3Nov2017

Bhutan, where the pursuit of Happiness is economic goal

November 3, 2017

democracies, Gross National Happiness, Happiness, Magic Kingdom, UN Millennium Goals, World Happiness Report Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

The country where the pursuit of happiness is a national, economic goal

Thimphu, Bhutan: Given significant levels of dissatisfaction with the performance of politicians in Western democracies, what can we learn from a country that assesses all of its government policies based on how much they contribute to the happiness of its people?

Looking at the stats, Disneyland may have to give up its claim to being The Happiest Place on Earth. Bhutan’s recent Gross National Happiness Index found 91 per cent of its citizens are happy, with almost 50 per cent of people being deeply happy or extensively happy.

Come to the think of it, Disney’s claim to being The Magic Kingdom also gets a run for its money from Bhutan. With its mist-shrouded mountains, ubiquitous monks and universal acceptance of reincarnation, there is a real sense of magic here.

The story of the monarchy rivals any Cinderella, Mulan or Pocahontas tale. A benevolent king devolves his power to a democratically elected parliament. He then resigns early to hand over the role to his handsome son and his glamorous, humble and compassionate princess. Together the family lives in a couple of single-level bungalows in the nation’s capital, Thimphu, having refused overtures from the parliament to build them a grand palace.

Photos of the young king, his queen and their new son adorn most houses and businesses. These are not stiff monarchical portraits, rather they could be snaps from a family album, with the young couple kissing, holding hands or, together with the former king, playing with the young prince.

This is not a place caught in time warp – there has never been anywhere like Bhutan. This is a unique Himalayan kingdom whose borders have never been invaded and who only opened to the world some 40 years ago.

In 1979 the then-king captured the world’s imagination when he said in an interview “we do not believe in gross national product. Gross national happiness is more important”.

This is different to the World Happiness Report a survey of the state of global happiness which ranks 155 countries by their happiness levels, and this year put Norway at the top of the list, with Australia in ninth.

The Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan. Photo: Steven Berry

The results of Bhutan’s focus on the happiness of its citizens speak for themselves. Bhutan is one of the top 20 fastest-growing economies in the world (6.5 per cent last year). It was the only country in South Asia to meet all of the UN Millennium Goals. It has a free press, a good education system and there is universal free healthcare.

Not bad for a country that, up until the 1960s, had no national currency, no telephones, no schools, no hospitals, no postal service and no public services.

A daughter of Bhutan.

A daughter of Bhutan. Photo: Scott Woodward

It is the only country in the world that is actually increasing its level of forest cover – 72 per cent, with the constitution enshrining that the level can never drop below 60 per cent.

While it has its share of troubles: high national debt, stubborn youth unemployment and a recent border dispute with China, it does make a claim to being a real-life Shangri-La.

Bhutan sits as a beacon of peace and prosperity in a world that has become increasingly fractured and unpredictable.

Bhutan has no traffic lights and no advertising billboards. Cars are banned from city roads one day each month to reduce carbon emissions. The country absorbs three times as much carbon as it emits. On the food side, the government is close to achieving its goal of becoming the world’s first wholly organic country.

Just celebrating the eighth birthday of its parliament, it is one of the youngest democracies in the world and, according to the Global Peace Index, it has very low levels of corruption.

Spinning a prayer wheel helps accumulate wisdom and good karma in Bhutan.

Spinning a prayer wheel helps accumulate wisdom and good karma in Bhutan. Photo: Nick Abrahams

Buddhist philosophies are at the core of this country. Its national prosperity and security over the centuries is put down to not so much their “external soldiers”, as the army is known, but the power of the “internal army”, being the 12,000-strong Buddhist monk population. While there is a sharp decline in numbers joining religious orders in the West, in Bhutan more people than ever are joining to become monks and nuns.

A core value is the good treatment of all sentient beings, including animals. Stray dogs are everywhere, but unlike mange-riddled street dogs in other developing countries, these dogs are surprisingly fit and healthy, barking not to be menacing but in the hopes of picking up a friendly pat. They used to have a zoo but it was closed down as it was not a natural environment for the animals.

Seventy per cent of Bhutan's fruit and vegetables is organic and the government target is 100 per cent.

Seventy per cent of Bhutan’s fruit and vegetables is organic and the government target is 100 per cent. Photo: Nick Abrahams

The concept of Gross National Happiness is a major driver of government policy and the GNH Index done in 2010 and most recently in 2015 is a tangible way of measuring success.

The GNH Index is not a simple survey of wellbeing. It is not Pharrell Williams euphoric dancing in the street-style happiness that is being measured. Rather it measures prosperity, using nine domains including the physical and emotional health of its people, the strength of communities and the condition of the natural environment.

Men sit outside a house in downtown Paro, Bhutan.

Men sit outside a house in downtown Paro, Bhutan. Photo: Nick Abrahams

Bhutan’s 10-year plan states “the GNH Index is a critical evaluation tool for results-based planning … to ensure that development truly contributes to the achievement of GNH”. This has been echoed by the Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, including in a TED talk.

According to Tshewang Tandin, the director-general of Bhutan’s Royal Institute of Management, “people need to have certain subsistence needs met first, adequate food, shelter, healthcare and so on. After that, the GNH Index is a way of measuring real wellbeing of people – their true contentment”.

People walk near a billboard of the Chinese military reading "courageous", in Beijing, last month. Beijing is ...

People walk near a billboard of the Chinese military reading “courageous”, in Beijing, last month. Beijing is intensifying its warnings to Indian troops to get out of a contested region high in the Himalayas where China, India and Bhutan meet. Photo: AP

Bhutan sits as a beacon of peace and prosperity in a world that has become increasingly fractured and unpredictable.

But it is not all fairytale. The kingdom has its challenges. Most serious is a recent Chinese road-building project in the Doklam Plateau, an area on the disputed border between Bhutan and China. Given the proximity of the area, India has responded strongly leading to yet another significant dispute between China and the maturing global superpower.

