I shift anyway

1 December, 2011(Thursday): Today is yet another day, a little more than my any other ordinary days. It is the first day of the last month of the year, and I have small business today.

I am supposed to relocate my home to another quarter, from E-2A to E-4B. I am already issued office-order (as requested) from the administration office two days back.I browsed zakar colunm on BBS website yesterday and found Thursday and Friday to be good days for shifting house. My initial thought to shift during weekends was just not okay: Weekends did not seem good days to shift house.

I wake up early this morning. I have morning appointment-with someone familiar with religious consecration . Too early, 7 a.m it is, and no sign of any activity yet from my neighbor households. At this hour, initiation ceremony is going on inside my to-be-next home. Don't expect it to be grand-It is just small way of cleansing bad spirits(in case any here) when I enter for the first time as resident. This is done, and I go back to my old home quarter and prepare for the day: My friends are yet to come. By 11 a.m I should be able to begin shifting. Tring........the door bell rings.
"Morning, Karma sir,..busy morning?"
And I reply (wondering inside why he is here at this time of morning) " Morning sir, I am packing my luggage-I am shifting from this quarter to another at 11 today...". But just before I complete my sentence, his cell phone rings, and after a few seconds he handovers his phone saying " Mr Ghomes wants to talk to you". Surprised, I start to talk to him: "... Oh...I am unaware of this. I didn't know that. How can I do this ad hoc? And I have some important business today." But he made me feel easy. He says, "...Didn't Kalpak inform you of that yesterday?..anyway, it is easy, you come and meet me at 10."  By then, I found a paper containing orientation schedule for new Finance officers of Royal University of Bhutan that Mr Kalpak had kept at my door last night because I wasn't there. Oh heck!  This is big TENSION! And I question: How can I shift by 11? After intense thought, I decide to shift during evening. So, I Inform all my friends of the decision.

I meet professor Ghomes and he gives some ideas. Then, I begin thinking of Mrs.Burkha Dutt of NDTV and Mr Dawa of BBS; and their particular trait of moderating TV programmes . And finally the second session of the first day of "new Finance officers' orientation" has come. This is  "panel discussion session: Finance officers-Dilemmas and issues to be overcome", and I am assigned to act as a moderator. The session ends exactly after 75 minutes.
Although I might not have been another Burkha Dutt, Dawa, Stephen Sackur or someone like them, I am satisfied at the end thinking that I did something. That's all my role today. The rest of the sessions are to be taken care of by concerned stakeholders and organiser.

I go back home. It is 2:30 pm and some of my friends have come. They help me reach my luggage to my new quarter. We have a dinner at my new home. Dinner at bachelor's house without drinks would be incomplete. But I suppose we have complete dinner though, even without a separate curry for vegetarian friends.










   

First impression is not always the last impression

 I know you already heard this: " First impression is the last impression." And many of you actually buy this idea. Don't they?  Don't' you.?  Perhaps some may not. I don't agree (=I agree but not always) with this very statement. At least, to me, first impression is not always true: best or worst, meaning, the only impression created at first may be utterly otherwise.

It is better to portray our-selves smart in first place but it is even more important to maintain it throughout. No matter even if we fail to convince others at first, as long as we have the continuous flow of instinct to be a good human being. It is only natural for us to make premature-judgement out of anybody's earlier simplicity or presentation, so to say. This is because, the first impression is bound to be dominant all the time-This is the way our minds are adapted to function. This is utterly illogical. We need to redefine the logic: accept whatever is due and be skeptical if anything is worth questioning. Now the bottom line is: It is logically not correct to judge or conclude anybody's intention or habits from his/her first impression.

 Many a times, we degrade ourselves due to not being able to uphold human moral ethics. I had a bad regret, and I still feel sorry. I don't know why I had to hate him unreasonably just because I saw him rude, biased and strict at his first class. It was some years back then; I was in high school. See how "first impression" can be dangerous sometimes. Day by day, I began to hate him, and worst of all, I began to be paranoiac until finally I discovered his good intention. After an year of much hatred, I began to re-connect with my teacher, this time in extreme remorse and when I happened to be one of  his best students at the end, It only added much guilt to my conscience . He was no less than caring, warm at heart, helpful for my success-Today I am indebted to him for what I am now . I know he never knew I hated him so much. This may be just one of many incidences that gradually led me to conclude that: First impression is not always the last impression

And you know, this little breakthrough has immense impact on the philosophy I am inclined to. I no longer subscribe to believing fully anybody's first impression or I take with a pinch of salt when somebody says something good or bad about someone. It in deed demands our own judgement.

