A Child Teaches

Raising a child is real challenge yet it's an great opportunity for us to meditate on the troubles and sacrifices our parents have gone through to raise us and consequently we could thank our parents. 
It takes our patience,  creativity and perseverance to bring up a child.  From the time it wake up, the child is restless always looking forward to do something.  And the child's restlessness demand our effort to engage him or her to the best that he or she doesn't meet any sort of mishaps or accidents.  Even a day with a child demands a huge share of our attention,  mindfulness, patience and perseverance. In the process of being with a child,  there is always fun and learning to the extent of revealing true character of ours. 
      My about to turn two years old son teaches me great sense of patience, creativity, management, perseverance, fun, love and care.  Whenever I am with him,  I have to be alert and mindful that his restleness doesn't provoke a slightest mishap or two.  And then to channel his restlessness into something productive is yet another challenge that really test both my ingrained and trained skills of engaging children.  Children by nature are curious of anything they see around and we as parents are conscious of their health and safety.  It takes our tremendous energy to engage our children meaningfully. 
      My son has unbeatable affinity towards automobiles.  Even a farthest and faint roar of an automobile pricks his attention and responds us,  'whu.....whu... ' and if fail to take him towards that source of automobile sound,  he throws his tantrum by throwing his body flat on whatever he is standing, mattress or rocky garden. Good if we could make him actually see the passing automobile.  And again,  if there is a vehicle parked around,  he desperately pulls us towards the parked ones.  So carefully and seriously, he inspects every part of the parked ones as if a mechanic is inspecting a car.  So we have to there till he is satisfied with the parked one.  If there are many cars parked, then our then our time on that parking multiplies by the number of cars parked.  At times when we are not well physically or emotionally,  it's really a patience losing sort of episode in our life with our son.  No matter what we have to ensure his happiness by letting him do whatever he likes. 
     In my effort to ensure my boy's affection and attraction towards any sort of automobile,  I am blessed with tremendous exercise both physically and emotionally.  Physically I have to walk and move around a lot.  Emotionally,  as mentioned I have to be patient,  caring and loving as much as I can. 
     Raising a child seriously is an opportunity for us to learn,  relieving learn and unlearn.

The Great 4th, Truly Great Leader

On this special day of the birth anniversary of His Majesty the Great 4th DrukGyelpo,  I offer my sincere prayer for the continued good health of His Majesty the King.  It is a day to offer our gratitude in whatever way we could for all the peace and prosperity we are enjoying today. 
     Of all the blessings we have received from His Majesty the King,  the gift of democracy has been the most priceless.  It is known by all that the democracy in our country is truly a gift from the golden throne.  The episode of democracy in our country is a peaceful transition of governance.  The people didn't demanded democracy nor did they cried and fought for democracy.  Rather the people were taken aback when the Great Fourth announced the coming of democracy in our country coupled with his abdication.  So the people reluctantly accepted the gift. 
     Today after a decade of democracy in our country, we are witnessing how much the Great Fourth had been farsighted for the well-being of our nation by looking at the developments and achievements since 2008. With the birth of democracy,  the people from all walks of life came forward to serve the nation better by forming political parties and aspiring for the Members of the Parliament.  In the process,  democracy started to take roots with the spirits of selflessness and peacefulness.  The people are now matured enough to vote for the candidates who really can stand up as their voice.  And the ability of the people to choose their right leaders is a true indication that they want to receive the blessings that they have been praying for.  And equally the ability of the leaders  to answer their people's needs and wants is a wish granting jewel for the people.  Both the abilities,  the people's ability to vote without fear or favor and the leaders' ability to deliver their pledges are true manifestation of the Great Fourth's blessings. Now the people have choice to decide their fate by responsibly exercising their franchise of votes. 
     Now unlike in the past,  age doesn't stand as a barrier to become 'dashos'. So long as one is fit with highest level of competency and ability,  he or she can become a Dasho without having to climb his or her career ladder for a long time.  The ruling government's appointment of some young ministers is an inspiration to the young and competent ones that the most coveted posts do not really belong to the senior and experienced citizens.  With such inspiration flowing in their nurouns, the young and competent ones will continue to develop and sharpen their competencies and set themselves ready for any kind of move they wish to take without a slightest  'I am not matured enough to hold that post,  I am still young and have enough time to prepare for that place... ' sort of sense.
     Everything that is happening, new government with better packages for the nation in every five years,  people's ability to make right choice, young and competent people remaining inspired etc are truly the Great Fourth's vision for our nation.  All of us are confident that the Bhutanese democracy and the Gross National Happiness,  the priceless gifts of His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuk,  will continue to succeed and bless us all. 

We Made our Choice

So finally 2018 election fever has started to come down with the close of polls yesterday evening at 5 pm.  And the Bhutanese have decided their destiny for the following five years and beyond.  Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa led by Bhutan's popular urologist Dr Lotey won 30 seats in the parliament out of 47 seats. The election result is due to be declared officially at 9 am by the Chief Election Commissioner today. 