Economically, Bhutan needs to diversify its revenue base from its hydro-electric power exports to India, which have been the engine room of its economic prosperity. The investment in hydro projects has led to national debt levels outside normal International Monetary Funds (IMF) thresholds.

General unemployment is at an enviable 2.5 per cent, down from 36 per cent in 2000, thanks to targeted government policies including skills programs and incentives for small businesses, especially in rural areas. The problem issue is youth unemployment, sitting at 9.6 per cent.

Bhutan is a country of contrasts. From the solemn sight of devout followers, with shoes on their hands for protection as they make kneeling prostrations every step of long pilgrimages, to youths with boy-band haircuts, traditional dress and mobile phones.

“We are doing a staged transition to a modern economy while protecting our culture,” says Dasho Karma, president of the Centre for Bhutan Studies, then noting with a chuckle that his daughters were out that afternoon to see a touring Korean pop band.

The US Declaration of Independence says governments need to protect the inalienable right of humans to live their lives in the “pursuit of happiness”.

Management thinker Peter Drucker said “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”. So perhaps it is incumbent on governments to measure their success in terms of the happiness of their citizens.

Nick Abrahams is a lawyer, author and entrepreneur. He leads the APAC Innovation Practice for Norton Rose Fulbright and is a director of global think-tank The Institute for Economics and Peace. He was in Bhutan for the launch of the institute’s 2017 Global Peace Index.

28Sep2016

HOW TO QUANTIFY A SMILE

September 28, 2016

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Gross National Happiness, happiness index Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

Across countries, the term varies: happiness, well-being, welfare, quality of life. But decades after the king of Bhutan first proposed the concept of measuring Gross National Happiness, more and more countries are realising the value of paying attention to happiness alongside the traditional metric of economic growth.

Venezuela has a Ministry of Supreme Social Happiness. In Canada, a team of researchers compiles and publishes an index of well-being. The government of Israel measures a host of “well-being indicators,” as do France and the United Kingdom.

France, the United Kingdom, and Israel all measure a series of “well-being” indicators, while Venezuela has – in a similar move to the UAE – established a minister devoted to happiness.

And the United States, which enshrined the “pursuit of happiness” in its Declaration of Independence, has begun to compile a national index of happiness.

These purpose behind these initiatives, says Margo Hilbrecht, the associate director of research for the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW), echo lines from a speech made by Robert F Kennedy, in 1968.

“The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play,” said Kennedy, then the US Attorney General.

“It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials … It measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”

A similar idea had begun to brew in Bhutan in the 1960s, said PP Karan, a geography professor at the University of Kentucky.

Karan, who was conducting his field research in Bhutan during that decade, says that in his meetings with the then-king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, “he talked about measuring the development level and well-being of a country based on the happiness of its citizens.”

But Bhutan only computed its first happiness index in 2010, trying to measure parameters such as education, ecology, community vitality, health and time use.

In 2015, surveyors from the Centre for Bhutan Studies polled 7,135 citizens on 33 subjects.

Respondents in two-thirds of these domains were classified as “extensively happy”.

“Bhutanese officials note that the happiness index is about finding a balance between modernity and tradition, between prosperity and ecological conservation, between material advancement and discontents,” Karan says.

The central questions behind happiness indexes have always been philosophical in nature: what is happiness, and how can such an abstract concept be measured by data?

Hilbrecht prefers the term well-being. Happiness can be too dependent on an individual’s psychological traits, she says: “Well-being is easier to measure objectively.”

By measuring well-being, CIW – which is independent of the government – hopes that it can provide parameters for ministries to consult while designing policies.

At the University of Waterloo, where CIW has been housed since its establishment in 1999, researchers first conducted extensive focus groups to learn what matters to Canadians and their idea of a good life.

This information was then distilled into a set of eight domains: community vitality, democratic engagement, education, environment, healthy populations, living standards, time use and leisure and culture.

Then researchers worked out a set of eight numerical indicators to track in each of these domains, using data published by the government or other agencies.

Two indexes have been published, the first in 2011, based on data from 2008, and the second in 2012, based on data from 2010. A third will be published this year.

Hilbrecht says she and her team have been able to draw valuable conclusions between the first two sets of data.

“The effect of the recession was evident from the first index to the second,” she says. “By 2010, the economy was recovering, but the index showed that there was a lag in well-being.”

Canadians are also dissatisfied with the quality of their leisure time: “People are visiting national parks less often. The average number of vacation nights per trip has decreased since 1994. This affects their overall health and the pressure they feel on their time.”

Dr Hilbrecht cautions that the pace of social change is slow. In fields like education and health, new government policies begin to have an impact many years after they are first implemented.

She also says that CIW tweaks the index constantly, based on feedback, to reflect Canadians’ changing perceptions of well-being.

“We now include food security as one of the indicators, for instance, because we had a lot of input about that,” Dr Hilbrecht says. “We see happiness itself as different for different communities, and we see our index as a living, changing thing.”

Source: Samanth Subramanian| The National

7Sep2016

KINGDOM WHERE HAPPINESS IS MORE VALUABLE THAN MONEY

September 7, 2016

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Bhutan, Bhutan's Capital Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma Statue, Gross National Happiness, Himalayas, King, Kingdom of Bhutan, The wonder List, Traditional Dress Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom where happiness is more valuable than money

In the 1970s, the leaders of Bhutan — a tiny Himalayan country of only 750,000 people — decided that “Gross National Happiness” was a more valuable measure than Gross Domestic Product.

Since then the country’s leaders have been measuring its success based on the happiness of its residents.

In early November 2015, Bill Weir, host of CNN’s “The Wonder List with Bill Weir”, traveled to Bhutan for 13 days to discover what this concept really meant.

The country and its way of living have also caught the attention of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who will be traveling to Bhutan to meet with the king and queen later this month.

We recently spoke with Weir to learn more about some of the country’s most fascinating aspects, from the uniform its residents don to the technology that is slowly starting to trickle in. The Bhutan episode of “The Wonder List” airs Sunday.
Bhutan is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to clean energy. Hidden underneath its mountains are massive tunnels and hydro-power turbines that utilize monsoon rains and melting snow from the Himalayas to power the nation.

