Blessed Rainy day Post (or Thrue Baap Post)

Picture Courtesy: Samten Wangdi

Thrue Baap (or the blessed rainy day) for Bhutanse is a very auspicious and sacred day. It is a day to cleanse both our body and mind from the sins we have committed both knowingly and unknowingly. People believe in taking bath with sanctified water with flowers. Bathing hours are however prescribed by astrologers. It is a day to cherish our bygone monsoon and welcome our much awaited autumn. Its the beginning of bountiful  autumn season! -the season of offering and season of thanksgiving!. All in all, its a day that merits happy celebration with full mirth. In Bhutanese calender, it also marks the end of rainy season for the year.

Back home, besides bathing, my family have a  tradition of visiting a temple on this day and make an offering. And more than that it used to be a happy family reunion too. I used to take my family to meet my relatives and siblings. We eat a lot and get drunk! and come home with lots of happy memories and nostalgic feelings. 

Since, I cound't be with my family this year, I thought it would be worthwhile for me to try and to put up a post worthy of thrue baap for my readers. 

You see, one year ago, I landed in a strange place called Gujarat. Without the slightest knowledge about the place, I felt the total strangeness in both place and the people. Trust me it is not an exaggeration. Hot, humid, dusty, messy and noisy, I disliked the place from the core of my heart. I felt immensely bitter and that I cursed not only the place but also the people who sent me here.  At times I found myself inconsolable and I longed to go home quick and swift. 

I suffered worst, when classes were taken in Gujarati medium. I felt suffocated and lost listening to a language which I knew nothing about. It was the testing time for my patience. But in between, when lectures were taken in English, it brought me much needed relief and respite. So when ever lectures were taken in Gujarati, I considered my self to a sinking duck in the water and to a floating duck when lecture resumed in English. 

And away from my college, people in the street, mall and shop gossip openly about me. Most of them mistook me for a Chinese guy. On seeing me they giggle at first and shout "Chingka" on top of their voice. For once I thought to myself that Chingkas are to most Gujaratis what toys are to kids. So I had that dying urge to learn their language and someday talk to them on equal terms.

Now in my second year here in Gujarat, I have not only learned to communicate at basic level, but I have also made a good progress in learning some Gujarati terms in Economics too. I feel I am not a sinking duck any more. I tell people not to gossip about me on their face. Check my Gujarati -Economics vocabulary :

Sl No	Gujarati Word	Equivalent English Word
1	Arth sans thra	Economics
2	Samtula	Equilibrium
3	Simanm	Marginal
4	Khartz	Cost
5	Mang	Demand
6	Vikas	development
7	Veshnikaran	Globalization
8	Arthik	Finance
9	Jokham	Risk
10	Fer faro	Change
11	Apekshath	Expectation
12	Upathpadan	Productin
13	Vektheno	Individual
14	Jayar Dev	Public Debt
15	Jurwa mati	To see
16	Prayath	Available
17	Esteeth	Neutral
18	Sangkalan	Integration
19	Tika	Criticisims
20	Miriadav	Limitations
21	Purna Harifai	Perfect Competition
22	Ijarat Harifai	Monlpolistic Competition
23	Tafni	Technology
24	Awakath	Income/ output
25	Rajai Sarkar	State Government
26	Dhana	Assumptions
27	Jakatnu	Tariff/ Customs Duty
28	Sudra	Ammendment
29	Jayar Shetra	Public Sector
30	Purna fura	Reallocation
31	Isttam	Optimum
32	Mahatum	Maximum
33	Wage	Vethan
34	Rent	Bhadu
35	Profit	Nafo
36	Saras	Important
37	Juda	different
38	Juno	Old
39	Muko	Put
40	Acho-kas-tam	Uncertainity
41	Policy	Niti
42	Parman	Quantity
43	Samai	Time
44	Purna Rozgar	Full employment
45	Pragati	progress
46	Achar	Constant
47	Bhagani	Exogenous
48	Lamba gara	Long run
49	Phugaw	Inflation

            50               Ochu                                           Less

            51             Vadaro                                     Increase/grow 

These are commonly used words in my class. I can now proudly listen to my professors and node my head in satisfaction.  Believe me, I can also speak some sentences! This has surprised many of my class mates.

By the way, dear friends, I wish you all a very very happy blessed "rainy" day. May you all have a prosperous year ahead. 

My Letter to Editor, Kuensel (Dzongkha Section)

Dear editor,

I am disheartened with your office for not showing a minimum degree of ethics in using a materials contributed by an outsider.

This has a reference to a story written by Samten Yeshi on Yak-lha festival, where I have contributed a rare pictures to Samten Yeshi. I considered his request upon his repeated pleas.

However we agreed on following conditions:

1. That those pictures are still my copy right protected materials
2. That Kuensel will give due courtesy (at least)
3. I am the ultimate lawful owner and I have contributed the picture just for one time use only.

And also I regret to inform you that this is not the first time. Your office did not even give a proper courtesy for my earlier picture used by Samten Yeshi while covering a similar story sometime in April 2012.

