KUENSEL THAT THE PEOPLE SHALL BE INFORMED
›  K ? L I J ; 8 P  E F M < D 9 < I  ( #  ) ' ( )  ›  E l  ,
New Political Parties
Bhutan Kuen-ngyam
stakes its claim
KESANG DEMA
Amid wide speculation that
upcoming political parties are
not making any headway in
getting themselves registered,
one of them has gone ahead
and applied for registration
with the election commission.
ELECTIONS2013
Riding a cab on a pedes-
trian day on October 30, car-
rying “whatever law required
in terms of registration”, the
three representatives from
Picture story: @edXk\jf]:_Xd^Xe^aX`c`eK_`dg_ln\cZfd\?`j\d`e\eZ\ Bhutan Kuen-ngyam party did
EXdb_X`Ep`e^gfI`egfZ_\p\jk\i[Xp%8jgXikf]k_\gi`jfe\ijËi\_XY`c`kXk`fe the needful.
gif^iXd#?`j\d`e\eZ\^Xm\k\XZ_`e^jXe[Yc\jj\[k_\`edXk\j% Among others, they sub-
mitted two copies of the party
charter, one in Dzongkha,
National Institute For Visually Impaired election symbol called Kuen-
ngyam khorlo, list of regis-
tered members, and names
Why these children of office bearers.
Party founder and spokes-
person, Sonam Tobgay, a pri-
can’t see? vate consultant from Wang-
duephodrang, was named
interim president of the party.
First genetic study in Bhutan attributes childhood Will they get
blindness to hereditary factors registered?
The question arises in the
backdrop of various interpre-
TEMPA WANGDI, TRASHIGANG cluded. lies,” Dr James Muecke, who tations being made, in terms
The two-day re-assess- is in the country with a team of requirement of all 47-can-
Visual impairment in about ment on low vision and child- from the Sight For All Founda- didate names, to get past the
75 percent of students at the hood blindness, among the 47 tion in Australia, said. registration process.
National Institute for Visu- children between six and 16 Sight For All Foundation Election officials have
ally Impaired years, found that is an eye health care partner- constantly emphasised that
(NIVI) in Khal- most suffered ship organisation, based at a political party has among
ing, Trashigang
COVER from unavoidable the South Australian institute its registered members an
STORY
was caused blindness. of ophthalmology in Adelaide, “acceptable number, not less
by genetic or “Unavoidable committing to fight blindness than the number of constitu-
hereditary conditions, the blindness is caused by genetic in the developing world. encies, of members”, who are
first genetic study in Bhutan or hereditary conditions, G^%) potential candidates for the
on childhood blindness con- passed down from their fami- assembly elections.
WHAT’S INSIDE  PG. 9: Meditating under straitened circumstances
But some parties in the
making, including Bhutan
Kuen-Ngyam, had argued that
it was not really within the pro-
vision of election Act or rules.
While the party has sub-
mitted to the commission an
impressive list of “almost 200”
registered members, within
which some candidate names
were embedded, it did not
cover all 47 constituencies.
The party’s confirmed
candidates, about two weeks
back, was at 29.
However, Sonam Tobgay
said, as required by law, the
membership list had a good
representation from all 20
dzongkhags, all 47 constituen-
cies, and a good mix of young
and old, male and female.
“Election commission,
encouraging to have all can-
didates in place, is a fair and
reasonable demand, because
they’re also concerned about
registering a credible political
party,” he said, adding, howev-
er, all institutions also needed
to reckon with ground realities.
G^%)
‘‘
… one thing that’s
holding them
(potential candi-
dates) back is...
whether the party
will be registered
or not”
Sonam Tobgay
2 HOME
*
Education City
First board formed,
first meeting held
Bhutan education city formed
its first board, comprising seven
members from the government,
two local leaders and one pri-
vate sector representative.
PROJECT
This has been called as a
major milestone in establish-
ing the education city. The
formation of the board was in
compliance with the education
Bhutan Kuen-ngyam stakes its claim
From Pg. 1
“We’ve been trying very
hard, in terms of coming up
with a political party, but it isn’t
easy,” he said. “Particularly so
because people out there, at
this point of time, don’t feel
the need to engage in politics
or public service.”
However, he said, the list
will keep expanding, and they
would keep updating the elec-
tion commission.
Meanwhile, election
commission’s director, Dawa
Tenzin, who is the registrar of
political parties, said he would
review the application, have
interactions with the party, if
need be, before passing it on to
the sub-committee.
“The sub-committee would
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL
city Act, which was adopted in
the last parliament session.
The board will now replace
the previous groups, which
were formed to spearhead the
project, like the project advi-
sory group and the empowered
joint group.
Works and human settle-
ment minister, Yeshey Zimba,
will chair the board.
The board, according to
then submit it to the commis-
sion and, if approved, public
will be notified,” he said. “All
these will be done within a
month.”
Sonam Tobgay said they
were quite confident that they
would get registered.
“We took this very seriously
and have provided a reason-
able offer,” he said. “But we’ll
respect and honour election
commission’s feedback and,
accordingly, we’ll work as a
team.”
A calculated game plan
Sonam Tobgay said the
party weighed the pros and
cons of registration, and felt
they needed to register at the
earliest.
Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, will ba-
sically be responsible for man-
aging the project, during and
after construction.
The first board meeting
was held yesterday, where dis-
cussions on formation of the
secretariat, adoption of rules
and regulations, roles and re-
sponsibilities and appointment
of chief executive officers were
discussed.
Explaining the likelihood
of government ending its term
on April 20 next year, and law
requiring election commission
to issue notification calling
elections 90 days before that,
he said a party, wishing to con-
test, should submit a “letter of
intent” within a week of that
notification.
“To submit a letter of in-
tent, one needs to be a regis-
tered political party,” he said.
“So, therefore, one ought to
register at least by December.”
With the commission re-
quiring at least one month to
review, he said one cannot
apply today, and expect to get
registered tomorrow.
Furthermore, he said,
getting registered would also
encourage a lot potential
candidates, who were on the
fence right now, to make up
their mind.
“Because one thing that’s
holding them back is the uncer-
tainty of whether the party would
be registered or not,” he said.
One of the party candi-
dates, Tshewang Tashi, also
said election commission
did not allow certain things
before the party was properly
registered, especially in terms
of propagating the party to a
certain extent.
“If you’re really serious
about doing this correctly, I
think it ‘s important you make
people know,” she said.
Why these children
can’t see?
From Pg. 1
“Unavoidable blindness
isn’t preventable and can’t
be treated,” Dr James Muecke
said.
The high level of unavoid-
able childhood blindness at
NIVI, however, if looked at
positively, reflects Bhutan’s
excellent health care system.
According to the founda-
tion, half of the children, who
are blind in poor countries,
shouldn’t have been so in the
first place. Visual impairment
in these children could have
been prevented and treated
with appropriate timely medi-
cation.
Avoidable childhood blind-
ness is caused by cataract and
glaucoma. However, in some
conditions, even measles and
malnutrition can cause blind-
ness, he said.
“The good news is, be-
cause of Bhutan’s excellent
health care system, we don’t
see cases of avoidable blind-
ness in NIVI caused by mea-
sles and malnutrition,” Dr
James Muecke said.
He said Bhutan has com-
paratively better results among
poor countries that have ‘fifty-
fifty’ avoidable and unavoid-
able blindness.
Only around 25 percent in
NIVI are suffering from avoid-
able blindness.
Incidents of avoidable
blindness from cataract and
glaucoma in children at the
institute could also have been
avoided, if Bhutan had more
trained eye surgeons 20 years
ago.
However, the foundation
said that the incidents of avoid-
able blindness would decrease
in future, since Bhutan now has
ophthalmologists.
Ophthalmologist at the
Thimphu referral hospital, Dr
Dechen Wangmo, said the sur-
vey on hereditary and genetic
survey would play a key role in
setting up of low vision services
in the country.
“This survey will lead us to
the causes of childhood blind-
ness in the country,” Dr Dechen
Wangmo said.
Dr James Muecke added
that the study of childhood
blindness at the institute would
be representative of blindness
situation in the country.
“So, if we can determine
the major causes of blindness
among the children in NIVI,
it gives us an idea of causes
across the country,” he said.
“Determining the causes will
help plan and allocate re-
sources to reduce the level of
avoidable blindness in chil-
dren.”
The team from Australia
also has an optometrist to pre-
scribe glasses and low vision
aids for the visually impaired
children.
“If any of these children
here needs any magnification
or low vision aids, they’d be
made available from Australia,”
said optometrist, Andrew Grif-
fiths, who learnt about NIVI
five years ago, when he was in
the country for biking.
Since then, he and his
friend have been raising money
to buy low vision aids for chil-
dren at NIVI.
A team from education
ministry has also accompanied
the team to see if children from
NIVI could be integrated into a
regular school.
“We’re planning to integrate
more students from NIVI into
schools, with proper support
and necessary teaching learn-
ing materials,” programme of-
ficer from department of cur-
riculum research development,
Kuenga Dorji, said.
This, he said, will help
develop social skills, besides
other benefits. “Apart from
economic benefits, it’s also for
the parents’ convenience that
we’re looking into integration,”
NIVI principal, Tshongpen
Wangdi, said.
The re-assessment of
childhood blindness is spon-
sored by United Nations chil-
dren’s fund. The study was
conducted by Sight for All
Foundation, Australia, in col-
laboration with health minis-
try and education ministry. A
similar assessment was done
in 2009 by UNICEF, with whose
help nine students received
eye surgery in 2011.
 *
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL HOME 3
Schoolbook Procurement

