Bhutan will make the leap from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in 2021 according to a UNDP report presented by economic advisor Richard Marshall in the 12th Round Table Meeting on December 11. For this purpose, the country will be assessed on three criteria: Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, Human Asset Index (HAI) and Economic...Read More
The country’s first and only private airline, Bhutan Airlines of Tashi Commercial, flew to Kolkata for the first time on Saturday. Earlier, the airline had been stopping over at Kolkata only to fuel up on its flights to and from Bangkok but following the government of India’s approval, the airline can now pick up and drop...Read More
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s Opposition Leader Dr. Pema Gyamtsho was elected as the new party president over Jigmi Y. Thinley after securing 50 “yes” votes and 50 “no” votes yesterday. The new party president told local media that he was experiencing “mixed feelings” as apart from being an honour, it involved huge responsibility. However, one vice...Read More
India’s cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, who after resigning from the sport was appointed the first UNICEF ambassador to South Asia will be visiting Bhutan apart from other countries in the region very soon starting next year. Sachin described his new role as his ‘second innings in life’. UNICEF’s Regional Director said she was hopeful about...Read More
The SAARC Literary Festival is going to be held in Taba, Thimphu from 18 to 20 December 2013. This festival will provide a platform to the novelists, writers, literary critics, and literary enthusiasts in the region to share their thoughts, insights, voice their concerns and learn from the experts of South Asian novels. The theme...Read More
The Royal Government of Bhutan has drawn up ambitious plans to replace gas-powered cars with electric ones, at least some 100 taxis and government vehicles by February 21 next year. The government has already held talks with Japanese carmaker Nissan and leading United States electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that the...Read More
Bhutan will witness its first international music concert with Canadians Bryan Adams and k.d lang performing on April 22 and 23 next year. Until 1999, Bhutan did not even have television and this move comes as a huge leap for the small kingdom, which also has a restrictive tourism policy. Ontario-born Adams and Alberta-born lang...Read More
This year (2013) is probably the last time that Ap Chundu, Haa’s local guardian deity has been appeased by sacrificing a yak. In Bonchoe (a type of Bonism), animal sacrifice is required to appease the deities but this time, after consulting with the dzongkhag and gewog staff, and the family who carried out the tradition...Read More
Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) officials received 10 checks amounting to Nu 1.5B from Government of India on November 13 for works completed during the 10th Five Year Plan. This leaves another Nu 1.5B to be received from the Indian government under the 10th plan. Since the money for the Five Year Plans did not...Read More
During Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s first official visit to Thailand on November 14, an economic cooperation pact was signed to boost trade relations between the two countries. Lyonchhen and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also discussed areas of mutual trade benefits and cooperation. Yingluck urged Lyonchhen to share information on investment to Thai companies, particularly those...Read More
