Monthly Archives: December, 0

A three-day SAARC literary festival on Asian novel began today, in the capital. The festival with the theme, “traversing the cultural contours through South Asian Novel”, will provide a platform to the novelists, writers, literary critics, literary enthusiasts in the region to share their thoughts, insights and voice their concerns.

Leadership continues to be a male domain in Bhutan. Women representation in the leadership sphere is largely insignificant, both at the national and local government levels. Bhutan Network for Empowering Women (B-NEW) wants to change the trend. It wants to see increased women participation in the next local government elections and is working towards it.

An elderly man, who is partially blind, has sustained injuries when twelve-unit temporary sheds were gutted by a fire near Gomkora Lhakhang last night. He is being treated in Trashigang Dzongkhag hospital.

Lack of media professionalism and sustainability of media houses are some of the challenges confronting the Bhutanese media, according to the latest Media Impact Study Report 2013.

An agreement, reinforcing the commitment of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation to assist the Bhutanese government, Civil Society Organizations and private sector partners, has been renewed. The assistance will be in the fields of rural development including education, skills development and employment, and local governance.

The Forest Division Office in Paro seized a truckload of illegal mixed conifer timber, today. The 380 cubic feet consignment of timber was intercepted by forestry officials at 3am at Chelela. The officials had received a tip-off about the consignment, which was being taken to a sawmill in Paro.

The UN Secretary-General’s  “UNiTE campaign to End Violence against Women” was formally launched in the country in Monggar. It is aimed at raising awareness and increasing political will and resources to prevent and end all forms of violence against women and girls.

The cultural park consisting of four prayer wheels, a fountain and a statue of Buddha was inaugurated at Samtenling gewog in Sarpang, today.  It was built with the help of donations from people of Samtenling gewog and a contractor who donated the Buddha statue.

His Majesty the King, in his address to the Nation on the 106^th National Day, today, highlighted the economic and social challenges that Bhutan faced in the past, and will face in the future. His Majesty said hydropower alone will not meet the expenses of the country and that there is a need to diversify the economy.

The Nation will celebrate the 106^th National Day, tomorrow. Residents of Thimphu are expected to be in the thousands at the Changlimithang stadium where the historic day will be celebrated with song, dance and games.