Honourable Sherig Lyonpo visits Gaeddu College

Hon’ble Education Minister Lyonpo Thakhur Singh Powdyel visited Gadeddu Collge of Business Studies on 5 November, 2010. 

He met with the faculty and students and spoke on the importance of vibrant democracy and the need to make sure it becomes viable institution. Lyonpo explained how society without hope, nation without hope and people without hope cannot sustain peace and prosperity. “Only viable democracy serves its people with greater interest”, he added.  

He attributed the present well being and tranquility to our monarchs who have worked tirelessly in the unification and consolidation of the country. He reiterated how every citizen can be responsible in building democracy viable when it has been gifted with confidence to the people from the throne.

Lyonpo also spoke of the ministry’s initiative: “Educating for GNH” as mother of all reforms. Talking on this reform, he mentioned the strategy that could make Bhutan green, where green can mean anything that supports and sustains life. He said that introduction of 8 elements of ‘green school’ is aimed at improving the quality of education and not limited just to the schools but can be equally adopted by the colleges of any GNH University.

Lam Namkhai Nyingpo Rimpoche visits Gedu

(Rimpoche blessing the crowd)

Thousands of people, young and old gathered at the ground of Gaeddu College of Business Studies to receive blessings from His Eminence, the seventh Lam Namkhai Nyingpo Rimpoche on 9 October 2011.

The big crowd comprised of students, teachers, office goers and people of the community from as far as Samtse and Phuentsholing came forward with much respect and reverence to receive " Guru Tshengye Wang" from His eminent Rimpoche who had consented to the request of the staff and students of Gaeddu college. And it was the third visit Rimpoche had made.

  

(Devotees beginning to settle themselves for blessing)

Prior to the blessing, Rimpoche presided "Tsokor ceremony" and also gave the oral transmission of the mantra-recitation of Buddhas (of Jampelyang; Doelma; Guru; Chenrizig etc.) for the well being of all sentient beings. 

The present Namkhai Nyingpo Rimpoche was recognised by His Holiness the sixteenth Karmapa; and his root teacher was His Holiness Dilgo Khentse Rimpoche.

 Photo courtesy: Mr Sangay Rinchen and Mr Karma Wangchuk

Gaeddu College participates in the celebration of Royal Wedding

A team of students from Gaeddu College took part in the Inter-college debate competition held on 22 September at Royal Thimphu College. The event was intended to mark the upcoming Royal wedding. 

The debate was held between Royal Thimphu College (RTC) and the Gaeddu College of BusinessStudies comprised of four participants from each team.Two teams debated on the topic: “The Standard of Education is declining in Bhutan.” And the theme of the debate was: “Transforming Higher Education through Reasoned Public Discourse.” 

 Gaeddu College after having presented views supporting the topic was finally declared winner by a panel of judges while Ms Kezang Choden was also awarded best speaker title. The other three participants who represented Gaeddu were: Bindhya Pokhrel; Pema and Thukten Karma Tshering.

(Participants with the moderator)

 

(Participants who represented GCBS: Bindhya Pokhrel; Kezang Choden [Best Speaker award recipient];Pema and Thukten Karma Tshering)

Photo Courtesy: Sanjay Pradhan, RTC

The hunt for blood orchids?

By 2020, Bhutan will have already become brighter with the electric capacity of more than 10,000 MW from  different Hydro-electricity houses. This is because, somewhere in March, 2009, Bhutan finally decided to construct ten additional hydro-power projects with the assistance of India government. Wangchu hydro-project is one of them. And Gaeddu college of Business Studies was awarded by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Ltd to conduct socioeconomic survey and social impact assessment, on their behalf. But lets not bother about the findings now; let images(photos) speak.  

