Obviously, my thoughts and prayers this past week were for the people of Nepal who faced the biggest Himalayan tsunami that caused immeasurable destruction along its path and an untold number of deaths.

Having been to Nepal many times on pilgrimages and conferences, this tragedy felt personal. I have reached out to a young monk I know in Nuwakot to see how I could help, although what they are facing is beyond anyone’s imagination or reach.

What is equally worrying is the fact that Bhutan too is prone to such a “tsunami” known as a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). I was expecting some reassurances and information on the state of our preparedness from our authorities, but I didn’t see much in the public domain. I am sure it was discussed.

So, here in this article I share what I know and have gathered from various scientific studies.

To share a bit of what I have seen, in 2004 I stayed in Lunana for four months doing the filming of my documentary School Among Glaciers. During our journey and the stay there, I trekked to several lakes and herders’ camps and saw the unmatched beauty as well as the dangers posed by the glacial lakes.

If you stand on the edge of any lake, such as the Rapstreng Tsho, in a distance you can see large chunks of snow and ice blocks—some as big as my house—fall into the lake every now and then. The impact on the water surface would create an explosion-like sound and a wave that would eventually hit the natural moraine dam I would be standing on.

If the ice or the avalanche is really big enough, the wave can even break the natural dam, draining out the whole lake and thereby causing the glacial lake outburst flood. This seems to be what happened in Nepal’s case.

What the research says.

The Punatshangchu, Chamkhar Chu, and Pachu basins are at the highest risk, followed by settlements along Kurichu and Mangdechu. The last big GLOF occurred in Bhutan in 1994, hitting even the historical Punakha Dzong and damaging the Dzongchung.

Bhutan has over 2,600 glacial lakes, out of which some recent studies have indicated that 28 could be hazardous. The study published in the European Geosciences Union journal finds that around 11,000 people, 2,600 houses and buildings, 250 km of road, 400 bridges, and 5,000 acres of land in Bhutan are at direct risk to potential GLOFs.

This may sound scary, but what is scarier is the possible outburst of the Thorthormi Lake, which lies behind Raptstreng Tsho in Lunana. It is a huge lake that is classified as “very high-hazard.” If it breaks, it would have a devastating effect on the settlements along the riverbanks in Lunana and more so in the Punakha-Wangdue valley and all the way past Lhamozingkha (Kalikhola). The lake holds some 50+ million cubic meters of water and can gush down a flood measuring 150 feet in height in some stretches. The one in Nepal reached 100 feet high.

Being positive.

However, to put forward some optimism and a suggestion, the lakes in Lunana are constantly monitored, and efforts are made every now and then to lower the level of the lake to lessen the pressure on the moraine dam. A team of glaciologists travels there frequently.

Early warning systems have been installed in places along Phochu, Mochu, Wangchu, Mangdechu, and Chamkharchu. And when these systems are activated, the affected population will have enough time to evacuate. For instance, depending on the volume of the water discharged, the flood from Thorthomi Lake in Lunana would take between two and four hours to reach the town of Punakha.

The suggestion now would be for these early warning systems to be regularly tested and some mock drills to be conducted. The population along the four river basins should be educated and prepared for, and infrastructure developments along these rivers should be well-thought out. Some cross-border coordination and information-sharing may also be initiated—if this is not already done – with India for Dragme Chu (Gongri), and with China for Amochu and Kurichu.

With climate change, winters are expected to be colder, summers will be hotter, rainfall harder, and winds stronger. Large ice blocks falling off and avalanches occurring are bound to happen. It is just a question of when, and not a matter of if.

We just need to be prepared.

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Obviously, my thoughts and prayers this past week were for the people of Nepal who faced the biggest Himalayan tsunami that caused immeasurable destruction along its path and an untold number of deaths.

Having been to Nepal many times on pilgrimages and conferences, this tragedy felt personal. I have reached out to a young monk I know in Nuwakot to see how I could help, although what they are facing is beyond anyone’s imagination or reach.

What is equally worrying is the fact that Bhutan too is prone to such a “tsunami” known as a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). I was expecting some reassurances and information on the state of our preparedness, but I didn’t see much from our authorities in the public domain.