Lastly, as a premier news agency, I expect a lot more professionalism in your office.


Yours faithfully
Kuenzang Thinley

Yak-lha, The Lost Culture of Shingkhar

In a folk tale heard in select regions of Bhutan, a story unfolds about a significant encounter between two masters: one from the Bon Tradition named Ode Gongjan and the other from Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche. Ode Gongjan, also known as a Bonpo, was a formidable master in the predominant Bon faith. However, with the arrival of Guru Rinpoche, a shift in supremacy seemed imminent. To establish dominance, a debate between the two masters ensued for days, weeks, and even months, yet no clear victor emerged from this prolonged contest.

In a bid to break the stalemate, the two masters agreed to engage in another set of contests, this time showcasing their supernatural powers. They decided on a competition to reach the summit of the famous mythical mountain, Gangkar Tse, by the time the first rays of the sun touched the peak the following day. With the contest scheduled for the next morning, both masters parted ways to prepare.

That night, while Guru Rinpoche remained in deep meditation, Ode Gongjan initiated his challenge. He rode on the sound of a drum, covering vast distances with each beat throughout the entire night. As dawn broke the next day, Guru Rinpoche rode on the rays of the sun, surpassing Ode Gongjan. Although Guru Rinpoche narrowly edged out Ode Gongjan, securing victory, the win was close. In a fit of rage and embarrassment, Ode Gongjan hurled the drum that had propelled him down the valley, causing half of the mountain to collapse. His uncontrollable fury and shame at the loss of the contest were palpable in that moment.

As the defeated party, Ode Gongjan was obligated to depart the area and relinquish his followers, who had previously revered and provided offerings to him. However, as Ode Gongjan prepared to leave, Guru Rinpoche consoled him and decreed that he could not only continue practicing his Bon faith, but would also be entitled to receive grand monthly offerings from various regions. This gesture by Guru Rinpoche demonstrated compassion and a desire to preserve the religious diversity of the region, even after his victory in the contest.

Guru Rinpoche decreed that Ode Gongjan, the defeated Bon master, would continue to be revered by the people of the valley, which corresponds to the present-day regions of Bumthang, Lhuntse, Mongar, and Zhemgang in Bhutan. Ode Gongjan was to be worshipped as a deity who protects livestock, and offerings would be made at places where livestock congregate. This arrangement allowed the Bon tradition to coexist alongside the growing influence of Buddhism in the region, demonstrating Guru Rinpoche's compassion and desire to preserve religious diversity.

The Yak-lha festival in Shingkhar is an annual offering made to honor Ode Gongjan, the defeated Bon master from the folk tale. The festival coincides with the 15th day of the 7th month in the Bhutanese calendar. It was once a popular celebration and gathering among the yak herding communities of Shingkhar. During the festival, Ode Gongjan is ushered to the altar in the evening, and texts praising him are recited throughout the night. The only musical instrument used is the drum. The following day, Ode Gongjan is bid farewell. Although the occasion brings festivity, the ceremony reflects the vanquished status of Ode Gongjan, as decreed by Guru Rinpoche in the folk tale.

The tradition of yak rearing in Shingkhar has significantly declined due to the changing lifestyle of the community, leading to a fading of the once vibrant cultural practices. Nowadays, only a few individuals partake in the occasion, and the tradition is rapidly fading into obscurity. Presently, the hills of Shingkhar are only graced by yaks that have been rescued from slaughterhouses, symbolizing a poignant shift in the cultural landscape of the region.

Extra Marital Affairs; By Miss Manju Whakley

Extra marital affairs  have become so common in our society. It is social menace, which if not tended has the potential to cost our social harmony a great deal.  In her thought provoking essay, Miss Manju shares her opinion on the topic. in her unrivaled candidness, she says "we as humans, are we designed to be monogamous?" Find it out for yourself. 

Miss Manju clad in prayer flags

I almost got married once, I was just twenty one then, I ran away from it. It was a bit too overwhelming a feeling to know my allegiances towards ‘one’ man for the rest of my life, however long I am to live. Of course there were other aspects to it which proved to be too conservative for the liberal person that I am. I am twenty six and half today, again furrowing the familiar grounds that I thought interested me no more. I guess my hormones are getting the better of me, or that smashing accident that fractured my skull a few months ago, which was like mortality’s smashing slap on my face. “You need to procreate and die with your own seeds surrounding you” screamed a loud thought in my head, what else is there to live for or else? I suppose when you lie there on that last breathing breath of yours, trying to extend that long puff like smoking a whiff of existence, one more or few more drags, what eventually matters is what you leave behind. What you leave behind is the same natural system that created you; the womb makes a womb, one goes to the tomb and another womb replaces the tomb. Many may not agree, those who have a strong mind to be by themselves and not succumb to that feeling of loneliness of having to sleep alone at night, those who detest the thought of continuing this futile existence by giving birth to more suffering, to those very enlightened minds of nothingness, I do salute you. 

