Boisterous place in town –the DRAYANG

Whole day, I was busy reading an article. It took more than 6 hours to read and analyze it. I took late lunch. In relaxing manner, I was watching television. It was almost 6:53pm in the evening; I got call from my friends. “Come to town….please be fast…,” hanged call. I called back to know the reason behind. “Tring…Tring…Tring…” My friend was on call. He was asking me to reach in one of the restaurants in the town shortly. With no choice, I had to go there. I travelled in cab. I went directly to the restaurant and met with friends. They were waiting for me.

They were asking me to go around in the town. I agreed them. We went along the street. One of three friends asked us to visit Drayang. It was shocking news, as I was unaware of it. I did not hear prior to. “It will be most experiencing and joyful evening today,” I thought. Two of my friends agreed and followed by my acceptance.

They led me to Drayang. It was one of the famous places and much visited or crowded Drayangs in the town. As soon as we entered the door, I saw big crowded. I never thought of looking around rather directly went to the right hand side corner. We took seat there. I feel ashamed to sit there, I felt as if crowd looking at me. The dancers were shaking their slimy body. The way they dressed was amazingly great. Nevertheless, the Kira and Tego look quite different.

Movement after, one of the dancers cum waiter, approached our group. They asked orders. “I feel like to have some different items,” I thought. However, orders were just beverages and snacks, which was completely against my thinking. My friends ordered some few bottles of beer and snacks of Juma.

Meanwhile, that girl asked for request. “What is request?” I asked myself. I pay attention to a group of old aged men talking about request next to us. I understood what request really is. My friends discussed a lot. ‘Request’ is famous term used in Drayangs by waiters cum dancers. They come to customers to sponsor for them to stand on the stage to sing or dance. “Please, request chi nang may…” the way they persuade customers.

In other group of men, there was a girl talking about so-called request. One of the men from a group was asking that girl to go with him, later at night. It was embarrassing for me. I felt ashamed, but never pull back my ears. The men’s terms and conditions for their request of request money were to stay with him for a night. Man seems to be wealthy. He asked her cellular phone number. Everything was set. He seems to be excited.

He pulls his wallet from back pocket of the jean pant he was wearing. He un-zipped his wallet, took out Nu. 1500. “Are you sure that you will stay with me tonight?” he asked in threatening way. “If my sister does not say anything I will...,” she replied. Then he handed over the money. He pulled her to his chest and kissed on her cheek. It was kind of molestation or caressing in public. However, there was no other option for young girls.

The girl went to counter deposited the money. The anchor announced her name to come on the stage to dance on the name of person who requested or paid Nu. 1500, meanwhile a girl was still with in my group waiting for handsome request money.

“Why so called request exists here,” I asked girl. She promptly answers my question in very easy way. She mentioned that how much request money they get would be their salary at the end of the month. I asked about salaries that owner pay for them, but it was very low. She did not even disclose her salary.

However, young girls earn from dancing, singing, and working in Drayangs, but they have some painful situation disclosed. Whether married or unmarried, they have to ask for request. The money directly goes to owner who sits in counter. Some Drayangs have manager appointed instead of owner.

My friends collected 200 each, which made Nu. 800, and gave it to that girl. She also asked us to give her some drinking items. So, my fellow friends sanctioned. She deposited money and came back with a cane of Tiger beer. The snacks they eat with drinks were Gap, Juma and other meat items.

The Drayang hall in decorated with pictures of Dharma Kings of Bhutan, the Rinpoches and other religious costumes. The people gather there is from all age groups. Some unwanted practices are going on in Drayangs. Both young and old women working there drinks a lot, passionately changes their mind under the influence of money, they keep aside their husbands rather opt for additional affairs, eat meats and so and so on.

However, it is not my life. Nevertheless, I felt guilty of our fellow citizens being exploited, especially girls in different ways. The way dress up is purely based on owner’s willingness to attract customers. They work for their owners and make money for them but spoil their life within short span of time.

I spent few hours in Drayang. It closes by 11pm. It is almost mid-night. Some stay in hostel, some stay with parents and relatives, and some with their husband. Owner provides them, transportation service until their homes. It is good for them and it is safe too.

