tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63573029935524701092024-02-02T12:19:59.088-08:00Gyembo Namgyal's Blog: Postcards from the fringeMy Thoughts, Feelings and Reflections......Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-35650026297908584552020-08-10T00:38:00.002-07:002020-08-10T00:40:41.264-07:00A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON COVID -19 PANDEMIC <p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON COVID -19 PANDEMIC<o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When the first Coronavirus
Disease (COVID-19) case was reported from China in late 2019, nobody thought
that the virus will spread this fast globally and cause health crisis of
unprecedented proportion. According to WHO report, the total number of infected
case worldwide stand at a staggering 19,402,112 with 722,285 deaths as of August
9. The grim reality is that, the worst is yet to come with infection rates
peaking each passing day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">One WHO official summed up this
pandemic as a, “Once in a century outbreak.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how
ill prepared human beings really are in the face of global health crisis like
this. The virus brought to the fore the naked truth of the capabilities of
different global leadership in managing the crisis. Despite having tremendous
resources at their disposal, some of the most advanced countries continue to
have the highest rate of infections and deaths while some so called poorer
countries continue to do much better solely because of the actions of their
leaders. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People of Bhutan can be truly called the most
blessed ones on the face of the earth for no small reason because of the
enlightened leadership of the successive kings. Each time the country is faced
with some kind of crisis, it was their Majesties the kings who were at the
forefront of the crisis management and thus Bhutan was able to navigate itself successfully.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On the night the first COVID-19
positive case was detected in a tourist, His Majesty the King spent the entire
night with the Prime Minister, Health Minister and a team of health
professionals personally overseeing contract tracing operation. Not many
leaders would have done that. It showed how concerned His Majesty is for the
wellbeing of its people. Thereafter, despite impending arrival of the second
prince, His Majesty made repeated tours to all parts of the country to monitor
our preparedness in the event of the worst case scenario.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">At a time when so many people
lost their livelihoods, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was His Majesty’s welfare and Kidu schemes that
have mitigated their plight. Deferment of loans repayments and waiving off of
interests for six months continues to provide immense relief to thousands of
Bhutanese families. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The government must also be
commended for the work it is doing on a war footing in response to unprecedented
situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that, there is not a single
community outbreak so far is because of the effective measures put in place by
the government. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Despite the uncertainty posed by
the virus, the positive thing is that there is a visible sign of patriotism in
the country with most Bhutanese doing their part in one way or the other as
COVID-19 response. From institutions to individuals, from those at the
frontline treating positive cases to those braving rains heat and mosquitoes in
the borders. From business houses to farmers everyone has come together
collectively in an unprecedented manner. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">At times like this, when science
is grappling to find answers, it is prayers and blessings that are more potent
than missiles with nuclear warheads. Bhutanese must feel grateful to be living
in a land blessed by great saints like Guru Padmasambhava, Zhabdrung Rimpoche and
countless spiritual masters for centuries. And we are fortunate to be blessed
by the prayers of living Buddhas like His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, Rimpoches,
Tuelkus and the entire religious institutions whose prayers continue to keep us
safe.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Since very little is known about
the behaviors of the virus, the best we can do isto follow directives issued
from time to time. But, there are stray incidences of irresponsible people whose
action could undo the efforts put in so far. Some people are caught trying to
sneak in and out of the country to peddle contraband substances. Some tried to
escape quarantine and greedy few were caught trying to sneak in illegal workers.
These people are rightly being dealt by the law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">COVID-19 pandemic is having
devastating effect but, it teaches us valuable lessons. This outbreak and many
outbreaks of the recent past like SARS, MERS and Ebola have to do with the way
we live. It is how nature fights back from excessive abuse by humans to gratify
their insatiable greed. Some believe that the virus jumped from some animal to
human. This would not have happened if humans stopped<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>abusing
wild life to the extreme of eating them alive.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">There are some who believe, that
new and deadlier strains of virus are being released from thawing ice, snow and
permafrost as a result of global warming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans alone are to be blamed for global
warming. Deforestation of precious tropical rain forest on mega scale are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reducing carbon sink area while polluting factories
and industries to meet insatiable human greed are mushrooming at an
unprecedented rate everywhere. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Then there are people who even believe
that the corona virus is lab manufactured, this claim is refuted by most
experts though. If at all this virus is lab manufactured, then, humans are
facing the consequences of their own making. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The pandemic also reminds us
that, the so called global military and economic powers stand no chance if we
are to face the fury of the nature. Interestingly, it is those powerful and
rich countries that are seeing some of the highest infections and deaths rates.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a call for a more caring and compassionate human society
where endless growth fuelled by our greed must end or else the actions of
humans will certainly be the reason for the extinction of human race from the
face of the earth as was predicted by one famous scientist. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the aftermath of COVID-19
pandemic, global community must learn a valuable lesson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and make a paradigm shift to their
development philosophy from unsustainable and endless growth model of GDP to a
more compassionate, holistic and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>desirable
GNH model which <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bhutan gifted the world.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">Gyembo Namgyal</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">Pemagatsel</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">August 10, 2020</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-62187698511343990192019-05-27T09:49:00.000-07:002019-05-27T09:49:40.698-07:00FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS: MY MYOPIC TAKE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeg3OoT3B637HZ_L6Wo08HSAESE0PqTXIcHdpYOs6iwZN_xCfZdwQSqx6fGSewoqXYhg-sNhag1PdU1l4OhedcO-ro3MsvJJb9L_fiEPB097oTTUHhyuihODyFXsZaTyCd_TQatyM1KI/s1600/student-vote-democracy-word-cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1418" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeg3OoT3B637HZ_L6Wo08HSAESE0PqTXIcHdpYOs6iwZN_xCfZdwQSqx6fGSewoqXYhg-sNhag1PdU1l4OhedcO-ro3MsvJJb9L_fiEPB097oTTUHhyuihODyFXsZaTyCd_TQatyM1KI/s320/student-vote-democracy-word-cloud.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">picture source: google</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Indian elections are
finally over and as the closest neighbor and friend; many Bhutanese may have
followed it with interest. For Bhutanese though, elections in India is seen as
a massive exercise that, irrespective of which party<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>comes to the power, the time tested
friendship between the governments, leaders and people of the two countries will
remain unaffected and continue to grow stronger between the two closest
neighbors. </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conducting elections in India especially the
parliamentary election in the world’s largest democracy with a population of
over one billion people and with almost 900 million eligible voters is by no
means a mean feat for the election commission of India. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite coming under severe criticism over
several election issues and allegations of its inaction, the commission seems
to have done a great job.</div>
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The seven phase elections of
2019 in India returned Prime Minister Narenda Modi and NDA with an
unprecedented 336 seats in the 545 seats. India’s grand old party the Congress
led by Rahul Gandhi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>won just a
disappointing 52 seats and has since then asked the Congress Working Committee
(CWC) to find a new leader for the party by putting in his resignation and taking
solid blame of the party’s debacle upon himself.</div>
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From the debates that continue
to take place on mainstream media in India analyzing the just concluded
elections, one thing is clear that, electorate this time had no alternative to Mr
Modi and that the elections was fought not on issues but on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>personality and nationalism. But, one thing is
clear, Narendra Modi led BJP and NDA decimated its opponents and pushed the
rest to the fringes. Not even regional parties and alliances which were
traditionally strong in their turf failed to resist the so called Modi wave in this
election. </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some political analysts say that the Congress
party must die a natural death for new talents to come up and yet they see
Congress as the only national party that can and must rebuild and reinvent
itself as an alternative. And for Congress to survive without splintering, the
experts feel that it must continue to have someone from the most powerful
political family in India, the Nehru-Gandhi family. </div>
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Watching the electoral process
unfold in the world’s largest democracy, it gives us an opportunity to understand
the process better. One thing is certain, our constitution drafting committee
has done a stellar job and we have a better electoral law than even the world’s
largest democracy in ensuring free and fair elections by taking care of at
least three crucial factors that may affect elections.</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
First and perhaps the most
important element in any elections is the need for a level playing field. This
cannot happen if a party and its candidates fight elections with powers still
vested with them. In India, the Prime Minister and his cabinet fights the
general elections without having to resign which may lead to misuse of
officialdom to the incumbent’s electoral advantage. Our election law not only
requires the government to resign and institute an interim government to
oversee the elections but forbids anything that creates even the slightest
visible inequalities between the candidates. </div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, there seems to be no
restriction on the use of media like in our case where all parties and
candidates are entitled to specific and equal media coverage with even the use
of social media strictly monitored. In India, even the mainstream media are
found to be giving excessive coverage to a party or an individual who makes more
news with the rest having a limited coverage.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The third and the equally
important element is the participation of religious personalities in the
elections as candidates or as patrons. In a deeply religious society, a
religious figure may have a mass following and what will happen if they are
allowed to contest as candidates. In our society we deeply revere and respect religion
and religious figure. They are always someone who are above the realms of
ordinary life and therefore are rightly considered above politics allowing
elections to be fought among the ordinary beings. Some members with religious
tags are elected to the parliament for the fifth consecutive terms in India
despite their dismal performance.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The recently concluded general
elections in India were for the 17<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha while we just
concluded our third general elections last year. Ours is the youngest democracy
in the world but, we certainly have the best electoral laws to ensure level
playing field which bigger and older democracies around the world can learn
from for a free and fair elections.</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gyembo Namgyal</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Pemagatsel</div>
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May 27, 2019</div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-24813450581669757822019-03-17T10:30:00.000-07:002019-03-17T10:30:37.432-07:00A LUNCH AT BHUTAN HOUSE IN KAMAKHAYAGURI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During my recent trip for an
important family prayer, I had the opportunity of meeting one of my old friend
and a great, but most humble and humane former teacher at his home in
Kamakhyaguri, Borabisa in West Bengal. It was short meeting over a sumptuous
lunch prepared by the expert hands at culinary of his wife. Many of his friends,
acquaintances and students have been the recipients of the family’s generosity
over the years ever since he retired his teaching job in Bhutan to take care of
his then ageing father, who had passed away since.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV6gUL-EE9A3i2cWE8KmdYcgyLLHOtcphBMxepnOyUujEhrKMzvbiYWcY2r6Y0ZdkRAIjRrZlQr98aMMJ5iBjww_N-NENljcWchusCGVBkF7qeGkmA2eQqUvxvqx5W0iNuAK1HZ2S8qk/s1600/IMG_5839.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV6gUL-EE9A3i2cWE8KmdYcgyLLHOtcphBMxepnOyUujEhrKMzvbiYWcY2r6Y0ZdkRAIjRrZlQr98aMMJ5iBjww_N-NENljcWchusCGVBkF7qeGkmA2eQqUvxvqx5W0iNuAK1HZ2S8qk/s320/IMG_5839.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many people must be aware of
who I am referring to from the above introduction. Yes, I am talking about the
famous and most loved Apchi Sir (Mr Santosh Chowdhury) and his wife Madame
Jasoda. They were legends during their times in Pemagatshel and continues to be
so even now.</div>
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“Welcome to Bhutan House,”
declares Aapchi sir, beaming with serene smile. Yes, it looks like a Bhutanese
house with many familiar Bhutanese items from wall hangings to books and even
furnitures. And Mr and Mrs Chowdhury’s goodwill towards Bhutan and Bhutanese is
well known in the local area and so they are the unofficial goodwill
ambassador.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6kG15g2vBPPG9oWTleR0SKUMy5bF5OXEdhT3rLAmMdMen3ljncwFgNVp7H3E2AXYXAMTFO7o4oM4r_Bxr4YAygLYrIwwsjVEbtop14L2hL6TGCQV8XXB3QCsXWYmPgufc3nPLQ6aYI8/s1600/IMG_5851.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6kG15g2vBPPG9oWTleR0SKUMy5bF5OXEdhT3rLAmMdMen3ljncwFgNVp7H3E2AXYXAMTFO7o4oM4r_Bxr4YAygLYrIwwsjVEbtop14L2hL6TGCQV8XXB3QCsXWYmPgufc3nPLQ6aYI8/s320/IMG_5851.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Chowdhury came to work as a
teacher in Pemagatshel in the eighties as a rustic fresh college graduate.
