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2007, February 28: The Anti-Corruption Commission has issued an office order suspending two senior government officials. The two officials are former Thrompon and the senior planning officer of the Thimphu City Corporation (TCC). The two officials have, however, not been suspended by the ministry of works and human settlement. The Thimphu City Corporation functions under the ministry of works and human settlement.

The secretary of the ministry of works and human settlement, Tshering Dorji, says that is because the ministry has not been informed why the two officials are being suspended.

“The officials were engaged in some important assignment when we received the letter from the Anti Corruption Commission. The assignment was halfway through. The officials are working in a group on the assignment and it was not proper for us to break up that group,” said Tshering Dorji.

In the meantime we have been studying on their cases and consulting within ourselves what should be done,” added the secretary.

The two officials are already being tried in the Thimphu district court.

An official from the Anti-Corruption Commission says the two officials would know on what grounds they are being suspended when they were given a copy of the charge sheet. The spokesperson says the reasons are mentioned in the charge sheet.

The chairperson of Anti-Corruption Commission says as per chapter 6, Clause 77 of the Anti-Corruption Act, whenever the commission finds a prima facie case, the alleged person shall be suspended from service and or his business frozen. “Clause 78 of the act states that the alleged person shall be suspended and or his business frozen until the period of detention. If a case is filed against him, he shall be suspended and or his business frozen until the proceeding of the case is over."

2007, February 28: Corporal punishment has been banned in schools from 2003. The decision to ban corporal punishment was taken during the 6th annual education conference. But, a report by the national commission for women and children says corporal punishment still exits though it is less than it was in the past.

Corporal punishment was common in the past. But, today it is banned in schools. The director of school education, Tshewang Tandin, said corporal punishment is not a progressive way of dealing with children.

“Most of the time the punishment is dealt out when somebody losses his or her head. So, at that point of time the person who is resorting to corporal punishment is not able to really asses whether this is going to help the child or not,” said Tshewang Tandin.

Doctors and child psychiatrists say they believe that corporal punishment should not be used at all. They say corporal punishment can leave deep emotional and psychological scars.

Dr. DK Nirola, a psychiatrist with the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) said the performance of a child who is punished in the class will decline instead of improving. “The child will withdraw suddenly, will not talk and not do anything,” said Dr. Nirola adding that it can also trigger very strong emotion like anxiety and depression which can sometimes be very difficult to manage.

“Punishment can lead to aggression so if you keep punishing someone, they can take for sometime, after a while they’ll turn against you,” said Dr. Nirola.

He added research has also shown that those children who are abused and punished during their childhood tend to become abusive parents.

A report prepared jointly by the UNICEF and the National Commission for Women and Children says the ban has reduced corporal punishment but it still exits in schools. The report revealed that children from several schools in Thimphu have received corporal punishment at one time or another.

The director of school education, Tshewang Tandin, admitted that there may be a few cases of corporal punishment being used in schools. “I think it takes time but gradually people are beginning to learn and change. Perhaps there may be few cases but I’m sure these incidences of corporal punishment will reduce in due course of time,” said Tshewang Tandin.

A few teachers told BBS that corporal punishment is necessary but they said it should be used only as the last resort.

Some parents said corporal punishment is justifiable in some cases. However, more educated parents insist that corporal punishment should be banned. Many said those who use corporal punishment are ‘orthodox’.

The education ministry is now working to establish a child friendly school environment. The director of school education says child friendly school environment will focus on the development and care of children in schools.

He said; “we’re talking about an environment where children are welcome to be in the school so that children would love going to school where the teaching learning process is child centered, and if we are discussing about development of a school in a child friendly environment, children would also be involved in the decision of the management and development of the school.”

Corporal punishment may have been banned in schools but it is apparent that eradicating it will require a major change in the mindset of parents as well as teachers.

2007, February 28: “Sixty nine percent of the Bhutanese population lives in rural areas and poverty in Bhutan is largely a rural phenomenon,” said the minister of agriculture, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup adding that one of the main objectives of the RNR sector in the 10th Five Year Plan would be to enhance sustainable rural livelihood.

The agriculture minister was speaking at inaugural function of the three day annual RNR conference in Lobesa on Monday, February 26. Accelerating production, access and marketing for rural prosperity is the theme of the annual RNR conference.

The ministry of agriculture says the theme highlights the urgent need to implement the PAM (Production, Accessibility and Marketing) strategy on a larger scale to help reduce rural poverty.

Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup said major constraint faced by the ministry was the logical links between Gewogs, Dzongkhags and departmental plans which needed to be strengthened to achieve set goals.

Speaking to BBS, the chief planning officer of the ministry of agriculture, Tenzin Chophel, said the conference would focus on the extension system. He said the conference would look at where the ministry was going wrong in providing their extension services.

He added that an extension coordination committee had already been formed. “The committee will review the extension service that we are providing to the farmers and conduct a nationwide survey and the report will be published soon,” said Tenzin Chophel.