The man was waiting outside the door for that girl. He waited for quite long time. He called her then. She was on call. He was arrogantly annoyed. He says that he was waiting her near front door. On call, she states that she was almost reaching home. He was infuriated. He asked back his money with slang language. “Did you reach home?” he asked. “I stay beside Drayang.” He went then. He walked with long steps. She was disinterestedly waiting outside to give time for him for his money. We took a majestic walk along the street. That man appeared driving a luxurious car.

We stopped thinking that he might have something to say. However, it was not. The girl was going with him. Two went missing from that point. One of my friends was aware that there is a Ballroom (dancing room). He asked us to see around in party. I ignored. They went in. They snapped some pictures and shown to me later. My friend had car so we went to car. My friends were not drunk. I asked not to drink anymore. They agreed.

We decided to proceed to Kuensel Phodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point). It was early in the morning. Party in town get over and hundreds of people hang around in Buddha Point. Unexpectedly, I saw gruel and other edible item vendors. They temporarily installed shops along the way, just below massive Buddha.

In early hours of the morning, I noticed people spent time sleeping along the roadside. Some spent time in car. That men and girl was at Buddha Point. They were spending early morning nightlife in car half nude. They even do not recognize people watching at them. Still they were drinking. It was great night watching different sorts of nightlife in capital city.

When people live life in such ways, it is definite that Bhutanese people have lots of time to spend considering leisure at night, keeping their family back at home. The phone rings, no one responded call, as and when I was watching. The Partygoers ignore calls and concentrate on temporary life with their temporary partners.

Back to town, the Partygoers or Drayang attenders, shout in the street distracting sleeping residents. The streetlights installed in the street are damaged throwing bottles, stones, and sticks. The Gang-Fight broke out under the influence of alcohol. These are major cause of social disharmony. Before decades, in the capital city, even if we walk alone, there was no risk. Now, life-risk is increasing owing to social gathering places.

Then after, I didn’t plan to visit Drayang and Ballrooms. 

Pornograpic clips -punishable under law

In the world, thousands and millions of Pornograpic videos go viral. In our country too Pornograpic clips go viral as reported in Kuensel. This kind of act is truly punishable under the law. Therefore, concern agencies should punish person involved and person who shot hiding. Concern agencies should always wait for complaint rather it would be better fix few people immediately. If agencies wait for complaints then more Pornograpic clips will go viral hereafter.

Clock Tower –most visited place in Thimphu

Located in the heart of capital city, Thimphu between two famous roads –Norzinlam and Changlam, and built in 1987 is the Chutse Khorloi Kachen (tower of the clock) which is importantly functioned for the various purposes. The tower was respectfully consecrated on August 1, 1987. The clock tower was built in the inspiring memory of Late King by Fritz and Monica von Schulthess Frank and Lisina Hoch Fernand and Adrienne Oltramare. The Third Dragon King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who was born in 1928 and passed away in 1972. He initiated First Five Year Plan in 1961 and various developmental activities came up now and then. His Majesty was referred to as the Father of Modern Bhutan.

The clock tower is the midpoint where capital city is expandingto all the directions. Once upon a time, the clock tower area was cab room (Taxi stand) where cabbies can travel to each and every nook and corner of the city and outside the city too. It is really attention-grabbing and relieving place where hundreds and thousands gather to watch occasional public shows organized by various agencies time and again.This becomes recreational center for the all kind of people.

Not only this place is good but also it merely becomes the violence prone areas where intra-personal issues raised at this place out ego clash within themselves. In the mid night or early morning hours, we can see people loitering around the tower premise, which threaten the life of people who come there for good purposes or emergency cases. Though, all loiterers may not have same notion to robe, stab, bash, etc. but it happen sometimes which pinch the mind of all. However, the place is believed to be one of the vital places in the heart of capital city.

The hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping complexes, private offices, residences and others are modestly located with superficially beautiful and purely in our own fading traditions. Surrounded by reputed Druk Hotel and Wangchuk Hotel, the clock tower looks beautiful and adored by the people of all kinds.

