Could MPs have been another agency at the GLOF inception workshop

An inception workshop was conducted in Punakha with representation from various agencies of the Government and the UN system in Bhutan on January 14, 2010. I have come to understand that an Early Warning System (work-in-progress) was also discussed for the benefit of the people of the 5 dzongkhags.

GLOF stands as the biggest natural disaster threat to us and perhaps, involving elected representatives from the concerned dzongkhags would have been meaningful and helpful in the implementation of the project, however small the contribution may have been. The locals need to be sensitised in all ways possible and one could see some concerted effort towards that objective in addition. As someone who has visited the GLOF identified thothormi lake project site at lunana in Gasa, I can appreciate the effort agencies have been expending, however, teaming up in such matters can only bring benefits.

There could be other such matters where MPs could contribute in their little ways when it concerns their constituencies and much more. One might want to consider the Parliament as another agency in the country to contribute as team players and not an isolated and compartmentalized institution with a separate goal of legislation only.

1st Annual Nomad Festival in Nagsephel, Bumthang

The 1st Annual Nomoad Festival was organized in Bumthang by the Cenn. Park and consisted a congregation of 8 regional nomads.

It was interesting for me to learn about a lot of the projects the Government continues to support in these communities and gives one an idea of the other possible support in future.

The homestay programme needs to improve in a lot of ways but if one just ones to enjoy warm Bhutanes hospitality, I would say it's ready but for the ones expecting along with that some degree of modern comfort of a farmhouse, it's got some way to go but in anycase, I think it's a good start and hopefully, by the next festival, it would be only gotten better.

Perhaps then other districts could benefit from it.

Catching Gasa's 1st Snowfall

The 102nd National Day celebrations continued after December 17 with a 2 day archery match amongst the public, their representatives and civil servants. It was a way to pay tribute and celebrate Bhutan and being Bhutanese.

The morning of the 1st day of the match saw Gasa white and fluffy and shooting arrows in the whiteness was a most memorable way to celebrate and end the 102nd National Day celebrations. Gasa received her 1st snowfall on December 18, 12 days before the rest of Bhutan received hers.

Enroute Gasa

A 2 hour drive to Punakha and a few kilometers from there (about 2-3 hours drive) Goen Damji will be my stop for this time. I am roughly packed for the next two days. Will be celebrating Nyelo with my people there.

Nyelo eve

It's Nyelo tomorrow (a Bhutanese new year form celebrated in the western parts of the country coinciding with winter solstice) and a festive for the people to celebrate. The day would begin with thupe (stew)and grand meals. Archery, Khuru still are played on this day, while others put on their fine wear and picnic in urban areas and in the villages, gatherings and time for fine dining and meetings with members of family who have been away from home working or for other reasons.

An interesting activity that precedes Nyelo is the Nyelo eve. On this eve of Nyelo, people get into groups and carry out the "Lolay" procession. They go from house to house and sing the Lolay. The Lolay is sung to bless the house and it's members and the occupants, in return for their good wishes and prayers, gift them (in kind and cash). This collection becomes the resource for the festive for the actual Nyelo in the next day.

This is Nyelo eve and a few Lolay groups can be expected.

Thimphu gets its first SNOWFALL on the last day of the year

Awakened to a morning with snowfall; it's been a while for winters with no real snow falls in Thimphu and so it came as a surprise to find white flakes twirling down from the skies and the ground carpeted with snow.

Its the last day of the year and Thimphu received it's first snow fall. Most of the snow has now melted away but the damp soil and the moist ground still reminds one of the snowfall in the morning.

The day after is Nyelo and will be heading for Gasa in the afternoon tomorrow for a game of archery with the people there. The game is planned out for two days.

1st Annual Nomads Festival

Attended the 3 day annual Nomads festival in Bumthang at Choekortse. Represented by participants from 8 dzongkhags, the programme consisted of dances and stalls set up from the different nomadic communities. The venue was about an hour and half drive from Chamkhar, towards Dur tsachu.

The Hon. Minister for Agriculture was the Chief guest and several disnitiaries of the Government had joined. Members of Parliament from Wangduephodrang (Sephu), Bumthang (Chumey), Bumthang Dzongkhag and Gasa Dzongkhag also attended the event.

The Programme concluded on the December 28, 2009