Bombs in Shangri-La

When I heard the explosion it was around 11 o’clock in the morning, last Sunday- that’s January 20^th 2008.I was in my room after a late breakfast, sitting in front of the laptop checking mail and TV, watching the Australian Open.

It was loud, it shook the building and echoed over the valley for few seconds. People started gathering in front of the new building under construction. No damage, I mean visible.

Later I heard there were 4 bombs that exploded around that time in different parts of the country.

I am still here……

Bhutan is a lovely place. Over three-thirds, under forest cover. Mountains are all over the country other than in the southern part bordering India. Many of the mountains are considered sacred and untouched. There is so much purity in this environment- Pristine is the air, specially outside Thimphu. Rivers are lovely and air is crisp but thin.

Bhutan is a monarchy, but the country is going through a democratization process. They love their King who is Oxford educated and is promoting democracy in the country. The first election is this year. I have seen him many times. Where I play badminton with some locals. He comes and plays basketball with young subjects. You can imagine how popular he is. Very Humane. He has set the country moving in the right direction.

There are many human issues. Poverty is big. Alcoholism is another issue. Bhutan this year banned sale of cigarettes, the first country to do so. These people are also considered the happiest people according to the international human happiness index. The level of education is high. All schools are in English which is the official language. I work with many western educated guys. Smart and bright. People are so nice and friendly and hospitable.

The last Shangri-La is a Buddhist country and one can see colourful monasteries everywhere. The more sacred ones sit on mountain tops. And you can see Lamas clad in their robes on the road. Priesthood is a way out of poverty for the poor. Being Mahayana followers there are so many rituals.

India plays a major role in Bhutan’s social-economic and political environment. You can see it everywhere. The big brother of a tiny country.

Bhutan is sandwiched between India and China. That explains some of the plights. Many border issues.

There are political issues too. There is a trend against government from people in the south, of Nelapi origin, said to be influenced by Marxists in Nepal. Also there are Indian terrorist hidings in Bhutan’s thick forest, guys who are fighting for a separate state in Assam. So things are not as rosy as one may think.

But it is Shangri-La- the only Shangri-La