So, here in this article I share what I have gathered.

To share a bit of what I have seen, in 2004 I stayed in Lunana for four months doing the filming of my documentary School Among Glaciers. During our journey and the stay there, I trekked to several lakes and herders’ camps and saw the unmatched beauty as well as the dangers posed by the glacial lakes.

If you stand on the edge of any lake, such as the Rapstreng Tsho, you can see large chunks of snow and ice blocks—some as big as my house—fall into the lake every now and then. The impact on the water surface would create an explosion-like sound and a wave that would eventually hit the natural moraine dam I would be standing on.

If the ice or the avalanche is really big enough, the wave can even break the natural dam, draining out the whole lake and thereby causing the glacial lake outburst flood. This seems to be what happened in Nepal’s case.

What research says.

The Punatshangchu, Chamkhar Chu, and Pachu basins are at the highest risk, followed by settlements along Kurichu and Mangdechu. The last big GLOF occurred in 1994, hitting even the Punakha Dzong and damaging the Dzongchung.

Bhutan has over 2,600 glacial lakes, out of which some recent studies have indicated that 28 could be hazardous. The study published in the European Geosciences Union journal finds that around 11,000 people, 2,500 houses and buildings, 250 km of road, 400 bridges, and 5,000 acres of land in Bhutan are at direct risk to potential GLOF.

This may sound scary, but what is scarier is the possible outburst of the Thorthormi Lake, which lies behind Raptstreng Tsho in Lunana. It is a huge lake that is classified as “very high-hazard.” If it breaks, it would have a devastating effect on the settlements along the riverbanks in Lunana and more so in the Punakha-Wangdue valley and all the way past Lhamozingkha (Kalikhola). The lake holds some 50+ billion liters of water and can gush down a flood measuring 150 feet in height in some stretches.

Some solutions. But more communication, please

To put forward some optimism and a suggestion, the lakes in Lunana are constantly monitored, and efforts are made every now and then to lower the level of the lake to lessen the pressure on the moraine dam. A team of glaciologists travels there frequently.

Early warning systems have been installed in places along Phochu, Mochu, Wangchu, Mangdechu, and Chamkharchu. And when these systems are activated, the affected population will have enough time to evacuate. For instance, depending on the volume of the water discharged, the flood from Thorthomi Lake in Lunana would take between two and four hours to reach the town of Punakha.

The suggestion now would be for these early warning systems to be regularly tested and some mock drills to be conducted. The population along the four river basins should be educated and prepared for, and infrastructure developments along these rivers should be well-thought out. Some cross-border coordination and information-sharing may also be initiated—if this is not already done.

With climate change, winters are expected to be colder, summers will be hotter, rainfall harder, and winds stronger. Large ice blocks falling off and avalanches occurring are bound to happen. It is just a question of when.

We just need to be prepared.

The video of this child giving up her umbrella to an old couple completely lifted me from my otherwise depressing week. In this simple gesture I see hope for humanity, because it is something that I have always believed in, preached, tried to practice, and lived up to every day and moment that I breathe.

The girl in the video has a school bag—probably carrying books that she will forget once she is out of school. But that golden heart is what she will carry all her life and what her life will reward her for. Believe me!

From my own experience, more than all the things I studied and the multiple degrees I carry, what has taken me very far in life—literally and figuratively—are actually the lessons of goodness and altruism that my parents instilled in me right from childhood. Growing up, I saw my mother giving away our only food stocks to fleeing Tibetan refugees. Self before others.

Opportunities and organizations will come and go. You will grow up; you will get a job; you will find yourself confronting the world. Ultimately, you will be judged with one simple question: are you a good human being? If you fail that, even if you have a PhD on your CV, you will be thrown in the recycle bin.

Are you kind?

Today when I have to approve new hires for positions in the foundations or in the projects that I lead, my only question is, “Is he/she a good person?”—as in, what is, what we call in Bhutanese, this person’s “sampa semki.” If there is doubt, I ask for a review.

