Nine Years In Paro Airport

I have completed my nine years in airport and soon I will be leaving for another place. After nine long years of attachment I feel like I am leaving my home. I met my wife in Paro, married her here and even raised my kids here. So Paro will always hold a special place in my heart. 

One year ago, I wanted to move out. That time it was purely in the interest of my career advancement. It was also in the interest of other friends who wanted to come here for the same. Somehow it never came through. This year I am really moving out and I am feeling lot more nostalgic. I am going to take loads of memories along. 

To begin with, I never thought I would someday work for Customs department. Had it not been for my wife, (who was then undergoing her teacher training in Paro College of Education) I would have landed elsewhere. So thanks to my wife, I chose to work in Paro and was able to officially join RRCO, Paro in January 2006. It was a humble beginning then. We 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. My wife had lot to complain when I got home late because there were either many strangers peeping through our partially curtained windows. The most scarring part is that our apartment echoed like an empty cave. So we had a small altar set up on a table we picked from a construction site. That was basically to seek religious solace and apparently to draw off those peeping ghosts.

Now in nine years, things have changed. People say I have progressed a lot. I say yes, provided if the progress was to be measured in terms of having kids! In nine years, to the envy of some infertile people, I have become father of three beautiful daughters and a handsome son! That’s a biological progress! Some say so and I accept it with much joy. 

In nine years, I had the opportunity of working with many superiors and colleagues. Through each individual, I was able to draw special lessons. Working with late Regional Director, Dasho Zamtsho Tshering was scary but nevertheless been that much enriching. Director Choizang had his charisma as a boss. I thought he never liked me but in the end it was proven wrong. During my last personal audience with him, I have come to know about the sense of brotherhood he had towards me and in fact to all the staffs of DRC. I owe them million thanks. Dasho Yonten Namgyel is another guru whom I have a greatest regard. And I have my special regards and thanks go to my current boss, Mr. Bimal Kumar Pradhan. Working with him has been anything but like a running water. 

In nine years time, Paro airport has become lot busier. From a mere four flights a day; it has now increased to thirteen flights a day on an average. We have witnessed the entry of Bhutan airlines that nearly sent the veteran Drukair into an operational limbo. It’s all competition between the two airlines now. Whether air travel has become cheaper or not is another question. But as a Customs official, working in airport has become that much taxing. 

In nine years, many of the facilities in airport have undergone facelift. Airport has a longer runway, bigger hanger, better safety equipments and more qualified people working. In days to come, Paro airport will even have a separate terminal building for the arrival section with duty free shops that would issue electronic receipts! But here is one thing that has bothered my imagination for a good number of years. I am told that huge chunk of budget was allocated to Paro airport in preparation for the 16th SAARC summit, Centenary celebrations and the Royal Wedding. But inside terminal building there are little or no traces of that big money.

In nine years Customs office has managed to procure one x-ray machine. Four years into operation, it broke down completely despite intensive care and maintenance. Elsewhere, machines procured by BAFRA has also succumbed to the similar fate. I was mad with the kind of indifference shown by the supplier. Government doesn’t have a budget and they are reluctant to repair the machines. Distressing part of the affair is to see our performance get compromised on daily basis.

In nine years, I had good number of arguments with importers. The cause is very simple. I enforced laws for the safety of the nation and people simply found it too intrusive. I wanted to collect tax for a greater cause and they simply wanted to avoid or evade either through influence or manipulation. Today I stand amazed that there is a lesson to be learned even from those arguments. Paying is always painful irrespective of who you are. 

In nine years, I became over all in-charge of Customs for the record three times. I don’t know whether it was merited by my ability or by a vacuum created by someone’s departure. But in all the tenures, I think I gave my best. I am happy to be associated with all the shortcomings. But at the same time I am also proud to have led a team that was responsible for the seizure of gold, silver and currency worth millions of Nu. We were told about the rich reward recommended from the throne. We couldn’t be more proud than this. The royal appreciation was a reward rich enough for me and my team. With regard to the gold seizure, I never thought it would be that difficult for the court to convict a smuggler. While we remained silence, many people wanted the credit. Perhaps I could write pages after the high court passes the final judgment. 

In nine years, I had the opportunity of traveling to various countries. I met different people. I feel blessed to have met them all. Although many officials have the tendency of travelling only when the DSA accorded is more, I took the opportunity as and when given. Coming February I am again nominated to travel to New Delhi as a team leader. I am happy to know about the DSA of INR 850 per day. So far I have travelled to Japan, Korea, Malaysia and to India. Each travel has been an exciting and elevating. In near future I wish to travel once to China to see the Great Wall of China.

