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National day has been always an awaited and significant moment for every citizens of Bhutan. The first King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned on 17th December, 1907. Ever since , December 17 is celebrated as National day of Bhutan. This year the theme of National Day celebration is Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology. In preparation for the 115th National Day, a number of events took place all over the country. The main celebrations took place at the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu.Most of the people arrived at Changlimithang stadium before midnight to take part in the national day. Thousands of people gathered at the stadium to witness the celebration.The celebration were graced by the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty the fifth king, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, and members of the Royal Family. His majesty addressed about The amazing fortitude, capability, and selflessness of the Bhutanese people during this pandemic. Damtsi is what we call our infinite commitment to our duty and undying allegiance to one another. His Majesty shard five main points to the nation: We learnt a lot from the pandemic and whether it be the next pandemic, war, natural disaster, or other crisis, we must be prepared for it. The current economic crisis must be anticipated because it will undoubtedly have an effect on Bhutan. The nation-wide transformation process has only been able to get off to a promising start thanks to the people's unwavering support. His majesty shared that we must now monitor this procedure to ensure our success. Drugs and substances abuse is one issue that poses a serious threat to our national security, economy, people's and children's welfare, and most importantly, the future of our country. His majesty told that we cannot allow substance misuse to spread among our children because it is already a problem. We must take action right away to eliminate this menace before it is too late. It was genuinely amazing how hard Bhutanese struggled to keep the country safe throughout the pandemic. His majesty shared that by keeping the same momentum, We will be able to accomplish all of our objectives. As recognition of National day, Majesty, His The King awarded the Red Scarf to Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji for his contributions to the country while serving as the foreign minister, the Druk Thuksey Medal to Pawo Choyning Dorji for his outstanding work on Bhutanese cinema, the National Order of Merit (Gold) to Namgay Dorji, Lhaten Dorji and Kinley wangchuk for serving the Nation through their contributions in promoting Bhutan's cultural heritage. The afternoon celebration ended with Trashilaebae joined by the royals, ministers and the people. The celebration was followed by actors and singers performing dances and songs that they prepared for long time. All Bhutanese, including those who reside outside of Bhutan, have celebrated the National Day as it is a momentous occasion. For all the Bhutanese people, this day was the joyful,happiest, most unforgettable and memorable occasion.

As I pen this down, probably many teachers around Bhutan must be contemplating the Aussie dream. Some may be waiting for their visas while a few must be boarding the Qantas on their long trip down under from Suvarnabhumi international airport and for those who are already there in the land of Kangaroos, it must be a kind of "living with the American dream". Yes, Australia seems to be the last frontier for our teachers who bow down from this profession and chase their hopes of better professional and financial growth. For many times now, teacher attrition has come to the forefront and it should ruffle some feathers of our ministry. Courtesy: Jimmie Thinley The recent statistics of Kuensel issue are unpalatable and with a 3.6% attrition rate, giving me a reason why we should not be fretful about this. This isn't the first time media houses have reported on the issue and when things recur at rocket speed, it certainly begs for bigger attention. It seems that the national newspaper has issued us the bitterest of awakenings in a malleable manner yet what has been done to restrain this is still a question to ponder over. Of the 263 teachers that voluntarily resigned in one last year, 90% must be at Curtin, Edith Cowan, New England or the Murdoch Universities of Australia pursuing a dream that was not possible here. Of course, let us not forget that along with the studies, earnings also come as a bonus package through the work done during off time periods (my Friends in Australia please correct me if I am wrong). So why do the teachers leave? One obvious reason to harp on amongst the many is remuneration. Just imagine who would like to go to work at the stroke of midnight and do all the odd jobs. Our friends down under do that (again please correct me if I am wrong). Almost certainly and in most common sense, I am sure of the view that our teachers who are in Australia who do such jobs may detest the work they do yet in the end, the measure of happiness comes in form of what is being earned. It is not a wild goose chase for them. The harder you work, the more you earn. Back on a personal plane, a paltry salary barely sees you through the month. In the end, it becomes all about putting food on your table. So when there is too less to offer at home, who will not like to drift to a place where it will keep the fire burning in your hearth. If money is not happiness, unquestionably having it keeps the feel-good factor flowing. It is commonly acknowledged that for the work that a teacher does, the dividends are not fair and square. When I point out money, it somewhat cheapens my integrity as a teacher because the general rule of thumb is that a teacher is more to give than ask but this will continue to divide debate until it is over. For me, what I earn is adequate enough to keep me going through the 30 days but it comes at the sacrifice of taking the family for dinner out, acquiring new things for the house, putting on new clothes and many more such sacrifices. The question of saving is out of the equation. Looking at other professions sometimes scars me deeply. I sometimes seriously wanted to question anybody, why are teachers not on par with engineers and doctors? The moment medical professionals were found in acute deficiency, especially with regards to doctors and specialists, the health ministry offered a basket of offers and not to forget that the first time they join their work, a direct placement in grade seven is guaranteed. Is this very difficult for the teachers too? Why can't we just take a leaf out of their book as well, tell me what is not challenging in educating a child who will ultimately become the doctors, engineers, architects and the great professions you name so. Attrition is definitely a problem but it's not the only problem. In more ways than one, the education organization is always impaled and paled by a series of challenges that run amok the think tanks of our education system. Until and unless, something is not being done, this attrition looks as if it is not going to stop any time soon. Take these views of me as a knee-jerk reaction but for now what I feel is the immediate need to arrest the downslide of teacher attrition and the best possible way, looking by the way teachers fly out to Australia seems to be the increased paycheck and that too would be a cherry on the cake if it happens in the equivalence of what has been revised for the members of Cabinet in 2014. Surely our teachers won't mind that.

