The clash of ease and nerve

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Quiz Questions and Answers: Over 300 plus Quizzes

There are 300 plus quiz questions with answers. The questions are based on wide coverage of Bhutan and other general questions.

Where will the 2020 summer Olympics be held?-Japan
What is the back of a book called?(spine)
What does the abbreviation ‘ECG’ stand for?(Electro Cardiogram)
How many bishops are there in Chess ?(2)
Which is the world’s oldest University press?(Oxford University press)
From where is this quotation taken,’the love of money is the root of all evil’?(The Bible)
What did Alfred Binet create?(The IQ test)
Big Ben is a politician/building/clock. (clock)
Which food crop uses most of world’s farmland? (wheat)
The language spoken by the largest number of people in the world is (Chinese)
What is the name of the Parliament of Bhutan ?(Tshogdu)(National Assembly)
Which is the heaviest flying bird?(the mute swan)
To which age does the Indus valley civilization belong?(The Bronze Age)
Which game is also known as ‘Ping Pong’?(table tennis)
Which is the oldest disease? (leprosy)
What is called’blue gold’?(water)
Who is a ‘fat cat’? (wealthy person)
A cross between a horse and a donkey is (The mule)
Who invented telephone?(Bell Graham)
Growth ring is also known as ------------ring.(annual)
When was world Telecommunication Day? (May 17th )
Hydrogen Peroxide is colourless. True or false?(true)
Which is the largest seed in the world?(coco de mer)-palm tree)
The unit of measurement of the depth of water is-(fathom)
Who is the author of the book ‘Comedy of Errors’?)William Shakespeare)
The plural of ‘next of kin ‘is(next of kin)
‘Funny bone’ can mean (a sense of humour)
Quick silver is mercury. What is quick lime?(calcium)
Name the largest island in Europe.(Great Britain)
Lizard Point is the southern-most point of a country. Which country?(Great Britain)
What is used to fill airplane tyres?(nitrogen)
Who created the character’ James Bond’ ?(British author Ian Fleming)
What is the centre of a cricket ball made of?(cork)
Name the greenhouse gas? (carbon dioxide)
Name the only mammal that can fly. (bat)
Name the fastest running bird in the world? (Ostrich)
what is the tallest and thickest type of grass?[bamboo]
What is another name for the hibiscus flower? ( china rose)
Which day is observed as world earth day? (April 22)
Which layer protects the earth from UV rays? [Ozone]
Name the largest park in Bhutan? [Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National park]
Name the longest river in the world (Nile)
Planting trees causes soil erosion. [F]
What country has the second largest population in the world? India
The company which produces the iPod. (Apple)
Which US state has the longest shoreline? Alaska (33,904 miles)
How many children did Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) have? Five (Diana, Randolph, Sarah, Marigold, Mary)
Who was the first cricketer in history to take 300 test match wickets? Fred Truman
What type of creature is an albacore? Fish
Which UK newspaper was founded in September 1964? The Sun
Which is the hottest planet in our solar system (based on generally accepted average surface temperatures)? Venus (Mercury is closest to the sun and is subject to the highest irradiation from the Sun, but Venus, due to its cloud cover and atmospheric density has a hotter 'mean' temperature than Mercury, and is generally regarded as the hottest planet in our solar system)
What is the capital of the Philippines? Manila
A Macfarlane is what type of clothing item? Coat
Who was the first Hanover King of England? George I (1714-1727)
From which country does the drink Kvass originate? Russia
What IBM (the IT systems company) stand for? International Business Machines
What is the plant saintpaulia commonly known as? African violet
What part of the body does Keratitis affect? The eye (inflammation of the cornea)
Lacustrine is a technical term relating to what? Lakes
What are Latter Day Saints otherwise known as? Mormons
What rank in the Royal Navy is above Able Seaman and below Petty Officer? Leading Seaman
What is a puppet worked by strings called? Marionette
Where is the deepest lake in the world? Siberia (Russia - Lake Baikal, 5,712ft deep)
The natterjack toad has what colour stripe down its back? Yellow
How many wheels did a hansom cab have? Two
Who discovered Victoria Falls in 1855? Dr David Livingstone
The US Labour Day falls in which month? September (the first Monday)
