Other Interesting and Noteworthy Comments
In www.kuzuzangpo.com on 7th August, 2009 by one LateVisitor:
I completely agree with TheLaggard and most of the commentators here on why the walk was not necessary.
Granted, the expression of condolence and support in a situation like that is generally uplifting and always welcomed, but the use of an action that is synonymous with the singularly infelicitous `democratic` tradition of staging protest to profess solidarity is, as many commentators here have rightly pointed out, stabbing what we have been carefully nurturing for decades in the back. If we chafe against a democratic tradition such as this, it would be a mistake to assume that this all our new democracy is. We did not have to resort to any form of expressions similar to what was done to bring democracy to our country, so then how do we justify their need now.
The walk is a clear sign of an undue despair driven by pessimism. This pessimism when struck by impetuosity leads to precipitous action such as the walk. If we succumb ourselves to such uncontrollable emotional outbursts more often than not, it could result in more assaults to our unique democracy. Worse still, such actions will send out wrong signals to our younger generation and that will be unfortunate.
A rumination before embarking on such an exercise could have done a world of good to what we are trying to achieve collectively. The walk was seemingly good in its intention but blind to its consequences, for which it will never have to pay the price. And that is why I would call it, to all intents and purposes, and for want of a better word, a debacle.
Those who had taken part in the walk must know and appreciate that the need to embark on such an action needs to be evaluated in the wider interests of the nation. That would have not only gone to earn them the epithet ‘concerned citizens’ but will automatically qualify them as responsible citizens too. More importantly, if those who participated in the walk ever goes through what TheLaggard and a majority of the commentators here have expressed, I would like to urge them to shed anything that would prevent them from taking a view of the criticisms/feedbacks from a purely non-partisan standpoint. Let’s not egoism and delusions of persecution get in our way and stifle the hope for what we are striving for. We must debate and differ in our spirits, yet, instead of focusing on the serious disagreements and disparaging each other’s intent, let us not forget that we share a common ground and that we must stand firm on it regardless of how each of us might feel.
While we know that such demonstrations have come to be known as an ‘evil-necessity’ and a part of `democratic` tradition all over the world, we need to question ourselves whether or not we can afford to allow and risk such a tradition. If we are capable of conceptualizing and propounding something as rare and unique as GNH, aren’t we equally capable of a lateral thinking that could mould and put into practice another tradition to democracy?
We are walking a tight rope at this time. People are always on the qui vive for anything that resembles the despicable democratic traditions. Even a slight jerk can send us falling down into an abyss of chaos. It will undermine our 4th King’s Vision and impair our progression to a unique democracy. Let’s not pervert our system and use whatever little we have achieved so far for launching empty rhetoric. The degree to which we are able resist such ‘temptations’ will decide the course of our unique democracy.
One commentator appears to have asked our OL whether the PDP was behind the whole episode. But a more pertinent question would have been to ask him what he thinks about the act? Whether he supports the act or condemns it. That would be interesting to know.
Posted By LateVisitor @ 07 Aug 2009
Commented on this Blog by one Anonymous: AUGUST 17, 2009 6:05 PM
“If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself”. James Madison.
Casting blame and gossiping in the comfort of living rooms is not enough; citizens should also be able to influence those whom they blame. It’s imperative to make the government more responsive to the wishes of the people. Solidarity walk laid the foundation for “peaceful assembly” rather than “idiotization (conscious rejection of the obligations of a citizen)”.
Solidarity Walk is a reward of a political ideology called democracy. It was never about “visibility” or about being “the messiah” nor about being “a social misfit”. It is a cheap shot to vilify and character-assassinate the organizers. It is malicious and vicious to call them “anti-Bhutan”. Yes, criticism is a part of life and they are welcome. As mush as you believe that “solidarity walk” was unnecessary the organizers believe that it was for a cause - a cause they believe in keeping their love for their nation and the people of Bhutan. Solidarity Walk was an expression of values and the criticisms must response to values not personal attacks. In no way was it to take advantage of political process. Solidarity Walk was never a protest or a strike like how few people distorted it. Solidarity Walk is about “deepening democracy beyond its electoral form”. It’s about “freedom of speech” and “the right to information” which is enshrined in the Constitution. Lack of information breeds corruption. Obstructing the flow of information is one way of hiding the mistakes the government makes. When the actions of public officials are not subject to scrutiny by the public opportunity for official misconduct become more attractive. Lack of information and proper management of political system creates a distorted policy environment which further creates opportunity for public officials to manipulate rules for their own benefit.
