President of the Center of Bhutan Studies and one of the key architects behind Gross National Happiness, Dasho Karma Ura answers some critical questions on GNH in an interview with The Bhutanese.  1. Dr David L. Luechauer in a series of three interview articles has raised some fundamental questions about …

Recently, I read an article in which the author, a Bhutanese National wrote that, understanding and making GNH work at home is a prerequisite before anyone in Bhutan or elsewhere will accept and more importantly attempt to implement it as an economic development strategy. At present, GNH reminds me of …

It is interesting that the majority who commented on this papers interview with Dr David L. Luechauer agree with his critical assessment of GNH in its current form. There are of course those who agree with him only in parts or those that do not agree with him at all. …

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley arrived in New Delhi on 19 September en-route to Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India where the Prime Minister will attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies on 21st September, along with Mahinda Rajapaksa the President of Sri Lanka. Lyonchhen was …

Response to BCCI says Bhutan will have ‘No Economy’ soon if govt does not step in Can someone explain to me the headline of “No Economy soon”? My limited understanding of this issue, is that maximum employment is in the civil service, farming or self employment in small businesses. Would …

The nine page ‘opinion’  of the OAG on the ACC’s Gyelpozhing report, according to a practicing lawyer in Thimphu reads like arguments put forward by a defense lawyer defending the accused in the Gyelpozhing case, instead of a government prosecutor doing his job. Some have also seen a degree of …

  New bridge to inaugurate this October After a long wait the gewog will finally get the concrete bridge which will be operational this October Without the bridge the villagers on the other side of the river had to endure serious inconveniences during summer when the river got swollen.  Many …

While some may consider much of what I have written to be “critical” of Bhutan, rest assured that I have nothing but praise for the Bhutanese press / media.  You do your country, you do your people and you do your leaders a tremendous service.  I would rank the Bhutanese …

Electrification delayed People in the gewog are more or less content with the progress of ongoing general development activities however a village Lungnyiri under Dungmaed is yet to complete its electrification project Most areas under Pemagatshel have nevertheless been electrified. In 2010 the government had awarded the work to a …

1. Will Bhutan stand to benefit in a significant way by propounding GNH to the international community?   At some level it may attract attention and even a few visitors.  However, the let down was amazing.  Bhutan over promises and under delivers.  The more people who come to Bhutan, particularly …