During World War II, forged paintings by which artist were produced by Jan Van Meegeren? Jan Vermeer
Anosmia is the technical term for the loss of which sense? Smell
Jargonelle, Seckel and Winter Nelis are types of which fruit? Pear
In which country was fashion designer Helmut Lang born? Austria
What country has the international car registration EAK? Kenya
How many strings does a balalaika typically have? Three
A carat (gemstone measurement) is the equivalent of how many milligrams? 200
Beriberi is a disease said to be caused by the deficiency of which vitamin? B
The production of what poisonous substance can be caused by eating raw cassava? Cyanide
Lord Raglan was a commander in which war? Crimean War
Who was the Greek goddess of divine punishment? Nemesis
Which Frank Dickens cartoon appears in the London Evening Standard (as at 2006)? Bristow
What is the collective name for a group of finches? Charm
Astraphobia is a fear of what? Lightning
What star sign are people born on 25 August? Virgo
In which year was the Battle of Stamford Bridge? 1066 (September - The Battle of Hastings followed in October)
Which fragrance was first made for Russian Count Orloff in 1768? Imperial Leather
Developed in Germany during World War II what is tabun? Nerve gas
Which country was previously called Mesopotamia? Iraq
The pub name The White Hart is named after which king's heraldic symbol? Richard II
How many presidents' faces are sculpted on Mount Rushmore? Four (Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Jefferson)
How many sides does a mansard roof have? Four (each with two slopes or faces)
Black velvet is a mixture of stout and which other alcoholic drink? Champagne
What is the title name of the Usher to the House of Lords? Black Rod
Which country suffered the greatest civilian losses in World War II? China (approximately 8 million people)
Which element has the highest melting point? Carbon (3,527 degrees centigrade)
Who founded the Boys Brigade in 1883? William Smith
Marble is a form of which type of rock? Limestone
Name the largest flower in the world? [Rafflessia]
Who dubbed England ‘the nation of shopkeepers’(Napoleon)
Which mammal has the longest length of pregnancy?(The African Elephant)
What is the most common form of iodine deficiency?(Goitre)
What is calcium sulphate better known as?(Chalk)
‘Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration’. Who said it?(Thomas Alva Edison)
Give the full form of ISBN?(International Standard Book Number)
Name the shortest word in the English language that contains the letters abcdef? (feedback)
What is the past participle of the word ‘speed’?(sped)
Which famous novel ends with the line, “that might be the subject of a new story-Our present story is ended.”(Crime and Punishment)
what was the original title of ‘Pride and Prejudice?(First Impressions)
What is the international dialing code of Bhutan?00975
Radio carbon dating is used to assess the age of what?Fossils
What is the old name of Myanmar?Burma
What is the meaning of the word “Buddha”?An Enlightened One
The present Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon is from which country?South Korea
RMA manages Bhutan’s financial affairs greatly. What does RMA stand for?Royal Monetary Authority
What name is used to refer to the American film industry?Hollywood
Name the branch of science which deals with the study of plants and their structure.Botany
Who was the first man to climb on Mt. Everest without oxygen?-Phub Dorji Sherpa
What is the name of world’s first Test Tube baby ?-Louise Joy Brown
Which country has recently opened world’s highest and longest glass bottomed bridge?-China
In which decade was the internet first implemented? -1960 s
What is INTERPOL?-International Criminal Police Organization
Which country bagged the highest number of medals in the 2016 Olympics held in Brazil?-USA
Who were the parents of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel? Tenpai Nima and sonam Pelgi Buthsi
What is the Dzongkha term for “constituency”?Dembhong
Who is known as the Father of modern Bhutan?King Jigme dorji Wangchuck
If Droenyer is the official in charge of guests, who is Zimpon?Chamberlain
How many articles are there in the constitution of Bhuatn?35
Name the languages in which BBS broadcasts its programmes.English, Dzongkha, Lhotsam and sharchop.
Who is the home minister of Bhutan?Lyonpo Dawa Gyeltshen
Who introduced potatoes in Bhutan?George Bogle
Zhabdrung came to Bhutan riding on the yak. What is the name of that yak? -Nima Syingye
