TROLL STUDY: Why Bhutan cannot win Olympics medal?

 Some irresponsible and insensitive Bhutanese have been trolling on why Bhutan cannot win an Olympics medal. But a JigsNews and International Olympic Committee joint study reveals that non-winning has nothing to do with capabilities, but more with the political, social-economic, geographical & cultural conditions. 

Archery and shooting: Foreign media has been praising Bhutan for not winning any medal and are exoticising our athletes so much that they blush the moment they read an article on them. But our study reveals that while Bhutanese are good in traditional archery, their inability to win an international tournament has a Chinese connection. Even though the archery set they uses seems to come from US or Europe, the  manual rolled around the bow-string is always in Chinese. After all everything is made in China these days.  And you know how difficult it is to get a Chinese interpreter in Bhutan.

And moreover, Bhutanese can’t win a shooting or archery competition unless there is someone to distract them at the target end. Department of Culture should consider composing some lewd songs aimed at our archery maiden and have men singing it. And the effect of prayers for winning has geographical limitations. Dechenphodrang is too far from London.

  

Water Sports: Blame it on the Blessed Rainy Day, a very auspicious day in Bhutan where the whole country takes a shower. Astrologers have warned against potential swimmers that if they practice everyday, then Blessed Rainy Day will have no effect. And which Bhutanese would want to win gold instead of god?

Throw events: As Buddhists, Bhutanese try to avoid confrontations. The study says that most athletes come from very poor background and there is no big enough a ground to practice regularly. And since most of practicable land are in the hands of a rich few, a discus, shot-put or javelin throw lands in the property of some influential dasho and he complains against his land being damaged. In Bhutan avoiding the wrath of a rich man is better than an Olympic gold.

Long distance walk: How can someone practice when the country has just one designated day a week for walking. Moreover, most Bhutanese are used to walking in the dark (night hunting) in rugged conditions whereas at the Olympics the athletes are made to walk in broad daylight or under floodlights.

Sprints: Bhutanese, used to rocky paths find it difficult to run on clean synthetic tracks. Also blame it on Bhutan’s conversation policy, before you finish a 100 meter dash, you dash into at least three trees that proudly hold the branches of Gross National Happiness. The strict traffic rule of ‘slow down, move to the left lane & let vehicles overtake’ is seen as a major impediment to Bhutanese sprinters who can’t shed the habit on the tracks. Another significant finding is that Bhutan doesn’t want to offend Indian or Chinese sprinters for geopolitical reasons. What happens on the tracks influences diplomacy.

Pole vault & High Jump: The world has never witnessed an Olympics in the Himalayas. You see, there is a certain height to which our gymnasts can jump. The air here is thinner, gravitational pull is lesser. So a gymnast who weaves magic in the Bhutanese fails elsewhere.

Mixed Doubles: Suspicion of extra-marital affairs, a small society syndrome, is impeding participants in men-women’s mixed doubles in disciplines such as tennis & table tennis.

Wrestling: The Bhutanese society’s non-acceptance of gay culture. A lot of touching, fondling, slapping is needed in wrestling. Isn’t it too gayish and kinky? 

Team Events: With 6 political parties, it is difficult to build team unity as teams cannot be formed with supporters of one party. Therefore, there is disunity and teamwork is an issue, which deters Bhutan from getting medals in team event.

Last but not the least, there are always more officials than athletes. If there was a competition for non-athletes on the struggles to get into the Olympics contingent, our officials would stand a fair chance against medal-winning countries.   

The Summer of 14.

Well I must say I am back to punching keyboards on my laptop, yet I do not have a specific thing sure enough to write on what. I am little bored in this summer afternoon, wanted to watch world cup highlights but the cable connection is disrupt again due to rain. I reread few pages of Paulo Coelho’s The Zahir yet it was not enough to keep me going further as I had finished reading this particular book more than thrice a year ago. I scanned my bookshelf that store more than 50 novels yet no titles excited me enough to flip the pages. So just to save myself from boredom, I thought why not write something and blog it; so I begin typing here without a firm setting to what I am going to write on. As I type it, my ears are tuned to the sound of rains beating on the balcony’s roof I am sitting under. Since I was here in Dagana, it has been raining all the time, making it a dull day for me to go out and venture. I long for the sun to shine to dry up all the wet surroundings. I admit I miss sunshine now. I can still hear the rain beats dominating the atmosphere, foggy and invisible in the distant horizon. Few hours ago, it was clear sky without fog that I had a majestic view from my place; in the distant below, a group of farmers were bound to their paddy trans plantation in the rain, clad in rain coat (some in homemade plastic raincoat)

 “aiee tashh, charb na changla chap dey.” my mom said with an appreciative smile.

