Are we prepared ??

 

Bajothangu and Gangteythangka are the places where my grandparents avoid drinking water with a fear of catching Tshep (heat stoke) when they come to collect Doe (Official luggage) as a potter, was showered by the snow on 5th February 2022. There are no official records of any snowfall in the place maintained clearly indicating it to be for the first time.

 

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Picture from WDRP Facebook page

People welcomed it with joy where anything related to white indicates purity. Moreover, it brought great relief to their mind since they are in Lockdown for almost 2 weeks due to Covid 19 community transmission. There are reasons behind having great relief in their mind.

The winter season starts in Bhutan in December and ends in February. Snow falls on anytime within that duration but why especially on 5th February. It is the 6th birth anniversary of His Royal Highness, the crown prince of Bhutan. According to the monastic body of Bhutan (Kuensel), the event was marked with snow on the sertog of Punthang Dewachengi Phodrang (Punakha Dzong) after more than six decades. Earlier during the outbreak of eye diseases (seems conjunctivitis), snowfall on the sertog of Punakha Dzong ended the epidemic. So people were excited to connect the significance to the current pandemic.

Punakha covered by Snow
Picture from Kuensel online

Since people have been under lockdown for so long, fine winter sunny weather tempted them to come out. But that snowfall complies them to stay inside easing the task for the concerned agencies. So people are expecting positive outcomes from the unexpected snowfall in most of the regions. Nevertheless, people need to act as one to break the chain of community transmission. The weather may not be able to favour us more than that, cutting down the road connection to mute the commutation, and electricity blackout to get back to olden days manual task to keep yourself engaged and fit.  

Roadblock due to heavy snowfall
Picture from DoR Facebook page

Now the concern is what happens if it is continued hereafter. The heavy snowfall during winter might increase the volume of the fast-flowing rivers causing floods during summer. According to the United Nation climate action facts report, change in temperature is just the beginning of the story. Earth is an interconnected system where the change in one area influences the changes in all others. 

Interconnection
Picture from Royalty Free Stocks Photos

Former Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, clearly stated in his TED talk that though Bhutan is a carbon-negative country (absorb more carbon dioxide than it produced), we are facing the impact of global warming. We appreciate our governments (Past and Present) effort in inviting Global efforts in fighting climate change through different media. But people will different mindsets and greed are very difficult to merge together. 

Flash flood
Picture from tsheringtobgay.com

Therefore, along with the call for the global effort in fighting climate change, it's high time for us to save our heads too: roadblocks, electricity blackouts, floods, food security, epidemics, security of safe drinking water sources and many more related to global warming. How prepared are we in facing such unavoidable circumstances? Let us take it as a great reminder and prepare ourselves accordingly.

People still working to restore electricity after 6 days blackout
Picture from BPC Facebook page

Selfish Journey

 

After postponing the travel date by the concerned agency due to the scary and life-threatening Covid virus for almost a month, the departure date was again rescheduled for 29th November 2021. Finally, as the D day approaches, all the departure documentation are updated for 3rd time expecting that this time I can make it out. 

My wife and the children

It was a very strange moment for me to say goodbye to my loved ones. Tshelten Dedee Tshering, my son was expecting me to return after a few days like before and placing so many demands. Just 6 years old son who was used too in seeing off his father to attend workshops (seminars) does not have any emotions makes me sink my heart deep down. I am worried that will my 9 months old daughter be able to recognise who am I because by the time I get back to them she will be 2 years plus.

How fortunate I am to have, Jampel Zangmo, the love of my life. A teacher, who is also a passionate reader, edited all my documents though she knows the consequences if I get selected. A daughter of a farmer from the far southeast corner of Bhutan tried to overcome the fear of driving. Constantly she did it for about two months and became the intermediated driver. Happily, she said that now I can drop and pick my son from school.  

Gasa Dzong

My parents always remind me of taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The purpose of the refuge is to liberate ourselves from all the causes including our negative karma as mentioned by Lama Zopa Rimchophe. The cause and effect that occur physically were proven by Sir Issac Newton and as a Buddhist, I believe in what you sow, so shall it reap. Therefore, Tendrel (good start) is what all the Bhutanese value for the successful completion of any tasks. The journey to my new temporary destination started by taking blessings and the positive energies (Laws of conservation) from Ap Gomo and Dendue Norzang (Pham gi tenbi kencho), DzonChung and Zhabdrung's Marchen (Punakha) and finally from Ap Gen Nyen (Pelden Drukpai Dralha).

Camera man: Dedee

Tshelten Dedee Tshering

Upon my selfish mission, whole family members accompanied me to the departure gate to see me off on 29th November, a chilled winter morning. I was sure that for the worries and sadness caused on everyone, I have to face the effect (consequences) very soon. Knowing the emotional state of my mother, I couldn't say a proper goodbye to her. Innocent goodbye waves from my children further broke my heart and didn't have the energy to face them at all. 

My family

After more than 2 hours, we landed safely at New Delhi airport and had to check in again to reach my destination. After collecting my luggage, went to the waiting room where the news poop out. The Japanese government imposed a ban on all international flights due to the new Covid variant, Omicron detected in one of the international flights that landed 48 hours ago. Oh god, that's the effect (consequences) of my selfish mission. No return flight to Bhutan for one week, Embassy pupils are not sure, and I am stranded in one of the crowded international airports. What can I expect more than that? That's the cause and effect.

My conscious mind with the positive energies kept me in a relaxed mood. Internally someone keeps me saying you don't have to worry. Suddenly the fight on which I had to board appeared on the screen for check-in. Heard that in such a situation if you are already checked in for the flight, even if it gets delayed or cancelled, we don't have to worry about our accommodation till the next flight (not sure about it).  So, I rushed to grab any possible opportunities. 

Land of Rising Star

After waiting for almost 3 hours, we got inside the flight. It landed safely after almost 8 hours at the Land of Rising Sun, my destination for the next 18 months.