The best extension award consisting of certificates and cash prizes were awarded to the six extension officers. The sanam Lyonpo also released the RNR journal of Bhutan.

2007, February 27: Awareness on the ill effects of substance abuse is increasing and because of this substance abuse is on the decline. But, it is still a cause for concern say analysts. Only recently, police caught a known drug smuggler and seized a large cache of assortment of drugs at the Chuzom check post. The drugs were smuggled from Phuentsholing to Thimphu in a private car.

Although police have apprehended an increasing number of drug peddlers, police fear that many are not getting caught.  

The Royal Bhutan Police apprehended 236 people, most of them youth in 2005. The number decreased to 224 last year.

Of the 224 apprehended cases in 2006, 166 were in Thimphu. Police said most of the substance abusers in the kingdom were youth, students and school dropouts.

Uygen (name changed), 26, is from Haa and lives in Thimphu. He studied up to class eight and has been arrested by the Police for substance abuse. He told BBS that he had been using drugs for some nine years now.
           
According to police every year many youth are trying drugs either out of curiosity or peer pressure. Overtime, some become addicted to the habit. They also come across many youth who express regret.

Dorji (name changed) is 21 years old and a high school dropout. He said he had been into drugs for some six to seven years now. “When we become intoxicated and out of sense, we do not want to listen to our parents and elders. We like to do things that are wrong,” Dorji said.

The Royal Bhutan Police have also established a separate police unit to control and monitor drug smuggling. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Enforcement Unit was established this year.

The unit is carrying out awareness programs and regular patrolling to monitor the use of drugs among the youth. To facilitate their work, the unit has supplied drug testing kits in all the police divisions. The unit hopes to minimize substance abuse by promoting awareness as well strengthening monitoring and preventing drug smuggling.

2007, February 26: His Majesty the King joined hundreds of people from Wangdiphodrang, Punakha and the neighboring Dzongkhags at the conclusion of the Puna Domchoe. The three day annual Domchoe, one of the most important festivals in the kingdom, ended yesterday. The Domchoe concluded with what is known as Norb Chu Sha Ne.

The event is a reenactment of a trick that the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal played on an invading Tibetan force hundreds of years ago. The Tibetan force had come to forcibly take back home the sacred relic Ranjung Khasar Pani. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal hid the sacred relic in the folds of his sleeve and threw a fake one into the Puna Tsangchu. The Tibetan forces then withdrew and went back home believing that the Ranjung Khasar Pani has been lost forever.

As the venerable Dorji Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang immersed the Norb into the Puna Tsangchu, swimmers waded through the chilling cold waters to collect them.

The annual Domchoe is dedicated to Yeshey Goenpo or Mahakala, one of the main protective deities of the Kingdom.

It was instituted by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal as an expression of gratitude to the nation’s protective deities.

The Domchoe is being followed by Puna Tshechu. The Tshechu will also last three days.

Government offices and schools in Punakha will remain closed during the Tshechu festival.

2007, February 26: Rampaging wild elephants have destroyed two semi permanent houses in Bawoney village under Phuntshothang Gewog, Samdrupchoeling Dungkhag. Our Samdrupjongkhar correspondent, Pema Samdrup, says the wild elephants usually come in small herds to gorge on banana, sugarcane and crops. They tend to break into houses to eat rice, salt and other food items.

Juvenile elephants also frolic and engage in mock fights in the maize and paddy fields leaving behind a trail of destruction.

The Phuntshothang Gup said elephant attacks were common in villages like Khamethang, Sambrang and Bawaney under Samdrupcholing Dungkhag.

The recent attack in which the two houses were destroyed was made by 18 juvenile elephants. They had come apparently in search of food.

 Unable to find anything to feed upon, they broke into two houses and ate all the rice, salt, oil and also destroyed some banana trees.

During the incident, the occupants of the two houses managed to run away.
Later the villagers were able to chase the elephants away.

Elephant attacks increase during the harvest season.

According to the Dungkhag administration elephant attacks pose serious threat to even human lives. There have, however, been no recent reports of injuries to human beings.

2007, February 24: Ugyen, 18, will no longer have time to hang around with friends. She is a mother now. Ugyen told us that she was not ready for motherhood. “I find her new reality a difficult thing to accept,” she said. Teenage pregnancy is becoming a major concern.

Every year teenage girls are getting pregnant and some are not even ready for the responsibility of being motherhood. Dorji Lham, Ugyen’s sister is lending Ugyen a helping hand these days. “Ugyen can’t even feed her baby properly.”

Records at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWRNH) show that as of February 20, first two months of 2007, saw 31 teenage mothers.

From 2001 to 2007, out of 2,500 deliveries at the hospital, teenage mother deliveries were in the range of 13 percent.

Doctor Phub Dorji, a gynecologist at the JDWRNH said most of the teenage pregnancies were unprepared pregnancies. “As they are not prepared they don’t come to the hospital for regular checkups.”

