Monday, November 14, 2011

Mid-night Paro

Paro dzong in the sky of darkness

In the stillness of midnight
Breaking the loudness of the dark
Over gaze the Paro dzong
From the apex of Hungral rock






Encircle by the rays of wealth
Outshine the gloomy hours of darkness
Glittering in luminous glow
Lighten the entire valley
Paa Chu the basis of dzong glowing in the center of light


Beautiful and tranquil castle
In the heart of Paro
Like a paradise on the earth
Shall stand eye-catching and prominent

Birth Anniversary

Your magnificence
The fourth sovereign of Bhutan
Jigme Singye Wangchuk,
Dawn on 11/11/1955
Was a momentous day
Today is 56th years of that day
The day that gave you a life
Most to be cherished by all
34 anniversaries, I fail to see
But others celebrated directly or indirectly
As a infant, toddler, child, and school boy
With much delight at heart
Today as a college boy
On this significant day
I want to send your majesty
Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk
Wishing of abundant happiness
Wrapped with affection
Tied with care and
Sealed with prayer
For your 56th birth anniversary
May your Majesty live long and happy ever
HAPPY BIRTH DAY!



Sunday, November 6, 2011

Media, Democracy, and Civic Engagement.



Media is an important agent of change in Bhutan. So the importance of the media was emphasized when there was a Royal kasho (Decree) on the independent existence of media in the year 1992. Again later in 2009 His majesty the fifth king supported the independence of media.  Since then the media started growing and developing in Bhutan.
 As Bhutan became the world’s youngest democracy in 2008, media have been playing vital roles, educating peoples about democracy, elections, and other important aspects. Their roles have increased to truthfulness, transparency, accountability, report on disadvantage, and providing space for people to share their ideas. One of the important roles media plays is strengthening the voice and roles of the grass root level, where people are given space to share their thoughts and ideas.
Media’s roles particularly in a democratic country like Bhutan become indispensable. The fact remains with the decentralization of power from the throne as a gift to the people, every citizen of the nation has the right to claim the gift by participating in decision makings.
Conversations and exchange of dialogue become vital aspects of democracy. It is a powerful agent of change in the democratic society. Therefore creating democratic understanding through social media is one important role media must play.
Let’s ask a question to ourselves, what is civic engagement?
The answer to the question determines the sustainability of vibrant democracy, which means people are required to participate in interactive deliberation to ground on common understanding. This will enable our system of democracy to function well and stand strong in the world.
 With the importance of three diverse topics: media, democracy and civic engagement, a two days seminar was held in Paro College of education with the aim of educating the future teachers, and directly or indirectly, youths of Bhutan. As a participant in the seminar the councilors and deputy councilors from the college were invited. There were around thirty participants approximately. I as one of the participants felt, it was extremely informative. It gave us the clear scenario of democratic society, the work it perform and its crucial function. We also came to know the responsibility of citizen, particularly as a teacher in media.
During the seminar they shared on the lack of youth engagement in democracy. An in-depth discussion raises number of questions to reflect upon, such as how the teacher can encourage youth in media? How to address the media problems and concept of democracy?
Emphasize was given on youth, as a citizen having greater role in democracy. They have right to raise their voices as a subject of change. Now the change in youth must begin from teacher as key feature of transformation and shaping. Those changes in children must be included and addressed in the course of lessons. Vital information and issue should be discussed with students and teachers, for examples these two issues could be discussed with students: “Should tobacco be band in Bhutan” or “Should abortion be legalize”. Educator need to think about different methodology and pedagogy to provide platform for youth so that they become future citizen in democracy.
Providing opportunities for children in decision making in the school and classroom are indirect way of involving children in media and democracy. They can argue and talk about the different topic in the class and also issue related to schools and subjects. Forming a group and club are another alternative where children can accommodate new ideas and function as a qualitative forum to share ideas and thoughts.

             
 By:      Dawa
Editor: Gretchen Legler
            Visiting Professor
            Paro college of Education

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Sacred relics in Paro


The ancient and most sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his two chief disciples, Sharibu and Mogelgibu, were traveling around the nation to celebrate Royal wedding of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema.
After traveling around the nation for a month, finally it arrived in Paro Dzong. The relics were received in traditional proceeding by Dzongkhag Administration, Paro. There were more than thousand people queuing in the Dzong to have a glimpse of sacred relics. Youths, elder people, middle age men and women, and children were prominent figure curiously waiting in their line in national dress as if they are entering in the Dzong (fortress) for the foremost time.
People were excited and happy to see the artifacts once in the life time. Amongst many, I was one with inexpressible happiness. Out of curiosity as soon as I heard the news of relics, I rushed to the spot before time. In fact I had to stand two hours waiting for the artifacts to arrive; nevertheless I was in the front of lines and this gave me easy and earlier to access.  As the line move near the relics, I was feeling warm and satisfied. From the distance of two meter I could see the relics standing preciously on the long table. It was framed in transparent like material, through which I can see the tiny tooth. In the first sequences was Buddha’s relic followed by two disciples. Gradually, while I was passing by the relics, I was paying complete attention and gazing observantly. It was too short standing near the relic, however, the opportunity was second time for me to have a thorough look and make sincere prayers and wishes to benefit all the sentient beings that have been our parents. Earlier I took the opportunity to have a glimpse in the capital (Thimphu), but it was brief and unsatisfied.  
Such artifacts are very difficult to see in our entire life. It is considered to accumulate great merit if we ever have a chance to see once. It is also said that our mundane and misdeeds would be purified and bring happiness in our life.
To the Royal Government of Bhutan, I personally pay immense grateful for their initiative in showcasing the sacred relics to the Bhutanese. Particularly to prime minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley, who brought the relics with good intention, and of course we are fortunate to have your excellence as PM.