Despite tremendous challenges, he not only survived in the remote Tsebar
primary school but, won the hearts of the both his students and local
community.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his teaching career spanning to over three
decades, he spent the majority of those years in Tsebar school which was
followed by Nangkor; both in Pemagatshel and finally in Wangchu school in
Chukha. In all these schools, he worked tirelessly for the benefits of his
students. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being strict, he always
loved his students like his own children hence earned the affectionate pet name
of Aapchi sir. Talk to any his former students and they all have their deepest
love and gratitude for him.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
My contact with him began
while he taught in Nangkor School where my children studied under him. As the
frequency of our contacts increased I found out that he is an exemplary
teacher. He is the pillar of unquestionable integrity and a man with genuine
desire to help his students become wholesome human being.</div>
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Aapchi Sir’s fondness for Bhutan
is well known to those close to him, In fact, he considers it to be his second
home. When I met him recently at his home, he said he received two Noble
equivalent awards from Bhutan. I asked him what those awards were and he said that,
the Bhutan Government’s invitation to attend felicitations ceremonies to former
Indian teachers, one in Thimphu and another in Kolkata were no less significant
to him than winning the Noble prizes he said. He was invited to both the events
and attended them both.</div>
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After he left Bhutan, he
taught in a local school back in his village. It was Mr Chowdhury who even initiated
cleaning campaigns in his local area which was way before Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi launched his Swach Bharat campaign.</div>
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Mr Chowdhury<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a repository of knowledge and information
and that is an indication of him being an ardent book reader. The stack of
books in his room stands as a testimony of how much he reads on daily basis. Among
the stacks of books are copies of Bhutan Observer newspapers which he was fond
of reading right from the first publications.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thangka of His Majesty the king hangs in a
room where he took tuitions for the local children. On the walls are the
tributes of his students. He calls his room Shanti <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niketan.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr chowdhury’s home has two separate sections,
the one part is occupied by his younger brother and his family and the other
part by Mr Chowdhury. Except for the separate fooding arrangements, the
brothers live closely. Chowdhury is a strict vegetarian while his brother is a
non-vegetarian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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On the front of the house is
an ample open space where two of Mr Chowdhury’s scooters stay parked. The Bajaj
Chetak scooter is the one he rode on the snaking roads of Pemagatshel and
Chukha and his recent acquisition is a trendier TVS scooty. The last digits of
the registration numbers are a surprise too 0515 and 5016.</div>
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And finally when it’s the time
to take his leave, he expressed his surprise. He wanted us to stay as his
guests for a day or two but, when that wasn’t possible, he reluctantly led us
till the highway where we bade good bye with madame Jasoda and my wife chanting
“Palden Drukpa Gyalo,” followed by “Jai Bharat Mata.”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJjYupDh1c2IivGOTxqbQmXcLB4rpLgfkUO7eaIFDzNnTijKbd06SJYwE0eqCNn0RZTNx9oL0Jzq9emnEF2nzQZTTKVlTjxVYL_IbNxIQ14pEYXas0Ae4atKsrHuTK8FDuGGI8c1ETts/s1600/IMG_5870.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJjYupDh1c2IivGOTxqbQmXcLB4rpLgfkUO7eaIFDzNnTijKbd06SJYwE0eqCNn0RZTNx9oL0Jzq9emnEF2nzQZTTKVlTjxVYL_IbNxIQ14pEYXas0Ae4atKsrHuTK8FDuGGI8c1ETts/s320/IMG_5870.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Chowdhury will be joining a
new school in Bihar as a Principal. A deserving appointment and another feather
in his illustrious teaching career. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Tashi Delek la.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gyembo Namgyal</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Pemagatshel</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
March 17, 2019</div>
<br /></div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-59374152095419056632017-10-20T05:22:00.000-07:002017-10-20T05:22:51.266-07:00A LETTER FROM AN EXEMPLARY TEACHER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>CELEBRATION OF GANDHIAN VALUES<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Gyembo Namgyel Sir,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While reading and contemplating
the Gandhian values on the eve of 2<sup>nd</sup> October, Gandhi Jayanti, your
picture is flashing upon my mind because I have found in you a man of moral
beauty and lofty values. This ignited feeling motivates me to write this
letter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nobel Laureate Dr. Alexis Carrel
on page No. 129 in his book ‘MAN THE UNKNOWN’ writes: “….Moral beauty is an
exceptional and very striking phenomenon. He who has contemplated it but once
never forgets its aspect. This form of beauty is far more impressive than the
beauty of nature and of science. It gives to those who possess its divine
gifts, a strange, an inexplicable power. It increases the strength of
intellect. It establishes peace among men. Much more than science, art, and
religious rites, moral beauty is the basis of civilization…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
By virtue of my age and
experience as I am growing richer in wisdom, your value to me rises higher, and
I feel stronger to have got such a friend of high altitude in morality,
simplicity and wisdom. The greatest wealth of your life is your art of ‘Simple
Living and High Thinking’. I can never forget the beauty and sublimity of your
Gandhian house, small and simple, clean and serene, adorned with a beautiful
library and enriched with a highly civilized lavatory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I remember more than 15 years ago
one day at your home I had asked you, “Sir, when are you going to purchase a
car?” You answered: “My three children are my three cars. I don’t dream of any
other car than them.” I felt elated by the words of your profound wisdom.
Accordingly, you have done your best and most to educate and build the
children’s life which reflects your thoughts. Those words still echo in my
heart and I feel energized and ignited.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Respect and devotion to one’s
teacher is also a Gandhian value which is on drastic erosion in modern days.
Your attitude and action of giving a lift to your teacher, Mr. Verghese, by
your scooter from Pemegatshel to Shelingore is also a reflection of your high
moral value.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Another occasion is unforgettable
to me. On my final departure from Pemegatshel on 18 December 2007 you chased
after my vehicle from Nangkor to Pemagatshel Zero point just to clear the
financial transaction between us, which gives an incredible message about you.
The world renowned educationist and philosopher Swami Vivekananda said: Be
perfectly pure in dealing with money. I have seen that purity in you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sir, on the eve of the auspicious
2 October I wish and pray that your moral values contribute to the peace and
well-being of the Bhutanese nation and her brothers and sisters across the
globe as Gandhiji’s values did to India and the world. PALDEN DRUKPA GYALO!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With love, prayer, best wishes and gratitude,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yours
sincerely, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Santosh
Chowdhury</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ex-teacher, Bhutan</div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-3619190858256129152017-03-12T01:14:00.000-08:002017-03-12T01:14:09.766-08:00THE PRIVILEGE OF WRITING LETTER TO THE STUDENTS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Last October, Nima Zangpo, a
teacher from Gonpasingma Lower Secondary School in Pemagatshel, asked me to
write a letter to his students. It was both humbling and a privilege for a farmer
to be asked to write to the students to inspire them. More than what I have in
me to be of any inspiration, I appreciated the teacher’s innovative idea to get
his students motivated through means other than those available at his disposal
in the school. This, to me is how a creative and resourceful teacher thinks out
of box to inspire children to learn so many of life’s lessons.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz4qrCJT0lRwpncQ23oq03qdVTDCWq06_M0k9b52Xtt20lk7nRDIWOC9QxnnjgwBQvuRwC8UArxYErV7clTq0hH_MUKvtK9vItDENberWkRe_3GW7HUp7lxWsINhCHKUUbqrUA86uIBA/s1600/IMG_20170312_145603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz4qrCJT0lRwpncQ23oq03qdVTDCWq06_M0k9b52Xtt20lk7nRDIWOC9QxnnjgwBQvuRwC8UArxYErV7clTq0hH_MUKvtK9vItDENberWkRe_3GW7HUp7lxWsINhCHKUUbqrUA86uIBA/s320/IMG_20170312_145603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
So, I wrote to his students telling
them to study zealously and give their best as they are in the school to learn
and study. I told them that while result is important, not everybody can excel
in studies because of the limitations we all have in life. I explained to them on
why giving their best is more important than the result itself because that is
the only thing they can possibly do. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
I also wrote to them on how competitions in
life are getting stiffer by the day and how, while it is difficult, it will
bring the best out of them. I urged them to recognize their inherent talents
and follow them with passion in life and do things that make them happy.
Success in life doesn’t necessarily mean that someone should be brilliant
academically since not everyone is cut out to be brilliant. I wrote about the more
important goals in life-to be good human beings and responsible citizens for a
happy and meaningful life.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
On February 26, 2017, the eve
of Bhutanese New Year Losar, Nima visited me with a priceless present of a book
and six replies his students wrote to me towards the end of last year. I am
privileged to share some of what these young children wrote to me:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
A class six student described
about her school and the excitement of the examination that was nearing then.
She apparently was well prepared to be happy about the examination unlike
students elsewhere. She wants to become an engineer some day, perhaps motivated
by a flyover bridge in her school, she wrote about in her letter. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
A class four student wanted to
do good things in life and he shared some examples of what those good things
are; like sharing pen and pencils, helping those in needs and showing kindness
to animals. He then shared about his favourite story. It is about monkey and
crocodile and how the clever monkey avoided crocodile’s open mouth by jumping
on its back.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Another class four student
loves to read and write (something wonderful to hear). She says, she has become
a friend of dictionary because she is able to learn many things from it. She
was reading a book called, “No Fighting and No Biting.” She likes Joen and
dislikes Rose and Willy in the book without saying why. She also has a bit of
an advice for me, “to work hard until I succeed in life.” I honestly think I
need to.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
One class six student asked me
why I prefer working on my farm rather than in some office. This student wants
me to share stories and poems. Her mate,
a class seven student says that she has a passion for singing and dancing but,
admits she is even better in reading books. She is apparently one of the most
active and determined student in the school because she loves both indoor and
outdoor games as well besides being a position holder in her class.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The final reply was also from
a class topper. Written with a beautiful handwriting, she shared an inspiring
poem titled, “Teach me.” She says she does everything on time and reads at
least one page of a book before going to sleep. She says her family is poor but
lives happily. Something wonderful to hear but not surprising story in rural
villages as happiness is infectiously prevalent more in communities that live
in the fringes of everything.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
All these replies have one
thing in common; children said that, they were inspired by my previous letter
and want me to write again. I intend to write back as some have queries that
require answering. Others want me to share articles that I wrote. Perhaps, this
kind of interactions helps them learn something besides serving as a leisurely
break from the never ending classroom learning.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gyembo Namgyal</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Pemagatshel</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
March 12, 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 132.0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-35015121713384006192016-06-21T09:39:00.000-07:002016-06-21T09:39:05.978-07:00Rest in peace lopen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH31dKQY_WownczWSty7KgwOE3-kR99ErpspmkRgxAYsTokXnZeXZie5MJppaLrKI9RsnDz9gJFo3ypAwYWjhvtg_Sqvn2bjSozazxgSVC-nRbf4bnPlMYi1MY_1pJzve0Sfij6XyYVA/s1600/dungkhar+visit+march+2014+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH31dKQY_WownczWSty7KgwOE3-kR99ErpspmkRgxAYsTokXnZeXZie5MJppaLrKI9RsnDz9gJFo3ypAwYWjhvtg_Sqvn2bjSozazxgSVC-nRbf4bnPlMYi1MY_1pJzve0Sfij6XyYVA/s320/dungkhar+visit+march+2014+%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif";">(This is a humble tribute to
a humble lay master. I know that, irrespective of what I try to write, it will
always be insignificant one. Despite that, this is all I can do to thank him.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The ruins of Dungmanma village always used to be silent
and peaceful except for the sound of prayers and recitations of mantras an old
couple made all their lives. Today, it was buzzing with activities as a steady stream of people come and go
somberly, some with moist eyes and others visibly in anguish.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
People from nearby and some
from far off villages flocked to this solitary peaceful place to pay their last
respects to one of the last known accomplished local lay master Lopen Shera
Wangdi of Pemagatshel Khar Dungkhar. The popular local lopen passed away at his
home following a brief illness recently. He was 77.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Late lopen Shera Wangdi was
known among the local population as an accomplished practitioner who spent all
his life amidst the ruins of what was probably a thriving ancient village of
Dungmanma with his wife. The couple’s eleven grown up children live scattered
in many dzongkhags but, the late lopen and his wife found peace away from human
settlements and refused to follow their children.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Despite his popularity, he
never kept any students with him nor did he preach people. He just lived a
simple low profile life, dedicating his time to prayers and meditations. He
only taught to few people who he thought possesses genuine qualities to uphold
what he taught or instructed. Those who have been closely associated with the
late lopen, today feels lucky to have met him.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The late lopen knew of his
impending death. Just a week prior to his passing away, he was admitted to the
local hospital and shortly afterwards decided to return back to his home where
he began preparing for his final journey. When his illness relapsed shortly
afterwards, he instructed his family members not to take him to hospital as his
time has finally come to leave.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Later he made a briefly recovery
for a day. Without further delay, he asked his wife to accompany him to visit
the nearby Dungkhar Lhakhang for the last time. It took almost an entire day to
reach the lhakhang which was actually a mere half an hour’s walking distance. Taking
