A Responsibility Ahead.

I am an ardent lover of nature and admirer of phenomenons that occur in natural environment, therefore I believe in the lines of George Santayana who stated as follows;

“Everything in nature is lyrical in its ideal essence, tragic in its fate, and comic in its existence.”

And having pursued my graduation in Forestry, a subject of my choice, I have theoretically explored many components of nature in general and forestry principles in particular. But after studies comes a responsibility to work because of which I had successfully completed the requirements to join civil service cadre to put into application the knowledge I gained during my course of study. 

I knew my result of the BSCE 2012 and I was aware about the vacancies and places for posting. Had there been some vacancies in the functional divisions in Thimphu that would have remained my first option but there was none. After getting the guidance and suggestions from senior officers about the nature of work and working environment in different arenas of the same department, I thought of joining Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment as a researcher. By working in this institute, I would be in an intimate relation with nature besides not losing the traces of forestry knowledge I had acquired.

However, I couldn't get the privilege to be there, so had to go for my second option from the many available on 21/12/2012, the day initially speculated as Doomsday. The world didn't end, we didn't die, nor there was any Blackout, we were all smiling but I had a broader smile as I got my first placement in civil service. I have decided to work at Jigme Singye Wangchcuk National Park, the head office of which is at Tsangkha, Trongsa, and finally I could see a responsibility ahead. Responsibility conserve the protected area so as to protect natural habitats and help contribute in maintaining more than 60% of the nation under forest cover, besides sustainably utilizing the rich resources for the need of common people. 

Yet, awaited is the Appointment Letter to consider myself a member of Department of Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. 

Crossing the Hurdles- BCSE 2012 Results.

When the dawn of 30^th November 2012 cracked, my mind was filled with anxiety yet I was excited and this might be a sensation which many of my peers felt because that was the day, when BCSE 2012 result was to be announced. For over 16 years of endeavour in academics, quite a number of Bhutanese youths finally graduates from colleges within and universities abroad in 2012. However, the degree certificate, be it a colourful A grade or a meager C grade, it only served as a license to write the Bhutan Civil Service Examination, the most premiere examination in the country to land a job in civil service. And after clearing all the due procedures, some 1078 graduates appeared for the main exams in October from the 2397 who wrote the preliminary exam in August, to contest for 596 prioritized vacancies. So finally, that day of 30^th November came a couple of days ago.

The performance of general graduates of 2011 was little better than that of this years. This year, the topper, a BBA graduate from Gaeddu College secured only 68.33% as compared to that of 2011 topper who secured 75.5%. Kuensel has announced the toppers from three categories of the BSCE 2012, viz.., PGDFM, PGDPA, and PGDE but not that of Dzongkha and Technical category. This earned some comments on kuenselonline where one reads as follows;

“We really want to see the real toppers.  No matter what are the category Under gone for examination the highest % of overall must be the real topper. One should be best in their own trade and the one who wins with highest % must have worked hard and he/she deserve to be topper.”

So upon reflecting on the marks obtained by Technical category, I found that a Traditional Medicine graduate topped the technical category with 73.12%, followed by Forestry graduates with 72.92% and 72.25% in second and third positions.

Regarding the Dzongkha graduates, there were only six who sat for main exams to contest for the 61 vacancies, and the toppers in the category have scored 73.94%, 67.24%, and 65.67% for the first, second and third positions respectively.

Therefore, if we were to declare the toppers of BCSE 2012 and not the toppers of separate categories, the top five positions would be as follows;

However, the fact that only the toppers of General Category are declared by the RCSC and not those of Technical Category, is also a point as there are hundreds of graduates competing for limited vacancies by answering to same question paper. In the Technical Category, we have only one paper in common and the two are different for graduates specializing in different professions. Besides many technical graduates are those who obtained scholarships abroad after class twelve so in many fields, the ratio of graduates to vacancies are nearly equal. Nonetheless, we should keep in mind that at the end of the day, it is hard work that is paid off well. Even some MBBS and Civil Engineers didn’t obtain the required 50% to join civil service.

Regarding my result, I was overwhelmed and wordless. During the Preliminary Exams, at 81% I was extremely happy, but was worried how well I could perform in the mains and now with 72.25% in the mains, I was on top of the world. I felt, some weakness in myviva but 14.24 out of 20, I now feel it is OK. Of course, getting a pass mark of 50% is enough for us to land a job but better rank offers better preference during placement so by virtue of fate or by virtue of my own efforts, I can live by my choice.

