Monastic education to Modern education- A tribute to beloved K4

Since time immemorial,   Bhutan was cooped  up  in   thickets    of isolation and had remained anonymous to the rest of the world.    It ain’t until 1960 that Bhutan woke up from its   long   slumber     of seclusion to the dawn of modernization, and set out on   embracing the outside world.

Source- google

Although with the crowning of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck came the inception of modern education, it was predominantly monastic education that thrived prodigiously to flourish language, arts, philosophy and literature. Riveting details of Sindu Raja and Nawachhe, the Bhutanese Jog yig by Demang Tsemang in seventh and eighth centuries were the products of the monastic education in the country.

The Monastic education was institutionalized in the Dzongs under different Je Khenpos, private temples and a separate Shedra in Tharpaling around 1914 by first King inviting His Eminence Tongden Shacha. His Eminence sent Atsara Rimpochhe to Bhutan. Many young people were sent to study under His Eminence Tongden Shacha. The Second King patronized the Shedras further. Many Shedras like Phajo Ding, Tangu, etc. were constructed by the successive monarchs. Monastic education flourished symbiotically and it complemented modern education.

Bhutanese monks were continually sent to Tibet to learn from revered lamas only to return years later to develop monastic centres or to teach dharma in their own ways, steadily paving the trail for the advent of modern education.

"Despite the late start of education in formal and organized sense of term, there were already awakened minds and enlightened initiatives which lit the lamp of learning, albeit in the most modest surroundings, right from the beginning" concludes the then education minister, Thakur Singh

History has it that 46 boys from Bhutan were enrolled in Dr. Grahams Homes, a Scottish mission school in what is known as today's Kalimpong.

Bhutan’s first school was also inaugurated in 1914 at Haa with a Bhutanese teacher called Lopon Karp. The following year another school was founded at first king’s palace in Bumthang, especially for the crown prince Jigme Wangchuck and some children of people attending at the royal court. They were mainly drilled in English with teachers from Scotland mission and Tibetan dialect.

By 1919-1920, there were about 21 students at Bumthang and 28 students studying in Haa. The education system slowly took to its pace and number of schools augmented to 11 schools and 400 students were enrolled by 1961.

Further, with the introduction of first five year plan in 1961, modern education was promoted to address basic educational needs and to develop human resources. The subjects taught then were English, arithmetic, Hindi and Buddhist scriptures.

 Since our primitive ancestors were ignorant on the importance of education, a good number of parents shunned their children’ from sending to schools dreading their helping hands would be at bay when required. Oral history unearths the fact that instances of education officials setting out in disguised form to have students enrolled in schools also prevailed. Gradually, in the course of evolution as they deciphered the scopes of education in near future, our parents didn’t hesitate to dispatch them. Moreover, with the mapping of network with outside world, Bhutan witnessed burgeoning number of schools with students from different walks of life being taught by expatriate teachers. That was how the lamp of modern learning was lit.

 Today, we have schools close to 504 across the country. Realizing that modern education can play an irreplaceable role in snowballing self-growth, socio-economic development and progress in Bhutan, we, now, see hordes of students thronging for admission which is a sufficient testimony that the nation has long before exited the most cherished state of isolation and checked into world of no more desolation.

However, there is a subtle difference in the education system in Bhutan compared to elsewhere in the world. In Bhutan, the education system pays particular attention to imparting to the students a sense of belongingness and respect for the culture and tradition of their country. In addition, ever since the birth of globally celebrated paradigm philosophy GNH by our very soul, JSW, Bhutanese education has never failed to incorporate it and transmit through curriculum to our learners. It is because of this unique philosophy pronounced by K4 that, we pride over the education system in Bhutan.

His majesty the fourth king believed, as did his predecessors, that every citizens must be educated in order to create an enlightened and productive Bhutanese society. Therefore, the education sector became invincible one.  Till date, we enjoy free access to primary, secondary and even tertiary education. Further under the unparalleled reign of our charismatic kings, schools spanned throughout the nation has been blessed with myriads of facilities that comes without having to pay. (Books, dress, geometry box etc). Of all, extra precedence was set purposefully over the education sector as it was inevitable in producing future architects of the nation that serve as the engine for development.

 Ultimately, my words here would not suffice to match the timeless deeds and noble contribution but as I reluctantly put end to my speech here, we, your subjects, remain firmly indebted and pray for your longevity and commit selflessly to contribute in the building of the nation- Palden Drukpa.

