Language: Thought and conduct

This article is posted on my Facebook on 22 April 2018 

"Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow" (Oliver Wendell Homes)
With price of development, urbanization and modernity has left, among many, the fate of our languages (Dzongkha or any Bhutanese dialects), which I would term as "cultural invasion", a gradual and painful truth. I am responsible too. Mr. Dorji Wangchuk 's article on Dzongkha just more than language is a thought provoking article touching on the very essence of language and its impact on human development
in thought and conduct. I think, it is worth for everyone of us to read and rethink. We may realize where, we are heading.
Modernity has forced Bhutanese to travel thousands of miles (except arctic region), in search of accumulating wealth,(Wealth is presumed status and happiness in modern Bhutan. I am not saying we don't need or should not accumulate). Unknowingly, we also submit ourselves and those with us (children) to learn to abandon "our, we, collective and simplicity" in exchange for "individual, mine" and we garner ego and arrogance, eventually leading to "extremes" as as opposed to "middle path"described by author. The paradigm shift in our social fabrics is a result of alien thought, derived from language we learn.

It is not just outside Bhutan, but within too. We want our kids to speak fluent foreign language to prove, we are modern and more educated (accepted Bhutanese stereotype) and in the name of modernity (We produce nothing and even the basic entertainments are all imported-parties, clubs, sports, television, social media). We are exposed to too much foreign information (we take in through foreign language). With democracy, those in power, are only interested in garnering votes than nation's interest and future of our country (Bhutan still does not have good social media policy and regulation) and their plans and policies are all short sighted ,so that they can earn more votes . They are least bothered except some rhetoric statements on such issue (Did even one political party even talk about social media menace and its impact on nation's future).

I agree very much with Dorji Sir, that language influences thought, as it can be seen with our own eyes, those kids who are growing in the States or else where, their approach to world and their perception on human values and society.
It is sad but reality. Unless our leaders take some actions, our language would not survive few more generations. Just 20 years ago, when I grew up, the common language used in any kind of gathering, always used to be our own language. Just in two decades, I can not use even basic words of Dzongkha in my conversation with another Bhutanese many a times, because I have to explain to them again in English. Having said this, I also agree strongly with Dorji Sir that, I am not advocating that Dzongkha is better nor to blame those who can speak foreign languages. I am just reiterating the author of the blog that, it may be good to rethink our approach of world as Bhutanese, little more cautiously, if not Bhutanese at heart will be lost forever,

Language: Thought and conduct

This article is posted on my Facebook on 22 April 2018 

"Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow" (Oliver Wendell Homes)
With price of development, urbanization and modernity has left, among many, the fate of our languages (Dzongkha or any Bhutanese dialects), which I would term as "cultural invasion", a gradual and painful truth. I am responsible too. Mr. Dorji Wangchuk 's article on Dzongkha just more than language is a thought provoking article touching on the very essence of language and its impact on human development

Naming and shaming: A public trial-above Rule of Law

This article was posted on my Facebook on 13 April 2018

Any person, who commits a crime deserves the most stringent punishments. But, no person shall be punished at the whims and fancies of certain agencies.
Rule of law is the fundamental in democracy and due process of law is pillar on which rule of law rest. Naming and shaming of suspects by any law enforcement agency can be termed a lawlessness. I am sure, legal luminary will agree with me that, there exist no law in any manner in Bhutan, authorizing any agency to name and shame any person, no matter what kind of crime he or she may have committed.
I wonder, where does the Royal Bhutan Police derive such authority? Or does the RBP as law enforcement agency enjoy such discretionary authority overriding the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. I am not undermining the enormous contribution of RBP to the nation in maintaining peace and order in the country and tireless works they do.

We must remember that, all persons are equal before law and equal protection of law [Article 7(15)] and any person charged with a penal offences has right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty [ Art 7(16)] and every person and his family has right to privacy [Art 7 (19)]. These are fundamental rights and hence, even the parliament has no authority to enact any law against such rights.

For any person to punish for penal offence, there must be due process of law and not otherwise.

Naming and shaming of any person leads to build public opinion and creates such person as guilty in the minds of the public even before they are tried and their family and relative's right to privacy is violated. Without due process of law, punishing any person for mere suspected of any crime. It is even, more unfortunate that, even so called guardian of the constitution, the fountain of Justice, the Courts remained blind and deaf, the Office of the Attorney General, the nation's peak of legal luminary forgot to honour the basic rights of accused and so does our so called NGOs saw no profit in raising the voice of these voiceless persons.

Therefore, any person aggrieved by such actions of the state, must knock the doors of the justice and be compensated accordingly.In a democracy, we expect every organization to shoulder their responsibilities within the limits of the law and constitutional framework. Democracy without obedience to law can be a dangerous and actions that could lead to violation of the fundamental rights assured by Constitution is even more dangerous and worrisome. As nation of GNH, our focus shall not be on the deterrence and vengeance justice instead must focus on reformative justice.

Naming and shaming: A public trial-above Rule of Law

This article was posted on my Facebook on 13 April 2018

Any person, who commits a crime deserves the most stringent punishments. But, no person shall be punished at the whims and fancies of certain agencies.