A WHISKY BOTTLE AND MY DEAR FRIENDS

WE MET WE ENJOYED WE DEPARTED WE STILL LINK WITH ONE OTHER: The then Dzongkhag Foresters of Trashigang.

This are my colleagues who are rock solid in Thadamtsi, Ley Judrey and who believe in Karma. No matter what the situation is, they don't falter. They are strong.

I have no name for this guy. The man from Yadi in Mongar is one of the finest assistants that I worked ever with. He would often tell me, "Sir, work, no problem, we will do it. That's easy." He would stay in the computer over night if the work is urgent and would only stop when he is satisfied with what he has done. I am told he is now in Trongsa and I hope his Bosses are using him judiciously. He is a brilliant forester. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it. 

The guy from Gongdhu in Mongar is someone whom no one can joke with when it comes to sincerity and honesty. Brilliant at what he does, he once told me he would never go outside rules. I love the the guy for his simplicity and sincerity. An honest man, he would not cheat anyone including his enemies. I last saw him working with Trashigang Dzong Renovation Project, where I put him in-charge of timber and other natural resources before we were shattered into pieces. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

This Drujeygang fellow is brilliant in managing the public. An honest guy, he will follow all the instructions of his Bosses and can really control the mood of his people (community or his colleagues). He is also a good footballer and believes that games and sports keep him alive. A fearless fellow, he won't mind challenging anyone going against the law. He is even physically fit to handle few people on his own. He was in Udzorong Gewog when I left him and I have been told he is still down there. He is a thoroughly seasoned guy and must be putting his best to keep his Udzorong CFs going. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

The guy from Ganglakpong in Mongar is as simple as the fellow from Gongdhu in Mongar. Soft spoken, he will never challenge his colleagues or juniors even if he has rights. Such is his simplicity. I once told him to negotiate a deal with a lady (against all the available laws) and he gave his best since he is my good friend although we did not win the negotiation. And we know such deals are impossible. But I found his effort commendable. Good at many office things, I left him at Trashigang Office when I left for my new place of posting. We connect daily even today. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

The Silambi fellow has one skill that rest of his colleagues do not have. I will not disclose his skill here but will keep in my mind. Okay type fellow, he puts his best to whatever he does. One of his best qualities is resisting violence from his colleagues. He will not challenge his agitating colleagues and remain patient all the time. I adore his patience. When I left him he was with Yangnyer Office in Trashigang and I am told he is still there. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

 This Korphu guy is a brilliant fella. He is one fellow who exactly is on my trail. If I am successful he is going to be more successful than me. Having said that, he knows exactly what he does and would judge things and only after proper scanning. He changed his wife but for a good cause I was told. He passed civil service exams as he worked very very hard. I hope he will continue to be a successful man and I pray for that. No one can joke about his sharpness. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

 The guy from Gomdhar is one fellow one should not joke with. A hard working fellow, I left him in Lumang when I left Trashigang and he still continues to be there. Ask him any questions, he has answers bro! I will not share his skill here but he is a worthy civil servant with full of wits. Often put off by his friends for bragging, he is one of the most interesting guys of our team. Lots of humour and lots of serious businesses. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it.

 The youngest of all the Whiskey Bottle holders, the guy from Yurung in Pema Gatshel is intrumental in so many GIS works. Simple and effective, he chooses to remain simple and has made Phongmey his home prior to my arrival in Trashigang and still continues to be there. He is human than many of us and adores his colleagues and family. The Whiskey Bottle is for fun and I urge you not to look at it. 

And you know the guy (hahaha) not to be joked but to be laughed at. No definition for the guy for he believes he is defined (a very very wrong feeling that he carries over). Huge but afraid of ladies lol. We have many other outstandingly good friends from our then office but they don't hold Whisky Bottles, so, they are not included in this group. Seriously though, Whiskey Bottle is for FUN, BIG FUN.

Let's include a game now. Who drank most of the Whiskey? Who amongst the featured guys do not actually drink (For clue see in the picture, you will notice in one of them the Whiskey does not flow)? Was there real Whiskey inside? When and where did this acting happened? Who is the hero?

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal or private purpose. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.

BEAUTIFUL BROGPA BUDDIES - CUTE CULTURE

With the Beautiful Brogpa Buddies - not long ago!

In between 2012 and 2017 I served Trashigang District, a time I thought I should share here with my one or two blog followers. I am not a famous person and being one is not in my mind but these photos are put online to keep me reminded how I served the people and how I had the compensation from state for my works. I am a timid man who follow rules like Buddhists follow Kanjoor and Tenjoor, Muslima Quran, Christians Bible. But here I want to go a bit away from my normal route to keep my memories going.