Bhutan is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to clean energy. Hidden underneath its mountains are massive tunnels and hydro-power turbines that utilize monsoon rains and melting snow from the Himalayas to power the nation.

The most common religion practiced here is Buddhism, and prayer flags can be seen throughout the country. “Their mindset is that every part of nature is holy in some way, so if they find a spot where the wind blows through a grove of trees in a lovely way, that’s like a cathedral to them,” Weir told Business Insider.

In the 1970s, Bhutan rejected the GDP as the only way to measure success, deciding to go with what they call Gross National Happiness instead. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, or “K4” as he is sometimes known, is the monarch who introduced the concept. Pictured here are workers preparing portraits of K4 and his son, current King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, for K4’s 60th birthday.

“It is stunning to see how many people attribute their happiness to these two kings,” Weir said. Pictured here are monks celebrating the king’s 60th birthday, which was commemorated with events throughout the country in November.

The celebrations also included a music festival, where Weir told us that an ACDC cover band dressed in traditional Bhutanese clothing played “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”. According to Weir, the country has everything from rappers to pop bands influenced by musicians from all over the world.

Guides assist tourists with planning and executing their trip. Pictured here is tour guide Karma Lotey, dressed in the traditional Bhutanese gho. Both men and women wear traditional uniforms during business hours. Men wear the gho, while women wear the kira, a long dress.

The uniforms do not need to be worn on the weekends, which is why these boys can be seen here in regular clothing as they huddle together on a tree to catch a better view of the musical festival taking place at K4’s birthday celebrations.

While traditional ways remain, the country is also “in the throes of a technological revolution”, according to CNN. Television was not legalized in the country until 1999, but cell phones are becoming more and more common here.

Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, is one of the the most developed parts of the country. According to Weir, the only escalator in all of Bhutan is located in Thimphu, and it’s something of a tourist attraction because of its rarity.

While hundred-year old monasteries are a common sight throughout Bhutan, one of the newer additions is the Buddha Dordenma Statue in Thimphu. At a height of 169 feet, it is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world, and has stunningly intricate murals along its interior walls.

One of Bhutan’s most popular tourist attractions is the Dochula Pass, located on the road from Thimphu to Punakha. The landmarks around the mountain pass commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers killed in the 2003 war against Indian insurgents. The area is also known for its breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Thimphu locals often go to the Memorial Chorten to pray. They walk around the temple in a clockwise direction while reciting prayers and whirling the large red prayer wheels.

Pictured here are yak butter lamps, which are made from the milk of yaks. According to Weir, yak is used for everything from clothing to food, and for preparing a tea that is commonly found throughout homes in Bhutan.

While traditional elements like these Dakinis, or angels of the Buddhist world, can be seen above the capital, the influx of technology continues. “These people have lived so simply for so long, cut off from the rest of the world, and now it’s like they’re having their industrial and technological revolution happen at the same time,” Weir said.

Source: CNN

8Aug2016

THE WORLD’S SAFEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

August 8, 2016

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Bhutan, Chile, Gross National Happiness, Gross National Happiness index, Iceland, Ireland, Kingdom, New Zealand, Safest holiday destination Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

5 Of The World’s Safest Holiday Destinations

It feels like every time we switch on the news these days, we come across a new story about another atrocity committed somewhere in the world. For those already a little bit anxious about straying too far from home, this hardly fills you with the confidence needed to spread your wings and explore. It’s definitely not all doom and gloom, however, and we cannot allow fear to win out. Let this breakdown of some of the world’s safest holiday destinations inspire you to go out and discover somewhere new this summer.

The places below are not only recognised as being some of the safest holiday destinations in the world in general, but most of them have also been recommended for women travelling alone.

Iceland

This Nordic island country comes out on top of the world’s safest holiday destinations according to a report in the Independent newspaper. Iceland is currently enjoying a collective high. The national football team qualified for its first ever major championships this summer and exceeded all expectations. Despite having a population of under 400,000 people, Iceland got through to the quarterfinals and beat England on their way.

With the people of Iceland probably feeling happier than usual, now is the ideal time to pay this fascinating place a visit. With amazing nature, the Aurora Borealis, active volcanoes, hot springs, and one of the world’s coolest cities in Reykjavik, Iceland has something for everyone. This is also the most sparsely populated country in Europe, making it perfect for those who just want to get away from it all.

Its location close to the arctic circle means that in the summer, Iceland can get more than an incredible 20 hours of sunlight every day. This rare treat must be great to experience, but you may want to invest in a sleeping mask before heading off. One little warning though; happiness and safety does come at a bit of a price. Iceland is notoriously expensive for tourists, so make sure you budget well before booking your flights.

Bhutan

A great alternative to India and Thailand, Bhutan is a beautiful kingdom located in the magnificent Himalayan mountains. You can find amazing landscapes here. Its native culture heavily influenced by Buddhism makes it a great destination for those people looking for some spirituality.

Free from many of the internal squabbles that can make life in some of its neighbouring countries a little bit hectic, Bhutan is perfect for those who want to go off the beaten track and really expand their cultural horizons. As well as being one of the world’s safest holiday destinations, Bhutan is also home to the world’s happiest people. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck declared that Bhutan should define itself on GNH (Gross National Happiness) rather than the traditional GDP (Gross Domestic Product.) This might sound a little idealistic, but it seems to have worked. Bhutan is often ranked as the happiest place on the world and its crime rates are very low.

One small drawback about Bhutan is that you can only stay for 15 days. And visitors have to pay a daily fee to stay. This is $250 in the high-season and $200 in low season. This may seem expensive, but it does include your food, accommodation, tour guide, and transportation. What’s great about this is that the money tourists pay to visit, is used to cover the free healthcare and education that all citizens receive.

New Zealand

There are a number of places considered technically very safe to visit, but they aren’t going to be at the top of many people’s bucket lists. New Zealand, on the other hand, usually is.

