The Gigantic Poster At Dochu-La Pass

 

Thimphu; 01:26PM; March 30, 2026

“Hi, Hi Rotarian VG ….. WOW!! To what do I owe this honor? How are you?”

“I am fine Thank You …. How are you? Actually, I called to confirm if the large photograph of the Himalayan mountain range installed at the Dochu-La Pass is by you.”

Large Poster of the Eastern Himalayan Mountain Range installed at Dochu-La Pass: Next best thing to the real stuff!

“Indeed, it is by me. I put together the photographs – but the installation was carried out and paid for by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).

The thing is I realized that 90% of the tourists visiting Bhutan drive to Dochu-La Pass to view the snow-capped mountain range of the Eastern Himalayas visible from there on clear days. Sadly, 70% of the time the mountains are shrouded in cloud and mist …. So most often the tourists have to return terribly disappointed. So, I suggested to the TCB that next best thing we could do to improve the experience of the tourists is install a large poster of the mountain range so that during times when the view is obstructed, the tourists can view it on the poster. I offered to do the photography FREE as my contribution. So ….. ”

“Precisely!!! …. Right now I am standing in front of the gigantic poster at Dochu-La since the real thing is not visible ….. the mountains are all under the clouds. I say, that was a fantastic idea of yours …. Even if I cannot see the real stuff …. Atleast I can see what it would have looked like.”

“You are in Bhutan and not in Singapore? I thought you are calling from Singapore ….. I see the country code +65 ……”

“Yes I am in Bhutan …. I will be going to Paro in a while to see the festival there. Are you coming to Paro by any chance? …. If you are, we could meet up. I already met President Karma and Secretary Lam.”

“No, No…. a free-loader friend wants me to give a talk to a bunch of trainees whom he is instructing .. so, I need to prepare for it. Anyway …. Thanks for the call and enjoy your trip ..... Bye Bye and take care.”