28th May is marked as menstrual hygiene day, every year. It is a day to value the natural process of women and girls of reproductive ages. The theme for menstrual hygiene day this year is “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health”. Aligning with the theme, I am investing a small amount to gift a sum of 500 sanitary pads to school girls of two schools, Dechentsemo Higher Secondary School and Yadi Central School, in Mongar  (250 sanitary pads for each school)

The pads that I am gifting are made in Bhutan and known by the name Chechay Sanitary PAD. Cheechay Sanitary Pad manufacturing firm is the first of its kind in our country founded by Mrs. Pema Chozom, last year, in 2020. 

During the vacations, I helped the company in marketing their products for free. Lately, as a token of gratitude, they decided to pay me a certain amount for marketing their products. So, with much love and pleasure, I am investing the money for social causes like today. 

I hope this small action and investment inspires everyone for making menstrual hygiene a priority. 

Once again a very happy international menstrual hygiene day

#giftapadchallenge

 Most people do not accept the fact that cryptocurrency is the future of money. Let me break down the concept of cryptocurrency simply in my own words. 

Firstly, what is money? In ancient times, trading started with the so-called barter system. People exchanged one good for another. Later, coins came into existence followed by paper money. 

Economists define money as anything commonly accepted by people for the exchange of goods and services. Although every country has its system of coins and paper money, other things can also often be used as money. YES, cryptocurrency too. 

Cryptocurrency is digital money traded through blockchain. Bitcoin is the first of its kind introduced by a group of people by using the name Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. It is the same as the transformation of coins to paper money with time.

Get your share of free bitcoin here : 

Chapter 1

This very moment, I just feel like jotting down my life story from the farthest length of my memory. People are born different in many ways. The differences start from the physical appearance to living standards, spiritual beliefs, and so on. Everybody has their share of good times and darker parts of time. I have my own story and that is what makes me, myself. 

The farthest, that my memory can travel is the day when my mom stopped breastfeeding me. Not very vivid but I remember when my mom was caught with jaundice. The milk I enjoyed turned yellow from the normal color. I stopped begging my mom for milk thereafter. I think I was about three years old then. 

There is a time gap in my memory after the aforementioned farthest memory. The next thing I can remember is guarding crops against animals, especially against monkeys. That memory could be from the time when I was four to five years old. I was enrolled in school when I was five and a half years old in 2005. That particular memory preceded the time when I was enrolled in school. 

The village of Binangri, (Mongar, Drepong) in a medium-sized traditional house with a wood-shingle roof, was where my family lived. It was quite a big family which consisted of my mom, my elder brother, my aunt (mom's elder sister), her four daughters (first cousins), and myself. A total of six children were led by two mothers. Neither me and brother nor the cousins were lucky to have a father in the family. No, I was not bothered at all to not have a father because I had not seen him at all. I won't even think of asking my mom. 

Stay tuned for the second chapter...

Marked on the 10th day of the 3rd month on the lunar calendar, every year, Zhabdrung Kuchoe (the death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ) is one of the most important days for Bhutanese. 

On arrival to Bhutan from Tibet in 1616, Zhabdrung unified the regions of the country together and named 'Druk'. Thus, he is referred to as the founder of Druk, Bhutan. In 1651, he passed away. To pay homage and respect to the FOUNDER, Bhutanese mark the day of Zhabdrung Kuchoe every year. 

Today, on 1st April 2021, Yeshi Lhendup Films, YouTube channel hit 100,000 subscribers. This is a big achievement for Mr. Yeshi Lhendup a young talented owner of the channel. Getting 100,000 subscribers means that his channel is eligible for a silver play button gift from YouTube. 

He is the second Bhutanese to surpass 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. First was Pinda Rika Dorji, aka Pinda Panda. He is the first Bhutanese entertainment channel to get that many subscribers. Pinda's channel is for eSports. 

