…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 By Kezang Choden The Department of Engineering and the Human Settlement Sector of Trashigang, in collaboration with SNV Bhutan, successfully concluded a five-day Water Caretaker Training program at Thrimshing Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag. Running from December 24 to 28, 2024, the program attracted 22 participants …

The media is an essential pillar of any democratic society, with the crucial responsibility of informing citizens, shaping public opinion, promoting transparency, and serving as a watchdog over governmental and societal actions. Bhutan, in its relatively young democratic journey, depends on a vibrant, diverse, and independent media to fulfill these roles. However, in recent years, the media ecosystem in the …

…𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 5%, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒏-𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑; 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 By Tshering YangdenThe latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November 2024 reveals that country’s inflation rate has increased to 1.87% year-on-year, up from 1.34% in October 2024. This uptick signals a growing strain on household budgets, particularly driven by higher food prices, which have …

By Tshering YangdenThe Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, in partnership with Bangla Interventional Therapeutics (BIT) of Bangladesh, hosted a significant international conference on cardiology on December 30, 2024. The event aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals, focusing on the latest advancements in the management of cardiovascular diseases. The conference brought together experts from …

…𝑰𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑩𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒐 𝑭𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒓 By Kezang ChodenResidents of Kalapang Chiwog, Saling Gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag, are making strides in bamboo craftsmanship by producing furniture and decorative items such as sofas, tables, basket, beds, and lampshades. The initiative, which began in 2023 with support from the Tarayana Foundation, has not only empowered the women economically …

On December 26, 2024, a new chapter in Bhutan’s development was written with the introduction of the Application of Laws Act 2024 for Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). This significant legal milestone, presented under the guidance of His Majesty the King at the revered Machhen Lhakhang, marks a bold step towards transforming GMC into a dynamic and prosperous business hub, harmoniously …

…𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 By Lalit GurungThe nation is witnessing a troubling increase in the number of children in conflict with the law. This year, 240 cases were registered, a significant rise from 176 cases last year, according to the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP). The statistics highlight a growing issue that demands immediate and concerted action. Substance abuse remains …

…𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 By Lhendup WangmoEmerging entrepreneurs unveiled their latest products at the Samtse Entrepreneur Program, an event that attracted a wide audience of investors, business leaders, and aspiring innovators. Diverse array of cutting-edge solutions aimed at transforming various industries, from tech and fashion to sustainable agriculture and health were a part of the program. A group of …

…𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑭𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 By Yeshey Lhadon & Lalit GurungThe inaugural Private Sector Conference in Bhutan has shed light on rising discontent within the business community regarding the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP). Aimed at revitalizing the economy, the ESP has been criticized for its bureaucratic hurdles, leaving many private sector members frustrated and financially …

…𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗶𝗹 By Lhendup WangmoThe residents of Jhalikhar, Bumthang, are grappling with a severe water shortage that has persisted for weeks, creating significant challenges for households and businesses alike. The scarcity has severely impacted hoteliers and restaurant owners, forcing some to temporarily close their doors. For many locals, the daily …