TA/DA Rush

In Bhutan, teachers now outnumber civil servants. Exactly how this happened is a mystery—possibly related to a national shortage of sanity and an oversupply of chalk dust. So when small, glittering opportunities like invigilator duty come along, there is a rush. A stampede. A hunger-games-level scramble.

We had a selection for invigilation last time, and it was lots of hullaballoo. Meetings dragged on. Fingers were pointed. Tea was consumed in nervous quantities. Everyone wanted to go—when it was time for getting. Per diem? Yes please. TA/DA? Hand it over. A paid nap disguised as duty? Where do I sign? But when it was time for work? Suddenly, nobody wanted to do. Elbows retracted. Enthusiasm flatlined. This, dear reader, is the nature of humans—and the nature of (especially) Bhutanese. We want the harvest, just not the weeding.

I didn't go for almost seven years. Seven. That's practically a teacher's sabbatical without the yoga retreat. And when I tell people this, they have many reasons—none of which include me being noble, humble, or efficient. I have my say too. Many, in fact. But they wouldn't listen to my stand, I know. So I remain silent. And it is better, everywhere. To voice a voice is different here. One is treated like a bad criminal. SHIT! (Yes, I said it. And I'll say it again. SHIT!)

There were some criteria. Beautiful criteria. Printed, laminated, probably framed somewhere. And these criteria, as we all understand deep in our bones, are meant for breaking. Only a few follow them, and most of the time, they were broken by the heads themselves—the very architects of said criteria. Irony? Tragedy? Bhutanese office comedy? You decide.

There were some teachers who got selected even when they didn't qualify for any criteria. None. Zero. Not even a close shave. Within the same year, they went out with lots of TA/DA—happy, well-rested, probably sending postcards—and yet that same teacher somehow qualified for the game. Every single time. I don't understand if it's due to their sycophancies, their talent for laughing at the right jokes, or a secret annual sacrifice to the office ghost. But it's unfair. And we all know it. And we all sip our tea and say nothing.

I have observed that opinions and suggestions are never respected. They are taken as negatives and often described as "sailing against the current." As if asking a simple question is the same as capsizing the national boat. I only feel that if an opinion is stated in western countries, people might at least pretend to listen. But here, it is taken as aggressive, negative, and looked down upon—like you've shown up to a wedding in a trash bag.

I feel, to improve and better our relationships, it's very important to listen to others. BUT who listens. EEERRRR! (That sound, by the way, is the collective sigh of every teacher who ever opened their mouth and immediately regretted it.)

So we smile. We nod. We collect our Nu. 100 for the Rimdro. And we watch the same faces pack their bags for invigilation duty year after year.

May your voice be heard somewhere. Even if it's just in your own head.

Chorten in Darla MSS - A Tribute to His Majesty

The Chorten That Ate Our Salaries: A Spiritual Adventure in Deductions

The significance of a Chorten (known internationally as a stupa, or "that dome-shaped thing you see everywhere in Bhutan") is said to be abundant. Apparently, it not only takes one closer to heaven—handy for those of us worried about the climb—but also protects one from any kind of evils. Evils like bad grades, lost chalk, and perhaps unexpected budget meetings.

The idea of this chorten construction came to us as a surprise. A big, holy, wallet-emptying surprise. In the beginning, everyone thought constructing this kind of small monument is a very easy and effortless kind of work. You know, like making a sandcastle. Or baking a cake. How hard could it be, right?

Oh, sweet summer children of Darla.

When the construction began, it turned out to be a huge work and incurred lots of money. Because of course it did. So, the coordinators—bless their spiritual but financially terrifying hearts—counted on every one of us staff. We were told, very gently, that Nu. 1000 (One thousand, yes, you read that right) will be deducted every month. For two months. Then we had "collected." .

Not only that, every student in the school was requested to donate any amount for the chorten. "Any amount" in school language means "bring something, preferably not just good wishes." They also sent many letters of contribution to many localities and people—because why limit the financial pain to just one campus?

So, when the budget presentation was done in one of the meetings, the budget had amounted to almost 2 lakhs. Two. Lakhs. That's a lot of Nu. 1000 deductions. And the contribution and donation didn't stop coming. There were contributions of both cash and kind. "Kind" included firewood, rice, and the silent tears of teachers.

Now, I really appreciated the man behind this chorten. He is a thorough spiritual person. His name is Mr. Ugyen Wangdi—and no, he is not accepting donations at this time. He really worked hard to complete the chorten so that the school could consecrate it on 11th November, coinciding with HM, the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. We dedicate this chorten for his long and peaceful life—and also, let's be honest, to remind ourselves that nothing spiritual comes cheap.

And truly, miraculously, and against all budget forecasts, it was completed on 11th November. Here is the picture story of the chorten. Please enjoy the photos. Your Nu. 1000 is in there somewhere. Look closely.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chorten

Foundation work

Busy

Busy like Bees

Carring Nangzu of the Chroten

Ready to Paint

Consecration

Dedicated to 60th Birth Anniversary of 4th king

Tsatsa for the chorten

Some Nangzus - see lots of cats eyes

Old things

And without students the Chorten wouldnt have been completed

Darla School Celebrates the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo

Prayers for the long live of the kings

Chipdrel ceremony in the morning with the public of Darla

Making the right thing

Various songs and dances are performed, and this one is by class six - dancing for the long life of the king

Our students feeling proud to be Bhutanese

Class nine dancing

This Chorten is consecrated today and is dedicated to HM, the Fourth King

Singing of Zhabten and Listening to the King's speech aired in the school sound box

Our Public dancing

Class eight furling the flag so high

Consecration Going on

Lighting butter lamp for HM 60th birth anniversary

My felicitations to the Fourth king of Bhutan

Tribute to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on His 60th Birth Anniversary – 11th November

I offer my deepest felicitations to the Fourth King of Bhutan on the auspicious occasion of his 60th birth anniversary. Through his untiring efforts, unwavering resolution, far-sighted vision, and principled leadership, His Majesty has blessed the people of Bhutan with a magnificent boon and vouchsafed lasting happiness.

My fervent prayers go out to this saintly King, who sowed the seeds of peace and progress, labored tirelessly to spread the light of wisdom and compassion, and whose legacy we now joyfully inherit.

I salute our most Merciful, most Compassionate King. All praise be to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Now that His Majesty has entrusted us with the blessings of responsible citizenship and shown us the path of true service, we too walk in his footsteps to serve our fellow men and our nation. We re-dedicate ourselves to the service of Tsa wa Sum—the King, Country, and People.

Let us commemorate and share the joys of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s birth anniversary. And let us reflect with gratitude on the noble deeds of our revered monarch.