Gross National Hypocrisy: How the Vehicle Quota Hurts Bhutan
I have spoken to a number of Cabinet Members; I have spoken to politicians of the ruling Governments and those in the Opposition. I have spoken to bureaucrats, and even to one Member of the Pay...
View ArticleThe Declining Bhutanese Probity
This will be my 13th article on the reprehensible vehicle quota issue. Perhaps this will be my last – or there will be more, depending on how the issue pans out over time. But while doing the 12th...
View ArticleThe Coronavirus Has The World Shaken
Hi John,Thank you for your mail a few hours back.Indeed this Coronavirus is extremely worrying but like you say, July is a long way away. China is a disciplined and determined country with the...
View ArticleMisconception About Vehicle Quota
I just read today’s Kuensel article on vehicle quota. It is so sad ….. clearly some of our lawmakers seem absolutely clueless about the reason behind the award of vehicle quota. Some have even gone to...
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Over The Moon
There has rarely been a day that I was as happy as I was few days back. Two things made my day - which occurred on the same day:1. BOOK ON COINAGE OF BHUTANI received a gift of a very authoritative...
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Hammered “Sa” Coins Of The Wangchuck Dynasty
Historical reports show that striking of coins in Bhutan existed as far back as 1790. Of the huge variety of coins that were struck, the “Sa” coins – hammered coins with the word “Sa” is credited with...
View ArticleI Am Not The Whole Difference
Dear Steve,Thank you for your prompt reply to my yesterday’s mail. I am glad that both you and Nancy are keeping well...................................................I have a concern about the item...
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Gift of Oxygen
Yet again, for the Rotary Club of Thimphu, the season of giving is here. This time it is our belief that we have done one of our most meaningful humanitarian services to date - gift of oxygen.Yesterday...
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The Copper Coins of 1951 and 1954
In 1951 and again in 1954, two pretty copper coins were struck by Bhutan. Although the coins’ dies are not nearly as nifty as those done by the Englishman A P Spencer for our 1928 and 1929 silver...
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One of Bhutan’s most sought after birds among the world birding community is the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide(Indicator xanthonotus). It is a small and pretty bird that is most often seen around colonies...
View ArticleCOVID-19 And All The Confusions
In my thinking, the DNT government showed great courage by not placing restrictions on tourist arrivals into the country, despite the continuing rise of incidences of COVID-19 around the world....
View ArticleIs Using Face Masks Useful?
Whole lot of Bhutanese are using face masks as a measure, in their opinion, to prevent being infected by the COVID-19 virus. Available resource material on the www tells us that inappropriate use of...
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Tale of Two Coins
Investigation into the history of coinage in Bhutan took me on some strange journeys. And at times I have uncovered some utterly silly mistakes. Mistakes?? How can anyone possibly make such utterly...
View ArticleA New Kind Of Danger
Hi Johan,It has been long since I heard from you but when I did, what a mail 😛.Thank you for your mail. I am sure it would have taken you whole day to do such a long and detailed mail.In Bhutan, as of...
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Over The Moon, Once Again
Former Ambassador Tobgye S. Dorji and Aum Genzing generously gifted me 2 copies of the 1928 Bronze Zangtam. It is incredibly generous of them – as a collector and researcher only I can understand how...
View ArticleWrong About COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in 3-4 Months
A reader from USA sent me the following mail this morning, arising out of my mistaken assumption that a vaccine for COVID-19 could become available in 3-4 months time:I like your post very much. But...
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Clueless
Recorded history lists around 232 erstwhile Bhutanese administrators (Druk Desis, Penlops, Dzongpens and Je Khenpos), most of whom would have struck coins starting from 1790 to 1907. Two among them –...
View ArticleCOVID-19: No One Is Taking A Chance - No One Should
March 18, 2020Dear Members,In my capacity as the head of the Club administration and in consultation with some senior Members of the Club, including the Club President, I had suspended our Weekly Club...
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Coinage of Bhutan: Confusing History
During the time of the unifier Zhabdrung, Bhutan comprised of two principal regions – the West and the East – colloquially known as Pele-La Pharchey (East) and Pele-La Tsurchey (West). The Western...
View ArticleDo We Have The Bull By The Tail?
Here is a Thumbs Up to the Prime Minister, the Health Minister and the rest of the Cabinet Members of the government for their relentless vigilance against the pandemic COVID-19. Commandeered by His...
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