His achievement should be appreciated and shared among all Bhutanese, especially to youths. This is the best example of creating jobs by own. He is doing his full job as a content creator. He really is an inspiration for younger ones. 

Great work Yeshi 

Hearty Congratulations! 

Bravo! 

Majesty The King began a Royal Tour of the east, arriving in Mongar yesterday accompanied by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck. 

This morning, the first COVID-19 vaccination in Mongar Dzongkhag was administered in the presence of His Majesty The King, at Mongar Dzong. In accordance with the astrological recommendations to start inoculations with a 30-year old woman born in the monkey year, Karma Pema Wangmo became the first person to receive the vaccine in the Dzongkhag. 

His Majesty also visited Mongar High School, which is one of the several vaccination centers in the dzongkhag, and met with those administering and receiving the vaccination.

His Majesty said to those gathered that while the vaccine will be beneficial in protecting us during the pandemic, we need to continue to follow safety protocols diligently as a portion of the population, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, remain unvaccinated.

His Majesty The King will be in the east for the duration of the nationwide vaccination program. 

As the people of Bhutan pray for the success of the vaccination campaign during this important time, the Royal Visit is doubly significant for being His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck’s first visit to the east.

The Prime Minister just received the COVID-19 vaccination at this quarantine centre, following the first auspicious inoculation at Lungtenzampa. 

In his second day of quarantine, special arrangements were made to ensure that the protocols were strictly adhered to while he received the vaccine. 

The prime minister walked from his room to the vaccination spot and received his jab. Sharing a few words, he sent prayers to people in the 205 gewogs, 20 districts and the entire nation saying this is the time to come forward and protect oneself as well as the nation from the disease.

Prime minister will come live on BBS after 7pm news tonight.

Source : Prime Minister's Facebook Page

 Ninda Dem 30, from Paro, got the covid vaccine. She is the first Bhutanese to get the covid vaccine. Happy to share some photos of Ninda getting vaccinated. 

Source: Ministry of Health 

 To encourage people to turn off unnecessary lights, World Wide Fund for Nature initiated the so-called Earth Hour. We are now marking the day every year across the globe. This year, 2021, it's on 27th March, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Ninda Dem, 30, from Paro. She will be the first person to receive COVID vaccine at 9AM tomorrow at Lungtenzampa MSS, Thimphu. The prime mister, Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering to be the second person. 

Few words, which most of us mispronounce. Trying to correct the way my students pronounce the following words. I was also pronouncing those words wrongly a few years ago. 

 The acronym of extraordinary. qualities of Bhutanese people - Sincerity, Mindfulness, Astuteness, Resilience, and Timelessness, is SMART.

 Today is the special occasion, the first birth anniversary of His Royal Highness, the Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck. 

On this joyous occasion, I join the nation in wishing His Royal Highness a very happy birth anniversary. 

Prayers for the longevity and good health of our Royal Family. 

1. Every emotion contains Information. 

2. Emotional Intelligence should come before dealing with circumstances. 

3.Emotional skills are trainable. 

4. An emotionally intelligent person can become an outstanding leader, bring about stellar performance, and eventually lead a happy life. 

5. Mindfulness develops self-awareness that enables other domains of Emotional Intelligence.

6. Mindfulness can rectify the attentional blink. 

7. Mindful listening is the key to meaningful conversation. 

8. One's body interprets all sorts of feelings and emotions that a person is going through. 

9. Self-management is all about redirecting self from the compulsion to choice in any situation. 

Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha in the pale light of a summer evening is a thing of otherworldly beauty.  Along the quiet turquoise-green Punatsangchhu, past the roiling Toebi Rongchhu, there are nyes (sacred religious sites).  Alas, nature has reclaimed these sites entirely.

Figure 1: Chimi Lhakhang 

A yogi, scantily clad and heavily bearded, closed his eyes and shot a random arrow from Yamdrok in Tibet to see where it would land.  And there he would go, wherever his shaft lands, straying along to find his destiny.

