22 Nov 2025 – Thirteen years ago today, in 2012, I nearly lost my life trying to get to Thimphu from the South – in the middle of the night – to reach my wife who was in the ICU. She was assaulted in front of our house by two boys who were drunk.

Although my wife eventually recovered, the trauma on my family and me took a long time to recover. It turned our life upside down. My daughter still has the PTSD from it.

Still, looking back, I am proud of myself that not only I forgave the assailants, I also declined to press any financial damages, which would have been huge.

Furthermore, I requested the OAG prosecutors not to push too hard on the two young defendants in terms of the prison time. And to request for lowest sentence for them.

In my submission to the court, I ended with something to this effect:

“The fact remains that my family and I will never be the same again. The incident has altered my life forever – if it has not been destroyed. However, ruining the lives of two more families will not undo the tragedy that has befallen on mine.

While for now, I am still drowned in anger and angst, something deep inside me tells me that I would regret in the long run if I were vindictive.

My only wish, therefore, is for my family to find peace and happiness again and for the young boys to deeply repent and rebuild their lives. I would like to believe that this was an involuntary and unfortunate accident.

In the short time that we have on earth, l have been taught to be kind to others no matter where I find myself.”

Life goes on.

13 years have passed. And since that fateful night, my whole perspective of life has changed. I celebrate every day that I am alive, because one never knows when the romance with it will end. I try to do one good thing – make a difference in one life daily. I cherish every place I am at, every moment, and make as many memories – and not accumulate material stuff. And I do not take anything, and anyone for granted.

So, be kind to each other. Life is too short to be otherwise.

#bekind #spreadloveandkindness #compassion #lovingkindness

(I commemorated this day that gave me a new lease of life – I could have gone that day – by remembering few of my students-beneficiaries and sending them some gifts. May their joy add to the happiness for all sentient beings)