I wrote an article on teacher attrition almost four years ago titled 'A teachers attraction attraction', on 6th Dec 2018. and today four years now I have become a part of the unarrested slide. When I handed over my resignation notice, it was a watershed moment for me, be it either for the good or for the worst. I was on a new track out of the normal course and for the first time in my life, I felt the need to change the bearings in the wheels of my life. I had to take some real risks for the sake of my family. At some point of time in my life, the question of financial sustainability has made me insecure. My son was growing up, I had loans everywhere and I have seen that even in the next decade, this life of mine will rotate around the pay I receive every month. One generation ago, giving a modern education to a child was decent enough and I had that. One generation in the future, my son won't like just having an education that almost all will have. I need to have something that he can build upon and pass on to his children. For the job I was doing, I had unquestionable passion but passion alone was not keeping the fire burning in my hearth. The truth is, I had to put food on the table for my family at the end of the day and that does not come easily from the passion I was following. Courtesy: Jimmi Thinley Thus it was the start of my Australian journey to realize some dreams for the future of my son. I had jumped into the abyss of uncharted territory but that was a challenge I needed to face. At Paro international airport, before boarding the aircraft the words I left for my relatives back home were nothing different than the one-liner dialogues of a few Bollywood flicks of the '90s where the protagonist would say “ maa muje Dubai jaa kar bahout kamao gaa” literally saying that he would go to Dubai and earn a hell lot. So it was a déjà vu when I told my kith and kins that I will do the same for their sake. I was very materialistic but I was being very practical. I am sure that there are Bhutanese who are of the same view yet it is the pride that gets soaked wet when one opens up the talk of money. In Bhutan, talking about leaving the profession based on the income we get can be considered taboo because it can be misunderstood as being unpatriotic. So exiting the system is smeared and coated with reasons like there’s too much to do, the bosses are not good and the working place is toxic. All these reasons are sugarcoating and this is also just not to cheapen the ego that one carries being a professional. Deep within, it is always the financial security that one looks to shift to Australia. The first thing people always asked me was how much I am paid per hour. The question of work environment, leader, and colleagues comes only after the emolument question is satiated. The ultimate truth is that money wields power and since money has power, people forage for pastures that are green. I hid nothing when I openly wrote my article three years ago that my pay hardly carries me through the month and I hide no pride in writing that same today. Going by the trend, even Australia seems to have become a preferred choice for our Lamas and a handful of entertainers to do their activities. It is not that easy to get access to high spiritual Lamas in Bhutan but when you are here, the possibility of landing a Lama in your own house is a guaranteed thing as long as you have the time. We don't see many of our entertainers going beyond Thimphu, Paro and to some extent Phuntsholing to entertain the Bhutanese but these entertainers would not mind travelling thousands of miles just for the sake of the non-residential Bhutanese. When I started my Australian journey, it was out of my comfort zone and the moment I disembarked from the Qantas aircraft at Sydney airport, I had to seek the refuge of my known people. I was trying to get back again into the comfort zone I was in. If not for my spouse's relatives, I would not have started working three days after landing in Australia. Ever since then, I have been working and earning. That is how relatives and people known to you make things easy in the beginning and that is just the beginning only. You are only thereafter, left out of your comfort zone again. The Bhutanese in Australia have built up the mettle (Ngar) to succeed in life. In Bhutan, I always dedicated a lot of time to my service. In doing that, sometimes I would lose the track of time and felt that days would roll out within hours and weeks within days. It was like time would fly by but then I realized it was a lie because; here it is like time is on steroids. It gets into supersonic mode and leaves behind a sonic boom that you just don’t realize what has really happened. Sometimes even to the extent of forgetting how many hours you have actually worked. It is normal for the 9 am - 5 pm job but it doesn't stop there as many would continue to carry on for another shift that can range anywhere between 2 hours to 8 hours. So that's where one loses the track of time. It sails so fast and it can be a cardinal sin for one to ask for time from loved ones because everyone has everything to give and not time. So basically life rotates around work shifts and that is usually for the dependents. If you have ever heard of people falling sick or getting injured, I won't disagree and it is not to do with the nature of the job. In fact, the jobs are not complicated and work safety is a top priority. It is that one does the simplest things on a consistent basis and over time, the effect is felt on the body. As for the students, it would be a juggle between assignments and work. For the good, the student assignments have become a kind of extra source of income for people back in Bhutan. At my workplace, I laugh at my colleague just because he had a proxy who would do his assignments while he utilizes that time to earn dollars. I believe that is making hay while the sun shines and I find no problem in that. Anyone in his shoes would have done the same and many Bhutanese does that. That's an open secret one should not be shy of after all; it is “maa muje Dubai jaa kar bahout kamao gaa”. It reminds me of Rancho (played by Amir Khan) in 3 idiots who did the Engineering course for his father's employer's son. There's the better group of those who are with PR visas, for them it seems like they are having their