  

Yet everyday a new child is born, every day a new marriage knot is tied, every day someone somewhere dies. Every day couples quarrel somewhere, misunderstandings are bred, men and women both drink their sorrows downing with pegs of liquor burning down their throats and stomach to a feeling of numbness, into a euphoria created to momentarily escape their dilemmas. Every day a man cheats on a woman, a woman does her share too, perhaps more with the tag line, ‘please don’t tell anyone’; everyday such dramas are staged, either at home or in the minds of people. What then is fidelity? 

We are all animals; well of course we call ourselves human because we are the highest in the chain, we can eat anything below us, which is essentially everything (Chinese do), but perhaps the virtues that makes us humane is our ability to think and feel and amongst all virtues what I deem most important, that of honesty. But in a relationship how honest should a man and a woman be? Is love that thrives on lies, love? If the floodgates of honesty be unleashed, does love even thrive then? These are moral philosophical questions and I beg to broach this rampantly known but little spoken about topic, extra marital affairs. 

The Bhutanese, where ever I have known, home or abroad seem to have a similar suffering. Men letch at women, sometimes even when their wives are around, women are more discreet but they follow their dark back doors and are not very different, perhaps lesser in numbers but such intentions and actions are very much omnipresent. I say the Bhutanese, because there are cultures where women and men copulate rather freely, with one night stands and flowing flings and under such branded labels; I guess living upto our humanly biological desires but there are cultures that remain fidel or generally so once they find themselves in wedlock. They are locked in the truest of senses. Somehow my findings are not the same for the Bhutanese, in fact quite to the contrary. Is it because we are a very sociable community? Is this heightened interaction between people one of the reasons for extra marital affairs? Or the river like flowing cheap alcohol to blame? Why is it okay and acceptable for a man to have an affair, and a woman not so? Why do the same rules not apply to all gender? I say all gender because it is time we also acknowledged the homosexuals, who if they find pleasure in wooing the same sex, then they should be allowed that freedom. Gay marriage for now in Bhutan is definitely not on the horizon for decades to come, but come it will. 

Coming back to our seemingly promiscuous nature, I feel that once you are inducted into the institution of marriage one has to respect it. One has to become humane at that point, if not only for the two people in the sacred act of marriage but also for the children who are born and who should be bred and fed with the right values. Divorce is on an upscale these days, men find wives again and women will find husbands again, no one wants to grow old and die alone, but the ones who suffer are the minds of these young children of divorcees or people who have extra marital affairs. 

Tomorrow if you see a pretty girl walking on the street, there is one thing about seeing someone as a person walking on a street and quite another turning your head to check that person out. Is this the beginning of infidelity? We as humans, are we designed to be monogamous? 

Thank you Manju for your kind permission.

It's Result Time

G u j a r a t   U n i v e r s i t y

                                                

Exam.:Sem. 2 of                         Master of Arts    held in May-2012     

Seat No. :   1519    Name: THINLEY KUENZANG                                    

College: (020) USS         Centre: 01  Combination:           - 1-1600011      

                                              External           Internal      

                Subjects                   Max Min  Obt       Max Min  Obt     

----------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 

Economics-407 Micro Economics-II            70  25   46        30  11   27     

Economics-408 Macro Economics-II            70  25   55        30  11   24     

Economics-409 Environmental Economics-II    70  25   61        30  11   24     

Economics-410 Managerial Economics-I        70  25   51        30  11   26     

Economics-411EA Q.M.E.-I                    70  25   59        30  11   27     

Economics-412EA Industrial Economics-I      70  25   55        30  11   27     

                                           420  --  327       180  --  155     

----------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 

Enrol.No.: 201101900349                   Total: 482 /  600  Result:PASS       

                                          Result Date: 22-AUG-2012            

My results for second semester is out and honestly I am wordless. I am wordless for the fact that I have touched 80% for the first time in my academic life. Right now I am feeling on top of my world. An immense sense of satisfaction is making me dumb and deaf. I have worked hard like never before and I have achieved like never before! 

With this I would like to thank all my Professors who worked very unselfishly and untiringly. Without their dedicated guidance and support I would not have achieved this landmark result. I would also like to thank my senior friends Hema and Sonam for their help. 

Self with Previous Topper Hema.

Last but not the least, I would to extend my gratitude to my parents and my family for bearing my long absence. I dedicate this result to all of you. I thank Kunchok Sum, my principle guardian, Meme Ragula and all my other protective deities of Shingkhar. 

Amul Man Passes Away at 90

Dr. Verghese Kurien, The father of White Revolution 

Dr. Verghese Kurien, the founding father of amul passed away today (09.09.2012) at the age of 90. Through amol, Dr. Verghese had touched millions both at home and away. He added taste not only to the food but also to their lives in equal proportion. Through his selfless and dedicated statesmanship, he displayed India to the world as a land of prosperity and not a land of poor and poverty as branded quite often by outsiders. Under his farsighted vision and dynamic leadership, India went on to become the largest diary producers in the world! 

