12
KUENSEL COVER STORY COVER STORY WHAT’S INSIDE PG. 9: Occasion marked by awards, campaign and launches Bid to employ doctors nipped ENVIRONMENT Mixed response on Day 1 Pedestrians’ Day Vacancy : PHPA PEDESTRIAN Tuesday SONAM PELDEN Soon after the Punatsangchu hydroelectric project author- ity announced vacancies for two doctors, a senior medical officer and a dental surgeon, about three weeks ago, the health ministry wrote to the project, asking them not to recruit its doctors. Stating the shortage of doctors, as well as other medical professionals, in the country, the health ministry had “raised concerns” about the project recruiting doc- tors from within the country, project officials said. The project’s joint manag- ing director, Phuntso Norbu, said the project helped up- grade the Bajo BHU grade I to a 20-bed hospital, as well as equipped it to cater to the project. “We do need some doc- tors, specialists like ortho- paedic and dental surgeons,” he said. “So, when we adver- tised inviting applications, concerns were raised by the health ministry, both verbally and in writing.” Phuntso Norbu said that they were “too project- focused”, and later realised that, what the health minis- try raised, was “indeed” an issue. SONAM PELDEN Bhutan’s first Pedestrians’ day yesterday had many Thimphu residents talking, reminisc- ing, thinking, appreciating, planning, com- plaining and suggesting ways to make the idea of freezing traffic in the city on Tuesdays work better. If only the government had consulted the people be- fore imposing such a rule. The day started early for many office goers and parents who had to drop their children to school on time. Some drove to work as early as 7:30m; some used taxis and buses while many, including the Cabi- net ministers walked to their workplaces.

5th June Kuensel

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Page 1: 5th June Kuensel

KUENSEL

COVERSTORY

COVERSTORY

WHAT’S INSIDE PG. 9: Occasion marked by awards, campaign and launches

Bid to employ doctors nipped

ENVIRONMENT

Mixed response on Day 1

Pedestrians’ Day

Vacancy : PHPA

PEDESTRIAN Tuesday

SONAM PELDEN

Soon after the Punatsangchu

hydroelectric project author-

ity announced vacancies for

two doctors, a senior medical

officer and a dental surgeon,

about three weeks ago, the

health ministry wrote to the

project, asking them not to

recruit its doctors.

Stating the shortage of

doctors, as well as other

medical professionals, in the

country, the health ministry

had “raised concerns” about

the project recruiting doc-

tors from within the country,

project officials said.

The project’s joint manag-

ing director, Phuntso Norbu,

said the project helped up-

grade the Bajo BHU grade I

to a 20-bed hospital, as well

as equipped it to cater to the

project.

“We do need some doc-

tors, specialists like ortho-

paedic and dental surgeons,”

he said. “So, when we adver-

tised inviting applications,

concerns were raised by the

health ministry, both verbally

and in writing.”

Phuntso Norbu said

that they were “too project-

focused”, and later realised

that, what the health minis-

try raised, was “indeed” an

issue.

SONAM PELDEN

Bhutan’s first Pedestrians’ day

yesterday had many Thimphu

residents talking, reminisc-

ing, thinking, appreciating,

planning, com-

plaining and

suggesting ways

to make the idea of freezing

traffic in the city on Tuesdays

work better.

If only the government

had consulted the people be-

fore imposing such a rule.

The day started early for

many office goers and parents

who had to drop their children

to school on time. Some drove

to work as

early as

7:30m; some

used taxis and buses while

many, including the Cabi-

net ministers walked to their

workplaces.

Page 2: 5th June Kuensel

*2 HOMEWednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL

DECHEN TSHERING, MONGAR

Mongar police detained a 57-

year old man for the attempted

rape of his 15-year old disabled

daughter on June 4 at Chang-

shingpeg, about a kilometre

from Mongar town.

The incident occurred at

around 11:45am.

The victim’s disabled

brother was also in their make-

shift hut, watching television

in the next room.

One of the elder daughters

studying at Mongar higher

secondary school saw what

the father did to the victim, a

paralytic patient, who cannot

talk, and informed her step-

mother about it.

She had even made a

movie clip of what the father

did to her sister through the

gaps in the door.

The victim has to be fed

and carried to the toilet.

A source said it was the

man’s wife, who reported the

case to the police, following

the information her school-

going daughter fed her with.

The victim was taken to

hospital for a medical check-

up.

Medical examination

concluded that there was no

sexual intercourse or signs of

sexual violence.

People, who knew the fa-

ther from Trashigang Phong-

mey, said he was an alcoholic.

The family settled in

Changshingpeg, after the fa-

ther resigned from service.

Mongar police is investi-

gating the case.

CRIME

Molestation of Minor

Man accused of attempted rape

From Pg. 1“We realised that’s a prob-

lem, because we’re taking

doctors from a referral hospi-

tal, where the requirement is

much more to a smaller hos-

pital,” he said. “Also, we have

flexibility to get doctors from

India, and add to the pool of

doctors in the country, so we

fully agreed and said okay.”

The project has already

recruited two senior doctors,

who had resigned from the

ministry, and today have five

doctors. “If we continue to

recruit without any sensitiv-

ity, then we’d be able to empty

so many agencies,” Phuntso

Norbu said.

According to project offi-

cials, they are in need of about

30 civil engineers today, and

would require some execu-

tive engineers, as the project

progresses. The two projects,

Punatsangchu I and II togeth-

er have about 1,600 Bhutanese

employees.

However, by the time the

health ministry raised its con-

cerns, the project had already

received about three applica-

tions. “We then called the ap-

plicants and informed them

that we wouldn’t proceed with

the recruitment process,” the

project’s senior personnel of-

ficer said.

Health secretary Nima

Wangdi said the ministry is

supposed to provide health

care services to all, if they had

enough medical professionals.

“But because we don’t

have enough, we’ve asked the

projects to recruit doctors from

outside,” he said. “There are no

separate hospitals for projects,

which is why we asked them to

recruit additional doctors for

additional services.”

This decision by the health

ministry has, however, not

gone down well among the

doctors, some of whom were

planning to join the project.

“It’s everywhere that so

long you’ve fulfilled the obliga-

tions, you should be allowed to

leave, but then the restriction

came after some doctors put in

their resignations,” one of the

senior specialists said.

The doctor said he has

about eight years to retire, and

has reached a time, when doc-

tors like him are supposed to

do more of a supervisory job.

“But here you have to strug-

gle harder as you grow old,” he

said.

Another doctor said what

the health ministry did was

“technically incorrect”, be-

cause changing work places

is allowed to others. “We’re

being strangulated further and

further, and that’s the plight of

the doctors,” he said. “Our re-

tirement age has gone up to 60

and, even after that, we aren’t

allowed to practise.”

