With Dasho Dr. Sonam Kinga

 It was indeed a great pleasure to meet our National Council Deputy Chairperson Dr. Sonam Kinga on Facebook and chat with him. I am fan of him for his writing skills and public speech. Last year, he visited our college and gave talk on Democracy in Bhutan and had dinner with students. I was totally inspired and motivated.

The talks and the messages that he gave were immense. Though Dasho told me not to post our conversation here, your inspiration and motivation are so immense that I can’t resist keeping it safe in my PC. So I am sharing with my fellow readers, and sorry, la Dasho.

I asked a few questions that may not be relevant to anything. And I was totally glad that Dasho left no questions unanswered.

Last year I did chat with our Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley for a while and I regret that I forgot to save our conversations. And we have such leaders who don’t differentiate anyone, besides their busy schedule and hope in future also Bhutan will be ruled by such people. Pelden Drukpa Gyalo!

Here is my conversation with Dasho Dr. Sonam Kinga on Facebook today.

Me: Hello Dasho... what is the status of government on rupee crunch?

Dasho: Well, did not you read the papers? The government just borrowed more rupees. That is the final solution the government offered.

Me: Yea I did la...

Does it mean that after spending that amount rupee problem will be solved?

Dasho: No, my fear is that as long as we don't earn rupees, as long as we cut down spending, rupee problem will only come up. We will borrow more and the country including future generations will land up in more debt. But the govt. is too powerful, it thinks it knows the solution and does not listen to others. It silences critics by bringing in foreign experts such as Nobel Prize winners.

Me: If it be then how can we go ahead la?

Dasho: There are ways to go about. NC will be discussing this in the present session. We will see what solutions we can offer.

Me: Nice to know la...

Dasho: Your profile shows you live in Athens. Is that true?

Me: No la Dasho I am engineering trainee here in CST...

Dasho: That is what I thought!

Me: I was inspired the way how to write and speak in public since your visit last year

Dasho: Well, I am flattered! Thank you

Me: Can we stress on to have manufacturing company for our own national dress?

I see only belt that we wear is manufactured home...

Sometimes it is ridiculous; we Bhutanese can't afford to buy our own national dress within country like Bura and etc... 

Dasho: I agree with you. Bura and Seshu are too expensive for ordinary people. On the other hand, there are home-woven materials that are much cheaper. The only difference is that they are cottage products and not visible in the market. I don't think we need manufacturing companies. I think we need to support, subsidize, and promote home weavers. That should be a change in policy direction concerning gho and kira.

Khaling weaving center is having an impact, but it is again very small.

Me: Even if we do that, I think it can't suffice for our society because our society is more into pants and shirts... And moreover, we find very few wearing our national dress in towns... 

Dasho: But we must make an attempt. Just can't give up like that!

Me: I heard that there are one or two agents supplying school uniforms to particular schools, and what if such entrepreneurs come up with more of other dresses too, which will be homemade? 

Dasho: That will be good. You know Lyonchen introduced a new loom like the one in Laos. He started in Pema Gatshel. If that loom does not distort traditional designs, etc. this would be good for increasing production and supply,

Me: And one more thing I can see is many of our +2 students who are not qualified for in country training goes to India. Is there anyone coming up with private college like RTC la?

Dasho: There are a few proposals. MoE is sitting on the proposal. I think there were three proposals.

Me: I am glad that many more political parties are coming up and some got registered with ECB and others processing to get registered... My concern is, will there be enough candidates from all constituencies to contest for? 

Dasho: That is the concern of every people. Will there be enough candidates? Will there be a good leader etc?

Me: I think some constituencies will not have candidate... Even a fresh graduate

Dasho: That is true. So some parties may chose to give up certain constituencies
 

Me: oic.. Can that be possible la?

Dasho: It is possible if you don't get candidates

Me:  Dasho, Can I post our conversation on my blog la?

Dasho: No, please don't do so for now! What is your blog? If you want to blog our conversations in future, let us engage in more conversations. I really like the idea of posting it on blog. Why didn't I think of that?

 

Me: I write nothing special but my daily random thoughts la...

Dasho: Anyway, that is very good! How do you upload a conversation on a blog?

OK, you have been a real help! Thank you, and have a great day. I am going home now.

Me: Ok la... Same to you, la Dasho, and hope in the future too there will be lots of people like you who could move our nation forward... I am inspired and motivated more by your writing and public speaking la.

Dasho:Thank you and I hope I keep inspiring you. I am only worried I may be a disappointment!

And Dasho went offline. Thank you so much, Dasho, for your time!!