Reality Bhutan

2012-07-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

Commonly known as Buddha Point.

One of the largest statue of Buddha. Over looking the Thimphu town, the capital city of Bhutan.

its very huge up close and you may not see it but there's a huge diamond right on the statues forehead. Its still under construction and believe it or not, the sacred place is crawling with love bugs around and it's a common sight to see lots of action on the way up. Oh! and yeah, there are a lot of people running for health too.

What a holy place to visit, eh?

2012-07-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

The mean streets of Paro town.

Where Man, Animal and Machine share the same path, "happily"..... well, i think its bloody GNH!!!! Hurray!!! for GNH :) and FYI GNH stands for Gross National Happiness.

2012-07-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

The tragedy of Wangduephodrang dzong (JUN 25, 2012)

The nation mourns today the loss of one of its oldest monuments that, having withstood the test of time for the last almost 400 years, succumbed yesterday to fire.

Utterly grief-stricken families at the site, and those watching the clips on television looked on helplessly as Wangduephodrang dzong got engulfed by a raging fire between 4pm and 5pm yesterday.

Travellers, passing through the dzongkhag stopped on the road between the crackling sound the fire made, as it ate deeper into the dzong above, and the swishing river flowing down below.

It was in utter disbelief that such a mischance would befall the dzong, that they watched it, stunned as they did, wondering and wishing that the fire cease somewhere and not burn down the entire structure.

Everybody, going through the dzongkhag, was used to seeing the dzong, which until yesterday stood proud, flowing along the contours of the ridge high above the river, as a living example of Bhutanese architecture.

The gentle drizzle that evening failed to, leave aside douse, even slow down the wind-fanned fire.

Fire, historically, has devastated such landmarks of the country, and it continues to do so even today, as they dispossess us of the very treasures before our very eyes, helpless against the forces of nature.

It was not foreign invasions that rendered some of the country’s once fortresses ruins, but it was more the constituents within that often caused it.

Then, it was the butter lamps; today, the threat is aggravated by electric short circuits.

There are many more dzongs in the country, just as old and seasoned, exposed to similar threats from fire, which is why the need for provisions to prevent such a mishap.

One obvious question that cropped in the minds of people watching and listening to the news of the dzong’s devastation, was, what of the modern and various fire extinguishers and alarms?

Ground reports were that there was no access for fire engines to squeeze into the interiors to battle the flames more effectively.

The devastation comes at a time when the country is already reeling under the issue of Rupee crunch, and restoring such monuments to their earlier grandeur poses challenges.

With human labour, we might eventually restore the dzong, and perhaps give it a far grander appearance than the structure that was until today, but to the eyes that have dwelt on the past, as had put George Eliot in her classic novel, Mill on the Floss, there is no thorough repair.

P.S. at the scene, it was reported that the fire trucks didn't function and the one that did were out of water. Is it just human failure or is it a bad omen upon the Bhutanese?

2012-07-11T17:26:00.001-07:00

The Leaders Of Today...

Provisions of the Constitution of Bhutan

The provisions of the Constitution of Bhutan appear below, grouped into thematic order for the convenience of the reader.

Government of Bhutan under the 2008 Constitution

[edit]

Elections

Article 23 defines the Constitutional requirements for elections in Bhutan. The Constitution calls for universal suffrage by secret ballot of all citizens over age 18 who have been registered in the civil registry of their constituency for at least one year and not "otherwise disqualified from voting under any law in force in Bhutan." In order to vote, Bhutanese citizens must furnish their Citizenship Card.

Parliament makes, by law, provisions for all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections including the filing of election petitions challenging elections to Parliament and Local Governments, and the Code of Conduct for the political parties and the conduct of the election campaign as well as all other matters necessary for the due constitution of the Houses of Parliament and the Local Governments.

In order to provide for informed choice by the voter, candidates for an elective office must file, along with a nomination, an affidavit declaring: the income and assets of candidates, spouses and dependent children; biographical data and educational qualifications; records of criminal convictions; and whether candidates are accused in a pending case for an offense punishable with imprisonment for more than one year and in which charges are framed or cognizance is taken by a court of law prior to the date of filing of such a nomination.^[8]

To qualify for an elective office, candidates must be Bhutanese citizens; must be registered voters in their own constituencies; be between ages 25 and 65 at the time of nomination; must not receive money or assistance from foreign sources whatsoever; and fulfill the necessary educational and other qualifications prescribed in the Electoral Laws.

Persons are disqualified from holding an elective office if they marry a non-citizen; have been terminated from public service; have been convicted for any criminal offense and sentenced to imprisonment; are in arrears of taxes or other dues to the Government; have failed to lodge accounts of election expenses within the time and in the manner required by law without good reason or justification; holds any office of profit under the Government, public companies, or corporations as prescribed in the Electoral Laws; or is disqualified under any law made by Parliament. Disqualifications are adjudicated by the High Court on an election petition filed pursuant to law made by Parliament.

Reality Bhutan

2012-07-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

brief history.

Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, tr ʼbrug-yul, "Druk Yul"; Devanagari भूटान, Bhūṭān), officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China. Bhutan is separated from the nearby country of Nepal to the west by the Indian state of Sikkim, and from Bangladesh to the south by the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal.