rest every few steps, he made it to the lhakhang.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Once at the lhakhang he said
his prayers and met the two Khenpos who are teaching at the shedra. He told the
Khenpos of his impending death and he entrusted the two khenpos with the task
of performing all the weekly rituals for 21 days following his demise.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
He then called all his
children home for the last get-together. All his children reached home in time
before his passing away. He was well aware of what was happening to him even as
his bodily elements began dissolving and was able to recount them to his loved
ones. His last wish was that nobody at home must mourn openly and that his body
be left untouched for three days before cremation. He finally breathed his last
peacefully.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The late lopen may not have
lived his life surrounded by followers and patrons as he kept a low profile and
chose to live almost like a hermit all his life. This is exactly, how Buddhist
masters live. They only exhibit their accomplishments at the time of death. For
them death is not something tragic and painful, it is a smooth transition to a
higher realm.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Although it was a huge loss to
the community, I have the comfort of having been in close touch with the lopen
over the last few years and receive some valuable instructions. I am indebted to him and can only pray for his
soul to rest in peace in the blissful copper colored abode (zangdogpelri) among
those enlightened beings for one last time.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gyembo Namgyal</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Pemagatshel June 21, 2016</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
N.B. It has been ages since I
last updated my blog. The less I write the more difficult and clumsier it is
becoming to write. Bear with me, if this
bores you to sleep in the middle of your reading. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Kadrinche dear readers.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-88051030201801494722015-12-28T08:23:00.002-08:002015-12-28T08:23:32.236-08:00WINTER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUFKPMs1OLayxgJV0x_nqaClmo8VyBfm9c_KXKUUv8BGxCDgBNMh-nCwEvd5nejkjj1Pj3_K2K7P6vXoPs3AshxymbVqxqLza0W8edA3g6BXdMvEBURPTsHkX0KdN9xZblkfhNp5qhD8/s1600/CIMG2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUFKPMs1OLayxgJV0x_nqaClmo8VyBfm9c_KXKUUv8BGxCDgBNMh-nCwEvd5nejkjj1Pj3_K2K7P6vXoPs3AshxymbVqxqLza0W8edA3g6BXdMvEBURPTsHkX0KdN9xZblkfhNp5qhD8/s320/CIMG2375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Desolate appear the landscape,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So far as the eyes can see with ease,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Barren fields and dusty roads,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Grey mountains and naked trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Wintry breeze seem to have jagged edges,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Lacerating
feel follows numbness on exposed parts,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So people try shielding with armory of garments,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
As the grey clouds hang menacingly, like a
doomsday art.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So leaden are the skies in winter,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Clouds
look pregnant but find precipitation <span lang="EN-GB">labourious,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
As highlands wait for snow and rain in lower
vales,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And pave way for sunshine to make places
salubrious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Frost in the morning carpets the grasslands in white,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Mist envelopes villages like feathery blanket
in tons,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Rendering the sun too febrile even when at its
zenith,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So people warm around fire, gossip-mongering in
marathon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
The rich are in the cozy rooms sipping exotic
whiskeys,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Some are in the bars gulping cheap rums and brandies,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Peasants in their homes down homemade barley
brews,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And teetotalers drink gallons of teas and
coffees with candies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Only snotty nosed children seem immune to cold,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
As they play with icicles oblivious to the
wintry chill,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Even the tempers of vociferous strays seem to
ebb,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
As most remain coiled in the street corners,
whimpering and still.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
But winter is a season to relax and rejuvenate,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And be a part of the spoils of the festive
season,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Tshechus, losars, New Year and the festivals
anon<o:p></o:p></div>
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A season of mirth and merry making, life’s very
reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy8odvtfBl32zHgS1QCsvPxuj_PQuyomdJhLkZfo3Ssih9LotVnr36ee_OpAZowJyZ8QMOVz4gX0J1dVznz2vk8PSa0jyQKxFUcqGTMcYW_YsYMPBfBRVGxM6Mp5EX0CMzf2suYu5W_k/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy8odvtfBl32zHgS1QCsvPxuj_PQuyomdJhLkZfo3Ssih9LotVnr36ee_OpAZowJyZ8QMOVz4gX0J1dVznz2vk8PSa0jyQKxFUcqGTMcYW_YsYMPBfBRVGxM6Mp5EX0CMzf2suYu5W_k/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>pic; google</i></span> </o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Pemagatsel<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
December 28, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-28141299107084455622015-12-14T22:56:00.000-08:002015-12-14T22:56:51.629-08:00A WEAVER AND HER WEAVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAAupNqgLl2gqeCopNaOCtY_VtBXRGwhLcdUIeEqaTfqr97VmZqVZ_NSlMSX2TV9p1qiTRhLjFy_1_Jl6ilNol6FMcM8llA1e1xjzB7SfjYBCtGB_s1FIluKDOz3FpLgtgz8zHNN2bN0/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAAupNqgLl2gqeCopNaOCtY_VtBXRGwhLcdUIeEqaTfqr97VmZqVZ_NSlMSX2TV9p1qiTRhLjFy_1_Jl6ilNol6FMcM8llA1e1xjzB7SfjYBCtGB_s1FIluKDOz3FpLgtgz8zHNN2bN0/s320/IMG_9787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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An enchantress, that you are- beautiful,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Bestowed with skills that is unrivaled,<o:p></o:p></div>
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An amalgamation of god’s bountiful,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Spellbound are the eyes for your skills unparalleled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
In frills hangs your silken raven hair,<o:p></o:p></div>
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A tuft tucked behind your shapely ear,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rests are flying delicately on the flow of the
air,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
As you come walking, the yarns seem they can
hear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
The wooden loom is incomplete without you,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
The silk threads go around in colourful
triangle,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
They spread evenly in the mirage of hue,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Resembling like a rainbow from every possible
angle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So keen and fixated are your gaze,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So nimbly your graceful hands work,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Pulling strains of threads, fingers move in
maze,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Dhak..Dhak the shinning beater in rhythm works.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Spectacle it is, the half woven loom revealed,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Of intricate patterns and awe inspiring designs,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And artistically you weave on with patience not
trivial,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Thread by thread you will entwine them but not
resign.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Occasionally, you adjust the shifting back
strap,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
That snugs your derriere and holds the loom
tight,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Listening to melody you make loops and knots on
the angled drape,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Tucking back those hairs interfering with her
sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
The patterns are beautiful even for a naïve eyes,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
But special they are and hold meanings so clear,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
They are the motifs of trees and delicate butterflies,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And woven patiently for days and months so dear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
One day a beautiful maiden will wear this
masterpiece,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
On the anointed day where thousands gather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
To watch dances and glittering spectacle of fashionable
pieces<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
But none will be as beautiful as this art put
together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Here I am today; I watch the birth of silken
butterflies,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And trees in fruition along with symbolic knot
of love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
By the fingers that seem to have eyes of their
own to rely,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Of a weaver more beautiful than the weave, an
enchantress everyone loves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
December 15, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-86380486726300640062015-12-10T22:33:00.001-08:002015-12-11T02:08:49.471-08:00FLOWERS--BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsiIlFMiaZtc-y-ITphJt-FU3OCDlOVCO7192vmYldBAjrue6LA-NMZvQxsX7te0lKmyRN-VuUx3QgLNdRMV-tzVtcC78NeQnOkt-0Z4GOIWe2waY2MRVBF4V0Ym04PHQn25Ul3RMPbE/s1600/flower+001+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsiIlFMiaZtc-y-ITphJt-FU3OCDlOVCO7192vmYldBAjrue6LA-NMZvQxsX7te0lKmyRN-VuUx3QgLNdRMV-tzVtcC78NeQnOkt-0Z4GOIWe2waY2MRVBF4V0Ym04PHQn25Ul3RMPbE/s320/flower+001+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ah Flowers! So beautiful are all flowers,<o:p></o:p></div>
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The spectrum of their hues so dazzling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Beautiful they are on ancient trees,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or on shrubs by the bank of sparkling rivers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Flowers bloom all season round,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most in spring, some in summer, fall and winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some lasts for weeks and months some just for a
day,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And some bloom only in the darkness of the
night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Flowers adorn rocky cliffs and deep ravines,<o:p></o:p></div>
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They carpet moors and prairie lands,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And look good even on thorny plants,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And adorn plants growing in hostile arid lands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Flowers are bewitching to human eyes,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Mesmerized are chirpy birds and humming bees.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Colourful petals leading to reveal exotic aromas,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ushering to where lay the hidden seductive nectar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Flowers are the purest offerings man can make,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
On the altars of enlightened ones who sits on
floral thrones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thus even the least bestowed can gain equal
merits,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like those overflowing with material abundance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
So wide are flowers used in human lives,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Their uses transcend all societal and cultural
bounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And thus there is a flower for any occasion one
can fathom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
From mirth and merry making to poignantly
somber ones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Floral garlands signify goodwill,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Bouquets to congratulate,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And
flowers are sent to mend broken hearts,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And wreaths are laid to mourn painful demises.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Varieties hold symbolism like Calla Lily for
wedding,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Poppies for bereavement, chrysanthemum for
fidelity,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Daisies for pure innocence, orchids for exotic
beauty,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And tulip is to express declaration of love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Hues and numbers have their meanings too,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Red rose is for love and passion, yellow rose
for friendship,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Pink for admiration and blue rose to someone who
cannot be yours,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
And one rose to say I love you, 50 roses to say
your love is limitless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
But flower, although enchanting is also ephemeral,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
For no matter on what plant they bloom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Or in which season, they display extravagant
colours,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
They also leave a poignant message of the truth
of impermanence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
December 11, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-77321938628854071502015-11-10T08:13:00.000-08:002015-11-10T08:13:06.324-08:00LET’S MARK DRUKGYAL ZHIPA’S BIRTHDAY WITH A PLEDGE TO FULFILL HIS VISION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoYc42vO1dC_mCXXMOo_0ZH33pEC__rLvQ7YikASuhrxixC-qFd39qevfmDNfkOH2UKDdAM6_hRndVTi6voq4F1UCTZ5VLFyPGZoPWTeTC2xsWHIOXz-qzoAcMFlRSJ5YUwRM6-9MSFQ/s1600/20151108_100414-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoYc42vO1dC_mCXXMOo_0ZH33pEC__rLvQ7YikASuhrxixC-qFd39qevfmDNfkOH2UKDdAM6_hRndVTi6voq4F1UCTZ5VLFyPGZoPWTeTC2xsWHIOXz-qzoAcMFlRSJ5YUwRM6-9MSFQ/s320/20151108_100414-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Today, we are in
the midst of nationwide celebration to mark the auspicious birthday of our
beloved and great king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. This year’s celebration is
different from those of the past years as His Majesty completes a 60 year cycle
in the Bhutanese calendar called Rabjung. The celebrations have begun in
earnest across the country and it is heartening to see whole-hearted
dedications being exhibited by people including those in the villages led by
gewog officials.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Despite various
programme currently underway including those that concluded days prior to
November 11 to commemorate and pay our respect to His Majesty, nothing would suffice
in our expression of gratitude to our beloved Drukgyal Zhipa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Even as we
celebrate his birthday with so much fervor recollecting all the great and
extraordinary deeds in the past 30 years of his reign everything we do today in
the name of expressing our gratitude, will fall short of how indebted we all
are to everything he has done for nation’s well being. In fact, at times we
Bhutanese have failed miserably to live up to the expectations of His Majesty.