Even in my personal life, as a parent, my focus when raising my two daughters was to ensure that they developed good sampa semki. Knowledge and skills can be learned and relearned, but a good heart can only be cultivated when they are young. In fact, never once did I check their homework or school grades.

My insistence may have gone overboard. When my daughter started her kindergarten, she was once caught helping a weaker student in an exam. When she was summoned by the school principal, daughter stood her ground. “My father always tells me to help others.”

Of course, the debate between kindness and qualification is not a binary choice. The point I am trying to make is that kindness and compassion should precede everything that a child must learn—if we want them to have a fulfilling life, or if we as a country want to succeed, or if we as a human species want to survive. I am glad to see this young girl is growing up with a kind heart.

Kindness without qualification will get you somewhere. Qualification without kindness will get you nowhere.

Thank you, parents of this girl—for bringing up a wonderful child.

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

NB—To everyone, be kind to random strangers. That one gesture can inspire the world.

I have always believed in bringing people together—because togetherness is strength, togetherness is well-being, and togetherness brings harmony. When we started BBS TV, I coined the corporate slogan—Bringing People Together (which was later changed by some Rimpoche to a less actionable noun: The Bhutanese Expression).

As the Gelephu Mindfulness City project gains momentum, those of us leading even the private spiritual projects must help bring people together, for it has never been more vital to the success of the project. Alongside the royal vision and the investments, the sense of ownership among the public—particularly the youth—will be as important.

Bringing people together is simple—just include them and make them feel part of the project. Share the intent and the vision, ask for their suggestions, and trust them with the information. Simply put, it is about taking them along with you on a journey—after all, every project is a journey. They must feel part of it, included, and empowered to feel it is ultimately for them.

This is my style of leadership. In every project I have led in the past, I have always brought my team together. We consulted each other at every stage. We ate together and we had fun together. Everyone felt part of the team, part of the project, part of the achievements.

Fortunately for me, this time there are many from eastern Bhutan—and basically from my region—living here. First and foremost, these people need to understand the greater vision—theigger purpose and their role in achieving those goals.

There is one common trait among my ethnic group—the Sharchops. We are simple people, and we love simplicity and humility. As leleaders, look to people who can come down, sit on the ground with us, share a meal and a drink, and have a conversation—and then continue with our respective lives. Nothing more, and nothing less either. Anything short of this and you will lose us forever.

So, here I am on the road—literally and figuratively—bringing people together around my project. And it is so heartwarming to be received, to be believed, and to be accepted. Now looking forward to some wonderful stories and memories from this most ambitious project of our time.

The headline equates Thimphu to Bhutan. It is quite misleading.

Yes, in the capital city the impossible housing market has priced out much of the Bhutanese population. That’s another issue all together.

Here, I want to point out that Thimphu does not represent the whole of Bhutan in terms of character and the market. Elsewhere in the country, it is still possible to build and own a home, as long as you are not rushing to the urban towns or the priciest spots or being too choosy about what kind of houses you want. And as long as you follow my late mother’s advice: don’t try to match up with the rich and powerful. Find your own place, know where you stand, and you will find peace everywhere.

Simply put, it is not all gloom and doom in the rest of Bhutan—or in Bhutan, in general. Your life is not wasted because you don’t own a building in Thimphu. I don’t own any building with rental services, for that matter.

The improved connectivity in terms of roads and internet and car ownership has drastically improved in the last two decades so that you don’t have to own something in Norzin Lam (the priciest spot in the country). I know many who live in, or have built houses in Paro and commutes to Thimphu.

Look for solutions. Not problems.

I am in Gelephu these days, and I see many opportunities cropping up. I feel Phuntsholing will surely rebound. These places offer lower construction costs too. Prices for a plot can be between Nu. 500,000 and 1 million. With another million, but with a lot of hard work, you can build a decent 2-bedroom house. You need to move fast and detach yourself from the fixation of Thimphu. Ultimately, of course, you can aim to own something in the capital city, because of its higher returns.

