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.

 

They go beyond their shape(s)

Did you ever wonder why colourful painting of penises adorn the white walls of our buildings? Did you ever question why?

(image from google)

As a small child, I was always attracted by those paintings; wanted to know why,because, at one hand we have been inculcated the taboo associated if we speak a word related to it but on the other hand these symbols are just everywhere. The only thing I knew then was : They(phallic symbols) protect us from evil. That's it, no more.

We can see the phallic symbols during Tshechus, in some monasteries and even when a farmer has his cow ready to give birth to a calf or when his building is ready for inauguration. The symbols seem to serve different purposes: help us to remind the problems of male ego; protect us from evils; balance the illusions(of desires) and wisdom; and to bring fertility and prosperity.

During Tshechus, Atsharas (clowns) wear a cloth phallus as a head gear on the forehead of the mask. They also carry the phallus in their hands and try to publicise it to the audience. If the family members happen to be together at that moment, it must be embarrassing experience too. But they all understand it after all. This embarrassment is believed to remove some sins. Think rationally-it simply reminds us the problems of our male ego. Isn't it?

Four phallic symbols are hanged from the eaves of the building facing four directions, during inauguration. Attached to these are four Reldri (daggers) symbolising different manifestations of Lord Jambay Yang: White reldri in the east represents peace, purity and harmony; red in the west for wealth and power; yellow in the south  symbolises prosperity; and green dagger in the north represents protection. The fifth one which is blue in colour placed inside the house represents the wisdom.

Monastery like Chimi Lhakhang is said to have the longest, a brown wooden phallus with a silver handle. It is considered as the most important, a religious relic used for blessing the devout. And people believe that the blessing gives them fertility in case they need a child.

Thus, phallic symbols on walls, in monasteries, and during tshechus are not exactly what it should be literally. The penis symbols on the walls (of building) protect those who live inside and is believed that there will be no quarrels among the family members. They also remind the problems created out of worldly illusions of desires. Phallus is not exactly a penis in this sense of Bhutanese context of tradition and beliefs. These symbols represent beyond their shapes. 

The mere act in the name of service

(Testimony for the small act of service)

A cab dropped us near the college entrance. A board near the gate welcomed us with " WELCOME TO SHERUBTSE COLLEGE". It was when I (and my friends) first joined the college.That evening, we would have been puzzled if a group of senior students had not come to guide and help us reach our luggage to our respective rooms; it in deed was a great help unexpected. And latter, understood that those were SSU (Social Service Unit) members of the college waiting just to guide in case freshers like us needed.

I joined the club soon. I simply liked its motto: "Love through service". Despite my inability to contribute so much to the society, never regretted at any point for having joined the club. Today, remembering those college days, it gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I did something, however small, insignificant it may be. Of all those small things, I feel lucky that I had an opportunity to teach a class of monks of Thupten Choekhorling Shedra when I was still a student; taught them basics of English language, three hours (only in evening) a week. I was pursuing my final year of BA(H) English Literature course in 2008, then.

Teaching to those respectable monks had been interesting, very interesting; some of them were as young as ten while some in late twenties, older than the teacher himself. It was more of learning  than teaching: I learned more than what I taught. A little contribution it may be, but whenever good things happen to me, I sincerely believe that it is because of their prayers. I remember their prayer and good wishes : " Sir, we really want to thank you for your kind teaching. we really do from our hearts. we will pray for success in your life."

And I have a strong conviction that I did it all from my heart sincerely-a drop of water in the ocean. It shall remain as long as the ocean exists.

The Buddha answers the kid

(image from Google)

"A kid asked Buddha...what is the meaning of life? Buddha replied,"the meaning of life is to be happy and give and teach to others ." and he taught him about Buddhism and helped him attain enlightenment. If you believe in Buddha,you will send this to 15 people on your list. If you delete this, you will... have a cold heart in 2011. Send this to 15 people in your list within 30min after u read this and something good will happen to you NOW. This is not a fake...apparently...copy and paste this to 15 people in the next 10mins(excluding me) and you WILL have the best day of your life tomorrow.."

This is the message i received from one of my facebook friends. That was a surprise for me;  actually expected "Hi" instead. But after some seconds, i realised that it was a signal to remind me that I lacked sincere devotion to my religion. The message came at right time though.

The moment i read the message, it made me recapture some scenes from a movie LITTLE BUDDHA. Remembered a man leaving behind the coveted palace, kingdom, even his beloved wife and son and luxuries all together. But the fact is, it really happened more than 2500 years before just to find the answer to the kid's (kid represents all ignorant beings) question: what is the meaning of life?. The Buddha recommended to comprehend The Four Noble Truths and follow The Noble Eightfold paths. This is Buddhism.

I believe in Buddhism, but never believed in the notion that we would be cursed if we never followed Buddh, because Buddha did not say " if you do not follow my religion, i will punish you"; he always said, " Don't take what I am saying for granted but try to analyse it as much as possible to see whether what i am saying makes sense or not."

Although, did not bother in the bad luck i would have if not forwarded the message to fifteen other people or would be rewarded if i did, tried my level best at least to reach the message to my friends anyway. And there were many responses: funny, aggressive, excuses. Loved them all.

note: I am a Buddhist but I know little about Buddhism. However ignorant i may be, Buddha always encourages me.

Of my passion: reading and writing

Reading is my passion. And i simply love writing, no less.

Sometimes, I think my passion for reading is fading, slowly but steadily. Or is it happening otherwise?. Now Internet has come to my bay, novels and stories hardly interest me. I am more interested to Internet. You may call me netizen either.

The first novel  I read was The Wizard of Oz when i was in class five. And the recent is Omerta', a novel by Mario Puzzo. I begun reading this novel some months back and still struggling to get to the end. But I read online news, articles and above all some blogs. Still, I feel, I have read more when I was not introduced to the Internet.

Now, what about my writing?. Comparatively, writing habit must have been better. I am more than encouraged to see more people reading my articles, however senseless my articles may be. When I first created my blog, I was the only follower. As time passes, I get more followers. I usually check whether somebody viewed my blog; and it shows me the direction that i write more. This is really encouraging me. The readers keep me going and they let continue my interest for writing. The only thing is that my articles need to be more interesting-I know that. This can only happen if i read more and i must read more.

I thank each of my readers for inspiring me. Thank you readers- you keep me going.