Farewell Paro Airport.

Paro International airport

Dear Friends,

It was on one cold January morning in 2006, that I first walked to my office; It was my maiden walk to my office; Regional Revenue and Customs Office, Paro. There were two of us, who in the words our ex-boss, 'came with our heads looking for ropes'. After a year long training in financial management, we joined the force of Customs in Paro International airport . 

Initially, with zero knowledge about the job, I honestly had lot of difficulties living up to the expectations of my superiors, clients and colleagues. There were times when my sincere service intentions were equated to  nothing but a harassment. But in five years time I feel I have  progressed a lot. The atmosphere in airport  have truly given me the the opportunity to not only  learn better about my job, but have also enabled me to  learn about other agencies that worked in the same place. These insights have truly made me more humble and  humane for which I wanted to convey my gratitude to all (my friends in airport)

Today, as I leave this place for a cause nobler to me, my family and my country, I would like to take a brief moment to thank all my dear friends with whom I had a very close association, both personally and officially. 

I thank my boss.  Sir Yonten Namgyel, Regional Director, RRCO, Paro for being source of inspiration. He has inspired me to become a humble person in serving our country. Not only that, he was also a motivating factor who inspired me from behind to pursue my writing habits. In him, I saw the traits of not only a leader, but an attributes of a sublime human being.  With this, I would also like to thank my colleagues of RRCO. Paro for being very affectionate and friendly all through my days in Paro.

I thank my supervisor Mrs Yeshey Seldon, for all her feminine wisdoms and intellects. I also thank her for accepting me in my own wholesomeness (blunt and rough). I think she is one person who understands me in and out.

I thank my dear friend Tashi Namgay for standing tall and firm beside me in discharge of our duty as Customs officers. His sense of unity, trust and friendship has always inspired me to work more diligently. I also thank him for being very amusing with his witty jokes.

I thank all my colleagues in airport for being such a wonderful people. They are indeed the reasons of my success. I thank each and every individual for being very open and obedient. Some of them are my very teacher who educated me in my job. Besides, I also thank our office drivers, Aue Dawa and Phuntsho for bearing with me and my way of assigning un planned works for you. You are all commendable comrades.

 I thank Sir Karma Wangchuk, The Joint Director, Civil Aviation  for his dynamic leadership in the airport. He has always been a man who accommodated my suggestions and  pleas. Till date, I may have made over thousands suggestions and recommendations, (both officially and personally) but amazingly he never said no to me on any occasions. 

 I thank Dasho Tshering Penjor, The Chief Security Officer and his team for rendering all the necessary co-operations to my office. I thank all the security officials for being pro customs in the field of enforcement and hope the good relationship will continue to grow and deepen.

I thank the Lieut. Dradul, Officer In-charge of airport Police and Captain Thuji, the former OC, for all the good and friendly relation we had. It was through them, the relationship between Customs and Police actually grew. I hope this relation will further mature and yield a positive result in enforcement field. 

 I thank Mrs. Tshering Doma, Immigration Officer, for being a very good friend all along. I thank her for being very candid and open with me. Personally, I thank her for accommodating with all my nonsense chit chats during our leisure hours too.

I thank the BAFRA team of airport for always being with Customs. We have always shared a common interest and common work place (near same x-ray machine). This apparently said that Customs and BAFRA are inseparable in the field of enforcement. I hope this will remain forever. On the lighter note, I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to BAFRA team for sticking with customs team in the football ground too. We may not have won a single trophy in history, but it was our unity that counted. So do not loose hope. Keep playing.

I thank Mr. Ugyen Namgyel, Catering supervisor and his catering team for all the regard and respect you all had towards me. I thank Mr. Thinley Dorji (captain) for his daily news papers and occasional coffee and snacks. Even though I wasn’t entitled for those facilities, it was all his good heart that counted. So thank you Aue Captain.  On a personal note, I would also like to thank Mr. Ugyen Namgyel for all his support and care during my sickness in 2006. I immensely thank his wife (my distant cousin) and family for accommodating me in their house during my crucial and lonely days.