own place in the sun. Things are much easy for these people as they get the same benefits as Australian citizens except for the fact that they do not get voting rights. They are the beacon for the students in the long run as the ultimate objective becomes getting a PR visa and don't go by the wonderful pictures of the FB or IG posts that many Bhutanese do. Social media is just a veil that covers the hard life behind it. After all, nobody likes to display poverty in a place of plenty. Australia is a forge and the forge either melt you or hardens you. Dollars don't rain for free and if one is not willing to toil hard, it is in no way a cakewalk. Golfer Gary Player wasn't wrong when he said "The harder I work, the luckier I get" because when you put in your hard work, the more luck is the more dollars that accumulate in your commonwealth bank account of yours. It's just a simple equation the more you work, the more you are paid. That is the motivation for getting paid hourly than having a fixed amount over a month and maybe that drive to work extra is near to nil in Bhutan because of that. Life goes on from a humble beginning, the working title may vary but the essence, in general, would be that one needs to do cleaning jobs only. That's how life normally begins and for an ordinary person, it is not something that one would really like to do but I tell you Australia is harsh and one got to develop thick skin out of necessity. That's why as one progresses, people try to move out for jobs that are much better than cleaning. I felt that maybe that is something to do with the ego because cleaning jobs are something which is not much to the taste of middle-income Bhutanese and some stigma that the mindset still carries on. This can be a wrong view too as I have also seen Bhutanese that has stuck to one job all the time. Maybe ego is also good to have as it drives and digs out deep into the potential of the Bhutanese. All in all, generally the Bhutanese are resilient and they live up to the expectation of The Druk Gyalpo because there are people, who own property and real estate. These people started their journey from a scratch and ended up being proud owner of a house, fleet of cars etc even shames the natives who languish on the streets as homeless. I have come to the conclusion that the spotlight gets brighter on the winner while the shadow gets darker on the loser. So if you are not able to do something and remain as how you are just now, you are going to be the latter I mentioned above. There is an old Bhutanese saying "kei na namkhai bja yang khor, dhuna chengi bu yang pang" and this exactly fits this practical life of ours. Everyone remembers you for your success while even your offspring deserts you in distress. Come to Australia, you may become the former. Now with this Australian rush taking place quicker than ever, what is actually good for Bhutan? Whenever we think of the importance of the non-residential Bhutanese, the first thing that comes to mind is the remittances that these section of people contribute to the Bhutanese foreign reserve but are we really thinking beyond that because there is much to give and bigger roles that a Bhutanese living abroad can play in the nation-building process. The government of the day and past should in fact be grateful for the Dollars non-residential Bhutanese are contributing. I know that the rush is a concern but I also know that the educated and the higher echelons of our society won't make a fuss about this. This is because most of the Bhutanese in Australia are either from the middle class or the higher strata. I don't think Lyoenchhen Dr Lotay and his aide Dr Tandin would discourage the Bhutanese from taking this rush when they know that their MBA certificate from the University of Canberra has in some way contributed a lot to the Bhutanese society. When I drafted my spouse's statement of purpose (SOP), I have taken the motivation that the Australian education system has produced an alumnus who is in charge of the Bhutanese government today and my spouse is just following in his footsteps. I don't think it will be fair enough if the Bhutanese elites complain about this when they want and have their own sons and daughters educated abroad. I quit my job and left the country at a point in time when the nation is undergoing a massive transformation. My service to the nation is needed the most yet I exited but that in any way does not make me any less patriotic. Instead, it has fueled in me the desire to build my nation to the level where I am residing now because I have seen how light years Australia is ahead of us. Lop Tshering Wangdi taught me the morals of "Zing gi Baep and Jamtshoi Baep" when I was in the fifth standard. It was just a story then. Today I feel I have been a frog that was in the pond ever since that story has been told to me. Bhutanese feels so contended at home that there is no desire for anything and maybe that makes us unique in our own way but for a nation that is taking giant steps into the future, Bhutanese must shed some skins and visit the frogs that live near the ocean. That's only when we realize, being contended with what we have is actually not going to take our nation forward. There are some qualms over the ideas that are imported into Bhutan by the few leaders that take tours abroad because the majority of subsequent implementers are what I call "Zing gi Baep". Actually, the ideas are good and it must have worked perfectly for the country of origin but to understand things, one has to live by the experience and that experience cannot come by staying cocooned inside Bhutan. Today the Bhutanese living in the third world are exposed to ideas that they can use once they get back to Bhutan. Remittances are a direct contribution to the Bhutanese economy, but softer and more reliable assets in the form of skills, ideas and knowledge can go a far way in nation-building. One perfect example that can get ingrained into the Bhutanese DNA is work ethic. It is simple and straightforward. Call your superior by his/her name, no need for the addition of prefixes and this makes one feel important and equal. I won't call a Bhutanese Dasho a Dasho in Australia because no matter what, I stand on par with him/her. The barrier of superiority is created by the prefixes we attach to the name and that is where sometimes an inferiority complex can develop. I work as one of the cleaners in a 5-star hotel and I address the CEO as, "Hi ......