Ours is a journey of myths and legends to the quest of modern education. It is a journey that has come a long way and stood the test of time under the benevolent leadership of Wangchuck dynasty.

Thank you for installing education right at our disposal.

May you perpetuate to bless us with your unfathomable wisdom for all times to come?

Note- I extend my acknowledgement to all the references i have made

Safety education for parents and biking culture in india

BBS reported the sad demise of two Bhutanese students studying in Punjab lately. The root cause of the misfortune was bike accident.

Bhutanese falling victim to such disaster is not a new trend in India. A lot many has succumbed to similar ill fate in earlier times.

That said, my humble commiseration extends to the bereaved families of the two. And I pray for the departed souls to rest in peace.

I am authoring this article neither to aggravate nor to foul mouth over the sorry state but to divulge the inside-out of Bhutanese life which proceeds on in our neighboring country while out on studies. Because I am an Indian graduate myself, I have sufficient details of experiences that can translate into a wakeup call for aspiring parents looking for enrolment in India to keep clear of the unpleasant news happening to their own children in future.

Believe me, I had my fair share for three odd years in Bangalore while I was pursuing my undergraduate course. I have had my parents soaked up in tight positions, sometimes making a phone call at non-human hours and weeping out of frustrations. On several occasions, it was the money that I preyed upon to get myself a secondhand bike.

But as if a wonderful stroke of luck had hands in it, my hope of getting one was never materialized.

Reminiscently, I have a vivid cogitations of how I once mounted my friends’ bike under alcohol influence and almost chanced upon near death. Today, when I chew over those musings, I feel my parents just showed up to my rescue which, otherwise, I could have come home parceled.

Unfortunately, not few were as lucky as me. During my three years stay there, more than four lives were claimed in bike mishaps.

My writing here would not do the justice of expressing the concerns of parents whose children’s are studying abroad. The only thing to make sense of this is to hear from one’s own parents or get into their shoes.

Now, away from home, whose parents will consent the idea of their children owning a bike in foreign soil and coming back home lifeless when a huge sum was loaned intentionally to finance their education. Who will have the lion’s heart to hear of all the heart tearing roars ebbing away from a place where you have once sent with hopes and aspirations?

No one, Perhaps. Everyone would anticipate profusely for safe arrival and success stories to be shared.

But, it happens at the expense of some parents not being cautious enough in money matters. At such miles distance, money is required to do bills, pay rents and hoard some for unknown emergencies. If anything more than usual is claimed in the name of laptop, study tour and other miscellaneous things, parents should not blindly satiate their financial thirst simply because they are far-off and in dire need of it. In addition, parents should not be easily taken to a humble appeal consisting of numerous concerns, for these are the clandestine devise to extract money and own a bike.

Therefore, dear parents, prior to recklessly depositing a huge sum please plunge into the matter thoroughly, enquire friends or even lecturers and do the necessary remittance.

Money, if not invested thoughtfully, can dig our own graves.

Reutala- The unbeatable one II

In recent times, Zhemgang has been making quite a headline on national media- BBS. The menacing road conditions at Reutala has called on the attention of many travelers and left them almost ball freezing.

In retrospect, Kheng Zhemgang was once hotspot for people commuting from Bumthang and Trongsa towards Gelephu when the construction plan of Wangdigang bypass didn’t pop up. It was the onset of golden era then. Business bloomed to the extent of explosion and socio economic status prodigiously thrived.

But the golden era reign was put to an end with the emerging idea of bypass route from Wangdigang. People were left chapfallen at the proposal of road truncation but having considered the foreseeable gains of the road at large, it became indispensable to repel the bitter truth. While on the contrary, it failed to sound mellifluous for those residing at proper Zhemgang and has ensued in near geographical seclusion. This is a short account of how a simple road diversion has left the distant place suffer to its own fate.

Today when the human muscle powers are replaced by mammoth technologies and ideas become innovative, can’t we deploy solutions that assure decent roads and appropriately connect the place with others?

Like other places, Zhemgang is also designated as one of the tourist destinations whose diversity of avifauna has made it rightly call ‘birding paradise’. Moreover, it is home to some of the nature’s glorified creatures that puts Bhutan in the frontline of global birding arena.

To this end, realizing plethora of scopes in ameliorating livelihood of communities, a tourist spot was also installed at Dangkhar. It consists of few houses ideally engulfed by breathtaking greeneries and splendidly put up traditional houses which are of earth build.

