The Bhutanese Leading the way.
On 22 February the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) revealed the third batch of its eight candidates. With this DNT has introduced 24 candidates out of 40 confirmed candidates.
Chhatraman Chhetri
He will contest from Pataley-Tsirangtoe, Tsirang Dzongkhag. The 47-year old decided to join politics since he felt it was a call of the nation to serve the King, Country and People.
He has a Bachelors of Commerce from Sherubtse College and has been in the education sector for the past 22 years. He said that the world has changed and one cannot afford to be complacent. It is about time people have some new ideas to keep up the momentum with changing times.
“By joining politics I am creating a platform where every Bhutanese individual is reached and listened and no one is left behind,” he added.
He belongs to a rural background which he says allows him to know the problems in rural areas to be addressed immediately.
If his constituents vote for him as their representative he said “I will not leave a single stone unturned until their problems are solved”. He added that he will visit his constituency at least twice a year to meet the people and discuss their problems to put up to the Parliament for discussion.
He joined DNT as he was very impressed by the ideology and the social democratic principles of freedom, justice and solidarity.
J.B Rai
J.B Rai, 38 will contest from Phuentsholing constituency under Chhukha Dzongkhag.
He has a Masters in Business Administration and served in different organizations under different ministries He is confident about his experience in Administration, Accounts and Finance.
For J.B Rai, joining Politics is a moral and a sacred call to contribute and be part of the democratic journey.
“Some of the issues that I would like to focus are sustaining and enriching villages, improving and changing rural-urban economy and introduce effective resource planning, budgeting, and evaluation system amongst others,” he said.
Jigme Dorji
Jigme Dorji an educationist will contest from Dremitse-Ngatshang Constituency under Mongar dzongkhag.
He decided to join politics to contribute to the gift of democracy that has been gifted to the people of Bhutan by their Majesties the Kings.
“I would like to narrow the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor,” he said.
With development mostly being urban-centric, he aspires to bring real change in this issue.With his ability to work in a team and as an ardent listener he said that he would take this path as an opportunity to work closely with all citizens in formulating any policy in the best interest of all individuals.
Prakash Sharma
After spending three years in his village he realized the importance and a need to educate and create awareness about the essence of democracy among the rural population.
Therefore “I thought being a candidate and joining politics was the best way to not only help my rural folks understand democracy better but also a good opportunity to serve my country,” he said.
Prakash Sharma who has a Bachelors of Arts from Loyola College in Chennai will contest from Lhamoizingkha- Tashiding Constituency under Dagana dzongkhag.
He believes that “A good complete society is one where every individual is treated equally, where there is access to education, no gender bias and where classes of rich and poor are not divided”.
Rinchen Namgay
Freelance film maker Rinchen Namgay will contest from Athang-Thedtsho constituency under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag.
For him the gift of democracy from the Golden throne is to unite the nation for progress and prosperity.
“For a small country like ours we cannot afford to be divided. Through politics I want to serve to fulfill the vision of our Kings for a harmonious society,” he said.
He said DNT promotes a kind of politics that respects alternate ideas and views, and creativity.
“For a healthy democracy, we as a society should encourage different views and also learn to live harmoniously by accepting differences,” he added.
The 40-year old has an experience of working as a finance officer for National Environment Commission (NEC) and coordinator for finance and administration at the Youth Development Fund (YDF).
Sonam Dhendup
With a Bachelors of Commerce from Sherubtse College, he will contest From Menbi-Tsenkhar constituency under Lhuentse dzongkhag.
After 11 years of service in the banking sector, he resigned to join politics to reach his services and help a wider range of people.
Since he felt that his services in banking were benefitting only a certain group of people he chose to join DNT because his and the party’s ideologies were parallel.
He said the gap between the rich and poor is still big even in Bhutan. “This has to be given a lot of importance or else the gap will continue to increase,” he added.
Tshewang Dorji
The former Royal tutor Tshewang Dorji will contest from Khamdang-Ramjar constituency under Trashiyangtse dzongkhag.
He has 33 years of experience in civil service and he has a practical knowledge of how the parliament is run both through the practical involvement and the multi-faceted trainings and seminars attended related to parliamentary affairs.
“I have decided to join politics to seize the right moment to actually realize my long-aspired dream to serve the people of my constituency while serving the nation to further strengthen Bhutanese democracy,” he said.
He believes that it is time for new ideas to deal with new times.
Wangdi Gyeltshen
The former director of National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) will contest From Deothang-Gomdar constituency under Samdrup Jongkhar dzongkhag.
“I joined DNT because of the Nyamrup spirit of working together. Everything is done in consultation with each other while respecting each individual’s ideas,” he said.
He believes Democracy is at its best when it benefits the people at the grassroots level. But the very essence of democracy is lost when it does not touch people especially the rural lot.
“This is something that I would like to work on. Democracy is for the people and it must benefit the people,” he added.