DNT, an outside parliament party which came into political fray in 2013 will enter the annals of Bhutan History as third democratically elected government in Bhutan.  And Druk Phunsum Tshogpa will continue its status as opposition party and as a seasoned party in the parliament. 

Now with election result already known although officially undeclared,  we are going to have a government which most of us voted for change and a opposition of seasoned party. 

And for that we are confident that the government elect party will deliver it's pledges and fulfill the nation's mandate and the opposition elect party will offer strong check and balances of the ruling party.  All for the happiness, security and peacefulness of our nation.  We are confident because DNT although fresh party to enter the parliament has worked so hard to make itself trust worthy and strong to the Bhutanese over a decade and the opposing party DPT  experience as a term as ruling party and a term as opposition, coupled with credible candidates won.

Hopefully, for the welling of all the people,  everything will gain better health under the leadership of DNT. And we pray for everlasting peace, security and happiness shinning in our nation.  We will look upon our great kings' unwavering compassion and concern.  We will look forward to see snows crowning our nation. And most importantly we look forward to see the people united and the small rifts and divisions created by the parties healed and usher our nation for everlasting peace and prosperity.  All for our present moment and our children's future. 

The World Cup Unites

So finally the World Cup 2018 has come to an end with France lifting the World Cup after stunning win over Croatia.  It's 2nd time win for France with its firstvwin 1998. And it's first time for Croatia to reach the much coveted World Cup final. 

For a month the once in 4 years game brought the world together.  Those who could afford and fortunate ones all had great holidays in Russia and most who couldn't make their way to the host country have not missed even a live match on TVS and live streamings on their cell phones.  Families and friends across the world renewed their relationship watching the World Cup matches together.  And new friendships have been established watching the games in public places.  Despite some emotional upheavals and disappointments among the fans for losing their teams and timing disruptions brought by some matches especially by those late night matches,  the World Cup 2018 made the world as one.

A triumph for France and others too.  In the process of pursuing the world champion,  the participating countries might have added a lot on their already commendable shows and skills.  And for those countries who couldn't  make their way to Russia also might have developed something to better next time.  For the spectators across the world especially the youth, the World Cup might have drawn a lot of inspiration on them.  The spirit of winning and the acceptance of losing are greatest gifts all can collect from any kind of sports. 

I have watched 99% of the live matches and enjoyed a lot.  I wasnt supporting any country in particular.  I just watched to become the part of the world of meaningful moments.  Because in approx 2 hours for each match,  people forgeting their works and worries, sit in front of the TV and enjoy. 

It was my wish to have one of the Asian nation to reach final although many were in view that it would take another decade or more to spot an Asian nation lifting that 6 kg gold.  Japan nearly made through.  And South Korea shocked the world defeatinng the defending champaion Germany.  Not to forget splendid show chase of skills by Iran.  Although my wish wasnt fulfilled,  I have witnessed a lot of promising skills in those Asian nations who played in Russia this year  that one day one of these nations would reach to the top.  Then my second wish was to see nations which have not won the cup before in the finals.  Croatia made to the final but Belgium couldn't.

Keeping the world together for a month, 2018 World Cup ended successfully.  Most sensed that the 2018 World Cup had been the moments of shock,  unexpected results and above all wonderful matches played ever. 

Congratulations to the winning ones, finally.  And thanks to FIFA and Russia for hosting the matches well. And especially to FIFA for coming up with new spice in the manner of maning the games answering the need of the time, goal line technology in 2014 and VAR in 2018, I have learnt that we have maximise and utilize the affulunce of time we are living.  Technology is the affulunce and blessing of our time and FIFA showed the world that we have to know how to receive the blessings of time. 

One Look at Our Life

If our life is defined by what we do and become thereof, then we really have to push ourselves beyond the confines of our limited thoughts and ideas. Because beyond our thoughts and ideas lie so many things to view and consider before we conclude the definition of our life. So in the act of pushing ourselves, we confront lots of experiences, both negative and positive which either grease our move or rust our move. Slaying all the evils on our way backed by all those positives, if we end up undefeated, we feel that we have done something great. But how would it tickle our senses if we are consumed by fires and furries of all those negatives standing our ways? Different story, i think. At the end, it is nothing but the strength and stamina of our heart that really matters in pushing ourselves through all concrete walls, firewalls and iron walls if we really have to prove the definition of our life. Only if you feel that your whatever you do defines your life. 

Black-winged Stilt After a Long Time

It has been a long time I haven't written about the birds in my place.  It doesn't mean that I have forgotten about them.  Although not shown outside or observed by others,  I have always been in touch with the winged ones surrounding me.  With many trees in the school surrounding, there are birds galore for sights and sounds and thus my days here in the school doesn't end without a birds or two in a day.  When fortunate enough,  I get to sight beautiful birds which rarely come out in public such as trogan and owls.  Usually,  I get to hear and sight common birds of the place such as bulbuls, sparrows and of course spotted doves.  