And you know, collecting data, especially during those summer days (for socioeconomic and social impact assessment) for probable to-be-effected remote hamlets nesting besides the two slopes of Wangchu river falling under three gewogs of Chukha-Darla, Bongo and Lhamaizingkha was everything: experiencing; tiresome; adventurous; exciting; enjoyable; boring and many more, something that could remind us of the "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchids"

(Can you see the stream down there? Well, this is not stream; it is Wangchu river I am talking about. And I am sure almost all of you actually crossed this river. bet me if you didn't. Don't you remember how you crossed Lungtenzampa? This is the same river you have crossed. Now I know you know which river it is. But this falls under Chukha dzongkhag. Shhhhhhh....it is going to give us additional 600 MW of electricity; don't tell anyone. We are soon going to be rich)

The following snapshots say it all about our field-trip:

Pic 1(The first of many hurdles on the way to our destination: This bridge has been constructed after an incidence of an old man fallen, injured seriously and admitted to hospital, according to one of the locals. Oh god!!! at least he wasn't' dead. During our first trip, it was simply risky to pass through that rock, and we decided to take another route that took an hour extra just to escape that risky short-cut route. This bridge stands at Khesasi village, some kilometres west from proper Gedu town )

 Pic 2 (This is exactly the same spot where the above bridge now stands. It was captured during our fist trip. Photo courtesy: Ugyen)

Pic 3(This is red leech, kind of leech we had to encounter our way. Gedu is a place of leeches but I hardly find this type here. Just imagine, how this leech would look like if he is fully fed with the blood, human blood. Opppppps!!!  I can feel the leech-bite on my skin. I am always allergic to its touch. But I have an idea. I would just need some grams of salt for the osmosis. Because many a times we had to let this process happen on our way )

 Pic 4 (This is yet another hurdle)

 Pic 5 (Hardest of the hurdles: You can actually see a local guide helping to ferry someone very new to this kind of transportation system. That was "Pass thrrough or else die drowning under water" situation, the real moment of the truth in deed).

 (We find these terraces in some villages. But only a few households have wetland. In these terraces rice is cultivated, where it is one of the main crops for their living. And you could also easily find out from this picture, the kind of landscape some of these villages are located in.)

 ( And this is the main crop in many of the villages we visited. These are maize crops)

Note: The title of the post may seem exaggerated and taken with a pinch of salt, the images I posted are real and genuine. 

 

The uncertainty

Did you ever wonder what next could bring you? Oh yes! we are already preoccupied by our own thoughts. Mundane thoughts most of the time. Just some hours ago, I watched Hard-talk on BBC. Then, I realised anything good or bad can happen anytime, and change the entire course of life. Stephen Sakur's interview with Nicklinson family made me dumfounded. The fact is, it reminded me of many similar incidences I have seen, heard and experienced in many similar ways.

Life is uncertain. I heard this many times; you must have heard it too. But who cares?. Nobody bothers to examine it until one succumbs to the fact. The point is: we live as if we live forever. We want to be powerful over other; we crave for wealth;we just think of our own happiness.But this is very true. Isn't it?. Oh! I am not preaching. I live by these very principles too. Ehhh..do I sound hypocritical?. Let it be.  Or am I being nihilistic?. No, I am one optimist being; I have one big goal.

My total sympathy and empathy to all those who have undergone uncertainty of life, negatively, so to say. I have seen number of happy families breaking; I have seen handsomeness and beauty wadding (become disabled) after accidents and other circumstances. Still unconvinced? Just think of some victims who survived bomb explosions: limbless. And I hear and see how once powerful men (most of them leaders) falling. On the contrary, I have also seen how beggars can turn into millionaires; ordinary into celebrities; submissive into influencing. Yes! when I hear "Life is uncertain", I try to understand it as a "change" this way-this is it.

Nicklinson family tragedy is one such example.Today, Tony Nicklinson desperately wants to end his life. Since after massive stroke in 2005, he has been paralysed. This is really touching. It is very touching to see once very smart husband turned into nothing more than "locked-in" man. And I have a similar story to tell: A few months ago (not even three months now, it was in mid-July), my cousin narrowly escaped death because of car accident. Just a day before his accident, we were together. See how things can be uncertain sometimes. When I saw him lying on hospital bed, hapless during first few days, I couldn't stop worrying: what if he becomes blind forever; what if he can't walk; what if .... These frequent occurrences made me comprehend a little about "uncertainty of life".  But thank god, he is normal now. And there are yet more tragedies and more glories alike.

Well, what could be the solution to this problem of uncertainty then? Okay. One might not be able to stop uncertainty abruptly but the one thing we could do can be, take measures to prevent it from occurring. This is no total panacea again. Sometime, Something bizarre or weird can happen out of the blue however you try to prevent it. You never know when. But, if rich, powerful, ordinary and all know that power, wealth, fame or anything  are just very "relative", "transferable" or "vanish-able" and live by these concepts of knowledge, there should not be selfishness, dominance or hatred amongst kinds of population. This may seem totally hypothetical but it is doable.      

