Judiciary: In an effort to promote Dzongkha, the judiciary organised Dzongkha essay competition among its employees.

Chief Justice Tshering Wangchuk on May 6 awarded cash prices and certificates to the winners and participants.

Sonam Penjor, a clerk from the Supreme Court took Nu 20,000 and certificate for winning the competition. Yonten Thinley, a clerk of Jomo Tsangkha Drungkhag Court in Samdrupjongkhar took away the second prize of Nu 10,000. Namgay Dorji, a clerk from dzongkhag court of Samdrupjongkhar bagged the third prize of Nu 5,000. They also got the certificates.

A certificate and dzongkha dictionary each was given to seven participants as a consolation prize.

Chief Justice said that employees of judiciary should excel in the use of Dzongkha to be able to conduct accurate and precise court proceedings.

He said that a slight spelling mistake could give a different meaning and emphasised everyone to upgrade their written and spoken Dzongkha.

Judiciary plans to make essay competition an annual programme as a way to promote the national language.

If possible, such essay competition will be held twice a year to develop a continuous spirit to learn Dzongkha.

Sherub Jamtsho, a dzongkha teacher, said the essay competition is a good approach to encourage learning of Dzongkha, which is being overshadowed by foreign language. “Efforts such as this are more effective than enforcing rules to promote the national language. Government must take the lead role to promote Dzongkha, which is on the verge of losing its significance.”

The Bhutanese film industry and local music firms are playing a good role in promoting spoken Dzongkha but there should be also a good mechanism to promote written Dzongkha said one Dzongkha expert. “Government should promote more Dzongkha newspapers.”

Thimphu and Chhukha dzongkhags have submitted agenda to the on-going session of the Parliament to promote the national language through making use of Dzongkha in official meetings and strengthening Dzongkha teachers in schools.

By Tezin Namgyel

Advertisement