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Paro Dzong, Bhutan. Photographer: Chencho Dorji What is the Sustainable Development Fund(SDF)? SDF is a scheme levied by the Royal Government of Bhutan to all tourists visiting the country as a means to promote responsible and sustainable travel under the Bhutanese tenet of "High value, Low volume" travel. SDF makes a positive impact on social welfare, economic development, environmental protection, and cultural promotion. It also provides an opportunity for the tourism sector to improve infrastructure and other amenities. The fund scheme was initiated in 1991 and cost about 65 USD per night. The policy remained so for almost three decades until the pandemic significantly affected Bhutan’s socioeconomic development activities. Depending on the number of travellers and the time of year they were visiting. Visitors to Bhutan were also subjected to a Minimum Daily Package Rate (MPDR) of 200–290 USD per person each night which covered tax, transportation, tour, and lodging. When the pandemic hit: According to the Budget Report 2020, tourism-related revenue decreased by 41% in 2019-2020 compared to 2018-2019. In 2019, the tourism industry made up to USD 225 million in 2019 was only able to generate roughly USD 19 million in 2020 revenue. Many people who depended their livelihood on tourism industries such as tour operators, traditional handicraft shops, hoteliers, and lodging owners lost their jobs due to Covid-19. The Economic Contingency Plan was then immediately developed by the government. For this, the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) created a Tourism Stimulus Plan in response to assist people who were directly impacted by the tourism industry and gainfully employ them. This included skilling, training, studies, and surveys for infrastructural development projects. However, to reclaim massive losses caused due to the virus, the government decided to revise the Tourism Tax and policies of Bhutan. What changes were made? The National Assembly of Bhutan passed the Tourism Levy Bill on June 24, 2022, which included increasing the amount of SDF fees for tourists from USD 65 per night to USD 200. The MPDR has also been removed. As per the new bill passed, all foreign visitors to Bhutan will now be required to pay 200 USD as SDF per person each night along with additional payments for lodging, meals, transportation, and tour guides. Regional tourists from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Maldives, who were previously allowed to enter for free, are now charged a concessional SDF fee of 15 USD per night. Moreover, they will also have to pay for transportation and guide services. Pros of the revised Tourism act: According to Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering, reinvesting in the SDF will raise the industry's overall standards for guides, lodging, food, hygiene, and other facilities. A tweet from Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering on the tourism levy bill Source: https://twitter.com/PMBhutan/status/1538818599569457152/photo/1 The revenue generated from the revised act is expected to be utilized in other priority sectors of Bhutan such as education, health, and agriculture. Furthermore, Bhutan is supposed to graduate from the list of Least Developed Countries in December 2023 and potential implications of graduating such as lack of funds will be a major issue. So, assistance in such cases is anticipated with the help of SDF. Cons of the revised Tourism act: All people did not fully well receive the decision to hike SDF fees for tourists. Netizens online who were mostly involved in the tourism sector directly or indirectly began to question and doubt the government's choice since they believe that this would only benefit luxury hotels that run their travel agencies eliminating opportunities for 3-star hotels and smaller travel companies. This also means that middle-income travellers will be discouraged from visiting Bhutan. Imposing unfair and expensive fees can also potentially decrease the number of visitors in the country and create employment issues the in the tourism sector.