For a time being, series of exams has come to an end but awaited in queue are TOEFL test or so, but lying ahead is Tsa-Wa-Sum as Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests is one step closer. Thank You almighty for all the blessings, teachers for all the faith and guidance, peers and relatives for all the good wishes and warm cheers. :) .

courtesy: linked.

Thanks for the congratulatory calls and messages as well and I also congratulate all those who made through in the BSCE 2012. For those who are not through, may you discover better arenas to work and serve. I too wish all my readers a successful life ahead. 

Fleeting Temperaments.

With the fading of autumn winds, so punctually, the chill of winter breeze has once again come and at this time of the year, Thimphu is getting colder day by day. A month ago, when I left Thimphu for my village having completed the BSCE 2012 requirements, the air was more temperate and environment was filled with bountiful colours.  Reaching home, I was no different from my village folks as there were remnant of works in the field, the harvesting of barley, uprooting of radish and turnips, and soon the frost acted harsher on the leafy vegetables, thus they demanded a roofing.

so fleeting are the rays of morning sun, so are the inscriptions on prayer flags.

Soon, the fields revealed its emptiness in parchedness, and the frost became thicker. In the gardens, the flowers revealed a temperament of impermanence with many petals dying an early death and the living cells in few green foliar ruptured by merciless winter frosts. With the coming of winter days, no more we could wash our hands in running tap water in the morning. what we aspire is to have a sensation of warmth everywhere. Yet, in the village, the peasants don’t rest in chillness but keep themselves busy to maintain their body warm. Before the spring dried to its minimum quantity, the villager decided to build individual taps for each household and this called for equal day labour to built tanks at the source, dig dungeons to bury the water pipes into soil, and for soft skin like mine, a little slogging caused blisters to burst in my palm.

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In the rural areas, it is the superstitious mind that brings more ailments. More saddened when my peers predicted the curse of evil spirit called “Tsen” causing enormous swell to the minute blisters on my palm. The believe that evil spirits reside everywhere seems true, as no sooner an elder villager recited some rituals and offered bread made from wheat flour to the so called “Tsen” helped me relieve the pain. The day before, it was a joyous occasion warming by the hearth, but the next day, swelling in palm caused pain in my nerves So, I was back at home without any update on my blog but facing the challenges of villager’s life in harsh winter.

Today, the sky is overcast with clouds and it is chilly to move outside in the town and one day from today, many students across the country will be writing their board exams with tensed mind to clear the minor hurdles but for many graduates, the BCSE 2012 result will make their day either merry or gloomy, but its again a temperament that we have to overcome be it good or bad.

Meanwhile, I am glad that to have 100 followers on by blog.

Where will my destiny lie?

The Bhutan Civil Service Exam has been always considered the final hurdle for the university graduates to land in to the civil service cadre of Bhutan. Being a graduate of 2012, I too had the privilege of facing this prestigious exam of the country. For those who are well prepared and determined to join the civil service and serve the nation, it is more of an opportunity but BSCE the erstwhile RCSE is a big hurdle land a job in civil service. For me, it turned out to be a wonderful privilege to experience the procedures of this esteemed exam.

Since the day of registration for the exam, my mind had been filled with mixed feelings and thoughts about how to prepare for it, face it and clear it to reach a more comfortable platform. Having cleared the preliminary stage and got the opportunity to write the main exams of the BCSE, the final procedure of the same is to face the panel of viva voce, for which my turn came yesterday.

Writing examinations had been the oldest and most comfortable experience that we have seasoned since our admission to pre-primary but never in my life had I sat for interviews to contest for the vacancies. The only vivid experience I had was facing my own professors during the final viva voce during my final semester back in the university.

It is not as easy as one thinks. It is even more difficult to speak out at a go without organizing the thoughts in the mind first and that too in front of a panel, who are well-versed professionals and high ranked officials. This is my conclusion from my first ever interview and this calls for more preparedness, confidence and eloquence in speaking.

The questions that the member of the panel asked were not tough which requires excessive scratching of head so I have given the answers for every question without having to say “sorry sir”. However, my answers, as I reflect back were more simple and precise, without much organization of thoughts, which hampered my presentation. That I felt is due to my promptness in replying and speaking as I thought which not a good habit. I felt that, we need to take few seconds after the question to organize our thoughts.