Regrettably, it remains practically defunct throughout the year. Even if it’s not so, number of tourist paving visit lies close to couple of them. The obvious reason for the poor turnout of tourists is the erratic road conditions at Reutala coupled with torrential downpours. Already the usual length of road requires 7- 8 hours’ time to complete the course and with occasional blocks to beat at different locations, it consumes not less than 10 hours. As the majority of time has to be invested on roads, many feel reluctant to make it up to here.

Come years, If we are to see hosts of tourist, the first assignment is to settle the miserable roads. But if techniques other than usual ones are not thought of, it can be a sure tinderbox situation at this vulnerable point, as flying boulders could wipeout the dozer and deposit it below in yawning chasm. Since the affair has reached a stalemate, now it is high time the concerned stakeholders heed less to the present call of solution and try to outwit through new tactics- Road diversion.

Until road diversion is adopted as a means, the problem could keep coming and rather become worst. Being complacent of the current state of problem can potentially ensue in serious economic regression in near future. And there is no denying that civil servants from all walks of life shun their placement here, not on account of place but because of road conditions.

Truth be told, it takes less time for a parcel or mail to arrive Thimphu from Japan than to Zhemgang from Thimphu.

I am all praise to everyone here enduring the hardship.

Reutala- The unbeatable one

July month had seen no post on my blog. And in June month it was only one update. So, I don’t deny to admit that I am a failed blogger. I have tried good number of times to update but the burden of my personal stuffs had me first set precedence over my own wellbeing. Then I got back desperately to my blog but only to realize that writing demands consistent practice.

Anyway, better late than never.

Prior to my arrival in Zhemgang, I have heard and seen it several times frequenting the media- both Kuensel and BBS. Who will not, after all, when it is the largely covered hot news from Kheng region. Thanks to Mr. Pema Samdrup, a BBS correspondent. But the news is hot only during rainy seasons because the place remains cut off from the rest of the country- Reutala from above and Box cutting from below. This is the fate of Khenrig Namsum people in summer.

The unbeatable Reutala

Although it is not as popular as recent news- fund embezzlement, murder or any other absconded cases, it at least deserve trivial attention. Many drivers and travelers play their lucks in crossing that not more than 1km distance of road. Seriously, what is happening to the imperative problem that goes in even to the notice of the highest level? Does it mean that alphabetically last Zhemgang is doomed to suffer till the end? Already, the place is labelled remote. Let’s not further aggravate and insulate in thicket of isolation whose socio economic development is soaring up gradually.

Some seven or eight years before, Jumja used to be more precarious than Ruetala. Passengers and travelers boarding from Phuentsholing witnesses the highest level of adrenaline pump when cruising through the unstable, sinking and nervous roads of Jumja. Nobody would dare to fall in slumber and even if one did, immediately withdraws and chants the time honored formulae “om mani padme hung.” That stretch of road, to which many experienced bumpy death ride and devoured myriads of lives, is now a favorite winding country lane to zoom off with time honored song “country road, take me home to the place I belong”

When doom-laden roads of such could be fixed, I suppose Reutala has many possibilities to become road of peace for all the travelers.

What I heard of the problem is that every year the amount invested to ease the road tension averages to millions. However, the outcome is absolute futile. Going by the total injection of money into the recurrent issue, it would have sufficed the budget for new construction of roads. Since the core concern of the place is shooting boulders during monsoon seasons and there is faint hope of beating the issue, the only alternative is diversification of the current road.

From the collective conjectures of native there, the idea of peace road is conceivable if the existing road is diverted and constructed from the summit of the slope where water sources are surmised to be the force behind falling boulders. The other remedy, according to locals, is the construction of tunnels. I am not sure if this can really appeal the concerned stakeholders but the concept of diverting the current road seem pretty impressive and doable without the need of exorbitant expertise and labors.

When some parts of the place get their motor roads blacktopped several times and widened even when it can accommodate two trucks, what is that makes Reutala unattended genuinely and ignored before everyone’s eye?

How many times must the travelers and drivers play their lucks? How many times must the bus drop its passengers at the mouth and let them gait in swampy area for hours to get at the ass of Reutala. How many times should we fret about the arrival of our loved ones?

Please show us some mercy people in authority. Please continue to bless us GOD, while we make our bumpy voyage of life and death along the ceaseless hell roads of Reutala.