Of Bhutan’s four queens, from whom was our Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck born? (Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck)
How many bones are there in the human face?-14
What is calcium suiphate better known as?-chalk
The unit of measurement of the depth of water is…fathom
Who is the fastest man in the world?-Husain Bolt
In cricket how many runs are needed to make a century?-100
What is Madam Curie and Pierre Curie famous for ?-Radioactivity
Which is the capital of Australia? Canberra
When is world’s AIDS day observed? Dec.1st
What is the unit of measurement of intensity of sound?-decibel
What does IOC stand for? International Olympic Committee
Spell the word. a-n-t-i-s-e-p-ti-c
The first registered political party in Bhutan was…………Peoples’ Democratic Party.
Who was the former President of Druk Phunsum Tshogpa?......Former Lyonchen Jigme Yoezer Thinley
The Political party which was disqualified to contest in the Primary Round is….Bhutan Kuen – Nyam Party
The logo Khamshing Meto belongs to……Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa
Who is the current Minister for Labour and Human Resource Ministry?........Nyima Sangay Tsempo
The first female Minister of Bhutan is the Minister for…….. Works and Human Settlement.
To which constutency the present Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly belong?....Choekhor – Tang Constituency.
Who is the current Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly?..............
How many elected female members are there in the National Council?............0
The historic gyenja the 17th Dec. 1907 was signed on the Thirteenth Day, Eleventh Month of the…………………..Earth Monkey Year
To develop political consciousness and introduce a representative government in the political system, the Third Druk Gyalpo established………..Tshogdu or National Assembly.
Lodoe Tshogde was formally constituted in the year……………..1965
His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk ‘handed over the reins of government’ in the year……………………1998
The first democratically elected Minister for Communication was……….Lyonpo Nandalal Rai
Name the constituency of the current Prime Minister……….Sombaykha
Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu was established in the year…………..1981.
The form of Government of Bhutan is…………………………………Democratic Constitutional Monarchy
Which Dzongkhag has the highest number of Constituencies?.....Tashigang
How many political parties took part in the primary round election of 2013?......4
What is the minimum age for a Bhutanese to be an eligible voter?.........18.
Name the card without which you won’t be able to vote………VPIC.
Who is the present Chairman of the Gyalyong Tshogde?....Dasho Sonam Kinga.
The minimum qualification required for an aspirant to stand for election to the National Assembly and National Council is……Bachelors Degree.
Who is the President of Druk Chirwang Tshogpa?......Ms Lilly Wangchuk
The youngest member of Bhutan’s first National Council – Sonam Yangchen
Which nutrients helps the plant in the development of branches and leaves? Nitrogen(N)
The boiling point of alcohol is …… 760 C
Why do farmer use ‘Lime’ in agriculture?
To reduce the acidity in the soil.
The bodies which emit light by themselves………….. luminous
Collectively petals are called as Corolla. What is the group of sepals called as? Calyze
Plants prepare their own food, they are called…… autotrophs
Name the female gamete present in the flower? Ovules
The scientific name of blue poppy ………….. Mecanopsis grandis.
The establishment of forest by artificial means in an area in which forest vegetation has long been absent is called - Afforestration
The force of attraction between similar particles…is…cohesion
Name the product formed when magnesium burns in presence of oxygen.---Magnesium(MgO)
The method of removing permanent hardness of water is called ---distillation/adding soda
The main character in the story is called protagonist. What is the person who plays the opposite role to the protagonist called? -----Antagonist
What is the male sheep called---Ram
What is the theme of the story titled ‘Somebody’s Son’ by Richard Pindell? -----My world: Family and Relationship
What is a person who is a great lover of books called? ------- Bibliophile
‘Reading makes a full man, Conference a ready man, writing an exact man.’ Who is the founder of the above saying? ----- Francis Beacon
What is the adjective form of the word ‘Joy,’ which is a noun -----------------------Joyous/joyful
A group of boys is called batch. What is a group of girls called? ----- Bevy