Tshechu is a religious Bhutanese festival that is conducted annually in each district of Bhutan. Tshechu means “day ten”, the festival takes place on the tenth day of the month of the Lunar Tibetan calendar. Chukha is one of the southern districts of Bhutan, the Tshechu Festival is held for three days at the courtyard of Chukha Dzong. It was first started in the year 1991 marking its 31st Tshechu this year. Photographer: Karma Lekzin Dolma This year, the three days of Tshechu began on the 1st of November and ended on the 3rd of November. The highlight of the Tshechu was the unfurling of the large Thongdrol (tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche along with different mask dances and traditional songs. Besides Mask dances and traditional songs, the most interesting show is the Acho Pento. Acho Pento [Shawa-Shachi: The Dance -Drama of the stag and Hounds]. It's a play about two lead human characters, the hunter Gyonpo Dorje (also known as Acho or older brother) and his manservant Pento. Acho is an ornately dressed nobleman played by a tall man wearing a white mask, an expensive gho, and ceremonial shoes. He uses his longbow as a walking stick and wears a sword. The red hound accompanies him as he hymns from either an elevated point or the corner of the courtyard. Pento, on the other hand, enters the main courtyard to play with the clowns. He wears a dark mask, black gho with layers of local matha kira over the gho. They start different contests and amusement until Acho calls for his manservant, who gets scolded for not being present while he was hunting. Pento also calls his hounds when he meets Acho. The two hounds swirl around quickly, greeting each other and their master. Show their canine pleasure by jumping towards each other and the two masters three times. Acho pierces his foot with a thorn when the hunt is finally underway and has to conduct a ritual. As the meal is served, guests are pulled from the crowd to the meal. The priest (clown) performs a lousy parody of a religious ritual, while Pento tries to keep the crowd entertained. The two hounds which were fed earlier by Pento return with a stag and dance with the music of small symbols and drums, and oboes sound as they enter and exit the dance stage. Photographer: Karma Lekzin Dolma In the first chapter, Acho and Pento, with the help of the clowns, try to trap the stag. Towards the end of the performance, Milarepa appears, depicting a traveling priest dressed in white cloth, wearing a white mask, and holding a hand drum. The performance ends with the performance of the stag and hounds as the oboes herald the end of the drama. Before the ChukhaTshechu used to be conducted at the old Dzong which was built by Thang-thong Gyalpo around the 14th century. Now it is held at the new Dzong which was built in 2008 and completed in 2011 under the funding of the Royal Government of Bhutan. It was consecrated by His Holiness the 70th Je Khenpo and the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck (Queen of Bhutan) graced the ceremony in 2012. The Dzong is also known as “Ngoedruptse” meaning ‘the highest peak of blessing’. It is a grand structure that blends traditional architecture with touches of modernity. The most unique thing about the Chukha dzong is the design of the courtyard, it is a circular courtyard that withholds a few hundred people. Photographer: Karma Lekzin Dolma People from different parts of Bhutan and many international tourists come to witness the festival. The courtyard is filled with vibrant colors during these three days of the festival. Tshechu is the most awaited festival for the Bhutanese as it is the time when people showcase their best attire, socialize and have home-packed food with their families.

1. The third “no thanks” is the only “no thanks” A lot of Asian countries probably have this culture where one has to say “no", three times instead of one time to decline someone’s offer, especially in terms of food. If you decline the first time, they’ll ask you for the second and the third time because people believe the first and second “no” are out of courtesy. This is why people in Bhutan are usually insistent on offering or asking you again and again. I have had some friends who were studying outside of Bhutan and found it unusual when people didn’t do this. Similarly, or as opposed to my Bhutanese friends, foreigners who visit Bhutan find it odd when they experience such a culture. Picture source: https://youtu.be/4Ve469CiRDw 2. Spice is a flavor you need every day: Bhutanese people are known for their high tolerance to spicy food. One of the most common and popular Bhutanese dishes is “Ema Datshi” which translates to chili cheese or cheesy chili. People also eat “Ezay” which is a spicy Bhutanese pickle that is either fried or prepared like salad in the morning with fried rice as breakfast. Although excess spice intake is bad for the digestive system, people in Bhutan are seen enjoying Chilli and other spicy food items, especially during cold winters. People in the olden times chose spicy meals as a means to stay warm. Today, this culture is still cherished. Picture of Red dried Chilli Datshi Picture source: https://www.drukgirl.com/bhutanese-ema-datshi-recipe Picture of Green Chilli Datshi Picture source: https://www.littlebhutan.com/blogs/ema-datshi-easy-to-cook-yummy-to-eat.html Picture of fried spicy Ezay put in a small jar Picture source: https://www.thesoupspoon.com/portfolio-item/ezay/ A picture of spicy cheese salad Ezay Picture source: http://downundertothetopoftheworld.blogspot.com/2013/06/taking-it-ezay.html?m=1 3. Cheap Beer and alcohol. Alcohol is highly available in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and is considered to be cheaper compared to other countries. Shops and bars sell local brands of wine and beer such as