All accused acquitted

Save for one, who has to pay Nu 72,000 in lieu of a two-year prison term

SAMTEN WANGCHUK proved beyond reasonable assets, bribery and official mis- Tashi Tobgay, had said the ple holding trade licences to
doubt. conduct. order for and supply of books engage in fronting, which, in
Shyam Pradhan was hand- On the account of bribery, were done in accordance with a other words, means leasing it to
From the district court right up ed down a two-year prison the High Court verdict stated committee’s decision, and that another party to run a business.
to the supreme one, the verdict term for official misconduct, the Nu 17,000 he received from it was not his own. Violation of the provision,
on the three Curriculum and under section 294 of the penal Shyam Pradhan was included Coming to his dispropor- the regulation states, would
Professional Support Division code, which spells out that a in the Nu 200,000 donation that tionate assets, the verdict stated result in cancellation of the li-
(CAPSD) officials in Paro, ac- defendant would be guilty of was collected for the prayer he could be penalised based on cense and immediate closure
cused for devious ways in pro- the offense, if he or she know- wheel. the asset declaration rules and of the business.
curing school books, remained ingly exercised an official func- He was acquitted of the the Anti-Corruotion Act. Besides the various charges
unchanged. tion, over which they had no charge. The judgment, meanwhile, that the three CAPSD officials
authority. With regards to the official cancelled the electronic services were cleared of, going by the
CAPSD He has, however, to pay misconduct, where he was ac- business license that was in the verdict, they were also saved
Nu 72,000 in lieu of the prison cused of having placed orders name of Lobzang Dorji’s wife. the trouble of having to refund
Of the three officials, the term. for books on his own for supply They had leased the license more than Nu 10M to the gov-
division’s then joint director, He had partaken in a ten- to schools, the High Court ver- for someone else to run the ernment for charges of bribery,
Karma Yeshey, was charged der for a project the office, he dict found him not guilty. business. official misconduct and forgery
with official misconduct, the worked with, floated and won It stated that the CAPSD Trade and industry rules in the procurement of educa-
accountant, Shyam Pradhan, it eventually. chief administration officer, and regulations disallow peo- tion books.
for forgery, bribery and official The offense of official mis-
misconduct, and procurement conduct, the following section
officer, Lobzang Dorji, for brib- of the penal code stated, was a
ery, official misconduct and misdemeanour.
fraud. He was, however, cleared MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS
The case that reached the of the two other charges of
Supreme Court some time bribery and forgery. Human Resource Division, Thimphu
mid this year was dismissed The Nu 17,000 he paid
on October 16, meaning the Lobzang Dorji, the judgment
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
High Court’s verdict would be stated, was not a bribe, but MoAF/HRD/SEC/2/2012/1017
upheld. a donation he contributed,
Human Resource Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests is pleased to
The Anti-Corruption Com- which was later handed over
announce the vacancies for the following posts:
mission had appealed, follow- to a tshampa to build a mani
ing High Court’s judgment that dungkor (cylindrical large Minimum No.
was also basically one they up- prayer wheel). Sl Department/ Position PL/
Qualification of Remarks
held of the Paro district court. Coming to forgery, the # Division Title SL
Required Post
The larger bench of the court ruled that he had used
High Court, which passed its the original documents that
DoFPS:
judgment on the case, some his sister-in-law had given him,
1.Paro Division,
time in July, had cleared Karma with her authorisation for him
2.Gedu Division,
Yeshey of the lone charge of to partake in the tender process.
3.Mongar Division,
Bachelors
official misconduct lodged The third accused, Lob-
4.Samtse Division,
Chief in Forestry/
against him. zang Dorji, was charged for
5.Wangdue Division,
1 Forestry Wildlife &
The charge could not be possessing disproportionate
6.Trashigang Division P1, A 12 In-service
Officer Specialized
7.JDNP
training in
8.JSWNP
CALL FOR QUOTATION 9.BWS
relevant field
10.TNP
RENEW SECRETARIAT 11.SWS
RENEW/Quotation/2012/2812 12.WMD
RENEW Secretariat would like to invite for Expression Interested in-service civil servants who meet the eligible criteria may apply.
of Interest from registered local consultancy firm For eligibility criteria, please refer section 7.3.2 of the Promotion Rules and
to develop Gender based Violence Information Regulation, BCSR 2010, available at the RCSC website (www.rcsc.gov.bt)
Management System (GBVIMS) as specified in and section 47 of Bhutan Civil Service Act, 2010.
the TOR. TOR can be collected from RENEW
during office hours. You are requested to submit the Applicants with the relevant qualification/training and work experience
sealed quotation latest by 12th November 2012 by shall be given the preference for the purpose of short listing.
12.00pm.
There will be a written examination in Dzongkha and English prior to the
For further information please contact interview. Application along with Curriculum Vitae must reach HRD, MoAF
Ms. Jigme Pelden or Ms. Jigme Choden, at latest by 14th November, 2012.
332159/334751 during office hours. Offtg. Chief HR Officer
Executive Director, RENEW
4
* PERSPECTIVES
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL

