Editor’s Note
‘Inside Bhutan’, is an
online weekly magazine formed by, of and for the Bhutanese youths; providing
platform for youths to share their opinions taking advantage of the popular
social networking connectivity, in the form of interviews, story, essay and
poetry. Considering the rising number of youths forming musical bands in our
country, the first issue takes opportunity to interact with Tandin Wangchuk,
who is the lead singer and composer of Misty Terrace, one of the famous and
oldest bands in Bhutan. Chimi Wangmo from Sherubtse college voices out the
rising suicide cases in Bhutan with a story, depicting one of the reasons
causing suicides. Choice of streams, be it science, arts or commerce; Sujana
Rai urges youths to make an informed decision through her essay. This issue
cannot ignore the spring romance which is in air, thus Shiv Nepal sends his
message in the form of a poem to his princess.
Happy Reading
Interview:
Inside Bhutan takes opportunity to
interact with Mr. Tandin Wangchuk, the lead singer of the band, Misty Terrace.
By Phurpa
Dorji
Editor
Civil
Engineer, Private Construction
Gelephu,
Bhutan
Inside
Bhutan: A short intro about the band, Misty Terrace?
Tandin
Wangchuk: We are an alternative rock music band in Thimphu.
In the last four years, we have experimented with a wide variety of original
music, sometimes fun and danceable, sometimes stirring and intense, exploring
various genres.
Inside
Bhutan: Why is the band named, 'Misty Terrace’?
Tandin
Wangchuk: It’s reflective of our music and indicates the
feelings of our songs and music. It comes from an imagination where (yes,
please close your eyes) you are standing on the terrace of an apartment, and
you feel and see those clouds and mists/fog coming around you and trying to
lift you higher. It’s dull red and purple, and only those melodies (clouds) can
lift you and take you to a completely new world that your heart can rest upon
and feel more. We believe our songs do that to us, and may be to every
listener.
Inside
Bhutan: How was the status of the band when started and how
is it now?
Tandin
Wangchuk: Due to the YouTube and internet revolution, we made
it swift and easy to who we are today. Thanks to our amazing fan base. We
started as YouTube artist and that’s who we are today, and that’s all is
needed. We don’t belong to any associations nor groups, and this independence
allows us to bend the rules, which is necessary when it comes to art.
Inside
Bhutan: What do you think of the youngsters and the rising
band formation culture in Bhutan?
Tandin
Wangchuk: We see a huge rise in musicians, singers and such
groups. It’s an indication that youths have found a better option than choosing
drugs or other shitty ways of the world. It’s a new sign that, art and music
are now more appreciated and respected. Isn’t that great? I think Bhutan is
ready!
Inside
Bhutan: Why are you not singing for movie playbacks?
Tandin
Wangchuk: Actually, we have sung and sold a few of our songs
to movies in the recent past. But for now, we only want to release it through
our own production window, sticking it with the story and visuals we have in
our minds.
Inside
Bhutan: What are the biggest achievements of the band as of
now?
Tandin
Wangchuk: We have a lot, can’t name one. Everything has been
the biggest, because it involves our heart and love in everything we do. From a
crowd chanting our name to a tearful audience supporting my every breath on the
stage, I think we had hundreds of such special moments. But to name one that
stands out from all, is the moment we sang Yonphula for His Majesty The King
and Queen on His Majesty’s Birthday last February. It was unreal!
Inside
Bhutan: What are the future plans of the band?
Tandin
Wangchuk: We will continue with our original songs, we have a
lot in our box to last a lifetime of production.
Inside
Bhutan: Any final words to your fan and readers?
Tandin
Wangchuk: I thank everyone who has stood by us and supported
us and loved us. We are here today, because of you, and we will need you again
for this long beautiful journey ahead into our dreams.
Story:
Ending life to end
Problems
By Chimi
Wangmo
B.A Economics
and Geography
Sherubtse
College
How unlucky can someone be when she cannot hear, what
people are saying to her? Yes, I was
deaf. Not born but I became one, when I was in eighth grade. I was shattered when I could no longer hear
what people were saying to each other and when they no longer talked with me
because I can’t hear them. My world was in misery but it became worst when my
father died leaving behind my poor mother and me, all by ourselves. My mother
was facing difficulties to put up with me when she remarried. Deeper, I sank in
the ocean of misery, when I came to know that my stepfather was a pervert. He
used to sexually harass me and I did try my best to tell my mother about him
but she turned deaf ears to my words.
I was breaking down from the inside but no one
seemed to care about me or wanted me ever. My mother who should had supported
me instead ignored my complaints about the stepfather and warned me not to
utter a single word about him, otherwise she would throw me out from the house.
I cried as there was no one who loved and cared about me because I was deaf. I was about to fall asleep when a dark figure
crawled upon me. It was my stepfather. I tried to scream but he closed my mouth
with his huge hand. I was helpless. He raped me not once or twice but every
night. I could not complain to my mother because of her warnings. Keeping my
pains inside me, I was dying from the inside every single day.
I wished I was never born. My sufferings did not
stop instead it kept on adding more and more. Worst of all, I became pregnant.
