Dorji Tenzin: Random Thoughts like Cries of a Clown

I have read about sorry state Bhutanese private media frequently. Media houses sprouted like grasses in the spring at one point. Then they wilted for want of monetary support or returns. On other hand, some of us, who are regular readers, lament quality and quantity of news content. We blame on incompetent and inexperienced reporters who joined private media as last resort to get themselves employed. We don’t care about financial situation of media houses. Once in its good time, when media houses were in height of its greatness, we really thought that private media could not only give alternate news but also give stiff competition to state owned media. But cruel rupee crisis nib the bud of bustling media. On other hand, media houses blame deteriorating state on lack of government support and profitability. The media houses were not able to pay employees on time or their salaries were slashed. Some media houses closed down. The lack of profitability has discouraged senior and experi...

On 25 th March 1864 A.D, Mr. Ashley Eden was made to sign agreement with Government of Bhutan drafted by Trongsa Penlop and his supporters. In 1863, Ashley Eden forced his ways into Bhutan when Bhutan was going through serious internal strife. Although Bhutanese never wanted to receive the mission, arrogant and stubborn forced his ways into Punakha despite repeatedly told to go back. Even Paro Penlop couldn’t stopped him at Paro. He was accompanied by Cheeboo Lama of Sikkim as the interpreter. During that time, situation in Bhutan was thus; 1.        Bhutan was undergoing internal strife due to which Jigme Namgyal of Trongsa emerged as the strongest leader 2.        Deb Raja was powerless and just a pawn in the hand of Trongsa Penlop 3.        Dharma Raja (Zhabdrung incarnate)was too young as well as too submissive 4.        Due to internal power struggle,...

Bhutan was known as Lho-Mon Khazhi (Southern Mon of Four Approaches) to the Tibetans who resided to the north of Bhutan. The ‘mon’ probably meant darkness. The Lhomon means Dark South or Sothern Land of Darkness. And Khazhi means ‘four approaches’. Four approaches/passes are Pasakha to the south, Dalingkha to the west, Tagtserkha to the north and Dungsamkha to the east. Dungsam comprised of present district of Samdrup Jongkhar and Pemagatshel. Now Dungsam is predominantly associate with the Pemagatshel after merger of Dungsam Nganglam and Decehenling to Pema Gatshel district. As of now  Dewathang.(it is place where Duar war was fought between British and Trongsa Penlop, father of the First King of Bhutan. The place was known as Dewangiri) and few other small places in Sumdrup Jongkhar is known as Dungsam Some said that Dungsam means ‘three conch shaped hills’ named after three hills in Pema Gatshel. Some said that there was a lake called Dungtsho Karma Thang (Conch Lake on...