     Yesterday afternoon was one fortunate time for me and of course to all in the school.  A bird which we have seen for the first time in our school campus in the summer of 2015 visited us again.  

With lazy steps I was back after having my lunch.  The moment I was about to settle down for a short rest before readying for their afternoon sessions,  I saw a strange bird flying towards my office window from the school garden.  My senses became more active and I watched it intently following its flight.  It attempted to land on the transmission line running above the garden but it didn't.  Instead it made a round of fight above the garden and out flew towards the playground.  I thought that it wouldn't land on the ground.  But then,  I saw the children stopping their play and gasping. The bird landed on the playground. Coincidentally it was lunch break and most of the children were out playing and loitering around.  The bird drew most of us towards it.  Our colleague Rinchen Nidu was out playing kabola with a group of children.  He too stopped the play and was up capturing the bird in his phone.  Sir Rinchen instructed children not to disturb the birds and also warned the children not to harm the birds.  As the children drew closer to have better view of the bird,  it took a flight and landed at the other side of the goalpost.  But in few seconds, the birds took up a great flight and away it flew towards the village and disappeared in the woods behind the academic building.  

     The bird was gone, but its moments remained in me rewinding my time back to 2015 when the same bird visited our school for the first time since my arrival here.  That time,  an incessant rain lasting about a week brought in our school a big puddle behind the academic block. As a result the bird came,  we thought and assumed.  The bird stayed for a long time,  wandering the puddle,  pecking something out. We had great time enjoying its move and rest in the puddle from the back windows in the recess of lessons.  Personally,  I had fortunate moment to photograph the birds as much as I can during the recess of my time.  I didn't know the name of that bird back then. I tried a lot to identify the books referring the books available but in vain.  Now I do with the help of active birders in Birds of Bhutan, a group on facebook.  The bird with long legs,  with body and black wings is Black-winged Stilt.  

     With a gap of a year,  the bird visited us again. This time although the puddle came up last time during incessant downpour time but the continuous sunshine following that dried up the puddle.  May be because of that,  the birds didn't stay for long.  Hopefully it will return some day.  We are waiting.  

Black-winged Stilt After a Long Time

It has been a long time I haven't written about the birds in my place.  It doesn't mean that I have forgotten about them.  Although not shown outside or observed by others,  I have always been in touch with the winged ones surrounding me.  With many trees in the school surrounding, there are birds galore for sights and sounds and thus my days here in the school doesn't end without a birds or two in a day.  When fortunate enough,  I get to sight beautiful birds which rarely come out in public such as trogan and owls.  Usually,  I get to hear and sight common birds of the place such as bulbuls, sparrows and of course spotted doves.  

     Yesterday afternoon was one fortunate time for me and of course to all in the school.  A bird which we have seen for the first time in our school campus in the summer of 2015 visited us again.  

With lazy steps I was back after having my lunch.  The moment I was about to settle down for a short rest before readying for their afternoon sessions,  I saw a strange bird flying towards my office window from the school garden.  My senses became more active and I watched it intently following its flight.  It attempted to land on the transmission line running above the garden but it didn't.  Instead it made a round of fight above the garden and out flew towards the playground.  I thought that it wouldn't land on the ground.  But then,  I saw the children stopping their play and gasping. The bird landed on the playground. Coincidentally it was lunch break and most of the children were out playing and loitering around.  The bird drew most of us towards it.  Our colleague Rinchen Nidu was out playing kabola with a group of children.  He too stopped the play and was up capturing the bird in his phone.  Sir Rinchen instructed children not to disturb the birds and also warned the children not to harm the birds.  As the children drew closer to have better view of the bird,  it took a flight and landed at the other side of the goalpost.  But in few seconds, the birds took up a great flight and away it flew towards the village and disappeared in the woods behind the academic building.  

     The bird was gone, but its moments remained in me rewinding my time back to 2015 when the same bird visited our school for the first time since my arrival here.  That time,  an incessant rain lasting about a week brought in our school a big puddle behind the academic block. As a result the bird came,  we thought and assumed.  The bird stayed for a long time,  wandering the puddle,  pecking something out. We had great time enjoying its move and rest in the puddle from the back windows in the recess of lessons.  Personally,  I had fortunate moment to photograph the birds as much as I can during the recess of my time.  I didn't know the name of that bird back then. I tried a lot to identify the books referring the books available but in vain.  Now I do with the help of active birders in Birds of Bhutan, a group on facebook.  The bird with long legs,  with body and black wings is Black-winged Stilt.  

     With a gap of a year,  the bird visited us again. This time although the puddle came up last time during incessant downpour time but the continuous sunshine following that dried up the puddle.  May be because of that,  the birds didn't stay for long.  Hopefully it will return some day.  We are waiting.