Whether you’re a massive Lord of the Rings fan ready to do serious geeking out. Or simply a nature lover wanting to see one of the most dramatically beautiful places in the world. New Zealand is not only one of the safest holiday destinations in the world, it’s also absolutely awesome. An excellent advantage of New Zealand is that whilst it’s definitely one of the most welcoming and safest holiday destinations in the world, it’s also the perfect spot for adrenaline junkies. Mountain biking, bungee jumping, white water rafting, sky diving…You name it, you can do it in New Zealand.

A country of great natural beauty, New Zealand is also a highly modern place. The country’s infrastructure is good and right across the country you’ll be able to take advantage of the delicious local produce and dishes, as well as the Pacific Rim cuisine that draws on influences from Europe, Asia, and Polynesia.

Chile

Chile is one of the most beautiful and safest holiday destinations in the world. It’s a narrow mountainous country that stretches along 4,300km of beautiful Pacific Ocean coastline. Unlike some of its South American neighbours, Chile is also a stable and prosperous nation.

For those who like adventure, Chile is the perfect location. Here you can trek in the Andes Mountains, star-gaze in the Atacama Desert, and then chill out in one of its many coastal towns. The capital city of Santiago is also a must-visit.

Chile is also a great destination for foodies and wine lovers, both of which can be enjoyed wherever you go with the famously hospitable locals.

Ireland

The only real risks you face when going to Ireland is whether or not you’re going to get lucky with the weather or not. Even in the summer, Ireland can feel a little bit like winter for visitors from warmer climes. On the upside, this is a country of such outstanding natural beauty that you might not even notice the bad weather all that much anyway.

As with most of the countries in this list, Ireland is not only one of the world’s safest holiday destinations, it is also filled with some of the world’s most hospitable people. It may take you a while to understand the accent, but right from the outset there will be no mistaking their natural warmth and happiness to welcome you.

The capital city of Dublin is one of the most dynamic and interesting places in Europe, while the rest of the country features villages, towns, and cities that seem to have been lost in a much more simpler and peaceful time. As you would expect from an island country, the coastal scenery is spectacular, with the northern area of County Donegal particularly famed for its beaches and jaw-dropping natural beauty.

6Jul2016

HERE’S WHY YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST VISIT BHUTAN

July 6, 2016

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Buddhist Country, Gross National Happiness, Himalayas, natural beauty Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

15 magical photographs of the Himalayan kingdom that will inspire you to pack your bags!

To the northeast of India on the edge of the great Himalayas lies a stunning Buddhist country which is fast becoming the envy of other tourist spots in Asia. Welcome to Bhutan – the happiest place on Earth! Famous for its concept of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan is the best place to visit when you want to break away from the monotony of a hectic, stressful lifestyle. Often considered an offbeat destination to include in your itinerary, Bhutan can surprise you with all that it has to offer.

For starters, Bhutan is full of greenery as it is required by law to keep more than 60 per cent of the country forested. Be it the natural beauty of the spectacular Himalayas and wide rice-field landscapes or the stunning architecture of age-old monasteries and houses, Bhutan is a treat for your eyes, body and soul. It also makes for a beautiful pilgrim destination for those with a religious inclination. Add to this the hospitality of the locals and the cuteness of the kids here and what you get is an irresistible holiday destination easily accessible from India.

1. Houses in the middle of beautiful green rice fields

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2. The famous Takstang monastery

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3. Punakha Dzongor the palace of great happiness

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4. The capital city of Thimpu

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5. The colorful Drupchen festival

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6. The Thimphu Tshechu festival in Bhutan

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7. The beautiful palace of great happiness – Punakha Dzonga

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8. The Tamchoe Monastery in Paro province

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9. A house in the hills – Thimpu

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10. The stunning Dochu La pass with 108 chortens

4Bhutan-DochuLa-pass-108-chortens-shutterstock_243650584

11. Paro airport in Bhutan with a Druk air flight – the only airline that was allowed to land in Bhutan till 2010

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12. A bridge over the Wang Chu river in Thimpu

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13. Performers at the Drupchen festival

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14. A yak in Bhutan

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15. Rice fields in the Paro valley

4Bhutan-rice-fields-Paro-valley-shutterstock_347485889

Source: Dilip Merala

24May2016

BHUTAN’S DARK SECRET TO HAPPINESS

May 24, 2016

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Bhutanese Culture, Gross National Happiness, The Himalayan Kingdom News on Bhutan, Review on Keys to Bhutan

On a visit to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, I found myself sitting across from a man named Karma Ura, spilling my guts. Maybe it was the fact that he was named Karma, or the thin air, or the way travel melts my defences, but I decided to confess something very personal. Not that long before, seemingly out of the blue, I had experienced some disturbing symptoms: shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness in my hands and feet. At first, I feared I was having a heart attack, or going crazy. Maybe both. So I went to the doctor, who ran a series of tests and found…

“Nothing,” said Ura. Even before I could complete my sentence, he knew that my fears were unfounded. I was not dying, at least not as quickly as I feared. I was having a panic attack.

Thimphu, capital of Bhutan.

What I wanted to know was: why now – my life was going uncharacteristically well – and what could I do about it?

“You need to think about death for five minutes every day,” Ura replied. “It will cure you.”

“How?” I said, dumbfounded.

“It is this thing, this fear of death, this fear of dying before we have accomplished what we want or seen our children grow. This is what is troubling you.”

“But why would I want to think about something so depressing?”

“Rich people in the West, they have not touched dead bodies, fresh wounds, rotten things. This is a problem. This is the human condition. We have to be ready for the moment we cease to exist.”

Places, like people, have a way of surprising us, provided we are open to the possibility of surprise and not weighed down with preconceived notions. The Himalayan kingdom is best known for its innovative policy of Gross National Happiness; it’s a land where contentment supposedly reigns and sorrow is denied entry. Bhutan is indeed a special place (and Ura, director of the Centre for Bhutan Studies, a special person) but that specialness is more nuanced and, frankly, less sunny than the dreamy Shangri-La image we project onto it.

