Sunny day and Sunday may not fall on the same day.

Rain, Rain, Go Away, if Jigme had a way he would want to gather his harvest on a sunny day. 

Every year, towards the end of September, Blessed Rainy Day (Thruebab Duechen) is celebrated in Bhutan for several reasons. On this day, all the water resources are believed to be pure enough to wash away accumulated bad Karma. Thruebab, for many years, marked an end of Monsoon and farming, and the beginning of harvest season. After 23^rd September this year, Monsoon did not end and harvest could not begin, shower continued in all parts of the country through September and October.

In Paro, farmers are unable to harvest their crops which were left to dry for threshing due to prolonged monsoon.  Farmers in Bhutan started to cut paddy for threshing following the age old tradition and belief that monsoon season would end after Thruebab Duechen. This year weather is taking an unfamiliar toll in a country where way of life is pretty much roadmap by the past experiences and certainties.  Sun did shine for a day or two after Thruebab, barely enough to cut paddy, and rain continued there after without a sign of an end. Farmers helplessly witnessed their post harvest losses.

In Tsirang, Barsha wished the rain away on Dashain. She could not recall any of her past celebrations on a rainy day, and dearly wished for bright and sunny day, after her year-long wait for the festival. Most of her family and relatives postponed travel and waited for the atmosphere to clear to receive Tika from the next Keith and Kin. Jigme and Barsha had a very little knowledge about why the rain would not go away.

In the past, precipitation in the northern Bhutan was recorded at about 40 millimeters mostly snow. In the temperate central regions, a yearly average rainfall of around 1,000 millimeters, and 7,800 millimeters of rain in the southern region. Thimphu experienced winter months with high possibility of snowfall (December through February and March) with an average rainfall of 20 millimeters a month, which increased steadily thereafter to 220 millimeters in August with a total annual rainfall of 650 millimeters. Jigme’s decision and Barsha’s expectation is based on these facts, which have not remained the same.

 

In the last few years rainfall stats of Bhutan have changed, which could fairly be concluded from the continuing rainfall experienced towards the end of October and without certainty of snowfall in the main Thimphu City this winter. It leads to lot of question for the future, what would be the new reference for the farmers to make decisions? What kind of expectation should a new generations have, who are use to the past experiences?  How prepared are we to avoid post harvest losses in the future?

IOU- my life

Have you ever been washed by a river? Well, I was and I have one person to be grateful for I could write this today. His parents named him Yongba, he had accepted it, I acknowledged him so, and as my dear friend.
His parents named him Yongba because his speeches lisped and saliva dripped from the sides of his mouth throughout. He shared his “Tengma” stocked in his pockets along with marbles, and other toys. He was fair in complexion, mouth turned pink from the friction of his shirt sleeves that subconsciously worked to clear his mess. He was strong and took care of bullies. He was good at what we played and competed. He did not cheat in the game and any sign of it from his competitor infuriated him. He was a good childhood companion.

Everyday we met soon after breakfast to fill with fun in the rest of the day. We played football, sneaked into a movie hall, fished, caught crabs, played in the river, laid in sand, and rocks naked under scorching sun while the clothes were left to dry etcetera. Yongba had adventurous plans to be executed every single day. I allied with all my resources.
Interesting aspect of our friendship is that I have no clue as to how we became friends. Our families were not friends. He did not go to school. I don’t remember having met his parents (only heard his mother’s voice while we played nearby his house). We lived kilometres apart but he was the dearest childhood friend I remembered when I lived with my parents.
I remember him very often than not. It was one summer in Phuntsholing I saw him last and that was the only one event that I can picture clearer than any other I had with Yongba. One morning, we met just like any other day. That day he had picnic in his mind. He had briefed me on how to get cooking oil from kitchen without the knowledge of my mother. He had planned the next day to spend by the river with good fishes to catch and feast. We pooled our cooking oils to fry possible fish and crabs from the river. He had salt and some chilli pepper wrapped in plastic and tucked inside his trouser pocket. I was pretty sure of menu for the lunch.

