The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The people of Nichula village under Dagana Dzongkhag elected 34 year old Ran Bdr. Batterai of Dangribu as their village Tshogpa.
Three candidates were nominated from the village for the post of Tshogpa and Ran. Bdr an experienced Tshogpa won from Kumar Karki and Ganesh Powdyel.
The elected Tshogpa secured 41 votes while Kumar Karki and Ganesh Powdyel secured 18 and 19 votes respectively.
The elected Tshogpa had served as a temporary Tshogpa prior to his being elected when there was no candidate elected from the Gewog and the immediate need for Tshogpa was felt in the village.
“That is why I made an effort to contest and I am elated for winning,” said Ran Bdr.
“I served as Tshogpa for about three years and garnered the experience,” said the elected Tshogpa. He also said that he won from the rest of the contesting candidates because of the trust of the people who saw confidence in him.
He added that he worked selflessly about three years without any benefits. He shared that getting officially elected as a village tshogpa is a dream come true.
“I would fully dedicate myself to serve the people and would be a committed bridge between people and government,” the Tshogpa said.
The Tshogpa said that the astounding difference of votes he secured is something unforgettable and encouraging to contest again in the future.
The Nichula village was without officially elected Tshogpa for about more than a year and the people would now be comfortable to bring up issues within the village and address higher authorities.
Ran Bdr studied till fifth grade in Nichula Primary School and could not continue with his studies due to financial problem. He is married and has four children.
He is a farmer and also son of ex-Tshogpa Birkha Bdr Bhattarai who inspired him and learnt a lot from his father when he was Tshogpa then.
Sonam Wangmo