The Clock Tower has been meeting place besides National Memorial Chorten, Kuensel Phodrang and other places. The boy or girl walk majestically to the place and waits for long time, taking rest to greet their dear ones. They sigh and moan in order to make good greetings to the dear ones, who meet for the first time. Some artificially walk here and there to pass their leisure time before their counterparts reach the place. The people of all ages choose this place as their best meeting place keeping in mind the location.

The people of all kinds take sun bath sitting on the galleries sharing about their past, present and vision the future of individual life. They laugh, scream, giggle and shout amongst themselves out of excitement. The food and lodging hotels nearby facing the clock tower and enjoy the vicinity of the tower area downright.

This place is not only visited by the Bhutanese people but also the tourists. They took photographs and ask several questions what, why, where, who and how it is built. The tourist guide simply responds the questions in their own ways. One of the tourist guides was at clock tower confidently giving explanations. “This is Clock Tower. It is built here because wrist watch and wall clock was not popular. The date is unknown. So, we considered as important place in the country.” Said one the tourist guides. The explanation is almost true but sardonic for person who knows better than him. I simply listened and I believed it as true. I totally followed his explanations. Then I realized that I should know about it. I went through various magazines, newspapers, and other resources, but could not find the detail.

Henceforth, I was just waiting to get more information. Simply waiting does not worked well. I then researched on it following various resources. I got some fabricated paragraphs from internet and magazines.

One day, I went along with my friends to the premise of clock tower. I stayed there for few hours waiting for other friends to reach the place. We seated on the benches installed nearby. We could see beautiful mountains above the roofs of the tall buildings. I the unzipped my bag, pull out the camera, I went around and took some beautiful photographs. I went near the tower, where I could see a black coloured board with few lines written on it. My habit is to read carefully, so I neared the board and read top to bottom. This is all about the tower. I got basic information about the tower but very short. With excitement; I snapped few pictures of the board.

I sit on the steps, took a rest for few minutes. I looked around opening my eyes wide; I could see many children playing in the premise of the tower, some labourers working hard to complete the house on time, some going back to their homes, some walking into the premise, and so on. It was truly nice and watchable.

I lost my conscious for sake of several transactions within very short span of time. Meanwhile, my friends already reach the spot where I was out of conscious. They were shouting to me, waving their hands and laughing at me. I realized why I am out of conscious. So, I just ignored and share how important clock tower is in Thimphu.

Rural-Urban migration is swelling

Thimphu is capital city where hundreds and thousands of people come and settle down in congested town and also in congested apartments. As and when we walk in street, we may not discover the problems that every individual have, but back at home we can easily understand how people suffers. The people come from every nook and corner of the country which took more than three days or more to get into capital City, Thimphu.

Every day, tens of buses ply to and fro Thimphu. The people who travel as far as proper eastern Bhutan, Trashi Yangtse, Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar and other places. The Japan manufactured coaster buses and some few Indian made Tata and Eicher buses ply all over the country from Thimphu and come to Thimphu from various parts of the country. However, it is good that people migrate from rural areas to urban areas but it creates lots of problems in urban centers.

The main reasons for Rural-Urban Migration are as follows:

1.      Availability of better infrastructures,

2.      In search of better employment opportunities,

3.      Educational facilities are better,

4.      Medication and health facilities are good,

5.      To meet children, relatives, siblings and others,

6.      Recreational facilities are far better in town, and many more…

How we would stop Rural-Urban migration? There are several strategies to stop it. From my point of view, infrastructure development, education, medical and health, recreational and other needy facilities should be increased in rural areas. If the government, organizations and other offices set up in rural areas would encourage people from migrating to urban centers.

One evening, I went to Bus terminal (or booking) accompanying my cousin. He had things to get from someone travelling from eastern Bhutan. We got there bit early. It was just 3:30pm and we had to wait for long hours. It was raining very heavily. When we are waiting there, I took an opportunity to go around and snap some photos.

The people from every nook and corner of the country come to Thimphu via passenger buses. We were waiting for Trashigang bus to come. Suddenly, bus that travels between Bumthang and Thimphu reached the terminal, followed by monger bus. The people gathered there to pick up their relatives and all.