In nine years, I sat for few interviews. In one of the interview, I felt disheartened to know about the thing of preselected candidates. In another interview I did not even make through the first round. The last was when I attended for a GoI scholarship interview. I came out with flying colors! I topped the interview! I went to India and did Masters in Economics. I scored more than 82%. I came back to airport and forgot everything. Along with it I lost my 6 months seniority. However, I had equally memorable days. I was given a stipend of INR 7000 a month. With this I lived like a king in Gujarat. 

In nine years, I have become a blogger. Some people mistook me for an ardent social activist. I blogged about the controversial tobacco law and I got reprimanded. I came to realize that blogging can be an expensive passion to be pursued when it gets at political sentiments. 

In nine years, I have realized that working for Customs is being like a master tactician. Even if you are not you are forced to become one. In airport every day is a new day and new days brought in newer challenges. Newer challenges called for newer tactics. Despite having given the best in me I always felt that I was falling short somewhere. In discharge of my duty as Customs official; it was often my common senses that made the difference. Laws, rules and manuals I felt were there as a general framework. 

In nine years, I learnt that without so called “PR” (Personal Relation) you cannot get anything done. This is something unbecoming of Bhutan in the 21st century. Especially for a Customs official like me, maintaining “PR” meant attracting so many watchful eyes. I get the feeling that somehow people’s efficiency at this age is gauged through the “PR” yardstick. And in a place like airport “PR” is something you require in abundance. Otherwise you risk becoming low performer. 

In nine years, I was able to own one alto car. Believe it or not, as per ACC’s declarable asset definition that is the only qualified asset at my disposal. Our Government chose to name “bolero” as the “utility car” but to me and my family, our alto is our utility car. In nine years I could finally own an iphone. I still owe half the money though. 

I can go on and on. But to be brief, past nine years has been anything but a blessing.

Post Pay and Tax Revision Thoughts

Yesterday, I received my new pay slip and finally I did my own math. Yes, the raise was minimal. I am sure it’s not even going to cover up the inflationary gap. But all thank goes to my house owner. At the moment, there is no sign of rent revision from his side. Elsewhere, some of my friends have already received a rent revision notice.

In places like Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Paro, the generous house rent allowance accorded by our government will surely not guarantee a decent apartment. Contrary to the findings of Economic affairs Minister, the prices of commodities, both local and imported have REALLY gone up. 

Disappointingly, the very politicians who came to power on populist agenda are turning out to be nothing but biggest cheats (or we failing to understand their broader concern) Their skewed pay revision candy just took one year to create a painful cavity in molars of public servants. Their confused electric car vision, their un-promised self serving pay package and their wanton allowance system did best to disclose the real devil in them. 

Now in the middle of pay revision math,  people are made to go busy doing the taxation math. Green Tax, Car Tax and mobile voucher taxes are surely going to make the voters angry. In brief, these are unwarranted tax on communication. As understood by everyone, we can call it a proletariat tax

The Government’s initiative to inculcate tax-paying culture is highly appreciated. It will instill sense of ownership among the general public over public goods. Through it, people will get to know the real meaning and value of free services. However taxing on communication sector is a serious business. It may require a lot of rethinking. 

Especially in business world, communication has become the single most important tool for the survival. With recent proliferation of mobile telecommunication systems, it has brought in immense benefits for farmers of rural Bhutan too. Similarly, most of the Government offices today use no less communication for public service delivery. Therefore, taxing on it is simply unthinkable. 

Taxation is a very sensitive issue. Unless politicians see a clear cut political gain, many wouldn’t even talk about it. This is according to worldwide phenomenon. Ironically, here our politicians took just one sitting to introduce a range of tax bills. As politicians, they seem to have taken the biggest risk of their life. With the kind public outrage, many may perish with just one term. 

To conclude this post, let us look at the main points once again. 

1. Pay revision was not up to the expectations.

2. Pay revision was discriminatory. 

3. MPs had their self serving pay packages. 

4. Politicians have introduced peasant taxes. 

5. Prices have really gone up. 

But here are the silver linings. 

1. Import duty for most of the medical, surgical and dental equipments are made zero.

2. Import duty for most of the pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines and other drugs are made zero too. Hence we can expect cheaper medical treatment. 

3. Import duty for Spare parts for aircraft is made zero. Hence Travelling by air will be cheaper. So travel by air and not by car. 

4. Did I miss something?

5. Let me Know.

Reflection and Contemplation Day

Today is 21/12/2013 and I take it as a very special day of my life. This is because one year ago, for no apparent reason, I decided to make 21st December(s) as my reflection and contemplation day. I remember writing a post that day. I think wrote a post thanking few beautiful people including my Kings. I also remember making a wow to write about some more people who have played a role in making my life beautiful, meaningful and memorable.

Plight of Building Wall in Punakha. Part One

Our House in Punakha

As I said in my earlier post, I had the most busiest weeks of my life in my recent past. I found my self engaged hundred percent; both officially and personally. I told my wife about how much rest I deserve (after my masters course in Economics) but the irony is that I found myself engaged even on the weekends.