So today, I  as a Bhutanese, who wouldn't fancy curry without Amul cheese and tea without amul milk, take this opportunity to offer my prayers and condolences to his bereaved family and to the amul society of India. May his soul rest in peace and may he be reborn as human in his next life too. With this I would also like to convey my sincere gratitude to late Dr. Verghese and team for making my life utterly butterly delicious with various amol products. Thank you all for amul butter, amul cheese, amul taza,  amul shakti, amul buttermilk, amul cool, amul lassi, amul chocolates, amul ice creams, amul pizza and other amul products (the names which I cannot remember).

Amul Logo

His demise is a tragic and his absence will be felt wholeheartedly. But let us not forget the wisdom and insights he left behind to the world. In his biography, "I too had a dream", Dr Verghese tells his story with customary candour. And in a free flowing narrative, he shares with the reader, the essence of dreaming big in achieving big. 

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Eight

..............Judge reminded her to stick on what she had in her initial complain letter and stop meddling with other issues. With that judge once again turned towards the lady and asked her for the last time: "Zhen Lap ne yoe ga?" Finally to my relief she said: Mee la.

With that, the Judge spoke..........

Continued.........

and he spoke without any hesitation. As the judge prepared to announce his decision, I sensed the ward lady shiver. In her sheer desperateness I saw her eyes welled with tears.

And then came the words of the Judge.  Turning towards the lady, he asked: 'Did you realize what wrong you did?'. He paused for a while...... When there was no response from the lady, he then continued: 'this problem had arisen, all because of what you have done. And those things which you have done were all beyond your duty. As a ward lady, whose duty was to maintain cleanliness and guard the doors, you had no reason, what so ever to frequent patients and scold or exercise your control over them'........In between the Judge asked her: 'how many times have you come to the court? ...........and looks like you are the real problem everywhere'

With those words from the Judge, I felt the anxieties and traumas that had so long accumulated in my heart slowly shed. For the first time in over three months, I felt the sweetness in the fragrance of air and the brightness in the day, I felt my heart floating, weightless..............

And the Judge continued further:...... 'People working in the hospital, have a moral obligation to support and show compassion to those sick and needy people and that any form of abuse against them is unlawful'.........With that the Judge was also swift in reprimanding the ward lady for being over zealous. The Judge not only warned her of the consequences of threat call but also reminded her of her official misconduct. After that, Judge ordered us to leave the room and meet the clerk in the office.

By then, I sensed how worried my plaintiff was, -she had played all her cards!. With every passing minute in the court room, she was nearing to taste the bitter aara she brewed herself. How pathetic that she wold he soon hanged with her own noose!!!

At first my heart melted with satisfaction. It bought me pleasure beyond description. I saw my soaring arrogant plaintiff finally being reduced to size of a grasshopper!. Her bitter figure reminded me of two insects that I hated the most, -the house fly and the mosquito. I really wanted her to fall on to her knees! I wanted her to explode in tears!. I wanted her the feel the the same old feeling she made me feel!. All those miserable moments came rushing through my mind like rewinding a movie, - my wife in pain, my broken mother-in-law, my helpless sister, my perplexed father-in-law, my innocent grandmother and finally my wretched self, busy tending to police, day in and day out. 

Once in the clerks room, the clerk told me that, since she was not able to prove anything from her complaint , it was up to me to take the next step, -counter charge her for defamation, libel, threat call, official misconduct and for all the inconveniences caused thereafter. It was a moment of mending my broken heart and I wanted it to be done by buttering it first. I felt the tears of truth and justice oozing out from my eyes uncontrollably. With an outburst of my passion, I told the clerk that I was willing to go to any height to have her doomed. I told him that I want to prove to her that I am stone that is hard and a metal that clangs!! 

With that emotional outburst, the clerk reminded us of our lunch time. But he however he reminded us to come to office before it closes in the evening. 

I stayed back and did't go for lunch. I took a shade under a peach tree and contemplated on the matter. I called up my wife and updated her about the case and  told her that I was going to do the same thing to her. But to my revelation, my wife told me otherwise! -an eye for an eye will leave both blind!

I thought about it for hours and finally decided to side my wife. I went to the court in the evening and told the clerk that I wished to end the case there and that I don't desire to harass a poor lady. To that effect I wrote a final application to the court expressing my desire to end the matter. 

In the mean time, my opponent arrived. She appeared more exhausted and worried than ever. Her fragile body was barely able to withstand the gushing afternoon winds of Thimphu. She was almost near her breakdown point. But I had a good news for her. I told her that I am not going to pursue the case any further. She smiled at last. I told her not bring any more people to the court hereafter. 

That evening, I went home happy and I sent another soul happy home. I didn't even know who actually won the case.

END.

Tashi delek

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Seven

.....With those brief background, I finally proceeded to defend myself. Brimming with confidence, I thought to myself that a simple plain truth would be enough to bring down the soaring wicked plaintiff. At the same time I was also mindful of the potential and possible twists.

continued.....