The cat sprang ____________ the table. What is the suitable missing preposition in the above statement? -----Upon
What is the highest point of development of a situation in a poem, story or play called? ------ Climax
A group of dancers is called troupe. What is a group of soldiers called? ------------Troupe
The poem ‘Unfolding Bud’ talks about the teenagers in comparison with the lily flower. Name the poet who has written this beautiful poem?
Mucus that is found in the nose is called ------ Snot
The cry of a jackal is called howl. What is the cry of a hyena called? ------- Laugh
Who is the author of ‘The Red Sweater?’ Mark Hager
‘My father is a member of Parliament. He has been ___________ M.P for the last 3 years.’ What is the suitable missing article can be used in the blank?-------- An
What is the plural form of the word ox? ----- Oxen
When did Guru Rinpoche visit Bumthang valley? ----- 747 A.D
The place or the site where an earthquake is first of all felt on earth´s surface is called its ….epicentre
Who and when was Simtokha Dzong built? ---- In 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
What is the name of the hot wind or heat waves that blow in the north Indian plain called?---Loo
How many years did Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal rule in Bhutan? ---- 35 years
Which layer of the atmosphere is ideal for flying jet aircraft?...Stratosphere
The Desi who was an expert in traditional medicines is _________? La Nyoenpa Tenzin Drugdra
The farmland,animals,farming tools and money is called…capital
When did Duar war end? ----- 1865
The population can change when people move into or out of a country or area This is called…---Migration change
When did the first war start? -----1939
Name the mountain that divides Europe and Asia---Low Ural Mountain
What is the name of the seal of Zhabdrung containing sixteen I’s? ------Nga-chu Dru-ma
Name the place in Bhutan which receives the heaviest rainfall------Bhur
What do we call the Biography of Guru Rinpoche? ---- Pema Thangyig
Bhutanese name for the river Brahmaputra is-Chumoluti
Who is the first woman minister of Bhutan?----Lyonpo Dorji Choden
Which insect has ears on its leg?---- Grasshopper
Name the party who won the 2013 general election?----People’s Democratic Party.
How many prime number are there in between 1 to 100?------ 24
Who is the new education minister?----Lyonpo Mingboo Dukpa
What is the biggest organ in our body?-----Skin
When is the birth anniversary of the fifth king? (Mention date and year)---21-04-1980
Name the new opposition party and Opposition leader of Bhutan?DPT,Dr.Pema Jamtsho
Which is the first private school in Bhutan?--- Kelki
Who discovered the value of Zero?Arybhatta
Which is the largest river in Bhutan?Drangme chhu
Who is the first Miss Bhutan?Tshokey Tshomo Karchung
Which is the largest Dzongkhag in Bhutan?Gasa
Name the first Bhutanese movie.-Gasa Lamei Singye
How old was Wangdiphodrang Dzongkha when it was gutted by fire in 2012? 374
When did Bhutan become the member of UNO?------ 1971
Who is the Father of Computer? -Charles Babbage
Name the two monasteries that were built before the arrival of Guru Rinpochhe in Bhutan? -Kichu and Jampa Lhakhang
How many Lopens are in the Monastic Body? -Five Lopens
Zhabdrung came to Bhutan riding on the yak. What is the name of that yak? -Nima Syingye
How many planets are there in the solar system? -8 planets
Which country in Asia lies in the rain shadow area? -Tibet
How many political parties participated in the primary round election?-4
Lhamo said, “I love my teachers very much like my own parents.”This sentence is an example of: Direct speech
what is the first private news paper?Bhutan Times
How many students are there in Pelrithang Middle Secondary School at present?(1344)
How many members are there in National Assembly? 47 Members
When was Constitution of Bhutan formally signed? (July 18, 2008)
Name the simple plant – like organism which lives mainly in water? (Algae)
Which bird can see ten times better than humans in the dark? (The Owl)
Who is called the light of the world? (Buddha)
What is magma made of? (Molten Rocks)
Name the political parties who could not participate as a result of disqualification—(Druk Kuenyam Party)
He drives perfectly. The word ‘perfectly’ belongs to which part of speech---an adverb
How many girls students are there in PMSS at present? 699
How many gewogs are there in Bhutan? 205
Which land animal is the tallest? (The giraffe, which is more than 5.5 m tall)
On an average how many times does the human heart beat per minute? (About 72 times)
