Reprograming our Civic Sense

Photo by Penstar

The other day I was out in the town with my dear friend - my three-year-old daughter. And when we were about to have our lunch I realized I needed some cash. So, that took me to the doorstep of an ATM. I was totally taken back. That was not what I expected to greet me. But it is a sad reality; this is when modern problems coupled with our traditional mindset - confront us dear.

Don't stare at the lady's bottom, but what is on the floor! Lol...

Recently, all BOB ATMs started refusing to print receipts and I admired the idea behind this initiative. By discouraging the machines to print receipts unnecessarily we do a great service to our environment and a big favor to our municipal authorities. It is our common knowledge that as soon as a receipt is printed the customers throw them in the ATM rooms even if there are trash cans provided. And at some point ATM rooms have nearly become a garbage-house. This has a lot of things to do with the people - customers. Even now, we direly need some lessons on civic sense. We must urge all our banks to program their ATMs never to dispense receipts and say NO to wastes!

We are guilty of throwing everything carelessly on the streets. And the big tragedy is that the people who are supposed to set good examples commit the bigger crimes themselves by preaching "heavy concepts" that they will never practice in their lifetime. But whatever said and done - if each of us takes responsibility for our own waste then we will have solved half the problem. It is simple act like refusing to print money receipts from an ATM machine that I see making BIG difference at the end!

Comments

Utpal Academy - Bhutan's first All-girls High School

Academic Block Welcome to Bhutan’s first all-girls school. Isn’t that wonderful news to all our parents? Certainly, as a parent of a one-year old daughter I am excited about the coming of a school exclusively dedicated to the needs of girls. Our girls need special treatment, which we can for sure entrust the responsibility to Utal Academy, Paro. Dinning Hall I really like the name – Utpal – in Buddhist world, Utpal is another name for lotus flower, which is believed to grow from mud and yet blossoms into a beautiful and majestic flower. It stands for purity and many deities are depicted holding flower Utpal, more prominently Jestusn Dolma, the Goddess Tara. Symbolically, it also stands for the transformation of our girls. What an apt name for the school! Hostel Room The Principal’s message posted on the academy’s website promises providing our young women an “opportunity to participate fully in a wide range of extracurricular activities to develop skills and qualities that

Community of Bhutanese Bloggers Conceived

And finally it happened. I must say that it was by far the most attended Bloggers Meet. In the past we had bloggers agree to attend and cancel at the very last minute. But on June 24, 2015 – almost 100% of bloggers, who confirmed came. I would like to thank everyone for keeping his/her words, especially those who had to come all the way from Wangdue or Paro. Thank you! 35 Bhutanese bloggers met in Thimphu. We were honored to have the presence of senior bloggers like Aue Yeshi Dorji and Dasho Sangay Khandu. The meeting assumed more significance because of their presence. Equally, we were happy to have many young bloggers in whom we see so much enthusiasm and potential. On top of many things that transpired during the Meet, one of the most significant outcomes was the unanimous decision reached to form a formal group of bloggers, a platform aimed at encouraging and inspiring more bloggers around the country. The members decided that we will call it Community of Bhutanese Blogger

When FIVE is more than FIVE HUNDRED

Bhutanese parents complain that our children are exposed to so much foreign content and that they might soon forget our own root. Some parents also feel that their children respond well and better to stories that have Bhutanese characters and places in them. That's why the need for more and better Bhutanese books in the market. And we have only a handful of people who are committed to making this happen although the financial return is almost none. Bhutan can boast of not many writers. Here writing or publishing aspect of writing is an expensive hobby. In the first place, it is difficult to convince people to publish their writings and many leave it before they are halfway. Publishing is a complicated process. But here it is even more complicated since our publishers are not publishers in the real sense of the term. They would only 'publish' (print) school textbooks and in that they are only being wise - averting risks to their businesses. Recently, the whole

Nawang P Phuntsho

Search This Blog