The Nangkorians

                         (XI Science,Class of 2004: Nangkor Hihger Secondary School)

• From the right(sitting) are: Ugyen Tenzin(Nangs), Kuenchap, Thama, Pema Wangchuk, Karma Jamtsho, Pema(Raza), Kinga and Phuntsho Namgyal.
• Sitting from right (second row): Karma Yedzer (me), Thukten,Mitshe Wangdi, Tsheltrim Zangmo, Lopen Kesang, Madam Aruna Pradhan, Karma Yangzom, Ugyen Thinley, Kinley(Marinsa),Rinchen wangdi,Jigme. 
• Standing from right (Second row): Lobzang, Ugyen Chophel, Sonam, Sonam Tshering, Thinley Choden, Wangchu Nima, Loday, Choezang, Karma (Bonx), Rinchen, Pema Tendar.  
• Standing from right (Third row): Sonam Dendup(Para), Choki Gyeltshen, Phuntsho Tashi,Tandin Wangchuk, Kinley Wangdi, Thinley Norbu, Jamyang, Tashi, Kinley(Motey), Pema Wangdi, Ishan, Tshewang Dendup, Rigpa Yeshi, Jigme Tenzin and Choki Wangdi.

Who are these?. Well, these are now Engineers, Teachers, Officers and a few still doing MBBS. Today, You can see these faces in various sectors serving the TSA-WA-SUM wholeheartedly.

They were once innocent and ignorant but these qualities added colours to their 'student-life'. As a young high school students, many things had happened, good and bad. Now, reminiscing all those could make one nostalgic: I can still remember how some of my friends went out during nights to get cucumbers and oranges, which otherwise was illegal, and stored in a trunk for the other day. It's funny now but this is interesting because that has actually happened despite many risks and curses (of poor farmers) involved. Whatsoever, it just happened out of sheer innocence. I bet, now they are really changed.

When our Chemistry teacher, Mr Davis retired from the school, it was a big blow for us. We were left with no subject (chemistry) teacher. That was in Class XII,2005. Despite we were guided by one of the B.Ed teachers, who was also new to the profession, we decided to get help during weekends from a teacher from another High School. Walking all the way to Pemagatshel High School was interestingly tiresome but every time we were back, it was with new idea. We Thank Mr. Srivastav for sharing his knowledge.

The most interesting part used to happen during meal times. Now, to be frank, I feel that we were bit snobbish. I can easily realise today how much our school captains and Councillors had tough time scolding and persuading us to get into the dining room. We were always the last to enter the hall, altogether in group. WOW!!! it was fun but sometimes at the cost of others. Any inconvenience caused was all due to our innocence. But some inconveniences were deliberate, when something was wrong somewhere. That was an act of a rightful citizen indeed.

But at the end of the day, it would all be fine and fair: Our teachers were undeniably wonderful and caring. And Nangkor is such an Alma Mater that has shaped our lives. It was not surprising when Ministry of Education declared it as one of the TOP-TEN high schools this year. She deserves the name. And I AM really proud of my Alma Mater. Don;t you feel the same, my fellow Nangkorians?

 .PS: I haven't included many of the interesting parts.

Note: This article is not proof-read. Will make necessary changes...

 

 

We are fated sometime

for certainly something aren't under our control.

(image from Google)

But some people say:  "I don't believe in fate'". They simply don't believe in it. Well, it is their take, whatever. Anyone who is against fate believes that he/she is completely responsible, meaning he/she alone creates his/her own destiny. I am into both: I can make my own choices to some extent but certain things can happen against my wish. Reasons can be beyond explanation. And I call this- "fate".

On the night of April 14, 1912, The Titanic (Ship once believed to be safest) struck an iceberg and consequently claimed more than one-thousand five hundred lives. The ship carried just 20 lifeboats in case if it had to rescue survivors of other sinking ships. Those boats were never meant for its own passengers because the ship was constructed "unsinkable" and no passenger was supposed to have needed them. It just happened otherwise . Construction of the ship must have had involved excellent engineering. Then why it sunk?. Now, those who completely  reject the fate may say: " The ship was excellent. Every system in it was foolproof. But the 'iceberg' made it fall". If this is the case, I would say that they are actually believing in fate. Only thing is that they are not able to comprehend the coincidental appearance of iceberg as fate. This is it.