For those who are retiring and those of us who come from faraway districts, but have lived and worked in the west, a modest traditional house in the outskirts of Paro, Phuntsholing, or Gelephu is still within the reach of a middle-income household. However, it requires some financing schemes from the bank, which for now don’t exist. The only solution is to sell our ancestral land and raise the fund, which of course is practical if you are not planning to make use it.

For those who are starting off their careers, consider moving to places that are growing like Gelephu, Samtse and Nganglam. Unless you have a birth lottery, Thimphu will keep you in perennial poverty. Instead, you can start from the peripheral districts where, after you establish your financial stability and security, you can move in to Thimphu and Paro to invest for your next generation.

These are some solutions, which worked for me, and maybe they will work for you too. (By the way, my first job was in Gedu – not Thimphu.)

🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️

Twelve years back I was accompanying the parents of a friend of mine from the US. They were visiting Bhutan. Towards the end of the trip, the couple, both billionaires, invited me to visit them in Florida. All expenses paid.

“I will come,” I said.

“Nope!” Dorji, you must say, ‘I am coming,’ and give me a date,” came the reply.

Amused by his approach, I quizzed him. What’s the difference?

“You see, in life if you say things in future tense, nothing much will ever happen for you. When you say, ‘I am coming,’ instead of ‘I will come,’ it is a commitment. It is intentional. Strong. Decisive.”

Wow! I thought. Who knew a simple change of words could mean all the difference? No wonder, I thought, that he was a self-made billionaire.

He continued, “Likewise, I don’t like when people say, ‘I have to do this, I have to do that.'”

“Nobody is forced to do anything. Instead, you choose to. You choose to do it; you don’t have to come, but you can choose to come,” he added.

He said that much of what happens in life is our own choices.

He was right. I never made it to Florida despite the generous offer. There was no commitment in my words.

Life happens. Choose your response.

Ever since that encounter I have been quite intentional with what I say. Furthermore, when I am faced with a dilemma in life, or some sort of hatred towards me, or hurtful words and actions—after the initial human reaction, I sit on it and ponder deeply to find the greater meaning. There is always one you will uncover.

“Does he hate me, or am I choosing to be hated? Are they being mean to me, or am I choosing to be hurt? Can I choose not to be hurt? Why me? Is the universe telling me something?”

I finally decided that what people do or say is not in my hands. Ultimately if I have to create my own solace, I need to be careful with how I respond to what life dishes out to me. To paraphrase Viktor Frankl, between a stimulus and response is a choice. And in that choice is the ultimate liberation and freedom.

Beware of social media.

Ironically, social media, which was intended as a social networking site, has become the perfect tool for personal attacks and envy and jealousies. Hateful comments and judgments are passed without knowing anything about anyone or the context.

One often feels disturbed or feels abused. Even here, you can ask yourself, “Is social media bad, or am I choosing to be perturbed? Can I engage with it in a more purposeful manner?”

Otherwise, social media in its origin was meant to be a digital space to connect us more based on shared interests, professions, and backgrounds while overcoming geographical and temporal barriers.

Beware of yourself.

Every moment that we breathe, we will have to make choices. As we do that, just remember that more than the outer Maras, we need to reconcile with our inner demons—just as Buddha Shakyamuni did. Occasionally we need to pause, take a deep breath, and remind ourselves so that the external forces do not suck the oxygen out of our lives. Otherwise, it is we who choose to be sucked.

Lastly, I also see people quoting great sages and business leaders and “successful” individuals. They have read every bestseller. Well, to pick a line from the movie The Matrix, those words and the wise “can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”

Knowledge is useful to the extent that you give it legs, because it is only through practice and accumulation of experiences that you garner the wisdom—the ultimate link to sustained happiness now and liberation later—and whatever else you are seeking.

So, walk on!

June 2 remains in my heart as a monumental day in my life.

On June 2, 1999, the day when the country celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, I led the project team to successfully bring television to Bhutan after the most hectic four months in the history of BBS.

On that day, I accompanied Her Majesty Tsheyring Pem Wangchuck, who pressed the switch and opened Bhutan to the world and the world to Bhutan.