On public MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN

speaking

T
he public consultation meeting on
the Amochu hydroelectric project in
Phuentsholing on Thursday with vil-
lagers from Chukha and Samtse saw
some relevant questions raised by
those, who would be losing land to the project.
It goes to show that rural Bhutan has been close-
ly following developments. Villagers are also aware
that getting compensation, whether as substitute
land or in cash, can be a long drawn process.
This awareness probably comes from the fact
that villages in other parts of the country, like in
Wangdue, have to give up their land and, in some
cases, even their ancestral homes to the waters of
the project.
The government has given its word that the
affected families would be well compensated, yet
Canine clean-up crew: Who needs sanitation workers with natural scavengers
there have been issues, like finding a suitable sub-
around?
stitute plot that is up to the expectations of those
affected.
But the Phuentsholing consultation meeting also
had many of the villagers attending not saying any-
thing, because they could not understand what the
government officials were saying.
The request for an interpreter appears to have
been turned down. This was because, according MY SAY
to the concerned officials, all formal consultations
must take place in the national language.
Besides defeating the very purpose of holding a
public consultation, taking such a rigid stand does
not help in the promotion of the national language.
Rather it raises feelings of disgust that a small nation
like ours can do without. In appreciation
Dzongkha will always be the unifying language
for this country and anyone, who has desires to rise I would like to extend my in our country. These initia- right time. I still remember
to the top in government or in politics, knows very heartfelt gratitude to the RBP tives taken will definitely help what the prime minister, said
well it cannot be done without a command of the (Royal Bhutan Police) Traffic us as an individual, associa- during the graduate orienta-
national language. Aspiring politicians are already Division for coming up with tion, and above all country as tion program; it is not the job
working on improving their Dzongkha vocabulary, the plans to install more cam- a whole. that matters but the attitude of
and finding Dzongkha equivalents for English lan- eras at various locations and Regarding the CCTV to the youth towards the job.
guage words like statistics and inflation. for placing five CCTV cameras track traffic in Thimphu, I It is high time we change
Wherever possible, official meetings are being in Thimphu. suggest CCTV cameras be our ways. We always talk about
increasingly held in Dzongkha. But it does not make I also would like to thank installed along the highways the future; this is the future. 
sense that it be done if those attending the meeting the consortium who partici- particularly along accident-
do not speak or understand it. And this is particu- pated in the waste collecting prone locations. Sarman Tamang
larly true in case of rural Bhutan, where exposure campaign, which is a growing About the waste collecting Phuentsholing
is minimal and people generally speak their own concern, the increase of waste campaign, it really came at the
dialects or language.
Bhutan’s leaders have made it a point to have
translators, when speaking to people, who might
not have a command over the national language,
because the idea is to be able to communicate.
In 2008, politicians, visiting different parts of the
country, campaigned in the language and dialect of Send your letters and pictures to
the particular region, and they will do so in the com- news@kuensel.com.bt
ing elections.
What this means is that this country of ours, no Letters will be edited for space and clarity
matter how small, has its own diversity that is its
strength.

MANAGING DIRECTOR - Chencho Tshering, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR - Thinley Dorji, EDITOR - Phuntsho Wangdi, NEWS EDITOR - Samten Wangchuk, DESIGN EDITOR - Chencho Tshering,
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER - Karma Dupchu, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, CIRCULATION MANAGER - Ugyen Norbu, REGIONAL HEAD (KANGLUNG) - Pema Tenzin
 *
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL HOME 5
Soe and Lingzhi

Micro projects pose a major challenge

So much so that alternates are being looked into, which will further delay electrification
THINLEY ZANGMO, LINGZHI
With the setting up of micro hy-
dropower projects expected to
take longer, villagers of Soe and
Lingzhi will have to continue
depending on solar panels for
electricity.
HYDROPOWER
Lack of funds and com-
mitment from bidders, and
technical challenges associ-
ated with high altitude, have
delayed the setting up of two
micro hydropower projects.
Soe and Lingzhi, are officially
two days and three days walk
from Drugyel Dzong in Paro.
The site of the Soe plant at Do-
zamagichu is at an altitude of
4,096m, and the Lingzhi plant
at Gangyulchu is at a height of
3,900m.
A feasibility study by the
economic affairs ministry, with
technical and financial support
from JICA in 2007, estimated
the cost for the 50 kilowatt (kw)
micro hydropower project in
Soe at Nu 23.476M, and Nu
35.624M for 100kw in Lingzhi.
Chief engineer of alterna-
tive energy division, Mewang
Gyeltshen said the estimates
Soak up the sun: So lay the villagers solar panels to be charged in the day,
lamps plugged to them to be recharged
were used as a basis for pro-
jecting 10th plan budget out-
lay, which was approved by the
government.
In 2009, the first tender
worth Nu 48.53M for Soe
project and Nu 64.78M for
Lingzhi project was floated.
“But the quoted price was re-
ally high, beyond justification,
that we decided to cancel the
tender,” he said.
The total quoted amount
for the two projects came to
about Nu 113.310M, which
worked out to over Nu 1M
a household on an average,
against the estimated average
of Nu 150,000 per household
for rural electrification.
“We then decided to explore
electrification of Soe through
grid electrification, and Lingzhi
micro hydropower to be recon-
sidered, only if the government
could secure full grant funding,”
he said.
Last year, the economic
affairs ministry received Nu
124M from the Austrian gov-
ernment to set up the two mini
hydropower projects. Tender
documents with the revised es-
timates were prepared, but they
received only one quotation.
“The total amount quot-
ed was Nu 249.110M, so we
couldn’t award the contract
work,” the chief engineer said.
With such issues, Mewang
Gyeltshen said, they were now
looking into grid extensions to
electrify the 107 households in
Soe and Lingzhi.
“The grid extension will
have to go through a park area,
which is another challenge,” he
said. “So, the implementation
of grid extensions would only
be possible in the next five year
plan.”
Today, solar panels are the
only source of electricity for the
28 homes in Soe and 79 homes
in Lingzhi.
Dorji Rinchen, 26, from
Gangyul in Soe, said electric-
ity generated from solar panels
didn’t last long. “We have to use
it sparingly, as it lasts for about
four to five hours a day,” he said.
“Our lives would change with
electricity.”
When there is no sun, elec-
tricity from a solar panel lasts
only for about three hours,
Phub Dorji, 27, said. “It’s dif-
ficult, relying only on solar pan-
els alone,” he said. “If I charge
my cell phone and light my
room, electricity is exhausted
in less than five hours.”