Talking about that incident again, the liner Carpathia could rescue only 705 of the shipwreck victims. Where were others?. All died. Now, lets imagine: Of all those souls, how many of them probably might have welcomed 'death'?. Nobody else could have loved to die then. But only few, say lucky few survived. Many died, some saved. To me, this defines what we say fate.

And at times, I have a feeling that "Luck" and "Fate" go together, hand in hand: ill luck sometimes could mean one's destiny has already been fated,"predestined" in other word. How? Well, let me give simple example. Imagine that this evening you are suddenly met with an accident and you are in critical state. You have an examination tomorrow and the rules say you are by any means required to sit for it to pass through. So, you fail despite your ability and intelligence because you could not sit for the exam due to undeniable incident . We say "ill luck" for such happenings. This is fate too.

I also believe in "free will", no less. Free Will is the ability to do what you want and be what you always wanted to be. Example: I want to become a successful business man. I have this desire. So to this end, I can plan, research and do every possible aspects. If I want to be an excellent restaurateur, I can be. But certain things are simply predestined. Thus, whenever someone asks me whether I believe in "fate" or "free will", I always say: I am 50-50. I believe in free will. I believe in fate. I believe both.

Thus Nelson Mandela's saying: " I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my ship" always interests me. While I might not necessarily believe the first statement, I agree with the second. So, we are the captain of our ship too; we can drive it our way as long  as a sudden dreadful iceberg does not come and hit, and make our ship sink.

note: This is unedited piece. Will make some changes if necessary.

 

The immortal hope

It is after such a long search, she finds peace and solace in the hands of the Almighty, god.

Her day begins early morning; washes her face, makes herself innovative and starts revolving rosary beads. Just before the potent sun shines she will have already cleaned the sanctum (alter room) and filled a line of seven small bowls with pure, clean and clear water.

As the room gets filled with fumes of sandalwood, that smells heaven, she prostrates before the statues and takes a minute for a long breath. She then proceeds to say prayers from the pages of a sacred book with the hope that every sentient being is freed from the world of sufferings. This intention remains from morning until she goes to bed. Now, this is the routine of her life-praying for the whole world.

Delkar always longed for peace; she found her days very dull and there was hardly anyone to comfort her. That happened long time ago. She had a caring mother yet the husband of her mother did what was opposite. After the death of an affectionate father, things had changed. Home became halfway house and its every corner seemed to complain of her unwelcome situation. The moment she saw that tall, dark and stern man, she'd fall into depression because he never made her feel at ease, secure or happy; actually almost every stepfather does this, we believe. As days passed, she would think of an independent life; she dreamed of a life with a husband she would love and affectionate children. She waited.

In her teens, she was the most beautiful among friends her age. Despite many young men around her, she remained indifferent until the day she felt in (love) with fair, handsome and caring man. Norbu then became her guardian, someone who protected and secured her life. And she did not want to miss him anyway for he was the only one who brought back freedom and peace in her mind; she could count the stars and get the moon for his sake. She could do anything. That was her love. They married soon.

By the time summer reared its hot head, Norbu was changed. He spent his days drinking and picking quarrels at night. Delkar would be frightened when her husband began to rant and bang on anything he came across. She was once again dragged into an ocean of misery. Things didn't turn up as expected. That was the point where she started to realise the truth of futile life; she found her life complete absurd as if god was dead. Divorce was not option either-they had children and she had nowhere to go. 

After many Winters, it dawned on Norbu that something had to change, and feeling pity on his innocent wife and children, he decided to remain sober, responsible father and caring husband. The family once again reunited. There was peace and happiness. Norbu became one of the trusted husbands ever. They had a real home then. But that was just the mere play of their fate. Soon Norbu felt his deteriorating health. He was refereed to every fine hospital until sent home to pass his final days. Delkar was constantly by his side and showed every concern and care. Whenever she saw her beloved husband lying in bed helpless, tears started in dread. She had a reason for that. Norbu gazed her with regret and then the final mea cuppa of apology.

