BREAK THE CORRUPTION CHAIN

Picture source: Google
Attitude of indifference-dangerous

“Break the Corruption Chain,” is this year’s theme for the International Corruption Day marked on December 9. The theme cannot be more appropriate because if the fight on corruption is to be won, there is a need to break the chain. Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) also declared December 10 to 17 as National Anti Corruption Week.

The last day of the weeklong commemoration fell on December 17, our National Day. The timing could not have been more appropriate because His Majesty’s this year’s National Day Speech carried a loud and clear message on corruption and the dangers of Bhutanese indifferent attitude towards corruptions.

This attitude is dangerous because corruption can then become deeply entrenched in the system and if it does, rooting out will require herculean task. It is important that corruption is not allowed to take root in the first place. With His Majesty, calling upon the nation to change our attitude, it is expected to give a shot in the arm on the fight against corruption.

 His Majesty’s speech also made one thing clear that there is no such thing as big and small corruption. His Majesty said that perpetrators must be dealt firmly no matter how high or powerful someone is. This dispels the notion of people who are beginning to think that it is only those ordinary citizens upon whom laws are applied while the rich and the powerful remain untouched.

 Anti Corruption Commission under its capable leader in Dasho Neten Zangmo is doing a commendable job despite challenges. Bhutanese must appreciate what ACC is doing and offer support to make our society free of this scourge of corruption.

Despite efforts of ACC and stringent laws, there is a feeling among general people that corruption is on the rise and in more sophisticated form. This is a cause of concern for all the right thinking people. The irony is that, some people in positions could be exploiting loopholes in the systems to carryout acts of corruption. And when such a thing takes place, it becomes all the more difficult to detect corruption. They do it by bending laws and hijacking the authority they wield.

Corruption could be taking place in various government agencies and organizations but, it is thought to be rampant in construction industry. Nepotism, cost escalations, additional works, pending bills, awarding works without bidding, limited inquiries, etc all provide rooms for corruption and people are thought to be exploiting these loopholes rampantly. Corruption could also be taking place many other areas and our indifferent attitude is allowing it to take different dimensions.

After a series of high profile corruption cases in the past, people now eagerly follow the Lhakhang Karpo corruption case. People heard of this case but after the indefinite lull in the talk, people thought the matter must have been closed until mainstream media wrote of the Office of Attorney General (OAG) preparing prosecution.

There was a similar case in Yongla Gonpa re-constructions which the ACC investigated and the OAG prosecuted some engineers. What was surprising was that, the guilty accepted the charges and agreed to repay the embezzled amount. He was back in his job and in same position. People still asks, how this is even possible.

In the corporate world, the recent deliberation in the National Council on exponential raise of salaries and Bhutanese individuals owning fleet of trucks for transportation under Indian registration are new dimensions of corruptions and these may just be the tip of an iceberg.

Misuse of professional and positional authority to carry out acts of nepotism, bypassing existing laws also happen potentially for unknown kickbacks. A mining can be in the guise of land development. Quarrying can be in the name of surface collection. Local concerns can be superseded, so on and so forth, the list can become long.

picture: Google

How do we deal with this kind of corruption? I am sure; people who misuse their authorities and indulge in corruption must have listened to what His Majesty said during the 107^th National Day. Hello there, you on the cozy chair, His Majesty was speaking to people like you out there.

Finally, let’s all make this pledge not to be corrupt and also shed this attitude of indifference because we all care for our country. If we care, we must dare and because we care we should dare too.

Thank you.

Gyembo Namgyal

December 18, 2014

07:30 PM

A MEMORABLE 107TH NATIONAL DAY

picture courtesy: BBS

“His Majesty, the Drukgyal Zhipa, the father of nation is a true manifestation of Rigsum Goenpo. In the firmness and decisiveness, His Majesty is the manifestation of Chhana Dorji. In compassionate form, His Majesty is like Chenrigzi, the god of compassion and in his wisdom and farsightedness, His Majesty is like Jampelyang, the god of wisdom,” said His Majesty, the King in his awe inspiring speech to the people of six eastern dzongkhag in particular and nation as whole during the 107^th National Day celebration in Kanglung in Trashigang.

This year’s National Day was a special one for the country. It was for the first time, the National Day was held outside the capital in many years. It was a special occasion for the people of Trashigang and the five districts in eastern Bhutan to be a part of this historic event. The huge crowd that spilled out of the Sherubtse College ground braving the cold and overcast weather from early morning indicated the enthusiasm of people.

There were many entertainment programme for the day but, the highlight of the day as always was His Majesty’s speech. The highlight of this year’s speech was on the danger of corruption derailing the very foundation of the nation. His Majesty said that, there are no degrees in corruption such as insignificant ones or grave corruption. “Corruption is evil”, His Majesty said. “We must deal with corruption firmly with no fear or favour irrespective of how high or well connected the perpetrators are.”

His Majesty said, that there is even a graver issue to deal with than the corruption itself and that is the attitude of indifference and lack of concern our people have towards corrupt practices that will be even more devastating. This will have huge impact on the moral of those who are dedicated and honest people. His Majesty also spoke on the importance and the need to identify such people and bring them at the forefront and recognize them.

His Majesty explained on how exponentially each five year plan outlays are increasing and the challenges of corruptions confronting the nation. The importance of good governance in utilizing the limited resources available for equitable development based on transparency and accountability was also emphasized in no uncertain terms. His Majesty said that, there is nothing we cannot do. It is whether we have the will to do them that matter the most. His Majesty reiterated his resolve to dedicate his life in the service of the country and people once more.