I thank all the station managers, (Paro station), Drukair, Past and Present for all the good times and co-operation we had together. I thank Mr. Nidup and Mr. Damcho for educating me on the aspects of drukair operation. This knowledge has greatly enabled me to discharge my duty in a more professional manner. I also thank Mr. Ugyen Tashi, the Current station Manager and all his dynamic team of staff for all their co-operation.

I thank Aum Karma Choden, Bank of Bhutan, for all her humanely advices and concerns she had towards me. She was one person who wholeheartedly talked to me about my weakness and flaws. I took her words just like I take my mother’s words. Her words honestly had positive impact in my life I thank her with all my heart. I also thank her for treating me with coffee all the time with imported milk powder.

I thank senior officers like Mr. Tashi Dukpa and Mr.Tashi Penjor of Civil Aviation, for leading us in sports activities in airport. Even though there were some fellas who fancied fighting than footballing, the fact remains as the fact. Every individual enjoyed the game (including me)

I would also like to Thank my friend Mr. Surinder Singh and Mr. Ranga of Indian Air Force Elements (AFE) located in Paro International airport.  These 2 gentlemen have been like a bridge between my office and our Indian counterparts both within  and incoming. I thank the AFE for showering with many gifts on their national important days. It was not only gifting but was also equally educating abut their culture and customs. Thank  you all for your help. I also thank them for providing me a Ray ban sun glass ( which I unfortunately lost to a mechanic who stole away from my car) 

Thank you all for being such a wonderful people to work with. My six years in airport has been anything but truly the most enriching and rewarding era of my life. It is here, I became not only responsible family man, but a responsible citizen of our beautiful country too. With divine experience I gained on daily basis, I have always tried to live up to the expectations of not only my superiors, but have equally strived to also live up to the expectations of you; my dear friends too.

As a Buddhist and more as someone who practices it on daily basis, even in discharge of my duty to Tsa-wa-sum, I have always chosen to follow middle path. As I contemplate in retrospect, it brings to me, a deep sense of delight, knowing that it befitted not only me but to all whom I had an acquaintance, both officially and personally.

 But, a popular adage has it; ‘with good times comes bad times’, obviously there were some bad times in between as well.  As much as I take the pride in acknowledging my good times, I would also like to take this time to acknowledge my bad times without any hesitation too.

As human and more in the vein of unenlightened being, there must have been times where I have acted pernicious. There must have also been times, where I have spoken like serpent. As a young and juvenile officer, I must have also acted unruly, irritating and gossipy. Allow me to take them back. Because I know every human being (including the Lamas) err. Least, I am no exception to this universal law. I know I err and err more to be fittingly called and ‘kachara’ (problematic), ‘za ma tup’ (uneatable) and aggressive ‘zan dre’ (begger who has devils face).

As a man who works for Customs, (In-charge) I couldn’t have asked for a better term. At times, those labels brought me immense satisfaction too. It reminded me of my sincere service to my Country, my King and to my fellow Bhutanese people.

But on the other hand, it saddened me as well. As an enforcement officer, only discretion I had was  my obligation to Government; -to enforce law. With this, I often found myself caught up in the thought of those things that are ethically right, but morally wrong?  I have often spent sleepless nights trying to balance morality and ethicality of law enforcement. Isn’t this a strange thing that I only to arrive at a self consolatory line which says ‘Law enforcement is right on both the counts’?

So,In the light of aforementioned line, I would like to reiterate, that all I did was more  in the interest our law; -to do something right in general- and not to harass or hinder anyone in the process. Even though it’s neither great nor rare, I bear all the responsibility for my deeds. Please forgive me, for forgiveness is to divine. 

Wishing you all a success and Happiness in life. 

With warm regards and respect.