One morning, Delkar was absolutely powerless; the last leaf had fallen. She already knew what would happen next . She starred, stared and stared again her suffering husband; she could not bear his agony; she brought him dose of medicine (to let end his breath); she felt bit nervous and relaxed to see Norbu closing his eyes.....closing forever, never to open again. She sighed with relief and murmured, " Norbu, You are now free from blood cancer ....wait for me in Heaven."

Now, that all her children were grown, Delkar decided to become a nun for good reason: to find the peace that never changes

P.S: This story is imaginary.

Everything that arises falls

"There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity under heaven:

    a time to be born and a time to die,...,

   a time to weep and a time to laugh,...,

       a time to be silent and a time to speak...,
a time to love and a time to hate,...."

And thus,things are never constant. The only constant is inconstancy itself; everything is constantly inconstant. Wednesday is no Saturday. This Saturday is no last Saturday. See, every moment is intermediate. We are in the "intermediate state" of process (of change) and no body escapes this. Anybody?

In the course of our lives, we have come across many circumstances: sometimes we were happy. Another time we felt under the weather. We celebrated success; we regretted failure. The same suit awaits us, and it shall continue. This is the way it is. You want happiness; I want it too; we all want to be happy. But is happiness just when in absence of sadness and success in absence of failure? This is not the perfect equation either.

Something started to obsess me lately. This obsession tries to change everything in me. Please don't ever think I'm crazy. May be you are right: I must be going mad. The point is: I am beginning to be unique and some years from now, I see myself a unique being; I can feel it in my bones, really.

I ask myself several times: Is it worth to be excited for our success or should we actually get carried away by some other emotions even if circumstances demand.? And it is always my conscience who says, if everything is inconstant, this (celebrating or regretting without awareness) is insane. The truth is, I live in the world where everything is dictated by certain norms and standards, where everyone hopes to be powerful, famous (that leads to be infamous sometimes), rich...and you name it. But we hardly realize that everything has a climax: woods decay, fame, power, beauty and everything indeed falls, and falls completely one day.

So, our true happiness depends on the ability to be consistently aware on the infallible concept of temporary-existence, what so ever. This would mean, reacting to success or failure with one thing always in mind: nothing lasts forever and I am prepared to accept it. 

P.S: this is my random thought. The article may have some errors, forgive me!











                         

Overlapping Lives

The alarm sounds: "Time to wake up! 5 O'clock!." Like a snake unwinding, I raise my hand to reach the alarm, eyes still closed. It's pouring outside; the rhythm lulls me in bed. The rain begins to relent but dogs start barking. I pull the warm blanket over my head. I was late to sleep after a long Saturday night.
The moment I start to nod off, I am once again disturbed. My cell phone rings: "Hiding from the rain and snow...trying to forget but won't let go..." and I pick the phone to answer Yeewong.

The bus has come; everybody seems happy and cheerful this Sunday morning; the rain has stopped. When the engine starts, the bus is filled with joy. Some break into song, others dance and many hands wave to friends and lovers down in the ground we are leaving. There's one soul, the only one that does not take part in clapping, dancing or singing. I sit on the seat with heavy heart observing the ways of life and thinking deeply about something when one of my friends shouts, " Why are you so sad? Any problem? Time to enjoy. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!!!," but I quizzically smile to suggest I'm sleepy.

We reach a temple; pray for sentient beings, get blessings and we start to return with new experience. As we move by, we hear the song of a solitary reaper, the moment it ceases, we see and perhaps hear a farmer whistling while his oxen pull the plough. We pass by murmuring brooks; and the sweet resonance of a flute of a herder is clearly audible.  Shut my eyes, lean back and I drown in a pool of nostalgia.

Now she comes to mind. She is my childhood friend. We'd spend our days together, from sunrise till school down. During weekends, she'd teach me the lesson taught in previous classes while we grazed our animals in the woods-She was very intelligent. I remember her taking my hands to teach me dance steps to perform during those important occasions in the school. I liked being with her; god knows I was helplessly in love with her.

She did not continue her studies. Instead she left her parents, left her place and left a person who loved her dearly. From the day she moved out with a young, elegant, and prosperous husband, I spent my days silently longing for her for the birds stopped singing, trees began to shed their leaves; Winter had come and was gone. Then, I knew I was not destined for her, nor she to me.

Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! I am awakened. Now I hear a shrill sound. I open my eyes and we see an ambulance rush by. We follow it out of sight.