As both the mother and the baby, Dr. Phub Dorji said, is in the growing age there will be clashes between the two for the food. “That will lead will to premature birth and premature birth leads to many complications later,” Dr. Phub Dorji added.  

As youngest in her family, Ugyen has all the care and love from her parents who accompanied her to Thimphu. “She is very young and doesn’t know how to handle the baby,” said Ugyen’s father.

 Rinzin Bidha, also 18 is eldest in her family. She got married at the age of 17 and is now two month pregnant. As the eldest she also has to shoulder the responsibility of looking after four of her siblings. She never went to school.

Motherhood brings with it unequaled joy and also challenges are many.

“To become a mother is easy but to be a mother is difficult," said one of the young mothers who had come to the hospital for checkups.

2007, February 24: The construction of a farm road between Jomotshangkha and Menjung has restarted. The construction of the 14 kilometer farm road was discontinued in 2003 because of the security situation after about ten kilometers was completed. The reconstruction works started earlier this month.

The farm road will benefit more than 800 households in Shingkhar Louri and Serthi Gewogs.

Local people said the road will go a long way in alleviating poverty and raising the living standards.

The Gewog Yargye Tshogchung (GYT) members told our reporter Pema Samdrup that the road would enable them to market their farm produce. They would also be able to buy household necessities, said one of the villagers. It takes at least four days to reach Jomotshangkha Dungkhag from Shingkhar Louri.

The assistant engineer, Kezang Lhendup, said the 14 kilometer farm road will be completed in two years. The Agriculture Marketing Enterprise Promotion Program in Kangma, Trashigang is providing the budget of Nu. 10 million for the construction of the farm road.  

2007, February 24: Tsirang Dzongkhag has been connected with B-mobile on Thursday. It is the second last Dzongkhag to be connected with Bmobile. Gasa, the last remaining dzongkhag will be connected on Sunday.

Our Tsirang correspondent says the people of Damphu town, especially the business community members, were excited to be connected with B-mobile. They said they will be able to conduct their businesses and communicate with their customers and whole sale agents. “I am glad that finally mobile network has come. It will be easier and cheaper for us to conduct our businesses,” one of the exited shop owners.

The villagers were also equally excited. They told reporter, Sonam Ugen that they were going to ask their relatives in Thimphu and Phuentsholing to buy mobile for them. “We have waited for the network for quite a sometime now. I used to envy my friends using mobile phones whenever I went to Thimphu,” said one of the local residents.

Meanwhile, marketing manager of B-mobile in Thimphu said not all the Gewogs and villages will get the signal even after all 20 Dzongkhags are connected to mobile service.

2007, February 21: The nation today celebrated the 27th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King. Government offices across the kingdom remained closed today on the occasion of the 27th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.
           
His Majesty the king was born on February 21st 1980.
           
His Majesty received a simple traditional upbringing. His Majesty traveled extensively with His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo from a young age.

His Majesty assumed the position of the Trongsa Penlop on October 21st 2004. His Majesty also chaired the discussions on the Draft Constitution in several Dzongkhags.
           
On 9th December 2006, His Majesty assumed responsibilities as monarch and head of state.
           
Handing over the responsibilities at a special sitting of the cabinet, His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo expressed his confidence that Bhutan would see unprecedented progress and prosperity during the reign of the His Majesty Jigme Khesar.

His Majesty the King made his first public address as the monarch on 17th December, as the nation celebrated the 99th national day. “Henceforth, our responsibilities will always be first and foremost, the peace and tranquility of the nation; the sovereignty and security of our country; the fulfilling of the vision of Gross National Happiness and the strengthening of this new system of democracy.”
           
His Majesty reminded the people that the future of the country had been placed in their hands and its destiny was now their responsibility.
           
After the address, His Majesty interacted with Bhutanese from all walks of life. We Bhutanese know that this has been a Royal tradition since His Majesty was a young Crown Prince.
           
In December, the 86th session of the national assembly in December 2006 assumed special significance as it was the first session to be attended by His Majesty.

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar made an official visit to New Delhi, India from February 7th to 12th.

This was His Majesty’s first official visit to a foreign country after assuming the responsibilities of Monarch.

During the visit, the two governments signed the India Bhutan Friendship Treaty. A news release from the Foreign Ministry says the treaty not only reflects the contemporary nature of the relationship between the two countries, but also provides the foundation for the continued growth of this excellent relationship in the 21st century.

During the visit His Majesty met and held talks with President A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, opposition leader, LK Advani, and other senior government officials and political leaders of India.

A joint press release said the official visit of His Majesty the King has greatly contributed to further strengthening of the mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the two countries.

As the nation celebrates the 27th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King, the people of Bhutan pray for the continued good health of His Majesty the King. It is a special day for the Bhutanese and an occasion to express their gratitude and pay tribute to their monarch. They said it is an occasion to pledge and reaffirm their loyalty and dedication.

