December 31, 2014
December 27, 2014
11th National School Games
The
11th national school games which was conducted in Zhemgang higher
secondary school concluded successfully on 25th December 2014. The
grand event was spearheaded by department of youth and sports under ministry of
education. It was concentrated mainly on the 60th birth anniversary
of our fourth king and youth development through sports and games.
A
total of 379 participants from all over Bhutan took part in various disciplines.
Apart
from the school co-curricular activities development, the program largely
benefitted the business community.
The
school would like to extend our gratitude to every individual in contributing
to the grand success of the event. We look forward for similar program in the
future.
The
following are some of the photos
December 9, 2014
November 14, 2014
The Pursuit Of HappYness
“Happiness
is something we can only pursue, and maybe actually we can never have it, no
matter what” – from the movie ‘The pursuit of HappYness’.
In
the movie, Will smith is Chris Gardner and his biological son Jaden Smith is
Christopher. Chris is medical device seller with no stable income and runs his
family by selling bone density scanner. At least he has to sell two in a month
to pay rent and day care fee. But he lands up without even selling one for a
while.
His
wife is a maid trying equally hard to make the ends meet.
In
times of economy depression, the news of budget deficit further augments his
disquiet and at the thought of it, almost completes solving a puzzle cube in-front
of TV.
On
his way to selling bone density scanner, Chris confronts a well-bred man who
checks out from a posh car. Unrestrained by the enticing car and princely
fineries, he questions the man- “What do you do and how do you do it?”
“I
am a stockbroker” comes the reply. Chris interjects “I have to go to college to
be a stockbroker” maintaining smile on his face.
“You
don’t have to”, cuts short the broker and continues “be good at numbers and at
people”. With this remark, Chris sees all people around him damn happy.
Shortly, he broods over his own happiness and feels incomplete.
Later,
Chris talks about getting into job to his wife. As he have not even sold one,
this evokes a tension in the air. They are two months due of house rents and
confusions breaks out between the two. However, Chris remain firm and fixed in
his determination to tend his family.
Motivated
by the words of stockbroker, Chris would set out to Dean Whitter Reynolds for
internship as broker trainee. He is one among many fighting for the one and
only place in the program which take 20 people every six month. It is the
survival of the fittest.
Back
home, Chris is haunted by worries.
Industrious
and optimistic as he appear, Chris never fails to wear smiles in front of
Christopher.
Chris
Gardner has no time. He has device to sell, son to pick up from day care and
application to follow up. With tighter schedule each passing day his determination
grows ever stronger but the relationship he possess with his wife dwindles.
Once
Chris shows up home late after his futile works which turns everything upside
down. His wife vexes over his late night turn up and Chris rushes home only to
find the empty house. But he still manages to get hold of Christopher.
With
father and son together, the problem mounts bigger and bigger. But Chris never
let personal problems impede professional life and interns with utmost dedication
despite the hoots and toots and domineering bosses.
In
the course of time, they loses their house, seizes bank balance and one time
even lands in public washroom. Of all, the only priceless value they never lose
is the trust and hope between the father and son. Somehow, Chris manages to
sell his device and regales Christopher with chocolates. The money he fetched
from the bone density scanner sends them from public washroom to decent hotel.
At
the last day of his intern, Chris appears before the supervisors with an ironed
suit and says “I thought I would wear a new shirt today as it’s my last day
here”.
“Wear
one tomorrow because tomorrow is going to be your first day if you would like
to work here as broker Chris”. Eventually the price is paid and Chris is in.
Tears
well up in his eyes and says it was not as easy as he thought to be working as broker
before he got into it.
November 9, 2014
Innovation in lifelong learning: Bridging to the future
Following is the introduction i wrote for Wenhui award.....
Source: Google |
Education
is indispensable for transforming everything around us. It is not just centered
around the four walls of classroom and confined to curriculum knowledge, but a
lifelong voyage with larger purpose. How one is educated and nurtured can
undoubtedly change the world and lead to human fulfillment, peace, sustainable
development, economic growth, gender equality and responsible global
citizenship. It imparts people the understanding, skills and lessons to foster
harmonious world.