All the plans we had, he made it happen. He had a great skill for an eight or nine year old. He caught fishes as easy as in the fish market. He played with crabs, grabbed snakes by the head, and let it curl around his hand, talked with it like a child playing with a toy. I feared snake like a poison vessel that would bite and left you to die in seconds. He was a charmer, and for me he was the brave heart.

Careful with our supply we ran for the river from Kharbandi. I lived on the way to Phutsholing’s old hospital from the town and Yongba in Kharbandi. Every time we met at Kharbandi. Now when I think of the arrangement, it would have been closer if he had come down to my place and gone from there. That was not important then, (I think). As soon we were by the river, Yongba caught some fishes. Fire was started, before I realised he was working on the fishes, Chef was at work. I decided to play in the shallow part of the river, vigilantly avoiding deeper pool, where my friend glided like a fish when he swam.  Many a times, he coaxed me to swim at the deeper side of the river but I refrained all the time. I feared water for no reason at all. May be I was washed away by the river in my previous life.

Not that I know of, but what I know is- as Yongba fried his prey, and wind carried the taste that floated all over the river, aroma made me hungry. No sooner I was called, I headed towards the bank distracted by hunger and scent of fries, I lost balance. Deep end of the river swallowed me, I fought not to gulp water, and I gulped it again and again. My body dashed on the rock, rolled over it, debris scratched my back, pebbles and stones rattled my head, water turned dark and I closed my eyes. My throat choked with the solution, I fought to cling on some thing to fight the current, and I caught hold of small, smooth-surfaced rock in the bed. I pushed myself on surface, just a second to grasp a breath, I was pulled again.  River carried me as a part of its course. I wished for Yongba.  My hands, legs and body were too tired, bruised and sore against the river that tussled downward determined to take along what was in its way.

I heard Yongba shouting out Ashok, ashok, ashok…
He reached to catch my hand, which was bone-wearied from the rock, roots, and river wall that would not let me hold. I was almost dead washed by a flash flood.
I don’t have any other memories with him there after because we did not meet under the supervision of our parents (I guess). Well as I write this, I think of my friend with gratitude, and wonder if he remembered me, and the time we spent as children. And the day he gave me courage, and hopes to survive against the tides of Monsoon River.
As I think more of that day, I have no clue of how I reached home and what happen to those fried fishes. Where are you, my friend? I wish to meet you and give it another shot for being my friend, and saving my life.

Movie Muse

When I first arrived in Perth, I wondered why Thinlay and Gopi wanted to watch Bollywood movies when Australia had so much to offer in terms of Hollywood and Australian made movies. Now, I muse at the answers that I have discovered.

I think it is easier for us to connect with the Indian sense, sensibilities, humour and language that prevail in the region. I don’t remember when did I start to watch Hindi movies. I think the best way to put it is that I grew up with it. Indian cultures have permeated into most of us; occasionally I try to fight it and I fail because I can’t resist the new releases with Sharukh Khan in them. Being away for a while, every time a new Hindi movie is released in Australia, I am tempted to watch it and I watch it. It offers me a momentary comfort of being closer to home. I have not been able to visit most part of India (except for few major cities), but I have subconsciously assumed that I have known India and Indians well.

Bhutan and India being the close and best of neighbours in the South Asia have fared well in all fields among the nations of the region. I assume that it is not only the across the boarder reason, other factors like the cultural influence, the economic ties, historical inter-dependence, and social interactions among the people on everyday basis have made these two countries so much closer than their geographical boundaries.

Bollywood movies are famously known for songs, dances and awfully lengthy stories and scenes and these ingredients have also become a way of telling a story in the Bhutanese films. One time there were speculations that Bhutanese film industry might be named some thing like “Sandalwood”. My friend has started a Facebook page calling it “Bhutan Films” and generally it is referred as Bhutanese Film Industry (let’s call it Rose, lol). I think the industry itself has not become anything important at this stage to give it a name and fame (or people who are responsible to name it might have the same reason, or maybe it is not that important to name it). As I have come to think of it, the Industry cannot, should not be ignored. It will be a strong medium for the future generations to connect and respond. The Bhutanese films are slowly influencing the young generations. Let’s leave it to them by what name they would want to call it, or someone could intervene to recognise the importance of film industry and its role for today and tomorrow.

