GNH is good for Japan: Lyonchhoen

1 September: The socio-economic development paradigm of gross national happiness (GNH) is suitable for a country like Japan, said Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley, at a conference in Fukuoka, Japan. “Japan, with its unique culture of discipline and industry, dignity and honour, and their resilience to endure the aftermath of World War II, is best suited to imbibe GNH,” said the prime minister on the paradigm’s relevance to a country, which boasts the second largest economy in the world. The... Read more

Matsutake tourism

1 September: The Sangay shamu (masutake), which Genekha farmers call their source of happiness – because of the good price it fetches – is indeed a source of happiness, says a group of Japanese tourists, who came to enjoy the flavour at the Amankora lodge, Thimphu. The white bulbous head mushroom, grown mostly in the wild pine forests of Thimphu and Bumthang, attracts over 30 to 40 Japanese tourists every year to Bhutan. “The pine (matsu) mushroom (take) is the most anticipated of... Read more

Hamburg’s Bhutanese professor

1 September: A Bhutanese lecturer in a German university will officially assume office as a professor for Tibetology at the department of Indian and Tibetan studies, Asia-Africa institute in university of Hamburg from October 1. Dorji Wangchuk, 42, from Trashigang, who teaches Tibetan textual studies and intellectual history of Tibetan Buddhism, has accepted the professorship offered by the university last month. “To be recognised as a professor, one needs a Ph.D. in the relevant field, have teaching... Read more

Domestic air service to take wing soon

1 September: There is some sign of development on the much debated and long awaited Yonphula airstrip. A group of foreign air operators and their pilots will visit the airstrip in a week and provide suggestions on how to develop the airport, according to the information communication minister, Lyonpo Nanda Lal. This comes after the cabinet issued its approval and direction to the department of civil aviation (DCA) to go ahead with the development of the domestic airport. The director general of... Read more

Special education unit in doldrums

1 September: The “special education unit” in Changangkha lower secondary school in Thimphu, set up to help physically and mentally disadvantaged children with special needs, is not as special as intended to be. The unit, set up in 2003, today has 17 students with speech disorder, autism, Down’s syndrome, scoliosis, low vision and other physical disabilities, but it is reeling under pressure from a shortage of skilled teachers and overcrowded classrooms. The students are clubbed together with... Read more

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