2007, February 16: The first ever SAARC car rally will commence on 15th March. The month long rally will begin from Bangladesh and end in the Maldives. Bhutan will be represented by eight participants including four media representatives.

The rally will commence from Bangladesh and proceed to Bhutan and then to Nepal and Pakistan. The rally is expected to arrive in the Indian capital of New Delhi on 1st April on the eve of the 14th SAARC Summit. It will then proceed to Sri Lanka and conclude in the Maldives on 15th April.

The team will arrive in Bhutan on 19th March. They will enter through Phuntsholing and proceed to Thimphu and exit from Gelephu.

Talking to the Bhutanese Media, the foreign secretary, Yeshey Dorji, said the rally was being organized to promote cooperation and people to people contact in the region. “It is also to promote tourism and meet the objectives of SAARC,” he added.

The government of India will provide 30 vehicles for the rally. The idea of SAARC car rally was floated by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, during the 13th SAARC Summit.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was established in 1985.

Meanwhile, the Indo Bhutan car rally has been won by Arindam Ghosh and Somdeb Chanda from India and Thinley Wangchuk and Saroj Yangzom from Bhutan. The received their prizes from the Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk at the clock tower on Thursday. Their prize was a cheque for Nu. 100,000.

A Bhutanese women team also received fifteen thousand Ngultrums as prize for the best women team.

Twenty eight people including eight from Bhutan took part in the event.

1st Indo Bhutan friendship rally concludes

2007, February 15: The first ever Indo Bhutan friendship rally concluded yesterday afternoon. The participants were received by the vice president of Bhutan India Friendship Association, the labor and human resources minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering at the clock tower square.
           
The rally was flagged off from the Indian town of Siliguri on Monday at a ceremony attended by senior officials from west Bengal and Sikkim.

After covering more than two hundred and fifty kilometers the rally made a halt in the border town of Phuntsholing. Speaking to BBS, the participants expressed their satisfaction and excitement having completed the rally without any problems on the way.

Twenty eight people, 8 from Bhutan and 20 from India, took part in the rally. They began the second leg of the journey from Phuntsoling to Thimphu in the morning.

The prizes to the winners will be awarded today.

Organized by the Bengal Motor Sports Club, the rally is described as a friendship activity based on accuracy and planning more than on speed driving.

A huge expectant crowd gathered at the clock tower square to witness and congratulate the participants as the rally ended.

The Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering said the rally was a friendship activity based on accuracy and planning more than speed driving.

Initially the rally was planned in December but due to delays in raising funds the event was postponed for this month.

2007, February 15: While B mobile may boast that their service will be available in all the 20 Dzongkhags by February the problems associated with it don’t seem to be ending. First came the network problems and now the most sold recharge vouchers, the Nu. 100 recharge vouchers, has run out of stock. The Nu. 100 recharge vouchers are most sought after by those from the lower income bracket.  

When B-mobile announced that it would be releasing Nu. 100 vouchers in January 2006, the news was welcomed by users, especially those in the lower income bracket. Now the Nu. 100 recharge vouchers have run out of stock. Even the Nu. 200 vouchers have sold out.

Most of the users are in dismay. The lowest denomination voucher costs Nu. 300. The Nu. 300 vouchers are also not easily available.

The others cost Nu. 500 and Nu. 1000. Users say they are too expensive for them. Some of the users say B-mobile is taking advantage of the monopoly in the market.

B-mobile’s customer manager, Tandin Gyeltshen, said the problem had occurred because B-mobile’s new dealer did not get any response from the printing agent in India.

B-mobile said they have told the dealer to make available the Nu.100 and Nu. 200 vouchers soon. It is likely to take till the end this month or early March to get the vouchers. The delay, it is certain is not going to be welcomed by the subscribers.

B-mobile has currently 83476 prepaid and 3537 postpaid subscribers.

2007, February 12: His Majesty the King returned from the state visit to India today. A joint India Bhutan press release says the leaders of India appreciated that the first visit abroad by the fifth Druk Gyalpo is to India. This, they said, is a manifestation of the deep bonds of friendship and historical ties that bind the two countries.

This is His Majesty’s first visit to a foreign country after assuming responsibilities as monarch and head of state.

The news release also says the Indian Prime Minister has accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to pay an official visit to Bhutan.

The visit

During the six day state visit, His Majesty the King called on the President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. His Majesty the King also met and held talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.
His Majesty was accompanied by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and senior officials.

The Prime Minister of India also hosted a dinner in honor of His Majesty the King.

The Government of India paid tributes to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in making Indo-Bhutan relations an exemplary model of good neighborly relations.

Also during the six day official visit, the minister for external affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, home minister, Shivraj Patel, deputy chairman of the planning commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, defence minister, A.K Anthony, and finance minister, P. Chidambaram called on His Majesty the King. The leader of the opposition party, L K Advani and other senior government officials also called on His Majesty the King.

