Friday, March 29, 2024
My Labor of Love
Friday, March 22, 2024
Mr. Narendra Modi’s Visit to Bhutan
Saturday, March 16, 2024
10,000 Bird Species Seen …. and Counting!
Thursday, March 14, 2024
The Dream Million $$ Deal That Never Was: FINAL PART IV
Monday, March 11, 2024
The Dream Million $$ Deal That Never Was: PART III
Sunday, March 10, 2024
The Dream Million $$ Deal That Never Was: PART II
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The Dream Million $$ Deal That Never Was: PART I
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Un-confusing the Confusion
Monday, February 26, 2024
Saying Thank You Isn’t Easy
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Para-Gliding? Hang-Gliding? Or Cable Car?
Surprises never cease in this county … I mean Bhutan looking to invite Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for starting gliding in the country? PREPOSTEROUS! Pray, tell me, what is so complicated about gliding? It is not a high technology venture ----- neither does it require investment at a level that cannot be handled by the Bhutanese. While it is not clear what gliding they are talking about – Para-Gliding or Hang-Gliding – regardless, I happen to know that we have few hundred Bhutanese who can handle this level of investment with ease.
But I am encouraged that our moment of awakening may be here!
During the get-to-know trip to the Ge-Sar on 4th January, 2024, one of the points made by His Majesty the King was that there was no shortage of investors for the Ge-Sar. But what about Bhutan? Just because investors are there for the picking, do we surrender our soul for a bagful of cash? No!!! Thus, we were told that the best of legal brains around the world were being engaged – to work out the most ideal terms of engagement that is beneficial for all.
Same goes with the FDI investment – we have to be lot more careful than we have been so far. Above all, we need to make sure that economic opportunities that are within the scope and capability of the Bhutanese, and in areas where investment level is within the capability of the locals, are reserved for the nationals.
Talking of which why is gliding the investment of choice - for attracting tourists? What about scenic Ropeway Cable Cars?
For years I have been promoting the idea that someone should invest in setting up a cable car ropeway system to the ridge above Phajoding ….. construct two dozen plus tourist class cottages for the visiting tourists. The cable car ride that will glide past the lush green hillside of Thimphu will be breathtaking. It is bound to be a hit amongst Thimphups as well. We are always on the lookout for a gate-away that is not too far removed from Thimphu, and yet distanced enough from the clatter and clang of the noisy metropolis – calm, still, secluded, and supremely exclusive!
As a tourism product – cable car ropeway will beat the gliding proposal – HANDS DOWN!
Friday, February 16, 2024
The Gift
Imagine the joy of the news that I am due to receive an unexpected gift of unparalleled meaning and value – I was delighted and absolutely WOWed! Surely, with this, I would have had to have hit my life’s High Note!
Then, one day, unseen and shielded from envious eyes, the gift arrived – meticulously draped inside a bundle of shimmering red silk, containing the following:
But this uncommon angle visit finally makes me decide on something that I have been dithering for the past one year. I can now resolve to do it, with my eyes firmly shut. It is only just - and fair, that I should share my good fortune with those who are less fortunate.
During my visit to Trashi Yangtse last year to administer a grant to support the education of three little girls, I met a school teacher who had started a bird watching club in his school. I donated a number of Field Guide Books of the wild birds of Bhutan – a handbook authored by me. But I wanted to do more, for a cause that is after my own heart. Now I need no further encouragement - the above gift encourages me not to delay the act of giving any longer. So, during my upcoming visit to the areas, I am giving away the following complete assemblage of camera gear suitable for bird photography - for the use of the school’s Bird-Watching Club at the Trashi Yangtse Primary School:
Friday, February 2, 2024
Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2022: Need for Rethink
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Welcome to PDP Government
The new government is now firmly on the seat of governance – we have to accept that there is no altering the fact. They may not be the government of your choice – that is not important. What is true is that they are now the men about town and all of us must respect that, and give support as best as we can.
I am not so naïve as to believe that they will fulfill even 10% of their campaign promises. If they fail, it will be because you have been unrealistic in your expectations. But I am convinced that they will try their best ----- and that is all that I can expect from them – give their very best.
But I do wish that they would take on a number of initiatives on a priority basis. I talk of things that are doable - and necessary - nothing that will require billions of Ngultrums, or years of planning. I hope that they work on the following two:
1. Reworking the Tourism policy
2. Rationalizing the airfares of the Druk Air
The new Prime Minister’s first day in office does set out some useful priorities ---- and among them he mentions tourism. But he makes the same mistake the past government did – he is trusting that the Bhutanese embassies abroad will do the job.
I hope he will soon realize that there is more than enough in-country competence to do the job better than any paid clueless consultants or embassy staff.
Through this post, I would like to appraise the Prime Minister that the Bhutan Sustainable Tourism Society (BSTS) had already offered to help out the government should they need help. The help was offered through the now disbanded (although officially un-notified) Tourism Council Board and also to the Finance and Economic Committee of the DNT government during a meeting with the Committee in which some of the Members of the BSTS was present.
I dare say, on behalf of the BSTS, that the offer still stands – we will be happy to sort out the mess – GRATIS!