Memorial Chorten Monastery in Thimphu.

Actually, by suggesting I think about death once a day, Ura was going easy on me. In Bhutanese culture, one is expected to think about death five times a day. That would be remarkable for any nation, but especially for one so closely equated with happiness as Bhutan. Is this secretly a land of darkness and despair?

Not necessarily. Some recent research suggests that, by thinking about death so often, the Bhutanese may be on to something. In a 2007 study, University of Kentucky psychologists Nathan DeWall and Roy Baumesiter divided several dozen students into two groups. One group was told to think about a painful visit to the dentist while the other group was instructed to contemplate their own death. Both groups were then asked to complete stem words, such as “jo_”. The second group – the one that had been thinking about death – was far more likely to construct positive words, such as “joy”. This led the researchers to conclude that “death is a psychologically threatening fact, but when people contemplate it, apparently the automatic system begins to search for happy thoughts”.

None of this, I’m sure, would surprise Ura, or any other Bhutanese. They know that death is a part of life, whether we like it or not, and ignoring this essential truth comes with a heavy psychological cost.

Linda Leaming, author of the wonderful book A Field Guide to Happiness: What I Learned in Bhutan About Living, Loving and Waking Up¸ knows this too.“I realised thinking about death doesn’t depress me. It makes me seize the moment and see things I might not ordinarily see,” she wrote. “My best advice: go there. Think the unthinkable, the thing that scares you to think about several times a day.”

A devotee before the Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu.

Unlike many of us in the West, the Bhutanese don’t sequester death. Death – and images of death – are everywhere, especially in Buddhist iconography where you’ll find colourful, gruesome illustrations. No one, not even children, is sheltered from these images, or from ritual dances re-enacting death.

Ritual provides a container for grief, and in Bhutan that container is large and communal. After someone dies, there’s a 49-day mourning period that involves elaborate, carefully orchestrated rituals. “It is better than any antidepressant,” Tshewang Dendup, a Bhutanese actor, told me. The Bhutanese might appear detached during this time. They are not. They are grieving through ritual.

Why such a different attitude toward death? One reason the Bhutanese think about death so often is that it is all around them. For a small nation, it offers many ways to die. You can meet your demise on the winding, treacherous roads. You can be mauled by a bear; eat poisonous mushrooms; or die of exposure.

Another explanation is the country’s deeply felt Buddhist beliefs, especially that of reincarnation. If you know you’ll get another shot at life, you’re less likely to fear the end of this particular one. As Buddhists say, you shouldn’t fear dying any more than you fear discarding old clothes.

Schoolgirls in traditional Bhutanese dresses.

Which isn’t to say, of course, that the Bhutanese don’t experience fear, or sadness. Of course they do. But, as Leaming told me, they don’t flee from these emotions. “We in the West want to fix it if we’re sad,” she said. “We fear sadness. It’s something to get over, medicate. In Bhutan there’s an acceptance. It’s a part of life.”

Ura’s lesson, meanwhile, stuck with me. I make it a point to think about death once a day. Unless I find myself especially stressed, or engulfed in an unexplained funk. Then I think about it twice a day.

By Eric Weiner

4May2016

BHUTAN WHERE HAPPINESS IS AT THE HEART OF THE POLITICAL AGENDA

May 4, 2016

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Buddhism, Carbon negative country, Environmental Conversation, Gross Domestic Product, Gross National Happiness Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

Bhutan: where happiness is at the heart of the political agenda – in pictures

The nation best known for valuing gross national happiness above GDP is committed to environmental conservation and sustainability – it absorbs three times more CO2 emissions than its 700,000 population produces. As development accelerates and urban centres expand, the fight is on to safeguard the nation’s holistic approach to prosperity

Photographs by James Morgan

A view of the Himalayas from the Dochula Pass, western Bhutan. The country’s constitution requires at least 60% of its forest cover to be permanently maintained (it is currently at more than 70%). Last summer, Bhutan set a world record for the most trees planted in one hour – nearly 50,000

Bhutan’s culture is rooted in Buddhism. Monks are still revered by large sections of the population and remain an integral part of everyday life for many people, performing birth and death rituals and presiding over prayers on national holidays. Here, monks erect supports to carry out maintenance work at Gangtey Goempa monastery, Phobjikha Valley

Jigme Wangmo and Thujee Zam study together at the Kela Dechen Yangtshi nunnery in Paro, Bhutan.

The nation takes a holistic approach to prosperity that includes social, environmental and political priorities alongside economic ones. As development accelerates, Bhutan’s government and people have engaged in a new fight to preserve its culture and identity.

An elderly woman making the pilgrimage to Taktsang Monastery pauses for a moment of reflection at a prayer wheel.

Bhutan provides universal free healthcare and education, and is on the way to becoming the world’s first 100% organic nation

The capital city, Thimphu, has expanded rapidly since the country opened up to the outside world in the 1970s. An increasingly educated population is leaving rural areas for the city to find better paid jobs, though unemployment figures are high

Traditional farmland is being engulfed as urban centres expand to accommodate the increasing numbers of people moving to seek work in the city. This new development in the Paro Valley is built on paddy field.

Most manual work in Bhutan is carried out by Indian migrant workers. To curb unemployment levels, however, the government is trying to increase the numbers of Bhutanese working in the industry

Thimphu’s only designated landfill site reached capacity in 2002, leading to a great deal of illegal dumping.