Behind her smile, I could sense some kind of sympathy for farmers who are restless in such weather. They had no option; they need to do the transplantation when their terraces are Abundant with water and for most rain is the blessing. If they don’t do it right now, it would be too late to do it later. My mother knows it too well as she u

se to do such work back in her village. I hated rain because I am deprived of things I wanted to do with my friends. I hated rain because it frequently disrupts electric power as well as television connection now and then.  I hated rain because I miss the warmth of the sun.

I have mentioned that I hated rain, because it is the reason why I can’t go out to play outdoor games or hang out with my friends. We had fixed a football match with bank officials yet the nonstop rain made it impossible as nobody wants to play in the rain and muddy field. I cursed the weather.  But my mother’s word made me realize that I was being too selfish and that I am thinking all to my own benefits and comfort. The content farmers working in the field in such weather made me take back my words of missing sun and how much I hate rain.

But the truth is that I should be proud and content like farmers who rejoice the rain. The thing I had hated so much is a blessing to some section of the people out here. Since most are agriculturist here, rain is what they pray for, every summer.  They rejoice to the sound of the thunder, something that pierces my eardrum. They dance when the first drop of rain land on their palm, I even hate to see rain raining. It is nobody’s dream to spend your much awaited holidays stuck under rain. But after taking my mother’s word, I now think summer is not very bad season after all. The summer is all about monsoon, perpetual shower of rain, sun hidden deep behind cumulonimbus, rumbling of clouds and loud thunder occupying the silent atmosphere and lightening frightening every soul now and then. This is nothing new, all summers has been like that, where fields look as if it afloat on sea. Even Bryan Adams’ ‘the summer of 69’ had been full of rain, thunderous sky and lands blanketed by rain water. If the sun shines, it would take weeks and weeks to dry up the rain ponds and seas that have formed over heavy shower of rain. Even the environment that was dirtied by man’s labor was cleansed for a few days by the rain. Indeed ‘the summer of 14’ is a beautiful season, not only to farmers but to all of us.

 I think I like rain now.

Of Clashes and Breakdown (the almost there verdict, FIFA 2014)

The 2014 Brazil World Cup edition is the mixture of euphoria and heartbreaks. From the opening ceremony with carnival dances of the Native Americans to the graceful Samba dance of Brazil to the Pit-bull ft. J.Lo official theme “Ole Ole Ola (We’re One)”, football crazies all over the world were left glued to Television on 13^th June. In Bhutan, the opening ceremony was live telecast on Indian Sony SIX channel at 11 P.M.  From 2 AM Brazil-Croatia fixture to this morning’s 2^nd semifinal games, billions of fans around the world were left with never ending euphoria, passion and support for their teams, most spending sleepless night watching matches that dragged on to the wee hours of morning: yet, now only two best teams on globe; Germany and Argentina will battle on Sunday for the most coveted title of 2014 football championship, perhaps making history for their own country.

 The month long games in different cities of Brazil has left fans rejoicing, disheartened or some fans were left shadowed as their team succumbed to unexpected exits and defeats such as Portugal, Spain, England, Italy in their initial matches. The recently ousted Brazil thrashed 7-1 by Germany in semifinals left the football fans shocked. The only consolation Brazil fans had is that the star player and everyone’s favorite Neymar Jr. could not play due to injury and that Brazil was pitted against one of the strongest teams. Still there’s more to remember, to cherish and to look out for, than wins, defeats and exits.

Cristiano Ronaldo changed his hairstyle twice in first two games yet it was Portugal’s 4-0 loss to Germany that caught the world’s attention. (Oops! Sorry Cristo, your grooming was in vain!)

The previous champions Spain have had a good lesson taught by Netherlands that Counter attack > tiki taka.

The hyped England’s “Golden generation” could only score two goals in three games of the group stages as they exited the tournament after their 2^nd loss against Uruguay. The best performer of the three lions at the world cup was the 19 year old teenager Raheem Sterling of Liverpool FC. (Not so golden.)

Then there is Messi, on the fore front of Argentinean team, gliding unceasingly through rock strewed defenders-unshaken, ball on his feet and making mazy runs to score and set up his teammates. This guy really deserves his captain’s armband and all the plaudits he earned. (He is the one to watch for in the final on Sunday.)