My first  response to her first accusation, -breaching the hospital norm. (by having more than one maid for my sick wife)

And with due respect I spoke my heart out. I submitted, that she was right. My wife indeed had more than one maid when she was undergoing her final labour pain. But what she did not understand was that we did it upon securing permission from the senior nurse on duty that night. -that too only during my wife's final labour pain. I also explained about how the ward lady turned down our repeated pleas for little compassion form her. I told the jury about how my mother-in-law broke down and how my father-in law, went on to compare her to a Jana Gyelpo in the process of  requesting her. Lastly, I submitted that, "if we did not have enough maid ourselves, nurses in the hospital weren't ready to come and lift my wife to the labour room". That was because there were only handful  nurses (3 nurses) tending to more than 50 patients that night. 

My Second response to her second accusation, -creating havoc in the hospital for the entire day and hence distracting the other patients

Here, I denied her accusations out rightly. And I regarded her as a case of utter shameful person, lying even in the court of law. I told the jury that, although we came to hospital early morning, my sick wife was only able to get a bed in the ward at around noon through one of my sister (who was a trainee at RIHS). I explained to the jury as to how me, my sister and my mother-in-law took turn in the hospital, and there by proving that I wasn't there the "entire day" and that it was solely her illusion that saw my image. Finally to close this accusation I told the jury that "except few dogs that created havoc in the stinking toilet nearby, there weren't any sick person or nervous maids capable of creating havoc or distracting anybody". Judge smiled at this point and I smiled too..

My Third response to her third and fourth accusation, -using undue force, harassing  and battering her while she was on duty. (which indeed was the main contention)

"Your honor, this is the only valid contention" I said, boldly. "And this matter has reached to its current height all because of her malicious intention against my family" I added further. I submitted to the jury that, if I had used undue force to harass her and batter her, then why didn't the police take any action against me that very night. I explained to jury as to how swift she was in intimating police. I also explained as to how she disobeyed her administrative officer and senior nurse on duty (to solve the matter amicably). And I felt my throat choking when I explained to jury about how I ended up attending to the police, when the real need for me was to attend to my sick wife. I also explained about my subsequent struggles visiting police station on different occasions, leaving behind my vulnerable wife and infant daughter.....

With that, I submitted to court that, I neither had the intention nor the energy to kick her, for I was thoroughly exhausted, both mentally and physically that day. I told the jury as to how she was cursing my family in front of so many strangers and how she was blocking my way while I was in to collect some cloths for my wife and my new  born (expected). I closed my submission by asking the jury... "its up to the law to decide whether my slight push on her to clear the way could constitute battery and harassment"

Lastly........I added,... "your honor, I think its me who was (is)  really being harassed to the core....... not by the genuine hospital staff, but by a ward lady!" In fact she harassed me everywhere. -not only in the hospital but even at my own work place! with that I readied myself to present the evidence to to jury in which I had details of phone calls she made to me at my workplace and her recorded voice threatening me with imprisonment. Worst, when she said, she had in her recent past, imprisoned her poor husband was something I stressed further!

But the Jude told me to keep the evidence for a while. I was of the opinion that Judge was more interested in hearing my full story than get distracted by a piece of evidence. So I had to continue with my final response 

But before that, I made myself very clear on one point That was: I reminded the court that, she would be my ultimate first suspect, should something happen to my kids and to my entire family. Because she dared to collect my information both form me and as well from other sources. I told the jury that I felt very unsecured after her threatening call.

To this, judge paused me for a while and turned to the ward lady and asked her, Che ge khu luu telefom chap che lo. eena? and she meekly said, een la. So,with that I felt my victory an inch closer.

My Final response to her accusation, -threatening her by way of using my influential relatives.

I told the jury that, I have indeed asked one of my relatives to apologize her on my behalf but that did not in any way meant I was guilty at all!. In fact I expressed my deepest regret for having apologized her when she didn't deserve one.  I told the jury, how saddened I was that my good intentions were grossly misunderstood by a poor soul. I even admitted to the jury about my willingness to richly compensate her, provided she stopped her useless enterprise for good. With that I told that it was up to the jury to find out as to what my relative had spoken to her. I also told the jury that, I honestly did not know as to whether my relative was an influential person in the very first place. and secondly, I was cent percent aware that law treats every citizen with equal term.

Lastly, I went on to close my defense by telling the jury that, if at all  I had so called an influential person behind me, then I would not have landed taking my better half to a stinking and crowded ward handed by a malicious person like the Plaintiff, in the very first place.

After that, there was a complete silence for few seconds. But however judge on the throne broke our  silence. He again turned towards the lady and asked "Choe lay lap ne yoe ga?"

But, She said Yoe la. I was surprised but not confused or nervous like before.

Like a person with lost mind, her attention after that was to a totally different area. She started complaining about the Police!. Before she was abrputly stopped by a Judge, she murmured about how biased police officers had been towards her. She also complained about my uncle, who visited me in the police station by stating that he influenced the decision of police. By then I definitely sensed desperateness seeping in her.