I don’t remember taking my daughters to watch Bhutanese movies, but they know the songs from most of the movies. How did they learn it? They like to sing and dance, dress up like actors and actresses. Like wise, when I was growing, it was once in a blue moon that I went to watch Hindi movies with my parents in Norgay and Mig cinema hall. But, I remember watching most of the movies; I managed some how. It was only at the later part of my life, I started watching Hollywood movies starting from Chaya video hall in Jaigoan. The difference between these two exposures, it was hard to connect with Hollywood movies, even though they were more appealing than the other. I had whole lot of things to learn about the western world to truly appreciate everything depicted in the movie. Bollywood was easier and after some time it was boring because I could predict an ending during the movie. Hollywood offered a new riddle.

Hollywood movies are great source of entertainment. It offers better understanding of American culture, complex sense of humour, music, and futuristic, thought provoking dilemma. I still find it hard to fully connect with everything in the movie. Some times it was hard to find a clue of how the movie ended and irrespective of whether or not it made sense, I watched many of the movies.

I found out when I visited a video rental in Perth that I had missed many of the Hollywood movies released in the past, I had a good list of popular movies that I could recall looking at the names and faces of actors and actresses.  But I could not get to experience what was portrayed in the movie in a real time that could be a reason why Hollywood messages cannot seep beyond the surface of my senses while Bollywood has a special place within my sense and sensibilities.

Considering my experience, I feel that Bhutanese film industry would be a many more experiences of the people who are growing with it- idolising their favourite actor and actress, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the music, and tuning one’s fantasy from scenes left open for interpretation. I could not believe that most of the Bhutanese students have laptop-copy of majority of the Bhutanese films to be watched and exchanged during their stay in a place far away from home. How did they get those copies? (That would be another interest topic to ponder). The important thing is Bhutanese film Industry has started making a connection with its viewers. The bond, in my belief, would depend on the dedication of the people in the industry to continually engage their viewers with fresh stories and entertainment ideas.

With the introduction of cable Television and entertainment channels flooding through it from India and elsewhere in the world, there are varieties of source available for cultural and like influences, but the encouraging part of the history-in-the-making is the existence of Bhutanese films and other related participation in the process. Unlike in the past, it was all Bollywood.

I think it all sums up when we think of a time when Dasho Tshering Wangda mesmerised the crowd in the Clock Tower with the song “Aankh Hai Bhari Bhari Aur Tum Mushkurane ki Baat Kartay Ho” from the movie TUM SE ACHCHA KAUN HAIN. Bollywood has become global and for someone like me it is still local.

Up turn and Down turn

Why is Australia growing when every other economy are in the down turn? This is not a million dollar question for a country lot smaller than Australia in the midst of high Himalayan Mountains- Bhutan.

Australian Bureau of Statistics have released its September headlines, the economy grew by 0.6 percent in June quarter 2009. The notable countries among the league are India, China, Indonesia, Poland and Korea. The GDP growth of India in April-June quarter was 9.3 percent, China’s GDP is said to have advance at 7.9 percent annual clip in the second quarter as announced in the G20 meeting and few are maintaining on the positive side while rest of the world are struggling to get out of negative side of the graph.

The country, which is also doing well and is usually, ignored both in good and a bad time is Bhutan. It does not have economic strength to lift the world or provide cushion to the falling ones. The GDP grew by 21.4 percent in 2007-08 as per the economic indicators published by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan. By now, anyone would conclude that it is because of the growth in production of electricity from its swift flowing rivers.

Australia, on the other hand, has growing economic ties with China, the sixth largest economy of the world and fastest growing with a tremendous potential to consume Australian Iron ore and other raw materials. It was reported that Australia exports more than 17 per cent to China, while sourcing more than 17 per cent of its imported goods from there.

Australian International trade history show that its trading partners were Great Britain and rest of Europe. Since 1970 the trade pattern shifted to Asia and pacific regions when Britain joined European Union, where it lost its trade advantages with it. So it lead to the exploring markets closer to home, and China being one of them.

Bhutan had maintained close ties with India ever since it opened to outside world in the early 60s. More than 80% of its produce is exported to India while importing close to 70% from it. The growth in export was brought about by the hydropower projects.