Another important highlight of the speech was on meeting national goals and priorities with special reference on the need and importance of achieving food self sufficiency. His concern of migration and land fragmentation was also clear. His Majesty highlighted on the progress of ongoing welfare (Kidu) on land distribution and said that, the kidu programme that is ongoing right now is just the first phase and different phases of this welfare scheme will continue in the years to come.

His Majesty also facilitated different sections of the society with medals and awards during the day. They include farmers, teachers, and former civil servants along with other meritorious awards to distinguished individuals. He also informed people on His Majesty instituting some more awards for next year in fields like extraordinary services, innovations and creativity and, in the field of efficiency and cost saving.

This year’s national day must have been an experience of a life time for those who could attend in person. The disturbance of the broadcast was irksome at times for people watching TV who are eager to have a rare glimpse of His Majesty, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who people miss so much since his abdication some nine-years ago. The 107^th National Day in Kanglung was certainly a watershed moment for the people of eastern Bhutan that will live in memories for a long long time.

Long live His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

 Palden Drukpa Lhagyello.

Gyembo Namgyal

December 17, 2014

10:00pm

WALKING THE TIGHT ROPE

Today, we all live in a highly globalized world. Thanks to advancement of science and technology, the entire world is just a click of the button away. But, all these technological breakthroughs have not necessarily made the world a more habitable and better place to live in and, globalization has the potential to obliterate the very essence of civilization like unique culture, tradition and way of life.

 Life has become so much easier now even for us Bhutanese with rapid development bringing about material comfort. While this is a good thing to happen, there is also a real danger of unchecked materialism and globalization leading to the loss of our identity if we don’t know how to strike a balance.

Development is good and it is necessary for people to live quality life but, the pursuit of quality life through materialism is what will drag us all in pursuit of endless wants and be the cause of our sufferings. Today, we must consider ourselves lucky to have been born in a land blessed by Guru Rimpoche and other luminaries including our successive monarchs. We have to consider ourselves lucky to have inherited largely intact environment, culture and traditions not by freak accident but by the blessings of these great saints and our collective good karma. The onus now lies with us, the present generation to pass on these invaluable assets to our future generations. Whether we can do that remains a question.

I think, we have all the aggregates necessary to become a perfect place that can be called a true Shangrila if we are prepared to make small adjustments in life. Because, we opened up relatively late to the outside world, the bad influences of modernization are late to arrive in the country to have caused larger impact. But this is changing rapidly and the indications are that, we are becoming no different from any race when it comes to materialism.

The good thing is that, we have a sound development guiding principle based of Gross National Happiness (GNH) that will hopefully curb those mindless pursuits even at individual level. Secondly, as a predominantly Buddhist country, individuals are always governed by its principles and thus help us in being reminded of the importance of living in moderation.

But, the ideals can change with generational transition and this is what we must all be worried about. Already the outside influences are visible in our urban centres and are making inroads into the villages. Our youth are fascinated by Korean styles and try and emulate them through weird hairdos and dressing styles which are alien to our own standards. How deep these external influences are in our society is a matter for us to introspect? And I think, oblivious to us, dramatic changes are apparently taking place that must worry us.

A non-resident Bhutanese, returning back to Bhutan after a gap of about five years was little shocked to see children in the streets mimicking the so called Korean styles. He said, what worried him was whether Bhutanese parents are making any effort at all to educate their children on making informed choices because these children will carry with them these residual impact of their present lives into their adulthood. Another interesting observation he made and shared is quite damning for those affluent living in the cities where there are increasingly less Bhutanese in their lives.

An interesting mention was made on how he felt he was entering a home of a Bollywood star and not a Bhutanese home, when he was invited to a get-together. Except for the curved designs of the windows and an altar (Choesham) in one room, there is nothing that can merit that home to be called a Bhutanese home. He said he not only felt sad but was worried with the kind of a culture alienation taking place in the towns. He also shared how living in a foreign land has made him endear and realize just how precious our own culture and values are. These values have molded Bhutanese to become humane human beings and the world needs that, according to him.

This incidence of a chance meeting with the non-resident Bhutanese opened up a poignant issue on where our society is moving in the face of rapid development and globalization. There is a real danger of the generation next from those parents living in towns and cities to appreciate less about our own culture and tradition as they get influenced more by cosmetic attractions of foreign culture and way of life.

It is sad too that, the affluence brought about in the first place by education has the potential to be the main cause for the dwindling appreciation of our own culture and tradition and that the uneducated rural folks have to once again lead the way in the preservation and appreciation of the Bhutanese culture. I think educated people have lot of introspection to do.

His Holiness Gyalwang Drukchen speaking to Bhutanese delegate in one of the Annual Drukpa Council said, “Nothing is as important in life as your identity.” I think, this is even more important for us, Bhutanese because we can easily be overwhelmed and swallowed up. We need more than just the ability to wear ghos and kiras to be a Bhutanese. We need Bhutanese essence in everyday life.

I may be wrong but, try giving deeper thoughts on anything we do with our children and see how much of them are in tandem with our culture and tradition. One day, they will also become parents and will have the onus to pass on these values to their children too and, we want them to do it the Bhutanese way.

We are walking the tight rope; we must know how to balance ourselves first.

Wishing all the readers health and happiness. Take care until my next post. I am extremely sorry for the long post, I promise, it will be shorter next time. I am really bad at keeping things short.

Gyembo Namgyal

September 15, 2014