Obviously the project was not a one-man show. There were tens of hundreds of men and women—and supporting specialists from India and Singapore, and back-up support from France and Hong Kong—to make it happen. Of course, not in complete symphony and sync. There are endless tales of confusion and complexity through which we worked to get where we needed to get. All in good faith and fortune.

Today on June 2, which is the coronation anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, may I take the opportunity to pay our gratitude to our beloved King-Father, the Supreme Guardian of Bhutan and the Bhutanese – who not only gave the blessings for the project, but also expressed full confidence that we would be able to do it successfully despite the tight timeframe. No national television in any country has ever been launched in four months.

On the 27th anniversary of that historic moment, I also express my reverence for this rarest of honors to our kings of the past and the present—and reaffirm my commitment to serve till my last breath. Like many of my generation I was groomed to build a modern Bhutan by bringing science and technology into the country. I did my part.

Lastly, I send my prayers and renewed love and friendship – and memories of laughters and tears to all those team members who are still kicking their lives. I pay respect to a few of them who left us in an untimely manner. I miss them all.

Through this post, I just want to remind ourselves of what our King keeps reiterating – and that even if we embark on the impossible, we will achieve it. We, the Bhutanese. 🙋‍♂️🙋🏼🙋‍♀️

Happy Coronation Anniversary of Our Fourth Druk Gyalpo to everyone.

🇧🇹 🇧🇹 🇧🇹

I just completed teaching the foundations of Buddhism to the Desuups in Punakha. They are the 8th cohort I taught. They are training to be cultural tour guides. The experience is always rewarding for me since I know that unlike many courses I teach, this will be put into use right away as they go out in the market.

I have, however, not limited my class to the Buddha Dharma. I also gave them some insights and emerging trends in the global travel industry and how they could prepare themselves to be ahead in the game. This knowledge of the industry comes from the research I have done. Before teaching any course, one needs to have a deep knowledge of the industry itself.

Here, I happily share the findings for the benefit of all sentient beings in the tourism industry since it is the holy Saka Dawa month. 😁😁😁

1. Intentional versus informational. Travel versus tourism.

These days information is everywhere. Tourist guides need to provide more than just information. They need to move beyond what is already there in Wikipedia. That can be achieved by making the tours more intentional and not an information session in the sense that we need to move away from rushing from one cultural site to another to a more meaningful and mindful exploration of a place. It is quality over quantity, more human connections, and creating greater local impact as well.

At the very least, don’t treat temples like museums where you just walk through. Make the visitors sit and let the power and the blessings of the place sink in. Stop at social events if you come across one.

Post-COVID, the global travel has transformed. Today there are fewer tourists but more travelers. One must know the difference. Tourists try to hit every place marked as a tourist destination. Travelers seek deeper experiences, learn from locals, veer off to the unbeaten trails, and connect more with the community.

People’s taste is shifting from fulfilling the bucket list to filling the bucket. So, don’t pack too many things in the itinerary. Make it honest. Host them well. And take it slow. That is what Bhutan can be naturally good at. Turn our weakness into a product.

2. The Quiet Escapes.

The world is getting burnt out. As if the capitalistic and market-driven life were not already fast enough, Silicon Valley has made it faster, and life is now traveling at breakneck speed. People are sick of running, tired of capitalism, and exhausted with everything happening around them. They are overwhelmed with being smacked on the face with everything happening everywhere every time, via smartphones and social media.

Hence, demands for wellness retreats will surge. People will just come to Bhutan to slow down, sleep, and do nothing. So, keep in mind that most from the advanced economies will be coming to rediscover their own self or a new self that needs to be discovered to move forward with life.

We also live in what sociologists call the post-truth era of AI and nationalism and individualism, where the line between what is real and what is not has been blurred. The boundary between what is true and what is false is increasingly hazy, with people becoming distrustful, disillusioned, and dismissive.

The innocence and authenticity that still marks much of Bhutan, a genuine welcome for a simple tea, a shoulder to cry on without being judgmental, and mindful attention to their stories would catapult Bhutan to be the place to go to restore one’s sanity and faith in oneself and humanity.

