EDITORIAL

The Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) could have become the most popular initiative of the government ,but it is rapidly heading to be its most controversial one with more unhappy people than those happy with it. The ACC will let us know in due time if there is corruption involved in …

The National Education Assessment (NEA) 2024 found that class III students who reported “always” feeling happy at school fell from 44 percent in 2021 to 28 percent in 2024, a decrease by 16 percent. This drop in happiness level should not come as a surprise given the higher amount of …

The unfolding Bhutan Fashion Week (BFW) controversy is no longer just about a fashion event. It has become a mirror reflecting how Bhutan treats its creative minds and their intellectual property. What began as Chandrika Tamang’s heartfelt proposal to build Bhutan’s first ethical, sustainable fashion week has now turned into …

The upcoming Bhutan Fashion Week (BFW) is being billed as a milestone moment for Bhutan’s creative industry with a week-long celebration of design, textiles, and innovation. Its scale and ambition are unprecedented, and if successful, it could put Bhutan’s fledgling fashion industry on the international map. Yet, behind the glamour …

In Bhutan, few issues stir as much public interest and debate as civil service pay hikes. The history of such revisions reflects both our national aspirations and the limits of our fiscal realities. In the past major hikes have often followed hydropower milestones like Chukha, Tala and Mangdechu. Even the …

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen’s first-ever State Visit to Viet Nam from 18th to 22nd August marks a historic milestone in Bhutan’s foreign relations, strengthening ties with a nation that has become a beacon of resilience, economic dynamism, and cultural pride in Asia. The warm welcome …

The decision to bring the entire Paro Valley from Shabha to Tsento  under Local Area Plans (LAPs) is nothing short of historic. Spanning 36 square kilometres, it is the largest LAP exercise after Thimphu, promising orderly growth, modern infrastructure, and preservation of the valley’s cultural and agricultural heart. The vision …

By 27th August, Punatsangchu II will be fully commissioned at over 1,020 MW, a landmark achievement for Bhutan’s hydropower sector. Yet, without an agreed tariff and a signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with India, not a single unit can be exported. For Bhutan, this is not just a delay, it …

The story of Jangchub Dorji, is a microcosm of the challenges our private sector faces and a reminder of how far we still have to go in building a truly enabling environment for entrepreneurship in Bhutan. Jangchub is not a flybynight operator. He is a young, capable entrepreneur with a …

The Tsirang Dzongda’s move to stop Rajen Tamang’s religious gatherings has split Bhutan down a fault line. The constitutional promise of religious freedom versus the cultural fear of conversion and proselytism. Both sides claim legality and both say they protect harmony.  However, only one fully respects process and proportionality. Article …