The Geography of Bliss

Picture Courtesy: Google

I have just started reading a book by Eric Weiner, Its called "The Geography of Bliss". The title of the book says that its 'One Grump's search for happiest place in the world'. But after having read few pages form the book, I saw humorous and hilarious Eric than the one described by himself on the cover of the book. Journalist by profession, Eric has displayed his unrivaled flair for writing. His writing is anything, but simple and humble that is temple of god. Through witty and often dark humors, (that appears in bits and pieces everywhere in the book) Eric not only entertains readers, but he also educates the reader about the profound aspects of a thing called "happiness and Happiest place".  Someone rightly said that "happiness is reading a book as entertaining as this" 

Happiness, as we know is a very subjective concept. The concept of Happiness differs from one being to the other. Mostly, its often referred to as the state of mind which cannot be quantified in ordinary terms. Its like an illusion! -Empty and always evasive!  As associated by many Buddhist masters, happiness is transitory like a multi-hued rainbow, which appears and disappears in a wink.  Yet, the ultimate aim of every living being is to find it and experience it once.

In "The Geography of Bliss", Eric attempts to bring forth what happiness means to different people in different countries. In other words "The Geography of Bliss" is a culmination of Eric's quest in finding the  happiest place in the world. This quest took him around the world and to the places which even his journalistic brain knows not much about. Finally, he puts forward as to what happiness is in ten different countries as follows:

1. In the Nederlands, Happiness is a number
2. In Switzerland, Happiness is a boredom
3. In Bhutan, Happiness is a Policy
4. In Qatar, Happiness is winning a lottery ticket
5. In Iceland, Happiness is Failure
6. In Moldova, Happiness is somewhere else
7. In Thailand, Happiness is not thinking
8. In Great Britain, Happiness is a work in progress
9. In India, Happiness is a contradiction
10. In USA, Happiness is Home.

Of the ten chapters, I have just finished reading about what happiness means in Bhutan. As always, I went blank while I was reading about happiness being a policy in Bhutan. Here the happiness policy has a reference to Bhutan's development paradigm called Gross National Happiness (GNH). From my personal understanding, policies never bring happiness to all sections of society in equal terms. For that matter, tobacco control act and the most infamous pedestrian day in Bhutan, I think are the living example of happiness policy that failed.  

In Bhutan, as I said earlier, happiness has a different meaning to different people. And therefore there are many people who do not buy the happiness definition given by our senior bureaucrats including some of the Minsters and the 'Think Tanks' alike. Their definition of happiness is quite different from the happiness that most Bhutanese envisages. It may not be documented anywhere but for them Happiness means travelling around the globe selling happiness. For them Happiness also means more land, more money, more power, and silencing the critiques. At the end of the day, Happiness for them is all about settling for a fat TA and DA from the public exchequer and still telling to the world that money and materialism are things that GNH do not advocate. We do not  know how far the news is true, but today, there are already a lot of rumors about how some section of Bhutanese society  are unduly profiting more from the happiness policy then the rest!

I agree with Eric with all my heart and soul on the count that Bhutan is not Shangri-La in any sense. People  definitely do not live 250 years! Rather we have many people living miserably below poverty line. There are people who toil day and night but ultimately settle for hand to mouth in the end. Crime rate is alarming. More  than ever, the level of corruption has reached a threatening level. We have a crises in the interpretation of laws and unilateral decisions have been made banning even our culture and traditions. People are getting kidnapped and paying ransom to those identified gun men and god knows what our security people are up to. We have our ambitious youths who wanted to become doctors, engineers, lawyers, architects and bureaucrats but are naively told to go and join farming sector. They are frustrated and crazily angry with the happiness policy? 

Coming back to the book, I liked the way Eric went wordless when Linda Leaming, asked him about how happy he was rather than how busy he was looking for it. I thoroughly enjoyed Eric's trip to Bhutan with a guide who , I think requires a lot of orientation himself. I think Tashi has truly depicted how 80% of Bhutanese people are to Eric. Bhutanese people indeed consider white languors as good omen and brown monkeys, the otherwise. Based on the reason he gave, I think Tashi was not wrong either when he said that the rivers and lakes are different. It is also true that we have lamas who can heal cancers, but I would not recommend all the American cancer patients to come to Bhutan, because already our GNH lamas getting polluted by dollar power.

I also liked a part when Eric asked Bhutanese home Minister about the relationship between the Happiness and Nagasaki. The answer from our minister was equally hilarious one too, but sadly I forgot it. I also liked the way Dahso Karma  Ura responded to Eric's question about GNH. "Lowering the expectations" was Dasho's response. I presume Dasho was right in his count.

