What is Baylling for?

Baylling is a dream school. Though dreamers are unaware, dream appears to them. In the like manner, the school like Baylling was born. Since its inception in 2004, Baylling has been a refinery to many fortunate aspirant leaders. The mixed raw materials of good, mediocre and without exception bad or students, who could not discover their talents, joined our school. No matter what the raw materials were, they have been put to refinery and steered it appropriately until they came out in the form of polished products. Many students, who came here without any goal initially, graduated from Baylling HSS gaining mental maturity, wholly aware of their talents, and as custodian of their own destiny. It is a dream, even to its inmates, to hear Baylling reverberating far and wide despite being literally tender in age.
The recent school ranking, by our Ministry, that made us see our school in the first tenth position gave natural and boundless flow of joy through the veins of every Baylling family. This is not the first time. We are not surprised. The pleasure and joy that filled our state today is because of the fact that we have got an opportunity to see our school in the list of top ten schools consecutively for many years. We feel that the ordeal we are put to is passed without doubt. To tell the truth, we have reached the stage where we can be considered ‘indomitable’. This word may make readers deduce that we are satisfied with our performance. Experience tells us that once we reach satisfaction level, our enthusiasm for performance declines. Should anyone be engulfed with this notion, we must contradict it by asserting that we are not satisfied. Rather we believe, our fresh stride measuring new progress, as just a beginning. Like Alfred Tennyson, we feel ‘all experiences as an arch where through gleams that untraveled world, whose margin fades forever and forever when we move’.         We are aware that we have greater challenges ahead: challenge to retain same position, challenge to meet expectations, and challenge to provide good guidance to students. 

But we stand firm. No topic of impossibility, if there is at all, will dissuade us from seeking our pursued dreams. We have high dreams. We encourage our members to dream high and crave to attend it. The recent announcement of early mid-term break by MoE did give us little time to think, but altogether we are not unprepared. Early or late does not make any difference to us.  We are prepared for quality performance anytime. We provide forum to students to authenticate their learning with practical experience. We experiment, do and redo matters to exhume facts. We explore and provide new arenas for learning and discovery. This is always our top priority and will remain so. 

We may not be able to produce great brain like Albert Einstein, ever Physicist like Sir Isaac Newton, courageous astronaut like Neil Armstrong, greatest pure mathematician like Pythagoras, etc. now and in the near future. However, no matter how exhausted we become, what sacrifices we may have to make in our endeavour, we will never rest until we produce an individual: who nurtures and nourishes unparalleled admiration for the work of great human beings, who harbours an inspiration that inspired the nerves of all undisputed great men and who exudes willingness to pursue the footpaths of great discoverers.

These are Baylling’s pledges!

Paean to Baylling Higher Secondary School

Baylling HSS, I have heard of thy name,

Long era I came to thee,

I have enjoyed the pleasure that I cannot share,

But enjoys in silence and seclusion.

On 4^th March 2009, could I open my sense from deep slumber,

To see and feel the deep luster of reality,

Difference in dream and reality learnt,

Dumbfounded have I become to embrace truth of Baylling.

How lovely a place is, except for little cold?

Surrounded by opulent vegetation, traditional village setting,

Legendary lakhangs, majestic dzong and human beings with human heart,

Baylling is like telescope used by Galileo to study stars.

Scholastic figures, curious hearts, lending minds and helping hands,

Are the living lives of Baylling HSS,

The weapons of cooperation, family feelings, sense of unity are lances,

That can penetrate thru’ the hardest obstruction against education.

All students and teachers are my protection,

All I prostrate and pray are to appease and harness more strength,

That I shall, I shall,

With sincere devotion of my heart and soul!

Baylling already has a name so great,

In the history of education of Bhutan,

Its luminous radiant shining ever in the sky like northern star,

Its victory flag fluttering ever higher, higher than all wishers could aspire.