Kuenzang Thinley

Masters in Economics,

Gujrat University,

Ahmedabad, India

The Sights, Sounds and Souls of Shingkhar; -Some Prominent Service Man From Shingkhar Naktsang

Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam,
The founding Father of Shingkhar Dechenling

The lineage of Shingkhar Lam established by Tsezang Thaye Drakpa thrived for many centuries. The lineage had produced some of the most rare craftsman and scholars in the community. The important ones were Lam Ja-Boe Ma. As per the oral stories narrated by locals, it is believed that the lama had many supernatural powers. Even though he had not displayed it publicly, Some of his magical trips to Tibet and India in single day  not only astonished the locals but have also baffled them beyond. Some monuments crafted by Lama Ja-Boe Ma are today visible in the form of wooden mask of Lhamo and Goenpo in the Lhakhang. The monuments are displayed for public once in a year (during Shingkhar Rabney)

Few generations after him, one generation of Shingkhar Lam sadly couldn't produce a male heir. However to replace a male heir to the throne of Shingkhar Lam, a Peling descendant from Sumthrang village of Bumthang  Ura was married to a daughter of Shingkhar Lam. His name was Chhoeje Lhamo. Few years into their marriage, they gave birth to three sons, Lama Sonam, Lama Kencho and Lama Jigme.

Subsequently, Lama Sonam, the eldest son, became a very loyal servant to His Majesty Jigme Wangchuck, the second hereditary King of Bhutan. At the court of His Majesty, Lama Sonam was not only known for his stunning good looks but was equally known for his beautiful voice.  He read the most famous epic of Ling Gesar to His  Majesty. On His Majesty's Command, he even sang those epic songs  and entertained His Majesty. 

Sadly Lama Sonam met his untimely demise in India, when he was on a trip to India to buy some household items for the Royal Family. However he had his son to continue his legacy; the late Dasho Karma Galey, who served as a Royal Advisor to His Majesty the fifth King until he passes away on 16th January 2008.

The second son of Chhoeje Lhamo was Lama Kencho. He continued the lineage of Shingkhar Lam. He had two sons. Lama Kunzang Wangchuk, (Popularly known as Dasho Shingkhar Lam) and Lama Nudup (the Current Shingkhar Lama)

Interestingly, when the Lama Sonam passed away, his absence in the Royal court was bridged by his two nephews ( Lama Kunzang Wangchuk and Lama Choney Jamtsho). His Majesty the second king, out of his affection named two of them as 'Lam Chungs' -the little  lamas.

To fill in the boots of his late uncle, Lama Kunzang Wangchuk continued the legacy serving His Majesty with full dedication. In a customary manner he succeeded in entertaining His Majesty with epic of Ling Gesar (like his late uncle) In the mean time, His Majesty sent back Lama Choney Jamtsho back to Shingkhar to continue the lineage of Shingkhar Lam.

The youngest son of Chhoeje Lhamo was Lama Jigme. He moved to Kurtoe and started his family away from the Shingkhar Naktsang. His only son, Lama Choney Jamtsho became the Shingkhar Lama later. The reincarnate of Lama Jigme is none other than the grand son of Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk; His name is Lama Ugyen Jigme. He continues to live a very ordinary life with ordinary people. 

Dasho Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk

Late Dasho Karma Galey

Lama Ugyen Jigme.

The Sights, Sounds and Souls of Shingkhar; -The Origin of Shingkhar Naktsang

Current Shingkhar Lam Nidup and Dasho Shingkhar Lam
 during one of five day Shingkhar Rabney

Shingkhar is a small village in Bumthang. It has around 30 households and population of little over 500 people. The locals speak native Bumthap and are known for their.....well nothing. The folks are easy going people. More than wealth, they are people who like humor in abundance. Besides rearing yaks and cattles, its a place also known for the great plains and abundant fir trees.

The current location of the village is believed to have been the place from where the great Nyingma Scholar, (popularly known as the Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam) meditated and propagated Buddhism to his followers in 13th century. Historically, the main village of Shingkhar, also known as the Rinchengang was located  in the South, about a mile from the current location. However the ruins of Rinchengang are still visible. Dechenling and lamas residence were the only dwelling that time. Of eight such 'Lings' which Longchenpa established to also pursue his writings about the Zogpaphenpo, including 'dzoduen', Shingkhar Dechenling happens to be one among them. "Dzoduen" is the most remarkable book written by Longchenpa.