Zumzin, Highland, Druk 11000, K5, takin, and more. The Legal age for drinking (and also driving in Bhutan) is 18 years. Picture source: https://www.unusualtraveler.com/local-bhutanese-beers-to-try-while-in-bhutan/ The tradition of drinking alcohol also comes from the fact that people used liquors as a method in the past to keep one’s body warm during cold weather. Moreover, people consumed home-brewed wine when they were sick as they believed it had medicinal value in it. This turns out to be true since many modern medications or pills do use a certain amount of alcohol to cure colds and other types of illnesses. Picture source: https://www.gobhutantours.com/bhutan-wines-infomation-price/ 4. It is normal to see phalluses on buildings and doors of houses in Bhutan. It might be really strange for foreigners to hear about this but seeing drawings and paintings or even sculpted structures of penis hung on the doors and roofs of Bhutanese households is completely normal in Bhutan. People here believe that all evil energy and bad spirits will be warded off by doing so. The history of the use of phallus symbols dates back to the 15-16th century when a “Devine Mad Man” called Drukpa Kuenley is said to have propagated the idea to summon and subdue demons. However, strangely, these paintings and sculpted structures are not exhibited in community temples and monasteries where Buddhist monks and nuns reside. Such an explicit belief system might be frowned upon in other parts of the world but this happens to be an undeniable part of modern Bhutanese lifestyle and culture (especially those who are religious followers of Buddhism). A painting of an erect phallus Picture source: https://hotwanderlust.com/bhutan-a-land-of-enlightenment-or-phallus/ A wooden carved hung on an entrance Picture source: http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/bhutan-phallic-symbols05.html

Picture courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=784901096184177&set=a.753236989350588&type=3 What is a Snowman race? The Snowman Race is an ultramarathon of 203 kilometers (126 miles) held through unexplored heights in the eastern mountain passes and harsh terrains of about 5470M (17,946 feet). The goal of the race is not only to challenge the skills of the world’s fittest runners but also to raise awareness about the glaring effects of climate change. This ultramarathon is considered to be one of the most difficult, isolated, and high-altitude foot-races in the world. The race takes up to 5 days to complete. Picture Courtesy: https://snowmanrace.org/the-race/ Why the snowman race? This race was motivated by the fifth king of Bhutan and his foresight in protecting the country's natural and cultural heritage. It aims to raise awareness of climate change which is one of the most important concerns of our time, and its effects on people living in vulnerable mountainous environments. Moreover, it also provides proper acknowledgement to those highland communities on the rural frontline, who face the effects of climate change at firsthand. The entire region where the Snowman Race is held provides excellent examples of how climate change impacts the place due to retreating glaciers. Glacial lakes run the risk of bursting through the walls of their ice and rock moraines, overflowing the valleys below, and eventually dissipating. So, in order to spread awareness about how far-reaching and irrevocable the effects of global warming see, the ultramarathon was initiated as a movement to fight against climate change. The race puts the world's stakeholders, global community, and athletes under pressure to adopt audacious and revolutionary steps to stop the global climate change that is already underway. When did it begin? Bhutan’s first-ever international ultramarathon began in the 13th of October this year till the 17th of the same month. 29 different athletes including both Bhutanese and international runners participated in the Snowman race. The participants ran from Gasa dzong which was the starting point of the race till Chamkhar, Bumthang as the finishing line. Picture Courtesy: https://snowmanrace.org/the-race/ Getting to know the winners: Picture courtesy: http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=176223 Zangpo is a 28-year-old man who held the overall title of the winner of the first-ever Snowman Race in Bhutan. He completed the race in 31 hours 53 minutes and 26 seconds. Gawa used to run whenever he had time, but for the Snowman Race, he trained diligently for approximately a month. Given that he was up against numerous competitors from other countries, he never imagined that he would win the title. In 34 hours, 18 minutes, and 02 seconds, Sangay Wangchuk from the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) in Gelephu became the second runner to arrive at Chamkhar. He previously won the 2019 Gasa to Bumthang Snowman Calibration Run. Third place went to Sangay from the RBA's Commando Wing in Paro. In 35 hours, 23 minutes, and in 06 seconds, he arrived in Chamkhar. In the 2016 International Half Marathon, Sangay placed stood in the fourth position. Picture courtesy: http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=176223 In the female category Laya native, Karma Yangden became the first one to complete the race in 49 hours, 01 minute, and 49 seconds. Last year, she competed in the women's race at Gasa and secured the position of the winner. Additionally, she participated in the Laya run in 2016 and 2017. Kinzang Lhamo, a female RBA soldier from Damthang in Haa is the second winner who completed the race in 49 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds. Lhamo with the tag number SMR NO-14 secured the position of being the third female participant to complete the Snowman race. She reached the finish line at 50 hours, 03 minutes, and 38 seconds.

