Latest news with #Thimphu
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
August 20, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Akalis to Fight Polls
The Akali Dal decided to contest elections in Punjab and authorised its president, Harchand Singh Longowal, to distribute tickets to the party candidates. Longowal said the party would contest all 117 assembly seats in the state. Asked if the Akali Dal would enter into a poll pact with other parties, he said, 'Only time will tell.' Lokpal Bill The government rejected the strong opposition demand that the Prime Minister should also be brought under the purview of the Lokpal Bill, which the government wants to introduce in the current session. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, H K L Bhagat, told the Opposition leaders during his second meeting with them that the government feels the institution of the Prime Minister is on a 'unique footing' and has thus been excluded. South Africa Riots (By Arun Gandhi) That the burning of Mahatma Gandhi's Phoenix Ashram and the racial riots that rocked Inanda district were engineered by the Government of South Africa is confirmed by the Ashram's trustees. Mewa Ramgobin, chairman of the working committee that administers the Ashram, told me over the phone that the Ashram and the scores of Indian farmers in Inanda district were served with notices to quit six months ago. The government informed them that the entire area was required for the projected development of the Kwazulu homeland. Saving Thimphu Talks India is making special efforts to save the talks in Thimphu between Sri Lankan government representatives and Tamil organisations and has put forward some new ideas and proposals. Efforts were also being made to ensure the observance of the ceasefire.
South China Morning Post
13-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Insiders' guide to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon
Bhutan is known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon due to the frequent thunderstorms that sweep its dramatic valleys. But visitors are often welcomed by stillness after a stomach-churning landing in mountain-ringed Paro, home to the country's only international airport. There is rarely much traffic during the hour's drive to the capital, Thimphu, to drown out the sound of gushing rivers and the wind. To help visitors find their way in and around Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, the three major centres of the tiny kingdom sandwiched between India and China, we asked three insiders for their recommendations. Spiritual awakening The Punakha Dzong is one of Bhutan's most significant architectural marvels. Photo: Bibek Bhandari 'Everyone visits the Punakha Dzong [a dzong is a fortress-monastery], but the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a must-see when you're in Punakha,' says Punap Ugyen Wangchuk, photographer and author of Authentic Bhutanese Cookbook (2010). This 30-metre-tall hilltop monument, commissioned by the mother of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, offers panoramic views of the Mo Chhu River valley and surrounding mountains. It's about an hour's hike from Yebesa village. Among Bhutan's thousands of temples and monasteries, the Chimi Lhakhang temple in Punakha is known for something very specific. 'It's just here that you'll find representations of [human] phalluses, not at any other monasteries or temples,' says Tshering Denkar, Bhutan's first female travel blogger and vlogger. 'It's a really powerful temple because we believe it blesses couples who are struggling to conceive children, and a lot of Bhutanese go there.' Asha Kama Wangdi, one of Bhutan's most accomplished artists, believes that 'Paro is very spiritual', not least because of the Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery), Bhutan's most popular tourist attraction.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, Bhutan launch 'AI for Development' Initiative to unlock AI's potential for economic growth in Global South
In a milestone effort to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive development, the United Arab Emirates and the Royal Government of Bhutan, in collaboration with the Eurasia Group and G42, convened a high-level two-day workshop titled 'AI for Development' in Thimphu, Bhutan. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, were present at the workshop, which began with the traditional Marchang Ceremony, reflecting the deep essence of Bhutan's rich culture. The workshop brought together policymakers, technical experts, and development practitioners to identify creative AI solutions for local implementation. This initiative stems from a broader UAE foreign policy agenda that embraces technological diplomacy and supports inclusive, high-impact partnerships—particularly across the Global South. Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, who led the UAE delegation, remarked, 'This initiative underscores the UAE's commitment to technological diplomacy through harnessing AI and technology for global development. Bhutan's agility and forward-looking digital transformation, together with the UAE's technical expertise and strategic vision, create a natural synergy. Through such partnerships, we aim to advance impactful solutions that align with national priorities and contribute to sustainable development.' Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bhutan, further elaborated, "The UAE is proud to partner with Bhutan, in navigating pioneering, scalable tech solutions, from entrepreneurship to agriculture, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inclusive growth across the Global South.' As the first pilot country, Bhutan was selected for its commitment to innovation and its willingness to explore cost-effective, context-sensitive technology solutions to drive economic growth. During the workshop, participants focused on three priority areas: boosting entrepreneurship, promoting regenerative tourism, and increasing agricultural productivity. These themes align closely with Bhutan's national development goals and key UN SDGs. Jigme Tenzing, Secretary of GovTech Agency in Bhutan, stated, 'While AI offers remarkable conveniences, its true potential lies in driving transformative solutions that deliver meaningful and inclusive impact. The 'AI for Development' workshop presents a timely opportunity to explore, through strategic dialogue and knowledge exchange between Bhutan and the UAE, how AI can accelerate Bhutan's socio-economic transformation in ways that align with our national values and priorities. May this mark the beginning of many meaningful and enduring collaborations between our two nations in shaping a responsible and forward-looking AI future.' On the sidelines of the workshop, the UAE delegation was honored to receive an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan. His Majesty highly commended the UAE's efforts in the fields of advanced technology and space, as well as the workshop, led by all participating entities, which reflects great opportunities for further cooperation in these areas. The success of the Thimphu workshop underscores the UAE's evolving role as a strategic partner to the Global South, championing collaborative approaches to frontier technologies and capacity building. The UAE delegation included Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister for Advanced Science and Technology; Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bhutan; Muath Alwari, Policy Planning Director; and representatives from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and G42.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
India, Bhutan review development partnership
India and Bhutan on Monday carried out a 'full spectrum' review of projects being implemented with New Delhi's support of `10,000 crore for 2024-2029. New Delhi conveyed that it would continue to work together with Thimphu on its development agenda. A total of 10 projects, worth Rs 1,113 crore and covering sectors such as healthcare, connectivity and urban infrastructure in Bhutan, were also approved at the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks held in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said India and Bhutan share an 'exemplary partnership' characterised by trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels. The talks are an important bilateral mechanism to review various aspects of India-Bhutan development partnership. India has been allocating funds for Bhutan's five-year plans.
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
8 Cool & Offbeat Things Everyone Should Do In Bhutan
Dancer at the Talo Tshechu festival on the grounds of mountaintop Talo Goenpa monastery. From trekking to Tiger's Nest monastery and exploring Punakha Dzong palace to attending the flamboyant Paro Tshechu festival and snapping a selfie with the giant, gold-covered Buddha Dordenma Buddha statue, Bhutan boasts several iconic sights. But there's so much more to the fabled Himalayan kingdom, sights and experiences that offer a much deeper insight into one of the world's most fascinating cultures. Bar Hop Thimphu Wedged into a narrow mountain valley, Thimphu offers a surprisingly good bar scene, dozens of places where visitors can sample local libations, catch homegrown tunes, and hang out with residents of Bhutan's capital and largest city. The rooftop Drunken Yeti offers panoramic views and a signature cocktail called 'The Yeti' made with eight different alcoholic spirits. They've also got ara, a fermented beverage made from wheat, and special edition 1907 12 Year Single Malt Whisky, named for the year that first modern king of Bhutan was crowned. At the opposite end of the Thimphu drinking spectrum is the Tipsy Cow, located in a basement on the main street. This Euro-style club offers a dance floor, disco lights, local craft beers, and a variety of Bhutanese music videos. The Grey Area boasts the Bhutanese equivalent of a boho ambience, art-covered walls complemented by live folk music and specialty drinks like the herb-and-vodka 'Cardi B' cocktail Tenzinling Luxury Villa Tents near Paro. Glamp the Himalayas Bhutan's sleep scene has taken a