Listen if You May, I am Blowing My Own Trumpet

Ask any student in any part of Bhutan about what they desire to do after graduation and the answer, without any doubt, will be to serve the tsa-wa-sum. During my school days, I would also pronounce the same answer.

Today, I have graduated (even post-graduated) and I work as a Dzongkhag Kidu Officer. I get to work closely with the people, people who are in dire need of help. 

In just seven month’s time, I could meet hundreds of people, young and old alike and could listen to their pleas. After trekking for days on stretch, I could identify around 50 vulnerable individuals in Zhemgang and propose for Kidu to His Majesty the King. Hopefully, the proposals will be approved which translates to changing the lives of 50 individuals and their family!

If this is the pace in less than 7 months I can do a lot more in the next one and half years.

I may not get foreign travels (even the ones that I win as prize), I may not get frequent training and I may not have the comfort of living in the capital. But I definitely am  serving the tsa-wa-sum by working as a bridge between His Majesty and the People.

Furthermore, the enriching joy of having been able to add value to the lives of numerous marginalized lot of people is bound to remain as a perennial source of inspiration and self-esteem for ages!

Reminiscing the Royal Audience

On 22^nd January, 2013, His Majesty the King granted an audience to the twenty Dzongkhag Kidu Officers despite his hectic schedule. HM told us that he was even counting seconds as he was preparing for his trip to New Delhi the next day for the celebration of Republic Day. But he graciously spared more than 30 minutes of his precious time for us.

His Majesty explained us the reason why he was going as the Guest of Honor to India.

His Majesty cited several examples some of which he said deserved kidu and also that few of our Bhutanese were getting spoilt by the Kidu that His Majesty has been granting.

Amongst others, His Majesty focused on the following points:

• PR: His Majesty told us that public relations was very important and to accord a high regard for that. 
• Unpopularity: His Majesty told us not to be unpopular. His Majesty did not hear anything bad about us till date but in the event he comes to know about our unpopularity, he said that he would change us. HM highlighted that the public opinion was very important.
• Information: His Majesty also told us to keep abreast of the latest happenings in the Dzongkhags and to feed him with the news.
• 2013 Elections: His Majesty advised us not to associate with any of the parties. Rather, HM advised us to be alert and know what was going around.

His Majesty told us that he was very busy for the next two months; and that he would call all of us and orient us on every aspect of Kidu after two months.

His Majesty thanked us for the timely delivery of semsos and also for identifying the new lot of vulnerable individuals. HM told us that we were an important part of his work. His Majesty granted us a jacket each.

To have the highest authority saying, “You are an important part of my job” is not only inspirational, but also the most unforgettable remark a civil servant can ever think of being granted. I mean, what can be a greater remark?

Rethinking Marriage

On 20^th March 2011, I wrote an article on marriage being a self-imprisonment. Now, on 5^th February, 2013, as my marriage turns one year old, I have new reflections.

Earlier, I wrote that offspring tend to reciprocate the sacrifices made by their parents with callousness. But it differs from individual to individual. It is up to us whether to love or hate them. For me, I love my parents and siblings as much as I love my wife and my little son.

I viewed marriage as a trap then. But now, I feel it is a boon.

We stayed for few months as a friend and around 4 years as lovers before we married last year on this day. So, we know about each other, at least up to certain extent.

At this juncture, what I feel is that, marriage will work if we do not dig out the past, be faithful to one another, and understand each other’s weaknesses and strengths.

After marriage, I have become more responsible and with responsibility, I have attained certain maturity. Marriage is beautiful as of now and I will update as it gets older.