Doctors feel that the health

ministry reacted that way, be-

cause the project announced

some vacancies, with pay scale

three times higher. “But they

aren’t allowing us to leave,

even if we can’t or don’t want

to work,” another doctor said.

While project officials said

it’s not true, there are also talks

among health officials about

how the health ministry’s con-

cerns were actually put to the

cabinet, and pushed through

the economic affairs ministry.

Health officials said that

the project did not listen to the

health ministry’s appeal but,

when the department of en-

ergy and hydropower wrote to

the project, quoting the cabi-

net’s decision, the project had

to agree. “But we all know that

the shortage of doctors will

persist for the next 10 years,”

one of them said.

… they aren’t

allowing us to

leave, even if we

can’t or don’t

want to work”

A doctor

‘‘

Bid to employ doctors nipped

From Pg. 1But there was one group

of people, the taxi drivers who

were all smiles as they zoomed

on the roads that had only pe-

destrians to compete with. “It’s

a good rule and I have been on

the road since 7.30am,” said

a taxi driver. “Otherwise, we

are waiting for hours at the taxi

parking for passengers.”

The taxi parking had only

those with odd numbers yes-

terday biding their turn next

Tuesday. Some said that taxis

with even numbers from Paro

had come to Thimphu to ferry

customers.

Parents who drive their chil-

dren to schools, however, were

unhappy with the Pedestrians’

day. “Its very inconvenient and

I don’t understand why such a

rule is made,” a frustrated par-

ent, who had to hurry her child

to school on time from the truck

parking, said.

“It’s a good idea and it’s

an opportunity for us to meet

people who we usually pass by

when we are in cars,” a private

employee Tshewang Rinzin,

who walked to his office in

town from the Yangchenphug

parking, said. “I met people

whom I haven’t met for the

last five years.”

The 57-year-old who was

walking home carrying his

backpack said it was a good

exercise for people of his age

who move around less. “See,

I am meeting him after two

years,” he said as one of his

friends stopped by him.

Several Thimphu resi-

dents who were walking home

yesterday evening with their

laptop bags slung over one

shoulder, their kabneys over

the other and lunch baskets

in their hands were seen stop-

ping by, shaking hands and

conversing on the roads.

But what was, however,

unfair was that people like

him were never consulted.

“The government could have

at least heard us out because

we might have suggested bet-

ter options,” he said.

A civil servant said the

government should disallow

movement of all vehicles in-

cluding taxis. “The whole pur-

pose is defeated otherwise,” he

said. “Even taxis should not

be allowed unless the govern-

ment wants votes from them.”

Some suggested that there

should be a standard rate for

taxis on Tuesdays while many

suggested that the day be ob-

served once a month and not

every week. “It’s good for now

but we don’t know if it can be

done every Tuesday especially

when it starts to get warmer.”

There were also confu-

sions about allowing tourist

cars and buses in the city,

which has many tourist hotels

and sightseeing places. “Had

it been planned, tourists love

to walk,” said another. “But

the opportunity was never

presented.”

Mixed response on Day 1

Page 3: 5th June Kuensel

*DZONGKHAG 3WednesdayJune 6, 2012

KUENSEL

ANNOUNCEMENTBHUTAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND

YDF is pleased to announce the availability of four Scholarships to

NIIT in the following IT courses.

Diploma in Net Technologies (DDNT4)

Diploma in Java Technologies (DJVT4)

Interested Class 12 students with a minimum of 60% may apply

to YDF before 15th June, 2012. For more information, please call

327483 (ext. 108).

Executive Director

VACANCY RE-ANNOUNCEMENTROYAL EDUCATION COUNCIL

Upper Motithang, ThimphuHRD:01(7)/2011-2012/1021

Royal Education Council re-extended the deadline

for the position of an Estate Manager at

Yongphula till 11th June, 2012.

Candidates with Diploma in Civil Engineering or

Bachelor’s Degree with relevant experience may

apply with necessary documents to HRO on or

before 11th June, 2012.

HRO

YANGCHEN C RINZIN, P/LING

There were just as many vehi-

cles on the Phuentsholing town

roads, like any normal day, and

just as less people walking.

It was not so much a Pe-

destrian’s Day, after all, in

Phuentsholing, with the same

traffic congestion that regular

vehicles, including a few gov-

ernment ones, and trucks, ply-

ENVIRONMENT

Pedestrian’s Day

It was business as usual in the border townPhuentsholing appears to have given the first nationwide ‘No-Wheels Tuesday’ a miss

KINGA DEMA

The Penden cement authority

limited has reinstated Gangk-

hap transport to ferry cement

from its factory in Gomtu to

the depot in Phuentsholing,

almost a month after it termi-

nated the contract, following

allegations of deflection to

India.

A directive from Penden’s

board says the basis to termi-

nate Gangkhap transport’s

work order, and forfeit the se-

curity deposit, was not strong

enough, Penden officials said.

“We’ve also been asked to

come out with explicitly de-

fined provisions, with regard

to transshipment of cement,

which should be incorporated

in the work order,” Penden’s

deputy managing director

(Dr) Jigme Singye said.

Gangkhap Transport’s

work order was terminated,

after a few cement agents

in Phuentsholing lodged a

complaint that it was deflect-

ing cement at a time when the

western region was facing a

severe shortage.

Board chairman Sherab

Gyaltshen, in a letter to Pen-

den’s managing director, stat-

ed, “I, on behalf of the board

of directors, and keeping in

consideration the report of

the sub-committee, advise

both the parties to strike out

a recourse that is mutually ac-

ceptable to each other”.

The chairman also men-

tioned that the board sub-

committee completed a

three-day investigation into

the contract termination last

month, as directed by the

emergency board meeting

held on May 12.

The chairman suggested

interim actions, such as

reviewing and revising the

terms and conditions of the

transport contract, and to fur-

ther explain the agreed terms

and conditions to solicit strict

compliance hereafter.

Penden has also been

asked to monitor its goods

in transit more diligently, to

ensure its arrival at the des-

tination, as prescribed in the

conditions of transport con-

tract. “These interim meas-

ures have been suggested,

keeping in view the interests

of all the parties concerned,”

the letter reads. “And it’s

hoped that the expectations

of the affected parties are

satisfactorily met.”

Gangkhap Transport’s

proprietor, Phub Tshering

said the board’s prompt deci-

sion saved him from further

loss from his transportation

business. “I’m glad that the

issue has been resolved,” he

said.

There are 10 transport

companies, ferrying cement

from the factory depot in

Gomtu to the Phuentsholing

depot.