Judge reminded her to stick on what she had in her initial complain letter and stop meddling with other issues. With that judge once again turned towards the lady and asked her for the last time, "Zhen Lap ne yoe ga?"  Finally to my relief she said Mee la.

With that, Judge spoke.

To be continued.............................................

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Six

.........The contents were outrageously exaggerated that I found it totally unpleasant. I found the contents not worthy of being written in Dzongkha and that it was bitterly disgracing the language that represented Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, -the ultimate truth.

Continued........

When the clerk was finally done with his reading, I came to know the charges against me. I was so attentive that I almost remembered all the charges by heart. Firstly, she accused me of breaching the hospital norm. (by having more than one maid for my sick wife.) Secondly, she accused me of creating havoc in the hospital for the entire day and hence distracting the other patients. Thirdly, she accused me of using undue force and harassing her.   Fourthly, she accused me of battering her while she was on duty, (which indeed was the main contention.) She exaggerated the incident and said that I kicked her on the chest and she fell some distance away. Fifthly, she also accused me of threatening her by way of using my influential relatives.  

After Hearing the charges, I thought to myself that, she could have well become a great fiction writer or a great essayist. But in court of law, with those fictionalized story, she appeared nothing more than a creature far stupid than one you could possibly think of. 

And the Judge Ordered me to defend myself against charges. But before I proceeded to defend myself, I took permission from judge so that I could explain the general background of the entire story.

Apart form my own story, I explained to judge as to how the patients in the maternity ward were treated that day and the how crowded it had been. I also explained about the appalling sanitary conditions that day. Lastly, when a lone ward lady drained down all my expectations and esteem I had for the hospital, I told the judge about how miserable I felt and how much I regretted for having brought my wife to Thimphu.

With those brief background, I finally proceeded to defend myself. Brimming with confidence, I thought to myself that a simple plain truth would be enough to bring down the soaring wicked plaintiff. At the same time I was also mindful of the potential and possible twists.

To be continued........

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Five

...........So I waited. And exactly after two days, I got a court directive from Paro Court instructing me to proceed to Thimphu court "without fail" the immediate day. I was further directed to make my appearance in the Bench II of the Thimphu district Court.............

Continued.......

I took the order very seriously. I took it as my fundamental duty of upholding the law. Upholding the law in any case, as I knew was a serious affair and I thought any degree of complacency would not be tolerated. So I made it a point that I observe every formalities with strict adherence. 

That day, I was prepared to face the truth and justice and therefore I was more eager than ever to move out from my house.  As I grabbed the car key and my kabney, Kinley wished me good luck. I took a day off by telling a white lie to my supervisor. -a lie that won't harm or create any disharmony. With an air of optimism, I told her that, I needed to go to Thimphu on a very urgent personal errand and that I would be back in the evening. She was swift in granting a day off for me. 

So I reached to the said court in time. I showed up to the clerk and he told me wait for my turn. As the hours passed by, the number of people in the court's vicinity swelled. Surprisingly, I came across many people whom I knew personally. I felt embarrassed to admit my case and so were they!

Towards afternoon, I was called inside along with the plaintiff. It was by far the most overwhelming feeling.  But to my realization I sensed that the fear and anxieties I had for so many days, have suddenly evaporated. I sensed myself becoming bolder and braver. The adrenalin of much needed courage and confidence seem to be exploding in me and I felt the lawyer in me kicking thunderously! I felt happy at the fact that I was finally moving to set myself free with the aid of justice and law and not through pleas.

So I entered the court room for the first time in quest for the justice. It was dimly lit room where the total silence prevailed. We were made to stand in front of the judge who was perched on the throne even bigger than the Kings'. I had to raise my head to actually see the face of the judge. There he was with his mouth reddened with the stains of doma. With his green scarf and long sword, he appeared more majestic than the word Majesty itself. Below his throne, there was a Rabjam and with him was a clerk.

I took a step forward and bowed towards the Judge in reverence to the law and the justice he embodied. As to the ward Lady, -the plaintiff, she simply stood blind and blank, like a stick, completely useless and arrogant as ever. I didn't think she could be that dull. She displayed no respect to the law.

Once we were all settled, the clerk then read out the complaint submitted by the plaintiff (on top of his voice). I listened  to the complaint with both my ears, with full concentration. The complain was meticulously written  in best of the Dzongka that for once I doubted about the Dzongkha moving towards extinction. However, I soon lost interest listening to it.

The contents were outrageously exaggerated that I found it totally unpleasant. I found the contents not worthy of being written in Dzongkha and that it was bitterly disgracing the language that represented  Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, -the ultimate truth.

To be continued..............................................................................

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Four

................After that the days elapsed to weeks and weeks to months, But there was nothing forthcoming. Everything in my life was normal except that ward lady who was eating away my mental peace. By then I joined my office too. My little daughter was recovering from her jaundice and was doing fine. Again deep deep deep inside, I was mentally gearing for the first court case of my life. A book on "criminal proceeding in Bhutan" by a Judge named Lungten Drupjor came in Handy! I read it from top to bottom and bottom to top.

