Sushil Ojha shares his own actual experiences in Thimphu / Paro etc

Happy traveller Sushil Ojha at Paro in Dragon Hotel, Paro (Bhutan)

Bhutan is the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World and, until recently, has preserved much of their culture since the 17th century by avoiding globalization and staying isolated from the world. Bhutan only allows a certain number of foreigners into the country each year, and the two hundred fifty dollars a day that must be paid by every traveller is a deterrent for many. Internet, television, and western dress were banned from the country until ten years ago. But over the past ten years globalization has begun to change in Bhutan, but things remain perfectly balanced.

Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a ‘GNH.’ Some may think GNH is just another statistically based term with no real life application, but it refers to “Gross National Happiness.” The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization. It measures people’s quality of life, and makes sure that “material and spiritual development happen together.” Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding this balance. Bhutan has continually been ranked as the happiest country in all of Asia, and the eighth Happiest Country in the world according to Business Week. In 2007, Bhutan had the second fastest growing GDP in the world, at the same time maintaining their environment and cultural identity.

The Buddhist Taktshang Goemba ("Tiger's Nest") in Paro ( Bhutan ) , located on a cliff 900 meters high

Bhutan is the only Buddhist Kingdom in the world; Mahayana Buddhism is the official religion of Bhutan. Over two thirds of the total 8,00,000 population are Buddhist, and Buddhism is supported by the government both politically and economically. The government gives subsidies to Buddhist monasteries, shrines, monks and other Buddhist programs. Buddhists also are very influential politically with a guaranteed voice in public policy. Bhutan has also made significant efforts to keep other major religions out of their country. Promoting Christianity and other major religions is not allowed in Bhutan. Even with globalization, Bhutan has been able to preserve their Buddhist traditions.

169 feet (51 Meters) high statue of the Buddha adored on one of the well curetted highest hill tops overlooking Thimphu

Bhutan has found the perfect balance. In recent years, internet, cable television, cell phones, as well as many other modern technologies and ideas have become a part of Bhutan, but their desire to preserve of cultural values, as well as the desire to protect the environment has remained high. Bhutan’s economy and culture are growing and changing. Bhutan’s unique strategy has presented a solution to globalization. They are able to adapt to globalization, to strengthen their economy, while still preserving thousand year old traditions and culture. Bhutan is the only Buddhist Kingdom still in the world, and one where

In Bhutan’s first democratic election (year 2008), the 28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was elected President of Bhutan. He promises to “maintain a stance of protection against the worst aspects of globalization, maintaining the ‘Gross National Happiness.’ But Jigme himself is no stranger to globalization. He attended high school at Phillips Academy and university at Wheaton College and then graduated from Oxford. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck now helps Bhutan perfect the balance between maintaining ones cultural values and traditions while increasing their economy.

Starting in the 1970s, the Bhutanese monarch not only opened his country up to foreign tourists, he also stated the country would be following a new development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The four pillars of the happiness index include good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation and environmental conservation, says the BBC. These pillars manifest themselves in a number of progressive policies, including free healthcare and education for boys and girls alike, a traditional dress code, preservation of Buddhist traditions, and more than 50 percent of the country being protected as natural parks or reserves.

Free treatment waiting patients at the Govt Referral Hospital in Thimphu,GNH country of Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. Sushil Ojha too having severe dental pain also got happily surprised, free treatment of his tooth extraction on day one of his arrival in Thimphu.

Sushil Ojha happily seen conversing about GNH as explained by young Dr Thinley (Bhutan Govt aided MBBS from Cuba) now serving at Govt Hosp,Thimphu

On the surface, life does seem idyllic in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The country has had a two-party parliamentary democracy since 2008, life expectancy has increased by 20 years since 1980, 99 percent of children are in school, and per capita income has gone up 450 percent in the last 30 years, reported the Independent. 

The idea of measuring a country's development through happiness has gained so much popularity that the United Nations created its own measurement to apply to countries around the world. On writing about Bhutan, the authors of the World Happiness Report say, "Culture is not only viewed as a resource for establishing identity, but also for cushioning Bhutan from some of the negative aspects of modernization and thereby enriching Bhutan spirituality." 

If research on Bhutan has proven anything, it's that happiness is difficult to quantify and even harder to produce on a national level. But the fact that Bhutan has managed to preserve its cultural identity at the same time as it allows modernization and technological advances is encouraging. As Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley first said at the UN in 2011, "The present GNP (gross national product) development model no longer makes economic sense because it compels boundless growth on a planet with limited resources

By a long-standing agreement, Indian and Bhutanese citizens may travel to each other's countries without the need for a passport or visa but only their national identity cards. Bhutanese citizens may also work in India without legal restriction. Bhutan does not have formal diplomatic ties with its northern neighbour, the People's Republic of China, although exchanges of visits at various levels between the two have significantly increased in recent times

Bhutan's currency is the ngultrum, whose value is fixed to the Indian rupee. The rupee is also accepted as legal tender in the country

Paro Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan

Bhutan does not have any railways, though it has entered into an agreement with India to link southern Bhutan to India's vast network by constructing an 11-mile (18 km)-long1, 676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge rail link between Hashimara in West Bengal and Toribari in Bhutan

It is estimated that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the Bhutanese population follow Vajrayana Buddhism, which is also the state religion. About one-quarter to one-third are followers of Hinduism. Other religions account for less than 1% of the population. The current legal framework, in principle guarantees freedom of religion; proselytism, however, is forbidden by a royal government decision / by judicial interpretation of the Constitution.