Later, the great grand son of Longchenpa, popularly known as Tsezang Thaye Drakpa became the first Shingkhar Lama.  He was succeeded by his Son, Lama Jaboedm. He later curved wooden statue of his late father, along with the statues of Guru and Drolkar. They are still preserved in Shingkhar Lhakhang. Also the mask of Lhamo and Gyempo along with the the masks of chhoejong (except the horns) are widely believed to have been made by Lama Jaboedma himslef. Today these objects have become the main Nangten of  Shingkhar Lhakhang.

The house in which successive Shinglhar Lams lived was known to locals as 'Naktsang', -the house of lama and his family.



Shingkhar Naktsang.

Understanding CITES Correctly; The Basics.

Picture Courtesy: CITES.org

CITES is one of the biggest and by far the largest wildlife conservation effort at the international level. This international agreement among Governments of the member parties (of 175 countries) is the result of 1963's draft resolution of  International Union for Conservation of Nature. CITES came into being on 1st July 1973 as the Washington Convention. 

The noble cration of CITES was to establish a striking balance between the Human consumption of wildlife and wildlife  recovery in the nature. As such CITES deals only with the International trade in wildlife flora and fauna only ( not domestic) 

Since CITES is a legally binding International convention/agreement  (and not inernational Law)among the member parties, each parties are expected to adopt  a  national law in the  framework of CITES thereby regulating the import and export  (trade) of wildlife flora and fauna.

To facilitate  the international movement of wildlife species, CITES has not only framed a guideline but has also come up classification of all the flora and fauna into different catagories like Appendix I, Appendix II and Appendix III

What is Appendix I ?

These are wildlife species, that are already facing extinction or thteatened  with extinction either by way of internation trade or by way of lavish and unreasonable human gluttony. Trade in these species are illegal (unless otherwise specified with due exceptions accorded in the framework)

some of the examples are:

Specimen	Pictoral Example
Tiger
Red Panda
Gorilla
African Elephant

 Note: Picture courtesy wikipedia.

There are Over 800 species listed in the appendix I. Besides the ones displayed in the pictures (as above) there are others such as Cheetah, Manatees, Jaguar, Asian elephant, Rhinoceros, Lion and Chimpanzees that fall on the same Appendix. Visit www.cites.org for more.

Appendix II 

Species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction but has the high likelihood of facing extinction, unless otherswise regulated are calssified under the appendix ii. International trade may be authorised by way of granting import, export, and re-export permit by the concern management and scientific authorities of the concern countries.  The exporting country however will have to make sure that the export will not affect the survival of the species in his/her native jurisdiction.

Over 33,000 speices are classified under appendix II. The captive breed of the animals and cultivated plants of the appendix I are also classified as Appendix II.  The Example of Appendix II are as follows.

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Species	Pictoral Example
American Black Bear
Great White Shark
African Gray Parrot
Green Iguana
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra

Picture Courtesy: wikipedia

Appendix III
the species that are not necessarily threatened with global extinction. The species are listed in appendix III if the member country request the CITES body to list one of its antive species as endangered. The trade in such species will only be permited with a trade approval letter for the source contry. For instance, If Bhutan Wants to list Blue Sheep in appendix III, it can do so by requesting CITES.  Few Examples as given as below:

Species	Pictoral Example
Himalayan Blue Sheep (For instance: if Bhutan Requests)
Two Toed Sloth By Costarica
African Civet By Bostava
Alligator Snapping turtle By USA

Note : This is NOT an Expert report. The report is written in lay men's language and lay men's terminology.  The intention of writing this report is to educate my readers on the basic aspect of wildlife flora and fauna.