Just for an instance, one member of the panel asked me what strategies I would suggest for contributing to the national revenue from the forest without compromising the quality and coverage of the same. To this, I promptly expressed the need of extensive plantations on the vacant Government Reserved Forest lands which can be harvested after certain years for sale in local industries so that the country need not have to implement the policy of importing timbers from outside. I added that there is a need to encourage private forestry at individual level, which will help them generate income by the sale of the products or meet their own basic requirements. These two activities won’t hamper the quality and coverage of natural forest and in this way, my response came to an end.

As I reflected back later, there are more strategies, which can be divided into different categories like the sustainable harvesting of non-wood forest products and their marketing, encouraging ecotourism and other recreational activities for the tourists, and of course the for mentioned point.

So my first interaction with interviewers has given me a good experience of facing similar panels in the future by applying the lessons which I have learnt from it. There is also a need for the contestants to keep updated with the current affairs and national history. For now, I am done with all the inputs for the BCSE 2012, and the result of which will be declared by the end of November will decide my final destiny.

The profession has been my choice, let me wait and see the chances for my destiny. 

The Progressive 2012.

When the year 2012 kicked off, I was quite energetic in writing various stuffs, but as the year progressed by, events that were more vital came one after another as I was in the final stage of completing my Bachelors degree. In times, I became more stressful and frustrating when things did not turn up the way I expected. However, I never let my hope die and deep in my soul, I had kept the patience to wait and tolerance to face the odds.

Though at one point of the time, I was not in a position to attend the requirements of BCSE 2012 formalities, through various tactics of our own and arrangements made by the college authorities, we could write our PE and attend the NGOP before we got our degrees in hand. To narrate how we managed is a painful interesting story. So, as the events that I faced indicates, I became busier as time passed by, and sadly I could not write a single post during the month of September. Nor could I read the update of our active Bhutanese bloggers.

Today, I can say the year 2012 has been a progressive one, though I am sitting idly without doing much productive works. Nor did I apply to any of the vacancies, as I am aspiring to join the Bhutan Civil Service Cadre. Having made through to the Main Exams of RCSC with good marks in Preliminary Exam, I have done my best in the Main Exams that was conducted on 12-14^th October 2012 despite having limited time for preparation. Being in the technical category, the competition is not very tough as the number of vacancies in our category (Forestry) has exceeded the number of candidates after the declaration of PE results and this gives me a hope to thrive the most premier exam in Bhutan.

this is what I seek: courtesy: google

Starting 22^nd October, our competent graduates have entered the final stage of clearing the Bhutan Civil Service Exam by giving their Viva Voce which has 20% weightage. Mine is due on 27^th of this month but I am little confused about how to go ahead to face the panel. Meanwhile I will keep my fingers crossed and seek the blessings from almighty and good wishes from my friends to have a successful interactive session with the panels on my coming big day. The complete story of the year can only be revealed once the result of the BCSE is out and I acquire a secure place to sit and work on.

Wangdue Phodrang- The Palace That Unites.

The destiny seems blurred when the historic edifice was reduced to rumbles by fire within hours. The nation was shocked and startled; the people shed their tears in agony and the only hopes were for the reconstruction of a new fortress, which is going to be a herculean task.

source: flickr.

However, with the blessings from almighty and guardian deities; with the munificent and reassuring guidance of His Majesty the King and with the profound faith and dedication by the people of the spiritual Bhutan, the blurred destiny is now giving way to a great achievement- The Unity of the Sovereignty.

When Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel contemplated of building a fortress on the ridge resembling a sleeping elephant more than three centuries ago, his vision was to unite the entire Drukyul under one reign and so did the vision turned into a successful mission. And today, when due to multifarious perceptions in human minds cause a diversion in society in the ever metamorphosing world, once again, Bhutan is reminded of the strength of unity by losing the age old preserved edifice to fire.

on the fateful day of June 24, 2012.

Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation has made a noble initiative of raising funds for the reconstruction of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, by offering a platform for the devoted citizens from every nook and cannery whereby they can make their offering in both cash and kind. Those who could afford have contributed in lakhs, and those who could not made their little own gestures. There were instances where the age old preserved jewelry of the family being donated to for the welfare of dzong construction and there are pledges and promises made by others to contribute more during the event of dzong construction. These events through LIVE broadcasting by BBS have tremendously moved the confused nationals to higher level of unity which none of the world saw in their history.

Today, as BBS presented the total collection of over Nu. 60 million to the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs at the closing ceremony of their fund collection drive, our people would be deeply humbled to have made their little efforts for the reconstruction of mighty Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. People have been deeply obliged to BBS for the giant step taken that they have taken for the welfare of nation.