The buses and other cars got together in the parking lot in bus terminal where four or five buses reach the place at a time. The buses parked and the passenger got out from the buses. Some of the passengers are coming for the first time to Thimphu, some returning from holidays and vacations; some went on tour, and for other various reasons. Tens and scores of people are picked up by their relatives and some not.

The people who wait for their relatives, friends, siblings and other relations, visit shop nearby and take an opportunity to interact with vendors. The shop is running by different vendors to make their living in capital and to support school going children. The shops sell edible items, drinkable items, and other homemade snacks and ‘momo’, etc. This temporary shop was constructed under the support of BAWOE.

The cabs, private vehicles and buses are moving here and there in search of space to park it. The people coming from far-flung villages, just holding their mobile phones and trying to call, some are in deep sleep, some just looking around, and so on. This is interesting parts of the life at terminal point. I wonder a lot why people travel to Thimphu from other parts of the country.

Owing to eagerness, I asked few people travelling from Trashigang. As and when I asked him why he comes to Thinphu, he says that he in on medical checkup. “I will go back as soon as I finish my checkup as I am sure I would not like to stay in such noisy city,” he said. The National Referral Hospital which is the largest hospital in the country is located in the heart of the city. The reason for people coming here is because of the medical facilities are far better.

Meanwhile, I also talked with few other people who are on medical checkup and some who come to meet their children who work in Thimphu. One of the middle aged women travelled all the way from Silambi, Mongar on the invitation of her daughter to sit the newly born baby. She is coming for the first time in the city and worried how she would adapt with the place. Her son-in-law came to Bus terminal to pick up her. She smiled and proceeds on. This shows that our aged parents are employed as the baby sitter in the capital city and other parts of the country, where urbanization taking place very fast.

The men who is boarded on Trashi Yangtse bus come to Thimphu to witness Thimphu Lhamoi Dromchoe and Tshechu which is scheduled at the end of this month and early next month respectively. He came little earlier to celebrate Blessed Rainy Day with his children. When asked about returning back, he says that he would go as soon as possible. “Bara Dung May Reinpay,” he said adding that wife would face difficult time back in village without his absence.

Thimphu Lhamoi Dromchoe and Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country which has been celebrated for last centuries. The thousands of people come together to Tshechu ground to witness mask dances and other social events. This is indeed called as one of the biggest social gathering where people from all parts of the country get together for same purpose. During Tshechu, hundreds and thousands of tourists visit intending spend their holidays or vacations. They come in groups paying huge amount of money.

Finally, Trashigang bus proceeds into the bus terminal. The bus full of people just got out. I looked carefully to see their expressions. Their smiling face indicates that they are happy in Thimphu. I caught a man and greet him. I asked some questions. He answered me politely. “Nan Neytshuel Dulenpa Gelamo,” he asked me. “Mang gi wai......Jang.....” I answered him. He says that he saw reporters asking questions to the people in town and even in villages sometimes. However, he was extremely happy to meet with his son, who came there to pick up him.

Then we got things that we were waiting for. We travelled back to place where we stay. We walked sublimely in the rain. I intentionally walked in the rain to learn something more about the people staying in town. As and when we walked, we came across generations aged between 15 and 30, walking in the rain holding umbrella to protect them from the rain. My question here is why people walk in rain? My answer is just “No reason”. But still I could visualize the answer that they might be having important works. Before crossing the Memorial Chorten, I saw a young boy and girl coming from opposite direction. They met just above Lungtenzampa oil depot and road heading to IMTRAT. They intentionally come to meet despite heavy rain.

Not only has this but also there are many people sacrificing their time for dear ones in heavy rain. However, it is none of my business, I remind myself to avoid blaming others. Nonetheless, it’s all pleasure of the youth and leisure time.

Anyway, we took our own steps to reach home before getting showery by rain water. The heavy rain for almost two consecutive days had loosened the earth where mud and marshy footpath really hamper our splendid walk.

The cabs never stay idle. They travel in the city and drop people here and there. It was great opportunity for cabbies to make some amount of money before getting late. This is how some get affected and some gains while raining.