By the way I still do not know whether this thing called GNH is either philosophy or an ideology. But certainly, I know that there are many Bhutanese who are highly ambitious, who love Money and who fear death just like any other beings. 

Extraordinary Blogger Award for PaSsu Passang Tshering

This is my  humble award to PaSsu Passang Tshering for his article " Mr.Khaw boon wan what did you expect? His article has received an overwhelming response, both form Bhutanese, Singaporean and people from abroad. 

His article obviously came as an eye opener to many Bhutanese where happiness has been a benchmark in everything we do. We talk and dream a lot about it. Happiness is subjective concept of which the definition differs from person to person. Here in Bhutan, we believe that one day happiness is within the reach of humanity. Perhaps this looks reasonable on few conditions. World need to think little less about the materialistic progress and little more about saving the planet earth. I think we are one country who at least took the initiative of bringing happiness concept in fore of human development.

His Excellency Khaw's remarks have been received in varying reactions. Obviously many Bhutanese weren't happy. Many people felt the remarks were unjust and unfounded. If a week was enough for Khaw to draw conclusion on Bhutan, GNH, and Happiness, then the world would have been a lot more happier place already.

Following the footage of his speech, it becomes evident that Mr Khaw has exposed his weakness by speaking a lot on subject which he knows least. Bu neverthelesss I am very happy to see many Singaporeans apologizing Bhutan and Bhutanese in place of their Minister. This shows how much Singaporean in general like Bhutanese believe in sacredness of happiness.

And for now its very imperative that we do not draw a dividing line on the basis of a comments made by an individual. Rather Bhutan and Singapore should work hand in hand to make this world a better place. Singapore and Bhutan have come a long way and still have miles to go together.

God Bless Singapore and Bhutan

Read what Passa Wrote: Click Here

Yes; June is here once again.

  "Growing Tree is a Symbol of Living Nation".

 "Growing Tree is a Symbol of Living Nation".

 

"Growing Tree is a Symbol of Living Nation".

Let us get the history right. In the past 2nd June was considered holy and auspicious because it was on that fateful day that our fourth King was crowned. The crowning of our beloved king not only symbolized more prosperity and peace but also brought the nation together like a  family.

To make it even more memorable, later the day was declared as public holiday on which people across the nation committed their time and energy in planting trees. It was Known as the Social forestry day. This had a very deep meaning indeed because people believed that "growing tree is not only a symbol of living nation but is a symbol of thriving nation" 

But sadly somewhere down the line, some hypocrites decided to slash away that holiday from the list of our national holiday. Except the schools kids, so many people in the nation are today denied their right to plant a tree in loving memory of our beloved king. So many still feel that they are denied their participation in realizing the Gross National Happiness. 

But let us not mourn for a lost of one holiday, but wish our country a very prosperous year ahead. Let us all go home early from office (on 2nd June) and plant a tree to celebrate the auspicious day in its deserving way. 

Log live our beloved fourth King and May god bless us all. 

I am an Alto Car.

When I first came on the roads of Bhutan, many felt I am a luxury component and that there were only few, who could actually afford to keep me. But over  a period of time, people's opinions about me have changed. I am no longer a luxury component, but have become an important commodity (of those middle class people). sometime, somewhere in my past. I have even won an award for being the passenger car of the year, But  I am not so sure whether it was in India or in Bhutan. Please forgive me for being very forgetful.

Anyways, I have come a long way on which I had many wonderful experiences. I first came as simple Maruti suzuki alto, after which I went on to become alto LX, then LXi and VXi. Today I have have come in the form of K10 to keep my customers happy and content. I thought that was the only option for me to compete with my  brothers from Hyundai, Tata, Honda, and toyota etc. Nevertheless, they are  giving me the hardest and toughest time of the millennium.

With 796cc force, I can easily accommodate and carry four average size people and in average, I consume 1 liter of petrol to travel seventeen-eighteen kilometers. At a time, when the price of a gas is starting to sky-rocket, this has truly come as a blessing for my (potential and current) customers.

Today in this fast changing and developing world, I think I am truly not a luxury item, but have become a necessity commodity for almost all the people, -necessity of people on the streets! This has led to a traffic confusion on the roads of Bhutan that are in a "permanent stage of development".

These confusion invariably resulted in the collision among many of us to which the Police department have created a term of reference for themselves. 'Tail getting' is a term used when we hit someone from behind and I guess it is called horn locking when we hit each other head to head. It will not be wrong to assume it as side kicking if some one gets hit on the side. 

