Of the 10 people who declared their interest to contest in the upcoming National Council (NC) elections from Tsirang, an entrepreneur, Tara Bir Chuwan, will contest from Doonglagang gewog.
The 36-year-old entrepreneur settled in his village in 2011 and started poultry and cattle feed delivery business.
He also delivered grocery items to micro shops in his village and ran an agent of Karma One Stop Shop, through which he supplied agriculture equipment such as mini power tillers, rice mill, grain mill and grass cutter among others to the farmers.
Tara Bir Chuwan has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Saint Joseph’s College in Darjeeling, India. He graduated in 2009.
After graduation, he worked in the National Statistical Bureau as an enumerator and editor to conduct the Bhutan Multiple Indicator survey. “I have understood problems faced by women and children across the country and the rural living condition,” he said.
He was also involved in conducting a survey on ‘socio-economic impact on rural electrification’ in Chukha. He also served as a manager for a construction company.
He claimed to have volunteered as a treasurer for a community forest management group in the locality and also as the chairperson of the Drongsep Yargay Datshen (cooperative farmers’ group) consisting of eighteen households.
He said that the cooperative has a revolving fund of more than Nu 1 million, which is lent to farmers at a 10 percent interest. “My intention is to change the method of traditional farming to the integrated one and to preserve and promote the organic farming.”
Tara Bir Chuwan said if people in Tsirang give him the opportunity to serve them as their representative, he will bridge the gap between public and the government in best possible ways.
“I want to contribute to the welfare of the public and reduce poverty in small ways,” he said.
He also claimed to have understood the problems of people through his ongoing familiarization tour. “My two years of official work experience and six years of experience in the village will help me listen to the needs of people and reach out to them.”
Nirmala Pokhrel | Tsirang