WÒRDS FÒR YÒU

Today, on International Youth Day, we celebrate the young minds and their immense potential to shape our world. With its unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan has made remarkable strides in providing opportunities and fostering the holistic development of its young population. Youth Empowerment through Education: Bhutan recognizes the crucial role of education in empowering its youth. The government has invested significantly in improving educational infrastructure and expanding access to quality education. Today, every child in Bhutan has the opportunity to receive free education up to the secondary level. Moreover, the curriculum emphasizes the importance of moral values, environmental consciousness, and cultural preservation, nurturing well-rounded individuals. Skill Development and Employment Opportunities: Bhutan recognizes that education alone is not sufficient to empower its youth. The country has implemented various programs and ini...

In a recent report, it has been revealed that the civil service sector has witnessed a substantial departure of over 3,000 employees. This includes approximately 1,500 individuals on contract, shedding light on the challenges faced by the government in retaining skilled personnel. The data indicates that voluntary resignations accounted for nearly 3,500 employees, while 600 contract workers left upon completing their terms and 500 employees departed due to agency delinking. Additionally, around 230 individuals left the service upon reaching their superannuation. The report further highlights that the professional and management categories experienced the highest number of civil servants leaving their positions. In contrast, executive and specialist positions recorded the lowest attrition rate. This trend raises concerns about the retention of experienced professionals within the public sector. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this attrition rate, various measures have ...

On August 7, In a landmark verdict, the High Court has upheld the judgment of the Pemagatshel Dzongkhag Court, sentencing Officer Commanding Jamyang Dorji to six months in prison for the sexual harassment of a female police constable. The court also ruled that the officer has the option to pay a thrimthue (compensation) of Nu 22,500 in lieu of serving the imprisonment term. However, despite the ruling, the case remains unresolved as the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) holds the authority to finalize it if the Officer Commanding (OC) decides to appeal to the Supreme Court. Throughout the trial, the OC maintained his innocence, claiming that the police investigation and chargesheet were not carried out appropriately. He argued that the messages exchanged between him and the victim were based on mutual consensus, further challenging the authenticity of the evidence presented. In a significant development, the court denied the oral evidence of 12 witnesses, questioning the credibilit...

In a significant development, the Judiciary of Bhutan has taken action against two justices, Pema Rinzin and Tshering Dorji, from Bench I of the High Court. The justices have been suspended for their involvement in a deliberate miscarriage of justice in a case related to drug smuggling and possession. The case, which dates back to 2019, involved two defendants, one of whom was the son of a renowned Kuensel Reporter. They were prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for drug smuggling and possession. The defendants were accused of being in possession of Spasmo Proxyvon Plus (SP+), a controlled substance. Initially, the Thimphu Dzongkhag Court convicted both defendants and handed down a five-year sentence for each of them. However, the defendants appealed to the High Court, seeking a reversal of the judgment. To the shock of many, Bench I of the High Court completely overturned the Thimphu Dzongkhag Court's ruling, leading to widespread concern and criticism. The decis...

Thimphu, Bhutan - In a bid to combat the growing menace of noise pollution caused by modified silencers in cars and bikes, law enforcement agencies in Thimphu have turned to advanced noise-detecting technology. These agencies have taken a proactive stance against the loud and aggressive sounds emitted by these vehicles, which disrupt neighborhood tranquility, sleep patterns, and pose potential health risks. Over the past three years, the traffic division in Thimphu has taken stringent action against more than 100 modified motorcycles. To discourage repeat offenders, they have implemented a practice of seizing the modification silencer pipes. This measure aims to send a clear message to those considering outfitting their bikes or cars with illegal modifications that their actions will not be tolerated. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive approach, the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority has recently acquired 28 state-of-the-art noise detection devices. These devices will be...

In an exciting development, Bitdeer Technologies Group has successfully completed its advanced mining facility in the serene landscapes of Bhutan. The CEO of the company, Linghui Kong, expressed his enthusiasm about the facility's progress and readiness. The state-of-the-art facility, nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Bhutan, received an impressive shipment of around 15,000 new mining machines in July. At present, 11,000 of these high-tech miners are fully operational, showcasing exceptional stability and efficiency. Moreover, the Gedu center, a crucial part of Bitdeer's mining network, has received approximately 23,000 newly acquired mining machines by the end of July. This substantial addition to their mining capabilities further strengthens Bitdeer's position as a key player in the industry. Linghui Kong, CEO of Bitdeer Technologies Group, expressed his delight at the successful completion of the advanced mining facility. He highlighted the exceptional pr...

The Election Commission (ECB) has recently issued a stern reminder to political parties, urging them to adhere strictly to electoral laws and refrain from engaging in political campaigning during familiarization visits. The commission has received reports of various political parties blatantly violating electoral laws and engaging in campaign activities during these visits. In a letter addressed to the general secretaries of political parties, the ECB emphasized the importance of following the guidelines and regulations set forth by the electoral laws. The letter specifically highlighted the need for political leaders to refrain from traveling with their party's president and vice president to other constituencies without prior approval. To prevent further violations, the ECB has issued a public notification, urging individuals to report any wrongdoing or violations of electoral laws that they may witness. The commission has emphasized that political campaigning can onl...