Young James Rodriguez rose to the stardom as he netted 6 beautiful goals in just 5 games for Columbia.

For the first time in football, there was a short break called “cooling break” lasting only 3 minutes in the second half.

Who can forget Luis Suarez? The Dr. Jykell and Mr. Hyde, the hero and the villain. He single handedly won a game against England, scored twice and then in a next game, he bit Italy’s Chiellini and FIFA banned him from all football related activities for 4 months (Even from entering the stadium. ha-ha). This is his 3^rd bite in 4 years. No worries, Suarez will emerge again, stronger and, we hope, a little less savage and long will be forgotten the “The Cannibal of Uruguay."

Miroslav Klose’s brace against Brazil set a new world record of highest world Cup goal scorers -16; breaking previous holder, Brazilian Ronaldo’s record of 14 goals, on the same night German broke Brazilian hearts by thrashing 7-1. (Double impact.)

The introduction of goal line technology was a success but was effectively used only twice so far.

32 nations took part in this world cup, Spain remained a strong odds to reach the final, ironically, Spain was the first team to be eliminated and head home from the tournament (sorry to those who betted on them.  All lost.)

Holland’s Robin Van Persie was called “the flying Dutchman” and he did prove it to the whole world by scoring a wonder head goal, that by flying in the air and landing on his face (no serious injury though.)

And worst of all worst scenes, Brazil’s superstar Neymar was carried off the pitch by medical teams after dislocating a vertebrae in the spinal back cord by harsh challenge from a Columbian defender. Luckily he wasn’t paralyzed but would be sidelined for more than two months.

There are more highs and lows from this world cup but everyone is looking forward to Sunday, a final that will decide the world soccer winner, and event to conclude the much waited, enthralling 2014 world cup before it becomes a history. This is the moment where winner takes prides and loser’s hearts break. This is a battle to be decided within 90^th minutes, on the turf, surrounded by thousands of fans withstanding the summer heat. All for the love of game and my game is fair play, for the players and above all for two best teams, we are anxiously waiting for Sunday, the 13^th June to come on and keeping our fingers crossed. May the best team win!

Simple sketch and kinzang chophell.

If art is the soul of an artist, then it is the reflection of their lives through sketch.

The facebook page “simple sketch” tells you how an artist can tell the world through drawings, just equipped with paper, pencil, eraser and drawing materials.  Kinzang chophell, 2^nd year Eco-sociology student is the founder and the admin of the page that has 700+ fans and had already became a star to his friends.

Most of the drawings are his works. But though being good in drawings, he never sees himself as a talented artist. He describes himself as a person with big passion to draw and sketch, something to save himself from being bored.

“Art can be done with any medium that are available around you. Professional artist are comfortable to use any medium when it comes to drawings like oil paints, charcoal, paints and even sand. But so far, I only had tried with pencil and paints, even charcoal but I am learning on that.” He said.

He even came up with a page to tell all that drawings are not made by professional artist only. It can be done by everyone but most do not take up drawing as a liking, rather as an inborn talent.

One interesting thing about the page is that there is a character in it. Chunku has become a hero in their fans eyes and most fans had already started using it as their profile pictures. The admin himself initiates it and is happy that his page has become much viewed and had gathered huge fans within 4 months of creating it.

When asked whether he wants to be pro artist, “it is not my dream to be pro artist. It is something I want to do and love doing it. I will always draw and keep learning from others. Right now I am really happy that my page has become famous among the facebook users and some of them inspire me to do and keep doing it. I am just an amateur artist but I love doing things that I am in love with.”

It is his undying zeal of passion that gives him strength to draw and share with his friends, usually among his fans and work on their feedbacks. At the same time, he inspires others to draw and discover their skills in sketch. Everyone is looking forward in seeing chunku run the show on facebook page. 

 

                                                           

Kinzang Chophell and his works.

JUST ME

I don't wish I  were in a different family,
Or pick my friends by their popularity.
I don't change my looks so people will like me,
Or make fun of people who are different.
I won't do drugs with you nor marry at a tender age.
This is how i choose to be.
Do you know why?
I know right from wrong, and choose to do right.
I choose to be ME.

It Happened to Me!

