Recently, the yearly Book Fair was held in Bajothang, Wangdue. The Rigsum Institute of IT and Management (the institute in which my parents work) had developed a suite or collection of educational programs like Wikipedia, Khan Academy, Scratch and a lot more. The great thing about the Sherig Collection is that it requires no Internet! The idea was that schools with IT labs or computers that have slow or no Internet connection can use programs that are usually not offline like Khan Academy, instead of only focussing on Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint etc.). The video below explains the idea of the Sherig Collection. If you're observant (and if you read my other posts), you'll note that the music at the beginning and end of the video sounds familiar... If you're interested, you can also visit the Sherig Collection website.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tharingsa
Lyrics
Sunday, March 17, 2013
International Happiness Day
Not long ago, the United Nations declared March 20th as International Happiness Day or International Day of Happiness. Bhutan proposed this day to the UN in lieu of 'the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to the economic growth that promoted sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the happiness and wellbeing of all people.'Now it is declared a government holiday in Bhutan for people to enjoy life.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Losar
Losar, meaning New Year, is celebrated throughout Bhutan and Tibet, and mostly any other Buddhist country. It falls around February in the Christian calendar. Losar is celebrated for fifteen days, most with different rituals and customs. Losar usually falls near the Chinese New Year, but don't confuse them! Losar and Chinese New Year are completely different and are celebrated differently.
The first day of Losar is celebrated by drinking a customary alcoholic "beer", changkol.
Dances are performed by monks wearing specially made costumes with tall, (usually) yellow, spreading hats.
Dances are performed by monks wearing specially made costumes with tall, (usually) yellow, spreading hats.Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Tshechu
There are also clowns (also masked). You can see the mask of one in the left picture (the one with the red mask with its face to you).
Occasionally, traditional Bhutanese plays are acted out, though this is uncommon, and the Tshechu consists mostly of dances.
If you plan to go to a Tshechu, wear a good hat, bring water, and be generous with sun-lotion since the Tshechu is usually conducted in the afternoon, in summer, when the sun blazes on your unfortunate shoulders.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Bhutan vs. India
For the beginning of 2013, I have a special post - a post differentiating between Bhutan and India, because, I spend our long winter vacation (of three months) in India.*
That's number one. Bhutan is so small, when you go from one dzongkhag to another, there's a big chance you might meet someone you know. In India, the probability is even higher... but you probably won't see him because of the huge crowds. I'm exaggerating, naturally, but that's the idea.
Look at the map and spot India. Easy, isn't it? Now where's Bhutan? It's so small, that the country's name doesn't fit inside the area, have you noticed?
That proves my point. For facts, India is about 60 times as big as Bhutan.
When you walk in Bhutan, the most common noise is usually dogs barking, birds chirping and so on. (Though I admit, motor is also becoming a noisy nuisance nowadays).
In India, in some places, you have to shout to someone in talking distance - in others, you simply have no chance.
Usually in crowds the noise is unbearable unless there's someone important speaking in front, and even then there'll be some noises.
That's part of the reason why a lot of village people in Bhutan don't speak a word in English and, English isn't a national language (though in towns you can find many English speaking people) while in India Hinglish was already invented, and ads are commonly in English.
*The long vacation is in winter because the winter is ferociously cold there, and the schools want children, not frozen popsicles. The vacation is as long as the winter, and the winter is usually December, January, February.
- Bhutan is tiny, India is huge
Look at the map and spot India. Easy, isn't it? Now where's Bhutan? It's so small, that the country's name doesn't fit inside the area, have you noticed?
That proves my point. For facts, India is about 60 times as big as Bhutan.
- Bhutan is quiet, India is noisy
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| If that isn't a crowd, I don't know what is |
 |
| A peaceful view of a dzong and nearby lake with mountains looming behind |
In India, in some places, you have to shout to someone in talking distance - in others, you simply have no chance.
In Bhutan, if the Prime Minister is talking, you can hear a pin drop (though nobody would want to disturb the silence and drop a pin, would he?)
- Bhutan was never captured by any country, India was captured by the Brits
In Bhutan English is quickly being promoted, and most private schools treat Dzongkha as a second language, and lessons are given in English, except for the Dzongkha period.
*The long vacation is in winter because the winter is ferociously cold there, and the schools want children, not frozen popsicles. The vacation is as long as the winter, and the winter is usually December, January, February.
Typos in Bhutan
Typos in English are quite common in Bhutan, as in some other countries in Asia.
The Lattest Collection, announces a flashing shop. Menus are also a rich source of amusement; "Fried Rise with veg." as a restaurant's specials, or "Meat ducklings", or, if you're interested in cannibalism, "Fried children". So, if you're on a trip to Bhutan, look out for these funnies to engage you.
Another classic that runs around town is the shop proclaiming Go d and Silver Smith, the 'l' of gold detached. A godsmith, by the way, is a maker of idols. After a few years of people laughing at him, the poor shop owner took away the l from silver and attached it to gold and hopefully you will find the amusing sign: Gold and Si ver Smith.
The Lattest Collection, announces a flashing shop. Menus are also a rich source of amusement; "Fried Rise with veg." as a restaurant's specials, or "Meat ducklings", or, if you're interested in cannibalism, "Fried children". So, if you're on a trip to Bhutan, look out for these funnies to engage you.
Another classic that runs around town is the shop proclaiming Go d and Silver Smith, the 'l' of gold detached. A godsmith, by the way, is a maker of idols. After a few years of people laughing at him, the poor shop owner took away the l from silver and attached it to gold and hopefully you will find the amusing sign: Gold and Si ver Smith.
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