Bhutan

Bhutan visit (during June, 2012)

Bhutan visit was my first foreign visit, with family, in June 2012.

[Bhutan Trivia: The Himalayan Kingdom country Bhutan follows Budhism, since 7^th century. From 1900 onwards, it was led by Wangchuk family. British and then independent India had signed a ‘no interference treaty’ with this country. Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971. In 1972, Jigme SingyeWangchuckascended the throne, at the age 16. He emphasized modern education, decentralization of governance, development of tourism and improvements in rural developments. He was known internationally better for his development philosophy of "gross national happiness." He abdicated the throne voluntarily in December 2006. After the promulgation of the new constitution in 2008, his son became the premier. Population of this country, now (in 2021) is around 8 lakh (75% Buddhists; 22.6% Hindu)].

We left BBSR by Jan Shatabdi Exp upto Howrah; then reached Sealdah station to catch Kanchan Kanya exp at 8.30 PM. Nextday (on 20.6.12), we reached Hasimara station, by 11 am. My MBA student Ravi Jain had come with a car to receive us, he then took us to Jaigaon (his hometown, bordering Bhutan and next to Phuensholing town of Bhutan). Took lunch at Ravi’s place. He had arranged Bhutanese currency and travel pass for us. Then at 3 PM, we left for Thimpu. Taxi driver was young youth, named John Lama. 7 hour journey through zigzag, mountain ghaat road, and then we reached Thimpu at 9.30 PM. We first checked into a small economy hotel, for a day.

We all got up early in the morning, (next day on 21.6.12), being curious to see the ‘foreign’ land, Bhutan. It was cool, pleasant (while Odisha was too hot in June). Had a brief morning walk, close to River Thimpu (mochhu). Then driver Lama came; we first visited the ‘National Memorial’, then we went to Budhha point, on mountaintop (saw the huge bronze statue of Budhha). I visited Royal Institute of Management (RIM) Thimpu, alone.

Next day (22.6.12), I was very much tired, with high-altitude sickness; so we all dropped the plan of visiting Punakha zhong. So we proceeded straight to Paro (the airport city of Bhutan), and Checked into a better hotel at Paro. The stay was very comfortable. I found Paro climate better than that of Thimpu. Visited Paro museum. We all were damn tired, so thought of cancelling our next day program of Bhutan, and return to Indianplains.

We left Paro nextday (23.6.12) by 10 am, and reached Phuensholing by 3 PM (via Chuzom, Chapcha, Bunagu, Gedu, Rincheding). Took rest in Hotel Galing, in Phuensholing, which was pre-arranged by my student.

Paid Taxi driver and the tour operator, all their dues and then we left for Hashimara station, to catch train for Kolkata. We reached Sealdah on 25.6.12, and then moved to Howrah station to catch Faluknama superfast express. Our return journey to BBSR was comfortable.

Bhutan journey was quite memorable one, particularly for my family.