Cities and towns

Thimphu, the largest city and capital of Bhutan.

Damphu, the administrative headquarters of Tsirang District

Jakar, the administrative headquarters of Bumthang District and the place where Buddhism entered Bhutan.

Mongar, the eastern commercial hub of the country.

Paro, site of the international airport.

Phuentsholing, Bhutan's commercial hub.

Punakha, the old capital.

Samdrup Jongkhar The south eastern town on the border with India

Trashigang, administrative headquarters of Trashigang District the most populous district in the country.

Trongsa, in central Bhutan which has the largest and the most magnificent of all the dzongs in Bhutan.

Religion

It is estimated that between two thirds and three quarters of the Bhutanese population follow Vajrayana Buddhism, which is also the state religion. About one quarter to one third are followers of Hinduism. Other religions account for less than 1% of the population. The current legal framework, in principle guarantees freedom of religion; proselytism, however, is forbidden by a royal government decision and by judicial interpretation of the constitution.

Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan in the 7th century AD. Tibetan king Songtsän Gampo(reigned 627–49), a convert to Buddhism, ordered the construction of two Buddhist temples, at Bumthang in central Bhutan and at Kyichu (near Paro) in the Paro Valley.

Religions In Bhutan

religion percent

Buddhism

76%

Hinduism

23%

Others

1%

Culture

Chaam, sacred masked dances, are annually performed during religious festivals.

Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until the early 1960s. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country's culture and traditions. Bhutanese tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage.]Hinduism is the second dominant religion in Bhutan, being most prevalent in the southern regions. The government is increasingly making efforts to preserve and sustain the current culture and traditions of the country. Because of its largely unspoiled natural environment and cultural heritage, Bhutan has been referred to as The Last Shangri-la.

While Bhutanese citizens are free to travel abroad, Bhutan is viewed as inaccessible by many foreigners. Another reason for it being an unpopular destination is the cost, which is high for tourists on tighter budgets. Entry is free for citizens of India and Bangladesh, but all other foreigners are required to sign up with a Bhutanese tour operator and pay around US$250 per day that they stay in the country.

The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. Women wear an ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at one shoulder and tied at the waist. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the toego, which is worn underneath the outer layer. Social status and class determine the texture, colours, and decorations that embellish the garments. Differently coloured scarves and shawls are important indicators of social standing, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal society. Jewellery is mostly worn by women, especially during religious festivals (tsechus) and public gatherings. To strengthen Bhutan's identity as an independent country, Bhutanese law requires all Bhutanese citizens to wear the national dress in public areas and as formal wear.

Rice, buckwheat, and increasingly maize, are the staples of Bhutanese cuisine. The local diet also includes pork, beef, yak meat, chicken, and mutton. Soups and stews of meat and dried vegetables spiced with chillies and cheese are prepared. Ema datshi, made very spicy with cheese and chilies, might be called the national dish for its ubiquity and the pride that Bhutanese have for it. Dairy foods, particularly butter and cheese from yaks and cows, are also popular, and indeed almost all milk is turned to butter and cheese. Popular beverages include butter tea, tea, locally brewed ara (rice wine) and beer. Bhutan is the first country in the world to have banned the sale of tobacco under its Tobacco Act of 2010.

Bhutanese architecture remains distinctively traditional, employing rammed earth and wattle and daub construction methods, stone masonry, and intricate woodwork around windows and roofs. Traditional architecture uses no nails or iron bars in construction. Characteristic of the region is a type of castle fortress known as the dzong. Since ancient times, the dzongs have served as the religious and secular administration centres for their respective districts. The University of Texas at El Paso in the United States has adopted Bhutanese architecture for its buildings on campus, as have the nearby Hilton Garden Inn and other buildings in the city of El Paso.

Bhutan has numerous public holidays, most of which centre around traditional seasonal, secular and religious festivals. They include the winter solstice (around January 1, depending on the lunar calendar), the lunar New Year (February or March), the King's birthday and the anniversary of his coronation, the official end of monsoon season (September 22), National Day (December 17), and various Buddhist and Hindu celebrations.

Masked dances and dance dramas are common traditional features at festivals, usually accompanied by traditional music. Energetic dancers, wearing colourful wooden or composition face masks and stylized costumes, depict heroes, demons, dæmons, death heads, animals, gods, and caricatures of common people. The dancers enjoy royal patronage, and preserve ancient folk and religious customs and perpetuate the ancient lore and art of mask-making.

The music of Bhutan can generally be divided into traditional and modern varieties; traditional music comprises religious and folk genres, the latter including zhungdra and boedra.The modern rigsar is played on a mix of traditional instruments and electronic keyboards, and dates back to the early 1990s; it shows the influence of Indian popular music, a hybrid form of traditional and Western popular influences.

In Bhutanese families, inheritance generally passes through the female rather than the male line. Daughters will inherit their parents' house. A man is expected to make his own way in the world and often moves to his wife's home. Love marriages are common in urban areas, but the tradition of arranged marriages is still common in the villages. Although uncommon, polygamy is accepted, often being a device to keep property in a contained family unit rather than dispersing it. The previous king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who abdicated in 2006, had four queens, all of whom are sisters. The current king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, wed Jetsun Pema, 21, a commoner and daughter of a pilot, on 13 October 2011.