What is a word having a meaning identical or very similar to that of another in the same language? (Synonym)
Name the U.S. astronauts who landed on the moon? (Neil Armstrong)
In which country is the Arabian Desert? (Egypt )
Who started Buddhism? (Lord Buddha )
Who was the president of Druk Chirwang Tshogpa?(Aum Lily Wangchuk)
The punctuation marks which has three dots (…) is known as --- ellipsis
What is another name of Black Mountain? Jow Durshing
the number of live born babies for every 1000 people in the same period is called:Birth Rate
How did Lord Buddha die? (By eating poison food)
What is the male cat called? (Tom)
In which country was the tape recorder invented in 1935?(Germany)
From where does the moon get light at night? (From the earth. It receives sunlight reflected by the earth)
When and where was the world’s first telephone answering machine invented? (In 1943 in Switzerland)
How many days does the moon take to complete a revolution round the earth? (About 27-1/3 days)
When was general election held? (13-7-2013)
We are having quiz competition just now.this sentence is an example of which tense?—Present continuous tense.
How many boys students are there at PMSS at present?645
The kit use to find the PH of the soil is called:Soil Test Kit.
Which gas is commonly used in electric bulbs?(neon)
What is the study of stars called? (astronomy)
How many times did Guru Rinpoche visit Bhutan? (Three times)
Who fulfilled Zhabdrung’s wish to build the Taktshang monastery at the present location? (Desi Tenzin Rabgay)
From which Dzongkhag does the 70th Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choeda come from? (Lhuentse)
At what age did His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck become the world’s youngest monarch? (17 years)
How many seats did PDP win in the general election? (32)
Pelrithang looks heavenly these days,…?What is the right question tag?—doesn’t it?
What is the name of the Lama, who brought Buddhism in Bhutan? ---------------Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo
The organ system which helps in production of energy is Respiratory system.
Which internationally renowned development philosophy was coined by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck? (GNH)
Of Bhutan’s four queens, from whom was our Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck born? (Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck)
Which Indian Congress political leader attended the Royal wedding ceremony of our Fifth King on 15th October in Tashi Chhoedzong? (Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi)
Remains of dead plants and animals are known as (Humus)
How can we separate grains from the husk?By winnowing
What can we use to control harmful insects in our fields? (Pesticide)
Name the Home minister of Bhutan.(Lyonpo Damchoe Dorji)
if a person who drinks always is called alcoholic then what do we call a person who loves work? Workaholic
“The future of nation lies in the hands of today’s youth”. Who said the above statement? ------ His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
What is the name of the father given in the story, ‘Like Two Feet of a Traveller’ by Dorji Penjore? ------ Ap Tawla
What kind of energy does petrol have? Chemical energy
What is the full form of ORS? Oral Rehydration Solution
Name the air that animal breath out? Carbon dioxide
Who proved that the Earth and the other planets move around the sun? Galileo
Name the two planets which have no satellites? Mercury and Venus
Name the place where Buddha Gautama passed away? Kushinagar in Eastern Utter Pradesh
Which political party has the picture of peach flower in their Logo?(Druk Nyamrog Tshokpa)
What is another name for full stop?Period
When was Tertoen Pema Lingpa born? ------ 1450 A.D
The study of cell is known as …….. Cytology.
What is the name of the biggest island of the world? Greenland
When did Karma Gyeltshen climb the World’s highest peak? On May 21, 2005)
Name the eighth SAARC Member country that joined in 2005? Afghanistan
Which animal is called a champion weight-lifter in the animal kingdom? Ant
Where was Azhi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck born? Bumthang Pangtey
When is World Teachers Day? October 5
When was first Modern Education started in Bhutan? 1913
When the birthrate is equal to death rate is, it is called--Zero population growth
An article which points out particular person, places and thing is called…..The
Animals that have water proof skin with scales…………Reptiles