Deborah Cater has to say "You have to taste a culture to understand it." I tasted it and I know it. They talk the way they want to and they can also like any ordinary person manipulate things if they have to. But I like the way they enjoy their harsh way of life without any disgruntlement. Long Live the Brogpas!

And Menander says, "Culture makes all men gentle." I don't know much about how culture makes men gentle but I get softened every time I see Brogpa ladies, young or old. May be I like them, I am not sure. These two girls were respectable, responsible and reassuring. They came to reach us with the traditional arra till the end of their village. I will not tell the year though. I find them beautiful. They are beautiful right?

We shape the culture, the and they call us agents of change, the dream makers. We dream of our Brogpa culture unaltered for eons but we dream for an easier life for our Brogpas. They know what to do and we encourage them to continue with their tradition of maintaining cattle, wearing the same dresses. Here, at least two civil servants have been localized. One is an Administrative Officer while the other is the Livestock Extension Agent (extreme left). Cheers to Brogpas way of dressing!

Look at this cheerful lady. Who would not appreciate a Brogpa? Well, if you don't, it is your problem. I love these ladies not for their strength but for their cheerful faces in the most difficult times. Jonathan Safran Foer says, "Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving and identity." It is true. Yea, it is indeed true.

Albert Einstein said, “Without ethical culture, there is no salvation for humanity.” Right! I guess. So, look at the 1000 miles smiles. Do you laugh a day like that? I don't think so. These are the people who want to keep the culture going. No dearth of people who are interested to keep it going. Just put a little effort to keep them going. We can do it. It is not impossible.

I thought I was doing what John Ray has to say on beauty, “Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.” Yea, that's true! But I found in the photo later that the beautiful lass was not at all amused when I raised my hand to hold her to show to the world that I appreciated her. I felt like I forced her and you can't imagine how guilty I am even today. I was later convinced that she did not dislike the idea of my hand over her but feared social objection since we barely knew each other. Look at her. Isn't she beautiful? If you don't find so, your eyes have problem. Please visit the hospital. We will keep the culture going at any cost. So determined are we.

Everywhere, anywhere, somehow and whatever the situation. Do you doubt my liking of the Brogpas way of life. See me here. This was in Khelephu in 2013 with Tshogpa. Anywhere I am there, I am with them. Everywhere I meet them, I greet them. Somehow I make a point to reach them. However, I know that they are better than me by many times in many fields.

Leadership unsurpassed! With the former Gup (now no more) of Merak and the then Dean of Bhutan's first College, Sherubtse. The Gup was a cool person not bothered by many harsh things at his cold place. He would talk less and speak what he meant only. However, he would joke with me since I never told him things very seriously. He liked me the way I liked him. Reserved and innocent, he never had any malice against his people. The Dean and I studied our Pre-University at Sherubtse itself. The wonderfully cool man served the College well.

Mesmerizing-Ly cheerful people! They would not mind a photo with me but they would like the hard copies of the photos. I could never supply them with hard copies but now that they are online, I will share this blog with them. I hope they will like it and I am sure they will.

Taming the natural products; Gentiana species are used as curry materials. A very sincere but less read village Apa (second leader) never had an idea to bully his people or cheat them in any way. He just wanted to complete his term to do the business of natural resources management on the principles of sustainable management. Cheers to Apa. Heard he is doing well.

Nothing harsh for them. They can cross Nyagchungla any time of the day. Amazing ladies! Aren't they? They were returning from Sakteng in one of my trips between Merak and Sakteng via Nyagchungla. I thought, "wow, wonderful ladies" and for the record, they did not appear a bit tired and I realized how weak I was when I could reach Sakteng very late night. Keep your sturdiness going. I admire you ladies.

With Local guardians of nature and culture; Livestock man, Administrator, Gup, Forester, Mangmi and an Engineering Technician. Together, we walk the extra mile to keep the society going. I can't imagine their capability to cover miles in less than half the time I take. The yak herds are miles away from their homes but they manage them with ease. What more, they even carry a lot of loads on their backs while moving from one pasture to the other.

Rain, snow, sun, windstorms, flood do not matter to them. They enjoy their problems absolutely. No worries, no hurries. Just live the way they are. Ap Nima here with me has less hair to comb but more face to wash and even his teeth may need no brush very soon. He agrees to my joke but with lesser amusement. And I am sure he finds me a very funny as I always disturb him whenever I am at Merak. For no good reasons I call him at night and ask questions such as "how many ladies love you so far" which does not go well to him and he laughs away.

