Bhutan Daily News 11-04-23

The lack of infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students at Tareythang Primary School and Chhoekhorling Middle Secondary School in Sarpang is becoming a major concern. At Tareythang, the school is facing a shortage of classrooms, while Chhoekhorling is unable to host large events due to the absence of a multipurpose hall. The issue was recently discussed at the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.

In a heartwarming display of loyalty and commitment, the Choki Traditional Arts School in Thimphu has found a reliable ally in its dedicated alumni network. The school, which has been fostering traditional art education since its inception, has been receiving a considerable amount of support from its vibrant alumni association. Established in 2015, the association is composed of accomplished individuals who graduated from the institution and are now returning the favor by actively contributing to the school’s progress and development.

Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi will be stepping down from the post of minister. The Prime Minister confirmed this earlier today. He was among the four members of the cabinet who had volunteered to step down in November last year after the Royal Civil Service Commission reduced the number of ministries as part of the Civil Service Reform. Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi was the minister for the former Ministry of Information and Communications. BBS tried to get in touch with the minister but he couldn’t be reached. 

Four men have been killed in a motor vehicle accident in Wangdue Phodrang this afternoon. The bolero they were travelling in veered off the road about 50 metres and plunged into the Punatsangchhu. They were travelling towards the PHPA area from a workshop colony below Rinchengang.

The Bhutanese women’s football team ended their Olympic Qualifiers campaign in some style as they defeated Timor Leste, 3-1, in the final group match played in Tashkent, Uzbekistan earlier this evening. Bhutan took the lead in the closing minutes of the first half through a well worked header from Namgyel Dema. In the 67th minute, captain Pema Choden doubled Bhutan’s lead with a simple tap-in. A goalkeeping howler from Uzbekistan led to an own goal in the 75th minute. Timor Leste pulled a goal back in the final minute of the match. Despite the victory, only Uzbekistan will go through to the second round of the qualifiers as the group winner. Timor Leste is ranked 25 places above Bhutan in the women’s FIFA rankings. Last Saturday, Bhutan defeated Jordan, ranked 110 places above Bhutan in the rankings. At 178, Bhutan is the lowest-ranked team in Asia. The ranking is expected to improve considerably when FIFA releases its latest ranking update in June.

Police in Paro detained 11 people in connection with the Nu 38 million worth recent gold smuggling case at the Paro International Airport.Kuensel sources say that of the 11 people detained, two businesswomen in mid-thirties were arrested on April 9 following a confession by one of the suspects that the women funded the trip to bring in the gold from Bangkok, Thailand. 

Bhutanese drivers could expect better travelling experience on Indian highways once the measures to eliminate exploitation on toll fees materialise. 

In an effort to tackle waste problems and human-wildlife conflicts (HWC), the growing social concerns in Samtse,  the dzongkhag initiated zero waste mobile application, and vermicomposting to reduce bio-degradable waste.   

The Eco-Tech Bhutan Kraft Paper Industry Private Limited at Jigmeling Industrial Park in Sarpang is facing a critical shortage of raw materials. The recycling plant with the capacity to produce 50 metric tonnes of kraft paper a day is producing only about 25 metric tonnes depending on demand.