May there be a steady Resurrection of the great Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. 

September Post.

Sad to learn that there was not a single post for my blog during the September month, so I post this verse which I posted as status via mobile one day before the Blessed Rainy Day on my facebook. 

Tomorrow, the heaven will weep,

It will shed tears, not of sadness but ecstasy.

The heavens tears, it won’t flood but cleanse,

Flooding off, the negative virtues and karmic sins.

 Thus you will be blessed,

Of peace and prosperity, health and happiness.

Of laughter and love not momentary but eternal.

So I wish one and all,

A wonderful day of Blessed Rain,

Soaking in it not of compulsion but joy,

 Getting rid of not positive virtues but sins.

Together with kith and kin, you shall rejoice,

With bowls of delicious feast and wine,

Wine that would emit eloquent words and not quarrel.

And side by side, I wish all my friends who are writing the BSCE 2012, a very Best of Luck.

What exists beyond hope that keeps you strong?

source:  theturningyear.wordpress.com

Impermanence is a law of nature that governs the world.

The world, it’s intricate with transient phenomenon.

Man has learnt that beauty is short lived

The flowers will fade, dews will dry

So will be the mortal body as it ages and aches.

Man aspires for success, which others says is a result of hard work,

Some says god helps those who help themselves,

For others success simply comes their way with quirk of luck

Yet for few, none of these favours for fate governs the present life.

Handwork goes unpaid, and fate makes a transit twist.

God seems deaf and blesses no solution,

Luck is but a hope as ill fate overwhelms the deeds.

Clouds remain darker as ever without a silver lining,

The tunnel sees no light at its end.

Life is but a sequel of problems leaving behind an eerie nightmare,

Nights are sleepless and daylights seem doomed.

Foods seem insipid and the painful beats of heart irk the stomach.

I hoped and hoped and hoped for the best,

Amidst the mazes of disparity and mental pains,

And for the first time, I sensed that Murphy’s Law governs the world.

The beautiful part of life has gone leaving sad resonations.

The future seems blurred as the present is disturbed,

Disturbed as agony of past reverberates and the path is blocked.

In the net of tyrants, I am entangled.

Somnambulism is what haunts me every single night.

With the hopes diminishing with each passing day,

So is my mental strength which remained alive for years.

Man survive with hope, will man die with the loss of hope?

If not what will keep man alive?

As the NGOP 2012 Ends.

The National Graduate Orientation Programme 2012 kicked off on 13^th August 2012 with the theme “Inspiring Young Leaders of Happiness”. Due to overwhelmingly large number of graduates this year, unlike the previous NGOPs, this year the NGOP was conducted in two different halls of YDF Hall and Taekwondo Hall so the resource persons and speakers were required to repeat the same speeches in the different halls. The MoLHR has recorded the number of graduates in 2012 at 2,263 as compared to 1,659 in 2011, an increase by 36% from previous year, which is one of the highest increments so far.

source: kuensel.

Since the opening session on 13^th August where His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba of Ministry of Works and Human Settlement gave a keynote address stressing on how important education is and that we achieved certain level of education by completing our first university degrees, His Excellency said that we should make the best use of the weapon, viz.., education, and serve the nation with commitment and enthusiasm. Subsequently, we the graduates got a wonderful privilege to receive words of wisdom precious than gold and remarkable speeches that inspired us to face the challenges ahead from all the Cabinet Minister and the Chief Justice of the Judiciary. We were briefed on various government policies, achievements in the past and the objectives they aspire to fulfil in the future. Other resource persons included ACC Chairman, Chief Election Commissioner of ECB, Commissioner from RCSC, Auditor General Of RAA, heads from DHI and BCCI, and few inspiring Entrepreneurs including the founder of Happy Corporative.

More fortunate we got a wonderful opportunity to interact with our Honourable Prime Minister, Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley, on the fifth day of the orientation programme. His Excellency reminded we graduates regarding how grateful our parents are and we were told that we should always fulfil the aspirations of our gracious parents and help them when they need us the most, i.e. old age. Lyonchen said that the person who can repay back to their parents can be the most helpful person in the society and can serve the nation at best. Lyonchen, unlike during the other sessions, have responded to maximum number of questions and queries from the graduates ranging from matters like rural urban migration, issue of trowa theatre, Bhutan’s wish of joining UN Security Council, Taxation Policies, etc. thus enlightening the blurred thoughts of our graduates.

source: K2

On the evening of Saturday, the 18^th August, a Jam Session was organized where the graduates had an exciting Post University Jam Session, meeting many old and new friends thus creating yet another memory of the NGOP 2012. Besides the graduates made small contributions for Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Re-construction, the sum of which reached some Nu. 1,30,000. The following day, we made a little effort in cleaning the Thimphu city with a campaign theme, “Our Waste, Our Responsibility,” which was appreciated and supported by the Mayor of Thimphu City, Dasho Kinley Dorji as expressed in his keynote speech.