The
way education has brought resilience to war prone nations has always intrigued
mankind for centuries. It has troubleshot the problems of torn out regions;
recuperated many fractured countries, resolved power struggles and eventually
brought every citizen together as one people.
One
crucial area of interest where education has touched immensely is the human
resource. Progress index of any country is measured in terms of how well
equipped its citizens are. And it is dream of every nation to stride her
citizens with at least the basic education. Predominantly, it has helped poorly
evolved nations to stem from poverty, health problems, political upheavals and
economic crisis. With the realization of capacity building in pushing
development forward, investment in education is being made now.
It
was also found necessary that to take part in global economy, education was the
prerequisite and that setting precedence over the education has helped overcome
many issues.
On
the ethnicity front, it has taught mankind to appreciate and respect the
richness of diverse cultures.
Gender
disparity is one of the globally debated concern existing in every niches of
the world. Many are of myth that women are inferior and their life is confined
to culinary delights and household chores. The advent of education has paved a
road of equal opportunity for everyone irrespective of their gender, caste and
social backgrounds. The augmentation of women’s participation is a testimony of
how education has played a greater role in moulding women’s life.
Holistically,
education is not just read, write and retrieve knowledge from text book. The
answer for the challenges of 21st century, peace and harmonious
world is what defines the education.
October 23, 2014
Nicotine free love
It took me long time to come out.
What? “A long time to come out”, continued his friend full
of bantering tone in the voice. Are u talking about the other day’s orgasm?
“I wish you grow wise, I don’t have the carnal appetite no
more”, said captain with stern expression.
After what seems to be serious, ST stops joking. Captain had
never been serious to ST before. Poor St was baffled but never dug further. The
air became swollen with silence.
To the west, sun was hanging low. Its rays were fading away
from the strings of mountains. Cool breeze fine-tuned the setting of the
evening. The mood was perfect for date but either had none.
The silence is interrupted shortly. ST insist to go home
and get ready for the party tonight. Unheard, his voice disappears into the
evening air.
“It took four years to open up for her”, cried captain.
Something was blunt in his tone. ST didn’t take it light. He sensed something.
This time ST gathered guts and enquired the entire story.
Yongba and yongmin, they named each other when they first
fell in love.
In school, yongba and yongmin continued the legacy of
Romeo and Juliet. Dating whenever chance favored them. Even their relationship
was consented by parents. They talked of their future and of having beautiful children.
It was future wife and husband in the making.
The day she accepted his proposal, yongba stopped smoking
and occasional drinking and promised sobriety for eternity.
Image download: google |
“Addiction to love can let go nicotine addiction”, jokingly
whispered captain taking a break from his narration. ST responds not bad, “nicotine
free love?”
Long before he knew how to wipe out his own ass, he fell
for her. In one of his card, captain recalls how he wrote “I lof u” instead of “I
love u”.
Many parts of his high school love story was a triumph and
their relationship stood the force of time but not the man force condom.
In the college, who knew what would happen? Should it be
that same high school yongba and yongmin? Or god has one standby yongba to substitute
original yongba?
"Faith" will test me”. Settled captain.
They rented a house and shared the expenses. But the
special space they had for each other in heart didn’t require any expense. It
was free and always hoped it to be. Flawless, their love perpetuated even in
foreign soil. We became immediate neighbors then.
“Give me a fag, give a fag”, a familiar voice rung in my
deep sleep one early morning. However, I would not be impulsive to the gentle pat
as it had been only a short length of time since I last fell asleep.
“Bro, bro give me a cigarette” was the same voice which
irritates me next. Not caring who it was, I handed some with a warning to not
annoy me any further and resumed the sleep.
Morning had never been the same after that, not for me but
for whom I knew as yongba since his pair up with yongmin. I could not believe
five years of well nurtured relationship splitting in tragic ends. But I
believed through his eyes that it made every strong men on earth to at least
gulp a bottle of whisky after the disastrous end and put world’s expert
psychiatrist to confusion.
Insane yongba gradually became sane and suffered the destruction
to the extent of returning home without a degree.
