Untold Story

Declaimer: This is entirely an authors’ creation. Characters and names of places mentioned in the writing bear no resemblance to anyone.

“Everything is just a matter of time”

Everything is just a matter of time. Nastiest phase may not be always same, one day or the other everything will be just fine. No one can say what will happen tomorrow and no one has the power to hold back bygone days.

Tashi, a very humble, shy and pretty girl was a dreamer. She loved exploring and challenging task. She accepted everything as an opportunity to learn and unlearn. Since her pre-primary she was a hard worker and was loved by all the teachers and other students. Tashi was an icon, all time class topper and a role model for rest of the students. She was ambitious and wanted to become a doctor. On 17^th December, 2000, she completed her primary education from Nagtsang Primary School which was located just next to her village. School administration recognized her talent and awarded her “Best Student of the Year”.

Everything went well and was over for the year 2000. All the students and teachers were excited and left for winter vacation. They started to plan different trips with their family and friends at different places. Students planned for a picnic, trip to new places and may more. But Mrs. Pelden, a class teacher of Tashi was left with full of worries in her nerves. She talked to herself, looked for ways and means to do something best. As she had promised, she had to keep everything to herself. It was something unimaginable for her. A big gap was created in her heart and couldn’t think about leaving undone. Everything came up in her mind just like a rolling boulders from a high cliff.

Everything was same for Tashi! Winter vacation was nothing exciting for her because she had been cherishing every new day as a gift of god. Unlike other students’, trip to new places and winter picnic with friends during vacation were just a dream for Tashi. Her only plan was to work more and earn little amount to make her own living. Winter and summer vacation were considered as a golden days for her because on vacation, she earns little amount to make her living.

Next year Tashi without choice had to move to new school. Compared to previous winter vacation, this time Tashi started to think more about her earning. What about if she failed to earn enough? Starting from 19^th December to 10^th February, she worked in one of the construction site carrying sand, gravels and stones. She worked very hard and sincerely from 6:00am to 6:00pm everyday. Since vacation were her golden days to earn little amount, she didn’t feel any difficulties working for 12hours everyday. Rather she took it as opportunity to earn more. Within that 51days, she earned Nu. 5100 which was a huge amount for her. She thought that Nu. 5100 will be more than enough for her to manage everything for one whole year.

On 11^th February, she stopped going for work and started to get ready for her new school. She was little excited to be in new school because she will be in boarding school and she need have to worry about everyday meals unlike her previous school days. Washing her torn bag and her only kiera and tago gifted by her aunt when she was in class four, she talked to herself ‘this time I need not have to walk carrying books on my back everyday from school. I will get enough time to read books. So I will fully utilize the time and read more than 100 books’. She also planned to take part in all the activities conducted in the school because she missed those opportunities in her pre-primary School.

Her reporting date in new school was on evening of 14^th February. She woke up early in the morning, washed her face, offered fresh water and lit a small butter lamp in alter. She murmured some prayers, closed her eyes and sought blessings from almighty God for her safe journey to new school and for the wellbeing of all sentient beings. After her prayer, she prepared her packed lunch and breakfast together. Everything was ready by 5:00am and she came out of her house at 5:10am to start her journey towards the road point. It was still before the break down of dawn. None of the neighbors were woke up, dogs were still in deep sleep and birds were still silent. Morning breeze was gently blowing own her face and her silky hair was blown in all the direction. She started her journey with a heavy heart.

To be continued…

Thank you

Reminiscences of Wood Badge Training

During my school days, I couldn’t take part in scouting very actively due to some unavoidable circumstance, so I didn’t realized its importance. I came to realize the importance of scouting program only after attending BULT (Basic Unit Leadership Training) at Paro College of Education. So from there I committed myself to run a troop when I reach to school. All the activities and initiatives were trial and error method. I tested the charm of scouting program as an experiment since I didn’t had much knowledge, ideas and information about how to lead a good troop in school. So from those test and experiments, I got an opportunity to showcase and built my hard work, passion and interest in scouting program. 

 Wood badge training (advancement training in scouting) was great opportunity for me to learn, relearn and unlearn many new information and ideas. The presentations, ideas, knowledge and experiences shared by resource person and friends (participants) were all excellent, relevant and applicable. Each and every activities and programs were all base on important and essential values which we have not realized in our life. Form this training, besides the content knowledge and ideas, I have learned how to adjust with different people coming from different background and believes, time management which plays vital role in our life, how to adapt with on edge situations or places and the importance of being multi-talented.

Since all the participants were vast with ideas, knowledge, creativity and talents, many a times we had so many clashes of our ideas, not knowing which to choose, how to decide while we work in group. Sometimes during the process of our discussions, unintentionally we hurt someone’s sentiments but then we all laughed and smiled at the end looking at our achievements and products of our hard work. We worked late night preparing gadgets for next day’s presentation, we rushed just like a shooting star while we do any kind of activities- cooking, eating, and going to presentation hall, morning drill, evening program, class activities, morning inspections, STA (Spare Time Activity) and assembly. We were challenged but then I believe ‘challenging task has more power to empower us with more ideas and knowledge’. Training was really satisfactory and enriching for all of us. After attending this program, I have fully committed to work harder to help our youths to become a better citizen through scouting program.

The most interesting part of attending wood badge training was, all the activities were conducted without any information (suddenly) because the motto of scout is “Be Prepared” and resting time was only 4hours (maximum) they wanted to develop our passion, and to teach us the value “Scouts are cheerful under all difficulties/circumstance”. All other activities were interesting and memorable. Among all, some of them were really amazing:

1.      Shopping activity

2.      Backwoodsman cooking competition

3.      Social night

I firmly believe that ‘Hard works are never left unrewarded’. The opportunity that I got for wood badge training was the reward of my hard work, interest, passions, believe in scouting program and due to great support that I got from many concerned people. So whole heartedly I would like to thank BSA (Bhutan Scout Association) for considering me and giving me that great opportunity. In line with this, I would also like to thank commissioner and the focal person of Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde Scout Association, principal and teachers of Dewathang Primary School for supporting, helping, guiding and encouraging me in each and every minute steps that I move forward. I wouldn’t have achieved this without the presence and support of you all. So thank you to all!

Happy Reading!

Humble Prayers and Wishes on Loasr

The First day of the first month of lunar calendar is very auspicious and important day for the Bhutanese people. We celebrate it as a losar- New Year with enthusiasm, joy and happiness. The modern celebration of Losar in Bhutan originated in 1637, when Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), the unifier of Bhutan, marked the completion of the famous Punakha Dzong (temple) with an inaugural celebration. Bhutanese came from all over the country to bring offerings of produce from their various regions, a tradition that is still reflected in the wide variety of foods consumed during the ritual Losar meals.

Often, Losar celebrations include a traditional morning meal (porridge mixed with beef or cheese) which is timed to coincide with the rising of the sun, as well as a midday meal (very special red rice, beef, pork, chicken, fish, fried cheese, emadhatsi, mixed curry and many more) and afternoon snack. Besides these items, there will be so many special drinks- ara, tea and butter tea. The food eaten during Losar and its preparation, presentation, consumption, and symbolic meaning are highly important traditional rituals that serve to reinforce community ties and Bhutanese identity and culture.

The day is very important and special because it is the day where we can make new wishes and resolutions for New Year, make offerings to god and goddesses, right and great time for family reunion and gathering, time to reflect, recollect and analyze our achievements and failures. 

On this very special day I would like to wish each and every Bhutanese a very happy losar. Enjoy up to the fullest but with responsibility!