Yet the most exciting moment was on Monday the 20^th August, when we the graduates got an audience with His Majesty the King, who was accompanied by Her Majesty, Gyaltsun Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness the Princesses Azhi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck. Being Bhutanese is not a pride but humility, for the highest authority with greatest modesty graces the grassroots with utmost love and compassion. We are simply lucky to be Bhutanese and most fortunate that we could avail best education under their benevolent reigns. His Majesty besides reiterating our responsibility of serving our nation  narrating his childhood memory, and also reminded us that we should love our country intelligently for our country. Her Royal Highness the Princesses Azhi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck awarded NGOP certificates, and finally NGOP 2012 was all over with a Luncheon.

    Having known the government policies, having understood the employment prospects and having received priceless words of encouragement from the highest authority in the country and many other esteemed Dashos and Lyonpos, now it is all in the hands of graduates to whether absorb the inspiration and take up the opportunities as it comes and shoulder the responsibility of serving the nation with utmost dedication and loyalty.

NGOP 2012- “Inspiring Young Leaders of Happiness.”

Though filled with anxiety and worries seeing the limited vacancies for the overwhelmingly large number of graduates this year, for a time being there is no denying the fact that our fresh university graduates are happy for they have achieved a milestone in their life by successfully completing their Bachelors Degree in the field of their interest from the colleges within and abroad. By referring this I am writing about the National Graduate Orientation Programme 2012, the most expensive, educative, ecstatic and very special programme organized by Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, in which I am a part.

source: BBS.

On 9^th August, we had our briefing session followed by keynote presentation on electoral process in the Kingdom of Bhutan from the Election Commission of Bhutan, which was headed by Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi. In an inaugural speech, the graduates were welcomed back to the country to serve the nation and the Hon. Secretary of MoLHR, Dasho Pema Wangda on behalf of the Royal Government, presented a hearty congratulatory note and he introduced to the graduates, the theme for the weeklong NGOP 2012, “Inspiring Young Leaders of Happiness”.

Happiness is not just a jumbled word but it is a congregation of sacred letters so arranged to form a term, which every sentient beings desire to have. People by virtue of the fact that they wish to be happy, the United Nations has unanimously agreed to give it the utmost priority as an important component in the nations developmental paradigm, as the much-acclaimed term Gross National Happiness spread to the international arena from the tiny Himalaya Kingdom of Bhutan. From 2013 onwards, we will be celebrating an International Day of Happiness on 20^th March.

As per the schedule, starting 13^th August till 18^th August, the graduates will be oriented with three main components namely Policy Orientation, Cultural Orientation and Personal Development by resource speakers from various Ministries of the Government and other agencies. With the delivery of these three components, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources intent to groom and inspire the much-awaited young leaders as they are at the threshold of serving the nation with dedication, loyalty and commitment, and for Bhutan is Land of GNH, the graduates are termed the Young Leaders of Happiness.

During the writing of the Preliminary Examinations on 11^th August, the passage for English Comprehension was a relevant topic. In the passage, one great personality advised the graduates to learn from mistakes and take the opportunities as it comes, because in waiting for the better opportunities, we might miss the right opportunity. The next advice from another personality was to be selfless and serve for the betterment of others and the renowned Steve Jobs advises the graduates to pursue their passion. Having read so even in the examination halls, I am sure that our graduates can pursue happiness and radiate the beams of happiness to others by being optimistic, pragmatic and dynamic in the coming days, and for now I am hopeful that we can gain the best from the NGOP 2012 and get inspired to become the True Leaders of Happiness.

Happy National Graduate Orientation Programme 2012 for all those who are attending it and make the best memories of your post university days.

More Graduates, Limited Vacancies.