Australia and Bhutan have negligible trade activities. According to the data compiled by the Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bhutan ranks at 217th in total trade with Australia.

It could be my own imagination when I say that geographical shape of Bhutan and Australia appears similar, even though one is an island and other is a land-locked country, but I am quite certain that these two countries are flourishing even in the midst of crisis. The only reason, I assume, is because these countries are economically linked to the future economic giants of Asia.

Home-Back Home

Richard, 65-year-old immigrant from South Africa is a construction worker in a five-storied building in the north of Perth city and there are many others who are in his league from all parts of the world to make few more dollars and a good life.

35 years ago, Richard came to Australia for a better life, which he has now (better than he would have in SA). He was 25 then. Today he has a job that fetches him AUD $ 37 an hour. He lives in a rented house.

“I have another four to five years to work” he says, you can’t go on working in a work like this, it would have been easier if I were a teacher or any work that would not require physical strength.” He adds in his accent with a trace of South African and Aussie in most stances.

Richard is an Indian by root, but one tends to forget as you start to converse with him. His English is good, most of the time with proper intonation and careful use of words. He is now a permanent resident of Western Australia.

I asked him if it was easy for him to come and settle down in Australia. He did not even hesitate to say life was better here, then and now. He is right, this is great country because it is possible to own a 50 plus inch plasma Television in lounge room even for someone who have not been to school. He is planning to buy a house and settle down in an area where he lives now- the Northern suburb of the city.

“ It would probably cost me three hundred thousand dollar plus,” and referring to the building he was working on he added, “ you know, the top floor of this building would cost million dollars and prices falls as you come down on the floors.”

He is currently working on a building being constructed as a part of existing retirement village of the RSL care centre. It is located next to the Edith Cowan University in Perth, WA. The residents of the centre have all the facilities that one could dream off on their retirement plans. Most of the residents drive convertible BMWs, Audi, Mercedes etc. They have gardeners, cleaners, and fresh bread delivery every morning and other utilities one requires for a life during perfect holidays.

“ This life is possible for us if we won a multi-million dollar jack pot,” a New Zealander shouted when we saw a gray haired man pulling from a corner with a bright green Lamborghini.

Everyone laughed out loud and swearing the most famous word among workers, which qualify as any tenses in grammar.

A 32-year-old New Zealander, Brodie is one of the many among his countrymen to make some Australian dollars. He was a chef for the last ten years working in restaurants around the country and his own. In the past, he had come to Australia and worked through recruitment agencies, where major part of his earnings had to be shared between agency and him. It gave him one advantage in this visit; he used the personal relations he had made then to get a job without having to go through recruitment agency.

“I also had restaurant jobs lined up,” he informed us. “ I called Frank (supervisor) and he had a job for me and took it,” he added, “ restaurants demand odd hours of work and this is good.”

Brodie is here with his wife and his two daughters are back home. He has his plans too. He sends few dollars back home and save the rest to buy a house in New Zealand. The interesting part of his current work is he gets to cook too.

Every Saturday, workers collect five dollars each and Frank tops up a bit for shopping for barbeque. Brodie does shopping with the money and enjoy barbecuing to serve heaps of food for his mates at 9:30 am. He is good with his hands as he chop tomatoes and mushrooms with a skill of pro. He makes it look simple as he spreads olive oil on the stove and bacon over it. Ten years have taught him how to treat food for good taste. It becomes evident when Smoko shed becomes quieter than ever when workers work on their share of barbeque, omelets, salad and sausages for another fifteen minutes. Quiet a food for five dollars.

Fifty to sixty thousand dollars is a fair amount of income in a year- construction workers are expected to make it. They can afford to spend on goods that have brand and style. Paul comes to work riding a Harley Davidson, which he bought as a second-hand ride for thirty seven thousand dollars. There are others who spend money in private parties, casinos, booze and women (this is a whole lot of another story).

Australia is a land of opportunity for those who have skills and willing to leave home and make a new home. Settlers and Immigrants usually have a look of disbelief when you inform them that you want to go back home than stay here. I can understand them; they have come with an intention of staying here with all their gears. For some one like me why do we call it home, if you don’t want to go back home.