Welcome Address that I had the privilege to deliver during the 1 Billion Rising Celebration at the Kuenrey of the Tashichhodzong on the 14^th of Feb’2013, in the presence of Her Majesty the Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck the President of RENEW and other dignitaries.

Kuzuzangpola and very good morning to Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, Honorable Members of the Parliament and the Nation Council Members, Distinguished Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentlemen… 14^th of February is a day of Love. It was first associated with love during the time of Geoffrey Chaucer in the Middle Ages and since then it had evolved into an occasion in which love is celebrated, spread and shared.

On this beautiful morning, at this historic location we are all gathered to celebrate our love for our grandmothers, our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our love for that special woman who is a part of our life and more so to show our support and offer our pledge towards a noble event that has taken the globe by storm.

We are here to make a stand against an atrocity that has plagued humanity since time innumerable. We are here to make our voices heard. To say enough! We will not wait any longer. It is time. Time to say violence against women and children isn’t an evitable fact of life. And it isn’t ok. We can’t survive, let alone thrive in a world where 50% of our population is subject to such persistent brutality and horror. It is time not to ignore but to challenge those who make these issues the responsibility of women to resolve, and instead say it is for all to have a zero tolerance approach to violence against women. Time to say it is not a matter of gender to care about these issues, but a matter of principles.

That principle is that all benefit from a world where one in three women being beaten or raped in her lifetime is not seen as a fact of life, but an international crisis to which resources and attention are addressed. A world where these issues are not excused as problems for other countries but exposed as happening here too- and just as unacceptable. A world where these issues aren’t something we just have to cope with, but is confronted and overcome!

Thus, we are here today to be 1 of the Billion Rising Campaign - which is based on statistics indicating that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than 1 billion women and children who are living under such risk.

We are here coming together in solidarity with more than 200 countries worldwide to be a part of the change. To be part of the 1 Billion Rising, which is:

A global Strike

An invitation to dance

A call to men and women who refuse to participate in status quo until rape and rape culture ends

An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers

A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given

A new time and a new way of being!

Women in Bhutan have always had the sense of safety, security and wellbeing. Parents celebrated the birth of a girl and in fact all parents hope and pray for a daughter, because “we” (daughters) give them a sense of refuge in old age. Women and girls are the glue that holds a family together. And I believe that “a daughter born is a family strong”. Mothers teach their daughters to be no lesser and fathers teach their sons that a real man doesn’t treat women otherwise. As Bhutanese we have always counted our blessing, but at the same time we haven’t forgotten that this atrocity is a disease that knows no boundaries, no race, no caste, no creed, no religion and it has penetrated our happy homes. And we haven’t ignored the fact that it too exist in our country that stands as an epitome of happiness and peace. We have confronted and we will overcome it under the leadership of Her Majesty the Queen mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck. Her majesty founded and presides over RENEW. Under the farsightedness of Her Majesty RENEW is the first organization of its kind in Bhutan committed to the relief and empowerment of victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Today would not be complete if Her Majesty’s pledge is not shared with the rest of Bhutan and the world. Therefore I would like to humbly seek Your Majesty’s permission to quote a few inspirational and powerful lines from Your Majesty’s pledge:

“As dawn breaks on the 14^th of February Women and men all over the world must come together to speak and act on behalf of those subjected to the cruelty of injustice and violence. When a billion voices speak in solemn solidarity the world has no choice but to listen. It is the basic right of all human beings to live a life free of abuse, injustice and violence and our basic obligation to ensure that this right is enjoyed by everyone including our girl child and women. On the 14^th of February pause for just a minute to think about the millions of innocent women subject to emotional, psychological and physical torture. Do not remain a silent bystander to injustice as apathy will not perpetuate this scourge.”

With Her Majesty at the helm of RENEW, Bhutan surly will wake to a new dawn where not only our women and children are aware of their rights but every citizen will take up this noble cause as a personal responsibility and help translate His Majesty’s noble vision of Gross National Happiness to reality.