I had gone to my friend’s house after dinner to work on an English assignment. The deadline was near so we have to rush it and by the time it was over, it was nearly midnight. I bid goodnight. My friend suggested I hold the night there as it was quite late but I declined saying I promised my mom I will be back home and assured her that there is nothing to fear as I am a big guy now and can take care of myself, I reminded him my house was just a stone throw from there.

Outside, it was pitch dark and I could hardly see the path but after much squinting, my eyes got adjusted and I began my walk home. I noticed that there wasn’t a slightest sound, not even the barking of the dogs which at this hour was common in our place. When I was halfway, I heard something like a laugh from behind and turned abruptly only to meet with an eerie silence.

Suddenly some invisible thing seems to block my path. I couldn’t move and my hair stood on ends. I got goose bumps as I recalled the old wife’s tale about night stalkers; Ghosts. The thought of encountering a ghost somehow scared me out of my wits and I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. Time seems to stretch as I fervently wished for someone to come to my rescue but none came and thankfully nothing happened but I was wrong.

After what seems like ages, I gathered my roughly shaken nerves and resumed my walk. Barely had I taken two strides when out of thin air, some kind of smoke rose and before I could draw in my breath, it changed itself into a hideous woman, transparent with long black hair and had a smile as sinister as her looks. She seems to be beckoning to me and I became even more terrified than I already am. A scream escaped from me and I ran fast as I heard her laugh hollowly behind me. I tripped and fell, looked back and saw she was gaining on me. I picked myself up, tripped again and found myself falling, falling, falling…

I let out a muffled cry and woke with a start. It took a moment to register my bearings. I was on my loving bed, sweating profusely. I then realized that I have fallen asleep, still clutching the horror novel I was reading just before I went to bed. I have imagined the whole thing from the book. The pages have come alive in my sleep. I was glad that it was just not real and that it had been the figment of my imagination. Even to this day, I never read horror stories before bedtime because the nightmare had shaken me very badly.

some research done during a class.

www.bhutanomics.com in the 2013 elections in Bhutan.

Bhutanomics is an analytical website that favored PDP in winning the 2^nd parliamentary elections in 2013, by writing the anti articles, posts, tweets of the ruling party DPT and their government. It was very active in informing the shortcomings, failures and mistakes of the DPT through made up stories and post. Factually bhutanomics was an anti DPT association. They claimed to be Bhutan’s analysts while the fact was, they were the analysts only meant for DPT. Once the elections were won by PDP, the Bhutanomics became dormant and now every reader knows that it was a site ran by PDP supporters to upturn Bhutanese mass against DPT and favor PDP for the elections. They had achieved what they want, PDP to rule Bhutan by winning 2013 elections but the truth is that every Bhutanese felt that they had been misinformed, made anti DPTs and made to vote for PDP by so called Bhutan analytic site; Bhutanomics.

Citizen journalism in Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004.

The 2004 earthquakes and the tsunamis in south Asia and their aftermath represent a tipping point in so-called “citizen journalism.” What’s so striking about this story is the breadth of citizen coverage without the mainstream journalism. The unfolding scenes of disaster were videotaped, pictured and shared on social media by the people who experienced and survived the disaster- spread across the country and thousands of miles-were able to share their heart wrenching stories, photographs, and videos with the rest of the world.

Digital technologies- the web, e-mail, blogs, digital cameras, camera phones- have evolved to the point where people on the scene share with professional journalists the ability to reach a wide audience, to tell and show the world what they saw and experienced. Citizen journalism played a phenomenal role in telling the world about the disaster through their amateur videos, photographs and blogs without the help or need of mainstream news outlets. It was amazing.

Social media in jasmine revolution.

Tunisia’s jasmine revolution has demonstrated the power of the internet in social unrest. For decades, Tunisia has imposed restrictions on the media in a bid to maintain control and limit exposure to the growing disparities between the ruling elite and the rest of the population. But the restriction of internet didn’t work as jasmine revolution rose to mass revolution.   This revolution saw a series of grassroots demonstrations that lead to the removal of long time Tunisian president and strongman Zine el Albidine Ben Ali. The interesting thing about this revolution was that it was the first popular uprising in the Middle East and North African region, fuelled by a young, internet-savvy generation. The root cause was high unemployment, particularly among graduates. The appetite of that generation, especially of those unemployed that saw political and economic change grow, especially where they saw unreasonable inequalities, took to social media such as Facebook, twitter, blog entries and e-mails to mobilize weeks of protests across the country which culminated in massive, nation-wide demonstrations on Friday 14 January that led Ben Ali into exile.