But then, there were women and wine of the finest quality to be relished non-stop.  The highly realized and celebrated saint, born of the noble Gya clan, who had long parted with a sense of shame and puerility of the age, put off the plan to go after his wayward arrow for a while, and went to bed.

Imprints of fish on the rock

That was some 500 years ago from today.

As the morning sun rose from behind the snow-clad mountains, yellow as the tint of pure gold, the yogi jumped out of the bed and disappeared.  From Phari in Tibet to Paro in Bhutan, he walked, looking for the arrow.

In Toep Chandhana in Punakha, Bumo Pelzang Buthri, on whose doorstep the Yogi’s wayward arrow landed, there was an unusual commotion, a hue, and a cry.  By then, Lama Drukpa Kunley had arrived at Paro, looking for the arrow he let loose from Yamdrok, subduing bloodthirsty fiends and man-eating demons along the way.

Figure 2: Toep Chandhana Lhakhang 

It was a bright day when he arrived at Bumo Pelzang Buthri’s at Toep Chandana.  He took out his massive member and peed on the wall.  The hugeness of his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt had the children stunned with utter shock.

And then the yogi gazed up and made to the upper chamber of the house.  The mark that his arrow had left on the wooden stairs to the third floor was wide and fresh.  Once inside, he caught hold of Bumo Pelzang Buthri by the neck on the floor, his pants down and her skirt all up.  Toep Tshewang, Bumo Pelzang Buthri’s husband, rushed forth with a sword in his hand.  Before long, however, Drukpa Kunley had the sword by his right hand and twisted it into a knot.

Holding the knotted sword still and ramming the young and beautiful Pelzang Buthri all the while hard on the floor of Toep Tshewang’s altar, pronounced the crazy yogi from Ralung of the Gya clan thusly:

Toep Tsewang of Wang Silung loves truth

And I his sexy and bewitching wife 

And here, the lovers meet for truth and lust

Toep Tshewang stood there for a good while aghast, and then turned away, feeling helpless and utterly ashamed.  Knowing that the yogi was no ordinary monk, Toep Tshewang surrendered his young wife to the crazy yogi immediately and his soul to dharma eternally.

Wooden stairs on which Drukpa Kunley’s arrow landed

From that love between the crazy yogi and Bumo Pelzang Buthri was born Sangdak Gartoen, great-grandfather of fourth Druk Desi Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgay.

Thus, the legend of one of the greatest Drukpa yogis spread throughout Bhutan.  The people of the southern country of Mon were then terrorized by man-eating demons.  Bringing the demoness of Dochula down to where Chimi Lhakhang stands today, Lama Drukpa Kunley had her subdued for eternity under a black chorten.

But the crazy yogi needed more young girls and wine.  He took myriad consorts in Bhutan – Zhungzi Ashi Gyenzo, Pache Namkha Dem, Babi Bum Chenzom, Goentoe Samey Andzo, and Bumo Pelzang Buthri.

However, jealously sparked between women and demoness alike, because of Lama Drukpa Kunley’s massive fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt.  Aum Choekim, a demoness near Chimi lhakhang, turn herself to a fearsome frame and attacked the lama when he was coming down the small trail along the Teobi Rongchu.  She was all nude, her hair down in Punatsangchu, her left leg on the ridge where Chimi lhakhang is today, and the other on the ridge opposite.

“Is it your ignorance that brought you here, or it is your death that you are seeking?” shouted Aum Choekim, lips of her massive dreadlocked vagina flapping in the air.  Drukpa Kunley had his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt by his right and caught Aum Choekim by his left hand and subdued her to eternal silence.

Now covered with thick overgrowth, the old highway that connected Wangdue to Punakha has to be bushwhacked to find a path.  It was this path that the crazy yogi Drukpa Kunley used to hunt the demons along the Punatsangchhu.  And along this forgotten trail are many nyes related to Lama Drukpa Kunley.

