The Living Art Called Bonsai

Today morning, I had the privilege of visiting a small yet beautiful botanical garden. It was a very brief visit though. Its a Bonsai garden maintained by Mr. Nagendra, alias father of one of my Friend here in Ahmadabad. I have seen such  dwarfed plants before but I never really knew more about its origin and its importance.

Thanks to Mr. Nagendra, I finally got some clue as to what this Bonsai thing is all about. He told me that Bonsai is a living art. In Japanese, They call it "Bonsai" which is equivalent to Chinese term 'Penzai'. A "bon" he told me is like a pot or a tray typically used in bonsai culture and "sai" is Plant or a planting in it. Therefore in English, the word bonsai is often used as an Umbrella term for all miniature trees in containers or pots. He also told me about the differences between the bonsai and dwarfing. But for now lets not go into detail.

Me with Mr Nagendra in his Botanical garden

This art actually originated in China and then later on flourished in Japan. This form of art has become so popular in Japan that today when a family look for a bride, the first thing they ask is whether a bride knows  something about bonsai! (well find it out if you are in Japan now) He told me that, its similar to Indian family looking for a bride who knows to cook and dance etc. 

I took this picture when i was in Malaysia in 2009

Well, with people like Mr. Nagendra, it appears to me that now the bonsai art has even reached to the Indian subcontinent too. The way he cared to talk about the art was truly inspiring. Through it I was also able to see his passion and love for the art. I think he have come a long way. But after seeing so many plants which still requires lot of treading and managing, I also think that, he have a long way to go too. I wish him all the best.

I took some pictures. Have a look. But I am sorry for not being able to write more about those plants. If in coming days, Mr. Nagendra, educates me more on those trees, well then I promise to come up with a separate and more elaborate post on it. But for now enjoy the pictures.

I am a beneficiary of MTCP Program 2009; Part Four

Of the 14 days program, I have spent half of it in AKMAL. There, the weather was hot and humid all the time. It often rained cat and dog. The very first sight of tropical rain frightened me because, the powerful rain not only  cut off the power supply, but also sent water gushing into our conference hall. Our classed got called off and my colleagues gathered at the lobby either for cigarettes or for  coffee. 

Suddenly, after 15 minutes of relentless rain, the serene and radiant atmosphere of Melaka returns to normal, The chirping birds returns to the rubber trees and sings again, The lush and green soccer field appears even  greener and calmer,  Ramana, the turtle and school of multi colored fish (that live in an artificial pond, next to hostel) resumes feasting on the bread (dumped in by our friends) All in all, the life in Melaka was beautiful beyond.

The memories from Melaka mall are unforgetable, because it was there I did my major shopping. I bought toys and garments for my daughters and  shoes and socks for my wife and parents. Our colleagues from  Malaysian customs, sometimes took us to a different mall and treated with traditional Malaysian tea too.

I am a beneficiary of MTCP Program 2009; Part Three

Our formal training session began on 3rd Aug. There were more than 26  participants form around the world and it was yet another proud moment for me to be representing my country. We were all asked to come in our national costume for the group photograph. I did present myself with my silk athang marthra gho.

Having done with the introductory session in the morning, we, the participants were called for the formal class, but in informal dress. An elderly man (a retired Customs official) began the lesson with his introduction. He introduced himself as Mr. Hamza. In his late 70s, he still proclaimed himself as an old man but with young and vibrant at heart. From him, I have learned a great deal of wisdom which I wish to share with my readers some other time.

That evening, we were all invited for a formal welcome dinner during which participants were briefed on the history of Malaysian culture and tradition. We were also educated more on the MTCP program, its aims and objectives.

I took a seat near my colleague from Nigeria. But we were soon joined by our colleagues form Maldives, and Mauritius. We were like back benchers. We dined voraciously and soon emptied the table. We were served our second share when some of our friends were still hesitant to start their first share. It was a real fun altogether.

From next day, we were into a serious business; -the training on traveller's management. Besides the presentations form the participants, classes were also taken by some of the most experienced and experts form the Malaysian Customs department. We were mostly trained in reading the behaviors of notorious people, nabbing smugglers, prosecuting them and finally sending them to the gallows. We were also trained to facilitate and expedite legitimate travellers with respect and diligence. In between, we were also oriented to the international terms like advance passenger information system, Kyoto convention, WCO -safe framework of standards and risk management.