(name avoided)" and he replies "Hey mate". It feels wonderful. There is a feeling in me that because of the social barrier we have created, maybe we are not doing a hard talk over some of the issues that have really drained the national purse. How many of us have even thought of questioning the P1 project which has been a saddle that you and I have been carrying since 2008 and in times ahead, maybe our children will have to carry it if the government comes and goes and does nothing. As of now, all of us know that none of the democratically elected governments has accepted accountability. I believe it is the misfortune of the Bhutanese citizen to have the water resource in abundance. I guess if there is one thing that moves very slowly, it is the wheels of bureaucracy. There are certain thing that has to be shifted in the fast lane such as the right to information act and the civil liabilities bill which can make people accountable and things transparent. Only then, can you and I as bona fide citizen has every right to know about what actually went wrong in the history of a P1 project. Zhabdrung would have drooped in embarrassment if he had been alive and looked at the P1 project from the central towers of Wangdue Dzong which he built in two years and that too with a hand full of resources and the countable number of artisans. I express this as a citizen who is hurt by the snail progress of a much-hyped project which was expected to bring an economic boom for the nation and in the process and at a personal level, an increase in my salary too which sadly did not happen ultimately. If I am put on trial by the government for these brutal views, I tell you our bureaucracy is using a bullet to kill cockroaches. Australia might not have been mapped in my mind, had the turbines of P1 started to mint, what we call as the White Gold. What is not good for Bhutan is of course not the current crop of people who migrate but I worry more about the children and young Bhutanese who are in Australia. We are rooted in our roots but our children are exposed from early ages to foreign culture and experiences make me nervy. I appreciate the initiative of education pro to give Dzongkha education for the non-residential Bhutanese children in Perth and wish that the tutors are trained, Bhutanese teachers. This is the flip side of the coin but only time can tell what is really good and bad. Dear friends in Australia let us all reflect on what we can do for Karma Dechen as a citizen of the Palden Druk. I know that Australia has offered so much and given meaning to your life but how much life is good, we just can't be here because there is no substitute for Drukyuel. we have to know that even in the feudal ages of Bhutan, Pemai Tshewang Tashi the war general of Wangzop Angdruk Nyim has given a clear picture of how beautiful his motherland is in his ballad; "Pay shar gi nimi yuekha lu, aum Kazhi zami dangra lu, yue jong toe ser gi poti dra yue jong mey noe gi zhom da dra" In such a blissful place of Druk Yuel, we have to return and give back what the nation has done for us. Let us be true to that because many of us have beautifully stated that in the statement of purpose before lodging the visa. P.S: I support the Australian Rush

Ka Ja Throm is a newly opened Local Bhutanese market, which was initiated by the Royal Command to create a new environment for the farm produce sellers, which would encourage people to do more farm-related businesses and earn a decent day-to-day living. It is considered a special project by the De-suungs, who worked ardently day and night, ultimately benefiting the people. Ka Ja means Command and Throm means Market. The New Market was established, as the ground floor of the old CFC (Centenary Farmers Market) is under renovation. All the stores which were located on the ground floor were shifted to the Ka Ja Throm, which is located next to the old market by the Wangchu riverside. It is a long-stretched market, beautifully arranged with flowers around, and a display of VAST Bhutan Arts, with food courts, which has become a favourite place for everyone. There are varieties of fresh vegetables, incense, dairy products, fruits, flowers, and many more. Speakers are also installed to entertain the vendor and the visitors with popular Bhutanese songs in the background. In the food court, varieties of food and drinks are served, including ramen, ice cream, thai street noodle, etc… which are sold through stalls by the De-suung under the De-suung Skilling Programme. The market has become everyone’s “must-visit place”, as it is unique and special for parents and children. The market is crowded most of the time, especially during the weekends, when everyone comes for their weekly shopping. There is also an open-air Live Band stage at the food court, where upcoming famous Bhutanese young artists perform, which attracts the younger generations to visit the market. Gaa-yel Garden is a secret garden behind the market, where there is a cafe to serve food and drinks. People can make their order and enjoy under the tree or the canopies in the area. It is a good place to relax after shopping, as the area is peaceful with a shade under the trees. If one desires to walk, there is also a footpath along the riverside, which is relaxing and rejuvenating. Tarayana Park is next to Gaa-yel Garden, which is still under development. The Ka Ja Throm is a meaningful initiative, firstly for the vendors, secondly for De-suung Skilling Programme, and thirdly for the public. This is because people have a choice to visit a special place during the weekends and weekdays to relax, do shopping, enjoy food and witness live performances. There is also a Dinosaurs Park, where different types of dinosaurs are displayed with their scientific names and descriptions. Children are seen there excited, taking pictures with the dinosaurs. It is a good initiative as children will get to know about the dinosaurs as they wander around. The second Ka Ja Throm was launched on 13th October 2022 at Paro coinciding with the 11th Royal Wedding Anniversary, as a gift from His Majesty the King to the people of Paro, especially for the vendor to sell their product as the main Farmer Market is under construction.