I started experiencing morning sickness. Noticing the change in my body, my
mother started questioning about the father of the child. I told her it was the stepfather. She
instantly slapped and asked me to leave. I begged but ignoring my words; my
mother dragged me outside and slammed the door shut. I had no place to go, so I
stood under a tree by the roadside thinking about how miserable my life was.
After spending two nights in the forest iced by the
misery of my life, I finally decided to take my life. I knew, I was going to
take two souls by ending my life but even if I decided to give birth there was
no way that I could keep the child happy since my life was in dilemma and I
didn’t want my child to suffer like me. My last words were:
“I am so sorry my child for not bringing you to this
world. Your mother can’t afford to give you happiness. I am not worthy of your birth, being deaf. I
cannot imagine the situation, when I cannot even hear your voice. In addition,
you don’t have a father and seeing only your deaf mother will be a disgrace.
You might curse me later, for having a miserable life because of me, so I can’t
let that happen to you. Therefore, I am ending my life to end all the
problems.”
Author’s Note: Suicide cases are increasing in our
country whereby many people try to take their own lives for various reasons. As
a human being, it is our sole responsibility to help those who are in need of
help. Most of the people consider suicide as the final solution to the problems
but actually, it’s just beginning of all problems. As mentioned in the religious
texts, ‘You may end your life now but even in next life, you will face the same
problem.’ It’s always better to deal with problems rather than taking life.
Life is tough but you need to be strong by finding solutions to all problems.
Life is testing you with all sort of problems thus you need to face every
obstacle boldly and strategically, as it’s better to be a lion for a day than
sheep forever.
A few tips to prevent suicide:
1.
Whenever you feel depressed or you are
in need of someone to talk to or you are overwhelmed with unprecedented
problems; do inform your close friends; even just sharing might chase your
sorrows away.
2.
Even if talking to a friend does not
help you, do inform your parents or consult counsellors, if you are a student.
3.
Parents need to be sensitive to a
child’s needs and behavior as Bhutan being a society where children fear
parents and keep things secret being afraid of beating and scolding. Parenting
needs to be changed to cope up with modern youths, whereby they are looking for
parents who are open and understanding rather than being so-called ‘strict.”
4. Whenever
you meet a person with problems or seeking help from you, don’t ignore instead
try to lend your help or seek help from others to help that person.
Essay:
Should the choice of stream from class XI
be based on passion or aptitude?
By Sujana Rai
Phuntsholing,
Bhutan
The blueprints of our lives are drawn by the choice
of courses in colleges, which, in turn, is affected by the choice of stream
from class XI. Interest and innate ability play vital roles when it comes to
the choice of stream. Both the factors are the dazzling ladders in making your
future bright and successful, but aptitude paves a golden carpet for one’s
future.
Selection of stream according to our interest
definitely leads to a successful life but it must be square with aptitude. Walt
Disney followed his passion and became a successful animation producer but he
also had a natural ability in drawing cartoons. The ladder of success crumbles
down if passion is not being supported by aptitude.
Unlike passion, aptitude is a golden ladder because
it alone can guarantee a successful career. Aptitude is a component which does
not require additional passion because it generates passion of its own.
'Divergent' actress, Shailene Woodley is personally interested in making her
own lotions and toothpaste but skilled in acting thus pursuing her skill,
acting became her passion.
Parents and advisors counsel students to choose
streams according to their interest but if the interest isn't credited with
ability, then the whole career life becomes a nightmare. If asked, everyone is
interested to become pilot, doctor and engineers but their abilities decide
their future and career.
Therefore, selection of stream according to aptitude
complemented by passion, is essential for making our future bright and
successful by pursuing a career, in which you have ability to deliver the
service dutifully and passionately.
A few tips to make the correct choice of stream:
1.
Know yourself well. What are your
strengths and weakness? Are you good in science, arts or commerce subjects?
2.
List down the professions you are
interested in.
3.
Evaluate your class X marks
4.
Consult your parents.
5.
Make the decision by considering your
aptitude, passion and future scope.
6.
Never make a choice under pressure from
parents or because of your class X marks, as you are the one who is going to
study not parents
7.
Make an informed decision
Poetry:
Few things left unsaid
By Shiv Nepal
Third Year,
Civil Engineering
College of
Science and Technology
Had
my tears given you heartstrings
The
ocean wasn’t any water
But
unimpeachable feelings
That
couldn’t quench your thirst.
Oh
love! Your eyes,
An alluring work of art
Those that Picasso painted
In
the fortress of his love,
Have
I drowned in them??
Oh
love! Feel in me,
The
love that connects your soul
Hidden,
true and passionate;
Impetuous
as the raging waves,
Dazzling
dreams of midnight star.
My
feelings are the woven brocade
But
it has been like filthy trash,
That
daubed your vibrant heart.
Nor
did cupids arrow,
Brought
me in limelight
To
intoxicate you in fragrance
of love at first sight.
Oh
love! In dreams you are here,
Holding
me in the warmth of yours
My eyes reflect like mirrors,
As I open them to stare at yours.
Oh
love! Hold me and sit next to me,
Let
us talk heart to heart
For
there are few things left unsaid.
Note: If you are
interested to contribute your articles for the next issue, please do mail me
your articles @dorjiphurpa1991@gmail.com
Thanking You
Phurpa Dorji
Editor/Founder
Inside Bhutan