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Darla school changed its girls dress for second time in a year

Old red tego

A kira, woonju, tego, gho, or shoes and socks may not be the ingredients for my favorite outfit, but if I were given a choice, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of a schooluniform. Wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, creates an identity for a school, and is an important part of being a student.

Uniforms show that you are part of an organization. Wearing one says, "We are all in this together." Moreover, if you wear your uniform with pride, it means you are halfway to being respectful.

Old Dress

I feel uniforms are great social equalizers. They discourage inappropriate dress, help bolster school and academic pride, and make getting dressed in the morning a no-brainer.

One parent told me this morning, "My kids go to school, and uniforms were the best thing that happened. They don't see friends having better clothes, and in the end, you can save a lot of money."

I also believe that uniforms give students a sense of belonging to a particular schooland create an identity for the school in the community.

New faded ash tego

Some people believe that school uniforms can improve learning by reducing distraction, sharpening focus on schoolwork, and making the classroom a more serious environment, thereby allowing students to perform better academically.

Perhaps most importantly, a uniform means students don't have to worry about peer pressure when it comes to their clothes. When everyone is dressed the same, worrying about your appearance becomes less important. There is no competition over wearing the latest trends, which would place great financial pressure on students and parents. Potential bullies have one less target for their insults—it's hard to make fun of what someone is wearing when you are dressed exactly the same.

In America, where a majority of schools do not have uniforms, roughly 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. This may not be directly linked to clothing, but having a uniform can provide a safety net for many students who might otherwise suffer from bullying. A strict uniform also gives the impression that rules are strict, perhaps helping maintain a sense of order at school.

New dress

The Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

According to proponents, school uniforms:

· Encourage discipline

· Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes

· Help identify intruders in the school

· Diminish economic and social barriers between students

· Increase a sense of belonging and schoolpride

· Improve attendance

Opponents contend that school uniforms:

· Violate a student's right to freedom of expression

· Are simply a Band-Aid on the issue of school violence

· Make students a target for bullies from other schools

· Are a financial burden for poor families

· Are an unfair additional expense for parents who already pay taxes for free public education

· Are difficult to enforce in public schools

Darla School changed its girls' dress for the second time in a year. Starting this July, our girls will be wearing an ash-brown tego instead of the bright red one. A number of students have complained about the change, and there was a general opinion that this new dress is really bad.

The red tego caused many problems, with many students, some teachers, and parents against it. The change to red was driven by only a few individuals in the school. Many thought it was not a good choice. Though symbolically confident and bright, the red had more negatives than positives. The red was so intense to look at that it affected the eyes, especially for teachers who had to see the tegos all day. I also heard that it attracted bulls and leeches, which are plentiful in Darla.

The current tego was chosen by our schoolgirls before the first term, and they now like it. One student said, "I like uniforms because everyone is the same and no one can be left out by the way they are dressed. Our new tego looks smarter, which is good."

With the change of the tego came a change of principal. Mr. Tshochu was replaced by a new principal, Mr. Tshering. The former principal moved to Gedu HSS, while the latter arrived after his studies. To date, I have worked under seven principals, and I found Mr. Tshochu to be the best of them all. Though he was also a little crooked—and who says humans are not? Everyone is. Everyone can be a little un-human and lack civic sense sometimes.

When I have time, I would like to list down some traits of good and poor leaders:

Lack of Transparency – We can tell when someone is not being completely honest. There is rarely a reason not to be entirely transparent with everyone, every time. Lack of transparency can result in a lack of trust.

Egoistic – The best leaders accept blame when things go wrong and give credit to their team when things go right. To be a true visionary leader, you need to let go of your ego and focus on your people, because without them you would be nowhere.

Lack of Confidence – The boss I worked under in Tsirang at the start couldn't make decisions because he had no faith in his own judgment.

Arrogance – It takes confidence to lead, but it also takes humility. Many leaders think they are confident when they are really just pigheaded and proud.

Disorganization – I have worked with some hard-driving, capable leaders who hamstrung themselves by never getting organized. I had one leader who ran after women and bothered little about the school. If I were boss, the first thing I would do is fire him.

Over-promising and Under-delivering – This affects more than just politicians. People leading up in an organization often do this to impress those above them, failing to realize that under-delivering shoots themselves in the foot. People at the top fall into the trap by overusing promises to ensure team loyalty. I see most leaders in Bhutan are like that—sycophantic.

No Clear Vision – No one wants to follow in the dark. It is impossible to motivate people who feel lost in a fog.

Failure to Enroll Others – Some leaders simply expect people to follow them because of their position. That is wrong. If a leader cannot enroll others, failure looms.

No Accountability – If a leader avoids responsibility and refuses to hold their team accountable, they will shipwreck the organization. Accountability is essential.

Nobody is born with any given skill; we learn through observation and by copying others—our role models. You might gain some valuable information from reading books on this subject, but I remember an old saying scribbled on the cover of a book I read in my teens: "Life is not learned from books, but by living it."

While meeting great leaders has always been a wonderful experience, it is the bad ones that truly reinforce the values of good leadership. I have been lucky in this sense, as I have had the chance to meet some of the worst leaders you can possibly imagine. Leaders who fail to keep up risk being clueless, close-minded, and arrogant. A lack of knowledge leads to indecision and fear and can cause employees to quickly lose trust in their leader.

My Babies

Pema Tashi and Pema Nidup....brothers!!

Am i the one here?