Solidarity Walk is one way of maintaining the integrity of political system. Political institutions help determine limits on the arbitrary exercise of power by the politicians and bureaucrats. Press freedom and civil society is one of the institutions that matter in fighting corruption. Both represent the people. They represent the collective voice of the people. They are our voices. Is it a crime to make your voices heard? Then I am sure democracy is a crime too.
If the government is not accountable to the people democracy will never be fully realised. Remember that state building also refers to promoting popular trust by increasing the trustworthiness of political institutions and by increasing the accountability of government to ordinary people.
A nation, whether democratic or not, must maintain its integrity. That’s one of the basic responsibilities of a nation towards its people. A nation breathes through its citizens. The people are the “life” of a nation. Protection of a life must be the basic responsibility of a nation. After all when we die what do we have. We just own a story. The nation must make sure that the story of every Bhutanese is worth of himself or herself. Stories of 600,000 Bhutanese make the history of Bhutan. Your story is as important as my story. Solidarity Walk just made an attempt to make those stories better.
It is better to live for a year with integrity and principle than grovel for hundred years in a safe house of cowardice and ignorance. A life lived in fear is a life half lived. Life is defined by the courage you have. Only action can give true meaning to the written or spoken word.
Democracy is a way of life whether we live in a democratic country or not, whether we live by the constitution or not, whether we have democratic attitudes or not.
Is there a time for equity and justice? The time is always now.
Should Bhutanese Media be allowed to indulge in Activism?
Posted on: http://www.kuzuzangpo.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1250477938&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&
In His address to the National Assembly during its concluding ceremony, His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo stated as follows:
“Media - newspapers, television, radio and the Internet - must play a very important role. I appreciate that while some of the media agencies are young and lack adequate resources they have strived to perform their duties with complete commitment. Hereafter, media will be vital in keeping people well informed and in encouraging debate and participation - key to a vibrant democracy. Therefore, I have decided that through the exercise of my Royal Prerogative of Kidu, to strengthen media agencies so that they may carry out their duties, without fear or favour, in the interest of democracy.”
That was on 30th July, 2009.
On 31st July, 2009, the media people based in Thimphu took to the streets under the banner of “Concerned Citizens of Bhutan” and staged the first ever authorized protest march of sorts - called the “Solidarity Walk.”
When His Majesty said that the media “must play a very important role”, did He mean that they should be the harbinger of a social evil called the strikes?
When His Majesty said that “Hereafter, media will be vital in keeping people well informed and in encouraging debate and participation - key to a vibrant democracy”, did He mean that the media people must indulge in ACTIVISM?
The vital role of keeping the people well informed will be grossly tainted if the media indulges in activism. They cannot inform the people in a balanced, neutral and objective manner. The recent activist overture of our media is a dangerous development in our country and it does not bode well for our democracy. It is particularly unsettling since the current bulk of the media people are young and highly impressionable.
The media is a very potent force and, if misdirected, they can create a whole lot of trouble. We need to ensure that the media keep within the bounds of their journalistic domain and not be allowed to tread in areas that should, by necessity, be out of bounds for them. The Press cannot pass judgments - that is not their role or responsibility.
Therefore, through this post, I would like to appeal to His Majesty that if the media were deserving of any Kidu, I would like to submit most humbly that they need professional direction from senior journalists of outstanding repute and experience - to bring into perspective the magnanimity of their responsibility to society. Our journalists need proper grounding not only in ethical reporting but also in responsible conduct.
There hasn’t been a repeat of such irresponsible article as Bhutan Time’s Editorial “Ode to my MP”. But their involvement in this Solidarity Walk clearly shows that they are still confused about their roles and responsibilities.
Posted on 17 Aug 2009 by TheLaggard
Posted By: PRO MEDIA: August 17, 2009 at 1:46 pm
http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/media/2009/stop-press.html#comments
Tenzin Rigden may be rough, highly charged and too emotive to be an ideal guru for you.
Nonetheless, fellow Bhutanese patriots! The next time when you get thrown out of your job unjustly or when your son or your daughter is passed over in a job or a scholarship interview or your wife is left to die in a hospital, there will be one man who will stand up for you. It will be Tenzin Rigden.
And if all those organisations are corrupt, there is another highly-charged Tenzin. The one and the only Tenzin Lamsang!
All your role models and upholders of equity and justice will turn a blind eye. Wanna bet on that?