ROLLBACK

Penden Cement Authority Limited

Gangkhap Transport reinstatedDeflection charge unsubstantiated

The usual rush of traffic in Phuentsholing

ing inside the core city, caused.

The decision was purport-

edly to freeze vehicular move-

ments in the core city area.

But it was jammed with

trucks and small vehicles al-

most throughout the day.

Many residents said they

expected the city to be, for

once, different, as in an empty

town, with more people on the

streets walking to offices.

Some residents said they

spotted a few senior civil serv-

ants driving to offices and

lunch.

“I saw a few of my friends,

who work in government offic-

es, driving to office,” a resident

said. “Even a senior thromde

official, who was supposed to

set an example, was driving to

office.”

While a few residents felt

the day required proper plan-

ning, so as to be observed

next Tuesday, some said the

day should not be observed in

Phuentsholing at all, because of

the many trade activities taking

place.

“There are too many vehi-

cles in Phuentsholing, that it

would be unmanageable for

three traffic policemen at the

traffic to manage,” Lekey Gyelt-

shen, 39, said. “There were a

few I know, who walked to the

office from lower market, but,

after lunch, they were back with

their cars.”

Many residents were una-

ware about the day, and said

they thought it was implement-

ed only in Thimphu.

“Many vehicles were mov-

ing, then how do we know it

was Pedestrian’s Day,” 45-year-

old housewife Tshering Dukar

said. “I knew it wouldn’t work

in Phuentsholing anyway, so I

drove to drop my children to

school.”

A meeting, however, will be

held today to plan for the next

Tuesday.

Page 4: 5th June Kuensel

MANAGING DIRECTOR - Chencho Tshering, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR - Thinley Dorji, EDITOR - Phuntsho Wangdi, NEWS EDITOR - Samten Wangchuk, DESIGN EDITOR - Chencho Tshering, CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER - Karma Dupchu, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, CIRCULATION MANAGER - Ugyen Norbu, REGIONAL HEAD (KANGLUNG) - Pema Tenzin

4 PERSPECTIVES *MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN

Bhutan’s first pedestrian Tuesday yesterday, where the country’s bur-geoning motorists were compelled to morph into pedestrians, when entering the core town area, had its

fair share of complaints. In Thimphu, parents dropping off toddlers

to school got into arguments with traffic police. Buses laden with tourists were stranded for a while before being allowed to enter.

Office-going mothers, with babies to breast-feed, termed the initiative a stupid rule, just to make the government look good at the cost of in-convenience to urban residents.

Others, taking the sick and the infirm to hos-pital, did not know which route to take, and how to get there, with the inner city roads closed to vehicular traffic.

Getting to the cremation ground to help a friend or relative with the preparations had its own set of hassles. Media houses were not quite sure how to go about their daily business of flitting in and out of offices, gathering information, meet-ing deadlines, marketing for ads and chasing up unpaid bills. Business in the core city area also slowed to a crawl, as fewer people came out to eat or buy things from shops.

Cabbies were perhaps the only ones not com-plaining, as they were allowed to crisscross the city, ferrying pedestrians from one end of the city to the other. With fares, starting at Nu 80, it was in many ways Taxi Day. It was also a day off for pool drivers of government and corporate agencies, and a fairly light day for those operating fuel stations.

But the first pedestrian day also brought up some unexpected aspects, in compelling Bhuta-nese motorists to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint.

Many started their forced walk to work stations with probably a scowl on their face but, after a while, they felt the summer breeze, they heard the silence of a much quieter town, they met friends along the way they had not seen for years. People and places did not zip past like through a car win-dow.

Many were reminded of a past life, when they walked around the town as kids and youngsters. Many were walking to town for the first time in a decade or two, and wondered when the car had become so essential.

Many, getting on the heavier side, liked the idea of burning up calories, doing the 15- or 30-minute walk to their offices. Many got up early, to be able to drive there before eight in the morning.

As long are there are no meetings, deadlines, emergencies, toddlers to drop and pick up from school, and family members to attend to in hos-pital, the Tuesday pedestrian day is a wonderful initiative.

And many have a number of suggestions on how to make this work better, if decision makers are willing to listen.

Mixed feelings

WednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL

Pedestrian Tuesday

MY SAY

Against I tried walking from YHS

ground to office today. The

pedestrian roads are in awful

condition and if you are not

careful you may break your

ankle sliding into a hole cre-

ated by broken coverings of

drains.

At some places the pe-

destrian roads ends abruptly

and has no continuation. The

pedestrian roads are uneven,

becomes broader or narrower

and at some places your nose

is assaulted by very foul smell

from the drains or leaking sew-

erage. The road crossings are

unmarked (no zebra crossings)

at some places where you need

to shift from one side of road to

the other. 

At some places the pe-

destrian road is blocked by

stacked construction materials

and on a windy day you may

be battered by sand storm.

There are no enough toilets

along the ways and God forbid

you have an attack of diarrhea

on Tuesday. There are no

periodical rain shelters if you

have no umbrella and if it rains

heavily and suddenly.

But I join many in the

forum condemning the dra-

conian diktat. Besides being a

global gimmick and a symbolic

gesture, I see no serious tangi-

ble result from this executive

order towards INR crises or

the environment. This has

just added not only physical

discomfort but also mental dis-

comfort that Bhutan is being

forced into a submissive soci-

ety by its elected leaders. The

meat ban, the plastic ban, the

tobacco ban, vehicle ban, etc.

The vehicle ban on Tues-

days will create a societal

divide soon as there will be

exceptions created in future.

The RPB, RBG, RBA are already

exempted and the list will keep

adding in a few months. When

the government steps into

personal space of its citizens

on flimsy grounds, it creates

animosity and distrust.

ForI think the idea is good and

we should try to follow it. If we

don’t like we should appeal to

government.

Every time, government

makes some tough decisions,

many people brand it as un-

democratic. What does that

mean? Should every decision

be made after public consulta-

tions? Should every decision

be made after majority vote? It

will take ages.

We and the constitution

have empowered the govern-

ment to have executive power

to decide for the country as

long as it doesn’t go against

or contradicts the parliament

decision. We may like the deci-

sion and we may not like the

decision.

While making this deci-

sion, the government didn’t

go against the parliament that

we elected, government didn’t

go against constitution that we

endorsed through our repre-

sentatives, it didn’t go against

GNH we shouts so loud. So it is

unfair on our part to demonize

government as undemocratic

and dictatorial every time they

decide something we don’t like

as per our vested interests. 

If every executive decision

is to be made with public con-

sultation, it will take 10 years

to make five big decisions.

Since, we empowered them,

government has to make some

tough decision even though it

may affect their political bank

of votes.