Dawa


Editor: Gretchen Legler
Visiting Professor
Paro college of Education

Monday, October 31, 2011

Green Hiker Campaign- Bhutan Chapter





Slogan – Nature leaves a mark don’t leave one behind
About Green Hiker
The Green Hiker Campaign is WWF’s initiative to raise awareness about the vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem, by encouraging tourists and tour operators to adopt disciplines, which will help reduce the footprint (impacts) of tourism, through positive messages.
Green Hiker campaign in Bhutan
Bhutan gifted with pristine environment, unique culture, and inimitable philosophy of Gross National Happiness is attracting hundreds of tourists from all over.
Tourism has been prioritized as one of the leading income generating sectors in the country.  The government has already forecasted around 100,000 tourists by 2011 year end.
With more than 20 in country mountain treks to offer, the fragile High altitude ecosystems are at risk due to unsustainable human activities.

FOR ROYAL NUPTIALS

Your Majesty the king and Magnificent Queen,
The compassionate one of all time
You are supreme…
That surmounts the sovereignty of pitiless.
You are inexhaustible treasures
That purges poverty…
You are paramount medication
That quells the nation’s disease…  
You are the universal bridge
That guide to freedom…
You are the sun
That furnishes us inestimable emission of warmth…
You are the moon
That clears away the darkness…
You are the compassionate one  
With thousand eyes and thousand hands
It is a very special day
Reserved for your majesty the king and queen
Prophesied time for brighter Future,
What we call “Royal Weeding”
Once in my life time to cheer and have a glimpse
The God gave your Majesty a special love to share...
...because He recognized
how much you would cherish it.
Joining with your Majesty the king and queen
In celebrating was we the citizens of GNH valley
With heartfelt rejoice and incalculable wishing for your rich happiness
today, and all year to come!
Happy Wedding Anniversary!
Dawa
Paro College of education

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Revered around the globe: The tiger

  1. Being the national animal of India and also one of the species that is near extinct worldwide, tiger are also depicted elaborately in Chinese zodiac sign and Buddhist viewpoints. Tigers are enshrined and venerated throughout the world often with awe. They are iconic representation of power and strength, and also a protector of people and nature, a stark combination of natural imbalance fairly at its feet for ground of coordinated existence of our ecosystem.  
The four powerful animals, the tiger, snow lion, mythical eagle and thunder dragon are believed to embody the mind, strength, wisdom and voice of great renown. These quartets also recognized as ta-sing-chung-druk, which are significantly, noticeable on the walls of traditional houses, dzongs, lhakhang and schools, symbolizing four qualities of compassionate spiritual heroes. Perhaps the tiger symbolizes the dignity that derives from meekness: although it can be ferocious the big cat makes its way through the jungle with quiet confidence and unlimited potential energy.
According to the legend related to Taktsang, one of the most holy sites in Bhutan, which literally means “tiger’s lair” or “tiger’s nest”, it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this location, from Tibet on the back of a tiger from Khenpajong, in the 8th century. He then meditated for three months where the monastery was constructed later. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Since then, the tradition of Buddhist respect for life and that all things are connected, that all life is to be revered, the Bhutanese people have not hunted wildlife. So today Bhutan’s forest shelter most of the endangered species from most of the Himalayas. Their presence here shows the abundant well being of Bhutan’s environment.
The account of the tiger conservation remains one of the big concerns throughout the world today. In the view of speedy development of the world, providing adequate protection to the wild life, biodiversity is an immense challenge to all of us. With the rise in threat to disappearing tiger many countries in the world have been putting effort to safeguard it from extinction. Of the nine subspecies of modern tiger, three are extinct and remaining six are classified as endangered. While all surviving species are under formal protection, poaching, habitat destruction and fragmentation continue to threaten the species. In the past, the tiger range was spread in Asia, but today’s tiger range is only 7% of what it used to be.
Habitat loss and fragmentation occurs when land is modified for agriculture purposes and land conversion for grazing domestic animals. On the other hand, rapidly growing human population has reduced the number of viable tiger habitats. Prime tiger habitats such as forest and grassland are being converted for agriculture. The adaptation of the land for agriculture purposes create open land, on which may isolate tiger population from one another. In addition to the reduced genetic variability, fragmentation also leads to more aggressive encounter between tigers due to the increased competition for resources and mates.

Poaching is the illegal killing of an animal. Tiger are poached for two main reasons, their threat or perceived threat to wild life and people, and monetary gain. Historically they are poached for fur. Tigers may prey upon agriculture animals and have illegally shot at. However tigers are poached for their bones and other body parts which are in great demand for trade.
 The loss of biodiversity at global, regional, and national level contributes to concern threat. The most important direct driver of forest biodiversity loss continues to be agricultural expansion, forest fragmentation, pollution, and climate change while the most important underlying drivers are population growth.
To conserve wild species that are globally threatened, we need to put our effort together and help the world to identify emerging threats and identify strategies like launching projects basically designed to save tiger habitat, regulating the international trades of tiger, and their parts and international union for conserving the tiger. In addition, educating local people on the need and benefits of conservation are important steps in saving tiger and their habitat. Besides that, research on the tiger in the wild and captivity enables regulatory to make informed, rational decision regarding species conservation and management.
The tigers are important biologically to maintain the overall health of an ecosystem. As a top predator of food chain, tiger helps keep prey population in check. Tiger also have cultural importance. They symbolize beauty and power.
So, the loss of this symbolic cat could lead to a decline of support in maintaining their ecosystem and consequently all other plant and animals species that share it. In order to conserve and bring back the tiger from the brink of extinction, we need a commitment to save tiger, environmental conservation, protect tiger zone and reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss and most outstandingly various endowment, be given strong political supports and strong conservation ethic.
Dawa
Paro College of Education