cleared up and construction starts on thereafter. Though, growths of industries are good for the country from economy point of view, it help grow country’s economy, but it undoubtedly affects the sources of the water. Human-activities such as use of vehicles, shifting cultivation, forest fires, etc. also harm environment and lead to scarcer of the water.

With this our water sources that I mentioned in above paragraphs would dry up. The sources would be lessened. Streams and springs water will one day go nowhere. Our country’s situation would be poor in water sources.

Water Mill

In the recent past, in our country, the forest fires damaged thousand acres of forest in eastern Bhutan which also gutted more than thirty five houses to the ground. If such continues in our country, the forested areas will be lessened and this will lead to lessen the water sources. When water sources become lesser, it will have adverse effect on the citizen of the country at large. The people living in huge group have to fetch water from various sources. The fetching water from various sources will cost huge amount of money which bring down economy of the family and country at large.

Therefore, I urge myself and my fellow country mate men and women, boys and girls, teachers and students, business men and women, high level personalities and dignitaries, and many more to be very cautious to fight against climate to keep our water sources available for the younger generations to come sooner than later. We all should work hand in hand to conserve environment from where our waters are originated. The few factors, which affect the water sources, are deforestation, global warming, soil erosion, forest fires, etc. which we should combat it jointly.

“A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold to a thirsty man”

Kelki HSS: My ex-institution

First Private School in the country, Kelki Logo

Kelki Higher Secondary School bear a resemblance of "Lha-Yul" in the heart of Capital City and one of the oldest private pre-university schools in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Kelki, the name and fame was widespread in Bhutan because school was premier and oldest private school, has came up with tremendous consequence every year, has got inspiring and encouraging faculty members, and so on.

I am really impressed being a part of Kelkian Family for two years vigorously. The school's faculty members from within Bhutan and outside have got same perceptions to heave up students’ life to the fullest. Committed and dedicated staff members made and shaped, make and shape and will be making and shaping life of students by furnishing with enormous bludgeon of so-called “Eternal Knowledge” and their immense values and philosophies of taming and humanizing students.

The teachers and students of Kelki have got inimitable meticulous and commonsensical thoughts in them as they bring together their tender heart together and work for enhancement of knowledge of the students as a whole. Kelki was established as an only Private Nursery school in the country in 1987 with great “Vision” and “Mission”.

I studied in Kelki HSS for two consecutive year; 2007 and 2008, where I was cultured with many new knowledge from well experienced and veteran teachers and others too. I, myself acquired admission in Bhutan's renowned premier private institution in the Bhutanese society. After getting disclosed in the school, I punctually and affectionately joined the school on 26th February, 2007 with my schoolmate friends. Why I joined the Private School? That's my true and only questions to be asked by myself? This all ensued because, I could not do well in my class X examinations of 2006. I didn't get admission in any of the government schools due to near to the ground marks that I obtained in class X. I was below middling students since when I was in lower classes, perhaps I was not acquainted with how to study but rather we used to play and wander, hang around and be always together with friends.

Kelki HSS, Thimphu

Prior to my studies, I didn't care about what was superior and what was inferior for our life. I went and joined the school because my friends were going to school with well dressed up. I liked to be dressed in school uniform and clutch chunky books which my elder brother used to do so. I didn't have such endeavors and aspirations like other friends. One of my friends has got goals and aims to be fulfilled as he is presently studying Architecture. I was lacking goals and dreams, so I grounded here in the present stage.

                                                

When I accomplished and got admission in Kelki with the stream subject “The Humanities” has given me pinch in my heart. What types of pinch I got? The pinch I got was amazing that class XI with humanity in the first class with my class teacher, who taught me Economics and it was my discouraging situation as I lacked with knowledge about the subjects. I geared up internally to be alert and content in the class where I could not. I then followed my friends and seek out helps from them that I didn't learn anything in classes PP till X. That was the main tribulations with me during my course time. Why I didn't learn anything? I didn't have any answers to my question but only two words "Not Clear".

My teachers taught me glowingly during my stay in Primary, Lower and Middle secondary schools time. When, I was asked the questions from my class teachers, but I answered the question that she asked to me. The second question that she solicited me was “What is your ambition?” How much I thought of answering her but I botched to answer at that time. Then again she asked a couple of questions to my friends repeating the preceding questions. Someone from left corner of the classroom proudly responded the question when madam didn’t ask him. Madam said, “Please try to have one or two ambitions in your life that why you are studying here today.” She then set off the class; the bell for the first interlude rang. To every teacher, I failed to answer properly in terms of ambitions.