Just for a change, I forested him with my official cap and he told me to let it be there forever. Well, nothing lasts forever and I needed the cap. So, cap for him only for photography. See what he is wearing. He told me "No problem" the hide comes from across the border, so it is not one of our Gorals. Does that make sense? But I think I cannot sue him for that Goral that was killed before I entered forest service. That stinks but I think it is organic. Cheers to Brokpa culture.

No wonder, Brogpa buddies have road right up inside their village. They are good planners. They were and they will plan well. They asked us if we can supply them with many things and one of my friends told them "you guys are really intelligent and we will put the best of what we can for you all." I was witnessing the discussion and concluded that they were highly informed people. Kudos to Brogpas.

Lady planner in action. No nonsense business. Just wait and watch. My buddies know what they need. Brogpa ladies to stay at home and serve their men and children. They are amazingly cheerful and does not give damn to any weather conditions, such an admirable courage. I would love to have one of them with me but for a slot with me. Given the chance, I would keep one of them as my partner lol (this is serious joke).

No problem making plans but problem with the funds was what I heard but fund was very much there. But when we planned, we had funds and I am sure they enjoyed many facilities out of the project we planned. Of course I know they also forgot what we did then. Plantations, Bukhari, CGI sheets, bridges, river embankments and many more. No confusions about what we did after our plan.

Juniper on the Dzos' back. To keep the culture going, the Dzos have to keep carrying things. Roads do not matter to them. Culture! But later things are likely to change and I see a dwindling lovely culture. What to do? Let it go the way it should.

 

But the imminent threat is loss of dress culture sooner or later. Less people likely to continue wearing same dress. Wondering how to make it keep going? May be marry one of my cousins and let the culture flourish. Any other ways, please teach me.

Stinking but not un-enjoyable, after all it is organic. Let's live. Let the Brogpa culture live and of course let them flourish and let us cherish. This is how I remember my Brogpa Buddies! 

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal or private purpose. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.

EVERYTHING THAT'S WORTH REMEMBERING!

Kitchen, Classroom, Market, Home including the Kitchen Garden, you were my complete teacher. 

Brad Henry says, "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." And we know - A teacher affects eternity; he or she can never tell where his or her influence stops.

On this Teachers Day, I have one teacher who I will never forget. I know she misses this day, her students miss her.

You are there deep inside my heart. I just left me physically. Today is your day for me. 

I am confident about your peace after you left me, but you may like to know that I am not so happy.

There is no night that I go to bed without recalling you, such is an impact you made on me.

PEOPLE WHO MATTERED

I have a small story today. I think I have to do this since I am also a member of a community deeply immersed in the Samsara. For us in the Samsara, it is very important to acknowledge and appreciate one another for life to continue. Hope my people won't mind them in my Blog. I THANK THEM WITH ALL MY HEART.

It is exactly a year that my dear wife (Image 1) left me for heavenly abode. I am sure her crystal clear mind helped her be in problem and worry-free places. If there are heavens on earth which I could see, I am sure she will be in one of them. I have no inkling about it. She will simply be in one of them. Having said that, I am happy that she is enjoying but sad because I cannot see her. I miss her so dearly and I am sure there are many people like me, aloof, alone and in deep reveries.

Image 1: My Wife with kids when we were at Trashiyangtse

However, I know I have a couple of good people who had karmic connection with me and my late wife. I need to hardheartedly thank them on her behalf and my own behalf. I know I have promised her that I would treat her people like they way I treated them when she was around. I will never forget my promise. I will live up to her expectations, although I know she can’t see the way she used to see what I am doing. I will give meaning to her absence and live like she is still around me. I remember she told me to thank everyone who helped us.

I know I can write hundred things about our woes from the day she was sick. But I don’t want people who read this piece to be sad. Therefore, I will just jot down those people who suffered like her husband (in me). They are a class themselves and I am sure there are not many like them. I won’t say they are rare, but I dare say that there won’t be many people like them. They are special. I think very highly about their thadamtsi and Leyjumdray. I guarantee you, they are real.

Image 2: My wife and her siblings in good days (Her sisters Cheten Lham (first from right, eldest) Genden Zangmo (second from right, second sister) my wife her self followed by Dorji Tshewang (their only brother) and Dorji Wangmo).