Kuenselonline

Jagi

Tshachu,

Paro:

Nothing to be alarmed about, just a pedicure post a dip in the spa Photo:

Nima Wangdi,

Kuensel

Page 5: 5th June Kuensel

*DZONGKHAG 5WednesdayJune 6, 2012

KUENSEL

There are plans afoot to revitalise these and wean farmers back to proper (not just dairy) farming

NOTICE SEEKING PROPOSAL FOR DISTRIBUTORSHIP

BHUTAN TELECOM LTD.

BT/Mkt-02/2012/1073

Bhutan Telecom would like to invite proposals from interested individuals/firms to

become exclusive distributor for the company’s sales items like SIM, Vouchers,

eLOAD, Data Cards, Modems etc. In addition to the existing distributors, we

would like to add/replace distributors for the following places as below:

1. Bajo town, Wangduephodrang (one)

2. Nanglam town, Samdrupjongkhar (one) 3. Trashigang town (one)

4. Sarpang town (one) 5. Dagana town (one)

6. Bumthang town (one) 7. Thimphu & vicinity (two)

We would like the interested individuals and firms to consider the following broad

points in your proposal:

1. All applicants should be willing to set up their shop counter in the above

mentioned places. Proper location of the establishment should be mentioned.

2. Counter size and design for showroom with drawing, if feasible.

3. How you would like to run the business, staff strength, likely network of

dealers etc.

4. Any previous or current experience in wholesale distributor business or similar

line of business.

5. Any marketing activity that you could do on behalf of the company without

any financial implications to the company.

6. How would your entry or expansion impact this business in the market.

7. Any other good idea other than the above is encouraged.

Please collect the detailed terms of reference from the Acting Manager, Sales &

Distribution Section. The complete proposal must be submitted on or before 15th

June, 2012 to the Acting Manager, Sales & Distribution, Marketing Division,

Thimphu or the Marketing Officers of Gelephu, Samdrupjongkhar and Thimphu

Regional Office.

For any information on the above, please contact Sales & Distribution Section at 02-

335927/322678 or fax at 02-337988.

Management

Irrigation Facilities

Defunct channels mean fallow fields

NIRMALA POKHREL,SAMDRUPJONGKHAR

While most farmers in the

east are busy ploughing their

fields, and readying them for

paddy transplantation, it is

not the same story for those

in Samdrupjongkhar.

Without a proper irriga-

tion channel or with some of

their water sources dried up,

villagers have left their fields

uncultivated. In fact, some

have left their field barren for

more than a decade.

Jangchub Dorji, a 45-year-

old farmer from Orong gewog,

said he had to depend on his

jersey cow for some income,

despite having two acres of

land to his name.

“The old irrigation chan-

nels that were without con-

crete walls got washed away

over time,” he said, adding

there were too many leak-

ages along the way, sufficient

water did not reach their

fields.

“And just when we decid-

ed to repair those channels,

the water source itself dried

up,” he said.

With more than a 100

households affected by this,

their wetlands today have ei-

ther become a grazing land or

are covered with bushes.

In Phuntshothang gewog,

farmers said they haven’t cul-

tivated for about eight years,

since their concrete irrigation

channel got washed away by

a flash flood.

“I’ve grown millet in place

of paddy, because there isn’t

enough water for paddy plan-

tation,” Nar Maya Regni, 57,

said.

Another farmer said they

didn’t have sufficient drink-

ing water as well, and have

been struggling to find new

water sources.

A similar problem prevails

in Gomdar gewog, one of the

driest in Samdrupjongkhar.

Most farmers have re-

sorted to rearing cows, form-

ing groups and running diary

farms as a major source of

income.

“We have to work hard to

earn money that will fetch

us vegetables and rice from

nearby towns,” one farmer

said.

Meanwhile, the gewog,

dungkhag and dzongkhag of-

ficials are aware of the prob-

lem, and on the lookout for

alternative sources.

Officials said, in the 11th

plan, they will be exploring

more water sources, and also

maintain the defunct irriga-

tion channels.

Of the total 42 irrigation

channels in Samdrupjong-

khar, about nine are defunct

and four others private.

“Most of the irrigation

channels are un-cemented,

meaning they have leakages

and can’t carry enough water

to the fields,” dzongkhag ag-

riculture officer Karma Tsh-

ewang said. “They are rain-

fed, prone to slides and can

be damaged easily.”

However, he said, a pro-

posal has been drawn up

recently and submitted to

the department, that sug-

gests pulling water from the

nearby river to cultivate fields

that have been left barren for

years.

A JICA team is also ex-

pected to arrive soon to con-

duct a feasibility study.

Agriculture officials said

the farmers refused to un-

derstand that wetland could

be used to cultivate maize,

millet, potato and other veg-

etables that require feeding

less water.

Records show Samdrup-

jongkhar has 2,192 acres of

wetland, of the total 15,858

acre of arable land. Without

any survey conducted, there

was no data on how much of

the arable land was left un-

cultivated.

AGRICULTURE

Left barren: Once paddy fields in Bhangtar

Page 6: 5th June Kuensel

*6 REGIONWednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL

CLASSIFIEDS

Sale: Esteem car, full option

(silver). Contact 77604568.

Sale: Santro GL+ ‘12.

Contact 17617801.

Sale: Honda Civic (four

thousand km). Contact

17162480.

Wanted to buy: Second

hand Backhoe Loader.

Contact 17117716.

Sale: Maruti van taxi ‘09.

Contact 17691214.

Sale: Toyota RAV 4 (2005

model) Price Nu. 1,000,000

& Pajero (2002 model). Price

Nu. 750,000. Contact at

17934952.

Sale: WagonR taxi ‘08. (must

pay cash). Contact 17548255.

Sale: Well furnished &

equipped salon in Thimphu.

Contact 17656506.

Rent: 4 flats for office space

available from 1st June,

‘12, located opposite Druk

Shopping complex. Contact

330025/17628994.

Rent: Shop space 1, office

space 1 at Yarkay Plaza

opposite taxi parking. Office

space at Yarkay Central, above

Pelwang Photo Lab. Contact

17652951.

Sale: Restaurant, good

location, main town, fully

furnished. # 17723839.

Sale: Shop space and office

space near PNB building.

Contact 17140655.

Rent: Flat for office space

opposite to Tashi Bank.

Contact 17600317.

Immediate rent: Flat with

3 bedroom at Changjiji @

10,500/month. Contact

17608867.

Rent: Commercial/office

space at Changangkha near

school. Contact 17734949.

Sale: Restaurant at Bondey,

Paro. Contact 17718369.

Rent: 3 bedroom with parking

space @ 7000/month @

Depsiphakha, Babesa. Contact

17937716/17594276.

Rent: 4 bedroom with

attached bathroom, one

sitting room and one kitchen

with dinning hall is available

from 1st July, ‘12. Contact

17114980.