“ST you know what”, said captain smilingly, “anything
happens in romance that’s why love is blind”, leaving all his nightmares behind.
“Lof”, teased back ST.
October 21, 2014
Over confidence kills
As a 7th grader, playing carom was addictive of
all the games. With the meeting of my boyhood mate, it became more addictive than
nicotine. As soon as we hear the last toll of the bell, we would excitedly rush
towards the market side.
Frequenting town became our pass time after we came to
know that carom was our common interest. The chemistry of our friendship grew
ever stronger thereafter.
Quite astonishingly, when I was just picking up the
fundamentals of the game he was already the kid of the town. With him, i honed
my skill and soon my name was on the list of becoming new kid in the town. Unfortunately
it did not happen. He coached me and two of us formed a good team. From kid of
the town, soon we became talk of the town.
source: google |
Every one, grown-ups or elders, hesitated to challenge us.
Many times we won the match in just three rounds of play. Sometimes the game
would get over with one of the opponent not even touching the striker. Such was
our level.
Empty pocket we would play. Pocket full we went home after
the match. There was no doubt that if two of us team together, many turned up
reluctant to play. On most of the occasions we were only permitted to coach and
not compete.
Can’t resisting the itch to push the striker, we would
play by offering points not more than twenty. The game being over at thirty.
Still it was herculean task to overthrow us.
Even in interclass competitions, we emerged as winners.
Some envied our partnership and tried several lucks only to get thrashed and thicken
our pocket.
But there was one thing many friends wanted to witness. It
was the match between the two carom giants.
We played and the match tied several times but he earned
the maximum admiration from rest of our friends.
One time our over confidence mortified us before the mass.
My tag came penniless. I was penniless either and joined
the league. The thought of winning overwhelmed us as usual. We played casual,
conceitedly offering points. Not until our counterparts took away two
consecutive boards, did we realise that the game wasnt ours. I fumbled my jean
pocket only to find emptiness inside and facing from the other end was my
friend standing motionless. Nervous we both stood.
Having nothing to give and knowing not what to do out of embarrassment,
we planned on escape when they were busy celebrating the victory.
Hardly had we finished crossing
the rusted barb wire than the voice clamored from behind. “Charo charo....bet kalay” (friends, where is our bet)
I stared at his face and he stared mine, froze and
blushed, in between the age old cold wires and uttered stammered speech………….we
will give….give…you. Later, he managed to manipulate and promised to pay
afterwards.
That day, the two kids of the town to whom all extolled
champion of carom, learnt a lesson that too much of confidence is good for
nothing.
The same incident took place last autumn.
Our school dispatcher compelled me to challenge him carom.
Upon my several supplication, he would not listen. We fixed the date and bet.
He was taken to surprise when I outdid him for two
continuous rounds and like me, discovered a lesson to not underestimate the
power of common man.
October 2, 2014
October 1, 2014
ZHSS annual club exhibition 2014
October
2nd 2014 would go down in the history of Zhemgang Higher Secondary
School as yet another fresh chapter.
Coinciding
with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, popularly known as father of
India, the school is conducting its annual club exhibition themed “sweetness in
diversity”. The program is first of its kind to be ever held since the
inception of the institution way back in late 1950s.
The
very idea of club exhibition seems new at least to me, for I have never witnessed
it in my entire school life.
The
foremost motive behind the conduct is to display the intriguing activities, discover
the secret working of each club and share insights which otherwise could go
unnoticed.
Cultural
items and mask dances would also be staged to entertain everyone.
The
overall planning was spearheaded by vice principal, Mr. Phurpa Tashi.
As
for my photographic club, preparations has been all done and we are fully
geared up for the event.
Photos
shall be uploaded after the completion of event.
September 23, 2014
The story of blessed rainy day
That
night heaven kept pouring. The sky turned gloomy more the usual. There was no
sign of light although it was full moon night. Clouds scurried past each other but
failed to make way for the moon. The sporadic flash from the heaven was the
only light to illuminate the earth below. Night was soaked in complete silence
and even the stray dogs, as though purposefully, were nowhere to be heard.
Whole of the medieval village was deep in slumber.