In response to those confusion, there was not only hike in tax tarriff, but our entry was also suspended. This to some extent have gone against the will of those people who dreamed about owning one of my kind. On the other side, It was considered blessing for my kind  not to be  plying on the roads that have holes and ponds on it. But shortly, things soon to changed. In the spirit of pure democracy, the supreme court of the country found Government guilty of procedural lapse in their attempt to bring down the confusion. 

What ever may have been the case, I am now on a move and I am moving deep into Bhutan. with an impressive over all rating of 4 out of 5, I am the hot cake in the market. Perhaps I am suggesting  all the concern individuals to go for altos in place of Prados and land cruisers, because it will bring  win-win situation for all. Win because alto represents humility and humbleness which people not only like, but also respect and revere. Win  because, budget deficit will be bridged without having to cut essential recurrent expenses. Win again,  because superiors in Prado and land cruisers will understand more about the the realities of subordinates who travel on roads, full of perils in a vehicles like us which not only have negatives but have positives which far out weigh the negatives.

Next time you plan to buy a car, just look at my rating and think over. I think I stand for GNH as well.

FUEL EFFICIENCY:      4.5/5

COMFORT:                    3.5/5

STYLING:                       3.75/5

MAINTENANCE:           4.75/5

OVERALL:                  4/5

(Note: Author is not a alto promoter but an owner of one)

My Version of Gross National Happiness; A try at it

Let me remind all (whoever read this) that  I am not here to reiterate what our Prime Minister (then Home Minister in 2004) talked during my graduate orientation days, -of the four pillars and posts of GNH. I am certainly not here to also reiterate how I have answered questions on GNH during my civil service examinations back then. Therefore I am certainly not here to say whether GNH is a holistic development philosophy or an ideology in itself.

All I know is that, during his coronation in 1972, our beloved Fourth King spoke about the importance of Gross National Happiness as against Gross Domestic Product . If we remove "Gross" then all he spoke was about "National Happiness".  The happiness, -the ultimate human endeavor was his priority. His Majesty didn't care whether we have all the means to achieve it but he vehemently believed Happiness is possible even without positive balance of payments, without huge mineral deposits and virtually with no development infrastructures altogether. He reminded the, Nation that "Unity" and solidarity among our people would take a long way in achieving everything we plan. 

As much as GNH has garnered appreciation and acclamation, It has received equal criticisms too. And as much as there are people admiring it, there are that many  people making mockery out of it. Today there are leaders who are eager to advocate GNH while there are also critics who are skeptical and cynical  about its outcome. 

With so many humdrum of GNH in the air, I believe that this topic even has a profound  impact on my family too. For this matter, my family to me is like a nation where my wife, my 3 daughters and my granny are the subjects. I am the government in myself and so I make policies  and take decisions that  have lasting impact on my family, -the nation. In other words, my family is in itself a micro nation with its ultimate goal as 'happiness'

With what ever limited income I earn, I make sure that they are all well fed three times a day. Breakfast with bread and jam for my daughters and rice with suja and ezay for my wife and granny. There are times when they wanted to go out for lunch and dinner but I convince them that food we cook ourselves and eat at home home are actually tastier than those we get in the market. I also make sure that budget appropriated for a said period lasts enough till  the next appropriation period. 

Mine is but a very frugal family and I bother least about latest fashions and latest arrivals in the departmental stores. Wanting things in the name of fashion and wealth are something that is not included in my procurement manual. Having said that it doesn't mean that I don't buy for my family and wear myself. I do but enough to keep us all  warm and  tidy.  Perhaps that why my family doesn't need a shoe rag and a additional wardrobes.

Occasionally when there are guests coming to my place, I welcome them with utmost Bhutanese hospitality. I offer them a decent food that will satisfy their hunger. I also offer them local alcohol to mark our tradition and  in return if they offer doma, I wouldn't deny even though it messes my dust bin and sometimes my entire room with the spit. I may not have AC rooms with sophisticated restrooms but I offer them enough blankets and mattress keep them warm. 

During cold wintry days, I make sure that bukhari burns enough wood to keep us warm and that the limited wood stock lasts for the entire cold season. I am doing it more in the interest of my cost cutting rather than my concern over natural environment but I presume it has a double impact. In similar manner I only use enough and perhaps limited detergents to wash messy garments of my 3 growing kids to (again) reduce my cost, not out of my love and compassion for aquatic lives but  again .