Her Majesty is the essence and the life force of the organization that has been tirelessly working leading up to this very day, raising advocacy, creating awareness, educating masses, meeting government and local government officials and policy makers to offer their pledges and their support.

Today we have come to realize just one tiny dream of Her Majesty and her organization- that is to see people come together, people who can make change happen to make a stand and to promise to speak up against this atrocity against women and children.

Led by Her Majesty, RENEW staff and volunteers at exactly 11:00AM, an auspicious time we will rise as a nation that says NO MORE VIOLENCE. As we offer our pledges, so shall we offer butter lamps to bring an end to this shameful gender based disease.

It is with great pride and also heartfelt gratitude to inform the gathering that many Bhutanese at home and at work will be joining us in spirit and action. Many will be offering butter lamps while other will rise as we do to offer their support and make their stand.

It is also very heartening to know that our policy makers are discussing the Domestic Violence Bill furthering this dream “of a Bhutan free of gender based crimes” a step closer to reality.

So today as we light the butter lamps and just as the light from the butter lamps symbolizes the wisdom of the awakened mind, dispelling the darkness and mental obscuration, let us pray that ignorance about gender issues be dispelled and let wisdom dawn upon- the wisdom that violence against women is a major contributing factor to instability within the family and within communities; and families and communities that surrounds them are the foundation of our society. Let the wisdom that the women are the heart and soul of the family, the community, the society and the nation dawn upon each individual today!

With that, on behalf of RENEW staffs and volunteers,  let me take this honor of welcoming everyone of you to this great awakening once more and also thank you for your support!!!

Khadrinchey and Tashi Delek!

Just in the Neighbourhood

The day started just like any other day would start…late! To top it off, Pompom just made a “doody”. So I was really late.

I jumped into my car, didn’t wait for the engine to warm up, I pulled the car out of the drive way and rushed to work…ahem…school.

It was really cold, everything was covered in frost. I wouldn’t have noticed if it hadn’t obstructed my view as I was driving like a maniac. So I turned on my wipers to scrape the frost off my wind shield. I successfully made it to the morning rush hour and believe me it was slower than “slow mode”.

I turned the heater on to warm my hands and feet, just then I saw an old woman with her hands in the air gesturing for a ride. Holding bits and pieces of cartoon box under her arm and a rosary in her hand, I knew where she was headed for: the Memorial Chorten.

There were taxis and several other cars in front of me, so I thought they would stop for her, but to no surprise, everyone just rushed off to their destination paying little or no attention to the old woman. The woman looked really cold. She just had a thin maroon nylon tego over her colourful cotton kira and bata slippers. She could use the warmth of my car.

I was late. I saw her breath heavily in the cold air, and clutch her ‘mat’ and rosary as the morning chill was cutting through her thin shield of clothes. I remembered my grandmother, energetic, wise and radiant even after 77 years. She loves going to the Chorten too.

I stepped hard on the breaks, turned on my parking lights, reached across the passenger seat and opened the door without even thinking. She peered through the open door and looked right at my soul, I smiled and patted the seat next to mine gesturing her to get in. She did ever so willingly.

Aaachochoooo! She exclaimed as she sank in the seat next to me, enjoying the warm air inside the car. She muttered something, which I couldn’t hear over the radio. So I turned Kuzoo off for the moment and paid her my undying attention.

She was speaking Sharchop (in its purest form) and my Sharchop was just functional not to mention that I spoke the mutated version. So I could not make out most of what she had to say.

From what I could make out, she was from Rangjung, came to Thimphu to meet her daughter who is working for some Dasho. She was leaving for her village tomorrow and before she left she wanted to visit the Chorten and offer her prayers there.

She turned towards me and again peered into my soul with her deep innocent eyes, waiting for me to say something. I flushed (still can’t explain why). I wondered if she asked me something for which she was expecting some sort of response.

I introduced myself then. I told her I am a teacher to which she smiled the happiest smile ever. Her eyes lit up and gave me the thumps up. I went on and mentioned my granny too, and how she loved to come to the Chorten whenever she is in Thimphu. I don’t know if she understood me for she just sat there enjoying the view as we drove towards the Memorial Chorten, smiling.