His Majesty granted 579 individuals Bhutanese citizenship Kidu at the Tendrelthang on the 25th of November 2022. In order to leave behind a shining legacy for the next generation, as our forefathers have done, His Majesty reminded the recipients of the profound duties that a Bhutanese citizen has: to nurture the Bhutanese identity, promote trust and unity among the people, and actively participate in nation-building. In addition to receiving an audience with His Majesty the King, the recipients participated in an oath-taking ceremony. An Oath of Allegiance to the Tsa-Wa-Sum (The three elements, The King (Druk Gyalpo), the Country (Druk Gyalkhab), and the Government (Druk Zhung) of Bhutan). In an ongoing process of granting Kidu, His Majesty The King has granted citizenship to about 25,000 people to date. Courtesy: Kuensel

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) STEM in Bhutan Bhutan has embraced technology since 1999 when electronics like television and computers were first introduced in the country. However, the country is yet to reach or come to par with global standards due to the challenges caused by rapid technological advancements in developed countries. His Majesty the 5th King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck noticed this gap and made immediate calls for changes in the country. He issued a royal decree called a ‘Kasho’ to the public on the 17th of December (National Day of Bhutan), 2020 which highlighted reforms in civil service and Education in Bhutan. In terms of education reform, His Majesty expressed his concerns about the outdated nature of the current educational system in light of the sophisticated digital future. He also shared his visionary plans for a society that is technologically advanced through updated curricula, learning procedures, and evaluation systems of Bhutanese schools and institutions. The fifth King of Bhutan delivered his speech on the 113th National day of Bhutan on 17th December 2020. You can check out the full speech here. Picture source: Facebook: King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck The rigorous expedition for prioritizing ICT and incorporating STEM subjects was then outlined in the Bhutanese education system. One such example is the introduction of Coding as a compulsory subject in schools for classes PP the to XII as a part of ICT Curriculum during the academic year of 2021. In the second half of the same year, ‘CodeMonkey’ was also chosen as a platform for students in classes VII and VIII to access coding lessons through online games. Code Monkey Logo Picture source: https://www.pngitem.com/middle/iTJRmib_codemonkey-logo-code-monkey-hd-png-download/ A dubbed hackathon competition was also conducted in Samtse Higher Secondary School as a means to encourage young students to learn about coding through a computer language called Python. Students in Samtse Higher Secondary School for the dubbed hackathon. Picture source: http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=140608 Another example of determining the importance of STEM in Bhutan is the recent inauguration of FabLab Bhutan which was conducted in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck. FabLab serves as a workspace for a community of researchers, artists, and other creatives to collaborate, share ideas, and employ technology and invention to address issues on a local, regional, or global scale. It is situated in Thimphu's TechPark. The facility is furnished with highly advanced digital fabrication tools, including 3D scanners and printers, logic analyzers, sophisticated computer numerical control, and others. Inauguration of FabLab with His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck Prince Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck in FabLab. Picture Source: https://kuenselonline.com/hrh-gyalsey-inaugurates-jnw-super-fablab-and-fablab-network/ Apart from education, there has been also been a rise in digital and electronic services from the government and business entities in Bhutan. For an instance, the Thimphu City Bus Service which used to run with a paper ticket system now utilizes GPS and smart cards to operate. Moreover, they also recently launched Gakyid app as a platform to share information regarding routes, stops, and bus timings for the general public. Different types of Smart Cards are used by different groups of the public. Picture source: https://www.citybusservice.bt/2021/09/06/smart-card-system/ Furthermore, the ministries and offices in Bhutan now encourage the use of websites and online portals for people to access information and create certain online applications. Thanks to ongoing technological progress and efforts made by the educational system and other stakeholders, we may now anticipate a highly digitalized era in Bhutan's near future. Although there is still a long way to go until the general populace is properly digitally literate, lifestyle changes of people in the future can be anticipated.