Bhutan being a young country with more than 60% of the population being youths between the ages of 10 and 29 years, it is high time that the nation prepares to provide a secure place for the youths and adolescents in the society. They being the future citizens are the jewel of the nation and to have a jewel that is worth appreciating is the aspiration of our fore generations. The government has made every possible attempt to attain 100% enrolment by making primary education compulsory for every child thus providing a base for securing the future of the youths. The parents too realized the importance of education so they try to give the best education to their children and the children, with wide range of dreams endeavor to complete a minimum qualification of Bachelors Degree. This indeed is a stirring move for the young country, but for the graduates, their move is not yet over.

With the number of university graduates increasing at a high rate each year and the vacancies in civil service remaining low, the once so aspiring youths are to face the future, which they anticipated to be a colorful one in a doomed and often chaotic state. As per the press release from the Royal Civil Service Commission, a total of 2,623 university graduates e-registered for Bhutan Civil Service Examinations (BCSE 2012), with an annual increase in graduate registration of approximately 42% over the previous year, which saw only 1856.  The RCSC has declared 597 vacancies in Civil Service for successful BSCE 2012 graduates, which is an increase by 32% compared to 451 vacancies of 2011.

Looking into the above data, though there is certain percentage increase in the vacancies this year, the increase is not proportionate to that of the increase in number of graduates. Simply speaking, the graduate to vacancy ratio is approximately 4.5:1, but in reality, there is uneven competition as the vacancies are differentiated into technical category and general category including teaching. Of the total vacancies, 279 falls under technical category that have almost equal ratio of graduates to vacancies in many specializations except for BCA, Engineering and few other specializations. Of the 713 technical graduates registered, 300 are IT graduates which have only 7 vacancies. 255 vacancies are exclusively for teaching fraternity, which as of today is a least preferred option. Therefore, approximately 1655 university graduates have to compete for 72 seats in general category. This ratio is without considering the result of the Preliminary Examinations, which will happen on 11^th August 2012.

Even with the best pursuit, some 2026 graduates will have no options but to look beyond the civil service at the end of the year. Of this, a large proportion will consists of graduates who have pursued undergraduate programme in general subjects, who will have to fight in the local job market like corporations, private firms, NGOs, etc.., so the competition for a better job will be tougher for the graduates in general and general graduates in specific. Considering some 1000 graduates get absorbed in various above mentioned local job markets and few venturing into entrepreneurship setups and business enterprises, there is going to be a deficit of still 1000 jobs. Farming, though it is a backbone for the nation’s self-sufficiency in food production, it will no more remain as a preferential occupation for the university graduates, so where should the remaining graduates go?

With a clear conscience and unwavering focus, there will be always a way, so what is important is to keep the hopes alive and will determined. It is vital that we aim for the better opportunities, but it is never a worst idea to take up the small jobs that comes our way as the Buddhist saying goes, “The task so mighty is accomplished through slow but continued pace and not with pride and ferocity. It is the small stream that flows calmly which covers a thousand miles and not the aggressive oceanic wave.”

For now, Best Wishes to All the University Graduates who are writing the BCSE 2012.

A Poetic Status.

This is a compilation of my facebook status updates.

image source: linked here.

The jewel of earth are the spring blossoms,

Amid thousand varieties, the marigolds dazzles.

Yet, the beauty of marigolds, they bloom on hilly cliffs,

Neither quenching the bees thirst, nor appeasing the heavenly gods.

The sun that illuminates this world has sunken in western horizon, 

And the beams of crescent moon, it drifted above the nimbus shades.

Thus the temporal world of mine, its shrouded in darkness

And this lonesome journey, its sees no destination.

Oh, the angel of my bygone childhood ages,

Thee turned to a stunning young maiden.

Throbbing my heart, the cherubic damsel.

Why gloomily you leave me now, my beguiling village.

If with the silken care, life turns debacle.

In desperation, then with wrathful dagger, pierce it hard.

Let the bloods of discontentment ooze harder.

Leaving a vacuum, where toxics can refill.

For its odds, that is paid best, and not the bests.

The Pain of Parting.

From the memoir of a song which I heard some years ago, 

the verse of which still echoes my ear.

image source: google rinpoche.

The three precious words which cradles my heart,

I longed to express to you but without a chance.

Yet between you and me, the wind of ill fate blew,

Making us part, for there wasn’t an alternative.

When in the summer’s heat, I troubled of thirst.

By fate, I encountered you, the mountain spring.

Yet I am saddened when the stream flowed away,

Leaving me in pain, like the fish on the dry shore.

The beauty of rheum, it blossoms on alpine hills,

The silver moon, please don’t wane and fade but wait

For  our parting today is a transient fate,

May the circle of karma bring us together.