His Majesty King Jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuck. Source: http://www.gyalsunginfra.bt/ What is Gyalsung? Gyalsung is a one-year integrated National Service program/ training for young citizens of Bhutan which is expected to commence in the year 2024. All youth who attain the age of 18 are required to take part in the training. If they’re still in school they must join the service after completing the 12th grade. The National service was introduced by His Majesty the King on December 17, 2019, during his speech to the country on Bhutan's 112nd National Day. What does the Gyalsung program include? The program will consist of three months of fundamental military training and nine months of specialized instruction in subjects such as the construction of home technology, computing, and providing entrepreneurship opportunities for the concentrated improvement of agricultural abilities. What is the purpose of the Gyalsung project? The program is aimed to serve as a rite of passage for the youth of Bhutan and bring people from different socio-economic backgrounds together in a common experience. Furthermore, it also endeavours to provide every young person in Bhutan with the character traits, discipline, and professional competencies required to thrive in the twenty-first century and consequently support the development of the country. How many people will join the program? According to the project’s website every year, up to 13,000 young people are expected to experience this rite of passage. Five National Service Academies spread around the nation will train the National Service cadets all at the same time. A three-person National Service Core Working Group was given the comprehensive operating blueprint, which includes training programs. A separate establishment called the “GYALSUNG INFRA” was also founded for the purpose of planning and performing design work and creating infrastructure for the five academies. Picture courtesy: http://www.gyalsunginfra.bt/?page_id=175 The five NS centres that Gyalsung Infra is presently working on are located in Samtse, Sarpang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Wangdueprodrang, and Mongar. Around 2,600 trainees, 300 NCOs, and 32 officers are expected to be accommodated in each centre. Recent updates regarding the program: According to the bill passed in the National Council of Bhutan on the 7th of November, 2022, the service program is divided into three phases. Picture courtesy: https://twitter.com/ncbbhutan?s=21&t=KUmYePZHmYt83QDKKylBnw First, the National Service Cadets must complete a one-year integrated training program that includes three months of Basic Military Training before receiving specialized skills training in a variety of fields. The second phase is known as National Service Duty (NS Duty). Up until the age of 35, these trained individuals called the “Gyalups” are subject to both mandatory and voluntary service calls. After completing their National Service (NS) duty, NS members shall continue serving in the reserve until they turn 45, at which point their National Service responsibilities are complete. The Bill also states that, if an eligible youth does not enrol in Gyalsung Training upon notice subjected to a fine of up to 90 days' worth of the national minimum wage. Furthermore, anyone who evades the Gyalsung Training will be guilty of an offence and will be subjected to punishment for a felony of the fourth degree upon conviction. What do the people of Bhutan think? Many people have been sharing their opinions about the National Service program on online platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Some people believe that the rules are too strict for young children as it hampers their college-going years. There are also people who expressed their concerns over including criminals who completed serving their prison term or young offenders such as drug abusers and gang members in the service program along with other common youth of Bhutan. On the other hand, there were people who simply expressed gratitude towards this historic movement which is believed to help the young Bhutanese. Netizens believe that the program will not only provide skills to the youth but it will also help those young graduates who are unable to pursue further education to stay engaged.

Anyone who visited Bhutan will know about or have seen the sculpture/painting of The Four Harmonious Friends, also known as Thuenpa Puen Zhi. It is a story about four friends, which includes a bird, a rabbit, a monkey and an elephant. The four friends symbolise unity, respect, peace and harmony. Source: https://valeriechetelat.com/overland-to-haa-town/?template=singleImage&imgId=9&max=13 The four harmonious friends lived by a big fruit tree in a place near Varanasi, India. When the tree started to bear fruits, they argued among themselves on the rights of the fruits, which they have been enjoying. For justifications to have more rights, they discussed who was the oldest among them. For this they counted their age against the number of years of growth of the tree. Each one of them shared their experience on the growth of the tree when they first saw it. Firstly, the elephant expressed that the tree was fully grown when he saw it for the first time as a calf, whereas the monkey remembered the tree as a seedling. Meanwhile, the tree was a mere sapling when the rabbit was a bunny, whilst the bird said that it had eaten the fruit near the tree and excreted the seeds, which grew into the tree. They came to an understanding that the bird was the oldest, followed by the rabbit, the monkey, and the elephant was the youngest among them. What we learn from this tale is that respect has to be made irrespective of the size or strength of the individual, and that usually, it has to be made based on seniority. Therefore, based on seniority and merits of the individuals, the four friends respected each other and lived harmoniously forever by sharing the fruits of the tree. Another version of the tale In the beginning, it was only the bird when the tree was growing. It was able to enjoy the fruits within its reach. But with the growth of the tree, it became difficult for the bird to reach the fruits, as it was not able to fly. While the bird was having difficulties in reaching the fruit, the rabbit came along to help the bird. Through cooperation, they could enjoy the fruits. Over the period of time, the tree grew bigger, which made it difficult for them to reach for the fruit. However, in the midst of the problem a monkey came along who climbed the tree and dropped the fruits on the ground for the rabbit and the bird. Nevertheless, it did not always work, as the tree grew into a full size, thereby making it more difficult for three of them to reach the fruits. At last the elephant came and helped them to get the fruits. With the help of each other, all of them were able to enjoy and share the fruits of the tree throughout the season. The moral of the parable is that one has to have an open mind to help anyone at any time, and seek help and advice from others, and not to work solely based on assumptions. In the Bhutanese proverbs, there is a saying that ‘one has to ask others even after knowing everything, and better to ride a horse even if one can run fast’. In this regard, it is important for every leader to adopt this principle and moral values in planning and implementing activities through cooperation and collaboration to aspire the vision and reap the fruits of missions.