The national language is Bhutanese (Dzongkha), one of 53 languages in the Tibetan language family. The script, here called Chhokey ("Dharma Language"), is identical to classical Tibetan. In the schools English is the medium of instruction and Dzongkha is taught as the national language. Dzongkha is partially intelligible with Sikkimese and spoken natively by 25% of the population. 

Hinduism is the second dominant religion in Bhutan, being most prevalent in the southern regions. The government is increasingly making efforts to preserve and sustain the current culture and traditions of the country

While Bhutanese citizens are free to travel abroad, Bhutan is viewed as inaccessible by many foreigners. Another reason for it being an unpopular destination is the cost, which is high for tourists on tighter budgets. Entry is free for citizens of India and Bangladesh, but all other foreigners are required to sign up with a Bhutanese tour operator and pay around US$250 per day that they stay in the country, though this fee covers most travel, lodging and meal expenses. Bhutan received 37,482 visitor arrivals in 2011, of which 25% were for Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions

The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. 

Wearing the national dress at work Sangey Dorji (age 22) Bhutan Govt Employee ( Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Forests ) poses with his friend in his right side

Bhutanese architecture remains distinctively traditional, employing rammed earth and wattle and daub construction methods, stone masonry, and intricate woodwork around windows and roofs

Bhutanese News appearing in Kuensel

(All factual information with due acknowledgement to Google search and Wikipedia)

 Sushil Ojha shares his own actual experiences in Thimphu / Paro etc

1. Pissing in open not done. Only public toilets or in hotels / restaurant can be used
2. Smoking is banned. Offenders can be punished. Raj said, he was jailed for 2 days
3. Chewing of tobacco also banned. The parking fee lady feared police when spotted
4. No use of horns while driving. No speeding. No overtaking. Very few two wheelers. The influx of new four wheelers restricted. Petrol/diesel is cheaper.
5. Very disciplined driving and all road side well planned parking lots are charged
6. The local seasonal fruit sweet oranges / apples are sold in dozens, are costlier
7. The hotel food is costlier (one paratha Rs100), Army canteen lunch/dinner and snacks (Jalebi, Samosa, Dosa, Idli, tea , coffee etc) is cheaper
8. Free education and free health care for all
9. Very good roads and well connected bus services / local taxi services
10. Plenty of Hotels in Thimphu and in Paro
11. No private medical practice. No private medical stores
12. Tambool (betel nut with pan leaf) chewing is used by locals
13. Local taxi drivers use their national dress code
14. No beggars seen except one old man and one old woman on two distant road sides
15. Hotel tariff are higher with govt taxes and service taxes thereon
16. The King & queen are kept at high esteem. Their  images are prominently exhibited / sported on their chest clothing
17. Locals are very happy to extend helping hands
18. The ISD charges are higher. Indian cells have to use the Tashi cell connectivity
19. The issue of permit to Indians is free of charge. So are the medical services.
20. Indian currency (INR) is at par with Bhutanese currency (Nu)
21. Tashi Delek means Good Wishes
22. Dzongkha (pronounced as Zonkha) is Bhutanese language
23. Ngultrum ( pronounced as Nu) is Bhutanese currency
24. Bank Of Bhutan ( BOB ) all ATMs dispense Nu currency notes with Indian Cards
25. Road side Foot paths are kept free of encroachments
26. Druk Yul means the Land of Thunder Dragon
27. Dzongs ( pronounced as Zongs ) means fortress
28. Tsham (pronounced as Sham) means meditation
29. Zigme Dorji Wangchuk Referral Hospital is like any corporate building funded by World Bank / Asian Development Bank for providing free health care
30. Pedestrians are given preference for crossing roads by approaching traffic 
31. Vegetable / meat / fish / egs etc are available only at specified whole sale market.
32. Indian rice bags (50 Kg) from Kolkata are available for Rs900, as told by a lady
33. More monks than soldiers, is the state policy in Bhutan
34. Paro International Air Port is 54 km from Thimphu by road
35. Valley Wangchhu (Thimphu Chu – River) flows through this capital city.
36. Dechencholing Palace is the name of Kings palace in heart of Thimphu city
37. Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan works as Central Bank Of Bhutan
38. There are no pavement stalls / shops
39. Coffee / tea priced at Rs40 as against Rs10 in Indian Army canteens
40. Gross National Happiness T shirts priced at more than Rs450 and solar power driven Mani Prayer wheels are priced at more than Ra750.
41. No bargaining entertained. Shops are kept on cctv camera surveillance
42. Kanchan Kanya daily Express train from Sealdah(8:30pm) is preferred to reach Hashimara next day (10:30am). Same train returns daily from Alipur Duar (4:45pm), reaching Hashimara(6:24pm) and Sealdah next day by 8:30am
43. Three star Hotel Galingkha is centrally located in Thimphu (tariff Rs3500)
44. Moderate Hotel Dragon near Bhutan Post in Paro (tariff Rs1000)
45. Raj Travels is housed in SBI building in Jaigaon (car rental Rs3000 per day for travel to and fro Thimphu and Paro and sight seeing there all inclusive ie fuel, driver’s food night stay, parking fees in Thimphu and Paro from Jaigaon.
46. Bhutan Govt comfortable new buses are available (Thimphu fare Rs250 per passenger) with no crowds what so ever. And moderate hotels tariff Rs1000