Midway
to the village was a boy of 19 named Kota, full of energy to explore the night.
All alone, he kept thrusting forward with hope of fulfilling the nights promise
and scarcely cared about getting drenched. But the paradise above showed him no
mercy and kept falling on him copiously. When the rain level almost crossed the
ankle high length did Kota begin to worry?
Cursing
himself, he didn’t stop to give up rather ceaselessly murmured prayers for safe
arrival. Except for prayers on lips, he had nothing to defend. If anything
ferocious pounce on him he could make an easy supper. Kota regretted for not
taking his faithful apprentice Balu- the dog to whom even the wild beasts
dreaded. With harsh downpour, the journey seemed further and further away. The
pain of venturing out into the night was doubtful of the price it would pay.
After
two hours of toilsome journey Kota came across a cave. There, he took a shelter
and prayed for the rain to dwindle. Kota’s prayer came true but soon when the
rain started again, he knew that the monsoon was erratic.
Kota
was determined to make it one way or other. Face taut by cold and clothes
soiled, Kota trudged further into the wild. Hours later, the downpour subsided
as Kota neared his destination but it didn’t do any good as he was fully soaked
in the rain. He didn’t care anymore. By then, he was in the close vicinity of
the village. The next formidable task of trespassing into the house worried
him. Every clandestine move he made brought the fear of being cut into slices.
With
all his guts gathered Kota slipped through the window in one of the house,
never sure of coming back. The clock showed 2 in the morning. Like divine
revelation, Kota landed into a house whose family had moved out on an
invitation except for the lone daughter who was still up. She appeared to be in
early-twenties. Exactly what Kota was looking for all his night.
At
the sight of him, the lady screamed but he was too quick to cover her mouth and
the silence was resumed. Kota persuaded her methodically and she agreed not to aggravate
the situation. ‘What’s next’ reflected Kota. The answer seemed nearer.
It
took him a good number of endeavors to win her. Shortly, Convinced by the alluring
gesture from the other end, he glided his right hand to maneuver in between her
bosom which was at its peak of enlargement. She timidly threw his hand. As she
wore no bra, it became easier to fumble gracefully. He kissed best with what little
he heard from his urban friends to arouse her. Both of them could not resist
the rush of adrenaline and soon she fell prey to his amateur foreplay.
Source: Google |
The
only part undone was love making. Kota, driven by profuse excitation, finally mounted
on her to gently dip his long erected dick when suddenly he was troubled by a
piercing noise of his mom. Damn! The show was over.
‘Thrue
Thrue Kota, the shower is believed to purge the defilements’ said his mom as if
she knew of his erotic dream.
Kota
got up, sighed deeply and felt incomplete for the climax of the dream.
September 18, 2014
Ugyen rangdol: kPhone. Steve jobs: iPhone
Imagine
for just a moment that you could meet a young man- a man whom you have shared
the same table and bench in your high school days and after years of lost
contact, you hear him become a successful entrepreneur that it feels like he is
the next Steve jobs.
Until
my high school, I had a scant knowledge on computers. I have always thought it
belonged to smart people. And, of course, everybody had the same view that it
was the toy of big brains. Accordingly, average performers were put together in
economics class and iconic performers in IT class.
One
such brat was a technophobic friend of mine who didn’t conceive the idea of
succeeding in computer even in his wildest dream.
He
had his first email id created sometime in summer of 2007 when the technology
around him was already going viral piercing every parts of world. That was, in
retrospect, his maiden step in coming out from the cocoon and discovering the
digital world.
The founder |
Although
the man had unremitting affinity for science, faith perhaps had hand in it and
compelled him to pursue history which was a nightmare. However in class, his
infectious jokes never failed to conquer friends’ heart and soon became a celebrated
figure among friends. In recess period he would not fail to delight his fans
with lucullan feast of jokes and mockups. Seldom did he keep away friends from
belly full of laughter.
More
than the lessons in reproductive system could interest us, his witticisms gained
our attention.
To
many of us in the class, he ranked with Phurpa Thinlay.