Don’t be too critical of those who are critical because one day you will need them by your side. Your rosy life can turn sour any time. Don’t forget life is uncertain.
Commented by one Guest: August 17, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Posted on: http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/media/2009/stop-press.html
So Pro Media, what you are saying is that the actions of the likes of Tenzin Rigden are justified on the grounds that whatever he is doing is to shield us from some unknown but horrible situation in our distant future? What is he – some kind of soothsaying crusader? If that is what he wants to be, then get out of the chair that he occupies now at the Bhutan Times and do his frigging crusading work else where. As the CEO of a national newspaper with substantial readership and influence, he is a national threat and a security risk.
If he remains the CEO of Bhutan Times, there is a real danger that he will breed a whole generation of reporters who will grow up believing that acting both judge and the jury is part of their journalistic mandate. He is the head of a national newspaper that has the potential to mold minds and influence decisions. For this reason, he does not have the luxury of allowing his emotions to override his other, more important responsibility – that of keeping the news his paper disseminates: fair, truthful, unbiased and none-partisan.
Tenzin Rigden has to understand his responsibility in the context of what he is – head of a media organization that is as important as any of the other three arms of democracy.
Posted by Concerned Bhutanese @ 17 Aug 2009
http://www.kuzuzangpo.com/index.php?subaction=showcomments&id=1250477938&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&
I am fazed that some media people are also involved in such acts. This was however expected. Look at our media today, anybody who has a bachelor’s degree and can speak fluent English easily becomes a journalist/reporter in any one of the media houses. Do the media agencies conduct any orientation course on subjects concerning ethics of journalism for the new recruits? Is there a requirement set by the media agencies that lays out the DOs and DON’Ts for their journalist/reporter. Not even Kuensel I guess. I think it is totally left to the new recruits to pick up these essential journalistic ideals by themselves. That is…simply….not good.
Rather than having everything regulated by the government and state-controlled, the concerned media should take the responsibility to not let their people act like hawkers selling whatever they want, whenever they like, and wherever they prefer. This will go a long way in helping the development of a responsible media in our country that is in tandem with the kind of democracy our 4th King has envisioned. The role of journalists and the media people alike goes beyond just reporting and presenting an article. They have a bigger responsibility as an informer and educator of our people on this new thing called democracy and about the ‘ills’ and ‘goods’ of the ’democratic’ culture of demonstration and ANY FORM of walk, peaceful or violent.
Today’s walk might have been ‘peaceful’, but what guarantee is there that tomorrow's will be peaceful too? What guarantee is there that this act will not be misconstrued by our younger generation and certain section of our society who are pliant to influences? These are some simple messages people here are trying to getting across to every citizen. What people need to understand is that such ‘Peaceful Walks’ will insidiously grow into a FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER that will eat us all up one day, not even our democracy in the name of which the walkers exercised their ‘right’ will be spared. Who do we blame then? The beginning of all things are small. We have to be cautious, each one of us. Look around! We don’t have to stretch our neck too far to see what has become of the so called peaceful walks. There is a big sense in why some people are folding their hands into two and trying to reach out to people with a message that we are getting off track and that is not the kind of start we want.
Let’s debate and debate constructively. Let’s not our Drukpa spirit be blinded by egoism and blind anger. We have to understand and appreciate each other’s concerns. If we don’t, nobody will. In this world where people outside are trying to gun us down and waiting for us to slip, we cannot afford to be divided, more so in a small country like ours. People always disagree- friends do, families do, who does not? Just because we disagree does not mean we should be at each other’s throats. We must disagree to agree. We must not engage ourselves in ‘guts’ and ‘balls’ as these are ‘prescriptions’ for ‘gangs’ and ‘bangs’- and who benefits, known! Who suffers, all of us!
People could even discuss about such walks on forums like this before embarking on one to solicit people’s advice/suggestions and see what every concerned Bhutanese thinks about it. That would give those intending to take on one a fairly good idea as whether they should really go ahead or not. Such an initiative would then allow them to legitimately carry the tag ' Concerned Citiznes'. Like them, everybody is a concerned citizen and has equal stake in this democracy of ours and because of I am putting up my comment here. We are all concerned about the unfortunate incident.