I, myself being a typical student in the class I was cheered up by them always. So, they vacationed jointly, heaved me up and placed me up within short span of time. I really thank my dearly loved teachers for helping me to be at present juncture of life arrogantly was made by my dearly-loved teachers who worked altruistically. I, with the help from my teachers, started making class notes and other imperative notes on a regular basis, so, that it helps me to perk up myself very much. Before I used to face inscription problems, such as an essays, letters, compositions, stories, poems, etc. as I was lacked with familiarity and methodology.

My teachers in High school accomplished me as a real human being ever, where I could administer to progress myself. I thank my beloved etched in my mind, the self-sacrificing teachers from my internal core of heart. Whenever, I read and write, I could remember my teachers who taught me since numerous years ago.

I constantly implore to my beloved faculty members of Pre-Primary Schools to Classes X and the Faculty members of Kelki in Particular. My immense entreaty and optimism might aid Kelki to raise the status and reputation of being one of the Premier Private Schools in the Country.

I express thank to my beloved teachers and the staff of the Kelki Higher Secondary School to excel and enlighten in near future with your so-called “Eternal Knowledge”. I will never and ever forget the way you all consummate to me and I will acknowledge you all whatever I do and wherever I stay. I wish entire management, the happy life hereafter and in particular Long Live My Beloved Faculty members of Kelki.

Thank you my beloved teachers.

Letter to my dear Father

My dear Father, Singye

My dear Dad,

The ‘Father’ is a main stand of the family. You meant a lot to me and all the siblings. Being a father, you contributed lot and lots of things for the family last numerous decades and hoping for the same henceforth. When I was young, the condition at our home was pathetic, which was unraveled by you, my dear father. You worked hard and tried to earn little amount of money from contributing labour to constructions sites either of private, cooperation and government organizations. You are my god, my dear father.

Back to late 1980s and early 1990s, you were engaged in some important works in western Bhutan, where you contributed labour force to the nation. You worked hard and your hard-earned money was poured on me and other siblings in different fields. You served the nation as a peasant for the betterment of our family.

In the crack of dawn of 1996, I was sent to the village based school to learn modern education to make my life better. You never thought of keeping me illiterate like other friends. Your contributions in various ways made my life happy today. When I think back to the past, I can’t imagine of our pathetic conditions at our home. We were group of nine including you, my father, mother and grandmother. Now, with your hard work collaboration with mother altered our pathetic family life to somewhat better than that of the past. This is you, who managed the family life to lead day to day living.

                                                                                                                                                           

My sincere gratitude goes to you, my dear father. Your advices and supports are still imbedded in my mind which I will not forget at all. For me, you are god, to all our family, you are god too. We have always considered you as god for our family and have faith in you, we always trust you in everything that you decide. Whatever you did to me was tremendous and cannot forget in my life. This will remain in my life forever without any alteration.

Today, I can read, write, speak and understand some languages. I can also feel the difference between past and present, my knowledge on various things are increasing day after day. I can communicate with people of different types. This is product of you, my dear father. It’s all due to your unwavering love and care for me. Your love and care for me will be always rewarded with my love and care.

For many years, I underwent various stages of studies that were fully and partially sponsored by you. Your selfless support for last several years is fantastic and I am sure that you didn’t even take rest to earn to make my life bright with education. Your hard-earned money that you invested in my studies were uncountable and cannot be paid back, but I am always keeping in mind that I would be most dedicated son hereafter. You and mother’s entire life will be nurtured with love and care.

When I heard of news that states you are sick and suffering from some kind of sickness, my heart get pinched and tears from my eyes are uncontrollable. I cannot hide it. Though, I being unemployed, I am not able to help you all in terms of anything but I am keeping in mind to help you all selflessly. Don't mind for my failure to help you and look after you when you are in need of help.

Hereafter, every day and night, you are remembered. I always pray for your good life and extended peace and happiness come on your life. When things get wrong with me, I am thinking about you and your advice and intellectual support that I got it prior to.

Under your guidance, I have learned many things in terms of village based culture and traditions, our etiquettes and decorum. I am happy to born as your son and will always pray for next generations too. This is my unfathomable prayers and wishes that I am always offering to the god and goddess beyond the existence circle.

Therefore, I will never forget you for making my life affirmative and activist. So, Thank You, Father for everything that you deed to me.

God always bless you, my beloved Father. Long live my beloved Father.

Yours Loving Son

(Dendup Gyembo)

Paro, Western Bhutan