November is Here

First up, I would like to wish our beloved king a very happy coronation day. May his Majesty live long and continue to guide us and bless us. Secondly, I feel sorry for not being able to tend my blog for so many days. Believe me, each day I look at my blog, it broke my heart.. It pained my heart to see my blog become like a haunted house.

My Secret of Scoring 80+

Few days ago, I got my results for 4th semester. With that result, I can finally say that I am through with my masters course. For good. I felt elated and excited. I felt more happy at the fact that I was able to perform well beyond my expectations.  Firstly, I topped Arts category of Gujarat University for 4th

Professor Dr. Kartik M Bhatt

With my professor, Dr. Kartik M. Bhatt who is the Head of Economics Department in School of Social Sciences, under Gujarat University.

Thank you sir for teaching me Macro Economics, Managerial Economics, Public Economics and Mathematical Economics. Thank you for inspiring me to work hard.

Packing and Repacking

Ever since the day I finished my exams, I had two things on my mind. -Pack up and then going home! Its just my second year here, but it has made me feel like I have been here for ages already. I feel I am going home after a decade in exile.

So, in last two days I went to meet my professors. I met most of them. I thanked them personally for all the help and support they gave me in course of two years. In fact I wrote them a letter of gratitude! I told them how fortunate I felt being taught by them. I also told each one of them how I will miss them everyday.

I haven't met my class friends yet, but I wanted to meet them too. I wanted to thank them all for being so nice to me. Initially when my room did not have fan and a running water, some of them told me that if I can survive in India, I can survive any where on this planet. So on a lighter note, before I depart, I wanted to tell them how I survived.

But on a serious note, life wasn't that bad. Thanks to the Gujarat University administration. Me and my friends were accorded the best of the best facilities in the campus. We were given the best flat for the cheapest possible rent. Compared to our seniors, we were given the additional facilities like freezer, oven, toaster, larger table and more comfortable chairs. Thank you Gujarat University. I hope you get some more scholars from Bhutan in coming years.

For now its all about packing and repacking in my room. Except my old cloths and few books, I have nothing much to pack. I wanted to make sure that my luggage do not exceed 20 kg. So I pack and repack. Again and again. But to my surprise, my old cloths have started weighing heavy like a metal. If any thing old were to be gold, surely my old cloths testified this statement in terms of their weight! And I am afraid that I might have to part with some of my gold-like cloths here.

Gangnam Style of Doing Research ?

The mercury level in Gujarat is rising. And it is rising fast. The days are turning out to be as hot as the Gujarati days it self. Its spring and I am suppose to see lot of flowers and birds. I am suppose to feel rejuvenated. But all I am seeing here is still a dead barren ground covered with dust. Its dry everywhere. well, this is just a short update from Gujarat 

The other news, I want to share is that, I am drowning with a thing called research writing. With less than 3 months at my disposal, I have an academic requirement to submit a thesis to my university. I am worried and I am spending sleepless nights. At this hour I have no words that would convey how grateful I am to Google. Its only through Google that I am able to collect few data here and there. I am trying my best to make my paper look academic and honest. But its proving to be very difficult. 

But interestingly, I met few of my class mates the day before. Some of them are clueless and they are in much worse condition than me. Most of them haven't typed a single page till now! But I am surprised, very very very surprised indeed to hear them say that research can be done in just two days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Gangnam style of doing research could be its name I suppose.

Today I checked my Diary and I found out that the due date for its submission is not that far. I am frantic. At times I am becoming clueless. In the morning hours, I went to see my guide, but he was not available. I presumed he is gone for a puja. the Holy puja. God! the puja is costing Inida millions of hours every year! and here its costing me my valuable hours too! 

As I stood under the giant fan in the corridor, I could sense so many thoughts rush my spine. In between, a flying pigeon got hit by fan and died right in front of me. No No. It flew bleeding. Must have died somewhere. I waited little longer and then met my other professor. He came as a father of good news to me. He told me not to panic.  From the conversation I had with him, I came to know that even the professors themselves are aware about the mighty task that we are made to handle. 

On my way back, I saw some kids playing Holi. I clearly sensed their interest in me. They wanted to color me pink blue and green. With white trouser and a white shirt, it didn't seem a great idea. So to keep them at bay, I gave them a frowning look.

I am 33 Plus and I am Feeling Nostalgic

Yesterday midnight when the clock struck 12, I became 33. I don't know the reason yet but I feel I am aging faster than my age. As the wishes started raining on my Facebook, I felt my excitement level surge. I became restless like a child, so eager to slice the cake, blow off the candle and sing aloud.  

But on the other hand I felt nostalgic about my beautiful past. To be precise I felt nostalgic about my past journey in life. As a little boy, I had all the fun in the world except the birthday fun.

