Bhutan is a small nation surrounded by two giant
nations of the world with incomparable military might, economic power, demography and geography. Bhutan in no way match
to them. This does not impugned Bhutan handicap or insecure. Our unique yet live
tradition and culture have been the
source and saver of our sovereignty and independency for generations now. But
with increasing influence of western culture and globalization, our culture is
taking a
different shape and values are often degrading day by day. Now the
only alternative to that is development of highly skilled human resource to
keep our nation prominent in the world.
His Majesty also mentioned that investment in human resource
capacity in Bhutan would be best investment that its return would make Bhutan
one of the most powerful nation in the world if harnessed well. His Majesty
further informed time and again that he has seen potential, intelligence and
capability in the Bhutanese youth if they are given the opportunity. I totally agree
to this view.
Contrary to this, I am not really pleased to read online on
social media discouraging the Bhutanese from this kind of progress. Some people
are of the view that our government is investing too much on this by allowing
them to pursue even up PhD. Some of these people tend to go abroad for greener
pasture and which is a brain drain. But we must understand that there are
always exceptions to every rule. I don’t feel any effect of brain drain in this
context as long there are justifiable rules equally applied to everyone on
government scholarships to pay back through various means. When more Bhutanese
people work in international organizations and developed countries, the
ultimate benefit will be for Bhutan specially the nation’s economy and image.
Some might work and send money back at home as already happening. Some might
hold very good positions in the international organizations which Bhutan would
ultimately benefit. We must remember that Bhutan is almost underrepresented in
every UN offices at all levels. Today, even in many part of India, Bhutan is
totally an alien to them. It is hard for them to believe that there is another
nation between them and China. Thus, we must promote our presence in the
international arena which is a pillar for strengthening our sovereignty and
independency.
We must learn to appreciate
from others, for instance Singapore is much newer country than Bhutan which became
independent only in 1965 from Malaysia. Singapore has just over 700 square kilometres
compared to Bhutan which has over 38000 square kilometers. Contrarily, Singapore
has a population of about five million people making one of the densest sovereign
state in the world compared to just over 0.7 million in Bhutan. But today, Bhutan is still one of the
developing countries although our independence remains generations back but
Singapore is one of the most developed countries. They have nothing except
human resource and human brain. Therefore, we as a small nation has even better
chance than this nation.
Thus, investment in human resource should be priority and
deserves the attention to invest more, because that is the only alternative we
have. Today, we are also proud to have one of the most qualified civil servant
who are still working tirelessly even with meager income. Not every tom and
dick has left the country for greener pasture.
Therefore, we not must not complacent, rather look at from
different angles for the benefit of the nation so that we will one day become a
nation like any other developed state.
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