A Night By Chance

Air New Zealand Aviation Institute hosted the joint graduation night on November 28, 2013 for three Airline Customer Service (ACS) batches and two Engineering classes including my class. They all have graduated already except our class; they are already out in the job market since several weeks ago.

Our class on the stage 

Our class is actually not supposed to be included. But, in the beginning of the course, we were informed that our graduation is on November 28, 2013. We were excited. On the contrary,  our last course is scheduled to finish on  December 13, 2013 only. And, some time in October, the Institute management realised this discrepancy and tried  not to include our class in the ceremony but it was too late to have our consent as some of our classmates’ parents or relatives  already had tickets booked. So, after few deliberations, we were re-invited.

We haven’t graduated yet but we have graduated because we had official graduation night.

Sangbeykha gets new lopen

The only lobdra in entire Sangbay Dungkhag (under Haa Dzongkha) was established under the command of HH Je Khenpo in the year 1999-2000 at Nebji/Terbae (land of hidden treausres). Only 15 novices led by a teacher and an assistant constituted the lobdra then. I had privilege to know every details of progresses made by those novices as most of them were my own batch mates from the school and I was well close to instructors. They made remarkable progress. That pace, definitely, had out beaten any other well established institutes in the country. Consequently, it supplied our community with erudite monks that are well versed in ritual performing fields and I am very happy to see many from that group are doing well in different parts of the country. And some inevitably had to surrender red-robes for social obligations.

The Lobdra itself stood the change of time over past decade with the society questioning it’s sustainability, especially for shortage of rations and declining in number of new enrolments every year. It is also the case elsewhere in remote places. Anyhow, it eased the burden on patrons looking for reciters of religious congregations. It is undeniable to see the benefits reaped by our community. I have slight inkling in my mind that it is not so well established and not so officially arranged by concerned authorities. The folks back at village share the concerns of its sustainability; to get good instructor, to supply perpetual rations, to consolidate the bureaucracy, etc. Hope we will be able to systematize everything in a perfect channel with time. But, we can’t afford to let it happen by itself. Pay attention to it, my dear fellow Sangbebs.

Lam TAKI 

We are fortunate to have Lam Taki, the ex lam Neten of Haa Rabdey as the instructor of the lobdra. I thank him for his dedications, hard works and selflessness, especially to initiate the reconstruction of the lhakhang. It is so good of him. I know, he really had a tough time handling simple yet complicated situations. Every time we meet him, the chit-chat revolves around lhakhang reconstruction efforts, that’s his commitment. Some people might had good time and some must had bad times with him, that is the way of human life and no one is to blame for that. But now he will be missed. 

Thank you so much and we pray for your good health and successes in all your pursuits.

Old Nebji Lhakhang 

Front view of new Lhakhang under construction (June, 2011) 

Left Side view of new lhakhang ( June 2011) 

Everything has inevitable time for change and so is for him. Lucky or unluckily the lobdra needs new teacher for its survival. He is relieved by Lop. Pem Dorji of Haa Dratshang. Lop Pem Dorji is well-known for his calmness, positive-attitude in all situations and most of all he is one of the most experienced and reliable. He shouldered many important responsibilities including three terms as Kudrung, Kunyer, Nyeab and other responsibilities as well. I am very optimistic that the individual of his caliber can without any doubt benefit us.

Lop Pem Dorji received his khadhar from Lam Neten of Haa Rabdey at Lhakhang karpo on very auspicious day i.e, July 14, 2012 in presence of few elderly Sangbebs. I was fortunate to be there at the occasion and very much relieved to see him accepting the responsibility.  Congratulations. Our supports are always there for him and other Sangbebs for betterment of our community. 

Offering Khadar to Lop Pem Dorji at Lhakhang Karpo

Lop Pem Dorji and few other Sangbebs with Lam Neten

One night adds one year to my life

The 29^th day of the 10^th month in Bhutanese calendar is very special for people of Haa and Paro. It is called Lomboo (Lomba).  It is undeniably the most special occasion for us. The memories of my past celebration with family members are still very vivid through my mind. It brings all family members together. The specialty of the occasion is marked by preparing of our traditional diet called ‘Hapi Hoentey’, which is a cluster of well-prepared vegetable ingredients enclosed inside flour baked cover. If there is one thing Haaps and Parops have to gift to friends during Lomba, it must be ‘Hoentey’ only. Believe me, anyone will appreciate its indigenous taste, if you come across

This year, it is unfortunate for me, I have to celebrate the occasion away from my parents. I must mark it as usual and make the night special with special traditional dishes. But, can I feel so special as before? We are planning to make it even more special and memorable one.

NGOP-2011 – IS IT ENGINEER’S FAULT

Nu. 400,000 budget for eating

Nearly 1700 national graduates gathered in Nazhoen Pelri for National Graduates Orientation Program (NGOP-2011). It is jointly organized by Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Ministry of Education and other relevant ministries and agencies. The main objective of bringing all national graduates together is to orient towards common national goals and policies and also to direct our future endeavors towards it.