Sale: 15 decimal at Yusipang.

Contact 17259270.

Sale: Prime land measuring 19

decimal at Taba and 16 decimal

at Babesa below Dr. Tobgyel

School at reasonable price.

Call 17607337.

Sale: Land near Damphu

high school (price negotiable).

Contact 17437625/17340385.

Sale: 2 acres dryland in

Tsirang upper Salami. Serious

buyers call 17600756.

Sale: 0.29 acre, 1.46 acre &

0.24 acre at Luckytar, Gelephu

LAP -2. Price 1.50 lakhs per

decimal. 0.25 acre along side

Tali Dratshang road, LAP-1 @

1.60 lakh per decimal. Contact

17578958.

Wanted: One assistant sales

manager with experience

in IT sales. Good salary &

allowances. One light vehicle

driver with 2 wheeler licence

having 1 to 2 years of experience

& upto class VI read. Call

323386 @ Peljorkhang Pvt. Ltd.,

Thimphu.

Wanted: One civil

engineer with diploma in

Civil Engineering, fresh or

experienced for Druk Atlas

Builders, (an undertaking of

Peljorkhang Pvt. Ltd.). Good

salary & allowances. Call

323386 @ Peljorkhang Pvt.

Ltd., Thimphu.

Wanted: A Tipper driver.

Contact 17119088.

Vacancy: Sales executive,

class XII pass with Commerce

and tally having two wheelers

licence for Book World,

Thimphu. Call 323386.

Required immediately:

One Bhutanese cook, 1

continental cook, 5 waitress,

fluent in English and

Dzongkha, one dishwasher

for Khamsa Oriental. Contact

335655/17115090 during office

hours.

Vacancy: Hardworking,

sincere and dedicated couple

needed to manage poultry

farm in Gelephu, free housing

provided and good salary.

Interested please contact

17727717.

Vacancy: Pharmacy

technician registered with

DRA for Karma Medical &

Equipment. Salary based on

experience. Please contact

17115090 during office hours.

Vacancy: Royal Thimphu

Golf Club announces the

vacancy for caddies, anyone

interested to register may

contact 17652407/77286069.

Wanted: 4 operators,

willing to work night shift,

experience 5 years. Contact

17172041/17115656.

Announcement: BHUTAN

PLY, PHUENTSHOLING,

we manufacture plywood

and flush door and FILM

FACE SHUTTERING

PLYWOOD at competitive

price. Free delivery on bulk

orders. Contact 77394597,

phone # 05-252213.

Training: Computer &

Management Institute,

Phuentsholing, a Grade B

Training Institute registered

under DOS, MoLHR offers

one year full time course.

(4 hours per day). Job

guaranteed after completion.

Admission open. Limited

seats. Contact 17110661.

Sale: l banez guitar, guitar

processor. # 77378245.

Announcement: For travel

tickets U.Dee Ticketing Agent

authorized Druk Air/ticket

agent, office Lyonpo Leki

Dorji’s building 17/1st floor,

Phuentsholing.

[email protected],

tel. # 05-251818/77115811.

India yoga guru Baba Ramdev to launch protestIndian yoga guru Baba Ramdev

has said he will launch a protest

in August unless the government

brings back illegal money in for-

eign banks.

He made the announcement

during a hunger strike with cam-

paigner Anna Hazare to protest

against corruption.

Reports say $500bn of illegal

money was deposited in overseas

tax havens.

The government has proposed

setting up fast-track courts to deal

with the two contentious issues

of illegal money and tax evaders.

Baba Ramdev joined leading

campaigner Anna Hazare on Sun-

day to undertake a day-long fast in

protest against corruption, illegal

money and strong anti-corruption

laws.

Mr Hazare, who has been

campaigning for a strong anti-

corruption bill, has already an-

nounced a protest in August if the

government did not investigate

“allegations of corruption” against

14 ministers.

The Lokpal bill has passed in

the lower house of parliament but

the upper house adjourned amid

chaos in December without pass-

ing the controversial legislation.

Baba Ramdev urged Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh to pass

a strong anti-corruption bill.

“Your personal honesty is not

enough. You have to be politically

honest too. You have to keep your

cabinet honest,” he said.

Last June Baba Ramdev held a

nine-day anti-corruption hunger

strike before the police cracked

down and evicted him from the

capital Delhi.

The yoga guru has millions of

supporters and his daily TV pro-

gramme is watched by millions

across India.

A recent survey said corrup-

tion in India had cost billions of

dollars and threatened to derail

growth.

BBC

Baba Ramdev is a popular yoga guru

Page 7: 5th June Kuensel

ANSW

ER:

Lake

On

tari

o

DIVERSION 7*daffynition

ecotip

riddlemeree

todayinhistory

quotefortheday

happybirthday

homegrown

anagram

superstition

beaupeep

WednesdayJune 6, 2012

KUENSEL

DIRECTIONS

scrabblegram

haNGEr

A: “GOING” CONCERN

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

the

q:

a:

HIMALAYAN

()

Go Green

IS KING (6)

ANSWER:SKIING

rebus stop

KUENSELTO ADVERTISE

call 326191 orfax 326638;

email: [email protected]

TO SUBSCRIBEcall 327463

FOR NEWS call324684/322483

NU PER UNITS OFFOREIGN CURRENCY

as of yesterday

NOTES

Buy Sell

US $ 55.10 56.95

POUND 84.40 86.75

EURO 67.95 68.85

YEN(100) 70.50 72.55

HK $ 7.10 7.30

AUS $ 53.20 54.70

SING $ 42.60 43.80

Courtesy BNB

Page 8: 5th June Kuensel

8 ADS WednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL*

DRUK PNB BANK LTD ..your partner in growth!

2010 & 2011.Particulars 31/12/2011 31/12/2010

Capital and Liabilities Nu. In MillionShare Capital 300.00 300.00

Subordinated Term debts 144.00 00.00

Reserves and Surplus 33.51 00.00

Deposits 4,143.43 3,459.83

Other Liabilities and Provision 193.47 629.45

Total Liabilities 4,814.41 4,389.28

Assets

Cash and Bank Balances 1,893.65 2,575.83

Loans and Advances 2,817.52 1,722.70

Fixed Assets 63.12 60.75

Other Assets 36.81 8.29

Debit Balance in Profit and Loss Account 00.00 11.79

Preliminary Expenses (To the extent not written off) 3.31 9.92

Total Assets 4,814.41 4,389.28

Profit and Loss Account

Interest Income 251.92 88.01

Other Income 57.87 14.92

Gross Income 309.79 102.93

Less Interest Expenses 129.48 46.35

Less Operating Expenses 83.64 58.93

Net Operating Income 96.67 (2.35)

Less Provision and Contingencies 30.39 9.44

Less Preliminary Expenses 6.62 0.00

Net Profit/Loss 59.66 (11.79)

Loss for 2010 brought forward (11.79) 0.00

Profit Before Tax 47.87 (11.79)

Provision for Tax 14.36 0.00

Profit After Tax 33.51 0.00

The above is issued under the authority of the Board of Directors.

