Who has the greenest fingers of them all? Nov 8, 2009
Though Tuvalu may not figure anywhere in the list of countries with highest GDPs, emerging economies or transparent governance, the top ranking on the green scale may catapult it to the top league, just like the happiness index made Bhutan known worldwide. This is the first time we have rated world leaders on their commitment to emission reduction. (India Times, India)
Dalai Lama visits Indian monastery despite China protest Nov 8, 2009
" onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. " But economic ties have strengthened between the two booming Asian giants, and New Delhi acknowledged Beijing's sensitivities over the visit by barring foreign journalists from covering it. Phuntso Wangchuk, an 80-year-old retired government employee who lives near Tawang and remembers the excitement that greeted the Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet in 1959, said Chinese criticism was misplaced. "His Holiness' only purpose is to bless us and nothing... (Channelnewsasia.com)
United States Claims #1 Spot For First Time as World's Top Country Brand Nov 6, 2009
- Canada Holds on to Second Spot and Australia Slips to Number Three - - Global Study Expanded to Cover Regional Rankings Including Asia Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa and the Americas. This category remains one with tremendous potential not only for tourism but investment, trade and policy. (Canada Newswire)
Quake rescue teams scour Bhutan Sep 22, 2009
Rescue teams are scouring eastern Bhutan after at least 11 people were killed by an earthquake which struck the Himalayan region ... The epicentre was inside Bhutan's border with India, 180km (115 miles) east of the capital, Thimphu, the US Geological Survey said ... "Rescue teams are working overtime to assess the damage and look for people trapped or injured," Ugyen Tenzing from Bhutan's disaster management department told the AFP news agency. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Bhutan hit by strong earthquake Sep 22, 2009
At least 10 people have been killed after an earthquake hit Bhutan and neighbouring Himalayan regions ... The epicentre was just inside Bhutan's border with India, 180km (115 miles) east of the capital Thimphu, the US Geological Survey said ... "We're trying to piece together information to assess the damage," said Ugyen Tenzing, Bhutan's director of disaster management. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Bhutan tells Japan how to be happy Sep 10, 2009
Bhutan's shift to democracy began when King Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne to his son in December 2006, signaling the end of absolute monarchy. Today, Bhutan prides itself not only on its democratic freedom, evidenced by its first national elections in 2008, but also on its unique concept of development that has become the foundation of the country's path to progress - Gross National Happiness (GNH) ... Bhutan to modernization. (Asia Times Online)
Miss Ireland upstages lady in red Sep 9, 2009
Bhutan has made its people's happiness a national priority. But a spate of suicides suggests it is struggling to cope with the modern world. (Yahoo News -- Beauty Pageants)
Web offers happiness gauges Aug 19, 2009
Since 1972, Bhutan has measured national progress in terms of its Gross National Happiness, a mix of material, cultural and spiritual indicators. This year the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development looked at poll data from 140 countries regarding people's recent positive or negative emotions and concluded that Northern European countries like Finland, Netherlands and Denmark are the happiest in the world, while Canada made the top 10 list and the United States did not. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
New fiber-optic network brings digital era to Afghanistan Jul 29, 2009
On the Indian subcontinent alone, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan all got their first outside cable links within the past three years, says Gaurab Upadhaya, a PCH analyst. Prices fell in Nepal "big time" with the move. (Christian Science Monitor)
One Lesson From the Crisis: It's Time to Create Your Own Economy Jun 26, 2009
but in Bhutan (east of Nepal,for the geographically challenged)they measure Gross National Happiness as a serious economic indicator ... A global study in 2007 found that Bhutan ranked 8th out of 178 countries (the US was 23rd) in subjective well-being SWB, a metric that has been used by many psychologists since 1997 ... Bhutan is the only country in the top 20 "happiest" countries that has a very low GDP. In light of this article it would be interesting to correlate SWB with web penetration and... (FastCompany)
Himalayan glacier studies commence Jun 23, 2009
One such study by the UN Environment Programme (Unep) and ICIMOD, nearly 10 years ago, warned that 20 glacial lakes in Nepal and 24 in Bhutan were swelling so rapidly that they could burst by 2009. A burst lake would cause flash floods, which could sweep away buildings and roads or even whole communities in countries like Nepal and Bhutan. (BBC News)
Full Story » Jun 21, 2009
She said she was encouraged by improving situations in Liberia, South Sudan, Burundi and Bhutan but said countries must pitch in to do more. "The crowded camps where refugees live are designed to be temporary, but many of the world's displaced people become permanent residents," she said. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Liberia's Taylor trial adjourned May 23, 2009
Country profile: Bhutan. Yosemite's giant trees disappear. (Yahoo News -- Liberia)
NYT: Bhutan calculates happiness May 8, 2009
NYT: Recalculating happiness in tiny Bhutan - The New York Times- msnbc ... Recalculating happiness in tiny Bhutan, literally ... Under Bhutan's new constitution, government programs must be judged by the happiness they produce, not by the economic benefits. (MSNBC -- International)
A Change In The Wind? May 5, 2009
Caught a PBS show the other night called "Bhutan, The Middle Path to Happiness." Since they had nothing and now have all these western luxuries. It was like a study on all that is right and wrong with Western Living. (Townhall.com)
M'sia interested in Indian electronic voting machines Apr 13, 2009
The electronic voting machines, which can withstand rough handling and variable climatic conditions, were used for smooth conduct of the polls in Nepal and Bhutan recently and elections conducted in the Kathmandu constituency using these machines were part of a pilot project. The Electronic Corporation of India Ltd, which also produces such equipment, had supplied the machines to Bhutan during its last general elections. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Indian EVMs popular in Nepal, Bhutan Apr 7, 2009
NEW DELHI: The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) of India are gaining popularity outside the country with Nepal and Bhutan recently using them in their elections to satisfaction ... The Electronic Corporation of India Ltd, which manufactures the equipment, had supplied the EVMs to Bhutan during its last general elections. (India Times)
Made in India EVMs in demand abroad Apr 6, 2009
NEW DELHI: Bhutan got them for its elections last year and Nepal has acquired them too ... "The new EVMs don't just record your ballot, but also the exact time when you cast it. It also gives hourly polling updates. Therefore if someone says that his or her vote was being tampered with, the time when they cast their vote can be found out. "All of this ensures that balloting is more tamper proof," Newaskar said. Besides BEL, Hyderabad-based Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) also... (India Times, India)
Tibetan education thrives - in exile Mar 6, 2009
What began in 1960 as a ramshackle nursery for Tibetan orphans has grown into almost 80 schools across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. There are 17 TCV branches with at least 12,000 students. (Christian Science Monitor)
Bowring: Neighbors who should be friends Feb 8, 2009
A mix of Bangladeshi fears and Indian trade barriers have also deterred Indian investment in Bangladeshi manufacturing, and general lack of cooperation has prevented Nepal and Bhutan hydro power from being harnessed for sale to Bangladesh and India. For the long term, Bangladesh badly needs a more cooperative attitude from India if the damage inflicted by climate change - most notably rising sea levels - are to be addressed. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