Our walk continued until we reach home. It was really interesting for us to walk experiencing all kind of lifestyles in the city and judged how people coming for the first time looks like. The worried person coming for the first time to Thimphu just shows different expressions. They smile when they could see the people they know prior to. 

However, in future, if our relatives happen to come to Thimphu, we should be some few minutes ahead to pick up them as they worry who would pick them in such a crowd. This gave some lesson for me and taught me what I didn’t think of learning it. Every time, when we walk across in the city, I get more knowledge. This knowledge can be used in various aspects of the life henceforth.

National Memorial Chorten –abode of meeting people

According to the sources; Chorten or Stupa is earliest form of the Buddha image to commemorate major event in his life. To mark the sacred places where these event occurred. Stupa built as memorial and contains relics and offerings. In Bhutan it is also built as land mark.

One early in the morning, I went to National Memorial Chorten to make some circumambulations. I took a majestic walk along with some people who were on the way to Chorten for the same reason. As soon as I reach near hospital campus, I stopped for a very short span of time. I saw a big group walking magnificently towards chorten. I just stand on road side. They went ahead of me talking in their own languages, something about the chorten and a day’s program. They walked on smiling at me and talking within themselves. I smiled too and stand side by the road little more.

Another group came and went off. I still wait there and went on following our senior citizens. Amongst all, the majority were women. As and when I reach below hospital arcs, I saw people coming from different directions intending to circumambulate the National Memorial Chorten. I joined the group and walked to the chorten. They entered the courtyard of Chorten where I still wait outside to read the information and see around to know more about it.

Before I enter the chorten, I saw a giant board depicting the history and reasons for constructing the chorten. History says that chorten was built on the commemoration of late 3^rd Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is referred to as ‘Father of Modern Bhutan’. He was born in 1928 and passed away in 1972. His mother late Gyalyum Azhi Phuntsho Choden sponsor the construction of the chorten in order to fulfill late His Majesty’s one of the three wishes. This chorten was built in 1974 after Kyabje Dejom Rinpoche visualized and architectural drawing was done by His Holiness, Kyabje Dungsi Rinpoche.

It is located in the heart of the Capital City of Bhutan, Thimphu. It is built in the crossed junction of the city road, the Doebum Lam and Chorten Lam which passes through Hospital to the Swimming pool complex and main town to the hospital respectively.

On top of the arc of the Chorten, slate curving Rigsum Gonpo is installed. The Rigsum Gonpo consists of Chenrayzig (Avalokestesvara) in the Centre, Jampelyang (Manjushri) on right and Chana Dorji (Vajrapani) on left. The Rigsum Gonpo is trinity of three main Bodhisattvas. It is mainly found in the main entrance of the Dzongs, temples and chortens.

Chenray Zig is the Bodhisattva of Compassion or is god of compassion; Jampelyang is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom or is god of wisdom or knowledge or intelligence, and Chana Dorji is Bodhisattva of Power and is god of power.

The gate or arch is fully in traditional of Bhutan. On top of the gate or arc from inside is the Nirmakaya, which consists of present Buddha Shacha Thukpa (Sakyamuni), Guru Rimpoche (the Tantric Master) and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the Unifier of Bhutan). Three of them are Trulkus. So it would be Nirmakayas.

When I looked around, I saw our senior citizens chanting mantras, pulling and pushing the Prayer wheels (Mani Dungkhor) in prayer wheel house. I went there and asked some few people about the importance of chanting mantras. One of the senior citizens steadily answered my questions and I got moral ideas of chanting mantras. I was taught how to pull and push the prayer wheels. I thanked them and request them to offer prayers for wellbeing of all sentient beings as they did prior to. I enjoyed being with them for few minutes chatting and gossiping.

I walked towards chorten where the Good Angel statue is situated in octagon shaped house. The good angel is offering the water to chorten and its internal shrine and relics. Offering of water has many reasons. The very reason for offering the water dates back to era of Buddha. In this universe, each and every one of us is not gifted with same wealth and fortunes. Water is the cheapest and easiest way to offer to the god. So, therefore, it is good to offer clean water to the god to gain merits.