Management

QUOTATION CALLDZONGKHAG ADMINISTRATION,

SARPANGProcurement Section

SD/Pro-02/2012/8210

1. Package 1: Office stationery, printing items/

forms & misc. items.

2. Package 2: Toner & cartridges.

3. Package 3: Computer & peripheral/office equipment

4. Package 4: School stationery, games and sports

items

5. Package 5: School furniture

6. Package 6: Materials transportation

7. Package 7: Vehicle spare parts/tyres and tubes

8. Package 8: Hardware and electrical items

9. Package 9: Canteen and catering

The period of supply shall be valid for one fiscal year

(2012-13).

#

1 Sale of tender 6/6/2012 to 6/7/2012

2 Last date of submission 6/7/2012 at 10 am

3 Place of submission Procurement office

4 Date of opening 6/7/2012 at 10 am

5 Place of opening DYT hall

6 EMD money Nu.30,000/- (Nu. thirty

thousand only)

7 Cost of document Nu. 200/- (Nu. hundred

only) Non- refundable

Please note that the bids will be rejected at the time

of opening if:

1. EMD in the form of Demand draft/Bank Guarantee of

Nu.30,000/- (Nu. thirty thousand) not enclosed

2. BIF and BSS not filled

3. No seal and sign of the bidder in the SBD

4. No identical copy of the original SBD

5. Valid trade licence and tax clearance certificate.

Detailed specification with terms and conditions may

be brought from the Dzongkhag Revenue Section. For

further clarification, please contact Asst. Procurement

Officer at Ph# 06-365289/mobile no. 17886838 during

office hours.

Dzongrab

NOTICE INVITING FOR BIDS DZONGKHAG ADMINISTRATION, ZHEMGANG

ZD/Store-3/2011-2012/6163

Dzongkhag Administration, Zhemgang is pleased to invite sealed bids from eligible

bidders for the supply of following items for the financial year 2012-13:

1. Package 1 – office stationery & cartridges

2. Package 2 – office & school furniture

3. Package 3 – computer & equipment

4. Package 4 – hardware & electrical items

5. Package 5 – vehicle tyre & maintenance

6. Package 6 – catering

7. Package 7 – Vehicle hiring & transportation

A complete set of bidding documents may be purchased by interested eligible bidders

from Dzongkhag Revenue Section, Zhemgang on production of valid trade licence

and on payment of non-refundable fee of Nu 500/- (five hundred only) each for

(1-5) and Nu 300/- (Three hundred only) for (6-7) each as cost of document. The

bidding documents are available for purchase from 11/06/2012 to 10/07/2012 during

working hours.

Sealed bids completed in all respects must be submitted to Dzongkhag Store Section,

Zhemgang on or before 12:00 noon 10/7/12 and shall be opened on the same date

at 2:30 pm in the Dzongkhag DYT Hall. For further information please contact

Dzongkhag Store Section at phone 03-741102.

Dzongrab

NOTICE INVITING QUOTATIONOFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY

OAG/Adm-pro/1484

The Office of the Attorney General hereby invites

sealed limited tender from interested eligible suppliers

for the supply of the following:

1. Supply of annual quotation

2. Vehicle spare parts and maintenance

3. Annual Catering

Tender document along with the terms and conditions will

be available in the office website www.oag.gov.bt and

for sale @ Nu.200/- (non-refundable) from AFD w.e.f

5th June, 2012-28th June, 2012. Sealed quotation

should reach on or before 28th June, 2012 at 11:00am

and will be opened on the same day at 2:00pm.

AFD

Page 9: 5th June Kuensel

HOME 9WednesdayJune 6, 2012

KUENSEL *

Accountant alleged for siphoning off moneyTASHI DEMA

An accountant of the RBA

Wing VII camp in Shaba,

Paro, who has been missing

since May 7, is alleged to have

embezzled about Nu 700,000

from the army Imprest fund.

It is alleged that he forged

signatures, and withdrew the

money from army’s account

maintained with the Bank of

Bhutan, and then absconded,

when he took a day’s leave.

The 34-year old man from

Kurtoe is also alleged to have

also taken different loans,

amounting to more than Nu

700,000 from financial insti-

tutions in Paro.

None of the allegations

could be confirmed, as army

officials of Shaba said they

are not in a position to com-

ment on the issue.

Sources said the father

of two took his second wife

to Phuentsholing before he

went missing. “She told peo-

ple that he sent her back, but

he refused to come, despite

her repeated requests,” a

source said.

No missing case was filed

with Paro police, and other

army wing camps were also

not notified of the disappear-

ance.

RBA Wing VII Camp, Shaba, Paro

World Environment Day

Occasion marked by awards, campaign and launchesThe Help Shoe Bhutan drive helped to recycle footwear and other stuff for a good cause

THINLEY ZANGMO

Two conservationists were

recognised for their efforts

towards ensuring the security

and sustainability of country’s

environment during world

environment day at the capital

yesterday.

Royal society for protection

of nature ecologist Rebecca

Pradhan, and nature recreation

and ecotourism division spe-

cialist Raling Ngawang Drukdra

were awarded the second Jigme

Singye Wangchuck outstanding

environmental stewardship.

Bhutan ecological society’s

(BEST) royal patron, Her Royal

Highness Princess Chimi Yang-

zom Wangchuck awarded the

certificates.

Side by side, youth volun-

teers took to collecting, what

some Thimphu residents

considered trash but could be

mended and converted into

another’s treasure.

By around 6pm, the volun-

teers collected around 3,000

pairs of shoes and around six

sacks without pairs.

Shoe Vival’s Dawa Dakpa,

who is coordinating the event,

said, apart from shoes, this time

they are also collecting blankets,

clothes, toys, boilers, umbrel-

las and children’s bikes, among

others.

“We hired around five taxis

and went to every house in the

capital,” he said. “What we col-

lected today will be distributed

mostly to eastern dzongkhags.”

A total of 176 registered

youth volunteers with the shoe

collection drive were engaged

throughout the day visiting

homes, collecting items, match-

ing every pair and packing them

in sacks.

Among volunteers match-

ing some old shoes was Lam

Shenphen Zangpo, a Buddhist

monk and youth counsellor.

“Such activities brings all

youth together, which helps to

open their hearts to do good

things,” he said. “It’s also a good

place to recycle and not waste

things.”

