Editorial

𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

As we observe World Mental Health Day on October 10 every year, it is imperative to reflect on the significance of mental health within Bhutan. Mental health matters profoundly, influencing every aspect of our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and interactions impacting our ability to cope with stress, build healthy relationships, and make informed decisions.In Bhutan, mental health issues have been increasingly …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐆𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐮 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

In a world increasingly driven by rapid urbanization and technological advancements, Bhutan stands at a unique crossroads, poised to redefine what sustainable development means in the 21st century. At the forefront of this transformative journey is the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative and the Bhutan Innovation Forum, both aimed at creating a holistic urban ecosystem that harmonizes economic growth, environmental …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬

In October, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is set to embark on an official Royal Visit to Australia, marking yet another milestone in Bhutan’s international diplomacy and outreach. The visit is a testament to the growing bond between the two countries and a reflection of His Majesty’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Bhutanese citizens both at home …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Bhutan’s recently launched Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) is aimed at providing concessional loans to businesses struggling in the wake of economic downturns. While the program is seen as a much-needed financial relief, it has sparked mixed reactions. Many welcome the financial support, but others criticize the bureaucratic hurdles that slow down the process, leaving some businesses unable to access the …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐆𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As the first cohort of Gyalsung embarks on its transformative journey with the launch of the program on September 5, 2024, the future of Bhutan shines with renewed hope, strength, and resilience. This historic moment marks the beginning of a national service that will mold Bhutanese youth into strong, capable citizens, symbolizing a new era of unity and growth for …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬

The issue of vehicle taxation in Bhutan has ignited intense public debate, particularly following the recent lifting of the vehicle import moratorium on August 18. This change has brought the rising cost of vehicles into sharp focus, prompting widespread criticism and calls for government action. The Finance Minister, Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, has recently highlighted the multifaceted nature of the problem, …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

In the face of global economic uncertainties, Bhutan emerges as a symbol of resilience and promise in the medium-term economic forecast. Despite the turbulence in global markets and ongoing geopolitical tensions, Bhutan’s economic indicators reflect signs of steady growth and stability. This editorial examines the factors contributing to Bhutan’s robust economic outlook and highlights the opportunities and challenges that lie …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝—𝐀 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The flash flood that struck Dechencholing on August 10 has left a trail of devastation, not only in terms of physical damage but also in the emotional and financial toll on the affected residents. While the immediate aftermath has seen a commendable response from the community and authorities, the flood highlights deeper, systemic issues that must be addressed to build …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞

The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) 2024, inaugurated on May 19, 2024, with a Nu 15 billion financial injection from the Government of India, marks a crucial phase in Bhutan’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the pandemic having exposed the vulnerabilities of economies worldwide, Bhutan’s response through the ESP is a comprehensive …

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐃𝐍𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

In the quest to preserve our planet’s biodiversity, innovative methods are crucial for effective ecological monitoring. A groundbreaking pilot study in Bhutan introduces environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling as a game-changing tool in the assessment and conservation of species. This advancement promises to transform the way we monitor ecosystems, offering new insights into species presence, distribution, and conservation needs. eDNA sampling …

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