After that I went around the chorten. I saw butter lamp offerings are done outside the Chorten. Hundreds and thousands of butter lamps are offered in the butter lamp house near the chorten. The importance of offering butter lamp is to gain merits and fortunes in our life. The holy smoke or Sang is also offered to gain merits. North to the chorten is Kuenray where rituals are conducted.

Before completing a round, I saw many people prostrating towards the chorten from east direction. The importance of prostration is to wash way sins that we accumulated in our past and present life. The processes, methods or steps to offer prostrations are as follows:

“Bring hands together on our heart. Take it up on the head and bring down below chin or Jaw, then to the heart. Then we bend down the knees and put our knees and hands on the ground and also the forehead. Putting down the knees, hands and forehead signifies pinning down the five poisons on the ground. The numbers of the prostrations differs from person to person.”

Towards the east is the front of the chorten. In the vase or Bumpa, the statue of present Buddha, Shacha Thukpa or Sakyamuni is installed. The four Guardian Kings are also installed below it, in four directions. The Guardian King of East, Yulkhorsung or Dhritarashtra, Guardian King of South, Phagyelpo or Virudhaka, Guardian King of West, Chemizang or Virupaksha and Guardian King of North, Namthoese or Vaisravava. We can easily recognize the Four Guardian Kings through their complexions, the weapons they hold, throne they sit on, and other features.

Its outer appearance is the Draduel or Jangchub or Stupa of conquest and it’s purely based on Tibetan architecture. The Chorten is built to defeat the temptation of attack of host Mara under Bodhi tree, and built by King Bimbisara to mark the occasion. Have traditional four unadorned steps.

Whole structures of the chorten represents as five purified elements; square base or four cardinals and inter cardinal corners as ‘Earth’, hemispherical vase or dome as ‘Water’, conical sphere or thirteen umbrella as ‘Fire’, the lotus parasol and crescent moon as ‘Air’, and sun and dissolving point as ‘Space’. It is also explained as body of the Buddha; the throne, legs in lotus posture, torso, faces and eyes, ushnisha, and enlightenment respectively.

The four Snow lions from four directions holding the iron chain signify that the lons hold the chorten which is believed to be flying in the air. The snow lion has a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and natural sense of delight, so they holds the chorten to stand still as it is.

Interior of the Chorten is designed as Temple which houses the King’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns in ground floor along with Phurpa (Vajrakila Statues), Kagae Teaching in first floor and teaching of Lama Goongdu in second floor. Lama Goongdu teaching is the highest form of teaching in Tantric religion.

The murals paintings of Nyingma Traditions are depicted on the walls of chorten. There are uncountable paintings of Bodhisattvas, scholars and others in the chorten.

Over the years, National Memorial Chorten has become one of the best meeting points in the heart of capital city. Early in the morning on my visit to chorten, I saw numbers of Monks, Lay-Monks and Anims (Nuns) were waiting there. I wonder why they were waiting. But the best answer I could generate was they were waiting for the person who hired them to perform rituals at home. They chats and gossips within themselves.

After few minutes, cars parked in the parking lot, man came out from car, the group of 8 monks and lay-monks got in the car. They plied to their destination. Another group was also picked up from same place. Anims were also picked by from the same place.

Our senior citizens come there to meet their old friends apart from chanting mantras. One good example I saw is a man from East and Central Bhutan served in Army long time back. They met there after 23 years of their departure. They said that they always come to chorten to meet face to face and talk what not things about the past. They have been good friends in Dewathang before more than two decades ago.

In the evening I went back again to circumambulate the chorten. That time many people gathered there for the same reason. But some young boys and girls eagerly wait for their partners to come. They fix the meeting point at chorten and diverts to other places. The numbers of young boys and girls were sitting nearby chorten holding their cellular phones; replying wechat messages, receive calls, and make calls. In some incidences, boys and girls quarrel there as they fail to make on time to be at chorten.

The civil servants, corporate and private employees, job seekers and others meet there after long time. The house wives and unmarried circumambulates the chorten and go back in evening. This is how our National Memorial Chorten has significances and how it has become meeting point.