My Sincere Thanks to All the Concerns for Educating me on Wildlife

His Excellency Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho,
Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture

Mr. Karma Dukpa,
The Director,
Department of Forest and Park Services

Mr. Sonam Wangchuk,
The Chief,
Wildlife Conservation Division

Mr. Lhendup Tharchen,
Forest Officer,
Department of Forest and Park Services
(Invasive Species, Import Restricted)

Mr. Sonam Wangdi,
Forest Officer,
Department of Forest and Park Services
(Critically endangered,  Listed Appendix I)

Mr. Karma Jigme,
Forest Officer,
Department of Forest and Park Service
(Critically endangered Species)

 Mr. Vivek Menon
  Execuitve Director,
International Fund for Animal Welfare  

Dr.ElSayed mohamed
 Programme manager,
International Fund for Animal Welfare  

Mr. Jose louies, Wildlife Trust of India,
Officer Incharge (Male)
And
 Miss. Radhika  Bhagat,
 Wildlife Trust of India
Officer Incharge (female)

Please Radhika and Jose, Forgive me
for I did not have a better picture than this.
I honestly think two of you deserve a big party
after all those tiring  job of
 arranging all the training materials for us. 

Thank you all for Educating me on Wildlife. Please visit my blog, because I am coming up with all the bits an pieces of wildlife knowledge I gained during the four day training. I hope this will help my readers to also understand about the wildlife like we enforcement agencies do. 

What is CITES ? Part One.

Picture Courtesy: CITES web page.

What is CITES?

 As an enforcement officer, this has been the question I have been asking to myself for the last half decade. Had it not been for the personal invitation of my Friend Mr. Lhendup Tharchen and Sonam Wangdi,  (to attend an in depth  training on CITES) I would have still been in the realm of obliviousness. I thank my Boss. Mrs. Yeshey Seldon, for consenting and agreeing to my proposal. Her approval has enabled me to represent my Department in the four day training (even though I missd one valuable day) and in the process allowed me to gain insignt as to What CITES and wildlfe are all about.

Since this is a very vast topic, I would like to share my experience with my readers in diferent parts. I hope my report will help every readers understand more about the consequences of unreasonable and lavish consuming of wildlife products in the form of 8 'F's. Namely: Food, Furniture, 'F'arma (medicines) Fuel, Fooder, Fashion, Fun and Folklore/fable.

I hope my report will also instill some sense of compassion in the heart of every individual for human are the total embodiment of compassion. As a human we know we have unmatched intelligence compared to the other species with whom we share our habitat. But at this juncture, let us also use our human intelligence in practically applying the concept of sustainability, durability and conservation when it comes to harvesting the wilflife products.

By the way the full form of CITES is: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild life flora and fauna.  

My Second Daughter Turns Three.

On 12th July, 2011 My second daughter turned three. As much as she was happy I was equally happy too. My wife invited few of my daughters friends (mostly our neighbors) to grace the occasion. 

I ordered a cake that weighed little over a kilo. The decoration on the cake made my daughters go frenzy. They in fact wanted to eat the cake even before the actual celebration. I had hard time convincing them about the right time to eat the cake. 

I also bought over 50 balloons in different colors. Before I could actually inflate and hang them on the wall, my youngest daughter already blasted few of them in her jubilation. 

As my mother-in-law and granny cooked meals inside the kitchen, the guests started arriving.  My youngest daughter was at the reception contour. She received all the guests in a language which no linguist would have even understood. They were all served with tea and snacks. Little ones were treated with litchi juice, coco cola and orange juice. 

They all sang the common song as follows:

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you 

Happy birthday to dear Sonam Dechen Thinley.

Happy birthday to you.

 After the song, my daughter stood amazed and dazed. She received gifts from her friends. Some of them presented her a beautiful skirts, while some also presented her with most valuable books and color pencils. Few even gave her a cash birthday gift!

I told the baker not to put my daughter's name on the cake. I did this because, I wholeheartedly think slicing my daughter's name is not a good thing. I even did not want the candle to be blown off. So before they started feasting, I removed the candle (still burning) to a safe place and let it burn all through. 

In my truest traditional sense, I also lit a butter lamp in my alter.  I prayed for my daughter to have plenty of good things in her life. In general, I prayed for the well being of all the innocent children around the world. 

The Editor Of the Paper Writes to my Boss.