Sumphey, 66, from Trongsa,

was sitting on the cemented

floor and under the midday

heat, trying on every shoe she

could lay her hands on.

“I have eight children and

around seven grandchildren

back in the village, and I’m tak-

ing shoes for them,” she said.

“But I’m still searching for a size

that fits me.”

Last year, the Help-Shoe

Bhutan collected around 2,300

pairs of shoes, which were dis-

tributed to Bumthang Chukha,

Lhuentse, Mongar, Samtse,

Thimphu, Trashigang and

Trashiyangtse.

Her Royal Highness, Ashi

Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck

also awarded certificates to the

supporters of Help-Shoe Bhu-

tan.

She also launched the na-

tional strategy and action plan

for low carbon development

and brochure by NEC, Asia

Pacific human development

report by UNDP and Butterflies

of Bhutan field guide series by

Ugyen Wangchuck institute of

conservation and environment.

National environment

commission, in collaboration

with UN development pro-

gram, BEST and international

centre for integrated mountain

development organised the

event.

AWARDS

CRIME

Sumphey chooses from an array of used shoes Thimphu residents donated yesterday

Hundreds of people filled the telecom office to give used vouchers to get Khuenphen voucher in return to mark the World Environment Day in Phuentsholing

Picture Story

Page 10: 5th June Kuensel

*10 ADSWednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL

NOTICE INVITING TENDERMINISTRY OF HEALTH

Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu, Sarpang DzongkhagCRRH/ADM/05/2011/2869

Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu invites sealed quotations for the following:

Sl # Name of tenders Sale date Submission date Opening date Cost of tender (Nu.)

1 Supply of office stationery 6th June, 2012 5th July, 2012 5th July, 2012 200 (non-refundable)

2 Supply of breads -do- -do- -do- -do-

3 Supply of linen & staff uniform -do- -do- -do- -do-

4 Supply of new tyres and tubes -do- -do- -do- -do-

5 Maintenance of vehicles & spare parts -do- -do- -do- -do-

6 Supply of electrical items & civil

maintenance materials

-do- -do- -do- -do-

7 Printing of forms -do- -do- -do- -do-

8 Catering services -do- -do- -do- -do-

9 Commodities -do- -do- -do- -do-

10 Supply of vegetables -do- -do- -do- -do-

The last date of submission of the bid is on or before Thursday, 5th July, 2012 at 2:00pm (BST) and will open on same day. For further details,

kindly contact Administrative Officer during office hours 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Medical Superintendent

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTTHIMPHU THROMDE

Post Box No-215, Thimphu-11001TCC/HRS/11/2011-2012/1766

Sl # Position title Position

level

No. of

Vacancy

Qualification Pay scale Remarks

1Back Hoe Loader

Operator04-A 1

Minimum

Class VIII

passed

Nu.6805-135-

8830

Preference will be given to candidates

with work experience in relevant field

2 Caretaker ESP 1 -Nu.5,000/-

lumpsum

Preference will be given to candidates

with work experience in relevant field

Interested Bhutanese national fulfilling the above criteria and within the eligible age limit for recruitment into Civil Service (18-40 years)

may apply to the Human Resource Section, Thimphu Thromde, latest by 22nd June, 2012 with the following documents along with

application.

1. RCSC employment application form

2. Resume

3. Attested copies of valid driving licence (for the Back hoe loader operator)

4. Attested copies of Class VIII passed certificate (for the Back hoe loader operator)

5. Attested copies of relevant training transcripts, if any

6. Attested copy of Bhutanese citizen identity card

7. Attested copy of security clearance certificate

8. Attested copy of medical fitness certificate

9. No objection certificate, if already employed

Attested copy of the above documents should be submitted while registering with the Human Resource Section. They should produce

original documents during the interview. For further clarification, please contact Human Resource Officer in person or over the tele #

322265 ext. 183. List of shortlisted candidates will be displayed in the Thimphu Thromde’s website www.tcc.gov.bt along with

information on interview date.

Chief Administrative Officer

KEEP THIMPHU CLEAN & GREEN

KE

EP T

HIM

PH

U C

LE

AN

& G

RE

EN

KE

EP T

HIM

PH

U C

LE

AN

& G

RE

EN

KEEP THIMPHU CLEAN & GREEN

KUENSEL TO ADVERTISE call 326191 or fax 326638;email: [email protected]; TO SUBSCRIBE call 327463; FOR NEWS call 324684/322483

Page 11: 5th June Kuensel

WORLD 11 WednesdayJune 6, 2012

KUENSEL *

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTSDepartment of Forests and Park Services

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and EnvironmentANNOUNCEMENT

UWICE/ADM/09/2011-2012/1115

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Lamai Goempa will be conducting training

on “Low Impact Forest Logging” from 20th June to 5th August, 2012. Interested applicants are

invited from eligible candidates along with the following documents:

1. Class X and above (please attach certificate) 2. Medical fitness certificate

3. Copy of citizenship identity card 4. Permanent address

5. Present address 6. Contact details (mobile no./E-mail)

For details, please contact Training Unit at [email protected] or 17388725/77357251 during office

hours and submit all your documents to the above webmail latest by 3:30pm on 14th June, 2012.

UWICE Training Unit

Hotline:211 Hotline:211

H

o

t

l

i

n

e

:

2

1

1

H

o

t

l

i

n

e

:

2

1

1

Hotline:211 Hotline:211

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)NATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING

PHUENTSHOLING MUNICIPALITYPT/Envt-Div/W/s-2/2011-2012/3325

1. Phuentsholing Thromde invites bids for the work “Supply and Installation

of Pumps for new water supply at CST”

2. Bidding documents (and additional copies) may be purchased from the office

of Phuentsholing Thromde from 7th June, 2012 to 6th July, 2012 for a non-

refundable fee of Nu.500/- (Five hundred) in the form of cash or demand

draft on any scheduled bank payable at Phuentsholing Thromde in favour of

Dasho Thrompon. Interested bidders may obtain further information at the

same address.

3. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security of 2 % of quoted amount drawn

in favour of Dasho Thrompon. Bid security will have to be in any one of the

forms as specified in the bidding documents and shall have to be valid for 30

days beyond the validity of the bid.

4. Bids must be delivered to Phuentsholing Thromde on or before 12:30pm on

6th July, 2012 and will be opened on the same day at 14:30 hours in the

presence of the bidders who wish to attend.

Executive Secretary

Luka Rocco Magnotta, the Ca-

nadian porn actor accused of

killing and dismembering a

man and mailing body parts to

politicians, was to appear be-

fore a German judge Tuesday

after spending the night jailed

in solitary confinement.