We must feel so lucky to have had been ruled by a selfless king like him but
hang our head in shame for failing him when he needed our support the most. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is heartbreaking
today to watch clips of his speech on how when as a last resort, he had to
mobilize military options to flush out foreign militants, just a handful of
people, that too mostly farmers came forward to serve the country. The footage
that we get to watch today makes us realize how he had to shoulder the most
difficult task forsaking his own safety along with few hundred regular
servicemen and he is right when he said, “If you don’t come forward and serve
your nation when in need, when are you going to do that. It is a matter of
utmost shame for all able bodied citizens of the country who spoke loudly of
patriotism but failed when it is most needed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He rightly said
that those few volunteers who came forward to the call of the nation are the
true sons of Palden Drukpa. I can only agree that these volunteers, where they
may be living today, are the true sons of Bhutan. Let’s not forget them too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Another profound
legacy of Drukgyal Zhipa is conservation of our environment. It is amazing on
how he became the architect of putting environment at the centre of our
development. He is truly a champion of the earth and it was befitting that he
was the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards for his lifelong
service to environment conservation. Today, despite our claims of enormous success
in environmental conservation, it is alarming to see proliferation of mines and
quarries which benefit just a few at the larger cost of the nation. We need to
re-evaluate our actions and follow the lead of His Majesty in this front if we
really care of His Majesty’s vision and aspirations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I think we all need
to reevaluate our priorities and actions, come to our senses and live and work to
fulfill the aspirations and lead provided by His Majesty Drukgyal Zhipa for
over three decades. We failed him in 2003, let’s not fail him in this more
subtle but profound and enlightened vision of a happy country. Let’s celebrate
his birthday the way we always do but, more than the celebration with various
programme, I am sure His Majesty would be more pleased if we all work together
to fulfill his aspirations and dreams for the well being of our country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May His Majesty
live forever and be a continuous source of inspiration for us all and radiate
his wisdom like the rays of the sun that leaves no place in darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tashi Delek and
Happy Reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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November 10, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-32276672092718898682015-10-09T10:17:00.000-07:002015-10-09T10:17:25.398-07:00FLOWERING SPECTACLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujReDVoYHJGgTKD2-A94YE-B7xO58hG-WLpJjSz_gdPVkLrcBwwQ5ccxDrawaFZqSh0OwwM5nZHkX7MdrBwRweEvZe-a_0ZwlXGU6JVO-j6Ywl9v-76SOTzRgNMJuostPlKdhc0Nskf4/s1600/20151009_072123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujReDVoYHJGgTKD2-A94YE-B7xO58hG-WLpJjSz_gdPVkLrcBwwQ5ccxDrawaFZqSh0OwwM5nZHkX7MdrBwRweEvZe-a_0ZwlXGU6JVO-j6Ywl9v-76SOTzRgNMJuostPlKdhc0Nskf4/s320/20151009_072123.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJsSoXDxi_6NuctbciDh39FNF-Z7JNJb63xpnpMOwcjWou4nJaZvDdsvsyPcaIdSYyOdAW7zA_LJ5yxfMhQdimLauvctHB_r4Xkg9WffmpihaWPu9zzBlTckgJH7wqDZmTAbONxWOkO0/s1600/20151009_072045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJsSoXDxi_6NuctbciDh39FNF-Z7JNJb63xpnpMOwcjWou4nJaZvDdsvsyPcaIdSYyOdAW7zA_LJ5yxfMhQdimLauvctHB_r4Xkg9WffmpihaWPu9zzBlTckgJH7wqDZmTAbONxWOkO0/s320/20151009_072045.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In whatever hues they blossom,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Flowers are beautiful universally,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some lasts for months, some just for a day,<o:p></o:p></div>
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This one lasts for a day and completes a cycle,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of a miraculous transformation for eyes to
behold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From lily-white in the morn, pink-white combo
by noon,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And before the night falls, it transforms to
pink in toto,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Providing ample introspective fodder to discern,<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the silence of night; on a miracle that just
unfolded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
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October 9, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-82714717882081778922015-08-30T01:41:00.000-07:002015-08-30T01:41:25.541-07:00BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AND SHORT TERM RETREATS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQLwzR2_O_aYLV4qNjizEZUGY514gB5kQWYSeDizeo59FltqGIJomt3-VbsFkeOTqyGcRneullSeShFk5wazYfrPIPiwLW0Vxbjyr6cTMl_xXVH4Bx6qpMtP5IVt9-2DaGz9-2FKY4r8/s1600/blowing-out-birthday-candles-clip-art-6337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQLwzR2_O_aYLV4qNjizEZUGY514gB5kQWYSeDizeo59FltqGIJomt3-VbsFkeOTqyGcRneullSeShFk5wazYfrPIPiwLW0Vxbjyr6cTMl_xXVH4Bx6qpMtP5IVt9-2DaGz9-2FKY4r8/s320/blowing-out-birthday-candles-clip-art-6337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
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While western
people look for meaning and essence of life to the wisdom of eastern culture
particularly Buddhism, we are increasingly trying to copy western culture. Look
at the food our people eat, the clothes we wear and our desperation to look
different with makeup and weird hairdos and with all these we also see
violence, drugs, smugglings, thefts, robberies, frauds, corruptions and many
other evil offshoots of those cultures taking roots in our society.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just the other day,
I was watching a BBS programme. It was a discussion programme with two monks,
one was a Khenpo and another was a doctor-turned monk. Both were insisting on
the need for lay people to take a break from their works and take vows of the
sangha for a short period to get better perspectives of life. I did not realize
such a provision exists and it is indeed a wonderful opportunity for lay people
to take monastic vows for any period of time they wish and partake in the daily
routines of a monastery or a nunnery like regular monks and nuns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I couldn’t agree
more with the doctor that this could in fact be a potent antidote for the
insatiable desires of our mind that leads people to take evil paths ultimately
bringing them more sufferings. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for
people to get their perspectives on the right track and will contribute
tremendously to the ideals of a compassionate and caring society. I don’t see
why government and corporations should not allow their workers short leave from
their jobs for this kind of retreat. I am sure when they rejoin their work they
will become more productive and also become positive influence on their peers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was also struck
by the truth of their assessment of how our society is increasingly transiting
from traditional value based and caring society to a more self centric and
artificial one trying to copy alien cultures. One basic example is the way we
celebrate our children’s birthday today. It is not just in towns and cities that
families celebrate their children’s
birthdays the western way, this culture is even making inroads in rural
countryside where people with little education and understandings are trying to
imitate birthday celebrations with cakes, candles and balloons like their cousins
do in the towns, setting a less then desirable trend in the villages. If we
really observe deeply, we are making the auspicious birthday of our children
with everything inauspicious. We have birthday cakes with names of our children
on them. When we cut the cake, we cut the name of the child which is quite
inauspicious in our culture. We blow out candle and that is extremely
inauspicious representing something like blowing out life and then poke
balloons with needle while others clap.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I share the panelists’
view that we can celebrate birthdays in our own auspicious ways. We can have
cakes adorned with Tashi Delek written on them and placing it on the altar as
offerings first. It would be a good idea to invite a monk and perform a short
cleansing ceremony (Lhabsang Thruesoel) and recite long life prayer (Tshedrup)
for the child and do something good and wholesome in your child’s name like saving a life of an animal or donating
something to a more needy ones around us. This way we instill values in our children
right from the young age and they will grow up to be a more compassionate human
being.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like what the monks
said we must encourage our children to say Apa to father and Ama or Aie to
mother rather than Daddy or Mommy which are not our language in the first place
and phonetically inauspicious. Daddy sounds like (Dredre) which means
separation and Mommy sounds like (Ma Mey) no mother. These may sound trivial
but, for Bhutanese there is nothing as important as Tendrel which is the custom
of believing in the importance of auspiciousness in everything we do and it
would certainly make sense to care about small things closer at home than
trying to emulate things we hardly understand from far away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
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August 30, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-58530038047847048652015-06-24T01:28:00.001-07:002015-06-24T01:28:31.546-07:00 THE QUIXOTIC RAIN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ5IBmkAePKH5Ue2_cuhbBEElGzm8MUcywupPo47sjcWCs5N-gkAfK72JXuE4MAAy2YboGUXEcircZAuyY4TFqVwPRUF0369JiguYjsG0nR1Vi2UaSFgHc3zpCGaXA5EkwcpvBg_wuEw/s1600/wamrong+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ5IBmkAePKH5Ue2_cuhbBEElGzm8MUcywupPo47sjcWCs5N-gkAfK72JXuE4MAAy2YboGUXEcircZAuyY4TFqVwPRUF0369JiguYjsG0nR1Vi2UaSFgHc3zpCGaXA5EkwcpvBg_wuEw/s320/wamrong+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There is incessant rain falling,<o:p></o:p></div>
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From pregnant dark clouds blanketing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From puddles to rivulets they become brooks,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And gushes of white-water from collection of
creeks,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back to where it began the water keeps
journeying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are flashes of lightening outside,<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s the architect of darkness inside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the light goes out in sudden,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Darkness returns to incandescent and tungsten,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Halogen, fluorescent and iridescent on all
sides.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are people groping in the darkness,<o:p></o:p></div>
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A faint blue light from a gadget comes in
fastness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A flickering light on the matchstick follows,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And just when a candle is lit to light, though
shallow,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Electricity returns all bright and glowing in
vastness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sooner the candle is put out by someone blowing,<o:p></o:p></div>
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The wig begins emitting faint smoke flowing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then a flash outside brings about darkness yet
again inside,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Darkness mocks at inhabitants quixotically from
all sides,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And this time all stay still except for the
sounds of rain on the roof; beating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
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June 24, 2015 02:30 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-22023531856184398612015-06-12T02:39:00.000-07:002015-06-12T02:39:16.739-07:00OF FOOTBALL AND FOOTBALLERS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>(A light hearted post on football constructed
with footballers’ names as building blocks)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzKGEnKpOGIzr9yggOuoumSKhNkzDAjHiX0yyj76y8EK2shszgWHJkDBhghpZpux8eS-1QwVzCsGQdN10ObytjyibeLwY_DrDzz6kV1o5xCNRVHBJeIkLWjcab1ymiEiycg-9KiTsVQE/s1600/_62983104_football_getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzKGEnKpOGIzr9yggOuoumSKhNkzDAjHiX0yyj76y8EK2shszgWHJkDBhghpZpux8eS-1QwVzCsGQdN10ObytjyibeLwY_DrDzz6kV1o5xCNRVHBJeIkLWjcab1ymiEiycg-9KiTsVQE/s320/_62983104_football_getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture source; google</td></tr>
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No one can deny the fact that
football is a universally loved sport. The silky skills and visionary passing
of midfielders, the lightening speed of wingers on the flanks, the wall like
stubbornness of defense, the magnetic hands of goalkeepers and clinical
finishes of strikers makes this game something that will always be watched day
in and day out across the globe. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Bend it like Beckham,” is a famous quote in foot-balling world. I would
add; “Watch it until you are <i>Bent</i>
(Darren Bent-Aston Villa) and your Back Harmed (Beckham).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Football is lucrative sport that is worth billions of Dollars, Pounds
and <i>Sterling</i> (Raheem
Sterling-Liverpool). It is a physically demanding sport that requires expending
lot of energy leaving you dehydrated, so you have to <i>Drink Water</i> (Danny Drinkwater-Licester) a lot, during the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Often players have to bear the <i>Brunt </i>(Chris Brunt-West Brom) of its
physicality. If you are hit in the eyes, you have a likely chance of becoming <i>Blind</i> (Daley blind- Manchester United),
because the <i>Hunt </i>(Jack Hunt-Crystal
Palace) is on for trophies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many footballers begin their
career when they are <i>Young</i> (Ashley
Young-Man U) and some are not only small but, <i>Smalling</i> (Chris Smalling-man U) that we can call them <i>Nani</i> (Manchester United) and before you graduate
to become a <i>Walker</i> (Kyle
Walker-Tottenham) you also have to <i>Crouch</i>
(Peter Crouch-Stoke). <o:p></o:p></div>
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The walk can trigger the <i>Heat On</i>
(Tom Heaton-Burnley) and the journey can be <i>Long
</i>(Kevin Long-Burnley), it can take you as far as <i>Kabul</i> (Younas Kaboul-Tottenham) where women play football covered
under burkha. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Most players play <i>Cleverly </i>(Tom Clervely-Everton) in the <i>Kompany</i> (Vincent Kompany-Man City) where
a non-Bhutanse has a Bhutanese- like name of <i>Zeko</i> (Eden Dzeko-Man City).
Some footballers are <i>Bony</i> (Wiflred
Bony-Man City) and Contact with bony footballers is health <i>Hazard </i>(Eden Hazard-Chelsea). Few are so robust that they have earned
the tag of being <i>Villain </i>(Willian-Chelsea).
But, some footballers have cult like followers like Hindu <i>Mata</i> (Juan Mata-Man U). <o:p></o:p></div>
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If football stadium is a <i>Palace</i>
(Crystal Palace FC), there would be <i>Gunners</i>
(Arsenal) as sentries. The <i>Kings</i>
(Ledley King, Andy King) will be in one of the <i>Chambers</i> (Calum Chambers-Arsenal) watching match live on television
and you will be ushered in by <i>Chamberlain</i>
(Oxlade Chamberlain-Arsenal). In the <i>Queen’s
Park, Rangers</i> (QPR) keep their vigil from <i>Myhill </i>(Boaz Myhill-West Brom) huddled between stones
(Huddlestone-Hull City) as the <i>Queen</i>
(Stephen Quinn-Hull City) opens the <i>Cork </i>(Jack
Cork-Swansea) of Champaign bottle in the palace to celebrate their team’s win. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And out in the field a <i>Gardener</i>
(Craig Gardener-West Brom) is busy moving a <i>Bale
</i>(Gareth Bale-Real Madrid) of grass to the <i>Barnes </i>(Ashley Barnes-Burnley) nearby, covered in <i>Grimes</i> (Matt Grimes-Swansea) before
heading home to watch a cup final.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes when you are in the losing side 90 minute is too <i>Long</i> (Kevin Long-Burnley) especially
when your strikers fail to hit <i>Target</i>
(Matt Target). And the players asks themselves if they are playing <i>Wright </i>(Wright-Man City)but, deep inside
they keep telling themselves; “yes we <i>Can</i>”
(Emre Can-Liverpool) and certainly this is <i>Wisdom</i>
(Wisdom-Liverpool). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Goal post is not mere <i>Woodgate</i>(Jonathan
Woodgate-fmr Real Madrid) with timbers from <i>Westwood
</i>(Westwood-Aston Villa) or constructed by <i>Mason</i> (Ryan Mason-Tottenham) with bricks and mortars. Nor are the
posts baked from flour by <i>Baker</i>
(Nathan Baker-Aston Villa) but, they are steel posts made by <i>Smith</i> (Willson Smith). Collision with
the posts can break you <i>Cheek</i> (Cheek-Chelsea)
and you not only become <i>Brown</i> (Wes
Brown-Sunderland) but can completely turn you into a <i>Blackman</i> (Blackman-Chelsea). Such an injury can land you in a
hospital <i>Ward</i> (Ward-Liverpool) for a
long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Given</i> (Shay Given-Aston Villa) that footballers work
in teams, managers have to <i>Herd</i>
(Chris Herd-Aston Villa) players together like a <i>Shepherd</i> (Liam Shepphard-Swansea). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Some footballers are loved like <i>Rose</i>
(Danny Rose-Tottenham) flowers and others are <i>Noble</i> (Mark Noble-West Ham United) in their hearts. Some life
stories are like a <i>Page</i> (Lewis
Page-WHU) out of a fairy tale that you remember from <i>Oxford</i> (Rea Oxford-WHU) press that you read when walking along the <i>Downing </i>(Stuart Downing- WHU) street to
meet prime minister, not in <i>Ireland</i>
(Stephen Ireland-Stoke) but in England. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Football is loved universally and many trace the origin of the game to
time of <i>Adam</i> (Charlie Adam-Stoke)
while others believe the game started from the time of <i>Moses</i> (Victor Moses-Stoke). Whatever may be the truth, football is
the world’s most beautiful game that even the names of players have a story to
tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Happy Funny Reading!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
June 12, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Disclaimer: This article is about the game of football written in
light-hearted manner using professional footballers’ names in literal sense.