As I progressed, I have been to some of the good high schools and colleges of my time. I met different friends and learned special lessons of life. I have often discovered many things. I call them significant ones! Today my birthday happens to be one such discovery I made then. I came to know that my birthday actually meant my identity too. But it took bit of math from my side and memory form my mother who have 10 such birthdays to remember (meaning I have 10 siblings) However we found out that I was born on 13th March 1980. 

I was born when my father and mother were struggling to settle in life.We had no house to be called as our home. My family never had uncle and aunts or for that matter any relatives who were rich and powerful enough to uplift us. But with each passing birthdays,  My family progressed. I grew up just like the way my other siblings did. Things have changed now. We have a house we call our home. 

I now celebrate my birthday to mark the the progress I have made in my life. I have done it before and want to do it in future. Today I had a great time with two of my Gujarati friends. The momos we had for lunch were the tastiest. I liked it so much. I should have gone for lunch with empty stomach!  any ways I would like to thank them for making my day. One of them also wrote these message on my wall and I am touched. Please read it for yourself, 

Hey Kuenzang!

I still remember the first time you introduced yourself to all of us! You were a person from the foreign land back then, but now..You have become a Total Gujarati!!!

I am going to cherish all the fond memories of the time we spent together-the canteen chai, pani puris, and vadapaus, navratri, and diwali, and all our birthdays...I guess all these memories are enough to last for a life time!

And I hope this Birthday of yours also becomes a part of it :-D

You have been a constant source of inspiration for all of us, and on your birthday, I wish that you hold on to this charisma even in Bhutan. Needless to say, You'll be missed!

P.S.- This post sounds like a farewell letter but is actually a Birthday Wish!

I WISH YOU ONE THING WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE BHUTANESE ECONOMY-HAPPINESS AT ALL LEVELS!!

HAVE A VERY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY:-D

My three friends who always made my Birthdays special in Ahmedabad. Thank you friends

Thank You Dear Women

There is no word appropriate enough to thank our Women. They are the formidable pillars that holds our our universe together. They are our grand mothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, nieces, aunts and nannies. They are our universal friends. Each one of them represent our joy, hope and strength. They are the source of compassion, kindness and love. Perhaps, that is why females are considered as the source of wisdom. They are people who taught us how beautiful life is and how worthwhile it is for us to live it happily. hey are fountain of strength and endurance. Therefore on this International Women's day, I would like to wish all the beautiful women around the world, a very Happy and fulfilling Women's day. From the Bottom of my heart, I would like to thank each and every women for making this world a wonderful place to live in. 

Personally, I have a big reason to cherish this day because, firstly I come from a family that has more women member in it than a man. I am a brother of seven sisters!  I have only one line to describe them. "They are all wonderful beings". I know in Bhutan, there are people who associate seven sisters to so many hilarious omens. But for me seven as always been my lucky number!

I grew up with them all through my life. -from a toddler to a lad and to my ultimate adulthood-. As a lone brother in the family, I remember how each one of them pampered me and loved me. All in all,  that was the wonderful part of my journey in life. I know might take many life time to repay their love and care but I would like to thank them all.

Secondly, Now I am a father myself. I have three daughters who are fast growing up. Some day they might grow up to be a women of their own substance.  As a father, all I want to say is that, along with them, came my joy. They have added a flavor in my life. A flavor called warmth and bliss. Thank you my sweeties.

Thirdly, I have a mother, who still loves me like a child. It difficult to describe but she still makes me fell I am protected and cared -all the time-. Love you Mom. 

And most of all, I have a loving wife. She is that much caring too. She is one good reason behind my healthy and happy life.  With her, I have found my happiness right in the corner of my humble home. Therefore i call her the nerve of my happiness. Thank you sweet heart for all your support, care, faith and love. 

Finally I have so many loving friends (women friends) around the world. I would like to take this moment to thank them all for being my wonderful friends. I woould like wish them all a very happy life hereafter.

With this, I would like to pledge my support for empowering women all over the world.

Happy Women's Day.

Finally My Hard Days are Nearing End

I am soon going to write another set of exams here. Believe it or not, I am going to write ten exams, submit five assignments and do five presentations in two months time. And let me also tell you that I have to submit a research project (of at least one hundred pages). In a mean time, I am going flat with mathematics. I am getting lost in the end less net of curves and figures.

I am going blank. At one point of time, I even could not get the law of demand right. For a person who is mastering in Economics that is pathetic and miserable. And just like me, there are my friends who are also mastering Economics, but are  not able to get the elasticity of demand right. The only consolation I have for myself is that, in learning complicated things, sometimes its (BIG NOT) OK to forget basics. Deep down I feel bitter. I feel embarrassed to the core. The guilt of missing  petty things such as these haunts me like devil with horn and fang. Such moments really make me think that whether what I have in my skull is a human brain or a piece of dung.