Since
then, we would lightly banter him as the future PM as his ingenuity of
gathering crowds would often go beyond his regular friends. He would talk for
any length of time on subjects ranging from vagina and phallus to a new acrobat
move in Kama sutra. And keep everyone awake when Einstein’s E=mc2 failed to do
so.
In
any of my musing and a yearlong stay with him, I hardly heard him making
mentions of future business ventures in information technology. Unbelievingly, the
boy who stood alien in front of computer emerged as triumphant in field that
was once considered “toy for smart people”.
His toy kuzu phone |
Today,
he is the founder of Kuzu gadgets which is on the gain of immense popularity.
Believe it or not, the young man has made his name on one of the national media
print as successful youth entrepreneur
What
is more amazing is that the man has collaborated with ministry of labor to help job seekers. When he texted the news, the lines of JF Kennedy ‘ask
not what country can do for you, ask what you can do for country’ rang inside
me.
While
many were looking for jobs in government service, he ventured into unknown, let
loose his passion and toiled tenaciously at the test of time to win eventually.
And the only thing I can make sense of this is that a friend to whom I have
ranked with Phurpa Thinlay way back, is now at par with Steve jobs.
September 5, 2014
Balay Balay: eligible candidate for Ghajini II
Every
time the golden hour of day fail to inspire me, Balay Balay shows up to my
rescue. He talks on courting tips to issues like recent kidnap in the southern
front, and keeps me occupied with mixed thoughts. For quite some time now, he has
been my writing inspiration.
What
I know of the man is that he is tenacious and full of fun guy. His happiness came
from serving cows dutifully, from the flowers in the garden, working zealously in
the field and reclining with bottles at the end of the day.
But
as much as he is fun, so is he oblivious.
Since
my moving into the house, he has the record of roasting four curry cookers. One
being recent, he shares amusingly that he would make an eligible candidate for
Ghajini part II.
Gazing
in wonder at his state of oblivion, it takes great deal of thought to believe
that hard working people are as absent minded as they are busy. I have often
heard of the stories of busy man being oblivious but the gentleman here has
proved me that busy people are real forgetful.
One
time he was cooking. The curry was almost on verge of completion. He lowered
the stove and slipped into TV room for 8’o clock news reminding that he should
be back within minutes. No sooner did I come back from the shop down floor than
the shop aunty knocked my door. She appear worried.
“Something
is burning in here” said she with a pant. I scanned to see if everything was safe.
Seeing no sign of burn, off she went to find him in the room. Before he could
ask her the purpose of visit, a burning odor reminded him of the curry that he just
set on the stove. His would be delicious curry turned into black tar and shortly
broke out the laughter from the duo. It was one more to his list and suffered
the fool easily for the short term memory. Luckily, it was our neighbor
residing down floor who knew of the burning up floor.
Were
it not been for her, anything serious could have happened from the kitchen.
Thereafter,
whenever it is news hour and curry is put on stove, I keep a check lest all of
us be struck by careless bloopers.
Source:Google |
Since
he is strenuously consumed in day work, he usually don’t make night owl. The last
time for the bed would be 10 pm. Quite shockingly, one night I found him up
till 1 am with high volume made on the television. Not believing he would make
long into the night, I tiptoed till the door to check out. There he was deeply
snoring on the sofas with mouth wide open. He didn’t even properly bolt the
door. I woke him up and let his device into sleep.
But
that night no casualties of burning curry cooker was reported from his kitchen.
It was the TV that he forgot to put off that night.
August 24, 2014
Thursday and Friday evenings with Sancha and Pelden
My students are well conscious
of what makes them not a Buddhist and when asked on this, they hum in unison-
ego, pride, self-centeredness and clinging to materialistic objects. The same
question I do a bit of modification and ask- what makes you all not a reader.
They all go silent staring at each other seemingly they have just heard the
world’s hardest question. This is the cold fact and, surprisingly, we see quite
a lot making mention of the hues and cries of language when they have not even
read one.
Given the opportunity,
I would love to ask the same to the entire students of the nation and hear what
makes them not a reader too. Regardless of free access and easy availability of
books at their disposal, many appear indifferent for the liking of the books.
