My earlier post on the launch of BBS TV (Silver Jubilee in Silence) drew lots of engagement. Thank you all for the kind words.

I hope the article inspires the current generation in-charge and leaves a legacy and makes a difference in the lives of our fellow Bhutanese or another human being (irrespective of race, religion or nationality). We have done our part.

For those in the government, the post-democracy era is harder to do your jobs. I know that. With the intention to put check-and-balance among institutions in a democratic governance system, we seem to have unwittingly put up some seemingly unsurmountable walls. I understand. But they were all done with good intents as the country prepared for the 2008. Few can fanthom things that didn’t happen. And it is possible that many worse things were avoided because of these guard rails.

From my own experience if you do your job and do it with clear conscience, you will come out clean. I had 141 audit memos for the BBS TV project. Over time I cleared them all – no malice, or any grudge whatsoever to anyone. 25 years later, when you look back, you just laugh at them. I still meet the auditors who grilled me and we have some tea together (I don’t drink) and relish the past. We respect each other. Everyone was doing their job. There was nothing personal.

For those in commerce or social work of some sort, find your niche, stay put, and innovate. You don’t have to be in the government to bring a difference in others. Besides, you can do anything if you do it well with passion and with purpose. While many seem to blame everything on the State or on the lack of market, firms in Jaigaon and Siliguri, and even universities in Canada and Australia are targeting the Bhutanese market.

Do it for yourself.

The bottom line is, if you want to do, do it because you feel you owe it to the greater good, but not expecting a reward or recognition everytime you move your finger. If you do that, as you grow older your conscience will give you a great sense of fulfilment. The deep satisfaction will come from inside of you – and not from the outside.

Bringing TV to Bhutan was not easy at all. There was a lot of resistance – all in good faith, I guess. There were lots of naysayers, and interestingly, and annoyingly, lots of people who were supposed to be in, but were standing on the sideline and passing comments. These things are all normal everywhere, when you do something new or bold. When such things happen, you just ask a practical or philosophical question, “Who am I doing for?” You will feel energised. Otherwise everyone and everything will try stop you. This also goes for people who have gone back to university and are struggling to complete their masters or the PhD.

Changing anything anywhere is difficult. It is not just in Bhutan. If you are living and working abroad, you will know. A Bhutanese college mate of mine who lives in Italy is not able to paint his gate because of local municipal rules. In fact, sometimes I feel we are much better off here in Bhutan.

There are new things to do.

There is also a notion that there is no new things to do and that everything has been done by the previous generation. Nothing is further than the truth and reality.

There are many new things to do in the country. We need traffic lights, we need better road signage, we need street names, postal codes and zip code. Who has not gone round and round looking for someone’s house? Isn’t this ridiculous?

We can privatise lots of counter services like licensing, permits, land records, vehicle registrations, and even management of public infrastructures like roads, bridges, museums, airports, etc. The National Land Commission has appointed authorised agencies to do land surveys for property divisions. The final issuing authority should be with the government but the process can be privatised. Letting private sector to offer such services would create jobs while the government can focus on regulation, policy-making and macroeconomic planning – and not selling chocolates or entry tickets.

Services like taxis can be improved, mass public transport to be introduced, dental works to be privatised. Plots along highways can be leased to young Desuups to start road amenities such as cafes, restrooms, campsites, tyre repairs, etc. Then, of course, there is my favourite dream – a rail line along Wangchu river to connect Thimphu and Paro. Wouldn’t this be wonderful? It would hardly be 70km to Phuntsholing. Absolutely do-able.

Long way to go.

We have come a long way, as a nation. We still have a long way to go. While there are scepticisms and negativities all around these days two things that we should always keep in mind is that, first, nothing lasts. Second, we need to take control of our own country and destiny. No foreigners will come to our rescue if things go to the dogs. Covid period was the perfect example.

We need to right the wrong ourselves. And not walk away, or stay on the sideline.

With a little more love among ourselves, with a little trust for each other, I know we can get there.
露‍♀️⛷️露‍♂️‍♂️ ✌️