Revision of Imported Tax in Bhutan: On 8th of November 2022, the Tax Bill of Bhutan was unveiled by Finance Minister Namgay Tshering during the National Council sessions which included an increase in the indirect customs duty (CD) for imports from third countries as well as the sales tax (ST) and green tax (GT) on a variety of goods. Some of the products that will and already are seeing tax increases include imported furniture, meat, cement, plastics, junk food, tobacco, and automobiles. This revision was done as a means to revive the economy of the country which was hampered due to the impacts of the pandemic and was further aggravated by the recent Russian-Ukraine war. However, import taxes on basic food commodities like grains, dairy products, and oil have decreased. To support local industries, taxes have also been raised on products sold in the nation since the previously provided loan of 2.5 billion is insufficient. Paro town, Bhutan. Photographer: Chencho Dorji According to the Finance Minister, imported junk food is also subjected to increased taxes to combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes brought on by the consumption of unhealthy foods like noodles, pasta, sugar biscuits, ice cream and more. List of some tax-subjected items and their increased rates as of 8th November 2022: Imported meat ( processed, frozen and raw): 20% Seafood, sausages, hams: 10% Betel leaves: 10% Junk food items such as pasta, sweet biscuits, pastries and cakes, rusks, and juices exceeding 250 ml: 10% Imported ice cream: 15% Chips: 30% with 10% on customs duty. Imported mineral water: 20% Tobacco: 100% sales tax in addition to 10% customs duty. Imported cement: 10% Plastics in general: 10% You can check the detailed rates for automobiles in the link below: https://thebhutanese.bt/taxes-increased-on-imported-furniture-meat-cement-plastics-junk-food-and-decreased-on-essentials/?fbclid=IwAR2pMLJBUtC8ckmyK5nRAlJwjDD34wFaxPTnY_BCLkCXylLw5tmsbuYwF_E List of imported items with decreased rates: 1. Beans, peas and lentils: 10% on custom duty. 2. Rice, brown rice, maize, corn, cereals, wheat and oat: 10% on custom duty. 3. Cooking oils: 10% on customs duty. The netizens’ opinion: In a post on The Bhutanese’s Facebook page, many netizens discussed their thoughts on the revision. Some people have been wondering if the country's retailers would reduce the cost of necessities for which taxes have been lowered or eliminated. They also emphasized the need for authorities to keep a careful and strict eye on market conditions. Some netizens also believed that this was a bad strategy as local farmers and producers of furniture would raise prices and ultimately worsen the rate of inflation. They also suggested that the Ministry of Economic Affairs keep an eye on the cost of necessities since they are more expensive when they are not taxed. Furthermore, people believe that the need for a tool to track market price growth will become more pressing after the increase in import taxes. Additionally, some believe that raising import taxes will result in price differences between the Indian and Bhutanese markets. which means it would only encourage smuggling cases and the illegal importation of products. They felt that the government ought to have taken this into account before enacting new tax laws. People also expressed concerns over an increase in tax on small cars and their parts. Since these cars are purchased by common people and low-income groups, the increase could potentially cause stress for first-time automobile buyers, who are already having a hard time. Given the inadequate number of public transportation services, making small private vehicles affordable was what they hoped for.