P.S: Its a rough translation of a Dzongkha song.

As the Historic Wangdue Dzong Turns into Ashes.

My internet was slow. I tried to open the facebook and kuenselonline simultaneously at around 8:00 pm but facebook took longer time than usual to open. The kuenselonline kept loading and then came a heading, Wangduephodrang dzong fire!!!. I coulnot believe at first and thought it might contain a story of past incidence but when the page was fully loaded, it was appeared to me like a worst nightmare but it was fact. The historic dzong that peacefully perch on the hill resembling a sleeping elephant was engulfed by fire and was razed to ground as the day ended. It was the most tragic incident in the recent history of Bhutan, which caused the loss of a precious jewel that had been passed down to generations for the last 37o+ years.

I captured this image last year in Sept. 

Every Bhutanese know the history that Wangdue Phodrang dzong was founded in 1638 by the Zhabdrung and was Bhutan's second capital until Trongsa was founded in1644 with Wangdue Dzongpon as the head.  Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel met a young boy named Wangdi playing in the sand by the Punak Chhu and named the new dzong Wangdi Phodrang (Wangdi's Palace) which was later changed to Wangdue. The dzong is a dramatic example of Bhutanese architecture and it houses the monastic body and administrative offices of the district until the unfortunate fire incident reduced to ashes on this ill-fated day of 24.06.2012.

This is what happened today. What will we have tomorrow???

I was emotionally wrecked. My mind remained adle for long and body numb before the reminiscence of days I visited the dzong overwhelmed me. Wangdue being my district, I felt that we the people of Wangdue are really unfortunate though the loss is unbearable for the entire nation. I have been to the various temples within the dzong during my school days in Bajothang and I could clearly remember how I use to watch the historic Wangdue Tsechu in the courtyard of the magnificent dzong.  

This natural forces really creates a havoc. Some ten years ago, I witnessed three buildings being razed to ground near the Punathsangchu bridge. Last year in February, fire rumbled down the administrative block of Bajothang school, where I completed my schoolings. And today, it took away the entire dzong leaving Wangdue void and empty.

I made a call to home only to discover that they were deeply saddened. “I always offer butter lamps to pray for the good. What shall we do.” My sister was helpless. My brother who have studied near the dzong since his fourth grade till he passed class 12 long ago was equally in deep agony. The tweets and facebook status shows the sentiments of fellow Bhutanese but we are all helpless. The only hope is that let pray not such an incident happen in the future.

However I am deeply touched by the concern shown by His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth Drukgyalpo. I came to learn that even before BBS could break the  news for the nation their Majesties has reached the scene to encourage the people for fighting the fire and of course consoling when it they failed.

The only good news was that the Precious nangtens are being saved.

Lets hope that the same masterpiece will soon replace the remains of the priceless asset which we lost today. There is a need for the present generation to take extra steps in preserving other such monuments.  

"As the elements of nature razed to ground my #WangdueDzong, My heart ached an unbearable pain and eyes shed voluminous tears. M so silent." - My only tweet for the day and incident. 

God Bless Bhutan.

                                                                                                              -Leythro...

Trip to Mussoorie- A Special BirthDay Treat.

Whenever I return home for the vacations from the college in India, I feel a great sense of joy once I pass by NJP and start seeing the lush forest and rolling hills to the north. The much-travelled endless Indian plains finally comes to an end as I reach the Phuntsholing gate. The next journey as the bus ascend uphill to enter the core of Bhutan not only relieves me of the stress I had in the college but also the fact that my home, the embodiment of peace is one step closer, the journey though in times is nauseating, it however remains the most cherished one. Added more the joy is by the fresh cold air that is devoid in the cities and the enthralling beauties of the mosaic of forest types that keeps changing as the elevation rises.

I am almost saturated by the same mundane for the last three and half years. I never changed my room, lectures seemed monotonous, but the final semester of my four year course of B.Sc. Forestry gave me an opportunity to visit Dehradun where all the forest based research activities are being carried out in India. Set up the Britishers in 1800’s the buildings are still at their best without much change in architectural designs and it was indeed a good experience to finally see the real forestry practices which otherwise was mostly learnt theoretically in the college.

image from google: could not capture a good photo of my own.

Ranchi has been unbearably hot without rain for overtwo months I felt it would be a good opportunity to relish some favourable weather in an exotic location, but my assumption tuned out to be wrong, as Dehradun is equally hot as Ranchi. However, our trip to Mussoorie Hill Station on 21/06/2012 was an amazing experience.