The Director

Regional Revenue and Customs

Thimphu

Sub: Mr Kuenzang Thinley, Customs Officer, Regional Revenue and Customs Office, Paro

Dear Sir,

First up I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Jurmi Chhowing and I work for the weekly paper The Journalist as the paper’s Chief Editor.

This letter is more of a plea to your good judgment and acumen, and the need to clarify the position in which Mr Kuenzang Thinley finds himself embroiled.

Needless to say, I was absolutely surprised, shocked, disheartened and after a long contemplation, still find myself pondering where Mr Kuenzang Thinley went wrong. First up, if you will allow me, I’d like to make the clarification that the letter, which was printed in the 21.6.’11 edition of The Journalist was done so at my personal behest and without the knowledge or permission of Mr Kuenzang. Here the norm is to inform and ask writers and authors outside the paper requesting and seeking permission for publications. In this light, I took the liberty because I had already run about seven articles of Mr Kuenzang from the writing group on Facebook called Blogyul. Any material that is published in that page is selected for eventual or instant publication in The Journalist. The page in the paper itself is called Blogyul. The idea is provide a platform for writers, and encourage people with writing aspirations to write with as much professionalism as possible.  Mr Kuenzang is an invaluable member of that movement and the goals are, to say the least, very noble. After he started posting his writings via his blog

(http://shingkhar.blogspot.com/).

I was drawn by the nature and the language of his stories: of human interest, well balanced, thoughtful, contemplative, and always with a positive bent of mind and hence, providing nurturing food for thoughts regarding the well being of our King, Country and the People.

To me, Mr Kuenzang is the kind of person that personifies everything that is good and wholesome about the Bhutanese and Bhutan as a nation. Never have I read an article of his with any vested or hidden agendas; not even a subtle reference. If anything, his writings evoke inspiration, positivity, optimism and that belief that drives us all to forget the bad and continue doing what is good. In a word, Mr Kuenzang’s writings evoke “Hope” – something we can all use in what is an increasingly cynical age driven by personal egos and public hoodwinks. The letter that caused your offices inconvenience was an invitation made by the Prime Minister himself: to write to your respective MPs was the Pam’s message. In person, and in public too, the PM agrees that the Tobacco Control Act was imbalanced, as far as crime and punishment is concerned.

In that letter written by Mr Kuenzang and published by The Journalist, the contents are anything but antagonistic. I personally see that letter as the best and most articulated point of view written thus far on that controversial tobacco act. The letter pervades and peruses the act in the finest of journalistic traditions – morality, balance, factuality, and most pertinently, the well-reasoned and eloquent points with enriching points of wisdom.

The impact the letter had was tremendous. There was not a single negative comment or feedback on that article, on the contrary, the letter inspired many to do the same. Hence more people are writing today to their representatives than before. And the credit of such a positive interaction and communication between the representatives legislating laws on our behalf and the direct participation of people via their respective constituencies cannot be overstated. It is the basis of democracy itself, engaging in fruitful dialogue and bridging the apparent gap and gulf between the citizen and his elected representative.

Besides that particularly beautiful letter, Mr Kuenzang’s writings present values and traditions that should be conserved and encouraged, specifically keeping in mind the fact that some 60% of our population fall under the age of 24. This demography will reap rich dividends from people such as Mr Kuenzang. The impact of the written word is often intangible, but in terms of its power to change attitudes, the written word is unparalled, as it stays lodged somewhere deep in our consciousness.

I’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy his writings. But it was indeed very disheartening when he announced on that Facebook Blogyul page that he might delete his blog and stop writing altogether. This will be such a pity. His Majesty the King himself is an artist and a writer, not to mention a voracious reader. Recently His Majesty granted an audience to freelance writers – the guidance was simple, His Majesty encouraged them to keep writing. As for civil servants being disallowed from writing, may I inform your good self that one of my regular contributors, Tashi Pelyang Kasha (An Officer with the Monastic Body Who is a Regular Columnist for The Journalist), who was also at the audience, was given a handsome Soelra by His Majesty for the article To His Majesty the King: In Tribute in last Sunday’s edition of The Journalist. Needless to say, his will to write better has soared to the skies.