What is Samuh? Picture courtesy: https://ab-ventures.com/index.php/2022/02/04/samuh-for-the-kingdom-of-clouds/ Samuh is somewhat like the Bhutanese version of Netflix. It is a video streaming platform that provides its services to people within and outside of Bhutan. It offers a large selection of original, licensed, and curated Bhutanese content that can be accessed anytime, anywhere and on any device with an Internet connection. What does it include? By producing top-notch local productions for audiences of all ages in Bhutan as well as for specialized overseas audiences who have a deep interest in Bhutan, Samuh promotes the creation of local content and the preservation of Bhutan's distinctive customs and culture. The product line of Samuh has entertainment and informational content from a variety of industries, including original movies, web series, documentaries, music videos, shows, and kid-friendly animation. The company collaborates with a diverse group of artists in Bhutan's creative sector to produce films and shows. Who owns Samuh and when was it found? Samuh Mediatech, Bhutan's first media-tech startup that helped pioneer Bhutanese video streaming services on the local and global digital market, owns the Samuh OTT platform, which was founded in 2020. The company’s mission and vision: The team envisions to become Bhutan's leading local content producer and distributor through the production and promotion of high-calibre local content and the growth of the nation's creative industries. It also seeks to provide viewers of all age groups with modern streaming services that are easily accessible on any device with internet and video playback facilities. Furthermore, they seek to support local filmmakers by extending access to a cutting-edge distribution infrastructure and enabling the best possible monetization of their creative assets. Additionally, they look forward to promoting and advancing Bhutan's film industry through employment and skill-building initiatives in the platform along with allocating 10% of annual revenues to finance Bhutan's Independent cinematic industries. Top 8 trending shows on Samuh: 1. Zap Picture courtesy: Samuh “Zap” is a drama series set in medieval Bhutan. The story revolves around a young woman who is taken as a serf by a legendary megalomaniac. She has to endure the hardships of servitude to restore her proper place in the world. You can watch the full 10 episodes on the Samuh app. 2. Autumn in Yangtse Picture courtesy: Samuh “Autumn in Yangtse” follows the story of an architect who meets a charming butterfly enthusiast in Yangtse and falls in love with him. All full 12 episodes are available on Samuh. 3. Deki Sedey seymi ga Mo? Picture courtesy: Samuh (Translates to “Who is Deki Sedey?”) The plot of 10 episode thriller series encircles the mystery of a dead body found in a forest along with moments of bitter past of a police officer and a news reporter who are investigating the murder case. 4. Chasing Stars Picture courtesy: Samuh The 11 episodes romance series is about two individuals with separate dreams who fall in love. 5. Goedra Bey Yi Picture courtesy: Samuh Goedra Bey Yi which translates to “I’m joking” is the first sketch comedy show in Bhutan that gives insights into Bhutanese humour through witty and clever yet crazy skits. 6. Orchid bar Picture courtesy: Samuh The orchid bar is a romance series about a young single mother who encounters a carefree, easy-going lawyer after a painful divorce. 7. Dessup Mapaem Picture courtesy: Samuh Is a movie about an overweight girl who joins the dessup training program (voluntary act in Bhutan) and discovers a new purpose in life. 8. Jarawa Picture courtesy: Samuh The 12-episode thriller series explores the undercover mission of a young policewoman for human trafficking cases.

Paro Taktsang, also known as “Tiger’s nest”, is one of the iconic sacred sites in Bhutan which is located 3120 metres above sea level on the Cliffside of upper Paro valley, Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche, an extraordinary saint who founded the Mahayana school of Buddhism, also known as Padma Sambhava landed on this place on a flying tigress’s back from Tibet. The tigress was actually the former wife of Guru Rimpoche, known as Yeshi Tshogyal, who willingly became guru’s disciple in Tibet. She transmuted herself into a tigress and took Guru Rimpoche on her back from Tibet to the current location of the Takshang. Guru Rimpoche meditated in the cave for exactly three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century before subduing some troublesome demons in the valley below. Later in the 17th century, Desi Tenzin Rabgay visited the site and constructed a temple honouring Padma Sambhava. Desi Tenzin Rabgay was the Bhutanese ruler believed to be the reincarnation of Padma Sambhava. After the construction of the temple, Paro Taktsang became a meditation spot for many Important Buddhist figures. However, on April 19, 1998 a fire started in the Monastery, it was burned down completely destroying valuable paintings, artefacts, statues and later started rebuilding in 2000 and completed in 2005 by the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck with the cost of around more than 2 million USD. It is one of the most famous and must-visit monasteries in Bhutan for both locals and international tourists. Paro Taktshang, Park, Bhutan. Photographer :Tshering Wangchuk Paro Taktsang Monastery consists of 4 main temples, several dwellings and eight caves. The interior design of the temple impresses with its luxurious beauty: gold-plated dome and flickering lights that are illuminating golden idols. The rock-carved steps interconnect all the buildings inside and have balconies with a breathtaking view of the surrounding. The main shrine of the monastery is located in the courtyard where the monks have to rotate every morning at 4 am to start the new day. It is an important monastery for Bhutan as it is known almost all around the world and is a landmark of Bhutan. Bhutan has a strong connection to its nature and its cultural heritage. The Taktsang Monastery is a modern-day example of such a spiritual connection Bhutan has to Buddhism. Therefore, Paro Taktsang is one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan as it holds a rich significance and beliefs.