quantum leap in recent years with the advent of upscale glamping resorts. Renowned for its over-the-top African safari camps, &Beyond makes its first splash in Asia with the spectacular Punakha River Lodge. The waterfront property renders gourmet cuisine, innovative outdoor activities, extensive gardens, spa treatments and yoga sessions, swimming pool, and overnights in lavish tented suites with views of the snowcapped Himalayas. Arrayed along a hilltop overlooking Paro, Tenzinling Luxury Villa offers spacious and well-equipped tents around a common area with swimming pool, spa, bar and restaurant that serves excellent Bhutanese and Indian cuisine. Atsara posing with a fair-goer at the Talo Tshechu. Relish a Rural Festival Bhutan is renowned for flamboyant festivals. Paro Tshechu in March or April is the most famous, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to witness its traditional mask dances, music performances and colorful costumes. Avoid the rush and head for the Bhutan countryside, where village and monastery festivals boast an intimate atmosphere where locals outnumber overseas visitors and where you don't need to elbow your way to the front of the crowd for a closer view or great photos. A great example is Talo Tshechu, which plays out over three days each spring on the grounds of mountaintop Talo Goenpa monastery around a two-hour drive east of Thimphu. Talo is especially known for its pranks by red-masked atsara clowns and the epic Zhungdra by the local dance troupe. Strange but true: A takin takes a drink at the Motithang Takin Preserve near Thimphu. Take Time for Takins Bhutan's national animal defies easy description. In the same vein as an African wildebeest, it appears to be constructed from left-over parts from other creatures. People often compare the takin to a musk ox or mountain goat, but it's most closely related to sheep. They're difficult to spot in the wild because of their remote habitats, which makes the royal Motithang Takin Preserve near Thimphu the ideal place to get up close and almost personal with the strange, horned beasts. Explored via elevated walkways, the woodsy preserve shelters other endemic species like sambar deer, blue sheep, muntjac and golden pheasant. Catch Sunrise Over the Himalayas Rise before dawn and trek to a temple to see the first rays of a new day glistening off the high peaks. That's one way to beat the crowds who arrive at many temples later in the day. But you can also make it a picnic: Pack your own breakfast or arrange a breakfast box with your hotel. Tiger's Nest (Taktshang) is far and away the most famous (and popular) trek. But you'll be sharing the summit trail with hundreds of other folks, even at daybreak. Better to set your sights on a remote temple like Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten above the Punakha Valley. After crossing the swift-flowing river on a narrow, bouncy suspension bridge, it's about an hour's hike through rice terraces and forest to the gold-clad shrine. All of the guest rooms at Mendegang Heritage Home flaunt traditional Bhutanese design. Sleep at a Homestay Rather than a hotel or glamping resort, reserve at least one night for a homestay. Some are more like small palaces built by former royal courtiers or family members rather than ordinary homes. Located just off the highway between Thimphu and Punakha, Mendegang Heritage Home offers rooms and meals in an elaborate country manor house where Gyaldroen Thinley (chief secretary of the third king) lived with his two wives and many children. The home is still owned and operated by his descendants, including a granddaughter who manages the property. If you ask nicely, she'll show you the mansion's three extravagant Buddhist temples. Sink Into a Hot Stone Bath For as long as anyone can remember, Bhutanese have treasured hot stone baths. Heated by a wood fire, the water is infused with minerals released from the rocks and wormwood leaves (Artemisia absinthium) — the key ingredient of absinthe spirit — before it's dispensed into rectangular wooden tubs in private compartments. Beyond blissful relaxation, hot stone baths are thought to soothe many different ailments from digestive issues and hypertension to various skin conditions. Some hotels and homestays feature hot stone baths. But there are also independent bathhouses like Eco Farm Estate on the outskirts of Paro. Soothsayer at the Pangri Zampa College for Astrology in Thimphu. Get Your Fortune Told by a Buddhist Monk Find out what your future holds at the Pangri Zampa College for Astrology in Thimphu, where saffron-clad Buddhist monks use a variety of ancient texts and books to determine your fate. Readings take around half an hour, but visitors are free to explore the complex and chat with monks at their leisure. There's no fee per se, the fortune tellers do expect a small gratuity. In addition to training young astrologers — all those boys playing soccer in the schoolyard — the college creates the official national calendar and decides on the most auspicious dates for royal weddings, funerals, coronations and other significant occasions.
