It was the last day of Paro Tshechu and my team was celebrating our four days of success, having delivered our mission of providing clean toilets to thousands of people and literally putting an end to open defecation in the place of worship. We were paid a surprise visit by …

The Department of Industry under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) has asked for those interested to start applying for plots in the four upcoming industrial estates in Bhutan. The Industrial Estates are Jigmeling (733 acres) in Sarpang, Dhamdum (349.06 acres) in Samtse, Bondeyma (110.34 acres) in Mongar and the …

A young Bhutanese man who allegedly committed suicide in Dubai has sparked debate on social media and I am only hoping and praying that it has done the same for every Bhutanese who aren’t online. Commenting “RIP” on a post shared by people who do nothing but blame the government, or the …

I like to be positive, think positive and act positive when with Lolo. I am criticized for trying to bring her up with distorted realities – meaning painting only about the “good things” around her. Well, she is just three – won’t she imbibe the realities as she grows up? …

A longish discussion on a well-known key to Bhutan’s shorted economy  The Re-think Urgency This paper has highlighted many reasons why Bhutan must rethink its economic strategies hereon. What it does not do is convey the urgency for why it must do so. If my pestering has yielded any good, …

In a development that should catch the eyes of any concerned parent or teacher, a school student in Thimphu assaulted his teacher viciously for only being asked to behave himself. There are increasing reports of increasingly rotten behavior from kids that would have been unthinkable only a decade ago. Bhutan’s …

Productivity and Growth The intent here is not to put the onus squarely on hydropower. Hydro fan-boys must be champing at the bits to write their own sharp rejoinders to this paper. But if it all sounds dismal, the bigger picture isn’t any better. Bhutanese productivity across all sectors isn’t …

Across the river at Wang Sinmo, the sight of the ancient house in Danglo is so prominent that one can’t help stealing several glances from the highway at it. The house, blackened with age was the home of Khandro Sonam Palden, consort of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo who lived from 1184 …

It is said that the best of intentions combined with the wrong means can lead to the worst outcomes. In Bhutan’s case, this saying would be applicable to how we come up with laws, even in this day and age, to deal with a host of issues. The most infamous …

The current government is well into the middle of its term and so it is taking stock through its midterm review of government ministries, agencies and the Dzongkhags. This is an important exercise that brings about a certain degree of accountability in the system and also allows the government to …