Centenary farmers’ market in Thimphu. Lack of work in the cities means that young people are being encouraged to find stable agricultural work in rural areas. About two-thirds of the population still works in agriculture, predominantly in subsistence farming

Some farmers’ markets encourage young people to start up as vegetable growers and then sell their produce in the city

Kahengpa Apa, a farmer in the Phobjikha Valley. The balance of the country’s economy is already shifting away from farming. In 2002 farming accounted for 26% of GDP, but by2014 it was estimated at 16%

Lhakpa and his daughter, Tshering Yangchen, watch TV in their house in the Phobjikha Valley. Internet and TV arrived in Bhutan in 1999 and the state owned Bhutan Broadcast Service remains the only television channel

Thimphu’s electric switching station. All of Bhutan’s power currently comes from hydroelectric dams, exploiting the vast potential of its high peaks and fast-flowing rivers

A tributary of Thimphu river. The long-term plan is to build 74 dams across the country. After domestic needs have been met, the remaining renewable hydropower is sold to India, generating more than 45% of national revenue

Women and children crush cans for recycling. The cans are sold by the kilo to India: there are, as yet, no facilities for recycling them in Bhutan

Environmental conservation and sustainability is at the heart of the country’s political agenda, with the prime minister, Tshering Tobgay – pictured here in his electric car – an outspoken advocate. According to the ‘carbon comparator’ tool developed by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, Bhutan absorbs three times more CO2 emissions than its 700,000 population produce.

Lama Karma in meditation at Tango Monastery, close to Thimphu.

Driven by the need to balance development with conservation, Bhutan led the way at the UN climate change conference in Paris last December, making an ambitious climate promise as the world’s most ‘carbon negative’ country.

Source: the guardian

25Apr2016

BHUTAN AS A HONEYMOON DESTINATION

April 25, 2016

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Authentic Bhutanese food, Gross National Happiness, Happiest Country, Hot Stone Bath, the happiest country in the world Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

Looking for the most romantic honeymoon? Let’s see why people choose going to Bhutan

1. BHUTAN IS THE COUNTRY OF HAPPINESS

Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a “Gross National Happiness” (GNH). The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization. It measures people’s quality of life, and makes sure that “material and spiritual development happen together.” Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding this balance. It is hard to imagine that such a small country, tucked in the Himalaya Mountains, is the “Happiest Country” in the world, the last standing Buddhist Kingdom and has one of the fastest growing GDP’s in the world.

Who wouldn’t want to visit a nation which is known worldwide for its Gross National Happiness?

Bhutan Smiling

2. BHUTAN IS THE NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE

Bhutan is famous as the land of the thunder dragon, ancient temples, and fortresses.

Eastern Bhutan – Ideal for unexplored trekking, natural wonders, historical and cultural tours and textiles. The districts of Mongar, Lhuntse, Tashi Yangtse, Tashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar constitute the eastern circuits.

Western Bhutan – It is famous for the annual Haa Summer Festival and comprises of six western Districts in the country that includes Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Gasa.

Central Bhutan – This area is famous for many festivals. Major ones being annual Tshechu of Trongsa and Bumthang, the Jampa Lhakhang Tshechu and the Ura Tshechu. There are many sacred monuments in this region that are worth a visit.

Southern Bhutan– It is the ecological hub of the country comprising of seven southern districts of Bhutan – Samtse, Chukha, Dagana, Tsirang, Sarpang, Zhemgang and Pemagatshel.

Bhutan

3. BHUTAN HAS A VARIETY OF UNIQUE THINGS TO DO

– An elephant ride is a must do here; one can also see colourful hornbills and golden langurs.

– Meet tribals –Khengpa people and stay in traditional bamboo homes

– The Tigers Nest is the most iconic tourist site in Bhutan and is a definite must visit place. The relaxing hike to the monastery and its location will take your breath away. The panoramic view is totally worth the effort.

– Hot Stone Bath: This is a popular form of medication practiced in Bhutan since time immemorial. This is said to have lots of medicinal benefits and is usually done for having knee, joint and back pains.

– Food tasting at Folk Heritage Museum: One stop shop for authentic Bhutanese food. Must try here is Aara (local alcohol) and Suja (butter tea).

– Mountain Biking: For the adventurous soul mountain biking here is a definite do.

– Kayaking and Rafting: The flowing rivers invite the professionals and amateurs alike to get wet and have some fun rafting and kayaking.

Bhutan Festival

4. THERE’S NOT A SINGLE TOURIST TRAP IN THE COUNTRY.

Which means that you can spend your days climbing, walking sticks in hand, up to Buddhist temples and fortresses, or biking down pristine switchback mountain trails.

Honeymooners will love the stunning beauty and irresistible allure of this tiny country. It is further matched by the deep spirituality, old world charm and placid ways of living. Hike up to a beautiful dzong (monastic fortress) on a lovely morning or let your hair down at a town pub. Snow capped mountains, picturesque valleys, gurgling rivers and luxuriant forests as you explore the country. Dzongs, Lhakangs and Chortens highlight the religiosity of the Bhutanese while festivals bring out the colours of pomp and gaiety. Fiercely traditional yet secular, the Bhutanese will welcome you warmly to cherish their distinct culture and heritage.

Bhutan View

5. BHUTAN HAS LUXURIOUS STAYING STANDARD

Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Bhutanese economy and one can find decent infrastructure in most of the tourist hubs. The mountain lodges built in sync with Bhutanese architectural patterns have natural rammed earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled interiors with a king size bed, a traditional bukhari (wood-burning stove) and large terrazzo-clad bath. You can hear the gurgling Wangdi River as you enjoy a romantic candle-lit dinner on the stone patio outside your room.

Bhutan staying

6. THE MOST DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTIC OF BHUTANESE CUISINE IS ITS SPICINESS.

Chillis are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that was not spicy. The Bhutanese believe that it is a badge of honour to eat as spicy food as possible. Don’t forget to try out Ema Datse (cheese & chilies), a stew eaten with red rice. The yak cheese has a distinctive taste different from other types of cheeses. Phak Shaa Paa (Pork stew with radish) is also served with variants. Momos, or meat dumplings, are popular in Bhutan and in the entire Himalayan belt. Most dishes are tempered to suit individual tastes. The Swiss Bakery in Thimphu is a great place for coffee and cake. It also offers a range of mouth watering Tibetan, Indian and Continental dishes.