The signing

The visit was marked by the signing of the historic India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty. The Treaty reflects the contemporary nature of Indo-Bhutan relations and lays the firm foundation for their future development in the 21st century.

It will enable the further intensification of the relations in trade and economic cooperation, hydro power, human resource development, culture and people to people exchange.

The visit by His Majesty the King continued the tradition of periodic exchange of visits at the highest levels between the two countries. During the visit, both sides held a cordial exchange of views and discussions on bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues.

The leaders also expressed their satisfaction at the excellent state of friendly relations and cooperation. They agreed that the destinies of the two countries were closely linked and that there was immense potential for further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.

Reaffirming full support in Bhutan’s transition

In this context, they expressed deep satisfaction at the successful commencement of commercial operations of the Tala Hydro Power Project. It was agreed to put on fast track the development of the other power projects.

The government of India reaffirmed its full support to Bhutan during its period of transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy, including the forthcoming elections. The government of India reiterated its commitment to provide all possible assistance to the royal government of Bhutan in its socio economic development including the ongoing 9th FYP and the forthcoming 10th five year plan.

The two sides also agreed to upgrade their respective Liaison Offices in Phuntsholing and Kolkatta to full fledged consulates general.

The joint new release says the visit by His Majesty the King is yet another milestone in the history of relations between Bhutan and India, and greatly contributed in further enhancing the mutual goodwill, trust, understanding and friendship between the governments, leaders and people of the two countries.

2007, February 09: Bhutan and India signed the India Bhutan Friendship Treaty in the Indian capital New Delhi yesterday. The Treaty was signed by His Majesty the King and the Indian external affairs minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh was also present at the signing.

His Majesty the King said the Treaty of friendship truly reflects the unchanging and steadfast nature of the bonds of friendship between the two countries. His Majesty said with the signing of the treaty the relations between the two countries will become even stronger as they grow more diverse with rapid economic growth in both countries and more intimate as people to people ties take center stage.

His Majesty said geopolitical realities and more importantly the deep foundations of the existing bonds guarantee that Bhutan and India will always share common interests and will seek to mutually fulfill them.

Earlier during the day, His Majesty the King met with the President of India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, and the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.

His Majesty the king arrived in the Indian capital New Delhi on a six day state visit on Wednesday.

Making a statement during the signing of the treaty, the official spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry said the Treaty updates the Treaty signed in Darjeeling on 8th August 1949. It removes provisions which have become obsolete overtime. It includes fresh provisions for consolidating and expanding economic cooperation for mutual and long term benefits.

He said India’s relations with Bhutan have been an enduring element of India’s foreign policy. These relations, based on the foundation of shared interests and mutually beneficial cooperation, have become an exemplary model of good neighborly relations.

India Bhutan relations are today characterized by maturity, trust, respect and understanding and joint endeavors in ever expanding areas of activity.

He said the government of India deeply values the contributions made by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo to the consolidation of India Bhutan relations.

He said the signing of the India Bhutan Friendship Treaty opens a new era in the further deepening and strengthening of this unique ad special relationship under the reign of His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo.
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2007, February 09: One of the biggest national concerns today is the quality of education with some sections of society saying that it is deteriorating. It has sparked heated debates in the National Assembly the kingdom’s highest legislative body. It has also been discussed at cabinet meetings, among planners and policy makers and among academics, teachers and parents.

To address this concern, the state of education report 2006 launched during the annual education conference looks at the factors affecting the quality of education.

According to the state of education report 2006, there are several factors affecting the quality of education. They are inappropriate curriculum, teacher quality and morale, low standards of English, lack of refresher course for teachers and principals, and remoteness of many schools.

The report also discusses the deployment and transfer of District Education Officers and principals. It says the deployment and transfer of DEOs and Principals are not in line with the deployment policy. According to the report urban teachers are transferred from one urban school to another urban school, while those in remote schools are transferred from one remote to another or even more remote school.

The report also says that during the placement and transfer of regular teachers and apprentice teachers individual
preferences are entertained without proper analysis of need. Transfers outside the Dzongkhag are also being done without consulting the Dzongkhag and without respect for deadline.

According to the report frequent and untimely transfers of teachers and principals have proved detrimental for the development of the school culture.

According to its authors the state of education report 2006 is based on the opinion of relevant people from the field and reflects their understanding, concerns, and experiences in their respective Dzongkhags.

2007, February 09: Stomach cancer is the most common cancer in the kingdom. Doctors at the national referral hospital say the number of cancer patients is increasing. That they said is due to a combination of diet, alcohol and tobacco and doma.

Sangay Dorji , 47 is from Chanjiji, Thimphu. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer a few months ago. His son Namgay Dorji says his father was a chain smoker and a heavy drinker. His father also ate doma voraciously from a very young age. Ap Sangay Dorji’s chance of survival is slim.