My greatest fear about the future of our democracy is that many people still seem to be getting hold of the wrong end of the stick; the illiterate population would naturally do so, but even the literate people seem to be barking up the wrong tree unfortunately. Apparently, their immediate reference of democracy is what happens across the Bhutan gate and in TV news. People seem to be overwhelmed by the ‘right to expression’ and the ‘freedom of expression’ so much so that they seem to be taking it too literally. They should know that these right/freedom were bestowed on them by our monarchs who had full faith in their people and with the confidence that these will be exercised responsibily. That is Their aspiration. People should know that every right implies a responsibility. That responsibility calls on each one of us to act responsibly; to wait and give a second thought before we push any button in the name of democracy; they cannot afford to do that since we are all sailing in the same ship. If someone feels that a wrong button was being pressed, alarm will naturally be set on and take the person to task.
Posted by: the postman : August 17, 2009 at 1:21 pm
http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/media/2009/stop-press.html#comments
Its a good idea. I was invited but i couldn’t make it..i was in Limbo-Land, somewhere between Damphu and Gelephu! But like the OL said, its a good idea…and that pat on the back by His Majesty, i thought, should have been the COVER story that Week, where Times featured the re-narration of the whole Chhukha episode.
I’m not saying that that was bad… but SENSITIVITY is the key. Its like reliving the whole tragedy. The chairs/drawings were uncalled for at that printed time.
In time these things could have been presented…focusing on the humane-side.
There could have been a lot of questions asked. WHY? and more importantly, WHERE and How the Government can improve- man skills, trainings, equipments, all the tools-of-the-trade.
Imagine the boys had just been washed away- it would have been an IN-BRIEF report: “Yesterday…seven boys…”
It became the story it became because they bouldered on. This was a tragedy. But the situation gave the media all the right to ask the TOUGH questions; the BROADER questions.
As for the SOLIDARITY; I was called. I’m happy one person thought about my VIEWS/INPUT. I said NO. The GUT tells you and you just know/feel it: We are Bhutanese and we have our own way of showing solidarity and our own way of GRIEVING which i believe is INTERNAL. Thats why I said NO. Moreover like the GUESTS above said…its not up to the MEDIA to INITIATE/PARTICIPATE in these things.
REPORT…If there are no responses…REPORT ON THAT…IF things get apathetic, REPORT ON THAT…use stronger language, ask telling questions…and if there’s no COMMENT on that…REPORT IT!
And please try and keep your PERSONAL AGENDAS out of the story. There’s nothing as POWERFUL and TRUTHFUL as an UNBIASED FEARLESS PEN.
My Congratulations. May the T-Press Club become a real fraternity of media-people who constantly get sticks rather than carrots- and still stay objective regardless. That’s why news-people are so mis-understood.
Stick to your GUTS- Its an HONOR.
Damn Good job boy! You are truly a front runner of an idealism, that has no place in this brutal world!Not anymore. You got your views straight. The photo stories were add ons. Your language is mesmerizing. I will defend to death your right to say what you said.(heard it before right?) But I don't agree to what you have to blabber, waffle, misconstrue...
ReplyDeleteI don't know who you are. As if I would care! But what you have written here is symptomatic of an individual who views the outside world through a narrow prism. That's at one level. At the other, reading between the lines, your devilish vendetta, can't be ignored.(Actually after reading few lines i got where you were heading)
But man, good job! I congratulate you. You have perfectly, with finesse, showcased your pseudo nationalism and misplaced sense of patriotism. The solidarity walk-that peaceful walk-for seven lives lost-has been so delicately and so easily been compared to as a harbinger of all the protests, demonstrations, strikes in the times to come...
but the precedence is set. You like it or not. And all the chickens, feudal leftovers, government ass lickers, go die!
It's our democracy. It's our time. come change...adventure of ideas, revolution of thoughts...we frame our future!
And...seriously--what ever you say, does not count!
Problem in this country is - there are three groups of people.
ReplyDeleteOne, the ordinary illiterates (who get swayed and exploited);
Two, ordinary literates (people who work and work and work).
Three, extraordinary literates (people who exploit and enjoy at the expense of the first two groups). This group are people who don’t want change because change means they lose their undeserved perks and privileges.
You have to understand that any attempt by people who try to bring changes into the country will be demonised and burnt alive.
Hi solidarity walkers! keep walking and walk the hell out of those who are exploiting this country. They are protecting their interest, not that of the nation. You have done nothing wrong. The Constitution guarantees that. The government approved your walk and the police was there to see you follow the instructions.
Forget these fake patriots and foxy nationalists. Who appointed them to be the guardians of this land? Where were they when we blew the arse off those militants? Who are they to spit venoms from behind the nicknames and proxy servers? They have seen your faces now. If they have the balls, they can come tell you on the face.
Until then keep walking and walk around with your heads high!