With this, I am now starting to believe that Economics indeed is not a subject that can not be crammed overnight. It demands lot of hard work, dedication, diligence and discipline. Some people call it 3Ds for success. My professors keep telling that Economics is  a study of rational beings. Therefore they also keep telling me that it demands lot of common sense. I think they are right. I don't know who ran this regression but there is a general belief that common sense is something which common people lack all over. For today let me not write about my common sense story here. But just know that I am just another common man.

The bottom line here is that, I will be back home soon. I will be among my loved ones, my family, and my parents. I will be home with my masters degree in Economics. It gives me an immense sense of satisfaction for having undertaken (one of) the toughest course on this earth. Finally my hard days are nearing end. Once home, I will not have to cook when I am sick. I will not go broke (hopefully)

For now, I am preparing for my final show down. My internal exams starts on 18th March 2013. My annual exam is scheduled to start on 22nd April 2013. So wish me good luck.

My Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad

Last Sunday, I had one of my most memorable days here in Ahmadabad.  Thanks to my Gujarati friends, I was able see some of the most significant and beautiful historical places here. Its in the city which is otherwise known for its over crowded streets filled with sweating and stinking people. Most people call it Lal Darwaza. 

In my two years time, I have already been to that place. Thrice to be precise. I thought I have seen most part of the town. Although infested with mosquitoes, the streets of Lal Darwaza always fascinated me. I have all the good memories of buying second hand books and fake Bata shoes there. I also have memories about how tasty Pani puri in the street made me sick. (or did I over eat?)

But one thing I never knew was that, Lal Darwaza had lot of hidden treasures in it. It is obvious that the city has progressed materialistically, but one thing I never knew about it was that it is equally rich in terms of culture, tradition and history. Look at the pictures below. Aren't they mesmerizing? Through some of the pictures, I can see lot of architectural similarities between Bhutan and the ones they have in Lal Darwaza. Coincidentally, most of the structures in Lal Darwaza are also built around the time, when Terton Pema Lingpa and Zanbdrung were busy building Dzongs and Lhakhangs in Bhutan. Look at the pictures.

  

By the way, my heritage walk lasted for two hours. There were a lot of foreigners too. Among them were the most beautiful looking French girls. I have seen people in the heritage site glaring non-stop at them. But you know my attention was else where! My urinary bladder was full and I was looking for a loo. It was a near emergency case.  God, I nearly had to pee like an Indian man !!  Finally when I found one public rest room our program has also come to an end. So if the pictures aren't good, please bear with me. 

All Autowallas In Gujarat are Not Chacha Jii

Its nearing midnight here in Gujarat. Except the few honking cars, the atmosphere outside is relatively calm. Not many Auto rickshaws were seen plying today because they have called a strike. I think the city road looks much beautiful and decent without those Rickshaws. May be they should be on strike forever!!! 

Personally, I have a very bad experience with Autowalls here in Gujarat. I think 99.99% of them are nothing but a cheat.  A big cheat. They cheat foreigners and they cheat locals. That is why people bargain a lot with Autowalls. Even for a Paisa. I do the same too. I would't even spare a Paisa for a cheat. I mean who would?

Very recently, I have attended a convention where a famous Gujarati Personalities spoke including the Chief Minister. They spoke a lot about the trust worthiness of the Gujaratis. I have heard them extol Gujaratis the way I have never seen before. But the saddest irony was that, I and my friend got cheated the very moment we got out from the convention hall by none other than Autowalla! He charged us more than the double amount. [I later found out that he charged us Rs.600/- for a journey which would otherwise cost us Rs 250/- at the most]

And yea here is another interesting story about  that Autowalla. En route, we ordered some sugar cane juice. A glass each. We also ordered one for him too. But When my friend was paying the bill, I over heard the Autowalla telling the vendor to charge more from him. I think he grossly underestimated our ability to understand Gujarati.  However, I know that Gujaratis in general are business minded people but not greedy like our Autowalla. 

By the way, I will write about an Autowalla, a real Gujarati Autowalla in my coming post. Autowalla that never cheats. At least on me and my Bhutanese friends. We all lovingly call him Chacha Jii.

Post Exam Thoughts

Its January 2013 and this means I have only little over five months to complete my course. I am all excited about the fact that I will be going home with masters degree, -the most coveted thing I had in my mind for so many years! I feel proud and I feel happy, Sometimes I feel both!  But on the other side, I am already feeling nostalgic about leaving this dusty yet beautiful place. 

By the way, Ahmedabad has become so cold like Shingkhar. The cold in the early mornings and late evenings are at times unbearable. I regret a lot. few days a go, I finished my third semester exams. I think did it my Gangnam Style. Compared to the last exams, the paper patterns have been changed. 

We were asked lengthier questions. Three hours was barely enough, either to think for any logical answers or to recollect the points I have studied the other days. I had to rush in full fury. Sometimes I felt angry and I felt this exam system is totally a sucker. I did not like the idea of exams to gauge my knowledge!