First, there is uzha (hat) under a tree.  It is massive. One is left to wonder what kind of a giant the yogi was.  And, of course, the imprints of his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt, here and there.  They are so huge even municipal corporations of this day have not been able to build sewers of that size.

Statue of Aum Choekim in Chimi Lhakhang

As Aum Choekim turned to a fish and disappeared into Punatsangchhu, Drukpa Kunley caught her by the tail and slammed her onto a giant rock.  The imprint of the fish is there, curved deep and vivid.  And there is Drukpa Kunley’s pot, a hole in a rock.  When a stone is thrown into it, there is a metallic sound.

There is the rock on which Lama Drukpa Kunley rested in pain, pointing his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt to Tsho Bangko in Punatsangchhu, from where he expected a demoness to come to attack him.  Drukpa Kunley had a huge penis indeed.

Phalluses galore on the walls en route to Chimi Lhakhang

But the demoness did not turn up.  Drukpa Kunley sent a message to Draphu Martika in Nepal where Guru Rinpoche was giving the blessing of long life.  He asked Guru to send a tshechu (holy water of long life).  Guru hurled the water from Martika.

There, unseen during summer the water level rises but seen during winter is tshechu pouring down from rock project in the shape of a penis and a vagina.

From here, Drukpa Kunley went towards Samdingkha, where he has left him fingerprints and a golden urn, among others.

When his brother Nawang Chogyel left for Tibet, Drukpa Kunley stayed back.

“You go ahead. Good wine and pretty asses of Bhutanese women are holding me back. We’ll meet again soon,” said Drukpa Kunley.

 Chechay Sanitary Pads, the first of its kind manufactured in Bhutan. The firm was started in 2020. Within a short time, the firm marketed to most of the districts in Bhutan.

With all positive feedback, the firm has great potential to grow bigger and sell on a larger scale. Support made in Bhutan product! 

 This year the International Women's Day coincides with Dakini Day. Lots of love to mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, and all women in the world. Happy International Women's Day. 

 Photograph of the Tongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuk taken by John Claude White in 1905. Ugyen Wangchuk was a key player in the politics of Bhutan in the early 20th century. In the 19th century, Bhutan and the British in India had clashed over the control of the duars or passes into eastern India. The hostilities ended when the British and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchula. By the late 19th century, power centered upon the Penlops of Paro and Tongsa.

 The Younghusband Mission of 1904, set up to negotiate with the Tibetans, passed through Bhutan. The Penlop of Paro remained aloof while the Penlop of Tongsa assisted the mission. He accompanied the mission to Tibet and played an important role as mediator, using the long-established ties between Tibet and Bhutan to help the British negotiate a favorable agreement. Bhutan now operated firmly within the British sphere of influence and Ugyen Wangchuk was popular after his role as mediator with both the British and the Bhutanese. This resulted in the foundation of the hereditary monarchy of Bhutan when Ugyen Wangchuk was elected King of Bhutan in 1907.

Credit : Jigme Dendup

 The happiest news of the day: zero active cases for Covid-19 in Bhutan. Prayers for no new cases. 

 Nowhere in the world, exist a king like him, and nowhere in the world, the people are blessed like Bhutanese. We are spared from every difficulty that the rest of the world goes through. All the difficulties and challenges are taken by our selfless king. He is the king who sacrifices everything for his people. 

During the coronation,  His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck  said the following lines;

"Throughout my reign, I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice, and equality.” Thank you, Your Majesty, beyond words. 

On the joyous occasion of the 41st birthday of our king, I join the nation to express my unconditional love and respect to His Majesty. I would like to extend my wholehearted sincere prayers for His Majesty's good health and eternal happiness. Long Live Your Majesty.

 Thanks a million to the principal, staff, and students of Dechentsemo for warmly welcoming us. The words of man do not have the power to thank enough for the generous and heartwarming welcome bestowed upon us. Just we can do is to try the best to fulfill the expectations of staff, and students. 