INVITATION OF BIDS
ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF BHUTAN
Sherubtse College, Kanglung
11(2)SC/Kuensel/2012/799

Sherubtse College, Kanglung hereby invites sealed tenders/bids from the bidders registered with CDB for execution of the following works:

Sl. Name of work Category Period EMD Date of Date & time of
# (months) (Nu.) sale submission & opening
1 Conversion of Phy-Che Lab into classroom, Small 3 20,000.00 1/11/2012 15/11/2012 on or before
Sherubtse College, Kanglung 10:30 am
2 Renovation of toilet, construction of soak pit at Small 3 20,000.00 1/11/2012 15/11/2012 on or before
Sherubtse College, Kanglung 10:30 am
1. Bidding shall be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedures specified in the RGoB Procurement and are open to all
bidders from countries as defined in Section III of the bidding document.
2. Interested eligible bidders may download a complete set of bidding documents in English from the Sherubtse College website
www.sherubtse.edu.bt. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted.
3. Bids must be submitted to the Sherubtse Accounts Section on or before above mentioned date and time.
4. All bids shall be accompanied by a bid security of fixed amount.
5. Participating in the other’s licence shall not be entertained.
6. The address referred to above is Director General, Sherubtse College, Kanglung.
Director General
 *
Thursday

6 REGION November 1, 2012

KUENSEL

Cyclone Nilam heading for India

At least 4,000 people are in
displacement camps after
being affected by floods in
Sri Lanka linked to a tropical
cyclone which is heading for
southern India.
WEATHER
But the worst of the
storm failed to hit Sri Lankan
territory directly.
Cyclone Nilam is expect-
ed to hit India on Wednes-
day night.
With wind speeds reach-
ing 100 km/h (60 mph),
Cyclone Nilam could make
landfall on Tamil Nadu state
and also hit the state of And-
hra Pradesh.
Schools, colleges and
cargo operations at the port
in Tamil Nadu’s state capital,
Chennai, have been shut.
Fishermen in both states
have also been warned not
to venture out to sea.
India’s weather de-
partment has warned that
“damage is expected” when
the cyclone makes landfall
anywhere between Nagap-
attinam in northern Tamil
Nadu and the Nellore dis-
trict in southern Andhra
Pradesh on Wednesday
evening.
It said in a statement
that the storm could dam-
age huts, trees and power
and communication lines.
The storm is also likely
to damage crops like rice,
groundnut and maize in
coastal districts of Tamil
Nadu and rice and ground-
nut in coastal Andhra
Heavy rains have lashed Tamil Nadu
Pradesh, the statement said.
Authorities in the two
states have been put on alert
ahead of the storm.
Reports say over 300
schools and community
centres in Chennai have
been kept ready to receive
people evacuated from the
path of the storm. Control
rooms have been opened in
the vulnerable coastal dis-
tricts of Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile in Sri Lanka
disruption is at its greatest in
Mullaitivu in the north-east
and Gampaha on the west
coast. In the north, the Red
Cross has been distributing
tarpaulins, mats and mos-
quito nets. Strong winds and
showers are still prevalent in
the north and east.
People in areas hit by
heavy fighting at the conclu-
sion of the war in 2009 have
been badly affected.
They include Tamil fami-
lies who left the huge Menik
Farm refugee camp when
it was closed a month ago
and who have been living in
makeshift accommodation
since then.
In December 2011, more
than 30 people died and
many homes were damaged
after a cyclone struck near
the southern Indian town of
Pondicherry.
And in May 2010 at least
23 people died as a power-
ful cyclone caused wide-
spread havoc across Andhra
Pradesh.
BBC

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& ‘08 model, Avenger Bike
‘11 model, Hilux ‘97 model,
Bolero ‘05 model, Van ‘02
model, Toyota Windom,
Landcruiser ‘06 model.
Contact 17115527, Yeedzen
Motors.
Sale: Maruti Van ‘11 model.
17140756.
Sale: 4 nos. Excavator (Mark
VI & VIII) model ‘03, ‘05, ‘06
& ‘07, 2 nos. Rock Breaker
model ‘10. Contact 17110148.
Sale: Ford Figo, ‘10 model.
17448256.
Sale: KIA Sportage ‘11 model
(loan transferable) @ 14 lakhs.
Contact 77777749.
Sale: Landcruiser ‘97 model,
Hilux ‘95 & ‘91 model.
Contact 17486244.
Sale: A-Star LXi ‘12 model,
CLASSIFIEDS
Getz ‘04 model, Pajero
shortbody ‘96, Landcruiser
shortbody ‘94, Rav 4 ‘11
model, Chevrolet Spark
‘09 model. Contact Happy
Home Used Cars Dealer, 02-
350090/17141551.
Sale: Bolero SLX ‘12 model.
Contact 17826642.
Sale: SantaFe ‘10 model (with
loan), Toyota Hilux ‘96 model,
Maruti Esteem car ‘04 model.
Contact Kuenjung Motors,
17276707.
Sale: Truck ‘11 model, Jumbo
Eicher ‘10 model (with loan),
Tucson ‘06 model, SX4 ‘09
model, Excavator Volvo with
rock breaker ‘11 model (with
loan). Contact Kuenjung
Motors, 17276707.
Rent: 3 bedroom apartment
at Lungtenphu. Contact
17608040.
Rent: One unit 3BHK
with parking and 24hrs
water supply above wet
canteen, Babesa w.e.f 1st
November ‘12. Contact
17987065/17635407.
Sale: Deluxe apartments at
Lungtenphu. Call 17116077.
Rent: Flat at Changzamtog
near Chundu Sawmill.
Contact 77620345.
Rent: Empty shop space
with attached residence and
family apartment. Contact
17552909/17504292.
Sale: Snooker. Contact
17646890.
Rent: Flat at Changbangdu
& Babesa near Dr. Tobgyal
School, basement at Babesa.
Contact 77252059.
Sale: 5 storeyed building
at lower market. Contact
77252059.
Sale: 2 bedroom, 2 toilet near
Dr. Tobgyal school, Babesa.
Small family preferable.
Contact 17172191/17569385.
Sale: 3 bedroom flat at
Semtokha and Olakha.
Contact 17923858.
Sale: 22 decimal land at
Depsi, Thimphu. Contact
17110595.
Sale: 5 acres land at
Tshokhana, Tsirang and 2.65
acres land near BOD, Tsirang.
Call 17635137/
06-471195.
Sale: 2.7 acres of land for sale
in Paltabari, Sarpang. Road
access, two hundred metres
from highway, concrete house,
orchard & wetland, 17256237. Vacancy: One bill collector
with valid two wheeler
Sale: 10 decimal land at
licence, 1 driver with three
Samdrupchhoeling (Bhangter),
years experience, 2nos. waiter,
Samdrup Jongkhar. Please
minimum X passed. Contact
contact 17789866/77789866.
322747, Hotel Jumolhari.
Sale: 14 decimal at Taba,
Vacancy: One cook, 1 house
13 decimal & 71 decimal
keeping, 2 F&B service.
land at Samtenling, 86
Contact 17397542.
decimal land at Debsi, Chang
(Thimphu), 14.47 decimal land Wanted: Immediately require
at Kharbandi, Phuentsholing. cook & waiter. Call 17444506.
Contact 17110148.
Sale: 40 decimal near Shaba
School. Contact 17652399. Lost: Chevrolet car key with
Sale: 1.2 acre land at red key hanger. Finder please
Woochu, Paro. Contact call 17607246.
77777749.
Acknowledgement: Chogyel
Sale: 2.82 acre dryland Wangdup, Youenten Dorji,
at Nainital Thrakurigaon. Rinchen Dorji and Rinchen
Tshewang would like to
Contact 17869913.
acknowledge the staffs of
Sale: 35 decimal land Chukha CHP and Ministry of
at Olakha, 16 decimal at Foreign Affairs for supporting
Changbangdu. Contact us during the sad demise of
17141551/ 02-350090.
our mother. May the departed
soul rest in peace.
Announcement: Bhutan
Vacancy: 2 mature and furniture manufacturing unit,
experienced candidates as Norgay Lam, Phuentsholing
Liaison Officer for a private deals all furniture items, door/
company. 17111625. window frames and shutters
made of teak wood and sal
Vacancy: At Bhutan GRC.
wood. Call 05-251797, fax 05-
Contact 17609008. 251798, 17622626.
Vacancy: One store-keeper
Wanted: Air compressor
class X, one accountant class
for hire. Contact
XII. 17114191.
17110726/17114480.
 *
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL DIVERSION 7
daffynition
brute force [Comput.]
words.to.the.wise Sudoku
When your brain doesn’t work, just keep beating
on the problem until one of you dies INKIN
Jap.; a small
bowl-shaped bell
superstition with a cushion
beneath it, which
adder is placed on a
To kill an adder is thought to generally bring good luck wooden pedestal
and struck with
a small metal
riddlemeree striker.
The inkin is sometimes used in Zen
the rotor riddle monasteries to signal the beginning or end
q: What turns everything around of zazen periods, or is rung at the beginning
but doesn’t move? of recitations.
a: A mirror!
INNEN LAST SOLUTION
todayinhistory Jap., lit. Direct inner cause and direct outer How to play
effect [i.e., cause and occasion]”; this notion
Fill in the grid
1959 is used in Zen as well as in other schools of
Buddhism in Japan in relation to Buddhist so that every
Jacques Plante , the Montreal Canadiens understanding of the “law of cause and row, every
goalie, after being hit again, and with effect” (karma), accordi8ng to which every column, and
seven more stitches on his face, returned to the ice wearing a event takes place in dependence on direct
plastic face mask made of fiberglass and resin. The rest is history. or indirect causes. every 3 X 3
Innen is sometimes translated as box contains
happybirthday “occasion-condition-cause” in order to the numbers 1
indicate the multifaceted meaning of this through 9.
DAN Peek concept.
1950-2011
America Guitarist/Singer