A smile that would cost million dollars

Nipping the nipple

You are so precious and sweet,

The one who has come into our lives.

You are a gift of life itself,

Adding new meaning

To the wonder and mystery of living.

The giver of joy,

The world’s sweetest miracle—

Baby boy, that is you.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Bhutanese Films and Theaters

Bhutanese people take pride in three names—religion, culture, and tradition—and these are all interconnected. They often come to the rescue of our identity and nationalism when engaging with the outside world or participating in intellectual debates abroad.

As a proud and true Bhutanese, I once hoped that our youth would deeply absorb Bhutanese values. But as it turns out, only a few young people now show interest in religion, culture, and tradition.

However, being a devoted son of Bhutan comes with its own perils. When I was thirteen, I watched Gasa Lamay Singye with my friends. It was Bhutan's first movie. It was not about religion, culture, or tradition, but about human bonds—a love triangle. There were small quarrels, fights, dishoom-dishoom, and songs. The movie moved some of us to want to be like its heroes, and it entered our juvenile brains. It was no traditional-cultural film, I remember.

Today, when I look back at those days, a sense of nostalgia takes over. I can still recall the scenes of that movie. It was, in fact, the beginning of filmmaking in the country. I am not a Bhutanese movie buff now. I watched Gasa Lamay Singye simply because there was no television at the time. Now, I am the type of "Woods"—just like many of us—Hollywood and Bollywood. I have watched about seven Bhutanese movies so far, and I find them a little un-Bhutanese: tactless, amateurish, sluggish, and predictable. They are all copycats—Bollywood copying Hollywood, Hollywood copying Bollywood, and other "Woods," and then Bhutanwood, or "Drukpawood." Our Drukpawood is a mixture, a masala of all Woods, hoping to become delicious emadatshi. Thinking that our Drukpawood could reach international standards, we copy. But in the end, it tastes ordinary. Our Dzongkha is becoming "Dzonglish." Let us think about this: Fiji, a country smaller than Bhutan, produces some of the world's best films.

Most of our movies do not tell the stories of our country's rich history—its historical background and traditions. We have so many Penlops, Deps, legends, myths, and folktales that could be made into very good films. For example, the legend of Ling Gesar Gyap, Zhabdrung and his dzongs, and others could become beautiful movies. But nowadays, we live in a floating world, so we see in movies flashy cars, immaculate houses, decked-up ladies in tatters, fancy mood lighting—all flesh and bones—and it is difficult to understand what is being portrayed and why.

Bhutanese movies are heavily threaded with misery and a weepy kind of life, with only little sparkling moments of joy that bring a smile to the viewer's face. There are scenes like Phurba Thinley trying to behave like a woman, which draws small laughs, or westernized musical parties where kids gather, dance, and sing "Nga Chelu Ga" or a "ting-a-ling-ling" song. Otherwise, there are no striking moments. Scenes where Singlam and Galam visit their old ruined house and break down, or the cruel mother-in-law Aum Lamo smashing her daughter-in-law's head against the wall, or heroes running through poverty and dejection (usually because of the woman they love)... gripping lives... and then they understand each other's hearts, come together, start a new life, and succeed within a minute—with little connection. Most of the time, the films tighten the knots of brutal and faithless life, making audiences—especially Bhutanese women—mistake their own lives for the film.

Aristotle rightly said that films must excite, startle, thrill, and shake viewers. These effects cannot be produced by a play lacking conflict. Conflict in a movie may be between human beings pulling in different directions, between a character and their environment, or between a character and the society they belong to. Movies must generally represent human suffering, which raises pity and fear among audiences and leads them to consider a film great in its tragic appeal. The misfortune portrayed should be simple and straightforward, yet sublime and universal in its penetrating appeal.

In my judgment, a good film should represent human suffering, evoke fear and pity, use embellished language, have an emotional or cathartic appeal, and above all, educate, entertain, and inform. There are two views on the tragic vision of life. One is that man is the plaything of an inscrutable power called fate; the other is that character is responsible for the tragic end. In Greek tragedies, the tragic fate of the heroes is predetermined. Oedipus and Antigone become obstinate and tyrannical. Their tragedy is due to their overconfidence in their respective attitudes.

Although films portray the contradictions of our lives, a majority of viewers take them as reality. Because of this, films should touch on various themes and issues. Instead of love failures dominating most Bhutanese films, they must represent history, contemporary Bhutanese society, changing relationships, and educate about the morals of faith and belief.

