To My LOVE

My heart aches, whenever I call her.

I am on top of the world, whenever I talk with her.

Feel as if I have lost something special in my life, in her absence.

Hurts if she neglects or whenever I feel I am being neglected.

Whenever my mind is still, she always lingers in my mind,

I think I am missing her a lot.

Always think of her and always wanted to be with her.

The way she hugs me, the way she tickles me,

The way we play and share, everything is beautiful.

The funny things we share and quarrels we have,

The times we spend together, happiest moments we share,

Are some of the things that will remind me of her.

Sometimes she irritates me, that make her happy,

My only wish is to keep her happy ever.

Oh my sweetie, I truly love you,

I trust you, you are everything to me.

I am madly in love with you.

LOVE YOU FOREVER MY SWEETIE PIE. 

Drayangs - "A Pleasant Sound"

After a tedious day's work, many people prefer going to Drayangs especially the aged ones to refresh themselves and get some cool drinks. While most of the young stars prefer going party hall especially during the weekends, Drayangs are the place where even a family can go and have a leisure time together. People in Drayangs work so hard to entertain the clients and also to make a living of their own out of it. 

But what most people in and around talk and think about is very disheartening. It is very sad that we down look on them besides they working so hard to stand on their own feet. I visited Drayangs twice but i don't exactly now remember the names of those. Those were really a good place to hang out. People there sing, dance and also let us sing or dance if we wish to. They come near us and make us request a song or dance. When they came near me, I inquired a lot about them. Three girls came near me in the same night. I made a request for Nu. 400/-. To every girls that came near me for the request, I asked the stories behind them. All of them were made to work out of no choice. One girl was not even educated a bit but she was the only one to look after her only younger brother, who was in class 10 in government school. Having to look after him, one of her friends introduced her to the proprietor of that Drayang and now she is indebted to her proprietor. Others were educated up to classes 10 and 12 but it was not their choice to work as an entertainer in the Drayangs. They even shared me that, some clients even promise them more money if they are willing to go out with them, some clients just think they are the entertainer in the Drayang and they should  do anything to entertain the clients.  They also shared that they doesn't like working in Drayangs sometimes due to harassment from clients but they have no choice. 

Some Proprietors are very caring. One of the Drayangs I visited has a very good lady proprietor. She monitors every movement of the girls working there and the clients. Once my friend asked, "Where is the rest room?" to one of the girls working there, but a lady in the counter, a proprietor told, "Do not lead them to rest room, show them the direction" which in fact was a very good and a true statement she made. Such proprietors care their workers like their own children so the workers feel more secured. They drop the workers to their home themselves after the show is over. This is appreciative.

It is not good to look down on those who work to make their own living. If they were well off and have enough wealth descended from their parents, will they be still working in Drayangs? Will they still be sweeping the street? Will they still work as parking fee collector, as waiter or waitress? Or as receptionist? And many more? No, they won’t, nobody would. But they work because they are not one of those fortunate. They work to live independently and make a change in the society, be it a small change. But some people, who are fortunate enough to play on the wealth of their parents, tend to look down on them not realizing that, they are not even capable of standing on their own feet! It is high time now that we must respect the dignity of labor and appreciate them rather than making non-sense comments. No matter what we do, we all do for a living. If we earn our living rather than depending on someone, it is more than enough in life. So we must respect those who work for them and their family and even we as a worker should feel proud of whatever we do because we are able to stand on our own feet no matter what people think and say about us. Every one works to earn and any kind of work we do, all are equally respectable. 

Khadhar (A Ceremonial Scarf) Session

Bhutan is well known for its unique culture and tradition which have been a practice since our forefather's time. We believe in inter dependent (Tenching Drel wa) of all the elements on earth. Even the small things matter a lot in one's life. Out of many unique cultures in practice, Khadhar ceremony is one important element in Bhutanese life style. 

Khadhar or the scarf ceremony goes everywhere, during invitation, meetings, marriages, celebrations, promotions or any other important occasions. A khadhar ceremony is considered one important element in any occasion.  It has been a practice since our forefathers’ time and still considered one important ceremony. People offer Khadhar during marriages to a couple with a prayer that everything in their lives will go well and they lead a happy life. During promotions, all people, starting from the head till lower subordinates, a khadhar is offered for wellbeing and happiness of the one promoted. If the khadhars are received from temples or from some religious saints, people put it round the neck and consider it as something that would drive away the evil spirits and bring happiness and wellbeing for them. 

For every occasion, a khadhar ceremony is included and it is in general, considered to drive away all the evil spirits and bless with happiness and wellbeing. 