quotefortheday beau peep

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

MARGARET Mead 1901-1978

homegrown
WHITE-SPECTACLED
Warbler

KUENSEL
TO ADVERTISE
(Seicercus affinis) call 326191 or
Fairly common; fax 326638;
email: advertisement@
near Yongkola kuensel.com.bt
TO SUBSCRIBE

ecotip call 327463

FOR NEWS call
324684/322483
Go Green
NU PER UNITS OF
compost manure FOREIGN CURRENCY
as of yesterday
If you have a lot of manure, consider NOTES
composting it. Not only will you
Buy Sell
reduce its odour and volume, you’ll
also reduce the number of flies in the garden too. US $ 53.23 55.00

POUND 85.45 87.85

EURO 68.85 70.75

anagram YEN(100) 67.05 68.95

Unscramble anagram for actor’s name HK $ 6.85 7.05

AUS $ 55.25 56.75

Deliberated (5,6) [Nominated for best supporting actor
SING $ 43.60 44.85
in Roman Holiday and The Heartbreak Kid]
Albert ANSWER: Eddie Courtesy BNB
 *
Thursday

8 ADS November 1, 2012

KUENSEL

NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL

LETTER OF INVITATION
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SUPPLY OF SAND
MINISTRY OF WORKS & HUMAN

NRDCL
NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT SETTLEMENT
CORPORATION LIMITED Department of Engineering Services
NRDCL

NRDCL/HQ/ADM/28/2012 DES/UISD/20.1/2012-2013/1576

This is to inform all that sand supply will commence from 2nd November 2012 Department of Engineering Services has a budget
above Wangdue Bridge. The sand will be supplied based on the following provision from UNDP and intends to apply part

NRDCL
procedure/system in order to control illegal transaction & escalation of cost. or whole of the proceeds for the procurement of
consultancy services to conduct an investigative study to
NRDCL

1. Sand supply through NRDCL Leased Tripper Trucks: Under this eliminate/mitigate water scarcity for Mongar town under
system NRDCL has leased 50 Trucks and sand from Wangdue will be the NAPA project grant. The services include mapping
transported to Thimphu in the name of NRDCL, which will then be of existing watersheds, identification of climate change
distributed to interested customer from Truck Parking, Changzamtog. scenario for Mongar town, population and water

NRDCL
The customer will have to deposit the sand cost at NRDCL Head Office demand projection, water scarcity mapping, network
and produce the money receipt to the site I/charge at the Truck Parking analysis and water demand management study and
NRDCL

office, and the sand truck will then be handed over to the customer by the
NRDCL site In-charge. The customer will pay for the transportation cost
directly to the driver at the approved rate.
2. Sand Transportation by Contractor and Individual: The contractor
recommending appropriate technical option(s) to
mitigate water scarcity.
Department of Engineering Services now invites
eligible consultants to indicate their interest in

NRDCL
and individual can also transport sand through their owned trucks. An providing the services. Interested consultants must
application with work order (in case of contractor) and city approval (in
NRDCL

provide information indicating that they are qualified

case of individual home builder) and Dzongkhag’s approval (in case of rural
construction) with truck number will have to be submitted to NRDCL
office (HQ or Sha Region) when depositing the sand cost. Sand from the
quarry will only be provided to these identified trucks and not to any
NRDCL
to perform the services (brochures, description of
similar assignments, experience in similar conditions,
availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). The
selection process of a consultant shall be in accordance

other unidentified trucks as was done earlier. with the procedures set out in the Procurement Rules
NRDCL

3. The transportation cost from Wangdue to Thimphu Municipality area
is fixed at Nu.5,488 per TL. Any transportation beyond Thimphu
municipality will be charged extra at Nu. 9.8 per Km per M3 and cost for
different destinations are available from the distribution counter.
NRDCL
and Regulations.
Interested consulting firms may obtain further
information from the office of the Chief Engineer,
Urban Infrastructure Services Division, Department

of Engineering Services, MoWHS, Thimphu, Bhutan

4. The cost of sand is fixed at Nu.100.57 per cubic meter (M3) and
on any working days. Contact tel. nos. are 02-
customers are expected to pay according to the capacity of the truck.
NRDCL

324339/324338 and Fax no. 02-324338.