This article in no way is intended to malign anyone either intentionally or
otherwise. It is a creative work using names of footballers in building up
sentences to tell a comical story on football.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-16214155548990477842015-05-19T10:55:00.000-07:002015-05-21T06:54:47.506-07:00BREAKING CLUMPS OF SOIL UNDER MOON-LIT NIGHTS <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-FqQbRcQ6I4FTlIPbbP3ghjCqI6ZuLBEW662gntpWSFWUpoOFoFnnuJFojoOnAfd1sHY-3yomXqL232AHGfolCf9vaCxaSKNHWfzOjEmTRcpw8oy6Hy9uMG3H2v7ogET_llPKWXtdhU/s1600/CIMG2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-FqQbRcQ6I4FTlIPbbP3ghjCqI6ZuLBEW662gntpWSFWUpoOFoFnnuJFojoOnAfd1sHY-3yomXqL232AHGfolCf9vaCxaSKNHWfzOjEmTRcpw8oy6Hy9uMG3H2v7ogET_llPKWXtdhU/s320/CIMG2375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was a full moon
night. Houses in the village nearby can be seen silhouetted against the moon
lit background. The village looks to have slept long time back, soon after the
night has fallen. There were no electricity and people hardly stayed awake for few
hours after the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But, out in the
barren field someway away from the village, a group of young men and women, and
few boys and girls are in the middle of a work amidst laughter, whispers and
occasional bouts of singing. Bizarre it may sound but, sometimes, some households
in my village hired helping hands of young men and women during the full moon
nights to break clumps of dry soil in preparation for the oncoming wheat
sowing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I didn’t understand
then on why people hired helping hands during nights. Now I understand how
people must have had their hands full during the day, so that something less
serious like breaking down clumps of soil can be done in the low visibility of
the moon-lit nights. However, young men and women and even small boys and girls
always looked forward excitedly to be working in barren fields during night time. In
fact, all the young people (single) in the village will turn up for the task, each holding a long handled wooden mallet. The reason for excitement is all too
obvious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Winter is cold in
place like Bumthang even during the day. Night is even colder with temperatures
plummeting below freezing point and the gutsy wind that blows in the valley
adds to the misery but, when you are young, you always have the gut to ignore
the inclement weather. And the prospect of being able to flirt with the
beautiful girls of the village under the cover of hazy moonlight with the
opportunity provided by the night errand always makes it exciting for young men
and women. It can be possible, that some of the matches must have taken shape
while attending such errands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Younger boys and
girls who are too naïve to understand true romance are consigned to one side
while more matured engineered their plans to be closer to each other where they
can share their feelings and hatch naughty plans under whispers and flirt with
each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Often, the talks in
the night are between a pair in hushed tone and the sounds of bursting clumps under
the force of mallets are all that can be heard loud and clear. But sometimes someone
in the group starts talking loud so that rests of the members hears him. Even though, someone demands attention from the rest, there would be nothing
serious to talk about but, share some raunchy jokes, that triggers bouts of laughter in the group. Sometimes, the young people sing in unison
and sometimes, young men and women contest in the rendition of ballad
(Tzangmo). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tzangmo is sung in
such a way that, after the first group or individual rendered four lines, the
other group responses with another four lines that is basically a reply to what
the first group implied through their rendition. On occasion like this, young men
on one side will face off with women on the other. These kinds of rendition
contest are known to go on till the wee hours of mornings. If the first one
sings something sweet, the respondent tries to make it even sweeter and
likewise, if one group sings something with unsavory connotation, the other
will try to make it even nastier but, this normally ends with reconciliatory
note. I admired at the reputation of some people who are known to be a great repository
of Tzangmos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was funny too
that, although blisters may begin forming in their palms, there is no lacking
in will to go on hammering the last sizeable clumps. Perhaps, the excitement of working side by
side with the girls and boys of one’s liking may have enabled their hearts to
pump lot of adrenalin into their muscles that, holding high, long handled
wooden mallet and bringing them strongly on clumps of soil with thuds just
comes spontaneously and effortlessly. As nights wear on,excitement among the young ones fade. Their eyes become bleary and they wish to run back home and snuggle under blankets but, the older ones remain
oblivious to their plight blinded by their adrenalin rush.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This often goes on
into the wee hours of the morning depending on the sizes of fields. In the end,
all walk back to the house which hired those hands. The relative darkness
offers privacy from prying eyes and most would be walking either hand in hand
or side by side nudging each other’s shoulders flirtatiously. But, that is it.
After a mug of steaming buttered tea and some snacks, boys will leave for their
homes and girls will sleep in the host’s home until the next morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
That was how it
used to be then. Now, wheat and potato fields are giving way to mushrooming of
hotels, resorts and other commercial ventures. I am sure people no longer need
to hire helping hands and young men and women also no longer need to go to break
clumps for a chance to flirt any more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May 19, 2015 11:55 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-44924998264015386812015-05-13T01:48:00.000-07:002015-05-15T03:27:18.379-07:00SLAUGHTERING THE IDEA OF SLAUGHTER HOUSES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkI4D7zuzABNPeX-YXXcwmXBwEKkdT0Di_-DK8dBFo8a3y53ksIsEvY4ZfIVldWlU40gERyrHalQ14K6KyPO1slhx42cvbOKnCWD-XbEVpTxcUw-tk0Rl4BMCAxkoW2ABgUMwG4Mlm5E/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkI4D7zuzABNPeX-YXXcwmXBwEKkdT0Di_-DK8dBFo8a3y53ksIsEvY4ZfIVldWlU40gERyrHalQ14K6KyPO1slhx42cvbOKnCWD-XbEVpTxcUw-tk0Rl4BMCAxkoW2ABgUMwG4Mlm5E/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the last few
days, there was lot of discussion in social media about the government’s
decision to open slaughter houses in the country. Notwithstanding the small
benefits of having slaughter houses in the country, I thought, this is a grave
decision lacking wisdom and coming with utter disregard given to the concerns and
sentiments of the larger population.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Arguments are being put forward justifying slaughter houses in financial and economic context. Well, how
much are we really spending on import of meat that justifies setting up of slaughter
houses in the country that is deeply religious? Can slaughter houses contribute
to reversing the economic situation? I
have a serious doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Well some argue
that, since we eat lot of meat, setting up large scale meat farms and slaughter
houses must be allowed amid choetens, lhakhangs and prayer flags.
Certainly, there is something wrong with this kind of thinking. I think we are
losing our sense of direction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On the one hand we
have the government targeting to restore thousands of hollowed-out choetens and
restore their sanctity for peace, harmony and well being of all sentient beings
and on the other hand the same government wants to start mega meat farms and
slaughter houses for what? Other than ensuring blood smeared wealth for few
promoters, the nation is bound to lose its own priceless age-old Bhutanese
Buddhist values like the rest of senseless consumer driven countries of the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Let’s not forget
that, it is Bhutan which gave the world the alternative development paradigm of
Gross National Happiness (GNH) propounded by His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme
Singye Wangchuck. GNH is a development philosophy based on Buddhist principles
of moderation and compassion. Where will slaughter houses fit in? Let’s please
not follow the path of illusion offered by endless consumerism and let us realize
that the rest of the world is looking at us for directions as they become
increasingly disillusioned by their unsustainable way of living based on insatiable
consumerism. Do we need to follow them by going the same way? Are we also seeing greener grasses on other side of the fence? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What does the mother
of all our laws, the Constitution say? It says that, “Buddhism is the spiritual
heritage of our country which promotes principles and values of peace,
non-violence, compassion and tolerance.” Where does the slaughter house fit in?
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
People also argue
that because we Bhutanese consume lot of meat, slaughtering takes place across
the border for Bhutanese consumers. Well, we can also argue that, because meat
is made available without restrictions, people tend to keep consuming. And
let’s be honest here that urban dwellers with more affluence consume more meat
than rural folks. While meat may be a staple for rich, it is still luxury for
poor people in the villages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rather than
allowing in slaughter houses and letting Bhutanese who can afford meat in all their meals become wholly
carnivorous, an idea of meat rationing can reduce over consumption of
meat. I think we can do this. Excess consumption of red meat is linked to
cancer while animal fat are considered really unhealthy. We are not meant to be
meat eaters. Look at our teeth, they are meant to chew and grind grains not
puncture fatal wounds, tear flesh and break bones like natural carnivorous. Why
isn't there institutionalized campaign against excessive meat consumption like
we have for alcohol, tobacco and other substances which when consumed in excess
becomes health hazards? Perhaps meat could be another root cause for rising
NCDs in the country and NCDs are more common among urban dwellers than rural
people. Available records confirm the
correlation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbkwsRC8e7EL5JzelNk-em5WyvbTjbbM2PHAVq2RMexCqwZByeYH3pgnaGDBBgMVDDk5acnUBaQBgvHa07mSD6C1Oap3y7DlUMm6m8_jE838yn_Xsp4kruKilvT_owkFna0X1lZjVpnw/s1600/11038930_669094846536166_4462715072290618739_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbkwsRC8e7EL5JzelNk-em5WyvbTjbbM2PHAVq2RMexCqwZByeYH3pgnaGDBBgMVDDk5acnUBaQBgvHa07mSD6C1Oap3y7DlUMm6m8_jE838yn_Xsp4kruKilvT_owkFna0X1lZjVpnw/s320/11038930_669094846536166_4462715072290618739_n.png" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And some may be of
the view that Bhutanese Buddhist rituals are also heavily laden with non-vegetarian meals. Well,
that is right. Today, even the after-death rituals take a party like atmosphere of
meat laden buffets. I must confess that, this is all because of us. We can only blame
ourselves for this trend. His Holiness, the Je Khenpo had issued repeated
decrees on doing away with meat in rituals. We must be ashamed of our conduct by not
heeding to His Holiness’s decrees. Can we blame our religion for this? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, before it is
too late, let’s come to our senses and scrap the idea of slaughter houses. The idea of slaughter houses should not have
even taken roots in government thinking, in the first place. I am glad that
petitions have come against the idea both from outside the country and also
from our religious body, the Dratshang Lhentshok. I hate to use this word, but
the idea of slaughter houses needs ‘SLAUGHTERING’ in the first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
PEOPLE MAY ALSO
ARGUE THAT, KILLING WILL ONLY CEASE WHEN EATING STOPS BUT, I THINK EATING WILL
CERTAINLY REDUCE WHEN THE KILLING STOPS. WE DON’T EAT FIRST AND KILL LATER. WE
HAVE TO KILL FIRST TO BE ABLE TO EAT.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May 13, 2015 02:40
pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-51966881878790792622015-05-10T08:06:00.000-07:002015-05-10T08:06:33.052-07:00THE FLIP SIDE OF BEING A SUPERSTAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_C5Bet-WUsibtAKVtAWWxqP3MInoIKNeLWimvyNq0zWpsgOmp7jKespoElVdZD1qPw7FmrEUM6pwViaFXaYMZfqXY21dpMiYpj7KyB-qwYTuXmV6-c5N0PylY6wKAKCLLnp6q9DIdso/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_C5Bet-WUsibtAKVtAWWxqP3MInoIKNeLWimvyNq0zWpsgOmp7jKespoElVdZD1qPw7FmrEUM6pwViaFXaYMZfqXY21dpMiYpj7KyB-qwYTuXmV6-c5N0PylY6wKAKCLLnp6q9DIdso/s320/original.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the last few days,
media stories in India was dominated by the ‘Hit and Run’ case that happened in
2002 involving Bollywood super star Salman Khan. The kind of coverage given to
this case with diverse views and opinions made me make my own observations and
decided to write what I thought about it but, I abandoned it after some
paragraphs. With the issue not dying
down easily with fresh twist and turns being given to the entire episode, I
decided to put my little perspective on this issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Right from the
onset, I must make it clear here that, I am neither a legal expert nor do I
posses much understanding of how legal system works. Whatever is written is entirely my personal
view. Drawing reference from Salman’s case, I just want to present my simple
understanding on how, while serving various peripheral interests; people may in
fact be losing the real perspective of the issue itself at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This is reported to
be a case that took place in 2002 in Mumbai, the state capital of Maharashtra
with a car running over some people sleeping on the pavement. One person lost
his life and some others injured badly. The controversy still rages on with
some saying, the actor was driving while others including the accused, now
convicted in the case, denying it. Some saying there were four people inside
the car while others say there were three. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Whatever, a case
was registered against the actor. One of the key witnesses was the bodyguard
provided by police to the actor, who unfortunately died of TB in 2007. There were
lots of discrepancies on how things took over from that moment including the
incidences leading to testing the actor for alcohol level in his blood,
according to reports.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was unfortunate,
that the case took 12 years to come to a conclusion. The people who suffered the
most were the victims who are poor and some of who lost their livelihood from
debilitating injuries they sustained. It was unfortunate for them. Despite the fact
that the case took so long, Salman had reportedly obliged to court’s direction
and have attended all the hearings leading up to his conviction recently. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
While media is still
having field day with the issue because it involved a high profile celebrity,
the case in itself is something that happens every day on Indian roads. Some
are more horrific and yet make just a mere mention at best and soon the cases
are forgotten. Some may have even escaped justice while victims suffer with not
much compensation paid to victims and media hardly follow those stories later. However
since a superstar is involved in this particular incidence, it continues to get
all the attentions from media. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was also
understood that, following the accident, the trial court ordered the actor to
submit over 19 lakhs Rupees to compensate victims which the actor did
immediately and was even willing to make further compensations. This was
reportedly barred by the court ordering the actor not to make further
compensations and also to refrain from visiting those victims apparently in a
bid to prevent him from buying witnesses. While compensations for the rest of
the victim have reportedly been made, the family of the deceased is yet to
receive their compensations because of disagreement between the deceased father
and his widow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmLQ1PcIecoX0KrLITk78FT7kjgtC0MOk8vjPKnAnnMniv_nXLPljidoMbR1SIZPvjV7FdyUvAuhKE2sDmu6VarMnAX6A2RWBhyphenhyphenb6wMJAFhB8o9stWdiVsZcmIxsMfu-bhFz5MWBAyk/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmLQ1PcIecoX0KrLITk78FT7kjgtC0MOk8vjPKnAnnMniv_nXLPljidoMbR1SIZPvjV7FdyUvAuhKE2sDmu6VarMnAX6A2RWBhyphenhyphenb6wMJAFhB8o9stWdiVsZcmIxsMfu-bhFz5MWBAyk/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As is the
procedure, the culprit must be tried and sentenced for whatever laws he must
have broken that night. The actor was found guilty of culpable homicide and
sentenced to five years in jail. This was hailed by many people as law being
impartial irrespective of status. The law also provides defendant his right to
defend himself within the legal provisions. So, he exercised his right and
secured interim bail and within two days moved High Court and secured reprieve.