The Ladder of Civil Service

In Bhutan, if we have Bachelor’s Degree, we can reach the highest rank in the civil service that is EX-1 (Executive-1) or ES-1 (Specialist-1). If we join politics and we are very much capable, we can be either Prime Minister or the Cabinet Ministers. 

The entry level in civil service after graduation is at the S-1 (Supervisory) or P5 (Professional) levels. Those who get through the civil service examinations enter at the P5 level and others at the S-1 level. It takes 5 years to get first promotion including one year probation period  and after that every 4 years we are being promoted to next level until P-1. But sometimes, some people are also promoted on meritorious basis and through open competition for the vacant posts without even having to wait for 4 years. 

By the time we reach P-1 level, we will be in late 40s if no fast tract promotions are considered. Some, who are fortunate enough to get fast tract promotion (either through meritorious/open competition), they reach P-1 at the earliest possible. After P-1, to go to next level, i.e. either EX-3 or ES- 3, we have to face open competition for the vacant post. By the time we are in EX level, we will be old enough to be resigned soon. 

For those joining politics, it is different. If their party wins, they even have the chances to become ministers depending on one's capabilities. But to join politics, if we are civil servants, we have to first resign. Again if we want to join civil servants after participating in politics, we have to wait for 3 years cooling period.

Out of many, only few are selected through civil service examinations. Once selected, civil servants are bound by civil service rules and regulations. After resignation/superannuation, civil servants are paid retirement benefits depending on their terms of service. I am now at P-5, I wonder when will I be at EX-level or will I ever be there?    

Do Not Crave for It

In life, we are bound to have so many desires, some of which are achievable and some are not. Those which are achievable gives us the immense pleasure when achieved and those which we can’t achieve, it disappoints and let us down in life. We never give a second thought and we start feeling ourselves very low when something we wished for is not fulfilled. If we actually give a second thought to what has not been achieved, it will give us a room for improvement so that the same could be achieved the next moment. If we analyze carefully, where we went wrong and why it has not been achieved, I think there is nothing we can’t do. But we are very narrow minded and wanted everything to happen in a very perfect manner which does not. 

We have to cross many hurdles in life. We have to go up and we have to fall into abyss just to be one successful person in life. Nothing in life will be so perfect that we are welcomed every time without any hardships. If we want the rose, we have to face the danger of piercing thorns. If we always expect good things to happen in our life, we would be totally disappointed when something bad happen to us. Therefore it is always important for us to expect the unexpected and be prepared to face any circumstances in life. We have to be open, look at things from different angles. A problem could have more than one solution but it all depends on how we look at it. If we always think that each problem will have just one solution, then we can’t even get out, when we have problems where the solutions are not the one we know.  Like for example in mathematics, if we practice the same kind of questions again and again and make ourselves perfect without even thinking of another way to solve it, then we would face difficulties if the same questions have been twisted in the examinations. Therefore in life, we will have many problems but each problem will have its own solution. We have to approach it from different angles whichever is easy. 

We should never take anything for granted and live the life for itself. It is always easy to get into the depth of problems but very difficult to come out. Never crave for anything that does not come to us. If it was meant for us, it will come to us without having to go asking or looking for it. If we try to get something which is never meant to be ours, it will lead to a bad situation. If it comes to us and we don't get that, then it is our duty to fight for the right. If I cite a simple example, the public money does not belong to us in any ways but we somehow got the chance to enjoy it. What if Anti-Corruption or other higher authorities come to know about this? It would be an end to our profession! Even if we are not caught, please believe me, one day or other, we will have to face its repercussions (A little thinking of Buddhist here).

Therefore what I always feel is that, everything happens for good. If I don't get now, I think something better than this could be waiting down the line. So be contented with what you have and if you are entitled by life to have some more than this, it will come to you one day. Force will never work to achieve anything in life, even if you can get it by luck or by chance after having craved for it crazily, it will never last long. The Happiness earned is much livelier than the one you snatched. Remember, the respect is earned and is not demanded. If you demand, people will lose faith in you. So let the "Things" come to you, do not crave for it.  

“Things Are Not As They Appear to Be”

“Om Mani Padmi Hum….” with her thump running consistently over the beads of the rosary, Abi Sonam took rest under a tree after doing much around the temple as usual. Without she could make one complete round of rosary, she was mesmerized by a happy couple walking hand in hand down the road far below. She said to herself “Are they really happy as they appear?” She said this because she has already tasted the taste of what it seems to be real and happy in this world.