Bhutanese Food

7. THE BHUTANESE ARE WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR ARTISTIC INTERESTS.

You must buy some hand woven shawls, skirts and other fabrics that have intricate designs on them. Souveniers like trinkets, hand made paper, prayer wheels, masks, and Thangkas make great gifts. Thangkas are Buddhist hand paintings on hand made paper. The lovely paintings can be hung from the walls or framed. For the fashion conscious, there are a lot of accessories to choose from. Shop for some junk silver (that’s all over the place), turquoise, or use the colorful scarves to create an outfit.

Bhutanese Gift

8. THE MOST EXCLUSIVE OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Bhutan is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive of tourist destinations anywhere and efforts are taken to maintain it.

In order to protect the culture, traditions and natural environment the government has adopted a strict policy of “High Value, Low Impact Tourism”: visitors must be accompanied by an official Bhutanese tour guide, apply for an approved visa from the tourism council. This policy is aimed at attracting discerning tourists that will respect the unique culture and values of the Bhutanese people while also providing the visitors with an unforgettable one of a kind experience. A mere 13,000 tourists visit Bhutan each year makes it feel as if you’re the only guests at the understatedly luxurious trip.

Bhutanese

9. LUXURY BUT STILL IN BUDGET?

Honeymoon is a much-needed escape after months of exciting, yet exhausting, wedding planning. It is the first time the two of you will be together as a married couple. Why not enjoy luxurious and best suited hotels and accommodations with the most romantic honeymoon packages of Bhutan which are crafted by Triip’s local guides in Bhutan.

Source: Mr. Joe

11Apr2016

NEED PROPER MANAGEMENT FOR REGIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION

April 11, 2016

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Bhutan-North East India dialogue on high-end tourism, Bhutanese tourism stakeholders, Gross National Happiness, National Geographic, Regional tourist, Regulation and Implementation Articles on Bhutan, News on Bhutan

Need for regional tourism to be managed more efficiently

There is huge potential in connecting Bhutan and North East India as a high-end tourist destination given the commonalities and proximity.

This was the general consensus among participants at the Bhutan-North East India dialogue on high-end tourism that ended yesterday.

One of the speakers, director and principle advisor of New India Hospitality, Rakesh Mathur emphasised promoting sustainable tourism and diversifying its products accordingly.

“The North East has a lot to offer with abundant wealth and there is a lot that the region can also learn from Bhutan,” he said. “We’ve to see what we can give to nature and not take from nature.”

In tapping the potential, participants were also reminded of the hurdles that Bhutan faces as a high-end destination. The two-day discussions also touched upon a wide range of areas such as the challenges confronting the industry.

While Bhutanese tourism stakeholders highlighted the issue of unregulated regional tourists, policy makers questioned if Bhutan really was promoted as a high-end destination.

Participants from both the countries agreed that there was a need for proper management to maximise benefits from regional tourists especially in view of Bhutan being promoted as a high-end destination. In catering to the increasing regional tourists, participants said the carrying capacity needs to be considered besides the tremendous pressure on the infrastructure.

Yangphel tours and treks CEO Karma Lotey said it was important to regulate regional tourism and route them through Bhutanese ground handlers, among others.

He said that regional tourists driving their own vehicles overcrowd tourist sites. He also pointed out that often times several tourists share a single room and toilet putting pressure on the infrastructure.

“Guests from the region have to be treated well,” he said, calling for interventions in place before it’s too late.

Examples of how regional tourists are often cheated by tour operators who bring them to Bhutan were also provided. “When regional tourists want to see the tiger’s nest, as its far they are often taken to a similar looking monastery in Paro instead,” he said.

With eastern Bhutan now listed as a top 20 sought after destination in the world as per National Geographic, Karma Lotey said there are a lot of inquiries on eastern Bhutan. “A lot of collaboration can be made between North East and the eastern Bhutan. We can talk on how best we can work together,” he said.

Presenting an overview of the hotel industry, the hotel and restaurant association of Bhutan’s president Thinley Palden Dorji said that the high value, low impact policy is important and a unique way of how Bhutan has presented and packaged itself.

While it must be preserved, he said it was not without issues.

“There is a solution to the increasing regional tourists. The solution is simple, its regulation and implementation,” he said, recalling a discussion with budget hoteliers wherein he was told that in absence of regulations, they don’t have a choice but to cater to regional tourists in such a manner.

As much as Bhutan is known as a high value destination, the reality also is that it is the rates of hotels that define a high value destination to some extent, he said. That way, he said there is a lot Bhutan can learn from Sikkim.

“Our accommodation rate is generally lower than in Sikkim,” he said.

The vice chairman of Singye Group of Companies, Ugen Tshechup Dorji spoke about the need to review the tourism policy emphasising on undercutting that is highly prevalent in the industry today.

“When the government says that the basic concept of our development is Gross National Happiness, it’s important to review our tourism policy. We’ve to look at how to keep the happiness potion alive.”

The reality, he said was that Bhutan wants regional tourists but of high value and low impact.

“If that is the concept we are following, why do we have a parallel tourism policy?” Ugen Tshechup Dorji asked. “Bhutan is not sold as an exclusive destination but packaged with visit India and Nepal.”

Even big tour operators don’t sell Bhutan by itself, he said. “Most of our tourists pay more than USD 250 for Bhutan but how much does our tour operators get?” he asked, further emphasising the need to promote destination Bhutan in a major way.

“We just can’t sit back and say that Bhutan sells itself. Bhutan sells itself because someone else sells it for us and they take the cream while our tour operators are left with bare minimum,” he said.

Another speaker from India, Himatoz Zhimomi who is in-charge of public works development in Nagaland said that cross border tourism has huge scope while focusing on sustainable tourism rather than creating tourist products but celebrating what already exists.

Citing the example of Nagaland, he said their focus is more on sustainable community based tourism than building five-star hotels to cater to tourists. “There is so much complexity in tourism that I would hate to say tourism is the main steak of Naga society,” he said.

“Tourism is important but it will not be a priority for us,” he added, highlighting the need for proper regulation rather than promotion.

