Opinions

Easing loan access through credit scoring system

As Bhutan advances toward its ambitious goal of achieving developed nation status, its restrictive financial services system stands as a significant...

Apr 19, 2025 3 mins read
Education – a little boy played by politics

Bhutan’s journey in modern secular education has been marked by remarkable progress within  a relatively brief developmental period, despite the challenges an...

Apr 17, 2025 8 mins read
Earth Economics: A moral and economic imperative we cannot delay any further

In an era defined by unprecedented environmental challenges, from...

Apr 14, 2025 4 mins read
Missing the AI boat while Bhutan's youth hang in the balance

The Guidelines on Generative AI Use for Civil Servants, developed by the Royal Civil Service Commission and GovTech, mark a tentative step towards integrating artificial intelligence into public administration. While the document acknowledges AI's potential to enhance efficiency—automating tasks, generating insights, and improving citizen engagement—it also underscores risks such as misinformation

Apr 12, 2025 3 mins read
It is not about Kuensel vs The Bhutanese

It is unfortunate that the media has to engage in clarifying each other’s stand when we are tasked to inform and educate the readers. However, when others are deliberately e...

Apr 12, 2025 6 mins read
Kingdom of Thailand and Kingdom of Bhutan: Over three decades of relations built on similarities and close ties

The relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand a...

Apr 11, 2025 7 mins read
Making Franco-Bhutanese friendship more concrete is our priority

Convinced for a long time of the common interests shared by France and Bhutan to concretise the frien...

Apr 07, 2025 3 mins read
The Buddha I never saw

Have you ever really looked at the face of the Buddha? I hadn’t. Not really. I have seen so many statues and paintings of the Buddha, at monasteries, lhakhangs, temples in Thimphu and all over Bhutan. But I never really stopped to look closely. Buddha is Buddha, I used to think. What difference does it make? He is always there, calm and glowing. I know that sounds careless.

Apr 07, 2025 3 mins read
Building trust and merit in Bhutan's new judicial framework

This week marks a pivotal moment for Bhutan's judicial system as judges and registrars from across the nation conver...

Apr 05, 2025 3 mins read
Messenger on a Mission: Jamyang leaves Albury for Canberra

After a brief rest in Albury, Bhutanese messenger Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk has resumed his ambitious biking journey acr...

Apr 05, 2025 3 mins read
Super gain with a simple gesture

Mar 31, 2025 5 mins read
Toward a Unified Right to Health Law

Bhutan’s constitutional mandate to secure the “right to life, liberty, and security of person” under Article 7(1), coupled with its pursuit of Gross National Happiness (GNH) under Artic...

Mar 29, 2025 3 mins read
Beyond the mountains: My Harvard students’ Bhutan trek experience

Exactly a year ago, I was wrapping up my spring semester at the Harvard Kennedy School—a tim...

Mar 29, 2025 4 mins read
Class X cut-off debate: A policy of merit or marginalisation?

The government’s decision to reinstate the Class 10 cut-off point has sparked a firestorm of debate, but be...

Mar 26, 2025 4 mins read
Red list to bucket list

Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom known as the ‘Last Shangri-La’—celebrated for its sustainability, spirituality, and commitment to happiness—has unexpectedly landed on the US draft ‘Red List’ alongside nations like Afghanistan...

Mar 24, 2025 5 mins read
Need to clear the roadblocks for Yarju to succeed

Recent strides of the Royal Bhutan Police, The PEMA Secretariat, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock sign a Tripartite Agreement to Esta...

Mar 22, 2025 3 mins read
The business of happiness

The World Happiness Report, 2025-an annual survey was published yesterday, 20 March on International Day of Happiness. Finland remained the happiest nation for the eighth year in a row, while Mexico and Costa Rica ran...

Mar 22, 2025 5 mins read
A call from the mountains: Will we save our glaciers in time?

The mountains are calling—but this time, their message is a distress signal, as we mark the first-ever Worl...

Mar 21, 2025 3 mins read
Right to Health Act before privatisation of health care

The government's proposal to privatise healthcare services arrives at a critical juncture, as the nation grapples with a healthc...

Mar 15, 2025 3 mins read
Inspiring children and youth with an empowered identity

The morning mist hung low over Gelephu as 8-year-old Kuenzang walked to school, clutching his books in one hand, and in the othe...