And this time the same people began questioning the fairness of justice system.
Isn’t this cynicism? Why the case took 12 long years to conclude is something
that is for the system to look at and make remedies if necessary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have been
watching debates of all kind on Indian televisions. Never ever had an entire
panelist agreed on any issue like they did on the legality of court granting
bail to the actor. At times, I had the feeling that it was media which seem to
disagree with court’s decision and make it look like the entire decision being
influenced by money and star power. This could be why oftenmoderators found
themselves against panelists who all seem to agree to the correctness of all
the procedures followed in the actor being granted bail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Another interesting
observation was about the views of the victims. They said that, they are least
bothered by the conviction or the sentence handed over to the actor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“All we are looking
for is some kind of monetary compensations that can alleviate our sufferings.
We are least concerned with his sentencing,” said one of the victims. Media
repeatedly failed to highlight on the aspirations of the victims.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What is interesting
is that, the actor who is well known for his charitable activities was willing
to look after the well beings of the victims irrespective of the outcome of the
case. This is exactly what the survivors want and he is willing to do just
that. For the victims only such an action can bring about the real difference
to the lives affected by the accident. The concerns for media, authorities and
social workers must be on how best victims’ sufferings can be eased.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4xlzNpL4Ml7bQK8CSK4YjdcaAoTzy1gr2-eFj4Kr4gjKP6aqwHwm9ACACX6WVJGfOFmyAOipc7CrlTW5pcFkP3S5W9GWbRy1BZ5PktKMwuxww1SUF-2gnZtCWpqge1pZWjiM39UFRy8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4xlzNpL4Ml7bQK8CSK4YjdcaAoTzy1gr2-eFj4Kr4gjKP6aqwHwm9ACACX6WVJGfOFmyAOipc7CrlTW5pcFkP3S5W9GWbRy1BZ5PktKMwuxww1SUF-2gnZtCWpqge1pZWjiM39UFRy8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I was also asking
myself how the situation would be handled if it was in our country. There would
be definitely pain, anguish and sufferings but at the end, if there is no
motive, the parties will come to a compromise called Nangkha Nangdrik and matter
settled amicably. The victims need not wait 12 years for justice. Justice will
also be served in accordance with law for the culprit within few days or weeks.
The departed soul will also rest in peace when there is no wrangling and
bickering in the aftermath. The affected family can devote their precious times
praying and helping the soul find peace and in rehabilitating those injured.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Finally, I would
reiterate here that, this is my personal view on an issue that has dominated Indian
media in the recent days making it look complicated. All I am asking myself is
why don’t we make things simple by not forgetting the crux of the issue. The
crux of the issue here according to me is that, an accident has taken place in
which poor victims are involved. And their sufferings need to be alleviated
fast rather than the issue being made a good fodder for all sorts of wrangling
in public domain simply because it involved a film star. This is flip side of
being a superstar. Nothing can get away that easily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Happy Reading<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May10, 2015 9:00pm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-49989288648994791172015-05-06T09:27:00.001-07:002015-05-07T06:02:23.794-07:00A GESTURE TO REMEMBER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU2aTo4sHrCi4jSzPjPHtht4gCPTHzxc4cOVmIhr4B50lsIqHvh5qajijDFfF93bI8tVMNXGYaaRJNWpkuSAcqYLEUjLlUSQsHj2wo8sEnVG0Q_a_virihDvHw9MUQ8dGtSvyyJTQ3Fs/s1600/921767_501565363239568_595472403_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU2aTo4sHrCi4jSzPjPHtht4gCPTHzxc4cOVmIhr4B50lsIqHvh5qajijDFfF93bI8tVMNXGYaaRJNWpkuSAcqYLEUjLlUSQsHj2wo8sEnVG0Q_a_virihDvHw9MUQ8dGtSvyyJTQ3Fs/s1600/921767_501565363239568_595472403_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Just a few days
back on May 2, schools everywhere in Bhutan marked Teacher’s Day. The day is a
special one as it is also the birth anniversary of the Father of Bhutan, late His
Majesty, the third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It was under him that
Bhutan shed its self imposed isolation from outside world and embarked upon the
rapid path of modernization. Marking this special day as Teacher’s Day is a befitting
tribute to the great monarch enabling all of us to pay our respects and
gratitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The day as a
teacher’s day reinforces the special bond that exists between teachers and
students. For students, is a day to thank their teachers for bestowing upon them,
the priceless gift of knowledge and for bringing them up to be responsible and
productive citizens of the country. And for teachers, the day reminds them of
the onus they have in not just teaching lessons from text books but also
shaping young people into complete human being through their exemplary conduct.
Like everybody else, I also thanked all my teachers, some taught lessons in
classes, others taught things about life and living. I owe all of them my
heartfelt gratitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This year, the day
also brought a pleasant surprise to me. A close friend came to my place with a
beautiful wishing card and a generous gift of books for a mini library that I am
trying to build at home. I was humbled by such a gesture from a friend who
admitted that despite being a friend, he learnt valuable lessons and meanings of
life from me. I wonder what meaningful thing I could have said all along except
that, whenever I see him confused, I try to share my take on issues confronting
him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What made it even
more special is the fact that, this is only the second time he wished someone
with a card on Teacher’s Day in his entire life. For me this is bound to be my
first and certainly the last. So, it is a special one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoxkZMBYGTKAu2I25Q6N8X2G74wMHlFeYCspNAHq-xGITvGCW6QsATFuHIL63q0ca1WwWrDeD7iPsFfN86RkPDxdVICeONjmEgiMnEmdUuuAH8mB1iyMy7DH8y063lG2-72MugoViQRw/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoxkZMBYGTKAu2I25Q6N8X2G74wMHlFeYCspNAHq-xGITvGCW6QsATFuHIL63q0ca1WwWrDeD7iPsFfN86RkPDxdVICeONjmEgiMnEmdUuuAH8mB1iyMy7DH8y063lG2-72MugoViQRw/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SOURCE: GOOGLE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thank you Tashi,
for your thoughtfulness. If you have benefitted from our friendship in any ways,
it is because of your receptive attitude and the desire you have, to change for
the better. Although, I am not a teacher, I accept your beautiful card that I have it pasted on my living room wall and the books will make a prized addition to
my small library.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thank you and god
bless you always!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May 6, 2015 10.30
pm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-33755752872593548412015-04-20T21:31:00.000-07:002015-04-20T21:31:17.132-07:00ARE WINNERS ALWAYS RIGHT?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GE4q4ChUH8bzGCG0kZHc5Zh5w9XwxLd2BxnIO5SRWZYSdJ5rUqbKe4atYRkd1WyM9uHhrMpywWttxrCV-xVrH-XP4QS2rBr4azCpIzReCKU87nJ475fV9KxymirtQqlP9eVLLnPXzPI/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GE4q4ChUH8bzGCG0kZHc5Zh5w9XwxLd2BxnIO5SRWZYSdJ5rUqbKe4atYRkd1WyM9uHhrMpywWttxrCV-xVrH-XP4QS2rBr4azCpIzReCKU87nJ475fV9KxymirtQqlP9eVLLnPXzPI/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture source: Google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Last Saturday, I
was watching one of the most anticipated English Premier League football match
between the leaders Chelsea and third place Manchester United. It was a high
octane match living up to the expectation of ardent EPL followers and football
lovers. The match ended with Chelsea taking all three points and making their
pursuit of the coveted trophy even closer. For United, it was the fading away
of their last hope of making a realistic bid of the trophy this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What bothers me always
is the match analysis by football pundits at intervals and post matches. It is
always the winner that gets all the praise while the losers are dissected and
criticized for what had gone wrong. There is no arguing the fact that winners
stand tall, but do winners always do the right thing to deserve all accolades
as match pundits always shower on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQffk2F9fFuoxY7zrQdSMKGWHQFfZ30L4IVHSjQSbbuxhgP14Txz3Tg5ePmLGDD5nqbtMjL0ELwa5xnMJW7BRxmAnz597AESs5nU1pd27wOA2D6BCvHDPE5FjxHEpl_0xz9gX3nt6dWY/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQffk2F9fFuoxY7zrQdSMKGWHQFfZ30L4IVHSjQSbbuxhgP14Txz3Tg5ePmLGDD5nqbtMjL0ELwa5xnMJW7BRxmAnz597AESs5nU1pd27wOA2D6BCvHDPE5FjxHEpl_0xz9gX3nt6dWY/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture source: Google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Certainly, Chelsea
won the all important clash of the titans that night, but to me the result did
not necessarily reflect on Chelsea’s superiority on field. Chelsea won the
match with a goal in a match dominated by Manchester United with the possession
of nearly 70 percent. And isn’t it the better team that dominates possession on
the pitch. So my question is on why these pundits’ analysis have to always be in favour of the winning team and
not on the proper match analysis of the entire 90 minutes and give due credit
too, on the overall performance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Notwithstanding the
fact that, result is what matters in the end, analysis must be on the game as a
whole and not just be about the result alone that could have happened in one
moment of magic or madness. Better teams on the pitch not always win matches in
the end but that do not necessarily reflect on how bad they played.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSj668amZcbmnYC5f-jVSLm2kmGfRyAVJ7tk3sIEV_fi2wBg2awSnn_5QZc3kpNh8_z-73lU4geyu6vSUaLS13uon7yIZWTF_5TCUgSxWCOHjRVXhEqf97Nfn0NqCSNL31MhmIeHTT24/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSj668amZcbmnYC5f-jVSLm2kmGfRyAVJ7tk3sIEV_fi2wBg2awSnn_5QZc3kpNh8_z-73lU4geyu6vSUaLS13uon7yIZWTF_5TCUgSxWCOHjRVXhEqf97Nfn0NqCSNL31MhmIeHTT24/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture source: Google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Likewise, in real
life too, it is always those successful people who get all the accolades even
if the path to their successes may have been riddled with murky past. Those who
are not so successful are always criticized, dissected and judged negatively by
the society without understanding the reasons. I feel, not all successful
people are necessarily good people doing
right things at all times and likewise not all unsuccessful people are necessarily losers and failures to be
despised and looked down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Who doesn’t want to
succeed and who doesn’t want to win always? And in striving to win and succeed
many fail and falter, but that doesn’t make them any inferior. Like the need
for football pundits to be objective with their match analysis which always
tend to tell about everything right done by winners and point out all the wrong
moves of the losing team, in life too, we all need to appreciate success
acquired through fair and legitimate means while also empathizing with honest
good people who are not so lucky in life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Pemagatshel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
April 21, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dear readers, this post
is not about that football match I cited in the article. It is about how
experts analyse matches which are always pro winners which to me falls short of
being objective. And, in real life too, it always happens the same way like
football analysis failing to be objective and we don’t even realize that. This
is the point here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Happy Reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-52754652907931949352015-03-17T10:31:00.000-07:002015-03-17T10:48:12.492-07:00BEAUTIFUL GAME IN THE LAND OF HAPPINESS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7QwlgLn3Qn5PZPHQtgZoNE-4ae7rDvUhHmcDtwv11i2rJJOh4yhw8yjYEBgQ1nLElVsKDfVM1qBatlqz_gwTTXQJDCmt2PoxOrHlpHIw-wMyC8tWE6D4HSAxg2jq0x2hcoEtqP8VZSw/s1600/DSC09495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7QwlgLn3Qn5PZPHQtgZoNE-4ae7rDvUhHmcDtwv11i2rJJOh4yhw8yjYEBgQ1nLElVsKDfVM1qBatlqz_gwTTXQJDCmt2PoxOrHlpHIw-wMyC8tWE6D4HSAxg2jq0x2hcoEtqP8VZSw/s1600/DSC09495.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture source: Riku Dhan Subba</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Bhutan’s win over
Sri Lanka in FIFA’s world cup pre-qualification match today watched by
thousands of spectators live in Changlimithang stadium and thousands others on television
was an unprecedented sporting moment in the country. Never before had Bhutanese
turned out in such large numbers and certainly never been entertained by a
sporting event in the country like today. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Even for us,
watching on television, the atmosphere in the stadium looked electrifying with