Her sisters and brother treated my wife more than any sisters and brother would treat her. They escorted her to hospital in India in turns, helped us with cash support and did a lot of rimdro. If rimdos could save her, I know everyone could be saved. We gave our best to save her and used all the available means. I am very lucky to have met such human beings as her siblings. Her only brother flew with his wife all the way from Australia spending lots of money to save his sister. Her sisters and in-laws took turns to accompany us through her entire treatment period at Kolkatta. I don't know how to thank them. I have nothing to offer them but I hope they will accept my sincere thankfulness. I THANK YOU ALL. YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR WORTH AS SIBLINGS. I SHALL NEVER FORGET YOU ALL, NOT AT ALL.

Image 3: Sonam Dendup, my brother by marriage, husband of eldest sister

Sonam Dendup (Image 3) whom his family and wife call Akhtong is a wonderful man. He was the first guy to accompany us to Kolkata for treatment. I still sweat to recall how three of us suffered in very unfriendly climate condition down there. I will never forget this guy for his support to me and my wife. If there are any one with human value, I assure you, this is the guy. We know how we tried our best to keep her comfortable. I THANK HIM WITH ALL MY HEART.

Image 4: Karma Dorji, husband of her second sister, a stoic personality

Karma Dorji (Image 4) is a strong man with a lot of concern for not only the welfare of his family members but also others. He tried hard to be with us many times. I AM THANKFUL TO HIM FOR ALL HIS SUPPORT THROUGHOUT OUR TOUGH LIFE.

Image 5: Sonam Drukpa (son of Karma Dorji and Genden Zangmo also our son)

Sonam Drukpa (Image 5) grew with us and stayed with us until his High School. My wife treated him as her son. He accompanied us and gave us lot of support. He flew from Sri Lanka just to stay with us and support us. Going to be a doctor soon, he cried like a baby when his Amsey expired and I still cry when I recall the incident. I THANK YOU SO MUCH BOY. YOU ARE IN MY MIND EVERY TIME AND I AM FOLLOWING YOU YOUNG MAN.

Image 6: Namkha Gyeltshen (Husband of her youngest sister)

Namkha Gyeltshen (Image 6) tried his best to help her in many ways. He attended my wife like no one would do. He teamed up with me in many occasions to keep my sick wife comfortable. I THANK HIM SINCERELY FOR ALL HE HAS DONE AS BROTHER-IN LAW TO MY WIFE. Hope my wife hear that I am thanking him today and forever.

Image 7: Cheten Lhamo, her dearest eldest sister

Cheten Lhamo (Image 7) her eldest sister gave whatever she had to as sister to save her. Cash, company and all what she could do. I KNOW MY SIMPLE THANK YOU WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT FOR HER BUT SHE KNOWS THAT I HAVE NOTHING MORE THAN JUST THANKING HER. My wife respected her for everything she would do.

Image 8: Genden Zangmo, my wife's second sister

Genden Zangmo (Image 8), did not give up the hope of my wife's survival till the last day. Sick herself, she left no room for complaints from my late wife. She nursed my wife till her last breadth, what more, she even cleaned and picked her excreta. I salute this lady more than anyone. I don't care what others think of her, but she is a real deal. My deepest respects for everything she did for my wife. Any amount of thanks from my side won't suffice and compensate what she did to my wife. This is a wonderful lady. My wife expired at her home with great peace, knowing she was dying like a yogi (I am not promoting my wife by any means). I know she is still sad but I also know how she is satisfied the way we cared my wife. I STOOP DOWN AND BOW IN FRONT OF THIS WISE LADY TO THANK HER FOR HER SUPPORT. If there is an emergency and if I am told to save one person on the earth, it will be Genden Zangmo. Thank you so much. I have not forgotten you for a single day. You are in my prayers.

Image 9: Dorji Tshewang and his wife Phuntsho Choden

Dorji Tshewang and his wife (Image 9) flew from Australia to meet her ailing sister. He served like a dutiful brother the whole night before she expired. THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN. I REVERE YOU FOR YOUR BEST EFFORTS.

Dorji Wangmo (I don't have photo), Youngest sister gave her best for the survival of her sister. I THANK HER SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING SHE DID TO MY WIFE AND ME. I am sure she misses her sister even today.

Image 10: Sonam Choden, daughter of Genden Zangmo

Sonam Choden (Image 10) daughter of her second sister had to play a major role in caring her Amsey before her expiry. I love this beautiful girl for her patience and perseverance. She would never know if I don't pen this thanking note today that her Amsey instructed me to thank her for cooking for her and all of us every day. My wife instructed me to thank her every day since she was involved feeding me and other helpers before her expiry. THANK YOU SONAM, I KNOW HOW VALUABLE YOU PROVED DURING HER LAST DAYS.