It was sometimes in 1980s; somewhere in eastern part of Bhutan Sonam was then the student of class four in a small town called Lekithang. Sonam was from a small village called Pemaling an hour walk from her school and was the only child to Aum Lemo and late Aap Dengo. Though she was one of the fortunate children to receive education in that village, she was not very interested in learning as she was challenged with so many dreams and desires burning within her. To describe her in short, Sonam was a beautiful girl and was easily inspired and fascinated by the people and the world around her. She never liked the life of a student; she always wanted to be a good wife and a caring mother whenever she came across a woman mothering their children. She never did realize how miserable it would be to be a mother. On her decision, Aum Lemo said, “ayee... Sonam, we always find grasses on the other side of the hill greener, don’t ever think of becoming mother at this age, your time will come”. She refused her mother as it was her strong decision made. Her close friend Dema also warned “a mirage in the desert areas are not real, just the illusion, you may find happiness now but when you really move into it, you will realize the truth, so better study now than regret later” “No Dema, you go and find your happiness later, I will find my happiness now” was what Sonam replied. So she left school. Students dropping out of schools were common problems in olden days.

Soon Sonam was married to a man called Dendup from Lekithang. Dendup was a village boy. Sonam fell for Dendup as he appeared to be simple and innocent. And within a year Sonam was a mother as she long desired. She enjoyed becoming a mother. In next five years she was a mother of three children and also was six months pregnant. Her mother passed away year after she gave birth to her first child. After she gave birth to fourth baby, their first child died of some illness and the younger baby was ill too. Mr Dendup always goes out to work during day time and used to come home drunk at night. The simplicity and innocent of Dendup has long disappeared. Now Sonam was really experiencing the taste of what it appeared to be happy to her long ago. She always had to suffer the pains herself.

One day she took her daughter, the youngest of three to the hospital as she was seriously ill. When she was inside the hospital, “name of your daughter please?” said the health personal. “Wangmo” she replied. The next question was the name of the mother and father. “Mother Sonam and father Dendup” Sonam replied. The lady stared at her and smiled, “Do you remember me?” Sonam looked somewhat confused but her face seemed familiar to her…..she just smiled and shook her head. “I am Dema” said the lady, “Dema, your friend, don’t you remember?” Sonam blushed out and smiled “Oh Dema…..” she said and they knew each other. “How is your life” asked Dema, so Sonam told her whole story of sufferings. “It was too late to digest your words, I wish I could have only listened to you and my mom” said Sonam weeping. “It’s okay now Sonam, those days are long gone, now it is of no use to regret over it, life is not as easy as you treat. All that glitters are not gold, you may find as simple as they appear but in real they are not” said Dema and she continued “for example you see a spider web, they appear very simple to our eye but you know how much time and energy a spider takes just to stretch one single string of web? Likewise whatever we encounter in our life, they are not as simple as they appear to be” Sonam has got no word to say. Dema with a pause continued “We have to know that colorful mushrooms are always poisonous, do not just   go for it because you find it very beautiful, so now learn from your mistake and teach a lesson to your daughter”. Sonam thanked Dema and went home weeping.

Thereafter Sonam was always critical in judging the world around her. She always thought of raising her only daughter different from how she was brought up. Her other two sons were taken by Dendup’s mother as she was unable to raise them. Just before her daughter could complete her course from JNP, Dendup passed away due to alcoholism. Her two sons got married in the village and a year later Wangmo got job in Thimphu and she was taken with her. Today Abi Sonam realizes how it is important to judge things before going for it. Abi Sonam has learnt that the things are not as they appear to be. This is the lesson Abi Sonam has got to tell to this generation!!!!!!

“Mom, come let’s go”. Abi Sonam looked back and smiled to her daughter Wangmo who has come to take her home. Abi Sonam put her rosary around her neck and walked home with her beloved daughter!!!!!!!!

TRASHEE DEYLEK!!!!!!

An Ode to a Tree

Tired are those passerby,

Dying under the scorching sun.

Looking for the place to relief.

An old tree that serves for good.

A home for tree dwellers,

Nuts for squirrels and shelter for all.

Blooms fully in springs, aids to beautify nature.

A place where butterflies dance and kiss the nectar.

Though old, it serves for good.

Its branches, stretched fully,

With breeze, it dances to the tune of nightingale.

It enjoys its life to the fullest.

The sweet fragrance and the cool shade,

Welcomes every passerby.

“It feels good” they remarks.

An old tree, a host for every parasite.

In the wide field, gracefully it lies.

Let not a day come, for someone to say “there was a tree”.

Let the old tree dwell forever,

A tree of gods and goddesses, that serves good for all.