Bhutan Daily News 22-05-23
- Saidpiece
- May 22, 2023
- 5 min read
𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆
To reduce the financing gap in the country’s efforts in biodiversity conservation, four biodiversity finance solutions were launched today in commemoration of International Biodiversity Day in Thimphu. The financial solutions fall under the global biodiversity finance initiative, which involves 41 countries. The solutions will be implemented by the finance ministry, tourism department, the Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan for Life, WWF Bhutan, and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
If you were wondering what the group of dapper men riding bikes between Thimphu and Paro yesterday were, they are the members of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride or DGR. It is an annual fundraising campaign conducted on the 21st of May globally to raise awareness of men’s mental health and prostate cancer. This is the second time the Bhutanese DGR community took part in the event. Like last year, the group of 60 bikers has been able to raise about Nu 50,000 this year, which will be deposited directly to the DGR’s office in Australia.
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟳𝟴 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗜𝗩/𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆
Since the detection of the first HIV AIDS case in the country in 1993, the country lost about 200 people to the deadly virus. Globally, the virus has claimed the lives of approximately 38 million people. To remember the lives lost to HIV AIDS, Lhak-sam, Pride Bhutan, and the Bhutan Kidney Foundation came together to mark the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day at Geynekha in Thimphu, yesterday.
In the ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League Qualifiers, Thimphu Raven FC notched up their first win of the season, today, to climb above Phuentsholing City FC in the points table.
A first-half strike from Thimphu Raven FC’s foreign player, Anthony Amoh, was enough to see off Phuentsholing City FC. BBF Academy sits top of the table with 11 points while Samtse FC are still without a win. The top four teams will be promoted to the BOB Bhutan Premier League scheduled to kick off in July. Tomorrow, Namlha FC will take on Tsirang FC at 2 PM in the RTC football ground in Thimphu. Students of Kamji Central School won the highest number of gold medals in the annual Phuentshogling Regional Taekwondo Tournament conducted over the weekend. They were given cash prizes, medals, and trophies. With over 200 participants from different schools in Chhukha, the number almost doubled this year as compared to previous years. The Phuentshogling Sports Association organised the event.
𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻
The Druk Journal, a publication that engages Bhutanese society through conversation and exchange of views relevant to Bhutan, released its spring issue on the theme, Ensuring Mental Well-being in Bhutan in April this year. The issue carries 14 articles by local and international writers, discussing the shift from traditional mindset which saw mental issue as an incurable malady to more sophisticated acknowledgement of mental health as a critical aspect of human well-being.
𝗡𝗔 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
The National Interest Analysis for Ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Persons with Disabilities bill will be tabled during the ninth session of the third Parliament. This is to advance, safeguard and ensure that all persons with disabilities fully and equally enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote respect for these groups. According to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol document developed by United Nations, persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Gross National Happiness Report 2022 Launched
While people living in urban areas are significantly happier than rural dwellers, there are more happy people living in rural regions than in urban: 56.8% of happy people live in rural areas, and 43.2% live in urban areas. This was revealed in the Gross National Happiness Report 2022 that was launched today at the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies. The book highlights that the period between 2015 and 2022 witnessed an increase in GNH, reflecting Bhutan's steadfast commitment to fostering an environment conducive to happiness and wellbeing. GNH increase was driven primarily by improvements in housing, income, schooling, services, and literacy, but also by positive emotions – which increased despite the pandemic. However, several indicators deteriorated, reflecting other impacts of the pandemic, including healthy days, cultural and political participation, mental health, and Driglam Namzha. The 2022 GNH Index, with a value of 0.781, reflects a growth rate of 3.3% compared to the 2015 GNH Index of 0.756, faster than previous growth. The GNH Index in 2010 was 0.743. The GNH value ranges from 0 to 1 where a higher value represents greater wellbeing and happiness. By gender, although there has been a positive trend in the GNH index for both males and females since 2010, the rate of improvement among females has surpassed that of males, both in 2015 and in 2022, indicating equalizing changes. But females still have lower GNH. The GNH 2022 survey interviewed 11,052 respondents aged 15 years or older who were randomly selected from randomly sampled households. A face-to-face in-person interview was conducted using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) methods. The detailed findings of the 2022 GNH Index are published in the book GNH 2022 by Ura et al. This comprehensive publication provides detailed insights into the measurement, analysis, and policy implications of the GNH Index for 2022 and also covers changes in happiness over time. Kindly visit the office or website to avail the full report. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bhutan Office supported the 2022 GNH Index Survey. Sharing the importance of the GNH Report for policymakers and conveying unconditional support for such a survey, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering accompanied by Opposition Leader Dorji Wangdi and Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Tomoyuki Yamada launched the report.
𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂
The Ambassador of Austria to Bhutan, Katherina Wieser, who was in Bhutan on an official visit, inaugurated the Austrian Honorary Consulate in Thimphu on 16 May. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Dr Dasho Tandi Dorji also attended the ceremony. Karma Lotey who was appointed as first Honorary Consul of Austria to Bhutan said Austria has been a partner to the Kingdom of Bhutan since 1970. According to Karma Lotey, the development relationship began as early as 1989. In the 1970s, several people were sent to Austria for training in the field of tourism. He said it marks a significant turning point for Austria as the Kingdom of Bhutan opened its Honorary Consulate for the first time.
Students of Kamji Central School won the highest number of gold medals in the annual Phuentshogling Regional Taekwondo Tournament conducted over the weekend.
They were given cash prizes, medals, and trophies. With over 200 participants from different schools in Chhukha, the number almost doubled this year as compared to previous years.
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