Many people to thank, I will continue the blog and keep writing what she told me as and when I get time. Life is not permanent, in fact nothing is permanent was her last concept and she told me not to cry when she expired..... to be continued...

HOPES

My life stories, you drag me anywhere you like

My life themes, you be the gloomiest and the hardest as you will

I don’t mind because I know something called hope, something called refurbishment

Because I know it is not about your joyful culminations but sanguinity.

And I am sure the sun will come up in the morning to give light to every end of dark tunnels

I know there is light in all the dark areas, that hope everyone has right to

I know there are no nights or darkness that can beat sunrise, that can beat hope

I know for every problem there is a hope, hope to resolve, hope to overcome.

All problems, all disappointments, all the nasty negative things give hope chance to rise.

Hope is indestructible, it is beyond any negativity’s reach.

Live with hope, it will bring you pleasure and smile, it will lessen your worry.

Die with hope, with the hope to be reborn with even stronger hopes, greater hopes.

Image of Hope courtesy http://www.samanthameans.com

SOME WOMEN ARE SPECIAL

On the International Women's Day, I have one woman who keeps me reminding how being human is important for humanity to keep going.

‘Well-behaved women seldom make history.’ – Laurel Thatcher-Ulrich

That woman made my life worth living. That woman I will never forget.

She did not make history but she made my life. I don't care which women made history but I care this woman who made my life. I have not forgotten you even for a day for I have kept things you have left behind as my daily gadget.

Woman who loved kids

There is nothing for me more than your advises, your daughters, and your sweet reminder not to harm any one at any cost. Your advise is my daily prayer and mantra. I believe no more in staying late night on the desk. I remember your advice before I take any actions.

Woman who remained cheerful until her last breadth, woman whose honesty was unquestionable.

I knew her strengths and weaknesses and her strengths were greater than her weaknesses in any situation. I know I miss her but I also know that she is in my mind all the time.

Woman who had nothing but love in her heart for all that she knew

I don't still know how much I loved her but I know she loved me beyond my expectations. There wasn't a day she did not remember me and I know that very clearly myself.

May all women be like her and may all the women in the world be strong like her through any situations. Mary Kom said, "Don't let anyone tell you, you are weak because you are a woman." This lines could have been her advice for all her women friends throughout the globe had she been here.

It is sometimes difficult to control your own emotions but you are always on the losing side when it has to do with someone who loved you and that she is no more.

MAY ALL WOMEN LIVE LONGER AND MAY ALL OF THEM MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ALL THE WOMEN IN THE WORLD.

INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE EXHUMED ME

I drove from Phuntsholing through the Indian roads at 0630hrs and reached Samdrup Jongkhar by 1230hrs. Road being large enough, I cruised through very easily. Occasional sleepiness on the road was overcome by drinking water. Picked up from BOD Phuntsholing, I had company of a carpenter from Punakha stationed at Gelephu. He told me that he was in Phuntsholing to see his Uncle who suffers from carcinoma related heart problem. I dropped him at Samthaibari, Assam – Bhutan diversion that takes one to Gelephu.

I left Samdrup Jongkhar by 1330hrs and crossed Narphung by 1540hrs. As I reached the last huge turning above the Lhakhang, a GREF carrier stopped about just 10 meters in front of me crushing itself on the wall of the road. I wondered why? On enquiry, I learned that the vehicle suffered brake failure. Had it not been for a smart driver who decided to crush itself to the road wall, I could have landed somewhere unsafe. That appeared strange to me. Line of other vehicles just crossed the dangerous road debris carrying nose-less tipper and stopped abruptly in front of me. I recalled the incident an hour later and started perspiring with the thought of “what could have happened to me had the driver decided not to crush itself to the road wall.” Some experiences are chilling. The GREF vehicles are dangerous and they hardly maintain their machines as visible for everyone to see on the roadsides. But they do manage somehow, we know for reasons they know themselves.

Not many minutes later, I reached Khilam in convoy, but we were blocked due to another stupidity of the workers. They spoiled their Machine driver and pulled whole of the hillock on the road making it impossible for us to move ahead at least for next 24 hours. I did not know what to do but followed others on the Berdungma road from Khilam. The ride was long and tiring. I had to sleep at Thrimshing with my young college mates, a couple of an Agriculture Extension Agent plus a Livestock Extension Agent. The drive was terrible to say. Scary small road, steep climb and bridge that connected two sides made of logs that may give way any time. But, had no choice. The travel must continue. The dangers must be faced.

Only the Lord can save you at times. Guru Rimpoche is my Lord and I guess he saved me that day!