These trainings went on for days and took away all our energy. Most of the participants lavishly smoked cigarettes to relax, but for non smokers (like me), an occasional sip of coffee along with  a trip to different areas in Melaka, (that are of historical significance to Malaysia) arranged by our organizer was just enough. The holy sites like Melaka; -the heritage site; and  various departmental stores were good places to be at the end of a busy day.

Most of our friends shopped garments and electronics. Some even bought diamond rings! since I had not much money for shopping, I opted to become an unofficial photographer of our group.

Here comes your  Photographer

I am a beneficiary of MTCP Program 2009; Part Two

Towards late evening on 2nd August, I boarded the Malaysian Airline Flight No ??? and began my onward journey to Malaysia. -the land of true Asia. As the flight gained height and became fully airborne, the darkness outside engulfed the airplane.

It has been a long journey in the dark. Most people preferred sleeping than  listening to flight captain and in-flight services form the flight attendants. Captain of the flight, at regular interval of time reminded all the passengers about the grim consequences of importing any illegal drugs to Malaysia; -the death sentence.

 My flight finally landed in Kaula Lampur International airport at around midnight. I met my guide, perhaps a person form the travel agent. He looked neither young nor old and spoke good English. He sounded so friendly and reminded me of my good old friends.

As we proceeded to collect out luggage, we also met a person from Mongolia who have come for the same course. She looked exactly like a Bhutanese lady and that brought me more comfort. She told me to call her Magie.

With H1N1 pandemic sweeping the region, not many people were seen in the terminal (which was otherwise designed to accommodate thousands) The ladies in the immigration counter spoke less but did their job of expediting our clearance. The customs was not in my worry list.

Suddenly, I was outside the terminal building, sweating in the heat and breeze of tropical vegetation. An old  cabbie took me in his old and noisy  cab along with Mrs. Magie from Mongolia to Melaka.  As he stopped at a nearby gas station and to refuel his gas, I could see his elderly  muslim white bear around his mouth and a beautiful taqiyah on his head. He spoke not even a word to us. He occasionally used his cell phone while driving and conversed in language, far foreign to me and Magie. I tried my best not to fall asleep but to no avail. The racing cars and motor cycles on the high way, along with the occasional screams form Magie, however kept me awake.

We reached the Customs Academy of Melaka, popularly known as AKMAL at around 2 am. Exhausted and worn out, I immediately went to my room and slept on the bed.

 I was given room No 26. It had all the facilities far far better than the ones I have seen in customs academy in Faridabad, India. The bed was comfortable and cozy. The mirror; large and clear, and LCD TV screen fitted on the wall. The bathroom appeared bit old but was clean and hygienic. The sleepers in the bathroom were worn-out but were still usable.

The surrounding was clean and calm. It had all the beauty associated with the academy. The dining was well set. The utensils bore a testimony of all the good foods it served; starting form orange juice to lemon tea, tasty fish curry to sticky rice and fresh banana to juicy melon.

The staffs of the academy were friendly and were very hospitable too. They helped me understand more on Muslim culture and tradition. They told me that drinking liquors and eating pork are considered gross. Visiting a lady's room for a man is prohibited and if found, one will be charged for a breach of sharia law. 

With all those beautiful things and beautiful  people around, I anticipated my trip to be a success, both in terms of knowledge gaining and familiarizing my self to the uniquely Malaysian society.

I am a beneficiary of MTCP Program 2009; Part One

Recipients of MTCP Scholarship, Aug, 2009

After a long gap of 17 months (after my first trip), my administration again nominated me for a trip abroad. This time, I was to travel to Malaysia in the month of August to attend a training on Passenger Management. It was funded by the Malaysian Technical Co-operation Program known more in Bhutan as MTCP. It was a 14 day program and involved participants form the developing countries world wide. It was more of  knowledge sharing among participants than a formal training.

 Since its inception in 1980s, MTCP has long a history of support to Bhutan. MTCP  supported different agencies in different fields and in different capacities. Many Bhutanese officials, both at head office and filed have immensely benefited from MTCP scholarships.