Tiktok has become very popular among young people in Bhutan. Although the video-creating and sharing app was launched as Douyin in 2016 for mainland China, the international version of it was launched in 2017. There was less number of users in Bhutan back then. However, after the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, almost everyone was locked in their homes with no movements allowed. Out of sheer boredom, people began to be more active on their mobile phones and the internet. This is when the popularity of Tiktok in Bhutan peaked. People used the app to express their feelings and share their creative ideas and those who did not want to be seen simply used the app to watch videos for entertainment purposes. There are different types of Bhutanese Tiktokers and influencers who make videos in different genres. 1. The funny content makers: Some TikTok accounts choose to remain anonymous and only post funny scenes from old Bhutanese movies while others choose to reveal their faces and identities and create original content or just make hilarious re-enactments from movies and dialogues. Sangay Chophel is a Bhutanese YouTuber/Tiktok influencer. He currently has 64.8K followers who enjoy his skits and dubs on the app. 2. The Dancers: Out of the three categories of general Bhutanese music/dance forms such as Zhungdra, Boedra, and Rigsar, the most popular one happens to be Rigsar which is the modern form. The two remaining ones are more traditional. Many young teenagers and adults are seen making dance covers and following the trends on Tiktok using Bhutanese songs. They also follow international trends to create and share content. Mepham Dolma is a Tiktok Dancer who has 25.4K followers. She also creates random videos of her lip-syncing to songs on her account. 3. The Actors: People showcase their acting talents on the platform through skits and lip-syncing videos. Adap Rigzin Lhamo is a Youtube Vlogger/ Tiktoker who enjoys expressing herself through her acting skills. She currently has about 55.0K followers on Tiktok and 3.59K Subscribers on Youtube. 4. A slice of life from Bhutanese living outside: The locals residing in the country seem to enjoy watching the lifestyle of Bhutanese people who live abroad. Despite being outside of Bhutan, people still embrace their roots and culture as they share their experiences and stories on Tiktok. Lucky Drukpa is a Tiktoker who lives in the United States of America. He lives with his wife and shares his life in New York City. There is another popular Tiktoker named Pema Yeshi who lives in Sweden with his wife and two daughters. Pema used to work as a Tour guide in Bhutan before he met his Swedish wife and moved to Sweden.

Bumthang is known for being one of the most holistic places in eastern Bhutan. Many sacred temples, monasteries, and cultural sites in the district mark the significance of people’s spiritual beliefs and cultural roots. Out of the many areas, Jakar, which translates to “White bird in English is a place in Bumthang that earned its name from a myth of a white flying bird. The bird is believed to have signalled the precise location of constructing a monastery in around 1549. Every year, locals gather in Jakar Dzong to witness the festival of Jakar Tshechu. An exterior view of Jakar Dzong. Source: Bhutan Life Exposure. Inside Jakar Dzong. Source: Drukasia Jakar Tshechu in held in Jakar Dzong. Source: Yak Holidays International During Tshechus, Buddhist monks perform sacred mask dances called the ‘Cham’. These dances are based on the experiences of Guru Padmasambhava who is one of the greatest spiritual influencers and figures who brought Buddhism to Bhutan during the 8th century. People also either take part in the dance or chant prayers and prostrate to honour the legacies of Guru and anticipate being blessed with teachings of ‘Dharma’ through the performances. Moreover, the festival also showcases different types of traditional folk songs. Costumed Mask dances performed by monks in Jakar Tshechu. Source: Breathe Bhutan Tshechus (literally translates to the 10th day of the month) are performed in different parts of Bhutan on the 10th day of the Bhutanese Calendar but on different months. Many tourists and visitors witness the thrilling experience of Jakar Tshechus every year and explore other religious aspects of Jakar and Bumthang. The schedule for Jakar Tshechu this year and next year are as follows: Dates: 1st – 3rd November, 2022 22nd -24th October 2023 Source: Firefoxtours Offices, schools, and shops in the localities usually remain closed during Tshechus. However, large markets and fairs at locations near the main celebration are congregated instead. Monks in Tshechu Perform different types of dances some of which are: 1. Dramiste Nga Cham This authentic mask dance represents mythical and real creatures who are different forms of spiritually enlightened beings. The ritual song for this cham is executed by beating the drums of made up of animal skin. 2. Zhanak Cham In this dance people only wear costumes and black hats. They do not wear any sort of masks. People believe that this dance is meant to purify the setting and transform it into a field with a high level of enlightened energy. 3. Dance of Pholey Moley For this type of masked dance, monks usually perform a comic farce based on the relationship between a married couple and an outsider. Dancing actors showcase the concept of rage, comedy, and confusion and entertain the viewers. 4. Ging Tsholing Cham The exotic and fearsome mask dance of Ging Tsholing Cham signifies terrifying forms of wrathful deities that summon evil spirits. They also wear a certain type of skirts and props to dance. 5. Dhurdag Cham Dancers in skeletal death masks made up of wood perform this Cham along with other costumes. This dance is believed to destroy some obstacles to enlightenment such as fear, desire, pride, attachments, and ego. The three-day festival in Jakar is usually filled with people in their brightest and most colourful outfits. These festive clothing are usually vibrant versions of the national attire, Ghos and Kiras as bright colours have auspicious significance according to Buddhist beliefs. People attending Jakar Tshechu Source: Flickr The unfolding of Thongdrels (A large scroll that has religious images) also takes place during the celebrations, typically raised before sunrise and unveiled by morning. The sight of the huge image is believed to cleanse the sins of people and ward away all evil energy. Unfurling of a Thongdrel/ Thangka in Tshechu. Source: Facebook: Authentic Bhutan Tours

Yesterday at the Royal Textile Academy, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, attended the World Savings Day event. Speaker of the National Assembly Wangchuk Namgyel, Chairman of the National Council Tashi Dorji, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering, Human Settlements Minister Dorji Tshering, representatives from several agencies, and students from Thimphu schools all attended the ceremony. The purpose of the day is to increase public awareness of the value of financial literacy and saving. Every year on October 31st, RENEW Microfinance Private Limited celebrates this day by organizing a variety of events and activities all around the country. "Saving prepares you for the future" was the slogan for this year's saving day. With the theme "The Importance of Saving," RENEW Microfinance hosted a number of activities, including poetry recitation and storytelling competitions. "The day was observed to inform people all over the world about the concept of saving money," said the executive secretary of RENEW Microfinance. Her Majesty presented prizes to the winners of piggy banking competitions held among students at Jigme Losel Primary School and Dechencholing Higher Secondary School.