It is a solace to rest with music of peace,

It is thirst quenching to drink the cool water of success,

But alas! Live of solace, peace and success is like short-lived daffodils,

Knowing this we ought to keep our eyes of sense open even while asleep.

Walk with precaution, enemies with icy-cold hands are abound,

Let us whet our knowledge, and maintain its perpetual sharpness,

Let us cleanse our defilement with prayers and seek refuge in the land of Almighty,

You and I, joining hands, receiving spiritual blessings can make Baylling a sacred place for learning.

-          Dedicated to all Baylling families

Unrequited Love

‘Karma is coming home today for her break’, said Karma’s mother to Lodhen. Though, Karma’s full name was karma Euden, she was called as Karma most of the time by her family members. Lodhen’s happiness knew no bound. He was almost dying to meet Karma Euden, his heart throb. Six months of separation seemed to him like six years. Since the day he saw her, he had fallen in head over heal for Karma Euden. Strange coincidence brought them together.  Lodhen was in Pelri College to pursue his degree course. One day, Lodhen and his friends took a short stroll towards the canteen, owned by one Indian labourer. On the way they came across a man who looked almost in his late 50s. Spotting that man, Lodhen got sudden gush of urge to ask him where he was going and where he was staying. The man answered him that he was going to shop for purchase of necessary items and that he was staying above the canteen. He also invited Lodhen and others to his place on weekends. He added that he worked in Pelri college long time back as night guard.  Whenever we meet someone, we offer them something like ara, doma, chocolate or at the least our words expressing our wish to offer but having nothing at that instant. That is our Bhutanese civility. But, Lodhen took that beyond what we could understand. He decided to go to that man’s place. He wasted no time. The very next day he climbed up for about fifteen minutes through the heart of the canteen to reach that man’s place. Following the direction and description given by that man he did not have slightest confusion in locating the same house. The house was a bamboo hut surrounded by green and tall maize plants. The path leading to the door was clean and had beautifully bloomed flowers on both sides. The air was fresh. It was really welcoming. He treaded cautiously wondering what to tell on seeing that man and his family members in their house. Suddenly there was a barking sound of a small dog. Then, sound of a girl was heard. Soon a girl came out and showed her best smile to Lodhen. Lodhen was mesmerized. In his last 20 years, he never remembered having seen a girl so beautiful like her. The smile she bore on her face was so fresh and clear that made her look like moon on the full moon night. Lodhen felt that if she was seen on clear full moon night, people would find it hard to differentiate her from the actual moon. Later, it is this unique appearance of Karma that propelled Lodhen to compose a poem linking her to the moon… thy moon-like face freshens and brightens the gloom underworld, my native abode, wavy picture flashing close to my eyes, of natural beauty I never had drunk, O! thou dark-dispelling moon!.... The words she uttered were so sweet like pure honey. Lodhen could not help but to think that she was damsel from fairy land having come to deliver him from this problematic world to the harmonious heaven.  She implored him to come into her house with a beautiful twist of her soft tongue inside her petal- like lips. The way she walked was elegant. Lodhen noted every move she made. He wanted to learn more of her so he thought of holding her little more for fear that he might not get chance to talk once inside, in presence of her parents and relatives. He asked, ‘Are your parents inside? I have come to meet your father… the surrounding area is beautiful… and peaceful, and so on’. Her response came to him as a relief. She responded, ‘No, they have gone to the jungle to collect firewood’. Lodhen summoned his courage to go in. He became awe-struck to see the bamboo hut on the exterior decorated with thankas, Bhutanese traditional paintings, small altar filled with statues and portraits of great enlightened beings in its interior. Lodhen thought that even if there was heaven he would see only that many Gods and Goddesses. He was enthralled. He saw one cute boy who was Karma Euden’s brother. He was just 2 year old but in speech and action, he seemed matured than many elderly persons. He greeted Lodhen and offered him to sit. Within short interval, Karma brought a steaming cup of tea. It was that cute little brother who asked Lodhen to drink.  