(http://www.thejournalist.bt/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=32&Itemid=14)

This same message has been voiced several times by the PM too. He was surprised when we asked him about civil servants writing. “They can write” was what he said. We reminded the PM that the BCSR does not allow free expressions (although the constitution guarantees, as your good self would know, the freedom of expression and the Right to Information). The reason I’m citing the above is also simple: as long as the articles are not detrimental or compromising in any way, shape or form to the national interest, in my case I take the self-responsibility of selecting articles that do not prove sensational or with intent to cause malice, but rather in that romantic hope that people will change for the better; that more youngsters will read and write knowing the power of the pen, and do so with as much prudence, sensitivity and reasonability as possible.

The article by Kuenzang paying tribute to a teacher called Golden Moments: From the Table of a Retired Lopen was personally lauded by the Education Minister in a letter of appreciation he wrote to The Journalist, in effect to Mr Kuenzang as he was the author. Another beautiful article penned by Mr Kuenzang is Welcome to the Family: a Son’s Recollection of His Parents’ (Mis) Fortunes. It is quintessential Bhutanese tale, with sacrifice, family bonds, external and societal pressures, modernization and the pros and cons of such changes sweeping our country as we speak.

It was a beautiful account of what an average Bhutanese family faces, and universal in its theme of love, sacrifice, career, family and trying to better one’s own character; becoming a better person in the process.

I cannot stress enough how valuable a contribution Mr Kuenzang is making through his ability to express experiences into words and stories that I believe inspires and makes the reader do a retrospection of his own morals and dilemmas. If Mr Kuenzang stopped writing altogether because of this single “letter,” I cannot emphasize enough what a huge loss that would be. To himself as writing comes naturally to him and he has an innate sense of choosing the most relevant topics; for him to drop writing would be an injustice to himself and every person that could otherwise derive inspiration from his writings.

Sir, this is my personal plea to your innate goodness – please consider the many valuable contributions he ahs made, for to lose him for a single article would be tantamount to telling a student who has failed in one subject to altogether discontinue his education.

And may I also suggest, on a personal note, what a warm human being Mr Kuenang is… for it’s that inherent goodness embedded within that flows when he writes.

Here are the links to Mr Kuenzang Thinley’s published articles that have featured in The Journalist for your kind perusal.

1.      A letter to Member of Parliament, Bumthang

(News/REARVIEW)

By Kuenzang Thinley - Bumthang, Ura, Shingkhar

Of the many agencies involved in the successful implementation of the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010, my department has always been in the forefront. ...

2.    The  law making process looks less reasonable and more experimental

(News/IN SIGHT)

By Kuenzang Thinley

THE PROCESS gained its momentum when our venerated monarch, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, further went on to strengthen the political system in the country in 1980 and 1990

3.    GOLDEN MOMENTS - from the Table of a Retired Lopen 

(News/REARVIEW)

During my entire service, I have always tried to give the best I had in me to my students

 By Kuenzang Thinley

Going back to my origin, I wasn’t a person who was born with silver spoon...

4.    Welcome to the Family: A Son’s Recollection of His Parents’ (Mis) Fortunes

(News/BLOGYUL)

By Kuenzang Thinley

I have built numerous houses both in my locality and afar. Some of my finest craftsmanship is today visible in the beauty of Tango monastery in Thimphu...

5.    Letter

(News/WEEKLY TAB)

By Kuenzang Thinley

At the national level, 2011 year will be remembered more for the Tobacco Control Act 2010, sentencing a person to prison...

6.   I am Chath Dorji also known as the phallic man of Shingkhar

(News/TIDINGS)

By Kuenzang Thinley

Shingkhar is some 3800 meters above sea level. I am Chat Dorji of Shingkhar. I’m not so sure where I descended from, but my neighbors and friends consider...

Warmest Wishes

Jurmi Chhowing

Chief Editor

The Journalist