Back in my office, I do what I am best at,-impose tax, detain goods, impose fines, confiscate goods and make people unhappy (most of the time) and do some blogging in between. Its a place where I meet old friends and make new foes. Its also a place  where I get called for favor or facilitation. Finally its a place from where I go back home, -happy, sad, frustrated, pissed off, satisfied, rewarded, disgraced, elated and contended.

Until it is next morning, GNH for me is all about about preparing dinner for my family, bathing my kids and doing loads of laundry and offering butter lamp in my Choesham.  Its about planning what to cook for my daughter's  pack lunch the next morning. Later, Its also about taking my kids to sleep with my stories -stories that would rather frighten them and keep them awake till midnight. When my TV addicted granny resigns a day to her bed, I too go to my bed with a voluminous book titled 'Gross National Happiness and Development' published by Center for Bhutan Studies, because even in my half sleep, I feel its worthy of learning what gross national happiness is as a Bhutanese man, So that in my dream, I can compare Gross National Happiness to Gross Family Happiness I know of.




Notes:
Suja means traditional Bhutanese/Tibetan tea prepared out of butter and local tealeaves. It tastes more like soup
Ezay means minced chilli mixed with onion and tomato. sometimes ingredients like ginger and peeper are also added to increase the flavor
Doma is a bittlenut which Bhutanese people eat up along with lime and some kind of leaf (I dont know what that leaf is called in English). the spit looks very red and at times disgusting.
Bukhari is a metal oven in which wood is burnt to keep the room heated and warm
Choesham means a place of worship for Buddhist.

Am I in middle class now?

As I move closer to end my fifth year in Paro, I look back at my bygone year with mixed feelings. I have many moments to cherish and remember. I also look back to those nostalgic moments with great sense of satisfaction and contentment.

I officially joined service in January 2006. It was a humble beginning then. We (me and my wife) rented an apartment below Rimpong Dzong. The apartment had a large living room, 2 bed room, 1 kitchen, 1 store and worst of all 1 toilet. With few personal effects, virtually the whole apartment was empty. But we had to accept it just like we accept a tail of a pig as part of pork. My wife had lot to complain when I got home late because there were either many strangers peeping through our windows curtained partially with her kira or our empty apartment echoed like it does in an empty cave.

Our kitchen at least had few thing in it, because I chose to save my daily subsistence allowance (DSA) earned while I was undergoing my study tour as a trainee officer in Royal institute of management. I proudly recall buying 1 rice cooker, 1 water boiler, gas stove and a small pressure cooker and a small frying pan form Thimphu. We also had a gas cylinder, few pots and other utensils arranged by my father-in-law. My wife's large VIP suitcase was our wardrobe and we had few good carton boxes to supplement that. We are both a very religious person so we also had a small altar set up on a table stained with cement and sand.

With the winter already in the air, the freezing temperatures and limited warm blankets meant that we needed other amenities to keep us warm. So we decided buy a double rod heater only to be shocked later that it cost us so dear. Nu 700/- was a lot of money to be spent on heater alone. It could have been used as a taxi fare to reach me to clinic, when I was fighting an acute pharyngitis.

But now in five years time, things have changed. I am decently paid and I surely do not have to wake or walk early to my office. I could afford a luxury of cell phone which was a distant dream a year ago. It didn’t matter whether I slept in darkness or in light but I have been to Tokyo once. For some, they must have seen a TV commercial “Malaysia Truly Asia” I have been there too. Dusty and din, Delhi was a place of magic.

I feel that god has really heard and answered my prayers. I begin my day seeing my loved ones and I end my day feeling that I have served myself and the Government. Today I have enough amenities to accommodate guests in my house. Carton boxes are well replaced with wooden wardrobe and plastic drawers. As I enjoy news on Aljazeera in my bed room. I can also see my daughters enjoy ‘tom and jerry’, ‘Mr. Bean’, and ‘pink panther’ on other TV in the living room. I can occasionally afford to send items my parents like in Shingkhar.

I have a loving Boss who gave me an idea of Blog and Blogging besides my normal and routine customs job. His acumen has made me more matured and manly. Not only that, I also have so many affectionate friends around me. Even though Customs (my job) has been a subject of controversy for many I have started loving it more. I feel people are ridiculing  us out of sheer ignorance and Stupidity.

Having been recognized and promoted to a level of Assistant Collector of Customs and Excise is even more blessing. It is a realization of yet another dream for not only me but also for my mother and father, for my three lovely growing daughters, my better half, and for my Wife's parents. For me this is Gross National Happiness in its fullness.

am I in middle class now?