Notwithstanding
incessant marvels and geniuses of books, I was stumped to see only few of whole
students read a book. Confused and not confirmed by the reaction, I asked them
why…..
One of the top excuse
they make is time constraint. Not being able to balance time between thick text
book and recess period seems to hit high on index.
Another reason is habit, not well bred, which makes them indisposed to even try for one. Others include limited
interest and a fancy that language should be focused more by someone from
literary fraternity. While many seem to have never thought on this serious
matter.
Driven by plight, I
along with one of my teacher friend started a book talk titled “READ ZHSS” to
mainly inspire and inject the habit of reading in students. And, perhaps, also
to make reading a part of their leisure activities rather than to squander time
wildly.
It was good of them to
take up the concern positively and impressive enough to see readers from all
levels of class. The number of reader turnout was more than expected.
Although the program is
in embryo, having witnessed the interest of readers, we are on upbeat that no
stones would be left unturned in come Thursdays and Fridays. However with list
of after class activities impeding their way, so far it was only one evening
that we could make.
All in all, one evening
had been a great success.
What my calculated
guess have is reading does miracle -from his holiness the Dalai Lama to guns and
roses, books influence have never ceased to inspire them. Likewise by beholding
the zenith of inspiration, I hope to infuse the healthy practice and see more
of my students stirred up by the charm of reading.
Someone has rightly quoted
“reading a book is like having conversation with sublime soul of centuries”. Needless
to say, books not only nourish the mind but as well serve as unremitting
companion in times of solitariness. Through reading we become traveler around
the world and seeker of the fact.
Source: Google |
Even more, it treats
couples with chicken soup for healthy relationship and tell us men are from
mars and women are from Venus.
August 10, 2014
The philanthropist
I
bet you if there is a noble prize for best cow herding, Alfred noble should
definitely consider my owner for the award.
A man as cheerful as
his nick name defines, Balay Balay is my house owner. At first glance, his
staid face and unkempt looks may bring an aroma of repugnance, but at heart
people like Balay Balay are too rare to find. Even rarest is his unconditional
love and unfaltering kindness for animals.
He
is industrious man possessed with higher caliber. But with no one around to
help him with household chores, it becomes grueling to manage everything on his
own at times.
Whether
or not it is rain or shine, he has no holidays and before the light is out, he
is geared up for the day’s work. It begins with warm greetings from the cows. And
with genial smile on the face, he milks and treats them to a scrumptious
breakfast until their belly paunches out. He hoards some for the calves too. Until
there is no sign of satisfaction, he never sets them free. After everything is
done it’s time for him to see off. Filling his own tummy comes afterward.
By
sundown, when it’s time for the cows to be home, he would ready their feast and
wait like a desperate wife for her husband’s arrival from war. He tethers them
warm in their adobe baked barn and goes for gardening, next.
It
is a rare sight of him to see him whiling away time. However, as the dusk
matures into night, he would not miss the attendance in the shop located ground
floor of his house.
He
orders for locally brewed brand and engages himself in a conversation. Few
hours after the tempo of the round has picked up, the medium of his language
changes. It would be his Pidgin English dominating the conversation. He barely
cares about his audiences who never went to school. One time, he talked on
constitution of Bhutan and to put someone in league of conversation to shame,
he spoke in English to puzzle the counterpart. As I eavesdrop, I could not help
myself burst with laughter.
Though
drunk, Balay Balay keeps accurate calculations on the bottles and retires the accomplished
day with amusement. Sometimes, he debates a lot over trivial matters to the point
of hearing verdict from court if he assume others wrong. And when severely
drunk, without a tinge of slightest hesitation, utters Balay Balay the boss,
money no problem. Few are the occasions when I see him turn alcoholic from workaholic.
What
the man possess is rare in many of us. Whatever ripens in his garden goes for
free to anyone who comes to him. Since I am on lease in his house, I am one
among few who is enjoying his hard toil. Guilty I feel but he never consent the
idea of taking in money when it is from the garden. Lately, it was cucumber
that topped my kitchen menu. Thanks to him.
Of
all, it is his altruistic disposition that makes his sobriquet, Balay Balay go viral
among his friends.