The beginning marked a memorable event to be cherished throughout our lives. We are looking forward to coping with the new environment with the guidance of staff, and students. Kindly be patient to rectify the loopholes which we may exhibit. 

 Today, the 3rd day of the 1st Lunar month is Pema Lingpa Day. It is the 500th anniversary of Guru Rinpoche’s very own heart son and a great Bhutanese Terton (treasure discoverer) 

The death anniversary of Terton Pema Lingpa had been observed every year on the third day of the first month of the lunar calendar since he passed away in 1521. Last year (2020), for the first time, it is being officially observed as Pema Lingpa day. Pawo Chonying Dorji was the person who proposed to the government to mark the day officially. 

All the Bhutanese should remember our great treasure discoverer and mark the day as an auspicious occasion. 

Happy Pema Lingpa Day! 

Pema Lingpa Khennoh!

Yeshi Lhendup Flims, the leading music video and entertainment house in Bhutan just need about 5900 subscribers to hit 100,000 to get the silver play button from YouTube. 

The founder and owner, Yeshi Lhendup is an exemplary youth and one of the leading YouTubers in Bhutan. He has had a passion for filmmaking since his college days. Back then in Sherubtse college, Yeshi tried making films along with his college friends for the college film festivals. Yeshi was motivated to venture into filmmaking after the success of the short films he and his friends have produced while in college.  To realize his dream of becoming a filmmaker, Yeshi neither appeared for his RCSC examination nor sat for any job interviews but he was determined to work in creative media to showcase his passion for audiovisual production. Before he began his own business, Yeshi worked for few firms to gain experience. While working for a film production firm MPC Bhutan Entertainment, Yeshi has not only created audio-visual and graphic works but also sang a patriotic song “Miwang Gyalsey” produced by MPC Bhutan Entertainment. The song was dedicated to the birth of The Crown Prince. Yeshi sang the patriotic song along with Cheki Lhamo (aka Lha Dorji) during the 2nd Peling Tshechu in Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu in the presence of Their Majesties The Druk Gyalpo, The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and members of the Royal family. Yeshi’s first music video was “La Nye Ngam” that he has produced in 2017. He then went on to produce about fifty-seven music videos. Yeshi Lhendup owns his own audio-visual production house by the name of Yeshi Lhendup Films and is well known for producing music videos on Bhutanese songs that we get to see on his YouTube channel. 

Let's help the talented young man to reach 100,000 subscribers on YouTube as soon as possible. 

 “8 years ago I fell from a two-story building and cracked open the back of my head. The doctors said that if I got injured again, I would not make it. I had to be extra careful and couldn’t go out to play like the other kids. My father bought me a gaming console to keep me company. I started playing Mario and Pac-man, then Clash of Clans and Mobile Legends. 6 years later, I got into PUBG. My friends and I formed Clans and participated in various tournaments. With time, I got extremely good at it and became fairly popular in the gaming community. This helped get me an invitation from a clan called B2B. They were one of the best ones out there and I was thrilled.

I live to stream my games now. There are usually about 100-200 viewers and if they’re impressed with my gaming, they send money or data packages. Those watching from the US send ‘stars’. Each star translates to 0.01 USD and I received up to 16,000 stars once. If we play well, we are appreciated. The Bhutanese community also organizes tournaments with prizes ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 ngultrum. My friends and I have applied for an international tournament called ‘PMCO’ and we train constantly. If we can position in the top 32, we will get the opportunity to travel and also to win attractive cash prizes. Gaming, for me, is so much more than just a hobby. I enjoy it a lot and also make an income from it. I try to balance my studies and gaming so my parents also understand and support me. With time, it could be possible to earn a living through gaming. It is important to keep improving gaming skills and take on live streaming. 

