Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Nge Sem gi Story : the path forgotten


How far can an individual in their teens go to pursue their passion?

The stereotypical notion in our society is to have a son or a daughter completing their degree and joining as a civil servant. It might have worked for the previous generations but now times have changed and so have our priorities.

Nge sem gi story, a short film consisting of youth all in their teens depicts the story of their parent’s expectations versus their passion.  A teenager is considered incapable of deciding what he or she wants in life and they are forced to choose the path their elders decide for them. Nge sem gi story explains nothing can’t be achieved if one has the will power and their tender age don’t make them not knowing what they want in life.

The movie is the very first of its kind and the film director, a nineteen year old twelve pass out student tells me having completed the movie itself is an example they can cite for they overcame all of the obstacles they had to face in coming up with the movie.

The group tells me we have always heard of youth being the future citizens of the country but it’s time to accept the fact that youth are also the present citizens. A movie any youth can relate, it has romance, dilemma and the path for determining one’s passion. Releasing in a few days, the group is planning to hit the schools all over Bhutan.

As for me I could only smile as they explained. A new gateway for films in Bhutan and it’s now that I see Bhutanese films going a step higher.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Too much cars for a tiny city


The volcanic issue of the increasing number of vehicle in the urban area is about to erupt with severe consequences.  Peak hours in Thimphu is seen with an enormous number of cars jammed and shows a warning signal as to the number of vehicles equaling the number of people in years to come. The question of what needs to be done is out of the league when it comes to town planning because the thought of expanding the road seem an impossible task.

As an observer I feel the need to improvise on the public transport service making it easily accessible at any point so that people can trust to reach their destination given any location. This however the public feels is not reliable in times of emergencies.

Import of petrol and diesel from India has been stated at the largest contributor to the trade deficit existing in the country and listed as one of the main reason for the rupee crisis. Measures to overcome rupee crisis included substituting current vehicles with electric cars and getting rid of government pool vehicles. The result is just before our eyes.

It’s time to come up with more effective measures to suit people of any class or else in between beating around the bush the outcome will be beyond what we can handle.


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

At times, an advisor


Giving out advice is not in me but it is mandatory with your friends especially when they look up to you with eyes full of questions. With a year older in this human race, let a year old senior speak, will you?

Friend:  Hey what do you think is more important, money or career?

Me:  Career. Hmm..money..nah..hmmm..both. (We laughed)
 ‘well for now, since I hardly have to support anyone I think I will have to focus on my career. Experience is what matters to me. Once I am trained and capable, I think money will come to me naturally”
    We giggle
Friend: embay mo

This was a casual conversation between me and my friend last night and now that I reflect back, I could read between the lines the serious tone that existed. Observing my friend who is soon going to join thousand others for the Preliminary Examinations, I sensed that she is worried of what lie ahead. This was what I went through a year back, with future that seemed so confusing. For all my friends in a similar situation right now, keep the bar of worry to minimal but don’t be too lazy to at least know what you want. You don’t want to sit for PE? Fine. Don’t do just to fit in the bandwagon. To see my friend in such a mood makes me want to reflect on myself so that I can give out some encouragement.
‘I have learned to grab hold of all the opportunities that come my way’ is what I told her and I think experience is the best teacher.
Dear friends, don’t be pressurized for anything if you think you don’t belong there, follow your dreams.

              That was quite a thought (haha)

Monday, July 6, 2015

Darwin's Theory in Plants


Being an environmentalist was never my dream and it isn’t for now either. But at times just like the way you prefer the paa and not the hoentshay and the overall curry I am fascinated by the theory of the survival of saplings which basically has to do with the happenings of the environment the saplings are placed in.
As ironic as I might sound, I am a passionate florist and consider myself a green thumb. I can live without a single furniture in my home but not without a single plant.
With the little idea I had on the treatment that has to be given to flowers in general as we nurture them, I am fascinated by the fact that plants in general share the life as we humans do.
Prior to the plantation date wherein Bhutan was to attempt the first ever world record, the saplings were kept in an open area and this was done to make the plants familiar of the environment that they will be living in henceforth said the plantation advisor.
Why so? Interestingly here applies Darwin’s theory, the survival of the fittest. The saplings that can make it through the harsh sun and the bitter rain shall be considered fit for the plantation.
If you happen to visit China, you probably will suffer from cultural shock on their monkey eating tradition or the fetus eating one. The plants similarly go through these stage while we transport them to an entirely new climate and hence take time to adapt.


                                          Every day is a learning experience.  

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Second round of plantation?


This piece is in response to the article published on Kuensel in regard to the Mass Tree Plantation in an attempt to set world record on June 2nd 2015. Well I am concerned on the headline "second round of mass plantation" this goes to the comments that followed the article.

http://www.kuenselonline.com/second-round-of-mass-plantation/#.VZWm6txVikp

So they have termed it the ‘second round of mass plantation’. Ever since the idea for mass tree plantation in an attempt to set a new world record was conceptualized, people had been watching like a hawk to how we are going about with the project.
The question of whether we could do was raised at large. After much ado all of the doubts and criticisms were put to rest with the success of the project.
The project itself was big and significant to leave any room for error and till this date and further the thought will be the same. Today marks a month after the event and pointing out that there needs another round of mass tree plantation is too early.
Not getting any offensive here and we appreciate your concern but just as a matter of fact, the mass tree plantation has given birth to BEGIN project (Bhutan-Eco Green Initiative Network), an autonomous body which will supplement on the well-being of environment in our country. The project will also make sure the trees planted on June 2nd survives and it will do numerous after care exercises for the next six years. The saplings which might occur to one as dead are indeed going through what the forest specialist term it as 'shock'. Hence the saplings which are in a state of  'shock' beyond its chances of  survival are constantly being replaced and this according to the Forestry officials are never to term plantation.
So it will be fair to say 'numerous after care exercises' is needed for now or that another mass tree plantation is needed if the condition of the saplings are same as of now after several years and then term it whatsoever.