3. Gen Z from the region. Welcome them.

The world’s economic center of gravity is shifting towards Asia. China and India will join Japan, South Korea, and Singapore as countries filled with the nouveau riche. With that, of course, the ills and ailments from overconsumption and being consumed will creep in.

Bhutan can offer some quiet time for them to recover from the stress and strains of the newfound wealth and reset their lives and recharge their batteries.

The beauty of these markets—especially India—is that the travelers are younger, and they can make lifelong connections with Bhutan. Welcome them with open arms. It is a big market.

4. Specialize and expand.

The world is getting hyperconnected, with basic information being shared on everything, including tourist sites and culture. The market is more competitive. Hence, you need to specialize in one area, such as food tours, river guiding, high-altitude trekking, birding, skydiving, spiritual yatras, or agro-tourism. Do not stick to one skill or one product. You will soon be out of the market.

The Gelephu Mindfulness City offers newer opportunities for you to expand, because of a different visa/entry regime that will be worked out and a different environment and culture being in the southern subtropical area.

You can also cast your net wide there and venture into other travel-related enterprises like food, yoga, meditation, medicines, photography, cycling, transport, and even laundry services – plus organising outbound travels to Assam and Arunachal.

No one can predict exactly what kind of city in terms of its character and charm will emerge eventually there. But one thing is certain. A city will happen, and you can always carve out a small corner for yourself. And moving there now might give you an early-bird advantage.

Lastly, don’t forget to have fun!

I just completed teaching the foundations of Buddhism to the Desuups in Punakha. They are the 8th cohort I taught. And the experience is always rewarding for me since I know that unlike many courses I teach, this will be put into use right away as they go out in the market.

I have, however, not limited my class to the Buddha Dharma. I also gave them some insights and trends in the global travel industry and how they could prepare themselves to be ahead in the game. This knowledge of the industry comes from the research I have done. Before teaching any course, one needs to have a deep knowledge of the industry itself.

Here, I happily share the findings for the benefit of all sentient beings in the tourism industry since it is holy Saka Dawa month.

1. Intentional versus Informational.

These days information is everywhere. Tourist guides need to provide more than just information. They need to move beyond what is already there in Wikipedia. That can be achieved by making the tours more intentional and not an information session—in the sense that we need to move away from rushing from one cultural site to another to a more meaningful and mindful exploration of a place. It is quality over quantity, more human connections, and local impact.

At the very least, don’t treat temples like museums where you just walk through. Make them sit and let the blessings sink in.

2. Travel versus tourism.

Post-COVID, there are fewer tourists but more travelers. One must know the difference. People’s taste is shifting from fulfilling the bucket list to filling the bucket. So, don’t pack too many things in the itinerary. Make it honest. Host them well. And take it slow. That is what Bhutan can be naturally good at. Turn our weakness into a product.

3. The Quiet Escapes.

The world is burnt out. As if the capitalistic and market-driven life was not already fast enough, Silicon Valley has made it faster, and life is now traveling at breakneck speed. People are sick of running, tired of capitalism, and exhausted with everything happening in the world. They are overwhelmed with being smacked on the face with everything happening everywhere every time.

Hence, demands for wellness retreats will surge. People will just come to Bhutan to slow down, sleep, and do nothing. Believe me!

4. Gen Z from the region.

The world’s economic center of gravity is shifting towards Asia. China and India will join Japan, South Korea, and Singapore as countries filled with the nouveau riche. With that, of course, the ills and ailments from overconsumption and being consumed will creep in to their society.

Bhutan can offer some quiet time for them to recover from the stress and strains of the newfound wealth and reset their life and recharge their battery. Welcome them with open arms. It is a big market.

5. Specialize and expand.

The world and the skills market will keep changing. And things will change very fast. So, on one hand, you need to specialize in areas such as food trails, river guiding, trekking, birding, skydiving, or agro-tourism. Do not stick to one skill, one product.

And on the other hand, you need to expand to, or base out of, Gelephu, where you can venture into other travel-related enterprises like food, yoga, meditation, medicines, and even laundry and transport services.

Lastly, don’t forget to have fun!