I wasn’t in a hurry anymore. Due to some unexplainable reason, I was actually at peace and enjoying her presence. She would talk every now and then in Sharchop. I didn’t want to seem rude so I kept nodding my head in agreement and smiling when she looked at me. I liked listening to the rhythm of her voice. It was soothing.

The ride to the Chorten that morning was the longest and yet the shortest too, for we had made it to the parking lot near the Chorten. I reached across and opened the door for her. What happened next changed everything!

She got out and once again peered through the open door. She was saying something. I think she finally understood I could not understand her, as she signaled. Her thumb was rubbing the pointer which meant money. I thought she was asking for money so I reached for my bag in the back seat and as I turned, she had a brand new fifty ngultrum in her hard worked hand and she was stretching across to give the note to me. I was embarrassed. I thought she wanted money but it turned out that she was the one who was offering me money for the ride.

I don’t know why but I hated myself that moment. I shook my head side ways to say I didn’t need her money and at the same time I was uttering, “Dekpay….Dekpay Abi!” I tried to tell her she is my granny and that’s the least that I could do. She smiled and reached across and took my hands in hers and slowly put it on her forehead: prayed and said, “Kadrinchey!”

Time froze and the world stood still. I experienced happiness in its purest form that day. I felt indescribable feelings. I squeezed her hands gently and choked a “Kadrinchey”. I watched her disappear into the Memorial Chorten and that was the last I saw her.

As I drove to work I realised I didn’t even know her name nor she knew mine. I don’t know if our paths will ever cross again but one thing I am sure about is; when you give wholeheartedly you receive the same. I didn’t even know I was giving until I received overwhelming love and prayers. That moment I realised I did. The old woman who I assumed helpless helped me to the greatest treasure: wisdom!

I drove to school in total bliss that morning. I didn’t even think about being late nor was I worried about my boss yelling at me for being late. I was in total control, no more road rage nor tension. At that moment only one thought crossed my mind. I thought about my King.

I knew exactly how He feels when He is with his people. Loved! I knew then the reasons He leaves behind the comforts of His humble palace, His family and friends, visiting places where even our imagination can’t reach. The reasons He walks for days over mountains and valleys, crossing all barriers just so He could sleep on a thin mat in a hut under the open sky filled with stars and share a simple meal with a farmer or drink from an ancient spring. It was because these simple meals and remote places provided Him with the greatest treasure in the world: complete peace and happiness.

The smiles, tears of joy and the prayers that the people bestowed upon Him are the gifts that no other King in the world would ever receive nor can be bought with the greatest treasure of the world. He could pop up anywhere at any moment. Always ready with a comforting smile, a tender generous hug, a helping hand and an empathetic and compassionate heart: He would sit by the field to have a casual chat with the farmers, pop up in your shop to see how you are doing, surprise you for a cup of tea in your house no matter how far your home is or play football bare feet with the children in the schools.

All that because He is not just a King. He is a son, son of the ancient and the past, a father, father of the young and the future and a guide, guide for the present. He is family and He is just in the neighbourhood to see you.

He gives without any expectations for a return, and for that He receives. That is the essence of giving, giving it all like a King.

Introduction

This is me and me alone, no more but definitely maybe less!
I am a perfectionist but not perfect
A stagnant traveler
A symbol of strength bounded by weak links
A homemaker with no roots
A dreamer who fears to fall asleep
A giver that seeks to be replenished
A bird, tamed and caged, devoid of song and flight
Its vibrant plumes a mere ornament
A ripple that fades as it distances from the origin.
Take away my masks, the masks of a daughter, a mother, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a teacher
And this is what you will find.
I m just an ancient soul peering through these young eyes,
A puzzle with missing pieces, incomplete
A poet without a muse
A healer covered in scars
An artist creating my masterpiece with invisible paints
A tragic play with no resolutions
A soundtrack with no music, lyrics or tune
An immortal soul which will one day be no less than smoke and ashes!

Bragging rights

A proud nurturing body that houses three beautiful souls!