What is Dong Gyem Tseys? Dong Gyem Tsey, also known as "takins," are mammals found in the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, China, and Nepal. They are seen in groups of families in sparse, cold rural areas. During summer, herds assemble high on the mountain slopes, and they frequently feed on plants near rocky grounds with salty areas such as around hot springs. They graze on a variety of leaves, grasses, bamboo shoots, and flowers in the early morning and late afternoon while standing on their hind legs. Takins are ruminants, like cows and sheep, and they swallow food before passing it into the rumen, their first stomach. Small food particles are digested by microbes in the rumen. Takins migrate from the upper grassland to the lower grassland in the winter, towards more forested areas. They also prefer sunny areas during sunrise. A picture of Takin on a rocky hill in Bhutan. Picture courtesy: https://www.littlebhutan.com/blogs/the-legend-behind-the-takin-bhutans-national-animal.html Other than bears, wolves, leopards, and dholes, takins have few natural adversaries due to their huge, strong bodies and magnificent horns. They move slowly in general but can act swiftly when enraged or scared. Takins can nimbly leap from rock to rock when necessary. They use a loud "cough" to alert other animals to danger, which causes the herd to flee for safety in the underbrush and lay down to hide from predators. Takins can also yell or growl in a menacing manner. In terms of appearance, it is furry with a wide, broad face, small ears, a bulbous nose, and has horns that point backwards. It also has slumped shoulders, a short, thick neck, and short but muscular legs. It almost looks like a mixture of moose, bear, bison and goat. Intriguingly, Bhutan follows a historical myth of Takins and its existence that traces its roots back to magical creations of a Tibetan saint Lam Drukpa Kuenley who is also known as the “Divine Mad Man”. Tales of Dong Gyem Tsey: Legends has it that around 15th- 16th century, Lam Drukpa Kuenley a folk hero in Bhutan, created this animal from bone fragments of cows and goats. It is believed that when local people requested him to perform a magic, he asked for a heavy feast that included an entire body of a cow and goat as meat. Locals offered him food as asked. After he ate the meat, the Divine Mad Man is said to have miraculously joined the bony head of the goat onto the body of the cow, chanted few mantras and created a new animal. This creature is then said to have risen up alive and grazed on pastures like any other herbivorous mammal. The animal was later named as “Dong Gyem Tsey” by the saint. A painting fo the Tibetan saint Lam Drukpa Kuenley with a Takin Picture courtesy: https://m.facebook.com/109698974233246/posts/lama-drukpa-kunley-created-takin-in-shar-luetshogang-present-day-shar-samtengang/149494250253718/ Importance of Takins in Bhutan: Due to its own special and distinctive traits that resemble a charming cross between a cow and a goat, Takins in Bhutan are regarded as one of the country’s national symbols. These peculiar-looking animals are threatened species of the goat-antelope family due to overhunting and habitat fragmentation. Bhutanese people hunt takin for consumption of their meat. Takins are also kept as pets by the locals in the community. The fact that Bhutanese people like takins as pets and food supplements makes it all too clear why the takins are regarded as Bhutan's national animal. You may be able to spot a few of these creatures in the Takin Reserve Park located in Mothithang in Thimphu, Bhutan. Royal Takin Reserve in Mothithang, Thimphu, Bhutan. Picture courtesy: https://www.bookmytour.bt/attractions/motithang-takin-preserve

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is an initiative supported by His Majesty’s Secretariat and a collaborative voluntary initiative of Bhutanese women working in STEM-related fields across the country to promote and empower Bhutanese women. It was first launched on April 21st, 2022 in Thimphu by Her Excellency, the Health Minister, Dasho Dechen Wangmo. The STEM Festival is being held for the first time by women working in a STEM group to recognize the crucial role of STEM in this modern era. His Majesty’s recent address to the Nation at the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Session of the Parliament stresses how pertinent it is for our country to meet the global standard of education. The reality is that the education we are imparting to our young minds is failing to equip them with the skills and competencies needed for the 21st century. Therefore, women in STEM are striving to meet His Majesty’s vision to advance the STEM field by nurturing, retaining and enhancing their expertise. The camp was organized by Bhutan National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with DITT and We-Power (DGPC) with funding from UNESCO and ADB. The women in STEM were formed later. The discussions and forming of the group happened after the camp. The STEM Festival was conducted on the 11th - 12th of November, 2022 at Coronation Park coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The objectives of STEM are to: Make STEM learning fun Expose youth to various aspects of STEM through experiments or displays, and inspire them to become more oriented towards STEM courses and careers Encourageyouths too take up science subjects in high schools and tertiary education, and Enhance awareness of the importance of STEM education. There were fun game stations where all the