5. Any truckers found overcharging or illegal transaction of sand will be dealt
The bid document may be purchased from the above
as per the FNCR 2006 and will be barred from any future transportation
office from 1st November, 2012 till 29th November,
works with NRDCL.
2012 on payment of a non-refundable fee of
NRDCL

6. The guidelines for supply of sand can be downloaded from NRDCL Nu. 1000/-(Ngultrum one thousand)only.
website www.nrdcl.bt.
NRDCL

The sealed Technical Proposal & Financial Bid must be

Please contact Marketing Division, NRDCL HQ, at
Tel # 323868/323834/Toll free # 1090 or Sha Regional Office,
Wangdue at Tel # 481272/481537 for any quarries/clarifications.
NRDCL Management
NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL NRDCL
NOTICE INVITING TENDER
TASHI INFOCOMM LIMITED
TICL/CE/SD/4724
Tashi InfoComm Limited invites sealed bids from the eligible Bhutanese Contractors
(Small Class), holding valid trade license for the Construction of Protection Walls at
Phuntsho Rabtenling under Samdrupjongkhar.
A complete set of bidding documents can be purchased from the Finance Division
from 02/11/2012 to 15/11/2012 for a non-refundable fee of Nu. 500.00. The last
date of submission is on 16/11/2012 until 01:00 pm and shall be opened on same
day at 2:30 pm at TICL Head Office, Thimphu. Bids must be accompanied by
security of Nu. 33,400.00 in the form of Demand Draft or Bank Guarantee, drawn
in favour of the Managing Director, Tashi InfoComm Limited.
For further information & explanation, please log on www.tashicell.com /
contact the Civil Engineering Section at telephone no: 77889977 – Extension
8805
Planning & Development
delivered to the Office of the Director, Department of
Engineering Services, MoWHS, Thimphu on or before
10:30am (BST) on 30th November, 2012 and will
be publicly opened on the same day at 2:30pm in the
office of the Director, DES.
The Technical Proposal should be submitted along
with a copy of valid trade licence & CDB certificate.
The completed bid form should be enclosed with the
Financial Proposal.
Department will not be responsible for any costs or
expenses incurred by bidders in connection with the
preparation or delivery of bids.
Director
VACANCY RE-ANNOUNCEMENT
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & HUMAN
RESOURCES
MoLHR/HRM-01/12-13/670
Ministry is pleased to re-announce the vacancy of
Chief Administrative Officer under the AFD.
Interested applicants may refer: www.molhr.gov.bt
for details and the eligible candidates may apply by 9th
November, 2012 (Friday).

Baylangdra Nye, Wangdue
Meditating under straitened
circumstances
Tsampas conduct their pursuits in impoverished conditions without complaint
TENZIN NAMGYEL, WANGDUE
In Baylangdra nye (sacred
place), which is essentially a
sheer rock face, about 30-sto-
reys high, surrounded by dense
coniferous forests, a newly built
Zangdogpelri (copper colour
mountain) temple juts out
from near its base.
RELIGION
A group of 13 tsampas
(meditation practitioners)
occupy the second floor of
the Zangdopelri to perform
tshogkhor (religious offerings)
on every auspicious day that
falls on the 8th, 10th, 15th, 28th
and 30th day of the Bhutanese
calendar.
Last week, on the 10th day
of ninth Bhutanese month (Oc-
tober 24), the group sat down to
offer prayers to Guru Rinpoche.
When the tshogkhor ended
at around 6pm, they left the
temple without any yoen or
offerings, since there was no-
body to make them. Whatever
offerings for the day were made
came from their own contribu-
tions.
Many a time the tsampas
run out of basic necessities like
rice and vegetables. “Some-
times they borrow rice and
vegetables from me,” said a
senior tsampa, Tenzin Choeda,
29, from Mongar Drapung. He
coordinates and heads reli-
gious ceremonies and rituals
in the temple.
He gets some support from
friends, who he came to know
after they visited the nye as pil-
grims. “Since I’m the senior-
most in the group, I know more
people,” Tenzin Choeda said.
Other items, they usually
run out of stock, are LPG cook-
ing gas, and butter to offer in
lamps. Sometimes pilgrims
and visitors do offer butter
lamps.
Anyone, who joins as a
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL
Copper colour mountain at Baylangdra
tsampa at Baylangdra, must
stay in retreat for a minimum
of 12 years.
Tenzin Choeda, who has
been living at the nye for 13
years, said, given a hike in por-
ter charges, a monthly stipend
of Nu 1500, they get from a
group of sponsors in Thimphu,
is barely enough to meet basic
requirements.
Local porters charge Nu
400 a trip to ferry rations. They
said the charges went up after
tourists were willing to pay
more. Baylangdra nye is about
two hours uphill on foot from
the nearest farm road which
is more than 20km from Tiki
Zampa 11 kms from Bajo town.
Since the tsampas are not
supposed to cross a demar-
cated boundary of about 200m
below the temple, they can’t go
nearby the roadside to collect
items on their own.
The situation becomes dire
when they do the weeklong
meditation in a cave below
the main temple on a rotation
basis. The cave, which is about
100m below the temple, is be-
DZONGKHAG
* 9
‘‘
If we look at how
Milerapa spent
years in cave
without food, ours
is nothing”
Tenzin Choeda
Senior tsampa
day.
Overlooking Bay village
in Kazhi gewog, Baylangdra
is considered one of the most
sacred places in the country,
as Guru Rinpoche is believed
to have meditated there for a
week. ‘Bay’ means ‘hidden
lieved to be the place, where “If we look at how Milerapa treasure’ and ‘Langdra’, an ‘oxen
terton Dorji Lingpa discovered spent years in cave without cliff’. An 8th century book on
a Buddhist text on the Dorling food, ours is nothing,” he said. the nye says the entire cave has
lineage in the 8th century. “We’ll continue to stay in the hidden treasures on religious
During the weeklong medi- cave, even if we starve to death.” texts, sacred objects and ma-
tation, they survive on drango Except for one, all 12 tsam- terials.
(cooked grain powder). “We pas are from the east. The nye resembles the Takt-
don’t feel hungry,” said Ten- The first three years of re- sang monastery in Paro, and the
zin Choeda. In the absence of treat in the cave are compulsory newly built temple has the same
a tent and a shade over their and, after that, some opt for a shape, but the inner part is in-
heads, many tsampas spend nine- or 12-year retreat, while complete, and work on 14 stat-
chill and windy nights out in some recite Guru Rinpoche’s ues has come to a halt, because
the open. mantra for about 12 hours a of financial constraints.
Hotline RDC, Jakar:205
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS
Department of Agriculture, National Soil Services Centre
NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS
NSSC/ADMIN-07/2008-13/637
Sealed bids are hereby invited from registered suppliers for the supply of
chemicals, glassware & lab uniform/field dress as detailed in the tender
document available on sale at a cost of Nu.500/- (non-refundable) from
5th November, 2012. The last date for submission of the tender is 30th
November, 2012 before 12:30pm and will be opened on the same day at
2pm.
Program Director
Hotline RDC, Wengkhar:204
10
* ADS Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL

NOTIFICATION NOTICE INVITING TENDER

ROYAL BHUTAN POLICE
(Crime & Operations)
RBP/HQ/DCP/C&O/SR-231/2002(1451)
Royal Bhutan Police hereby issue the following
notification in the interest of general public for the
security of the forth coming Bye-Election in
Gewog Tshogde Tshogpa in Khar-Yajur Chiwog,
Khar Gewog under Pemagatshel Dzongkhag and
Elections to the vacancies in the 63 Local Government
Demkhongs 2012.
1. Carrying of any type of arms and personal
weapons like pen knife by the public including the
candidate and private security personnel during
the compaigning or polling is strictly prohibited.
2. Sale of liquor/alcohol is strictly prohibited on 2nd,
3rd, and 4th, November 2012.
3. Citizens are requested to inform Election Security
Cell in their area of any plans for celebrating
marriage, religious congregations or other
social gatherings which may involve discourses,
discussion etc. during the election.
“ Chief Election Security Coordinator”
Royal Bhutan Police
NOTICE INVITING LIMITED TENDER
DZONGKHAG ADMINISTRATION
Trashigang
DAT/DES-14/2012-2013/3022
Dzongkhag Administration, Trashigang hereby invites
sealed item rate bids from eligible contractors registered
with CDB for execution of following works:
1. Construction of site development and service line
connection at Radhi BHU
2. Construction of external water supply at Radhi BHU
3. Construction of storm water drain at Wamrong Town.
For details, please visit to our website
www.trashigang.gov.bt
Chairman, Dzongkhag Tender Committee
FOR ANNUAL SUPPLY OF: STATIONERY, AIR TICKETING
SERVICES AND PANEL HEATERS
SAARC DEVELOPMENT FUND SECRETARIAT
3rd Floor, BDBL Building, Thimphu
SDF/Admin/Quotation/2012/
SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Secretariat, based in Thimphu, has been
inaugurated by the Heads of State/Governments of SAARC Member States in
April 2010 during the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu. The primary objective
of the SDF is (i) to promote the welfare of the people of SAARC Region, (ii) to
improve the quality of life, and (iii) to accelerate economic growth, social progress
and poverty alleviation in the SAARC Region. To support the above objectives
the SDF Secretariat will, amongst other, (i) identify, study prospect and approve
projects, (ii) finance approved projects in the SAARC Member States, (iii) Leverage
funding i.e arrange and mobilize financing and/or co-financing projects, (iv) provide
grants for projects of strategic importance to SAARC, (v) provide financial and
technical assistance, and (vi) manage the Fund. For further information please refer
www.sdfsec.org
The SDF Secretariat would like to invite sealed bids from interested licensed firms for
the following services for the next 12 (twelve) months commencing from the day
the contract agreements are signed:
1. Supply of Annual Stationery
2. Delivery of Annual Air Travel & Ticketing Services by Agents processing
IATA membership and
3. Supply and installation of 12 Panel Heaters. The bids for the Heaters are
to be submitted on or before 5.00PM on 5th November, 2012 (Monday)
The interested licensed Firms are requested to submit your bids for serial number
1 and 2 by the close of business on November 09, 2012 to the Assistant Director,
Administration and Finance Department before 4.00PM. Interested bidders are
encouraged to attend the bid opening at 4.30PM on the same day. Interested
bidders are also encouraged to visit the Secretariat to discuss the details with the
Administration and Finance Department before submitting your bids. For any
clarifications please call 321152/53 or email at info@sdfsec.org.
The decision of the Procurement Committee shall be final and binding.
Chief Executive Officer
TO ADVERTISE IN KUENSEL
call 326191 or fax 326638; or send by
email at advertisement@kuensel.com.bt

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS

National Centre for Animal Health, Serbithang, Thimphu
NOTICE INVITING TENDER
3(15)/NCAH/Adm/2012-13/420-422

National Centre for Animal Health, Serbithang is pleased to invite sealed tenders from the eligible contractors (small) registered with
Construction Development Board (CDB) for the following work:
Construction
Sl Submission Opening of
Name of work Location Cost Sale start Sale end period in
# before tender
months
Construction of National Centre NCAH
05/12/2012 at One & half
1 approach road at for Animal Health, Nu.500/- 05/11/2012 04/12/2012 Conference at
10am months (1.5)
NCAH Office Serbithang 11am
Program Director

Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL
The making of the Constitution
O ‘‘
n behalf of the Members of the Drafting
Committee, I have the honour of publish-
ing the introduction to the Articles of the
Constitution on the auspicious day of the
historic Coronation. It is based on the
constitutional principles, legal and academic doctrines, philo-
sophical and spiritual canons, traditional sources and public
consultations. The detailed explanation of every section will be
published later in a book.
Preamble The proclamation “We
The Preamble is an the People…” is not a new
introductory statement or concept for Bhutan. The social
preliminary explanation contract signed between the
of the purpose, directives, First King, the Dratshang,
and the philosophy of the the officers and the people of
Constitution. It clarifies the Bhutan in 1907 starts with a
Constitution, states its source profound word “Rang-cha”.
and the nature of polity. The “Rang-cha” was changed to
Preamble of Bhutan’s Consti- “Gna-cha”, which means “We”.
tution promulgates Bhutan to Thus, the collective noun of
be a sovereign and a demo- “People” is conceived as a col-
cratic country. It enshrines lective body with independent
the values and aspirations action. “We” denote people
of the nation and its people. as collective body capable of
The Preamble begins with the independent and consensual
proclamation “We the people action. Democracy entails the
of Bhutan……” representing primacy of the people.2 It vali-
the collective will of the Bhu- dates the ultimate “will” of the
tanese people. people, which is the product
of our common past, the con-
Justice Michael Kirby1 pro- tinuity of the present and our
vided the following insightful shared concern for the future
analysis about the Constitu- (due sum).
tion of Bhutan: The fundamental values of
Constitution making in Bhu-
“In the preamble to the tan are inherently a process
Constitution of Bhutan there led constitutional mandate in-
are poetical and beautiful stead of imposed constitution-
words. ….Blessed by the Triple al framework. It is an act of
Gem, the protection of our our own people. Every mem-
guardian deities, the wisdom ber of the household in the
of our leaders, the everlasting country received a copy of the
fortunes of the Pelden Drukpa Draft Constitution. There was
and the guidance of His Majes- extensive public participation.
ty the Druk Gyelpo… They are The people participated dur-
beautiful words and one word ing the historic process of the
I fixed my eye upon is ‘hap- Constitution making in the
piness.’.. It’s a most wonderful august presence of His Maj-
idea really and today we have esty Jigme Singye Wangchuck,
an obligation to contribute to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and
the happiness of everybody; to His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo,
contribute to kindness to every- Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang-
body and I think this is an es- chuck. Their Majesties visited
sential teaching of the Buddha; every Dzongkhag, read every
that we should re-chart in love page of the Draft Constitution
and amity with everybody. and discussed every word
That we should try to bring of the provisions with the
down inter-conflict strife and people. The Draft Constitu-
war and live together in peace tion was simultaneously
and harmony.” posted on a webpage in both
Dzongkha and English lan-
PERSPECTIVE 11
guage. Public comments on
the Draft Constitution were
received online through the
webpage devoted solely for
the Constitution (www.con-
stitution.bt). Further, www.
kuenselonline.com created a
special forum for comments
on the Constitution, wherein
many comments were sent.
Therefore, the expression “We
the People of Bhutan” firmly
finds it place in the Preamble
as it is reflective of the holistic
participation of the Bhutanese
people in the drafting of the
Constitution and genuinely
symbolizes their true will.
During the public consulta-
tion meeting at Samdrup
Jongkhar, His Majesty the
Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar
Namgyel Wangchuck, men-
tioned that the Constitution
is neither a prescriptive
document, nor it shows the
people what to do on a daily
basis, but it is a sacred docu-
ment that places the power of
governance and the future of
the nation in the hands of the
people of Bhutan.
The second paragraph of
the Preamble incorporates
a historical perspective, the
prevailing circumstances and
the vision for the future. It in-
vokes the blessings of the Tri-
ple Gem, the protection of our
guardian deities, the wisdom
of our leaders and forefathers,
and the everlasting good
fortunes which Bhutan and
its people have always been
blessed with. This invocation
denotes the records of histori-
cal and religious belief and its
derivative values, acknowl-
edges the services of the past
leaders, and extols the virtues
of the past leaders (Gyalwa
Gom) that inspire the future
generations. This paragraph
further solicits the guidance of
His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo,
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang-
chuck, in the making of the
Constitution and the journey
of a democratic system in the
country.
The third paragraph is
the soul of the Preamble. It
reaffirms the sovereign status
of Bhutan with a solemn
*
must be ensured for future
by the Constitution and the
policies of the future must
also be strengthened by the
Happiness is a Constitution.3 His Majesty
virtue whilst Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the
Fourth Druk Gyalpo said that:
peace is one of
“It is important for all of
the conditions us today to look into the future
for happiness and to take the necessary steps
to shape the destiny of our
and progress”
country. Bhutan must move
with the times to ensure that
the nation not only overcomes
all internal and external
pledge of every Bhutanese threats, but continues to pros-
to “strengthen the sovereignty per in an atmosphere of peace
of Bhutan.” It emphasizes and stability.”4
the aspiration of the people
to secure for all citizens’ It is a clear testimony that
“liberty” – the liberty of being the strength of Bhutan comes
born in a country of fortunes from the unity of our citizens.
where individual and collec- It is vested in the belief that if
tive freedom shall prevail. It our country is united, it will
affirms to secure and enhance gain strength and prosper. As
social, economic and political Friedrich Schiller (1729-1805)
justice, and the equality of said “that even weak men
status and opportunity. The when united are powerful.” A
Constitution aims to secure united5 and integrated Bhutan
perpetual happiness for can best ensure its sovereignty
posterity by laying the broad and security. Sovereignty and
foundations of government the unity are the core values
founded upon the principles of the Bhutanese Constitu-
of justice. It further emphasiz- tion. Therefore, the Preamble
es the declaration to enhance is to clarify that the People
unity amongst the people and made the Constitution as
promote happiness, peace, they are source of popular
tranquility and the well-being sovereignty with power to
of the people for all time to adopt their own constitution
come. thereby, declaring their will as
Happiness is a virtue Bhutan to be a sovereign and
whilst peace is one of the democratic country. The Con-
conditions for happiness and stitution embodies our best
progress. Therefore, the basic achievements, which have
purpose of our Constitution continued to peace, economic
is to ensure the sovereignty progress and peaceful politi-
and security of the nation cal transformation.
and the well-being of the
Bhutanese people for all Contributed by Sonam
Tobgye, Thrimchi Lyonpo
time to come with continued
peace, prosperity, and jus-
tice. The success of the past To be continued
Footnotes:
1
Justice Kirby, the former Justice of the High Court of Australia delivered
his talk on 14th 15th of December 2010 in conjunction with a series of
lectures on constitutionalism and democracy organized by the Judiciary of
Bhutan with the adoption of the Constitution and the establishment of a
Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.
2
Schmitt: ‘under the democratic theory of the people’s constitution-making
power, the people stand as the bearer of the constitution-making power
outside of and above any constitutional norm’.
3
Royal audience with the members of the Constitution Drafting
Committee, 19th November 2001.
4
Refer Kuensel, dated November 30, 2001.
5
The “unity” must start within a family, a community and the country.
12
* HOME
Thursday
November 1, 2012
KUENSEL