Then I had the most disappointing day with my mathematics paper. Not because the questions were tough  nor lengthy. I could have easily scored 70 out of 70. I am not exaggerating! I was over joyed at first. But my joy did not last long, because I did not get the log table. -The most needed instrument in any mathematical paper. 

Upon my incessant pleas and requests, I was given a bundle of tables..... but the wrong ones!!!! The examiner tried her best but was of little help. With my limited time running like water, I became overtly frantic. I wasted a lot of time waiting for the log table and hence I had limited time to solve the other questions. In my dying hours, the examiner suggested me to go and find the table myself. It was so nice of her, but only if she knew it was exam time  and that  time is not luxury. I did not know whether I was angry or nervous  but I wished I had a robotic speed to write the remaining answers.

Coming back to the coldness in Ahmedabad, I do not know what the thermometer reads but it has become extremely cold here. I couldn't sleep at peace for three consecutive nights, -even with my jacket and socks on. At the moment I could sense very little difference between Ahmedabad and Shingkhar. 

Long Long Time Ago.

Thank you unknown photographers for capturing my moments, which otherwise would have been lost forever. 

Happiness is Here and Now

If it were a sacred mantra, - like the mani, by now I would have already recited it millions. Perhaps even billions! It would have already warranted me a seat in Nirvana among the Buddhas! -This mantra called "Exams are boring" never seems to go away from my mind.

I know, by saying this, I am also speaking the minds of million who, like me are simply slogging, just to write this boring thing called exams. But for now let us just say that exams are simply boring. 

Well today morning, I just finished my first paper of the third semester. It was by far the craziest pattern of paper I have ever attempted. Seventy marks in three hours sound reasonable. Eight questions each worth seven marks sounds even nicer. Fourteen multiple choice questions, -cool!.

But, guys I had a bitter moment today. I simply found the paper too lengthy. I used all my the summary skills but still I nearly took an hour answering fourteen marks! I think I knew too much ..ha ha ha ........seriously, I do not know, who got the wrong skills. The person who have set the exam paper or me, -the super summary writer. LOL.

Anyways, it was hell writing for three hours. I have five more such papers to write. And, yea I can already see many boring days ahead. Wish me good luck friends. 

By the way I wish all my friends around the world, a very happy happy Christmas. May 2013 bring lot of success and smiles in your life. I dedicate this song to all of you. Please check the clip below.

Reflection and Contemplation Day

Mayan calender ended but not the World. We are still living and will continue to do so.  21.12.2012 is just another day, perhaps a beautiful day as always.  I told many people that the World will not end. I think I made the right prediction. I am sure my wife is relieved now to see the day pass just as any other day.

I do not know the reason myself, but from hereon in my life, I wanted to make this day (21st December) as the most special day of every year I live. Every year on this day I want to remember those people who have made lasting difference in my life. I wanted to pray for them and thank them from the bottom of my heart. I wanted to spend  rest of my 21st, Decembers as the of reflection and contemplation day of the year.  

So here are few people to whom I owe "Thank you", as big as the Sky, the Ocean and the Earth. 

My Beloved Kings 

I would like thank my beloved Kings for creating this peaceful Bhutan for us. I would like to thank them from the depths of my heart for all the inspiration and motivation they showered us every day. I thank my Kings for their unceasing love and benevolence, for all the sacrifices they made in bringing hope and happiness for us. Thank you, my beloved Kings, Today I am well educated person and that I did not become a yak herder in the mountains of Shingkhar. Thank you my Kings. 

My Beloved Parents

I thank my father and mother for being ......well,...... my everything!. I thank them for giving me this beautiful life. I thank them for enduring the darkest hours and making the biggest sacrifices for my cause. I thank them for letting me grow my own height. I thank them for being my hero and my teacher. I may take many life times to repay their kindness, care. love, dedication and affection. But today, I wanted to let them know that they are endeared in my heart. Thank you Apa and Ama

My Beloved Teachers

I would like to thank all my teachers for making me who I am today. Big or small, my teachers everywhere played their part in shaping my destiny. Thank you all my beloved teachers.

But here are two of my teachers who taught me things that were far beyond the school syllabus. Mr. Sadhu and Lopen Tenzin Dorji. I have a long story to write about these two teachers of mine, but for today, I thank them for bearing me with all my rawness and my wildness. I would also like to thank them for their love and affection, -for being able to read my heart and soul. With the height of my naughtiness and mischief, no headmaster would have given a second thought about my termination, but I thank them for giving me endless second chances. I thank them for letting me grow up myself. Thank you sirs.

My Beloved Sister

She is a different story of my life. My beloved sister!  I knew she existed somewhere in my world. I thank her for having walked-in in my life, with all her bounty, when I needed the most. I thank her for being a constant source of my pocket money and more.......I used to tell her that. "you are my golden pillar" She indeed is my golden pillar. Thank you sister.