At 65 years, Aap Gyeltshen is hale and hearty but he chews like between 50 to 60 bites of doma every day. “I developed this habit at a very young age and now I feel it will be very difficult for me to stop.”

There are countless numbers of Bhutanese who chew as much doma as Aap Gyeltshen and like him they have no idea that habit could lead to their untimely death from stomach cancer.
While chewing doma is one of the main causes of stomach cancer in Bhutan. There are also other causes like alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Dr. Sonam Dukpa, a senior surgeon at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu said many stomach cancer patients have the habit of chewing doma, taking alcohol and tobacco. "This abuses the stomach linings gradually causing cancer."

Aap Karchung is from Tashigang. He came to the hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and stomach disorders and vomiting. To diagnose the disease, he was asked to undergo endoscopy.

Aap Karchung admitted that he was an alcoholic. He drank about a liter of alcohol everyday for 27 years. “I started drinking when I was 25, drank a liter a day. I also used to chew doma and smoke sometimes,” Aap Karchung added.

It is not only doma, alcohol and smoking that the Bhutanese should beware of. They should also watch their eating habits.
Bhutanese eat a lot of chilies and dried meat. According to doctors they can also lead to cancer.

Dr. Sonam Dukpa said that Bhutanese diet consisted of spicy food like pickles, smoked, uncooked and dried meat.

Smoking and drinking are two habits which are growing among the younger generation and doctors at the hospital expressed fear that stomach cancer is only going to increase.

“It is risky for all although the disease is common among the older people. But the older people are suffering now probably because they could have consumed a lot of irritancies in their younger days and the same risks lies for our younger generation,” said Dr. Sonam Dukpa.

Most cancer patients come to the hospital only when the disease is in an advanced stage. That’s because cancer symptoms do not show in the early stages. Patients are therefore asked to come for medical checks if they have gastric problems or suffer from loss of weight or appetite. But that’s only going to help diagnose the disease early.

To prevent cancer, doctors advice people to take a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and not to smoke, drink alcohol or eat doma.

2007, February 07: His Majesty the King has arrived in the Indian capital New Delhi on a six day state visit. This is His Majesty’s first official visit to a foreign country after assuming the responsibilities as Monarch and Head of State.

Upon arrival at the Indra Gandhi international airport, His Majesty the King was received by the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. Anand Sharma and the Chief of Protocol Mr. Sunil Lal. Also present at the airport to receive His Majesty the King were Indian ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Sudhir Vyas and Bhutan’s ambassador to India Lyonpo Dago Tshering.

A news release from the foreign ministry says this reflects the close ties of friendship and cooperation with India.

This afternoon, the national security advisor of India Mr. MK Narayanan and the Prime Minister’s special envoy Shyam Saran called on His Majesty the King.
The Indian Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patel is scheduled to call on His Majesty the King later this evening.

During the visit, the two governments will sign the India Bhutan Friendship Treaty 2007.

A news release from the Foreign Ministry says the treaty not only reflects the contemporary nature of the relationship between the two countries, but also provides the foundation for the continued growth of this excellent relationship in the 21st century.

According to the news release the visit will greatly contribute to further strengthening of the mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the two governments, leaders and people of the two countries.

2007, February 07: Many Bhutanese women and children are dying still dying unnecessarily, according to a report by the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC). For infants, while pneumonia is the major killer, thousands are still dying from diarrhea. A high proportion of these deaths are in the first weeks of life. Many children are stunted or underweight or lack vital micronutrients.
           
“Many women are also dying as a result of child birth. For every 100,000 live births, there are 255 maternal deaths all of which are preventable. The best solution would be for all mothers to give birth in basic health units or hospitals. But at present around 80% of deliveries happen at home,” the report states.

The report points out HIV/aids as another health hazard. It says while HIV prevalence is low, there is  a number of major risk factors like high rates of casual sex, porous border, increasing international travel, rising drug abuse, and very low condom use.

In education, it says one third of children receive no schooling at all and more than half the population cannot read or write.
           
Bhutan is close to reaching the millennium development goal of eliminating gender disparities in education. The primary net enrollment ratio is 80% for boys and 79% for girls. But the proportion of females after class ten decreases significantly.
           
The report also highlights new risks for children, child labor, drug abuse and crime, and violence against children.
The report was prepared with support from the UNICEF.

2007, February 07: The latest fashion in Samdrupjongkhar is not Gho and Kira woven in Khaling. It is also not the machine made Sethra and Mathra woven in Kalimpong. It is the Pesar Gho and Kira woven by the people of the neighboring Indian state of Assam.

It has become so popular that machine made as well as Gho and Kira woven by Bhutanese weavers are now losing ground.

Shopkeepers in Daranga say most customers opt for Pesar woven by Assamese women. The Pesar Gho and Kira are woven in Darranga, just about five kilometers from Samdrupjongkhar town.

