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.