Lisa Napoli's Blog, page 10
March 19, 2012
Rupee crisis and Bhutan
I couldn't find a comprehensive write-through on the emerging financial crisis in Bhutan, so I did a little round-up myself on Forbes. Seemed too important a story (especially with people storming a bank the other day) not to at least try to lasso up the issues–although it could take a phD and a lot more time to watch this all evolve to suitably parse out all the issues.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisanapol...
March 15, 2012
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on BBS
The Bhutan Broadcasting Service, on its beautiful new website, has posted the Q and A from noted teacher Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's recent talks there. Access the video here. (And if you dig it, be sure to read his book, What Makes You Not a Buddhist?)
March 13, 2012
Rupee crunch, consumerism and Bhutan
There's a run on banks in Bhutan due to the rupee crunch. The rupee is on par with the Bhutanese currency, the ngultrum, and has, until now, been equally accepted. The trouble is, in part, due to soaring imports from India and a surge in private loans for cars and housing over the last few years; so says the Royal Monetary Authority.
Translated: consumerism's grip is taking hold.
Business Bhutan has this comprehensive write-up, which begins: "Bhutan is perhaps facing the biggest economic problem in its history which can lead to a crisis anytime soon if appropriate measures are not taken with the Indian rupee shortage reaching unprecedented levels threatening to hold the Bhutanese economy at ransom."
Here is another account:
"Thousands of Indian businessmen applied to close their accounts in the banks and withdrew the amount in Indian Rupee. There was a huge rush everywhere as the Central Bank announced in their directives that accounts which are closed on before 9th March may be settled in Indian Rupee. Therefore, there was so much hustle and bustle in the banks, especially in the border towns. Indians came in scores and took their money worth millions (almost emptying the banks). "
And Kuensel is reporting that software is being installed at banks in Bhutan to keep track of (and limit) currency transfer by Bhutanese of ngultrum to rupee.
Bhutan and the DC Environmental Film Festival
If you're in or around DC this weekend, you might check out these films about Bhutan at the DC Environmental Film Festival 2012
If you're not in the area, sorry: There only appear to be short teasers online.
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012 Begins at 3:00 PM
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Baird Auditorium
10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW, Washington DC
(Metro: Smithsonian, The Mall exit or Federal Triangle, 12th St. exit)
The program is FREE and open to the public.
THE YAK HERDER'S SON (Bhutan, 2012, 25 min.)
United States Premiere A documentary about a Park Ranger and a yak herder's son who meet in the mountains. Through stunning imagery from the mountains of Bhutan, the story highlights the challenging life of the yak herders of northern Bhutan, and how their perception could define the fate of snow leopards in Bhutan. Directed by Tenzin Phuntsho. Produced by the Bhutan Foundation.Teaser: http://vimeo.com/37765854
86 CENTIMETRES (Bhutan / Netherlands, 2011, 38 min.)
United States Premiere Bhutan is one of the hot spots of environmental preservation on earth as 70 percent of its surface is covered with forest and it hardly contributes at all to CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, it is facing the undisputable effects of global warming as melting ice continues to weaken the walls of theHimalayan glacier lakes. If the lakes should burst, the lives of thousands of people and animals will be endangered and the fertile arable land in this hidden kingdom destroyed. The only way to prevent such a disaster is to dig a drainage system and lower the water level of Lake Thorthomi by six meters over a period of three years. The film follows an army of 350 farmers, students and workers, who climbed the Himalayan Mountains for the first three-month expedition, which resulted in a reduction in the water level of 86 centimeters. Directed by Peterjan van der Burgh Tshering Gyeltshen. Produced by Henk de Jong.
BHUTAN: LAND OF THE BLACK NECKED CRANE (USA, 2011, 15 min.)
Embark on an exotic journey to the small Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan high in the Himalayan Mountains. See how a benevolent king promotes Gross Domestic Happiness for his citizens while fostering respect for the environment and natural resources. Travel with George Archibald, Co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, to see the rare and endangered black necked cranes. Directed by Greg Pope and Rhett Turner.
Students explore Gross National Happiness
At Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, they're practicing for Pursuit of Happiness Day on April 13th by examining GNH over GDP. I particularly like the "Minimization Mania Initiative."
March 11, 2012
"Media should treat people as citizens and not as consumers."
So says Bhutan's information and communications secretary Dasho Kinley Dorji in this Kuensel article about the struggle to define what can and should be advertised in Bhutan's growing media.
The GNH guidelines say substances that are "unhealthy"and might affect the well-being of citizens cannot be promoted or advertised, and the Business Bhutan CEO said limiting "junk food" ads would be limiting.
Who decides what junk food is…and what ads should contain….is being worked out now.
March 9, 2012
March 7, 2012
Bhutanese government on the refugee situation: Bhutan News Service
Very interesting write-up today by the exile-run news service on the situation in the camps and an apparent disagreement between the Prime Minister of Bhutan and the Opposition Leader (pictured below.) The PM suggests repatriation might be possible for some of the refugees; while the OL vehemently opposes it. (Somehow I would have imagined it would be the other way around.)
Napoli on Nepali Online Radio
When Himali Sworharu and Sahadev Poudel want to talk to you about Bhutan and Radio Shangri-La, you answer the call!
Here's our interview: (and happy Holi to all who observe.)
http://www.archive.org/embed/LisaNapoliConversation