our own Bhutanese Waves sweeping through the jam-packed stadium which reportedly
has the capacity of 25,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-JZfzuxo9m7MT5WaK_ScA7AihSrdhxhl69BcbBmsCe3bVP3eMCtl2VfbreofYLc6oejeU_J5ozz16yvsBI06VSOt4Nz-92pUSsVs2sIbYRzgHVTTG5k5RBV1bGXglqCqlBtZojvM9n4/s1600/DSC09500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-JZfzuxo9m7MT5WaK_ScA7AihSrdhxhl69BcbBmsCe3bVP3eMCtl2VfbreofYLc6oejeU_J5ozz16yvsBI06VSOt4Nz-92pUSsVs2sIbYRzgHVTTG5k5RBV1bGXglqCqlBtZojvM9n4/s1600/DSC09500.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture source: Riku</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This may be one of
the few major tournaments that had ever been hosted by Bhutan. It certainly
marks Bhutan’s ability to not just host some international matches but also
show the world, the strides and progress of football that was rapidly taking place in this small
kingdom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Winning comfortably
with a score of 2-1 today, Bhutan cruised past Lanka with an aggregate of 3-1. Bhutan led 1-0 from the first leg, played in Colombo. This was certainly one of the best results
ever, I think.<br />
<br />
It was a deserving win today. We could have won by greater
margin, had our players been able to convert some clear chances. Honestly
speaking, Bhutan dominated right from the start and looked extremely dangerous
on breaks with the speed of the striker by the name Chencho. The first goal was
pure magic. Cool and professional finish from a difficult angle. To me that
moment was akin to watching European leagues like EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga,
Serie A etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I must confess that
the first time the news of Bhutan’s win in Sri Lanka filtered in social media,
I thought that must have been one of those lucky moment for our side. Watching
the return leg on television with a dominant display by our boys was
unbelievable. FIFA ranks Bhutan at the bottom of the world ranking at 209
places. Sri Lanka is ranked 35 places above Bhutan at 174, a point below India.
Today’s result will do a lot of good to change all these. It is good for
football in Bhutan. The future looks bright.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J-AMTDrN3QGKYNkbhvrqacP-U1pft7PlaCZfQDMqVGSS61pXUlzJp4iq6_IE5EF5AzMX48ZbAfX3ptmNhAlo-Qk779V1RMU-h4ZdXAk5Xt-IxqrFiivignKJLnjgM9Rc7WOt0zyMFWg/s1600/BhutanWinsAgain--495x280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J-AMTDrN3QGKYNkbhvrqacP-U1pft7PlaCZfQDMqVGSS61pXUlzJp4iq6_IE5EF5AzMX48ZbAfX3ptmNhAlo-Qk779V1RMU-h4ZdXAk5Xt-IxqrFiivignKJLnjgM9Rc7WOt0zyMFWg/s1600/BhutanWinsAgain--495x280.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture source: BBS</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The boys deserve
the credit. They showed us what they can achieve if groomed adequately. I
really hope, government will take sports seriously from now on to take it to
the next level. It is really possible for our sportsmen to achieve new heights.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tomorrow, the
global sports newspapers will be headlined by Bhutan. This time it will be for
the right reason. The national players did us proud. The beautiful game has
found its love in the land of happiness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
March 17, 2015
11:30 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-40209108516616880572015-02-28T07:05:00.000-08:002015-02-28T07:05:44.994-08:00IT WAS NOT MARATHON, BUT SECOND LAP OF A RELAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSs3rhuKiU_RbGhEn_BswhmX00Sc7AE_4t05ArIK9bf4U-264a7nlb4UiySKLKPzbzgw7sx3lV73kxyxfxCqWC5QP7UVl773tJqRoM0E8pY8k4oMgk_d0xEWPolzyv_jb1OiAi_7wbr4/s1600/relay-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSs3rhuKiU_RbGhEn_BswhmX00Sc7AE_4t05ArIK9bf4U-264a7nlb4UiySKLKPzbzgw7sx3lV73kxyxfxCqWC5QP7UVl773tJqRoM0E8pY8k4oMgk_d0xEWPolzyv_jb1OiAi_7wbr4/s1600/relay-2.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At
the end of last month, someone wrote that, after a month of marathon blogging,
he felt a sense of relief. He wrote how he felt during his month long blogging,
running out ideas and topic and sweating in the middle of the night. Somehow he
managed to complete his writing marathon. It was commendable to be writing one
post every day because it is not easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By
then, I was also having my own writing plan. I had few New Year resolutions
just broken and wanted to redeem by the beginning of February. How I broke my
resolution was bit funny because the resolutions have not seen even the first
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
had a list ready and daring to go when on January 1, a friend turned up and
declared that resolutions are meant to be broken. It was not my intention to
break them but, had to. Writing regularly for my blog was one of them. So, with
my resolution broken without even beginning, I took a month long sabbatical
from blogging. Well, not writing was easiest part. One day led to the next
adding up to weeks and lo, a month was over. Not a single blog post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
is how easy it is to lose what few good habits that we may have like reading
and writing on daily basis or at least regularly. I </span>didn't<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> want that to happen.
I had to pick up from where I left and that bloggers note saying he completed a
month long marathon of blogging was just the perfect prod for me to pick up
writing again.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTB7BNIS8poycBPSLDosegF465yctMDrkYbDxz3jPakxrarn0s0-rM9bfK_ngx08PxM78IWzWlwysvuDjFMj6crORqSux1nq4AF5eIodWzd-D5b4B0GYcqn3BfDaJImGEe8_ryembcGU/s1600/girl-writing-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTB7BNIS8poycBPSLDosegF465yctMDrkYbDxz3jPakxrarn0s0-rM9bfK_ngx08PxM78IWzWlwysvuDjFMj6crORqSux1nq4AF5eIodWzd-D5b4B0GYcqn3BfDaJImGEe8_ryembcGU/s1600/girl-writing-stars.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
declared, it was not a marathon he completed, I took it as a writing relay. I
took the baton from him on January 31, and began my own writing run, not
marathon but another lap of a relay. I was lucky to run the second lap, an
easier one. I hope someone will pick up the baton from tomorrow and begin
another month long third lap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
call upon fellow bloggers to pick up another month long writing challenge from
tomorrow, March 1. I was lucky to be writing the second lap. Like in real
sprint relay race, those running the middle lap are slower that those who run
the first lap and the last lap. The weaker ones are in the middle. I am one who
ran the middle lap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Honestly,
it was not that easy writing every day. Avoiding writing on late nights was
simply irresistibly tempting. I did not
have any obligations or deadlines like before. But I slogged on. And today, it
feels good to have not abandoned writing in the middle. just Like a runner
whose muscles are stretched and strained with cramps and lungs running out of
air, ideas did run out on many nights, and
time was always against me but, like the runner who must keep running
till the line, I also made a resolve to write and post one blog every night
come what may. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
must thank few friends who suggested ideas when I most needed. Often, when I
run out of idea, like anyone else I try to think. The more I think, the more
constricted my brain becomes of ideas. It was during those moments some of my
good friends came to my rescue suggesting
ideas. They were refreshing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlhJwsdUrdTgeVsZ1IyeNDtXYbzbupaqX1pZDiXrtbgKjRVK0aSPAxnGyA6VIbMnYjZ59X1xYNzeyj-8n7Ktf7wz3Pjd61BVB8m04HPvQO8yFlieZoMa4do2dgE7VRWoq-dUO_aXe1Dk/s1600/images.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlhJwsdUrdTgeVsZ1IyeNDtXYbzbupaqX1pZDiXrtbgKjRVK0aSPAxnGyA6VIbMnYjZ59X1xYNzeyj-8n7Ktf7wz3Pjd61BVB8m04HPvQO8yFlieZoMa4do2dgE7VRWoq-dUO_aXe1Dk/s1600/images.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well,
let me tell one thing to my readers that, if we have little will and
determination we can do things we want to do. We always claim to be busy and
lacking time to do things. This is not true. The truth is we lack
determination. You see, I did not post one single blog in January. I did not
have time too, but more than the time, I did not have that determination. In
February, I must say I had even busier days but, yet churned out 28 blog post for
the month’s 28 days because, I told myself I am going to write everyday. This
is the difference. But I must confess that, in doing so, I may not have interesting
or readable stories and that was the flip side of keeping my self imposed
declaration intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">From
now, there will be no daily blogs to bore readers but, like in the past I
intend to keep trickling posts on regular intervals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Dear friends, some of you keep saying that,
you are busy and have works to do, things to attend to, before picking up books
to read or articles to write. Well, that day is not going to come. If you
really want to read and write, do it now, make a beginning and make it happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Happy
reading and god bless you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Gyembo
Namgyal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">February
28, 2015 09:00 PM</span></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-86117438912964584582015-02-27T08:55:00.000-08:002015-03-04T19:29:05.899-08:00JUMDRE-MI-LUWA;THE LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rcH3WmGbZnPUCuQLO2_F5LZGlrcLRtXjHL5DmFziq4ZRUrdcSV1CSCqddA63fv6vePRxzOBq9f6iWpvZLcqr8lNTPDcD-UnuwEMWXrmTQEl_PSPRzhljFqcQe1mqYLLZqWGsm8EMH3c/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rcH3WmGbZnPUCuQLO2_F5LZGlrcLRtXjHL5DmFziq4ZRUrdcSV1CSCqddA63fv6vePRxzOBq9f6iWpvZLcqr8lNTPDcD-UnuwEMWXrmTQEl_PSPRzhljFqcQe1mqYLLZqWGsm8EMH3c/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source: google</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My yesterday’s post
was about the evidence that, there is life after death. Buddhists always
believed in this phenomena and it forms the basis of Buddhists practice. Now,
evidences of rebirth are filtering in even from nonconformist places that
reincarnation and rebirths are possible and that there are ample evidences of
life after death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
If there is life
after death then, it is certain that, all will want to be reborn in a most conducive
environment where there is no suffering and life is filled with joy and
happiness. Who will want to be born amid sufferings and chaos where war,
famine, violence and crime are a part of everyday life if we knew and also had
a choice? What would be our choice? Will
we ever walk into suffering with open eyes? We do have a choice according to
Buddhist belief. It is up to us which choice to make. This is called, ‘ <i>Jumdre
Mi Lu Wa,’</i> the incontrovertible truth of cause and effect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANlS3Xl94_oqSPxaW_oejA6LfTL_RvHW3mwWflbDQqQ_hpeRot-7ITxwc4jDxlZRK5Op6jL8oHyYFkbtgQdkOeAiiPOyojzwMAtILivjW9IE5ViSi16bx7Q3_bwMIGdYmYNeEkdLvxe4/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANlS3Xl94_oqSPxaW_oejA6LfTL_RvHW3mwWflbDQqQ_hpeRot-7ITxwc4jDxlZRK5Op6jL8oHyYFkbtgQdkOeAiiPOyojzwMAtILivjW9IE5ViSi16bx7Q3_bwMIGdYmYNeEkdLvxe4/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>source;google</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I must again make a
confession before further ado that, what I am writing is not a scholarly or
masterly view expressed with authority over this subject. Mine is an
explanation of lay man’s perspective. It will undoubtedly be filled with lot of
deficiencies. I take full responsibility for any. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Well, let’s now
admit from evidences cited in earlier post that there is life after death. And
the life after death is determined by our actions in the previous life and, how
and where we are born are because of the result of indisputable law of cause
and effect called <i>Ley Jumdre. Ley Jumdre</i> is truth based on the wisdom of; as
you sow, so you reap. <i>Rimpoches</i> and teachers often put it like this-if we sow
maize, it will be maize plant that will grow and not otherwise. Likewise, if we
sow seeds of love and peace, we can expect to be loved back and peace to
prevail. Love begets love, not hatred. Peace will bring peace, not violence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VPXAOdbjRCWOI3jk5hbpLr92gjdN8dVfFHHM210R4piLDfEiLM4UvUbefYEnumciwgvKIswM4avaQuh7FF4QI-XBHeWHqiyu4ovAA0uYqQRcogJ4Tt-0NAacgu454VpsFpAqPoub4aA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VPXAOdbjRCWOI3jk5hbpLr92gjdN8dVfFHHM210R4piLDfEiLM4UvUbefYEnumciwgvKIswM4avaQuh7FF4QI-XBHeWHqiyu4ovAA0uYqQRcogJ4Tt-0NAacgu454VpsFpAqPoub4aA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>source: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Now, if we are
convinced with the truth of cause and effect-<i>Ley Jumdre</i>, which we should. Then
shouldn't humans at individual level pursue actions that will result in
achieving good after-life? If we are to invest through good speech, thoughts
and actions for our future life, we would be mindful of our present actions. If
we are all mindful of present actions, results for future cannot be wrong. Consistency
in our actions will ensure that there will be no discord in family and neighbourhood.