My Beloved Friend

There is a saying that "Friends either make or break our life". Here is one of my friend who helped me shape my life in the right direction. He helped me make my life! It is again a long story but let me brief.

Long time ago, I belonged to a group called "five kids on the block". -Of course, a group of naughty boys. We were five then. But one day with a sudden demise of a prominent member, our group fell apart. I do not know how, but I found myself friendless. I felt lost and lonely, but not until I found this good friend of mine.

In 1999 we were to move to another school, far away from our homes for our higher studies, I met his father for the first time. Before we moved out, he called us inside and told us to remain best friends forever. But that same year, his father passed away. I felt equally sad like his family! but I wowed to  keep his words. We were best friends since then. All these years, we lived like a family! Thank you, Geley for being a wonderful friend. Thank you for guiding me. scolding me and above all, bearing my poor self all the time.

With this, I would also like to say that I have many other friends, with whom I also shared a relationship like milk and water. Ever grateful and ever thankful. And I would like to write about them on many such 21st Decembers to come. 

My Beloved Wife

She is the most beautiful story of my life. I have not many words that can fittingly describe how thankful she is for me. In brief, I thank her for being the flower that forever blooms in the garden of my soul. I thank her for accepting me in her life. I thank her for all the smiles and happiness she brought in my life. I thank her for being the most wonderful mom for 3 most precious beings of my life. -My daughters, who are perhaps the most beautiful daughters in this world. I thank her for being with me through all this thick and thins of life. Thank you sweet heart.

Western Eyes With Eastern Scriptures

Eyelid twitching refers to an involuntary eyelid movement which may happen all of a sudden without any stimulation. For some, it lasts for hardly a few moments and eventually stops. But for some, this irritating and annoying involuntary twitching lasts for days, weeks and months at its worst. Following is what most of the westerners thinks about it:

"The world is full of individuals having some or the other form of muscle twitch in their body.  Involuntary twitches can range from petty and slightly annoying habits to more consistent and highly irritating behavior, which appears extremely erratic and the victim is simply helpless. In most cases, the twitching habit lasts for a short time and eventually fades away, while in some cases it remains for years together as a harmless muscular movement or a highly annoying form of body movement. Involuntary eyelid twitching is one such example. Involuntary eye twitching or eyelid twitching is also known and referred to by many as benign essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm or simply blinking disorder. There are different types and forms of this annoying phenomena ranging from mild habitual forms to seriously abnormal forms"

 Like wise, we the Bhutanese (or Buddhist in General) also have our own belief system for this. According to our system, we believe that twitching in different location, especially around our eyes, mean different things. Its as good as  foretelling something in advance! For example, twitching of an upper right eyelid signifies that, a person will soon be blessed with wealth, where as the twitching of a lower right eyelid signifies the impending misfortunes. Similarly, twitching of the upper left eyelid signifies that a person will fall sick, risk being dead and not fulfilling the expectations and endeavors. Twitching left lower eyelid on the other hand signifies that a person will succeed in all his endeavors. 

Personally, I did not believe in this system. Its long outdated orthodox. Logically speaking how can an eyelid twitching bring wealth, death, peace, success, sickness, failure and fulfillment? I simply did not find any correlation there. That's why I have always allowed my liberalness to play a part here.

But last year was a different story all together. I had the longest eyelid twitching of my life. It actually started way towards the end of 2010 and lasted till July 2011. And certainly many things did happen that year in my life. I had the longest eyelid twitching around my lower right eye and upper left eye. Both weren't a good sign. As if the divinity wanted to prove the belief system to me, many unpleasant things ensued in my life:

1. In the January 2011, our family lost almost 25% our yaks in a fire outbreak.
2. I had had the worst possible car accident of my life. (Damaged 3 cars)
3. Lost the gadget that I valued most in my life, -my Camera
4. Lost my most expensive shade, My Rayban sunglasses
5. My father nearly died of a stroke. Many a time, I had to travel between Bumthang and Paro, all alone day and night.
6. Like me, my father-in-law had his share of worst car accident. He broke is leg and nearly killed my grandmother and three other people.
7. I got my  first ever scholarship application rejected by a Japanese University.
8. Got selected for Indian Government Scholarship with flying results! Which many consider as a bad luck because I cannot go and clean toilets and earn dollars. Many still feel going to India for masters as being equivalent to going to a slum.
9. I got Officially warned for writing a letter to my MP on a issue that I did not agree.
10. Became miserably sick in India, from a viral fever.

These things had a profound impact in my life. There are surely things in this universe which cannot be explained in the light of real world phenomenon. Eyelid twitching is perhaps one such mystery that cannot be easily ignored. 

