WÒRDS FÒR YÒU

In 1995 three groups of Indian militants set up camps in Bhutanese soil illegally. Over the years they had established 30 camps within the territory of Bhutan threatening the security and undermining the sovereignty of Bhutan. We negotiated for many years for peaceful dissolution of these camps. His Majesty himself took the lead in these negotiations, visiting each and every camp and talking to their leaders.  These missions were dangerous, and were undertaken regardless of the risks. With imminent threat to our people and as peaceful negotiations did not materialize, a difficult decision was made to protect our country’s sovereignty and security. On 15 December 2003 we went to battle- a day that would decide the future of Bhutan. His Majesty himself led the troops to battle to remove the militants from our country. His Majesty made sure that every strategy and plan was executed and that our troops remained courageous in daunting uncertainty, but ready to safeguard our nation as tr...

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐬 About 10 dzongkhags continue to see new COVID-19 cases in the communities and facilities, as the nation hits one month today since the outbreak. There were 179 positive cases reported in the last 24 hours this morning. While the local and regional taskforces are striving to manage the outbreak, heightened surveillance is being carried out across the country. Meanwhile, everyone is requested to remain vigilant as lockdowns could come in any time, given the frequency of travels and the increasing gathering, especially in Thimphu that we are witnessing. People are urged to maintain adequate stock of essentials and be mindful of the threat that looms amid the pandemic. A quick snapshot of the COVID-19 situation in the red and yellow districts are as follows. 1. It is encouraging to note that the pattern of positive cases in 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠 are mostly clustered or from affected communities only.  ...

A 30-year-old man was allegedly physically assaulted by his landlord's daughter in-law. The incident took place when the woman came to collect the monthly rent of Nu 4,000 on February 8. The tenant, who is a driver, who lived in the house with his wife, said he requested the woman if he could pay the rent when the situation was better, "It is not that I didn't have money," he said. "But I was worried this lockdown would prolong like last year.. So I made a request that we will pay two months' rent together He said that the woman got "so abusive" "She attacked me on my neck and I had to push her away. The woman's husband then arrived at the scene. However, she allegedly attacked him in front of her husband. "That's when I also lost control and slapped her he claimed. "I never intended to lay hands on her. It was only because I could not bear the pain. The driver alleged that the woman repeatedly asked her husband to...

Bhutan's success in avoiding coronavirus is almost unrivalled but a rare patient death - just the kingdom's fourth - shows more work was needed to fight the pandemic there, its leader says. The remote Himalayan nation of around 8,00,000 people, sandwiched between China and India, has recorded fewer Covid fatalities than almost anywhere else in the world. The only places with lower official tolls are a small handful of remote Pacific islands and countries that do not publish coronavirus data, such as North Korea and Turkmenistan. But Bhutan's Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering - a physician who still conducts surgeries on the weekend as a "de-stresser" from the pressures of office -said this week's death was "a bitter reminder that we need to do more". Dr. Lotay Tshering said in a Facebook post late Saturday that "it felt like a bullet-hit to learn that one more precious life died with COVID-19. "I grieved with the nation and cont...

The Opposition Party calls upon the Government to provide full and satisfactory explanations to the nation on the causes, lapses and accountability for the recent COVID outbreak from Wangdue Phodrang.  The party is also asking the government to postpone the board examinations of classes X and XII for some weeks.                1. Outbreak of Omicron: Government to provide explanations on the cause of outbreak. 2. Classes X and XII Examinations: Postpone till the current situation improves. 3. New Mines and Mineral Regulations: Should operate within the current Act and Regulations The Opposition Party has noted three issues of deep enticern over the last week, and wish to hereby bring them to the notice of the Government. 1. Outbreak of Omicron The nation remains overwhelmed by the omicron outbreak causing huge economic and social disruptions to the people. We are fully mindful and deeply appreciative of the tremendous efforts made by the Gove...

A non-national girl, aged between 13 to 14-year-old, was reported to have committed suicide by hanging herself with a Khadhar (scarf) at Langjopakha in Thimphu on the evening of January 17. The deceased was found hanging inside the toilet.   deceased was living with a 77-year-old woman who had brought her from Jaigaon, India about ...

The Health Minister on behalf of the government, Chairperson of the National Council, and Opposition Leader in the motion of thanks expressed their appreciation to His Majesty the King for gracing the closing session. They also expressed deep gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading, guiding, and protecting the country and the people during the times of global pandemic. Gratitude was also expressed for the grand celebration of the 114th National Day and for the Royal Address. They offered their commitment and re-dedicated themselves to serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum to fulfill the aspirations of His Majesty the King. They also expressed their appreciation to Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen for the compassionate support being provided to the people during the fight against the pandemic. They also thanked the Zhung Dratsang led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, armed forces, Dessungs, volunteers, health workers, Bhutan Red Cross Society, and everyone who has been unconditionally offering t...