And when we finally get back to college and are ready to disperse, I hear of a suicide victim among many 'byes, cya tomorrow.' In my room, I recline against the bed and recollect what Yeewong had said this morning: "Never betray your wife or girlfriend when you have one. It really hurts to be a betrayed. Life is miserable for me. I regret---"

note: This is fictitious. Written some years back.

Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche visits Gaeddu college

 (IXth Khamtrul incarnation)

His eminence, the ninth Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh visited Gaeddu college on 7 May, Saturday, and met with the students and the staff of the college.

To the students, teachers and other devotees who have gathered to receive his wisdom, Rinpoche talked on the basic philosophy of Buddhism: Buddhism as a way of finding happiness through understanding and practising concepts such as the Four Noble truths, cause and effect and appreciating what we already have.

His eminence also emphasized on the relevancy of the Buddhist ideals and concepts to the modern lifestyles and how importantly these values can be integrated into everyday life. 

 Click here to know more about Rinpoche

The weekend expedition

On Saturday, 30 April, a team of staff from Gaeddu College of Business Studies went to Samtse College of Education. There was no special reason; on Sunday morning, the Gaeddu  Staff played a friendly-football-match with Samtse staff. And Gaeddu won with 4:2 goals. The winning or losing didn't matter; they got to know each-other.

(The participants with red jersey: Samtse college; Yellow jersey: Gaeddu college; and blue jersey: referees-Samtse college students) note: I am the one standing(yellow jersey) behind jersey(Red) No 8 . Ground/Venue: Samtse College football ground

  Post-match: went for swimming & washing (I don't know the river; don't know the name of the place either, Mechitar they said; anyway it was under the long bridge)    

(on our way back to Gedu: everybody looking exhausted and feverish impatiently thinking of DRUK11000; but the sad story is, when we finally arrived there, DRUK11000 did not provide us what we wanted; the only option left was Madhuri Hut  restaurant where we had satisfactory "Machilli baath": rice-with-fish-curry lunch.
note: DRUK11000 is a  restaurant en route (Phuentsholing-Samtse Indian highway)                                                

                                                               

(courtesy: Tsagay Pankeyson: Don't you find beauty in it? this photo was taken on our  way to Samtse)                                                                                                        

When bitter is sweet

Do you like gourd, bitter, bitter-gourd? If you do, it is indication enough that you are aging. 

This is one person's opinion though; not necessary to be true. Well! I have reasons. Last night, I had a wonderful dinner. It was wonderful because I enjoyed having it. And had a trouble too; I had it heavy (too much) that made me feel unusual. In short, I had a bitter-gourd-curry dinner. Marvelous indeed!!!


Had to sleep early that night. Lying on the bed and gazing up the ceiling, it was all back to memory-lane: When I was young as a child, those items which tasted bitter was never an option. Then, my source of happiness rested in chocolates. This is natural-almost every child loves sweets. And I would rather die of Paracetamol than the illness (headache) itself. So, even when suffered from headache, I had to tell my elders (parents/brothers /sisters) that I was suffering from stomach pain, just that I would be given digene (which tastes sweet) instead of paracetamol (which tastes bitter). That's funny to recollect now. Really funny!!!

....to be continued.......

Through the looking glass

(From Google)

Mirror! mirror! who is the smartest in the world?" i asked. That was how uniquely i began my day today. It was unique; the mirror did not answer i was the smartest.

I gazed and gazed (at myself) until completely enticed. So, i made more closer to the looking glass; stared again, deeply, direct to those two blue eyeballs appearing to be from the screen. And i pointed my finger on the surface of the mirror grinning. Thre it was!!! the similar finger pointing against me; and the clear message through that looking glass was: "Be a little more adventurous. Take risk.And you are the smartest."

                                 

The error 651

I was very sick of that error 651. Now you may wonder what error it had been.

Last Saturday morning(around 10:30 AM;2 April) i went to Bhutan Telecom Ltd office. Gedu telecom branch is just a few minutes walk from where i stay. I went to seek so called customer care service, or shall i call this-customer care service?. Well, whatsoever i went to inquire what went wrong with my broadband connection.

"The manager is not around today. Even the technicians are not here. You may come again on Monday with the application. But i am sorry to inform you that we are short of modem these days. You may have to wait for some time to get the replacement", said a woman in the office. "Thank you ma'am. I will be back on Monday" i said. And I left the office.