Weaving happiness into polices

SAMTEN YESHI
 
Bhutan should explore ways to
translate findings of the hap-
piness survey into polices if
Gross National Happiness is
the base on which the policies
are formed.
GNH
While GNH is a policy
guide in Bhutan and its survey
expected to be the main way to
find the happiness conditions,
the 2010 GNH survey results is
less utilised today by planners
and policy makers, said Cen-
tre for Bhutan Studies officials
at the meeting of practition-
ers and scholars of happiness
yesterday.
  “Even people from the
GNH commission do not refer
the findings of the happiness
survey,” a CBS official said.
  CBS president Dasho
Karma Ura said that while
GNH survey is the main way to
find the conditions of the soci-
ety, people are not yet used to
the values of GNH data gener-
ated from the survey.
 “With the rich statistic data
being generated about just
five years back, its not a long
Thimphu Departmental
Football Championship
time in terms of transform- among policy makers and tistical activities at a national   CBS president Dasho
ing knowledge and practices helped bring attention to the level. Karma Ura said the main
from institution to institution,” GNH domains in formulating  On the depth and richness stream statistics should be
Dasho said. policies in Bhutan to some of the survey she said that it brought into GNH and not
 He explained that a rich extent,” she said. “It would be is about whether the policy is the other way round because
statistical data may be gen- worth while to explore how the sufficiently informed, by what ordinary statistics are more
erated but transferring this surveys could be more fully the survey results say on how administrative in nature like
knowledge and disseminating used in formulating policies.” certain developments trans- the number of vehicles and na-
it from one institution to an-  The resident coordinator late into an opportunity in tional accounts. It’s these sta-
other, adapt, utilize and rec- said another element is to what pursuing or perception of in- tistics that need to be changed
ognize the value of these data extent should GNH surveys in dividual happiness. “I think for in the light of GNH.  “Because
will take time. all or in part become main- me the answer probably is that they give misleading informa-
“The survey report is on streamed into Bhutan’s sta- more could be done,” she said. tion sometimes,” he said.
the web and people have to
take more interest in it,” he
said.
  UN Resident coordina-
tor in Bhutan Claire van der
Vaeren however believes that
there does exist a link to some
degree between the GNH
surveys and policy making
through information by CBS
on the survey findings and the
GNH screening tool, which is
developed using a subset of
GNH survey indicators.
 According to her, the GNH
screening tool adopted by the
GNH commission, despite
some deeming it as a blunt in-
strument, has helped to inte-
grate material and immaterial
well being into policy choices
to an extent.
 “It has raised awareness
Picture story More than 1,300 graduates of the Technical and Vocational
Education and Training and Zorig Chusum institutes gathered at the Nazhoen
Pelri yesterday for their first convocation. They also received an audience with
His Majesty

Result
JDWNRH VS RICBL
(5-1)
Today
Taxi driver still missing
ATHANG VS RSTA Kidnappers demand Nu 3M in ransom
TANGO CHARLIE VS TASHI BANK
Venue: Motithang ground Kick-off :1:00pm
Ten days since the 37-year-old in Gelephu even sought the Sources also said the ab-
taxi driver went missing while help of the dungkhag and ductors had left a small chit,
Weather forecast for today: plying the Gelephu-Sarpang dzongkhag officials to look on which was inscribed the
1 November , 2012 highway, his friends said po- for him. name of a militant organisa-
lice assured them he was well “There is nothing we can tion in Jhapa, Nepal, in the
Dzongkhag Max Min Outlook
and that they were still look- do but request police and missing cabbie’s taxi.
Thimphu 22 2
ing for him. dzongkhag officials to help It is, however, not known
Bumthang/Chamkhar 20 -4
Kanglung/Trashigang 24 9 UPDATE find him,” he said.
Sources in Gelephu said
which group it is.
Gelephu police refused to
Bhur/Sarpang 28 18
A taxi driver in Gelephu, when some taxi drivers called comment, saying they would
For Thimphu: who requested anonymity their missing friend on his give a press release once they
Sunrise : 6:11AM Sunset : 5:18PM fearing any adverse reaction mobile phone, the kidnappers brought the man back home
from the police and security responded and demanded a safe.
Source: Meteorology Division, DHMS, MOEA
officials, said the taxi drivers ransom of Nu 3M.

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