Our reporter Pema Samdrup says almost every house in Darranga has a handloom for weaving Pesar material. The textile is woven by Assamese girls. Their main market is Bhutan and their designs are almost all Bhutanese. Some of the girls who weave the textile have become experts in Bhutanese designs.

The demand for the Pesar gho and kira comes mostly from Thimphu and Phuntsholing. A kira can fetch anywhere between 500 to 800 Ngultrums.

2007, February 06: The election commission has appointed more than 50 senior government officials as election observers. The election observers will observe and ensure that the election in 2008 is conducted in a free and fair manner.

The chief election commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said election observers were individuals duly appointed by the election commission from amongst apolitical and respected citizens reputed for integrity and fairness.

The election observers will assess and evaluate the impartiality of the election officers. They will see that the whole election process starting from registration of voters, manner in which the campaigns are conducted, and whether parties have conducted their political activities in accordance with the law. The observers shall also check that party workers do not exercise undue influence upon the voters.

In a two day training conducted for election observers they will be familiarized with the various aspects of democratic elections and their roles as election observers.

“Election observers will play a very critical role,” said Ugyen Gongphel, chief training coordinator, adding that they would act as eyes and ears of the election commission.

The observers will work with the election commission from March when the first Nationwide Parliamentary Mock Election will be held.

2007, February 06: To restrict the growth of HIV/aids, the health department provides free condoms to hoteliers and bars and restaurant owners. But it has long been suspected that the condoms are invariably being misused. Health officials have admitted that condom usage is low. Some of the prostitutes told BBS that most of their customers refuse to use condoms. Our reporter Tenzin Wangda and Kaka Tshering talked to some of the prostitutes.

The border town of Phuntsholing is the gateway to Bhutan.  It is also the commercial hub of the kingdom’s western region. Itinerant businessmen, students on their way home on vacation, pilgrims on their way to religious sites in India, farmers coming to sell vegetables to Indian merchants, they all pass through this bustling town located on the foothills of the Himalayas.

But Phuntsholing also has a dark side. It comes to life as night falls and darkness envelopes the whole town. That’s when the day begins for the prostitutes of Phuntsholing. Several prostitutes are known to operate in this town. Most of them are illiterate, jobless and come from poor families.

“I am a divorcee and have two children. My husband left me for another woman,” said one of the prostitutes.

Another prostitute told our reporter she came here (Phuntsholing) to look for a job. “I looked every where, they told me that I am handicapped and refused to employ me saying that I am not capable of doing any work,” she added.

Some of the prostitutes are from the neighboring Indian town of Jaigaon just across the border. They can slip in and out of Phuntsholing town easily.

Stopping the flesh trade in this border town is almost impossible. So authorities here do what they can to educate the public on HIV/aids and safe sex. They also distribute free condoms. Last year they distributed one and half million condoms. But apparently the condoms are not being used. Most of the sex workers said almost 50% of their clients do not use condoms.

“The older men agree to use condoms, they even ask our help to put it on but the younger men do not agree to use condoms at all,” said Dema (name changed).

Health officials have so far detected 101 people in the kingdom with HIV virus. Of that nine were from Phuntsholing. Most contacted the virus through unprotected sex with commercial sex workers. According to health authorities, many of the commercial sex workers drink alcohol increasing the risk of HIV infection.

“Some of them are addicted to drinking and by the evening, they are drunk and the issue of using condom becomes futile,” said Dr. Gembo, HIV focal person, Department of Public Health.  

With the population growing rapidly, jobs becoming more competitive and rural urban migration increasing, prostitution and HIV/aids is only going to grow. Finding an answer to this problem is not going to be easy and it is certain distributing condoms and creating awareness on HIV/aids alone is not going to be enough.

2007, February 05: Domestic violence has always existed in Bhutan but due to the awareness created by the media, more and more victims of domestic violence are coming to avail medical help and report to the police. However, NGO representatives as well as hospital authorities say there is a lot of under reporting and that there is a culture of silence when it comes to violence against women. Our reporter, Kaka Tshering, looks into the root causes of domestic violence.

Karma Lhaden, 30, is a divorcee and a mother of three. She was 16 when she met her husband, a strapping young man in his late twenties. Shortly after they met they got married. They lived together happily for about two years, and then the true colors, as many would say, of her husband began to show. He started beating her. “He would have extra marital affair. He would drink and when he came home, he would beat me,” remembers Karma.

Like most victims of domestic violence Karma Lhaden suffered silently for a long time before she even went to the hospital for medical help. “Initially, no matter how much he beat me, I took it without complaining, thinking that it was my karma (fate),” she said, “i didn’t show the beatings to anybody, I didn’t tell anybody, but it only got worse and I could not bear it any more.”

After 12 years, unable to bear the beatings anymore, she left her husband to live on her own. Today, she lives in a one room rented apartment at the outskirts of the capital town raising her three children single handedly. She weaves traditional textile to earn a living.