Up until February 16, 2021, same-sex activity was considered a criminal offense according to the penal code of Bhutan. However, it was decriminalized on February 17th of the same year after the fifth King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, signed off on laws that amended the rules and included homosexuality as being legal. Since then, the queer community has started voicing their thoughts with lessened fear of prejudice and stigma. The Queer Voices of Bhutan (QVoB) is a non-profit organization that advocates information related to the importance of queer people and their identities in Bhutan. The team also organizes workshops and conferences in collaboration and support from both local and international bodies, such as the Bhutan Ability Society, the International Association of Pride Organizations, and more. Recently, QVoB participated in the Youth Conclave program organized by Royal Thimphu College to present sessions on the theme of "Beyond the Binary: To accept Vs to Acknowledge". The ability to exhibit such discussions and talks on an institutional platform is one good example of the progress of awareness and acceptance of queer identity in our society. One of the oldest known trans-women, Aum Penjor, shared her struggles and stories of being a trans-gendered individual through the Queer Talks Bhutan talk show. You can check out the full episode along with other segments on QVOB’s YouTube channel here. There are other local groups and organizations such as Pride Bhutan and LGBTQ Bhutan that provide assistance to people regarding gender and sexuality confusion and campaign on behalf of these identities to fight against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and more. Although being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community is still new and taboo for many of the older generations in the country, a few are slowly learning how to embrace these identities. “In my language, I have to call her my youngest son now. I did not say much, I wasn’t sad either. Whatever makes him happy, whether my child is a boy or a girl, for me it doesn’t matter” -Om Nath Magar, father to T Shu Woaini a Bhutanese Trans man. Source: IG: pride_bhutan One of the greatest achievements and representations of the queer community is Tashi Choden Chombal, a 23-year-old model/actress who won the title of Miss Universe Bhutan 2022. Tashi is a gender-fluid lesbian who initially came out as bisexual at the tender age of 15 years old. “I have a lot of pride in who I am, and then I have always been very vocal about who I am on social media as well. This has been a big .. you know like a big stepping stone, a big change in my life and for the LGBT community…because now they know that I can speak on their behalf, I can be their voice… so it has been like a prideful moment.” -Tashi Choden Chombal on episode 13 of Beyond the Curtains with Shangreela Tashi also believes that pride month was a good luck charm for her as she secured the title of winner of the pageant with the love, encouragement, and support from her LGBTQIA+ friends and people. Bhutan has a long way to go to discover various spectrums of sexuality and gender identity. There is also an emerging call for including LGBTQIA+ studies along with sexuality studies in the curriculum of Bhutanese schools. Since societal stigma and irrational hatred and fear towards queer people create mental stress, shame, and emotional distress toward their identities, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and the younger generation while rendering love and support to the queer community.