National Council (NC) member Pema Tenzin gave a background of the council’s review of the tourism sector and policy, its recommendation and resolutions.

He then questioned if Bhutan really was a high-end destination.

Highlighting the importance of regional tourists, Pema Tenzin also questioned the carrying capacity of the country. “We talk a lot of carrying capacity but we don’t know our maximum carrying capacity yet,” he said.

Presenting the prevailing scenario in the industry today Pema Tenzin said, “Ours is a sick industry … Is the industry really doing well? Is it time to do things differently?” he asked.

Pema Tenzin also said that the government has ambitious plan for the tourism industry in the 11th Plan but achieved none of it.

Retired secretary of the tourism ministry of India, MP Bezbaruh said that there was a possibility of connecting the North East region with Bhutan and Myanmar that is emerging as a new and a competitive destination.

“Imagination can create more destination,” he said, while also touching upon the need for a tourism master plan for a way forward without which it would be difficult to address Bhutan’s existing challenges

Economic affairs ministry’s chief of policy and planning division Sonam Tashi gave an outline of the policies, ground realities and concerns of the industry.

He highlighted the need to move beyond standardised itineraries while watching out for global tourism trends and competition in promoting Bhutan as a high-end destination.

“We are proud to say that Bhutan is a high value, low impact destination, but when we look at the structure of how tourism is organised, we are no different from any other country,” he said.

“Despite the existing concerns of international and regional tourists, the fact is that Bhutan is still an untapped destination,” he said.

The two-day seminar organized by TCB, Centre for Bhutan Studies and GNH Research, and Asian Confluence was attended by experts and policy makers from both the countries.

Source: Kuensel (Kinga Dema)

11Feb2016

10 FACTS ABOUT BHUTAN

February 11, 2016

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Bhutan Borders, Bhutan Guide, Bhutan Nation Sport, Bhutan Tourism, Buddhist Country, Environment, Gross National Happiness, Himalayas, Land of Thunder dragon, Religion, Transportation Articles on Bhutan

10 Surprising Facts About Bhutan

Bhutan borders India and China and is a predominantly Buddhist country. Rimmed by the Himalayas, its high altitude and inaccessibility has allowed it to remain cut off from the rest of the world (until recently, when it started to allow limited tourism). Here are 10 interesting facts about Bhutan an intoxicating country.

Best places to visit in Bhutan the Trongsa Dzong with clouds gathering above it in the mountains

1: LAND OF THUNDER DRAGON

Bhutan is called “The Land of Thunder Dragons” because of the violent and large thunderstorms that whip down through the valleys from the Himalayas. The contrast in temperature from the Indian plains and the high mountains of the Himalayas also creates dramatic cloud-scapes that can be seen as you drive over the high mountain passes.

The landscape of Bhutan with clouds gathering along the hillside — Trashigang to Samdrup Jonkhar

2: CLOSED TO TOURISTS

In 1974, the first international tourists were allowed into Bhutan by invite only. Today it’s fully open for tourism, but at the high cost of $250.00 a day per person. You must arrange all your travel through a government authorized tourist agency, but once you arrive everything is taken care of from food through to your transportation and guide.

People walking away from Druk Air plane in Paro Bhutan after landing — Paro airport & Druk Air

3: GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS

Bhutan is the first country to switch from the western ideal of Gross National Product to “Gross National Happiness,” which is achieved through four foundations: good governance, natural environment, sustainable growth, and cultural values.

A group of monks making the peace sign for camera in Bhutan — Friends

4: NO SMOKING

Bhutan is the first country to have outlawed tobacco in 2004. Although, in 2012 the laws were loosened and smuggling now occurs. It is still rare to see people smoking on the streets, but drugs and alcohol have continued to create problems and the government has started a program to educate and deter citizens from abusing or using the smuggled narcotics.

Monk looking out of a window in Bhutan — Monk inside of a Dzong

5: THE NATIONAL SPORT

The national sports of Bhutan are archery and darts – I am not sure how darts qualifies as a sport! In the city of Paro I had the opportunity to whiteness an archery competition and was surprised how far they had to shoot. After watching for over forty minutes not one person had hit the bullseye!

A man pulling his arrow for archery in Thimphu Bhutan — Archery in Bhutan

6: NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS

The capital city, Thimphu, has no traffic lights– just white-gloved traffic officers. When the city tried to install some lights there was a public outcry, and they were promptly removed.

The only traffic stop in the town of Thimphu BhutanBhutan — The only traffic stop in Thimphu Bhutan

7: STATE RELIGION

Tantric Buddhism is the official religion, followed by Hinduism. Buddhism is state sponsored and the Dzong’s and temples are maintained and supported by the government. There are even trade schools to teach new artisans that work on the paintings and carvings of these holy places.

Dancing in Jakar Bhutan the Kurjey Lhakhang Tsechu or festival with costumes and drums — Jakar Bhutan the Kurjey Lhakhang Tsechu

8: THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN

Gangkhar Puensum is the highest mountain in Bhutan and considered so sacred that no one has yet climbed to its peak (at 24,840 feet). The views of the mountains as you drive across the high passes are jaw dropping and the highlight of any journey through Bhutan.

best places to visit in Bhutan the Douchula Pass with it's hundreds of Stuppas — Douchula Pass

9: NO TV OR INTERNET

In 2001 Bhutan lifted its ban on TV and Internet—the last country in the world to do so. But today it is not strange to see computers and cell phones in the hands of teenagers especially in the capital city of Thimphu.

Monks in Bhutan at the kurjey lhakhang tsechu blowing horns — Jakar bhutan, kurjey lhakhang tsechu

10: ENVIRONMENTALISTS

Bhutan is one of the only countries in the world where citizens have a constitutional obligation to preserve and protect the environment. You need to visit before it all changes. So you should visit Bhutan before it changes – the western world is slowly creeping in despite the governments best intentions. You can learn more about the country and how to start planning a trip on my Bhutan Country Guide Page.

The mighty Mo Chhu River running through the valley of Bhutan

SOURSE: JOSEPH KIELY

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