October 01, 2010: Bhutan has expressed its willingness to be elected as the member of UN Security Council for the period 2013-14 term. In a statement issued Wednesday, Bhutan sought support from member states for the seat of temporary member of the highest agency of UN system. The statement came as foreign secretary Daw Penjo […]
In bid to promote rights of persons on disabilities, Bhutan has formally adopted the UN Convention on Disabilities. Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley signed the convention on September 21 on the UN Treaty Event – 2010 in New York, USA. During the singing ceremony, Thinley commented that adoption of this convention would pave ways to […]
Recently, Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley, who traveled to the United States this week to speak at Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum, told Al Jazeera that, “In Bhutan even the street dogs seem to be smiling.” Article 9 of Bhutan’s constitution puts it simply: “The State shall strive to promote those conditions that will enable the pursuit of Gross National Happiness.” To a lay person, being happy means having clothes to keep warm during the freezing Himalayan winter and having money to buy medication when a family member is sick. To this person, Gross National Happiness might mean living in a house with family and working the farm, instead of living in slum by the side of the road doing unpaid, compulsory labor for the government.
Recently, Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley, who traveled to the United States this week to speak at Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum, told Al Jazeera that, “In Bhutan even the street dogs seem to be smiling.” Article 9 of Bhutan’s constitution puts it simply: “The State shall strive to promote those conditions that will enable […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — The tiny Buddhist country of Bhutan, known as the last Shangri-La, has become famous for its happy people. Recently, Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley, who traveled to the United States this week to speak at Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum, told Al Jazeera that, “In Bhutan even the street dogs seem to […]
September 19, 2010: The private newspapers have objected the government decision to conduct a circulation audit as per the draft of advertisement policy prepared by the government. They say it is not a consensual decision. The government has dispatched letters to all private newspapers stating the intention to conduct such audit. The letter mentioned that […]
September 19, 2010: Bhutan government has tested the first inter-ministerial video conferencing on Thursday in an attempt to build more technology friendly environment in government offices. The reason for his absence was his busy schedule to explain the journalists about the event and results. This was the trial for running the process smoothly from this […]
September 19, 2010: The war for taking management control of the growing Bhutanese hydropower projects between Bhutan’s apex hydropower body and Indian power companies have started. India sides claim that since they have 51 percent ownership in Chamkarchu (670 MW), Wangchu (600 MW), Kholongchu (486 MW) and Bunakha reservoir (180 MW), the management control must […]
September 18, 2010: A Pennsylvania State University has awarded Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley with the Distinguished Alumni Award on Thursday amidst the function. This is the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus. He received the award from Penn State President Graham Spanier at a ceremony at Old Main along with three Penn State professors, […]
September 18, 2010: As the debate for local elections in the country heats up, a parallel debate has started up whether religious personalities should be allowed to vote in the elections. And it seems most lamas who were restricted from taking part during the parliamentary elections will be left out this time as well. The […]