Svensk-Bhutanesiska Föreningen

Taa Dzong becomes Trongsa’s main attraction

Many tourists have visited the museum since it was opened in 2008 and it has become one of the popular tourist destinations in the Dzongkhag. According to records, about 30,000 people have visited the Dzong to date. More than 18,000 were tourists and the rest were local tourists, students and officials.

Our reporter, Tenzin Rabgye, says museum houses many artifacts related to the Wangchuck Dynasty. The museum sees up to 200 tourists during the peak season. So far, the museum has generated about Nu 5 million since 2008. The museum will be extended and more relics will be displayed by the end of this year.

Based on an article in BBS

Poignant yet humourous cartoon. Kudos to Kuensel artist

New Party reveals its name, logo and ideology

Another new political party today launched its party name, ideology and logo. To be called the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, it means a people centered party that values every individual’s voice and choice, while in pursuit of the country’s development and progress.

The Party logo is a ‘Khamshing Meto’ signifying the arrival of fresh hope, a new life and a new beginning. Party members said it symbolises a clean image, strong morality and sincerity in commitment in serving the people. The Party’s ideology is to promote social democracy based on three principles of Solidarity, Freedom and Justice. On Solidarity, the Party says it will work towards providing equal opportunities for the people to live a dignified life. On Justice, the party supports social, political and economic justice, while pledging zero tolerance towards corruption and demand full accountability at all levels. On freedom, the Party says they are committed to working towards an enabling environment where every Bhutanese shall have the right to freedom of expression and can pursue individual goals and free enterprises within the law.

The Party has some of the candidates in place. They have also identified the Party president, which they said will be made public at an appropriate time. The Party intends to register with the election commission, once they know the election date.

BBS

Music festival in the Alpes, near Morzine in July.

The new official logo of Bhutan Olympic Committee was launched in Thimphu, today. The logo which has a moving golden dragon on it signifies excellence through sports.

According to a release from BOC, the coloured jewels in each arm of the dragon signify Olympic colours in union with the Bhutanese Olympic symbol, the dragon. The yellow and orange strips’ on which the dragon is nestled represents the national identity. Underneath the band of colours are the international Olympic rings. The logo in its entirety is a symbol of dynamism and high spirits.

The logo was designed by Sonam Chophel, a free lance designer.

Bhutan expects 100,000 tourists in 2012: TCB

Bhutan is expecting to receive up to 100,000 tourists in 2012, according to the 2011 draft annual report of Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). Last year, Bhutan received 64,028 tourists.

The boost in tourist number, according to TCB, is expected owing to key achievements in 2011 like opening of domestic airports, introduction of new festivals, opening roadside amenities for tourists, development of homestays, community tourism and appointment of public relation agencies abroad. Read more »

For the first time in Bhutan Shooting Federation’s history, a Bhutanese woman shooter will represent the country at the 2012 London Olympics

Twenty-eight year-old Kunzang Choden firmly holds the 4.5kg Feinwerkbau 700 air rifle at eye level, aims at the target and pulls the trigger. For her this is a ritual-practice session, only this time she is aiming for the stars.

She is the first woman and the only Bhutanese who will partake in a shooting event in the London Olympics later this year. Bhutan Olympic Committee received a wild card entry from the International Olympics Committee a few weeks ago. From among the four shooters training under the federation, Kunzang Choden topped the list with a personal best of 375 points of a total of 400 points. For a wild card entry in this sport, 375 is the minimum score required. From Thimphu, Kunzang Choden developed a passion for shooting only at the tail end of 2004 after meeting her husband who is also a shooter. A broad smile flashes across her face as she tries to suppress the joy and excitement of receiving the wild card in the sport. “I feel very proud and fortunate,” she lets out. In 2011, Kunzang Choden represented Bhutan in the 4th South Asian Air Gun Championships that was held in Kuwait. But she did not make it further than the first qualifyinground. She also represented Bhutan in 2009 at the fifth South Asian air Gun Championship held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Coach Kinzang Seldon, who is currently  raining Kunzang Choden, says, “She is a very sincere, hard working woman. She is very punctual and what’s really good about her is that she has the will to practice and train.” Read more »

The text in the advertisement may be difficult to read. Here it is: The Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Consevation would like to announce the sale of books on “Flowers of Bhutan”. The books are reprints of the original version by the late Dasho Keiji Nishoka. The book has both Japanese and English text. Interested buyers may contact the BTFEC office at  339861/339862

THE NET VERSION OF DRUK YUL 2012-2 IS NOW AVAILABLE UNDER THE DRUK YUL TAB

Bamboo houses to boost farmers income in Samtse

The Farmer’s group of Pakpay Community Forest in Samtse is constructing a Bamboo Model House. Once complete the house will be rented to local farmers to set up sales counter for local farm produce. The house will also have a guest room for visitors.

The Bamboo Model House will be constructed using chemically treated bamboo which is said to last for over 30 years.  The chemical solution is pumped inside the Bamboo to drain out the green cellulose inside. The treatment is said to make the bamboo resistant to insect attacks.

The Social Forestry and Extension Division in Samtse also provided the farmers’ groups treatment equipment. Farmers of Pakpay Community also plans supply treated bamboo to other parts of the country for construction.The use of bamboo for construction will not only benefit out community but help save forests, sat the Tendu Gup, Pema Wangchuk.

The Dzongkhag Forest Officer of Samtse, Sonam Wangchuk said Pakpay village has huge potential to cultivate bamboo on commercial scale. He said the project was initiated to encourage the community to take up construction using bamboo and other locally available materials. Officials said, bamboo grows 20 times faster than trees and it can be harvested every five to seven years

BBS news