audience could participate in maths-related games and test their mathematical abilities. It was mainly to prove that maths is an interesting subject. There were also live performances by some of the famous Bhutanese singers to entertain the crowd. Inter-school STEM competition was also organised, where schools from Thimphu District came up with a science exhibition, and there were a panel of judges to select the best exhibitions. One of the members working in STEM women said that it was their first time receiving quite a huge crowd, and this has made them feel confident that Bhutanese are developing an interest in STEM. There is another event “Mentorship for Girls” coming up, " which will be organized by the same group. If anyone is interested to be a part of the STEM community and helping them organize the events. Anyone can register via a google form. As a member, you can attend any programs organized by the group, share your understanding and experiences, and participate in the activities. Anyone can register by clicking on the following link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-5NFZ7pZbj8XExt8qg03dao0cDQjpU4PzHf6p0Xhp38/viewform?edit_requested=true

When I was in the tenth grade back in 2014, I remember being selected for a summer art camp in Thimphu. They gave all the selected participants basic lessons for drawing and painting and other fun activities along with free meals and goodies. It was one of the best experiences I had as a young learner. The program encouraged many young children to express creativity and explore crafts. Some people that I remember from the camp even pursued arts as a career. The blog for today is all about the group of people who made it happen. What/who is VAST? Vast Bhutan Logo. Source: https://www.vastbhutan.org.bt/vastbhutan/ With the primary goal of giving Bhutanese youth the opportunity to participate and develop their potential artistic talents, particularly in contemporary art, develop a sense of social responsibility through community service, and also to explore art as a profession, a group of professional artists founded the VAST, in 1998. The group frequently offers art lessons to interested youth, including school-age children and young adults. Additionally, it arranges art camps to teach young people about morals and the appreciation of art. Additionally, they start initiatives for community service programs to teach the art of giving. In addition to encouraging young artists' involvement in festivals, competitions, and exhibitions that are both national and worldwide. The organizers also offer a space where young people with personal issues can utilize art as a form of therapy and get the life skills they need to deal with challenges. In 2014, VAST Bhutan became a Civil Society Organization as its influence and scope in the nation grew. The founders of VAST: In order to give young art aficionados opportunities, a group of artists, including Kama Wangdi, Phurba Thinley Sherpa, Jigme Lotey, and Pema Dorji, first joined together in 1998. Together, they established VAST. Nim Karma Sherpa, a close friend of Kama Wangdi, came up with the moniker ‘VAST’. Jigme Lotey and Pema Dorji departed the ensemble to pursue their own projects, and Jampel Cheda joined the group a year later. Since then, Kama Wangdi, Phurba Thinley Sherpa, and Jampel Cheda, who had the foresight to see the value and significance of contemporary art education, became responsible for maintaining VAST Bhutan. Some of VAST’s projects: 1. Exhibition of art in Brussels Source: https://kuenselonline.com/bhutanese-artists-exhibit-their-work-in-brussels/ One of the most recent event was an exhibition called "Healing With Happiness" including works by 69 Bhutanese artists is on view at the Belfius Bank in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to the Royal Wedding Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, VAST Bhutan inaugurated the exhibition on October 5, 2022. The show featured pieces of art that depict Bhutanese cultural and traditional characteristics, portraits of significant individuals, and sceneries from Bhutan. 2. Transformation of Paro Airport King and Queen of Bhutan at the Paro airport. Source: https://www.vastbhutan.org.bt/a-royal-vision-transforms-paro-airport/ Paro International Airport has turned into a national aviation facility with a distinct identity thanks to a concept commanded by His Majesty The King. The airport complex exhibits a fusion of cultures through its artwork and images as well as its technologically enhanced service. A smart selection of spotlights, ceiling lighting, and wall lights have been used to update the interior, along with other features including stylish signage, boutique shops, and fresh furnishings. The exterior parking lots have been landscaped into lush gardens, while the interior is decorated with homey accents. There is also a unique children’s area called the Gyalsey Happy Brush Corner in the airport where guests are invited to use traditional Bhutanese art supplies to paint mounted traditional masks, postcards, canvases, and customized stamps. 3. Tarayana Park in Thimphu For the celebration of Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck's birth anniversary, the Tarayana Foundation established and inaugurated the first public-private park with VAST Bhutan, Gaa-Yuel Gardens, and the Tourism Council of Bhutan on 10th of June, 2022. The park features different crafts, structures and flower gardens for people to view. You can check out a glimpse of the park here: https://fb.watch/gL3zUVoKZT/