EDITORIAL

Data from the National Environment Commission is showing worsening air quality standards in urban areas especially in Thimphu and Phuentsholing. However, for many Bhutanese living in these two towns the NEC data will come as confirmation of what they already know and experience. Anyone living in Thimphu need only note …

Bhutan is winding up its first five years of democracy with the general elections approaching soon. In the past five years Bhutan has defined itself as a fairly competent elective democracy but there is still a lot to be done to make it a participatory democracy. Though elections are an …

While here in the urban areas we carry on the norms of democracy by expressing our views, criticizing the government, holding it accountable and asserting our rights, the story is very different in the rural areas. A close observation of rural life will lead many to conclude that democracy is …

If the National Statistical Bureau conducted a survey of how happy the Bhutanese are they will definitely register a significant drop in the national ‘happiness level’. The national mood especially in the last one year has become gloomy, grim and depressing. One of the main reasons would be the worsening …

One of the key arguments of those who believe in a DPT win in 2013 is that they will get the rural vote. It is reasoned that since the bulk of the 10th plan has focused on rural infrastructure like farm roads, electricity and drinking water the rural votes should …

The failure of the IT Park to attract investors and generate employment is a matter of concern, not only for the economy and the government but also for the Bhutanese youth. As with many things in Bhutan the IT park was planned and implemented with good intentions. On paper, the …

The molestation of two Bhutanese women in Bangalore has sparked Bhutan’s own debate on the safety of its female students and professionals who are studying or working outside its borders. However, while what happens outside our borders are outside our control, there is a lot more to be concerned  about …

It has been around eight to nine months since the government and the central bank introduced a slew of measures aimed at cooling down the economy and decreasing rupee imports. These include austerity measures by the government and limited access to rupee and credit by the central bank. The credit …

One of the causes of the ongoing Rupee and Credit crises is the lack of a saving culture in Bhutan. Many Bhutanese citizens instead of saving away excess money used it for imports like cars, luxury items, holidays, etc contributing to the Rupee shortage. Banks are unable to give out …

With most financial institutions closing their accounts for the year the full effect of the financial crisis is coming to the fore. One of the visible signs of this phenomenon is nightly alerts on the national broadcaster of ordinary citizens being taken to court after being unable to pay their …