Mar 15, 2025 5 mins read
Protecting children in the age of artificial intelligence

The age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is very much here.  The term “generative AI” is now commonplace, with the publi...

Mar 10, 2025 4 mins read
Should we sacrifice children’s rights at the altar of the principal’s autonomy?

The statements by our education minister and Prime...

Mar 08, 2025 3 mins read
Exit the dragon, enter the Wood Snake

With Losar celebrations past and the Year of the Wood Snake upon us, we take our annual last look at the IndoPacific region’s lunar year that was.

Mar 05, 2025 5 mins read
Wisdom Centre: A beacon for justice sector transformation

The launch of the Wisdom Centre at JSW Law, coinciding with the 45th birthday anniversary of His Majesty, represents a sig...

Mar 01, 2025 2 mins read
Bhutan in Focus: The Call of the Mountains at the Kolkata French Film Festival 2025

Last year, a French film, ”La Tresse” (The Braid),...

Feb 28, 2025 5 mins read
Reforming Bhutan’s Legal Stamp Act

As we celebrate His Majesty’s 45th Birth Anniversary, Bhutan’s commitment to the Diamond Strategy’s “one country, two systems” framework marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s developme...

Feb 22, 2025 3 mins read
Why can’t Math classes be interesting?

“Math is too hard.” “Math is boring.” “Why do we even need to study this?”—these complaints echo in classrooms everywhere.

Feb 17, 2025 3 mins read
Agri-preneurship in Bhutan

After a fulfilling 18-year tenure in public service, I found myself yearning for change—one that would let me continue to impact my community positively while forging a more profound connection with nature.

Feb 15, 2025 4 mins read
Browse Archives
ADB projects inflation to moderate at 4.2 percent in 2025

The cost of goods and services in the country is projected to ease to 4.2 percent this year, according to the latest forecast from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Apr 16, 2025 2 mins read
Jumbos move up to Zhemgang for food

Zhemgang—A herd of 11 elephants has, for the first time, moved from Sarpang to Zhemgang, leaving Tingtibi residents without water for two days after destroying the water pipes.

Apr 16, 2025 2 mins read
ITPL launches training to curb rising workplace accidents

To address workplace accidents, the Institute of Technology and Professional Learning (ITPL) began a five-day training p...

Apr 16, 2025 2 mins read
The Mugwort Solution

After more than a decade in the tourism industry, Leki Wangmo made a dramatic career pivot, from showcasing her country’s beauty to preserving its ancient healing wisdom.

Apr 16, 2025 2 mins read
Samtse to appeal to PMO for town development funds

Samtse—After years of stalled progress and mounting frustration among residents, local leaders in Samtse have decided to...

Apr 15, 2025 2 mins read
Tourism strategy champions integrity, community, and national vision

As Bhutan reimagines its tourism strategy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is placi...

Apr 15, 2025 2 mins read
Government scales up quinoa diet to tackle rising NCDs

Students of Wangbama in Thimphu and Bartsham Central School in Trashigang, will now receive, quinoa supplement in food d...

Apr 15, 2025 4 mins read
Young farmer elected gup of Goenshari gewog

Punakha—Ugyen Dorji, a 34-year-old farmer from Zhelngosa village, has been elected the new gup of Goenshari gewog in Pun...

Apr 15, 2025 1 mins read
Bhutanese boxers dominate Four Nations Boxing Championship

All 16 Bhutanese boxers, comprising eight women and eight men, bagged medals at the 2025 Four Nations Boxing Championshi...

Apr 15, 2025 2 mins read
Gelephu-Kokrajhar railway link to align with GMC plans

Gelephu—The much anticipated 69.04-kilometre cross-border railway project connecting Gelephu to Kokrajhar station in Ass...

Apr 14, 2025 2 mins read
Ensuring quality of public infrastructure

Public infrastructure serves as the backbone of national economy, influencing everything from economic productivity to social well-being. Yet, for too long, quality control has been an afterthought rather than a fundamental principle guiding infrastructure projects.

Apr 02, 2025 2 mins read
Media must first hold itself accountable

The media serves as a watchdog of society, holding institutions and individuals accountable for their actions. It plays an important role in upholding democracy, exposing corruption, and ensuring transparency in governance. However, as much...

