With more than 20 different public, corporate and private offices, Nganglam town in Pema Gatshel is seeing a growing number of people, especially office-goers. However, the town does not have any recreational facility for the residents to unwind after a tiresome day or a week. Therefore, the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) decided to allow the opening of Karaoke clubs in the town.
This DT’s decision partly revokes its 2016 resolution, which disallowed the establishment of Drayangs and any other entertainment centres in the district. This means the house has endorsed the setting up of Karaoke clubs in Nganglam as well as in the upcoming Denchhi town of Pema Gatshel with immediate effect.
However, coming to the opening of the Drayangs is still restricted. According to Nganglam Dungkhag Administration, having entertainment centres is essential for stress management and healthy lifestyles.
“There are many interested people to establish Karaoke clubs. So, for that, they must seek local clearance from Dzongkhag, Dungkhag, and Thromde. I also want to request the house to kindly decide to provide approval to the interested individuals,” pointed out the Nganglam Dungpa, Sherab Zangpo.
Local leaders were in favour of Nganglam Dungpa’s submission.
“There will be lots of people coming here to halt night and enjoy. So, I would like to request all the members present here to consider providing approval to individuals who want to open Karaoke clubs in Nganglam,” underlined Norbugang Gup, Kinley Dorji.
His views were echoed by Zobel Gup Pema Dorji.
“From the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, providing approval is guaranteed. So, other relevant agencies will decide whether to provide a license or not.”
After much deliberation, the house rubber-stamped the resolution to allow residents in Nganglam town to operate Karaoke clubs.
The decision brought cheers to the business communities and residents of Nganglam and Denchhi towns.
Some of them, who are constructing buildings, is now planning to convert their underground floor into Karaoke clubs.
“We have not been permitted to open Karaoke centres so far. Now the rule has changed, I hope to seize the opportunity as travellers commuting to Monggar, Trashigang and other districts may spend a night here knowing that there are some entertainment centres,” told one of the businessmen in Nganglam town, Tshering Penjor.
Like him, others are also hoping for the same.
“I planned to open a Karaoke in the past but I couldn’t get the license. Since we don’t have any entertainment facility, the opening of Karaoke clubs will offer respite to those who had hectic working hours. It will also benefit the businessmen like us,” added another businessman Rinzin Wangchuk.
With more than 10,000 population in Nganglam, the business community there is optimistic about making Karaoke clubs a lucrative business.
Currently, the district has five interested individuals to set up Karaoke studios in Nganglam town. They have to seek administrative approval from the dungkhag administration and social clearance from the neighbours.
After that, they can submit their duly filled applications to the BICMA, which will accordingly review the applications and grant approval.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Pema Lhaden