The appearance before a

judge in Berlin is meant to es-

tablish Magnotta’s identity and

announce the charges against

him, according to prosecutors.

Canadian authorities still must

request his extradition.

Magnotta faces first-degree

murder and other charges in

the killing last month of Jun

Lin, 33, a Concordia University

student from China.

Authorities accuse him of

dismembering the student,

mailing parts of his body to Ca-

nadian politicians and taunting

authorities by posting a video

of the grisly act on the Internet.

Berlin police arrested Mag-

notta on Monday at an Internet

cafe where he was browsing ar-

ticles about himself. The arrest

ended an international manhunt

that began when the body parts

were sent to Canadian politicians

in the mail last month.

If Magnotta does not fight

the request, he will be back

in Montreal quickly to face

the charges, a legal expert

said. Otherwise, it could take

months.

“If he wanted to delay the

proceedings, it could take as

much as a year or more,” Daniel

Brown, a Toronto defense at-

torney, told CNN affiliate CBC.

But he said that costs

money: “You have to have the

resources to be able to sustain

those types of appeals and

things of that nature. I’m not

sure Mr. Magnotta does.”

The manhunt began last

week when a package contain-

ing a severed foot addressed

to Canadian Prime Minister

Stephen Harper arrived at his

majority Conservative Party

headquarters. A hand was later

found at a post office addressed

to the minority Liberal Party,

authorities said.

Authorities quickly traced

the address on the packages

to Magnotta’s Montreal apart-

ment, where they searched a

trash bin and discovered Lin’s

torso in a suitcase.

Lin’s death and dismem-

berment were allegedly cap-

tured on a graphic video posted

to the Internet, according to

Montreal police. It features a

man -- whom authorities be-

lieve is Magnotta -- killing an-

other man, dismembering the

corpse and performing sexual

acts. Many of Lin’s body parts

are still missing, according to

authorities.

Authorities say they believe

Magnotta killed Lin on May 24

or May 25, posted the video,

then took a flight to France on

May 26.

He boarded a bus to Berlin

on June 1, while police were

searching for him in Paris, the

Berlin state prosecutor’s office

said Tuesday.

In the end, it was the keen

eye of an employee at the In-

ternet cafe in Berlin that helped

police nab Magnotta.

The employee, Kadir An-

layisli, said he recognized the

slight man who walked into the

nondescript Helin Spatkauf In-

ternet Cafe on Monday, but he

couldn’t quite figure out why

he did.

But as Magnotta surfed

the Web, poring over news ac-

counts of the case in which he

himself was the suspect, the re-

alization dawned on Anlayisli.

“I looked in the papers and

said, ‘That’s him who they’re

looking for, the porno killer,’ “

Anlayisli told reporters.

He flagged down a carload

of German police trainees.

Magnotta initially denied

his identity, police said. Then

he gave up without a fight, stat-

ing simply, “OK, you got me.”

CNN

Dismemberment suspect faces judge after night in solitary

Porn actor accused of murder caught

Page 12: 5th June Kuensel

Printed and published by Kuensel Corporation Limited, PO Box 204, Tel: 975-2-322483/324688, Fax: 975-2-322975, www.kuenselonline.com ISSN 0259 1499

12 SPORTS *WednesdayJune 6, 2012KUENSEL

Weather forecast for today:

Dzongkhag Max Min OutlookThimphu 26 17Bumthang/Chamkhar 21 13Kanglung/Trashigang 27 15Bhur/Sarpang 30 22

For Thimphu:Sunrise : 5:07AM Sunset : 6:51PM

Source: Meteorology HMSD/DOE/MOEA

6 June , 2012

Hold it back and shoot: Tom Claytor teaches the students to shoot

Bringing lacrosse to BhutanPelkhil School

NIMA WANGDI

“Hold the lacrosse stick in your

right hand, place your foot in

front of the ball, pick it up, run

around the post and shoot,” so

taught Tom Claytor, the sports

instructor, with a white lacrosse

stick gripped in his right hand.

That was at the training ses-

sion on lacrosse at Pelkhil school

in Thimphu yesterday.

Lacrosse, the Native Ameri-

can contact sport that requires

padding, is played, using a solid

rubber ball and a long-handled

stick, strung with loose mesh,

designed to hold the ball, is

commonly played in the US and

Canada.

To start with the session,

the participants were given a la-

crosse stick and a ball each, and

taught how to scoop the ball with

the mesh-tipped stick from the

ground and then swing it.

The balls sometimes fell

behind them, when trying to

swing it forward, and sometimes

it landed in different directions

that sent many participants gig-

gling.

The participants played a

practice match, after receiving

basic training and instructions

on how to play the game. Most

participants failed to catch the

ball hurled at them. When one

player carried the ball in his

stick, others tried to shake it off

the stick using theirs.

Sonam Tandin, 15 said he

was comfortable scooping the

ball from the ground, throwing

and receiving it.

“I can’t hold the ball in the

scoop, because the ball tends to

bounce back,” he said.

Some of the participating

students, who got hit by the ball

on their hands and body, said

the white ball, the size of a lawn

tennis one, hurts.

Pelkhil school principal

Umesh Kumar said they were

planning to take up the game as

a new club, since Tom Claytor

agreed to leave about 40 lacrosse

sticks of USD 100 each and 40

balls with the school.

“Once students are comfort-

able with the game, we’ll try to

get more equipment, with some

safety gear, like gloves, helmets

and chest guards,” he said.

The school board director

Karma L Dorji said the school

already had about 15 clubs, in-

cluding basketball, volleyball,

table tennis and futsal.

“If successful, lacrosse will

also be introduced as a new

club,” he said.

A bush pilot, Tom Clay-

tor, who makes films for the

National Geographic channel,

said lacrosse was an elite game

in America, and played in top

private universities and colleges.

The game, he said, was first in-

vented by American Indians 600

years ago.

“The game is older than my

own country,” he said, adding he

played the sport for the varsity

team for four years at Colby col-

lege in Maine, USA.

“During my visit to Bhutan

in the past, I saw people of dif-

ferent villages playing archery

tournaments and, as lacrosse

was also played between villages

in USA during ancient times, I

thought Bhutan may like this

game as well.”

Asked for the reason for

bringing the sports to Bhutan,

the bush pilot said most Ameri-

cans don’t understand Bhutan,

and the game is expected to

serve as a bridge between two

cultures.

He said the game has spread

in countries like Thailand, Sin-

gapore, Hongkong, China and

Australia.

Tom Claytor said lacrosse

was played between two vil-

lages, sometimes in a field of

10km, with about 100 players in

each team.

“As it was actually a training

for war, some played to death

those days,” he said. “However,

it’s a fun game today, that both

men and women enjoy playing.”

LACROSSE