And Finally after more than two months, I got a call from a strange and unusual number.....

Continued.......

I was in my office then, -quite busy for any private affairs. But however I answered the call. It was a lady with a very familiar voice on the other end. Without even being asked, she introduced herself to be the ward lady, -that cunning and horrible ward lady. 

 She told me that she just desired to confirm about my details including my current and permanent addresses, -both home and office. I don't know from where she managed but surprisingly, she got all my details correct!. I asked her why she needed my details. And she was transparent enough to tell me about her motives, -that she was finally lodging a legal complain to the court against me!

I went wordless and I felt a chilling sensation running all through my spine. I was prepared to win the case by a margin of hundred percent, But "what-if-I-should-loose-the-case?' was the immediate thing that struck my mind. It brought me more questions than I could possibly answer in my life time. How would my parents react to it? How would my family take it? How would my friends and relatives take such a disappointment from me? Such were the questions that flashed and dazzled in my perturbed mind. However before she put off the phone, I managed to tell her that I am prepared to face her in any court. But at the same time, I also warned her of the consequences, should she fail to prove me guilty. To this she threateningly told me that, she had in her recent past, even put her husband behind the bars and that there was little or no reason why she should act different to me. 

But later many more thoughts crossed my mind. I was ten thousand times more terrified than ever for the fact that I had everything to loose, if I should loose the case. I was fearful for the fact that I might loose my life time opportunity to serve my King and the Country to my full potential. In all those thoughtful hours, I felt my world crumbling. I felt my dreams shattering. I felt the pains of my parents. I felt the dejection of my family. I felt the sympathy of my friends. But just like the silver lining in the dark cloud, all those painful feelings made me more determined to fight to the last with absolute resoluteness. 

I marked all her words from our telephonic conversation. And I was determined to use all her words against her odd in the court of law, so I saved her number and recorded her voice with all the details. Should the need arise, I was even willing to exaggerate the matter a bit. My stakes were high and I needed all the support in what ever form it came. And to my realization, it came from a person none other than the plaintiff herself. She took a bold step in calling me, -the defendant, with her threatening message. So I thought, I got the Achilles heel to hang on and strike it when the right time comes.  

So I waited and waited. And exactly after two days, I got a court directive from Paro Court  instructing me to proceed to Thimphu court "without fail" the immediate day. I was further directed to make my appearance in the Bench II of the Thimphu district Court.

To be continued.............................................

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Three

As I walked out, I told the ward lady to carefully weigh the pros and cons of getting herself entangled in her futile act fueled by nothing, but greed. I felt more confident and more bold. I approached the ward lady, one more time and told her that she wont gain anything from this enterprise and that I would make myself available anywhere any time to defend my innocence 

But she was even more determined to take the case further on her own.

Continued...................

For her, taking the case further meant only one thing. She clearly indicated that she would soon proceed to the court. Although determined to defend myself to the last, deep inside I felt bitterly embarrassed. The slightest thought of the incident made me feel confused. It made me feel nervous and at times angry too. But deep deep inside, I also felt that there was a genuine need for me bring that drama to its end, once and for all.

So for the first time in my life, I tried to use the; so called influence. I called on Doctor, -A neuro surgeon, who is my second cousin's husband. Although we never met personally, we knew each other quite well through telephonic conversations. So one fine day, I took all the guts in me and dialed his number. I explained to him the kind of predicament I was in and that I needed his help as a matter of urgency. I remember fumbling with words in between but I made my points clear to him. I told him to talk to the ward lady and bring the curtain of my case permanently down. Although not so reassuring, I sensed lot of positivity in his words. He said he would do his best.

But, it was nonetheless disappointing to hear from him. He told me that the lady was still cold and cruel as ever and wouldn't even listen to him. In fact it was through him, that I came to know that the lady was preparing for a court case against me. To some extent, I felt that my repeated pleas had in fact emboldened her to act against me with more intensity.

After that the days elapsed to weeks and weeks to months, But there was nothing forthcoming. Everything in my life was normal except that ward lady who was eating away my mental peace. By then I joined my office too. My little daughter was recovering from her jaundice and was doing fine. Again deep deep deep inside, I was mentally gearing for the first court case of my life. A book on "criminal proceeding in Bhutan" by a Judge named Lungten Drupjor came in Handy! I read it from top to bottom and bottom to top.

And Finally after more than two months, I got a call from a strange and unusual number.

To be continued...............

Remembering My First Court Case, Part Two

Nurses on duty were unusually quite and wouldn't speak a word to me. But in between the lady started calling the Police.
Continued......

Inside, the Nurses were busy attending to Kinley and outside some strange, rather unexpected things were taking shape. From no where a group of Police showed up like those Pizza delivery boys in India. I was soon called out. As expected, they interrogated me and I gave my full co-operation. It was then, I came to know that a lady was a ward lady, whose duty was to clean up the wards and maintain a required sanitary level in the wards. 

