In a country like Bhutan, where Gross National Happiness (GNH) forms the cornerstone of its development philosophy, the decision to import inorganic fertilizers to boost agricultural production raises critical concerns. While the intent to increase agricultural yields is understandable, it is crucial to align such measures with the nation’s commitment to sustainability and holistic well-being. Bhutan has always been recognized …

…𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔 By Lhendup WangmoBhutanese drivers, particularly truckers and daily commuters relying on the Indian FASTag system for toll payments, are grappling with unexpected toll fee hikes that have turned travel into a financial and logistical nightmare. What was once expected to streamline travel has instead led to financial burdens, …

By Lhendup Wangmo Jigme Tshering, owner of Park Hotel, a prominent three-star hotel in Phuentsholing, Chukha, recently shared his thoughts on the pandemic’s impact on Bhutan’s tourism sector and the strategic steps his hotel has implemented to adapt to the changing market landscape. Jigme Tshering emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the Department of Tourism’s ambitious goal …

…𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 By Kezang Choden The Darla Milk Processing Unit (MPU) in Chukha Dzongkhag is undergoing a transformative upgrade, paving the way for enhanced dairy production, economic growth, and reduced reliance on imports. The ambitious renovation project, valued at Nu 0.8 million, signifies a milestone for the community-led Darla Gonor Thoenked Gongphel Detshen, which …

…𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑫𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 By Tshering Yangden A Plumbing Skilling Program, funded by the Department of Governance and Local Planning (DGLP) under the Department of Local Governance and Development Management (DLGDM), has been launched to enhance vocational skills and empower rural communities in Bhutan. Targeting five Dzongkhags such as Mongar, Lhuentse, …

…𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑼𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒆𝒔 By Tshering Yangden Residents of Chamgang under Dagala gewog in Thimphu are facing mounting transportation challenges due to insufficient and unreliable bus services in their area. While commuters within the city enjoy access to regular city bus services, those residing in Chamgang often find themselves relying on taxis as an option that …

The recent debate in Bhutan’s Parliament about reinstating a previously disbanded vehicle quota system has reignited important questions about fairness, democracy, and accountability. While the discussion itself is critical for the nation’s future, what has raised concerns among citizens is the pattern of privilege and self-interest displayed by those in power. Many parliamentarians, who are already enjoying salaries, luxurious cars, …

By Lhendup Wangmo During the seventh sitting of Bhutan’s National Assembly, the Economic Affairs Committee (EAC) presented a crucial review report on Rural Credit Access, focusing on the financial needs of rural communities and the rising prices of goods. The report, delivered by Member of Parliament (MP) Tshewang Rinchen, chairperson of the committee, highlighted the challenges faced by rural sectors …

By Lalit Gurung Bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the National Disability Conference (NDC) this year took place in Thimphu. Organized by Ability Bhutan Society (ABS), the Bhutan Stroke Foundation (BSF), the Disabled People’s Organization of Bhutan (DPO), the Phensem Parents Support Group, the Royal Society for Senior Citizens, …

…𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 By Lhendup Wangmo The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), in partnership with the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), revealed ambitious plans to establish the National Teaching Service (NTS) by 2025. This pivotal initiative is designed to professionalize the teaching profession in Bhutan and provide …