National News

…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 …

…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 …

…𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 By Lalit Gurung The aggregation program launched by the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) targets 1,735 metric tonnes of essential crops which includes 1,000 metric tonnes of maize, 700 metric tonnes of paddy, 30 metric tonnes of wheat, and 5 metric tonnes of quinoa. This initiative is playing a pivotal role in enhancing food security and …

…𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒌𝒉𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑮𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂 By Kezang Choden Geling Gewog’s farmers, who have cultivated and harvested quinoa on a trial basis. They expressed optimism about its potential to enhance local food production. The initiative involved 281 farmers who collectively cultivated over 70 acres of farmland in Chukha Dzongkhag. These efforts aim to demonstrate quinoa’s …

…𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒑 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒐𝒂𝒓 By Lhendup WangmoCardamom cultivation in Samkhar Gewog under Trashigang Dzongkhag has become a major income generator for the local community. Villagers, who once relied on traditional farming practices, are now benefiting from the lucrative cardamom market. This spice, known for its high value, has become a vital source of livelihood, with many households …

…𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚-𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 By Tshering Yangden Haa Dzongkhag, in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bhutan, conducted 15-days Souvenir Development Training Program aimed at empowering local communities and fostering economic growth within the region. The program equipped participants with essential skills to create unique, locally made souvenirs to promote Haa’s cultural heritage …

By Lalit Gurung Gender-based violence within Bhutan’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community is a critical issue that has often been overlooked. According to Pride Bhutan, an LGBTQ+ organization, among the 353 registered members, 11 percent reported experiencing bullying, 38 percent faced stigma, 36 percent encountered discrimination, and 8 percent had been subjected to some form of violence. …