Moviemakers cannot retell the story of Gasa Lamay Singye again and again. Bhutan has a rich, diverse history. We have so many untold stories. Our people are rich; each of us has much to share. Every stone, every tree, every valley, every hill, every mountain, every village has a story to tell. There is a Galem and Singye in every hamlet, an Amrish Puri, a Phurba Thinley in every hamlet. There are unsung heroes. We are not short of stories. But we are short of an audience.

Many Bhutanese movies are said to have run at a loss. The question is: why? Why do most Bhutanese movies run at a loss? Why has Bhutan not succeeded with our Drukpawood? Why are Bhutanese people not skilled at producing better movies? What is lacking in our entertainment industry?

I think we are not devoid of a market or audience—people do like to watch—but we lack good places for screening. Our villagers are hungry for Bhutanese movies.

Therefore, to bring Bhutanese movies to our hungry audience, we need good distribution systems and good entertainment venues, especially halls or theaters. Good halls with proper seating, sound systems, and so on. They would also serve as meeting places for local communities. Ideally, such halls should be in every gewog, or even every chiwog. Building good theater infrastructure and providing better, efficient facilities for audiences would profit filmmakers and improve the quality of movies.

In this way, we could promote our own films and Drukpawood, and promote our own shows, thereby educating through our own traditions. Not only that, we would create many job opportunities in this industry and generate significant revenue. We would likely see fewer drug users and less crime overall, as such venues engage people and give them a second thought.

Our neighbor India has a very strong and prosperous film industry because almost every small town has good cinema halls.

Bhutan does not have many good halls. We have some in Thimphu, Phuntsholing, Samdrup Jongkha, and Gelephu. But these are not really theaters—they are simple halls. They all lack good sound systems and technical quality. The size and cleanliness of these halls could put them in Grade G.

I hope our government will look into this matter and establish good theaters. I am ready to contribute a small amount to help build good theaters in our country.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Transformative Pedagogy -- 2016

Most employees want the same things: a fair and competitive salary, hikes and promotions, and proper TA/DA—all of which foster greater engagement and a sense of job satisfaction. Monetary benefits consistently top the list of what would give employees greater gratification. Provide these benefits, and one can expect a more positive culture, more engaged employees, and a more loyal and productive workforce.

The Ministry of Education has been working on developing teachers' skills and increasing their happiness. "A teacher is the heart of the school and of education," said Education Minister Norbu Wangchuk. Thanks to his vision and sound planning, teachers in Bhutan were able to attend five days of training at various centers across the country. Although the workshop timing fell during the summer break for some teachers, it was mostly scheduled at the beginning of the second semester. The workshop centers were carefully planned. To ensure teachers received entitlements such as TA/DA, they were sent a fair distance from their schools. For example, teachers from Darla MSS were sent to Phuntsholing and Chukha, while teachers from Chukha schools were sent to Gedu. This thoughtful arrangement was truly heartwarming, and many teachers were grateful. Thanks to this approach, all teachers were entitled to full benefits—something that might not have happened if the initiative had been steered by less capable hands.

It was clearly announced and published in newspapers how much budget the new Education Minister had invested in teachers. "In order to develop the capacities of teachers, Nu 116.8 million has been allocated this year, up from just around Nu 8 million last year. The ministry in 2016 will initiate new pedagogy training for around 9,000 teachers across the country" (Kuensel, "Investing to Better Teachers," June 6, 2016). We know that teachers do not typically receive benefits such as travel allowances. Providing equal TA/DA and mileage entitlements would boost the efficiency and productivity of civil servants in Bhutan, thereby benefiting the country's overall economic performance. Furthermore, this would increase the level of confidence, competence, ethics, and integrity among civil servants. In the long run, it might also indirectly reduce corruption and improve accountability. I particularly thank Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk for this good initiative—it will certainly boost teachers' morale.

During the training, we were provided with sumptuous lunches and refreshments. Given the nature of other workshops and training sessions in the country, I did not expect this to work at first. But I am confident it will.

By the end of the workshop, we felt a certain sense of satisfaction. We learned new skills and knowledge, including how to apply cooperative learning structures and active learning strategies. I will not reproduce that literature here, as we received detailed handouts.

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