She was adamant and she insisted that it was a case of battery. She also insisted that our case needs further attention and hence needs to be taken to a appropriate place for settlement. For her, appropriate place meant one thing, -Police station. But however the the officer on duty rejected her case, for she couldn't produce any on-spot evidence nor any reliable eye witness. The officer told me to behave and he left the scene. 

For once, I thought to myself that we have police officers who were more humanely and homely than people in the Hospital. I also thought to myself that I came to hospital seeking much needed help and support, but felt thoroughly harassed in the process. I felt disheartened to the brim. It was even more bitter feeling that our referral hospital lacked people who were trained to deal with human emotion and anxieties. Even nurses weren't any better that night. Forget about sorting out the things that went miserably wrong, they all sympathized the ward lady. Worse, one nurse was my former school mate. It reminded me of a adage; wolfs  will support only wolfs in the den. 

By the time I was done with police, my wife gave birth to Sonam. I walked in with tears rolling down my cheeks. I could fell my heart panting and my lungs running short of oxygen. I took a long deep breath and continued walking in. I felt sorry for not being the first person to touch my daughter, but nevertheless, I felt overwhelmed all over that my wife was safe and so was my daughter. I thanked god and I personally went to thank those nurses on duty. 

But next morning, It was yet another surprise. I got a call from Police station and I was asked to report immediately. At that moment, I felt the ward lady was really up-to something. I got myself dressed and immediately rushed to the police station. I was greeted by a young lady officer. She offered me a cup of black tea and after which she took my statement.  She told me to come gain the next day. But I insisted that our case be resolved within the earliest possible time period.  To this the officer told me to to either wait or compromise the case between the two of us. 

I felt her idea worthwhile and suddenly I found my self begging the ward lady to withdraw the case.  I told her I would compensate her with a cash. I remember making several pleas to her only to be turned down abruptly. It appeared to me that, someone from behind was guiding her all through. I saw her worn out phone being over burdened that day. So I also told her that I would give her a brand new phone, if only she could consent to my plea. I did this not because I would be proven guilty but I needed more time to stay with my new born daughter and  my recovering wife. 

After 2 days, I was again called back to the police station. The officer had a good news. She told me that Ward lady's medical report came out clean. Of course I was relieved to hear that but I refuted the officer by saying that she should have a medical report taken immediately on that day and not after 2 or 3 days. But the officer told me to calm down. As she could not charge sheet me to the court for the lack of evidence, she told me to leave. I felt immensely happy to hear that. 

As I walked out, I told the ward lady to carefully weigh the pros and cons of getting herself entangled in her futile act fueled by nothing, but greed. I felt more confident and more bold. I approached the ward lady, one more time and told her that she wont gain anything from this enterprise and that I would make myself available anywhere any time to defend my innocence 

But she was even more determined to take the case further on her own. 

To be continued......................

Remembering My First Court Case, Part One

Three places on earth that I wouldn't want to frequent. ----They are plain, discrete and direct.  First, the Hospital,  second,  the Police station and third, the Court. But, unfortunately I had one such ghostly moment in my past that took me to all those feared places of my life.

First to the Hospital. It dates back in 2008 when Kinley was due to give birth to Sonam. She underwent  an immense labour pain near the pediatric ward of JDWNRH. Many hours into her labour pain, we finally managed to get one bed in the ward. As a young man, stepping to become a father was a incredible feeling. It brought me joys and fears weighted in equal proportion. But Kinley's prolonged labour pain made me fell nervous and helpless. Towards midnight, her pain augmented. I could sense my pulse soar and face redden.  I felt utter helplessness being next to her. With her parents and one of my sister around, we were at least better than some of the patients who were left alone on their own. Sensing something frantic, a nurse showed up and finally told us to move her to the labour room.

We were busy lifting and moving Kinley to the labour room and in the middle, a lady showed up. --The same lady I had seen the whole day, scolding helpless patients and maids.-- She looked more like a sweeper but sounded worse than Hitler. She took no regard for the pains and anxiety we were under and in her most wicked and cruelest tone, she said that one sick person cannot have more than one maid. As such her point stood very valid but delivery case was altogether a different issue. My father-in-law and  I requested her to show us some compassion which she was not keen at. In between many things happened. The lady kept on scolding at us but we had no or little time to listen to her. We finally reached Kinley in the safety of labour room and following which I came back to get some cloths for her and the (expected) new born.

I intended to beg pardon for all the inconvenience caused and wanted to apologize the lady, but to my shocking revelation, I found the lady charged with anger was cursing me and my family. It was not a good omen. Charged and tensed, I was, I told her to shut up and pushed her from my way. No sooner did I touch her, then she fell off on the floor and shouted on top of her voice. She accused me of having battered her. The entire hospital went numb and there was silence all over. Nurses  on duty were unusually quite and wouldn't speak a word to me. But in between the lady started calling the Police. 

To be continued.................