 Of all the agencies in Bhutan, Customs administration in particular has received a lion's share of support from the MTCP program. Today we have a good number of MTCP beneficiaries in Bhutanese Customs administration, spread  over 9 regional offices, actively engaged, both in revenue collection and protection of the society.  It was an honor by any means, for me  to join  my predecessors on this count.

Whatever may be the reason behind this noble initiative, (by the Malaysian Government) people in Bhutanese Customs officials have their own opinion and feedback about the program. Most of the beneficiaries widely  acknowledged and commended the initiative. The trainings it offered were all relevant, practical, rewarding and enriching. The Customs Academy in Melaka has groomed a good number of customs intellectuals and today it is being revered by most of the beneficiaries.

The training nomination, both short and long were always done at the head office then. This has invited lot of criticisms, both form within and outside. The officials in the filed  have always accused officials in the head office for not being fair and square in the nomination process. They were accused for deliberately withholding information on trainings that accorded higher daily allowances and explicitly pursued officials in the field to avail the trainings that accorded meager daily allowances.

MTCP programs were such programs, that invariably (if not always) got pushed for the field officials. And as accused, It was not because of it's relevance that it got filtered to the field level officials, but more, because of less net allowance the program accorded for the participant altogether. However the justifications from the head office always stood right and correct, because the MTCP programs were always need based and based on the practical aspects of the work. The programs were deemed more appropriate for the field officials than those in the policy makers; -the (most) officials in the head office, who are policy makers by default and (not by design).

But for me, It was a different story altogether. A thing of "daily allowance" was too little a deterrent for me in taking up the opportunity. The trip brought me a sense of excitement that was ungovernable.  I  became even more eager to find out how truly Asia, Malaysia was. (as advertised in the TV commercials) The idea of rejecting a trip to Malaysia on basis on the allowance story  sounded stupid and naive. I also thought to my self that rejecting a trip would be like rejecting a lifetime award form my administration. So I decided to accept and embrace my nomination with utmost sincere gratitude. 

I remember completing my pre-departure formalities with ease and on time.  As demanded by the organizers I  have submitted all the required information like Passport details and travel itineraries along with my lengthy essay, describing my administration, highlighting some of the -so called good practices in passenger management in my work place. I did  also submit my presentation in power point format. 

The organizers acknowledged my genuine mails instantaneously and kept silent whenever I asked something silly and nonsense. They directed me to arrange my own flight ticket for Paro-Bangkok-Paro sector and told me, that the flight ticket for Bangkok-Kaula Lampur- Bangkok would be issued by a travel agent known as Kedwang Travel Agent in Malaysia.

It was a proposition I awaited form my organizers for a long time. With this, I immediately made up my mind to capitalize on the close and symbiotic relationship my office had with the Royal Bhutan airlines;- the Drukair. It was like fairy tale and I firmly believed that the Chief Executive Officer of the airline would consent to my requisition. I wrote an application requesting his esteem office to issue me a discounted air ticket. I personally  met him and  he indicated for me to wait a while which I did for a week.  

Finally after a week, the company secretary of the Drukair called me up and said that my request has not been considered. This came as a lightning and I went numb. I couldn't believe his words and I couldn't respond to him for a while. It was agonizingly painful to know that a man who has been making and would continue to make thousands of request from me and my office, turning down my only request.  The sense of betrayal was outrageous and I started to regret beyond words, the kind of flexibility I have accorded him, both officially and personally. I felt insulted on all counts; -as a customs in-charge and as a person making request.

With my first option yielding no result, I went for my second option. I approached the accounts section of my office. To my relief and satisfaction, the accounts personal agreed to lend me the money on reimbursement basis. I bought a full fare ticket and with that I shifted my attention to other things like arranging money for my shopping and buying souvenirs for my fellow participants. I went to bank and not only emptied my saving account but also emptied my wife's saving account too. I took a months salary in advance to be on safer side too. For my fellow participants, I bought few bottles of Bhutanese whiskey and few badges of our King. 

I reached Bangkok on 1st August. I remember how I walked in the airport with an air of confidence. Unlike my first trip, I didn't need any assistance (not even from my Thai friend)  I found my way through. I spent my night at my friends residence before I finally flew to Malaysia on 2nd August.