Located at an elevation of over 6000 feet, Mussoorie,popularly known as the Queen of Hills, is one of the most famous hill stations in India for both foreign tourists and Indians. The road after leaving the plains trespasses through the woods and ascends upward with numerous twists and turns, just like the Bhutanese roads. Owing to its excellent condition, I hardly felt any bump despite the vehicle travelling very fast. The route was very busy with thousand of cars moving up and down, as it is vacation season for the Indians. Though the hills are deeply encroached, natural forests are also found in abundance, which is why the air is cool and refreshing.

our own Dochula: source linked.

Reaching Mussoorie, which is perched on the top of the hill, I am reminded of our own Dochula pass. The difference is that Mussoorie tuned out to be inhabited and densely populated and often polluted by thousands of cars coming and leaving every day during the peak seasons but our Dochula is a pass which is still in its pristine state exhibiting the spiritual identity of nation. There is a stretch of shops, which sell varieties of items and numerous hotels and restaurants to cater our needs. The hill gives us a spectacular bird eye view of the Dehradun plains on one side and to the others we can see the Himalayan mountains and hills.

Besides there are many other sites to visit nearby like Kempty fall which reminded me of the landslides in Bhutan which block the roads with queue of vehicles though its due to narrow road and heavy traffic in this case. Others include the artificial Mussoorie lake, Camels back road, Municipal Garden, Gun Hills etc. As we returned back, the moment yet took me back to my village when I saw the sun about to roll behind the hills to the west. Generally, sun sinks in the plains in India.

People describe it as a natural paradise to sleep sound and peacefully and it is one indeed but its sustainability is a great threat due to reckless throwing of garbage, the ever increasing number of visitors and threats of decreasing forest coverage. Sadly, I couldnot locate a single Cedrus deodara tree which I longed to see for long as it is confined only in the western Himalayas. Yet, with nostalgic reminiscence and euphoric aches in heart, it was a pleasant birthday treat for me.  Yet I am little worried for the coming days. HOPE!!!!


                                                                                                                     -Leythro...

Summers Heat and Day Excursions, Now the End.

Today we had a longest day excursion covering more than 200 kms to and fro to the natural forest in the state. Jharkhand is known for its rich forest and natural resources if not for its unstable political scenario which saw as many as 8 chief minister within first ten years of its creation in 2000. Saranda forest is one of the famous subtropical sal (Shorea robusta) forests in Asia due to the profuse regeneration, but unfortunately most of forests of the northern states of India are infested by naxalite which pose a great threat to the commuters/government official/tourists etc and Saranda forest too has fallen prey to the maoists. I came to learn from the professors and seniors that in the past, they use to carryout hand on training and campings in the core of saranda sal forest but that was some 30 years ago, after all this college which I am studying is one of the oldest forestry college in the entire south Asia.

This entire semester, we had been visiting many forest-based institute and other forest areas to put into practice the theory we have learnt for the last three years. Although the activities and visits were in times exciting and sometimes boring, the intense heat has ruined our interest most of the time. For the first time in four years, I experienced unbearable heat in this place called Ranchi, which was considered as summer capital in the past. There has not been a single drop of rain for the last two months and mercury has risen above 40 degree Celsius. The ponds have dried, and the ground remained as barren as winter, and I have heard that in the nearby places, people have even evacuated their flats owing to scarcity of water.

However today’s excursion somehow gave me a sense of joy as this is going to be the last local excursion for us. The journey was too long and heat waves were really torturing but seeing the framers toiling in their dry field, rishaw paddlers striving so hard for earning their breeds and tribal peoples slogging in the intense heat, I reassuringly comforted myself in bearing the last heats. Of all the moments, the moment, under the shade of Eucalyptus was more nostalgic and mesmerizing.

The time has changed a lot since the starting of our semester in March. During those days, the forests were dry and brown with their leaves shed. Slowly they turned greener and later we could see beautiful pinnacles in the florescence of sal trees. Added to the greenery were the colours of Jacaranda and other wild flowers. Now the sal trees are in full ripe bearing their spectacularly winged seeds in abundance. The purples of Jacaranda has given its way to the saffrons of Delonix and Cassia.

Excitedly awaited is the exotic tour to the Doon Valley for the next couple of weeks starting 16th this month :) . By then let me hope that the monsoon has come and given a fresh look to this arid environs.

How have been your days this summer? Has monsoon reached your places or is it as hot as I described here?