Now that I am having another round of eyelid twitching, I am little anxious. But this time its the upper eyelid of my right eye. It had has been twitching for about a week. To my happiness, it signifies that I will have lot to eat and will be able to accumulate lot of wealth too! And true to the prediction, these days I am relishing a lot on puff in a near by shop. It really taste great. My Indian friends have difficulty finishing just one but there I am easily swallowing two puffs in one go.  As for wealth, I am planning to buy an ipad..but wondering where the money is going to come from....LOL......

Have a nice day folks............................

Thursday Thoughts: Five Kids on The Block and Michael

When I was young, I was naughty beyond description. Some say they lacked words to describe me! I don't know which one to believe but like any other adolescents, I was care free, green and raw, both in action and in thoughts. I did all sorts of things that I fancied most. Sadly I ended up getting most of the things wrong and thus ended up breaking the rules of the school.

I remember how my father got summoned to my headmaster's office on numerous occasions. My father answered all my mistakes and sometimes he often broke down! I also know how my mindless acts have kept my poor parents on their toes. -All the time. Honestly, no parents would have suffered verbal floggings like my father from the school headmaster and no mother would have cried a river like my mother. Its a long story of my days in Ura. Some day I would definitely like to write more about those mindless acts  in detail.

But for now I wanted to write about an incident in Jakar High School. It was the second school  that I attended.

Well, I went to that school with a hallmark of being naughty, bully and to some extent, smart and mischief. But there I soon realized that things weren't the same as it used to be in Ura. I have reached a place completely different from the one I have envisioned. I saw boys and girls far naughtier, far more bully and far mischievous than me. They were bigger than me in size and taller than me in height. So bullying any one was out of equation. Some of them were already on drugs, drinks and gang!

There, I took not less then few weeks to find a friends of my own class. I was the second youngest in the group. We were five then and we gave ourselves a name. Thus five of us came to be known as "Five kids on the block". Interestingly no one knew what it actually meant.

Overwhelmed by the authority of my three senior friends, I did not have much role to play in the group. I  became merely an additional mouth to feed on limited stocks my friends received from their parents. I was neither good in running away from my class nor good at frequenting the apple garden in the night. In short, I became a burden for my friends. Soon three of our senior friends started ignoring me and the other friend who is year younger to me.

In a mean time, I got into a problem with a senior boy in our hostel. I knew him well. Cleanliness to him meant godliness and thereby, he had the reputation of keeping his bed neat and tidy. -All the time.  Not only that, he was also known to have beaten one of our senior group member before. Therefore messing with him was the last thing on my mind.

But very unfortunately, me and my friend ran over his bed while we were playing. Sadly, were detected before we could even rearrange it. He immediately summoned two of us.

We stood right next to his out-of-order bed. He kept on shooting questions after questions for which we had no answer. I thought he was going to slap us tight but he choose to push me alone in the corner. He was targeting me specifically. I stood silent like a rock but he kept on pushing me again and again and again. He humiliated me and I felt bitterly embarrassed. He then pulled me in the middle of crowd and pushed me so hard that I fell on the ground, disclosing all my private parts!! That was the height of his mistreatment.

 I shouted on top of my voice. "Jedha" When I got up from the ground, I was completely blinded by my anger. I could hardly see any object other than the bully he pushed me on the ground. So I threw my hardest punch and it landed exactly on his nose. I felt an immense sense of satisfaction! I do not know how, but that punch brought him down on the ground. I then pinned him on the window. To my surprise he could not match me in strength. It was up to me  from that point to bash him left and right. It was very unfortunate for him because I had my mother's silver ring on my finger. It was the turquoise on the ring that did rest of the job. Had someone not pulled me back, I would have literally killed him that day. From next day, he wouldn't even look into my face directly. Oh yea, I felt proud.

When the fight was over, I saw my other friends. They looked very happy for that fact that I won the fight single handed. I don't know how far it was true but everyone in my hostel became aware of my hidden strength and that no one would mess with me thereon.  It was then my group gave me this nick -"Michael"- I felt more confused. I knew Michaels who danced, sang and wrote, But I never knew any Michael who fought and beat the big boys.

Over the years Michael over took my real name. Soon no one knew me with my real name. Even my sister, -a farmer, had to come looking for "Michael" to ultimately find me.

Coming back to our three senior friends, they ignored us further. They have even made a secret plan to go to Thimphu themselves. God only knew their plan. On a very fateful day, three of then ran away from the school. I suppose they were travelling in a truck. Then the most unforgettable thing happened. The truck they were travelling in veered off the road and killed one of our friend on the spot. The news of his death struck me like a poisoned arrow. I knew not what to do.

Day after his death, in the school auditorium, long prayers were held in his memory, I cried like a baby and looking at me, many girls also cried too. School declared mourning day. It was a very painful experience loosing a friend. His death not only marked end of his life and legacy, but it also brought a stark end of our group. So called the "Five kids on the block" died too.