According to Dr. Pakila Dukpa, a forensic expert, with the national referral hospital, most of the victims of domestic violence in Bhutan are illiterate, unemployed, and poor. “Majority of the cases are from the lower rungs of the society.”

They are financially dependent on their husbands and therefore they are reluctant to even avail medical help, leave alone report to the police.

“They come after they have been battered four times or more, so there is significant proportion of underreporting,” said the doctor.
Hospital records, however, show that the number of victims of domestic violence coming to receive medical treatment at the national referral hospital has increased over the years. 

In 2005, doctors at the hospital treated 87 victims of domestic violence and eight victims of sexual assault, most of them women.
One year later in 2006, the figure increased to 117 for victims of domestic violence. The number of victims of sexual assault jumped to 33. 

The leading cause of domestic violence is extramarital affairs followed by alcohol. Couples also quarrel over financial matters and differences over children’s upbringing.

“Media has created greater awareness among the public encouraging more victims to avail medical help,” said Dr. Pakila Dukpa.

But whatever the reason, most of the fights and incidences of domestic violence take place after the husband comes home drunk.

Alcohol is however the excuse, it is not the cause. The cause, according to experts, of domestic violence lies rooted in the society and how it views men women relationship. They believe this must be addressed to tackle the issue.

“However, in addition national level and community strategies need to be considered to empower women, reaching out to men and changing the beliefs and attitudes that permeate abusive behavior,” said Dr. Rinchen Chophel, executive director of National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC).

With the economy growing rapidly and literacy rate among women increasing, many believe empowering women and changing attitude shouldn’t be too difficult. Victims of domestic violence like Karma Lhaden can only hope they are right.

2007, February 04: His Majesty the fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck will make an official visit to New Delhi, India from February 7th to 12th. This is His Majesty’s first official visit to a foreign country after assuming the responsibilities of Monarch on December 9th 2006.
      
His Majesty will be accompanied by the Foreign Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and senior officials. The foreign ministry says this reflects the close ties of friendship and cooperation with India.

During the visit, the two governments will sign the India Bhutan Friendship Treaty 2007.

A news release from the Foreign Ministry says the treaty not only reflects the contemporary nature of the relationship between the two countries, but also provides the foundation for the continued growth of this excellent relationship in the 21st century.
 
It aims to consolidate the mutually beneficial relationship in a manner that is responsive to serve each other’s national interests through close cooperation.

During the visit His Majesty will meet and hold talks with the President of India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, minister for external affairs, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, and other senior government officials and political leaders of India.

The news release stated that the official visit of His Majesty the King will greatly contribute to further strengthening of the mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the two governments, leaders and people of the two countries.

2007, February 02: One of the important strategies that are considered for improving the quality of education is to strengthen the teacher centered education policy. Most of the teachers said quality of curriculum and infrastructure and adequate material resources and other support services were also important for improving the quality of education.

The 10th education conference convened in Wandiphodrang saw discussions on enhancing the quality of education.

The Director of Department of School Education, Tshewang Tandin, said the quality of education should be understood in its broadest term. It should not be measured only in terms of academic excellence and performance in the examination alone. He added that the quality of education should be looked at in terms of all round development of the children and should include intellectual, emotional and all the other aspects of growth.

“The ministry of education has already started a standard National Education assessment,” he said.

Speaking at the closing session of the conference the education minister, Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, said improving the quality of education was the responsibility of every teacher.

Some of the District Education Officers (DEOs) said that the quality of education should not be looked at the exam results alone.

The two day conference was chaired by the education minister, Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho.
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2007, February 02: Revenue generated from tourism and hydropower increased in December 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Tourism industry contributed USD 800,000 to the national exchequer in 2006. According to the monthly bulletin of the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), this was an increase of 27% compared to December 2005.

Statistics from the bulletin show that more than 800 tourists visited the country in December, which is considered to be a lean season.

Overall, in 2006 more than 17,000 tourists visited the kingdom generating USD 24 million in revenue. This is an increase of 25 percent compared to 2005.

Meanwhile, sale of hydropower from Tala earned over Nu. 231 million, while Kurichu exported power worth Nu. 26 million.

The total domestic earning from projects like Basochu, Kurichu and Tala amounted to over Nu. 37 million in December last year.

Figures from the Chukha hydropower project are still pending.

2007, February 01: Bhutan’s garden, ‘the himalayan garden of peace’ won 3rd position at the international horticulture exposition held at Chaing Mai, Thailand. The garden adorned with wild fruit trees, bamboo groves, rhododendron flowers, medicinal and aromatic herbs and orchid flowers attracted a huge number of visitors from Thailand and overseas at the three month long floral exposition.

Besides the rare tropical plants and flowers, the himalayan garden of peace also featured distinctive architectural designs including a Chokhor Mani, Sangthab and stone wall.

It was constructed with six million Ngultrums from the royal government and three million Baht from the Thai government.

The royal flora Ratchaphruek, 2006 was organized to celebrate the Thai king, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th coronation and 80th birth anniversary.