With the increasing number of cafés and restaurants in the capital city of Bhutan, locals now enjoy and explore a variety of cultures through new food and cuisines. Among all the different establishments that serve food and beverages in Thimphu, I prefer the following places to café hop: 1. Tough Cookie Express If you’re a pastel gal or anyone who likes softer colours and is looking for an aesthetically pleasing place with good food and coffee, Tough Cookie Express is the right place for you. The recently opened café has a cosy and casual atmosphere with food and drinks at reasonable prices and interior designs that are worthy of your Instagram or Snapchat feed and stories. You can take your family, besties, significant other, or even your little cousin for a quick snack. The place also has a Volkswagen Van-themed counter which just makes the entire place extremely cute and unique from all other cafés in Bhutan. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. One of my favorites from the menu: Sandwiches with pumpkin fillings The café is owned and run by Kuenga Lhaden a 28-year-old Model who won the titles of “Miss Viewer’s choice” and “Miss Congeniality” in Miss Asia 2016 Beauty Pageant. A Healthy mango smoothie bowl and Mango and Blueberry Chia pudding. Source: @toughcookieexpress 2. Brusnika Café and Bakery Brusnika was initially located in Langjophakha, Thimphu but they recently moved to the Changlam area, towards the opposite direction of Thimphu plaza. The Russian café and bakery are owned by Natalia and Tashi Wangdi who are married to each other. The place is open from 9:00 AM to 7 PM every day. Apart from dine-in options, they even have takeaways and home delivery services for the convenience of customers. The place is great for two especially if you are in search of a light snack and smoothies. You can feel the ambience when you enter the warm monotone café. Source: Instagram: @brusnika_thimphu 3. Moogurt Frozen Yogurt Bar Moogurt serves amazing frozen yoghurts along with a variety of coffee and hot chocolates. This is one place where I felt like yoghurt was way better than ice cream. It is a great place for people to get chilled desserts and drinks during summer. The shop is located in Changlam Corner, Thimphu, and runs from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM every Tuesday to Sunday. A lot of young people including school-going children are seen savouring delightful treats there. We get to choose our desired toppings and flavours which is the best part of eating there. The sweet stop opened in 2021 and was run by Tashi Tshogyal who was still a High school student. Source: Instagram: @moogurt.bt 4. Elsewhere- Art & Café Sandwiched between buildings that are opposite the huge 5-star hotel, Lé Meridian in Thimphu town resides a small cozy shop called Elsewhere- Art & Café. Just as the name suggests, there’s art and coffee but there are books and food as well. The café opens every Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. If you are in search of a place to work with your laptops, this café is also a perfect space for that. Moreover, there is a variety of food items and beverages that you can dine in or get delivered to your doorstep through the Zhey Go app (which is available on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store). The place is owned by Chand Moksh Bhattarai and Karma. Chand is an artist who works in Voluntary Artist Studio (VAST) Bhutan. So, we can figure out where all the artwork displayed in the gallery comes from. Source: Instagram: @elsewhereartcafe_bhutan

Tourism in Bhutan was first established in the year of 1974. Since then, a lot of employment opportunities were available and people were able to generate surplus income. In fact, tourism became the third highest economic generator of Bhutan. However, the country faced significant socio-economic challenges when the number of tourist arrivals dropped by about 90 %. After closing its international borders for about two years, Bhutan decided to gradually allow entry of foreigners with necessary vaccinations and quarantine procedures like most countries on August 2021. The Tourism Council then officially reopened the gates on the 23rd of September this year. Prior to reopening the borders, the country planned to develop more areas and destinations geared toward both locals and tourists even in southern regions of Bhutan. There may be more to discover now, from resorts to cafes and regional events. Some of the new and old places or events that you may want to visit and witness while you’re in Bhutan are: 1. Willing waterfall café The newly opened Willing waterfall café is located in Trongsa district (Central Bhutan). People can enjoy their coffee or tea along with a selection of snacks and meals while taking in the breathtaking view of the 50-meter-tall natural waterfall. It is a beautiful area where visitors may stroll to enjoy the beauty of Trongsa’s landscape. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the guests to reserve a table on a bridge with glass flooring for a greater view of the waterfall. View of the Willing waterfall café. Picture sources: http://drukwilling.com A snapshot of natural stream in Willing Café. Picture sources: http://drukwilling.com 2. The Royal Highlander festival The Royal Festival in Gasa Dzongkhag was introduced in the 16th of October, 2016 as a gesture to mark the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyal Wangchuk and to celebrate the 600th birth year cycle of Guru Rimphochoe and 400years since Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Bhutan. Gasa is also one of the districts where the first ever Oscar-nominated Bhutanese film “Lunana, A Yak in the classroom” was shot. Poster for the movie shot in Lunana Picture source: Instagram: lunana.film This year the highland festival was conducted for the time after two years in the month of October for two days ( 23rd -24th ). Parades, contests, and competitions showcasing highland animals including horses, yaks and highland breeds of dogs are some of the festival's highlights. The animals were adorned with bells and expensive clothing or fabrics. Indigenous highlanders called as “ Layaps”, were seen engaging in traditional dances, and music, offering gifts, and conducting poetry recitations. Small vendors with local goods and medicinal herbs are displayed at the event. Communities of people also travel from different parts of Bhutan to attend the celebration. Highlanders at the Gasa festival Picture source: https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/royal-highlander-festival/ Tribal people seen dancing during the festival Picture source: https://www.breathebhutan.com/festivalsinbhutan/royal-highland-festival/ 3. Recreational Park in Phuentsholing Although the park is not officially inaugurated, Indian tourists from the border area of Phuenthsoling known as ‘Jaigaon’ are already seen being attracted to the place. The park covers about an acre of land and has an open-air theatre with skywalk amenities. It also is connected to an old pedestrian bridge. Recreational Park under process in Phuentsholing Picture source: Lynpo Sangay Ngedup posted in: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02v7y8TiGYvoPktnwb7JoL6u1SJQyGKVeRtSuLp31wR3p9zHsFaJZ1aNDPYh3Kj44Vl&id=111602457192296 Indian Tourists in the Park Picture source: http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=175847 Bhutan is making a lot of effort to develop new tourist destinations and locations, and it also wants to provide opportunities for both domestic and international travellers. The nation looks forward to making up for the financial losses brought on by the pandemic while also boosting the tourism sector.