EDITORIAL

It is a matter of great pride and vindication for Bhutan’s conservation efforts that a recent survey by park officials from Bhutan and India found the world’s highest concentration of wild Tigers in the Royal Manas National Park . The finding was also officially submitted by the government to UNESCO …

It has been more than a month since Pedestrian Tuesday was first introduced on 5th June, 2012. Since then there has been a mixed response to the initiative. However, as more Tuesdays pass by a growing number, who now form a slim but sizeable majority are against the initiative in …

Three poignant scenes in the last few weeks reaffirm the important and diverse roles played by the Monarchy in Bhutan. These scenes are of His Majesty the King regardless of personal safety personally supervising the rescue of sacred Nangtens as Wangdue Dzong burnt, His Majesty bringing together a usually divided …

The State of the Nation report presented by the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley is similar to a report card on the progress achieved by various government agencies. The government has judged its overall performance to be good in what has been a particularly challenging year. It must be …

There has been a flurry of international and national discussions on the purported news of the move towards establishment of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and China. This was based on supposed statements by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Jigme Y Thinley and the Premier of China, Wen Jiabo when …

A key ingredient of a good democracy is the ability to make good compromises and take decisions based on the common consensus for the larger national interest. In that sense the decision of the National Assembly to not deliberate on the Land Bill 2012 during the tenure of this Parliament …

Taxes of any sort are never welcome and generally if citizens can have their way then Bhutan probably would be a largely tax free country. This is clear with MP’s voting to do away with or reduce most of the proposed taxes on fuel, non essential food, vehicles etc. Their …

A facebook page ‘Citizens Initiative to rebuild Wangduephodrang Dzong’ garnered more than 20,000 members within three days of the disastrous fire that burnt down the 374 year old Dzong. Since the fire there have been offers of support and many citizens have vented their grief and in some cases frustration …

The fact that Bhutan suffers from a ‘small society syndrome’ is well known, however, ever since the introduction of democracy there has been another growing syndrome called the ‘DPT, PDP syndrome’. If bad ideas and bad philosophies could be called viruses then this ‘DPT, PDP syndrome’ has become a nationwide …

It is clear from a chorus of criticism by Parliamentarians, political parties, local government representatives, civil servants and private employees that the two controversial new changes in the Draft Land Bill 2012 are highly unpopular. One is allowing the cabinet to grant ‘resettlement land’ and the other is changing the …