Bhutan Daily News 02-03-23

The five-day annual Paro Tshechu begins today. Hundreds of devotees gathered to witness the sacred mask dances performed by monks and local mask dancers. The Tshechu will be performed at the Tshechu Thang, outside the dzong from tomorrow.

---

A Bhutanese man in his thirties died on the spot in a vehicle accident this morning at Tamulpur in Assam state of India. According to sources, the incident happened when the truck he was driving collided with an Indian truck.The deceased was travelling towards Gomtu carrying coal. Tamulpur is about 38 kilometres from Samdrup Jongkhar.

---

With the summer season approaching, the price of sand is again expected to escalate by almost double compared to the winter season in the black market. A few construction owners in Thimphu said they land up buying sand from the black market as they have to wait for days and months to get sand from Natural Resources Development Corporation. The construction owners are requesting the relevant authorities to regulate the price.

---

A group of unemployed youth in Zhemgang set out on a journey to self-employment a decade ago. They started off by running the first-ever community-based river rafting enterprise in Panbang. It was not all a smooth sail. But things eventually worked out in their favour. However, just when they thought their business was starting to grow, the pandemic hit the country and reversed the little progress they made. But all is not lost. The River Guides of Panbang have bigger hopes. They plan to bring additional tourism products in Panbang to attract more visitors and do their bit in promoting the area as a hub for ecotourism.

---

The Memorial Chorten in Thimphu is illuminated in neon light today evening in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day. World Autism Awareness Day 2023 theme is "𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠" a call to bring up awareness about autism, thus accepting and supporting people with autism in the society and workplace.Tackling stigma related to autism remains one of the major challenges in Bhutan.

---

If Bhutan can export its surplus electricity to Bangladesh, especially in summer, it will be a boon for both countries. There is an acute shortage of power in Bangladesh, which is witnessing a booming economy briefly derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and now with an acute shortage of power.

---

The Government of India released an amount of Nu.4110 million for key development projects being implemented across the country. These bilateral friendship projects are being executed in sectors such as physical infrastructure, education, culture, skill development, export promotion and trade facilitation. According to a press release from the Embassy of India in Thimphu for the 12th plan period, Government of India has committed an amount of Nu.50 billion, which is being utilised for the implementation of 82 project tied assistance projects, 524 high impact community development projects, program grant support and development of trade infrastructure and trade governance mechanisms under trade support facility.

---

For Namgay Wangchuk, 57, from Punakha Dzongkhag, who is one of the stroke survivors, receiving physiotherapeutic apparatus and equipment through the Japan Alumni Association of Bhutan (JAAB) Mini Grant is a huge relief. He doesn’t have to visit to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) for his routine physiotherapy.The Bhutan Stroke Foundation (BSF), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and JAAB hold a handing over ceremony of physiotherapeutic equipment and machines on 28 March in supporting for establishment of therapeutic centre for stroke survivors.

---

Andrew Sutton, Honorary Consul of United Kingdom called on PM Dr Lotay Tshering today.

The PM thanked him for the goodwill & for representing Bhutan in the UK. They updated on the activities so far and discussed investment areas as well as further cooperation hereafter.