I haven’t played a physical sport since I got injured. When I see others playing, I miss it but I am embarrassed because I am no longer competent in those fields. I don’t socialize much either. But I have made some wonderful friends in the gaming community and am known as the B2B Giant in my gaming world. Despite all the limitations, I have been able to find my place. Everyone should follow their passion and do whatever makes them happy.”

 Another exciting match is on the way. The match between ROUNDGLASS PUNJAB FC and CHENNAI CITY FC (Hero I-league) will be played on 13th February 2021 at 4 PM (Indian standard time) and 4:30 PM (Bhutan Standard Time ). 

All the best to Chencho Gyeltshen, CG7, and Team. 

Photo courtesy: Chencho Gyeltshen's Facebook Page 

 Penzogyem Drupchu (also called Pelzom Gyem Drupchu ) is 16 km towards Thimphu from Wangdue. It's at Thrinleygang in Punakha Dzongkhang. 

One of my friends (Kinzang Chogyal ) and I visited the site coinciding with Losar, the new year in the lunar calendar. We heard about the site from a taxi driver when he drove us to our new home. 

We planned to visit and fetch some holy water. As we journeyed towards the site we expected someone to be there to give us some details about the site. 

We reached there, fetched the holy water, washed up, met people, and collected the trashes that littered the site. An hour passed, many people visited but no one could tell us the detail about the site. 

Now we are planning to ask some local people and hear from them. We are looking forward to hearing the most accurate story of the site. We will also put up a small poster of the story as a reference for the visitors. 

Please comment, if you know more about the site. Share to reach more people. 

Watch our Vlog below: 

Losar, meaning New Year in Tibetan and Dzongkha. It is the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar. Tomorrow, 12th February 2021, marks the first day of the first month of the Female Iron-Ox Year, 2021 in the lunar calendar.

May this year be blessed 

May this year be prosperous 

May this year be a happy year 

Happy Losar to all the readers! 

1.Royal Kasho on Civil Service Reform

 Mr. Bezos, the current CEO of Amazon decided to step down from the position. He will be replaced by Andy Jassy, who currently leads Amazon's cloud computing business. The change will be taken place in the second half of 2021 and Jeff will become the Executive Chairman. 

 After the transition, Bezos intends to follow his other passions which he was not able to do before. He wrote to the company as follows:

"As Executive Chair I will stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives but also have the time and energy I need to focus on the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and my other passions."

"I've never had more energy, and this isn't about retiring. I'm super passionate about the impact I think these organizations can have," he added.

 Today the world's richest man, Elon Musk added #bitcoin on his Twitter bio. That resulted in a sudden climb in the value of bitcoin. The value of bitcoin depends on many factors. One of the factors is the number of people in the Bitcoin mining industry. So, while Elon, added his bio as Bitcoin, it probably would have made his followers start bitcoin mining from various sites.  Click Here to Mine Free Bitcoins

To keep things short and direct, Bitcoin is the future. It is better to be late than never. Start mining Bitcoins now. 

Click Here to Mine Free Bitcoins

Elon Musk adds Bitcoin to his Twitter Bio

On 20^th January 2021, Bhutan received 150,000 (one fifty thousand) doses of the Covishield vaccine from India. Bhutan was the first country to receive the gift. The Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj handed over the same to the government of Bhutan.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering will be among the first persons to take the vaccine for Covid-19 in the country. He shared about it during the casual Facebook live session, on 28^th January 2021, the Prime Minister responded to various questions about the Covid-19 Vaccine, put up by the people. PM said “I will take the vaccine for my protection. If there are no benefits of taking the vaccine, will I still go on and take the vaccine just to convince the public? No, I will not,” he said. “I will not mislead the nation. It is not a political game or to show others how courageous I am. I’m a professional and I know the vaccine has a high level of protection, which is why I’ll take the jab, 100 percent.” He added that he cannot comment on behalf of the rest of the cabinet members for taking the vaccine to boost public confidence. PM reasoned out that the decision to take the vaccine is voluntary.