Apr 01, 2025 2 mins read
Waste problem demands urgent action

We are at a crossroads in our fight against waste. The country, known for its pristine environment and Gross National Happiness philosophy, is now grappling with an escalating waste crisis. If immediate, evidence-based action...

Mar 31, 2025 2 mins read
Clearing speedbumps along the EV road

The call for privatising or establishing a public-private partnership (PPP) to develop and maintain electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is valid, given the crucial role of infrastructure in advancing the EV agenda. The challeng...

Mar 29, 2025 2 mins read
Urgent need for more EV charging stations

Bhutan’s ambitious target of replacing 70 percent of its vehicles with electric ones by 2035 is a visionary step towards sustainability. However, without a well-planned and efficiently maintained network of charging stations, this goal could r...

Mar 28, 2025 2 mins read
Investing in our children’s future through play

In Bhutan, where strong family values and community ties form the foundation of society, the way we raise our children d...

Mar 27, 2025 2 mins read
Hitting boulders along the export highway

The boulder trade emerged as a boon for Bhutanese businessmen and the economy. With Bangladesh experiencing a surge in construction demand and Bhutan being rich in stones, the trade seemed like a perfect fit.

Mar 26, 2025 2 mins read
Saving our rivers

From a distance, our glacial-fed rivers appear pristine. But a closer look along the riverbanks , especially in urban areas, reveals quite a different picture. Plastic was...

Mar 25, 2025 2 mins read
Tuberculosis: Growing threat demands urgent action

Tuberculosis (TB) seems to be quietly spreading across the country, posing a serious public health issue. Despite medica...

Mar 24, 2025 2 mins read
Real dangers over our heads

For years, the Royal University of Bhutan’s conference hall in Thimphu has hosted policymakers, intellectuals, and experts discussing visions, future plans, and innovative ideas.

Mar 22, 2025 2 mins read

Stock Today

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Smartphone imports hit record high of Nu 2.7 billion, raising eyebrows

Smartphone imports spiked to Nu 2.72 billion in 2024, a sharp increase from Nu 2.2 billion in 2023. This jump propelled...

Mar 08, 2025 2 mins read
BDBL receives almost 4,000 loan applications under ESP Window-I

Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) has received 3,969 loan applications across its 35 branches nationwide, totaling...

Feb 20, 2025 2 mins read
Card payment and SWIFT transfers drive international transactions

Bhutan’s international payment systems showed mixed trends in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, recording a sharp increas...

Feb 20, 2025 2 mins read
Hydropower generation spikes by 11 percent in 2024

The country’s total hydropower generation increased by 11 percent, reaching 11, 699.68 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electrici...

Feb 20, 2025 2 mins read
Forex reserves reach USD 700 million, up by 15 percent

The country’s foreign exchange reserves grew by 15.39 percent year-over-year, reaching USD 700.51 million as of December...

Feb 18, 2025 2 mins read
Need to fast-track approval of new FDI rules

A  foreign direct investment (FDI) company has been navigating the bureaucratic corridors for more than a year now tryin...

Mar 21, 2025 2 mins read
Safeguarding our agricultural future

Bhutan’s agricultural exports have shown impressive performance, generating Nu 3.51 billion last year. Cardamom, oranges...

Mar 20, 2025 2 mins read
Us and the US

Much to the relief of Bhutan and its citizens, the United States has upgraded Bhutan to its “yellow” category under revi...

Mar 19, 2025 2 mins read
What it will take to create Bhutan's first unicorn

Bhutan is yet to see a single homegrown startup break into the regional or international market. This is not for lack of...

Mar 18, 2025 2 mins read
Need to ensure accountability in agricultural investments

The Royal Audit Authority’s recent findings on the inefficiencies in our agricultural investments raise serious concerns...

Mar 17, 2025 2 mins read

Recents

In search of quality

As Thimphu Thromde undergoes a flurry of repairs and maintenance in preparation for an upcoming VIP visit, the city’s transformation offers more than just a polished façade. It is a good time to pause and reflect on the overall quality of our urban centres.

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Blazing cost of forest fires

Forest fires have destroyed around 70,696 acres of forest land across the country in the past five years, according to records with the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).

Read More