Let's Wake Up!

My first impression of the home, after studying abroad, was overwhelming with many high and large buildings that were under construction (or constructed), roads widened (or widening) with various branded cars plying everyday, varying sophisticated electronic devices displayed on the windows and the walls of electronic shops, kids and parents communicating in fluent English, improvised dance moves depicting the creativity of youths by merging of Western (hip-hop/break dance) and Bhutanese culture that were telecasted via local TV cable operator channels, and many other stimulating things that really caught my attention by surprise. But then, upon a close scrutiny there was one thing that did not seem to receive much attention - the TIME! Everyone was/is relaxed and still clinging onto so called 'Bhutan Stretchable Time'. If an appointment was agreed at 9 A.M. then it's understood (and implied) that meeting half an hour late is not going to cause any harm or loss to either party. Lots of things are planned and executed in the very last panicking minutes. This was an utter dismay for it should have received the most attention of all. Unlike developed nations, time is 'no money' here. Time seem to flicker at the whim and finger tips of Bhutanese. 

Soon, in about a month's time from today, schools would be reopening for new academic session. We, the new teacher graduates with Post Graduate Diploma in Education'13 from College of Education (Samtse and Paro), have no clue about our teaching whereabouts (placement) for we are still anxiously waiting to hear from Ministry of Education (MoE). On the contrary, the MoE does not seem to feel the pinch and remain silent. 

At this juncture, I feel it's about crucial time MoE, at the least, explains why the delay and announces the availability of Dzongkhags (Districts). This would render ample time for us -- the new teachers -- to think, discuss, and finalize with the Dzongkhags of our preferences from what's available. Although  the official choice would be merely based on our academic ranking, at least there would be a plan in hand to compromise and adjust amongst ourselves. But the process doesn't cease here. It then has to route via District Education Officer (DEO) for the final deployment of new teachers into schools under their respective Dzongkhags. Rumors have it that final deployment is seldom transparent and biased. However, I choose not to make further remark on such hearsay.

We, the Bhutanese, are known for doing best at the last minute. But are we going to continue clinging onto this 'unwise' habit? Is it always assured that the best outcome would be garnered? To catch up and try walking at par with the fast changing world, I feel it is of dire importance that last minute rush habit be discarded and early planning and information be embraced. Then, only then, the so called 'good governance' will prevail and seen by all individuals.

Well, this is a concerned citizen and 'anxious' new teacher crying from the wounds of neglected time value. Let's plan and avoid last minute havoc. It's about time we stand tall on our toes. It's about time we blow off those old and worn out habits from our shoulders. It's about time we open our eyes and wake up! 

Getting Back On Horse

I can't believe time slipped so swiftly that the last time I made a post was more than a year ago. Well, judging from the number of posts I have made in past years, I won't hesitate to admit that I wasn't an ideal blogger either. However, I did make sure that upon certain time gap from one post, the following post had a reviving effect (at least to me). Anyway, they say that losers have many excuses and blames to put on and I choose not to be one. So without any more remorse, I, like many others, would like to mark this special date (11.12.13) as getting back on horse. Happy blogging and reading.

Mistaken for TAXI Day?

With the improved and advanced health facility, the growth rate of world population is on hike even though the means to educating people about the benefits of having smaller family is given equal and due importance. Such rise is definitely leading to rise in ravenous greed of every individual for feeding or presentation of oneself. It is us – the human being – that is disturbing the Mother Nature and inviting all sorts of calamities – big or small. While some remain negligent about their naivety, there are others who are worrisome and already back on their horses educating their kind on the impacts from smokes or any other elements (contributing to natural hazard) to the environment and people, eventually. Countries across the globe are exploring the urgency and need in paying a serious heed to such threats and most have already placed proper precaution or generated awareness for the well being of people and conservation of clean environment that needed to be handed down the coming generations.

Bhutan has also been doing the same, if not similar. First came the banning of smoking and chewing tobaccos. Then, of recent, observing every Tuesday as the Pedestrian Day. It is always a thrill to invoke and truly analyze for yourself whenever an ‘alien’ is born in human town. There were voices of likes and dislikes of observing Pedestrian Day to which I remained a complete negligent. However, an hr ago, I ran into a random conversation with two of my friends that somehow led to and ignited about the Pedestrian Day. 

After breaking up with our conversation, we headed our own ways. I made my way to home but the words we shared about the Pedestrian Day kept ringing back as though someone inside my head kept replaying that very conversation. Now, that I am sitting on this not-so-comfy-chair and trying to scribble down something I should let it out, I am beginning to mull over and question if Tuesdays are merely Pedestrian Day for I see lots of yellow-painted-roof with four wheelers “TAXI” making rounds everywhere I land my eyes on? May be “Taxi Day” might be a better substitute and best -nym given for Tuesday. And one more thing, if almost equal or equivalent numbers of vehicles move around as much as pedestrians, then I am afraid yet compelled to confront that this is NOT a Pedestrian Day. In fact, we are observing taxis’ everywhere. Hence, and for logical reasoning and in my opinion this day better be observed as TAXI Day. 

Pedestrian Day is becoming hassle and causing perplexity among the private wheel runners and police personnel who always seem on uneasy-feeling-duty whenever the former try trespassing via restricted routes, the latter objects and make the wheel turn around and head the direction it came from. From my observation, irrespective of what mood the private wheel runners wear initially, the objection and NO ENTRY signal by police personnel into restricted routes compels those behind the wheel to take up the look of and throw few words of dissatisfaction that can be only lip read and not heard. 

As much as I am commendable about the Government ushering and introducing such brilliant contribution towards the conservation of environment and reduction of fuel expenses during such crucial hr of crisis – the rupee crisis, I am of equivalent stand that the synonym given to Tuesday is less pragmatic and mere delusion.   

If we are to truly observe the Pedestrian Day, then all wheels, exceptional being ambulances and fire brigades that too under emergency act, should be free of its wheelers and ONLY PEDESTRIANS should be on move – either for the entire day or specified length of hr in a day. Then, hands in air, hats off, we are indeed observing the Pedestrian Day.  

p.s This article was written on Tuesday at 12:30ish in the afternoon. Due to some technical error, the uploading and publishing was deferred.