When neighbours and communities coexist in peaceful and harmonious atmosphere,
the nation will be at peace and progress in humanitarian areas can take place
and we can prosper. Extension of this at greater magnitude will be global peace
and harmony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Can this be achieved then? Yes it can, I would
say, if we are prepared to change ourselves at individual level. What and whose
purposes do war and violence serve? War and violence only serve the interest of
blood sucking war mongers, megalomaniac despots and corporate thugs. In the process,
ordinary human beings lose the purpose of life and with it, the rare
opportunity to achieve higher rebirths in this endless cycle of samsara, while
also making our world a better place to live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
February 27, 2015
10:40 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-17664650343409263042015-02-26T11:15:00.000-08:002015-02-26T11:27:39.398-08:00IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_o2YAVTvs2ra1O5aYE0joTE7eKtzQ-ILxxbOFVxj2huoS_ngoyX3DEEv7ZDwkHx1L3qNr6JGRgPSUPmQHe73_OZ2it69kH52im2gp6XkCGSID1pn1i5zy__HT3VGKAQQWosWxwu9mWc/s1600/o-LIFE-AFTER-DEATH-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_o2YAVTvs2ra1O5aYE0joTE7eKtzQ-ILxxbOFVxj2huoS_ngoyX3DEEv7ZDwkHx1L3qNr6JGRgPSUPmQHe73_OZ2it69kH52im2gp6XkCGSID1pn1i5zy__HT3VGKAQQWosWxwu9mWc/s1600/o-LIFE-AFTER-DEATH-facebook.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>source: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Today, I picked up
a difficult topic for my blog on whether there is life after death. Right from
the onset, I must confess, I am neither a science buff nor a spiritual master.
Not even a serious practitioner but, someone who by the virtue of having been
born in an inherited Buddhist society, believes that there is life after death. With
time and maturity, this believe only becomes firmer with evidences around us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I think science
does not believe in reincarnation or that there is life after death. For centuries
science always maintained that life ends after death. But, Buddhism I think
maintains that death is not an end of life. That there is life after death and
we have the potential to become enlightened or be born in any life form depending
upon our present deeds and actions. Virtuous deeds lead to better rebirth and
sinful and vice living leads to rebirth in lesser forms. For this reason, Buddhism
advocates virtuous and ethical living to pave way for better rebirth that will
entail less suffering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I think centuries
old Buddhist wisdom converges with modern scientific findings and discoveries
on many issues. In most instances, what science today discovers, always had
Buddhist answers and explanations too. This is truly amazing. What researchers
are discovering and finding in laboratories, Buddhist masters have discovered and
taught for hundreds of years from caves, hermitages and monasteries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But on one issue,
even with convincing evidences, science seems to be reluctant to admit to the
existence of life after death and reincarnation which Buddhism believes firmly.
Accomplished Buddhist masters reach a stage where they gain control over their
mind and also their mortal beings. Highly accomplished Buddhist masters have reincarnated
again and again to serve spiritual needs of people and liberate these people from
ignorance and samaras.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Dalai Lama is
the 14<sup>th</sup> reincarnation, the Karmapas are 17<sup>th</sup>
reincarnations, the late Shamarpa is 24<sup>th</sup>, Gyalwang Drukpa is the 12<sup>th</sup>
reincarnation to cite few examples of reincarnation of accomplished masters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The fact that there
are convincing evidences of even ordinary people being reborn as human
reinforce the fact that there is life after death and that life can be into
higher realm or lower depending upon one’s conduct during their life time. It
reaffirms the truth of cause and effect (ley jumdre). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As evidence, I
would like to cite an example of an incidence in Bumthang that took place just
a couple of years ago. A young boy behaved strangely from his childhood. He
crawled on all fours and would often hit others with his head. As he grew up
and began garbling few words he made sounds like a bovine and his bout of crying
subsided when he was taken to a cow pen. Perplexed, the parents sought
divination from some high lamas and it was found that in his past life he was
mithun bull in a nieghbour’s house. As a child, he often disappeared from his
home and he was always to be found in a cow shed. Strange, but it is a true
story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There are
innumerable other stories of deceased people taking rebirth in neighbour and
relative’s family. Some are even reborn in the same home. The evidences are
identifying people and objects and recalling past life when the children were
just able to speak few words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Farther away, even
in a society where reincarnation and life after death is not believed, a
convincing case of life after death was reported recently from Israel-Syria
border. A three-year-old boy said with accuracy of his previous home and that
he was murdered in his past life. He took village elders to a spot where he
said his former remains were buried. When the people dug up the place they
found the remains of a human body. He then led people to a place where he said
murder weapon, an axe was buried, and the search group also unearthed an axe.
The boy had a birth mark on his forehead and he claimed it to be where he was
hit in his past life. The skull had marks which bore the brunt of the axe on
the same spot. What was even more baffling was that the boy led the group to
the house of the murderer and identified him. The man confessed and was
subsequently tried and sentenced. This incidence was recorded by a medical
doctor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I think these are
ample evidences of life after death. Evidences of mind having potential to
control physical remains are also amply documented over the centuries and even
today accomplished masters leave us no room for doubting this belief. The most
recent case was that of the mortal remains of Late His Holiness Geshe Geden
Rinchen which failed to decompose and began shrinking baffling the scientific
communities. The case of Hambo Lama Iteligov’s body still in lotus posture and
without signs of decaying almost a century after his death in Russia have no
scientific explanations whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are so many
other stories of reincarnation that proves of life after death. I think
scientific communities must acknowledge in the belief that there is indeed life
after death. There are ample evidences the world over. There is no need for
further scientific proof of something science cannot prove. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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February 26, 2015
11:58 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-11297487544658727762015-02-25T08:37:00.000-08:002015-02-25T08:37:10.567-08:00A STREET WALKER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2mEM1Su2L_KghXEnFxo2mCnUE5rQjE3ngeYNKxmmM2GMnkI5-ijSv3NesELWUYpAfFKfPvPz4EEXCkpjz4c_SdwJoxY-aMjR8VUtNv7LevHPFoOJ5TFpKRemmc0Jzb3-IFDlIfJwoHw/s1600/drrunk+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2mEM1Su2L_KghXEnFxo2mCnUE5rQjE3ngeYNKxmmM2GMnkI5-ijSv3NesELWUYpAfFKfPvPz4EEXCkpjz4c_SdwJoxY-aMjR8VUtNv7LevHPFoOJ5TFpKRemmc0Jzb3-IFDlIfJwoHw/s1600/drrunk+017.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the side of a narrow road,<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a far away county away from crowd,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shanty houses line the street almost empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shop owners are ready but customers are scanty,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Those walking the street, walk straight on the
road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The haste with which they walk is in urgency,<o:p></o:p></div>
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White scarves on shoulders, Tshangla, they
speak with fluency,<o:p></o:p></div>
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The frills of the scarf sway to the tune of men’s
step,<o:p></o:p></div>
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To the gentle breeze blowing over the area that
is steep,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And to the Dzong, a shabbily dressed farmer scampers
in urgency.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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His white cuffs are soiled, his hair unruly<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rubber slippers clap on the heels cracked cruelly<o:p></o:p></div>
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To anyone smartly dressed he kept bowing<o:p></o:p></div>
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Partly ignorant, mostly innate goodness overflowing<o:p></o:p></div>
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A man of the village with a heart of gold, he
is surely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
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February 25, 2015 10:30 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357302993552470109.post-62418479841535689792015-02-24T10:10:00.000-08:002015-02-24T10:14:00.594-08:00FIRST DAY IN SCHOOL-DO WE NEED TO RUSH AT ALL?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsTqcy3K-19IeqbctUsTgz6k28FgAp30tB0adDMkBYWJxkhcbjCuKnMcnIllHnUvtn5jWt-tazZdEHKDzdd1iJtyzcii1J4vdirWz5Pfpsk3Za8nreWFZvVnZ52Tz8Dj-y-DWE_NGMF8/s1600/Children-in-School-Kids-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsTqcy3K-19IeqbctUsTgz6k28FgAp30tB0adDMkBYWJxkhcbjCuKnMcnIllHnUvtn5jWt-tazZdEHKDzdd1iJtyzcii1J4vdirWz5Pfpsk3Za8nreWFZvVnZ52Tz8Dj-y-DWE_NGMF8/s1600/Children-in-School-Kids-2.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>picture source: google</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Around this time of
the year, both parents and children go through anxious moments. The result of the board examinations declared
around this time of the year brings either relief or heartbreaks for parents. But,
more than the result, the wait itself is always anxious.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After coming to
terms with the reality of how the children fared in board examinations, another
worry sets in. Securing high marks
cannot guarantee happiness or relief for the parents as they need to find
resources to send their children to schools and colleges. Even with government
supported scholarships, parents need to make substantial expenditures too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For those parents
whose children did not do well in the examination, the situation is even worse.
Low marks means that they have to be sent to expensive private schools for further
studies or drop school altogether. Both options are often hard to swallow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then it is time
for new admissions for those children who upon acquiring the age of six get to
go to schools for the first time. Many complex
issues arise during the time of new admissions. Parents need to produce some
valid documents to prove that the child has attained the minimum age for
enrollment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From the time when
parents bribed officials to exempt their children from going to school just a
few decades back, parents now go to any extent to get their underage children
admitted in schools. This is a drastic change in importance of school education
between then and now. Today, many manage to submit fake documents but not all
can do that. Most cases go unreported but, sometimes this issue come to light
and serves as embarrassments to those involved at best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While it would give
temporary relief to get our children admitted in schools this unethical way, in
doing so, we are also overburdening our children. This is something like
exploitation in real sense. After a year or so, some parents manage to
reconcile the tampered documents with correct ones but, others fail to correct
them and hence become a thorny issue later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When children are
taken for the first time to schools, most children panic and will refuse to go
to school unless a parent or a guardian is around. This goes on for few days
for some, while it takes weeks for other children to get used to life in
school. Children crying in school are a common thing. Most of us must have cried
the first time we went to schools. At worst, the anxiety and stress makes these
young children to pee and even defecate in the classrooms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So it is important
for parents to understand the mental state of a child. We must let them attain proper age and mental
development before we decide to send them to schools. Why deprive them their
childhood by making them older fictitiously with tampered birth certificates?
But, on the other hand, there must also be accommodating rules in admission
criteria. For example, a child who is short of two or three months for
admission age can best be allowed admission rather than make the child wait for
another academic session by which time, this particular child is seven to eight
months too old. Perhaps this kind of rigidity must be the reason why children
are being admitted under aged with fake documents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is important for
parents to understand that there is no need for us to rush our innocent
children into shouldering responsibilities that they are not mentally and
physically prepared to take. And let us not deprive them their right to
childhood if we love them and yes, we all love our children right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyal<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
February 25, 2015
11: 55 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gyembo Namgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992640678592539804noreply@blogger.com0