Monday it was: With the application and the modem (thought to have disrupted within warranty period), i made my presence once again in the office. This time, in the office of the branch manager. He checked the modem, and my modem was fine. It was working. So we knew then, it was not the modem that was disrupted. Went back home. Still i could not get the internet. Tried many times. However i tried,it was the same error notification on my computer screen: encountered error 651. And the complain again.

Finally, on Thursday morning,a technical personnel came to diagonose the error. Could not identify the problems yet. We had tete-a-tete in the meantime until his mobile rang. He had a little conversation in his phone (a person whom he talked to must have been talking from the telecom office). Then he asked me if i had a balance in my broadband account to which i gave positive response. But i said it must have been a few months(a month or two; i didn't remember) since i last paid the monthly telephone bill of Nu. 25. I had no reason to doubt on it because i was already informed in the office that if it is the problem with the telephone bill, i would not get the signal. But all the three signals(of power, ADSL& LAN)were glowing.

After an hour, the technician informed me that i was devoid of the telephone services. Oh, heck!!! we discovered the error 651. "It is working now but please clear your telephone due soon" he said. "Thank you sir, i will do it immediately" i replied when he was leaving. Thus i did not have to get new modem.

My life after three decades

I have lived, lived and grown thus far. And i can see my life, life after thirty years from now;wrinkled and fatigued starting to welcome the death.

I am doom to fade, as anything in this earth.As long as we are made of blood and bones, and by extension,everything irrespective of what substances it is made of,it is impossible to escape the transformation, the process of a natural change. But we have in our hands, to choose what kind of life we want to live on. Some choose to become rich first and earn prestige, others opt knowledge and get respect out of it. And still the world has another kind of people who choose to become powerful and famous, and yet some are famous and respected even if these(respect,power, fame etc.) were not their expectations.

In the name of power, many dirty politics and power hungry animals come and go. From the time of its existence(immemorial), the world has observed many incidences where innocent commons were at the mercy of those so called powerful men. Men do everything for power;some even sell their souls(to the devil) in order to achieve one's objective, no matter how devastatingly unconventional their action may be. But what ever we do, for any reason, there is only one thing in common: consciously or subconsciously, we are all in search of HAPPINESS.

I consider myself young now. And like any other,i am tempted by power, wealth, prestige and other lascivious things . I am no exceptional. But will these temptations still follow me some decades after? If and only if the almighty give me some decades to exist, i should gradually learn to live my life, searching happiness my own way. Wealth, power and prestige, to some extent,can be a means of happiness, but the purpose of life goes beyond. Thus time and experience should teach me how to be fine with wealth, reputation and power thing or still be more than what is fine without.

Sometimes, i really want to grow beyond age. Because,just being old would not necessarily mean we grew. We may be centenarian and perhaps the same old nasty habit may continue. Then it would mean we are still young(have not grown) even after hundred years of existence in this never-constant world. I want to grow tall-some years after, i should have grown really old: with wise wisdom in every gray hair(of my head); experience in every wrinkle(of my body); extra vitality in my frail bones; and my thick, very thick spectacles residing on top of the my complaining nose should help me see the clear view of this wonderful world.

note: this is a random write-up without coherence.

Awareness Workshop on Intellectual Property

A team of staff from the Intellectual Property Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs, conducted an awareness workshop on the Intellectual property on 21 March to the faculty and the senior students (VIII-Sem) of Gaeddu College.

The team presented about the intellectual property rights and the responsibility of the Intellectual Property Division for implementing intellectual property policies to facilitate private-sector development within the country. The session also touched on different aspects of Intellectual Property: The importance of patent, the purpose of trademark registry and copyrights.

The main purpose of the workshop was to create awareness among the participants and concerned Bhutanese citizens on some fundamental concepts of Intellectual Property rights and obligations.

The half-day workshop was organised by Intellectual Property Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Adapted from the following article written by Karma Chhophel

Awareness workshop on IP

A team from an Intellectual Property Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Thimphu conducted an awareness workshop on the Intelectual property for the staff and final year students(VIII-Sem) of Gaeddu College of Business  studies yesterday. According to the Program Coordinator, Mr. Kencho Palden, “the main purpose of organising such workshop in various institutes and organisation is to create awareness among the the concern bhutanese citizens on some fundamental concepts of Intellectual Property and the relevent laws”. The session touched on the different aspects of Intellectual Property such as Patents, Trdemarks, Indutrial design and copy rights and ended successfully with the question and answer session.