Thanks to the generosity of the family.  Lodhen drank it without leaving even the last drop. He thought even if it wasn’t sugar tea, the tea would have tasted sweet. Through their short interaction, Lodhen came to learn that she was student of Samcholing HSS and that she was studying in class X. Lodhen asked her whether she used to come home during breaks and vacations. He also asked whether she would be coming home that winter vacation. ‘Yes, I will come home. Where would I go? I have not found better home than my parents’ home,’ said Karma. Lodhen almost asked her whether she would be happy to see him in her house when she came home for her next break. However, they could not continue, as her brother reminded them about their parents’ arrival. Both of them remained mute.  Seeing father, tired and filled with sweat on his forehead, Lodhen told him that they might have gone too far to collect firewood. Father greeted him and told him that they did not get firewood easily. Lodhen apologized them that he had come for stroll but accidentally encroached their territory. Both father and mother were kind-hearted and told Lodhen in one voice, to come any time he got free. Lodhen was highly gratified at their kind gesture.  Day after day, he paid visit to Karma’s family with frequency of both visit and stay increasing every day. Long before it was time for Karma to leave for her school, Lodhen had become a regular visitor. The desire to see her became uncontrollable. With each passing day, Lodhen felt more enchanted by her grace, sweetness of words, manner and artistic at household chores. Lodhen wished that Karma had finished her studies and that she needn’t go back. That was a mere wish. Soon, time for departure knocked Karma’s door. She was getting ready with her belongings. Lodhen standing near her said, ‘Do you know how much I will miss you because I have started loving you’. ‘Yes, I know that. You can come to my school to see me sometimes,’ she laughed. ‘Let us talk about it later,’ she said as she started carrying her baggage. Her father came and offered his help. She denied by saying that it was very light. Lodhen snatched her bag and told her and father to lead the way to the bus stop. They waited for an hour seeing each other’s face. Words chocked on Lodhen’s throat while trying to speak. She might have felt the same or different, she did not speak either. In the mean time, bus arrived and she boarded on to it. Before the bus moved away, she handed him one chit in presence of her father.  Lodhen became impatient. The urge to read its content was irresistible. He parted from her father saying that he was going to hostel. Before reaching hostel, he opened the chit to unfold her words: ‘Lodhen, I am grateful. Do whatever you can to help my poor parents continuously. I’ll never forget’. Lodhen was overjoyed and at the same time regretted the ensuing two days for he could not express his genuine feelings for her. After three days, Lodhen paid a visit to her parents. Mother narrated him a story about how Karma neared death and how they had to take her for heart treatment when she touched just 3 years. Mother added that they did not have hope of seeing her serving the government as civil servant. She rather expressed her wish to look for a caring husband who would not mind spending any amount for her treatment. This story inflicted pain that could not be described, and made Lodhen even more sympathetic towards her.  Lodhen was about to ask whether he could promise in front of them that he would do every possible thing to fulfill their wish when mother herself suggested him whether he could do it. What could be the response of Lodhen who was waiting to express this himself to her parents?  As asked by Karma through her chit, Lodhen helped her parents in doing almost everything: from ploughing to sowing seeds, from grazing cattle to milking cows, and from going shopping to collecting firewood. He worked like a real member of the house. In fact, Lodhen did more than what Karma’s hesitant words could communicate. Time and again, Lodhen used to receive letter from Karma. No matter how she wrote the main content, the conclusion of her letter always used to be ‘I’m indebted to you and would remain so forever…yours truly.’ Every time he received letter from her, he became light-footed, more motivated and interested in remaining with her parents. The winter approached. Lodhen was eagerly waiting to see her. She came home, this time more graceful than earlier at least to Lodhen. She spoke expressively. The way she described things was highly poetic. Lodhen loved the words she coined and the sentences she constructed. Seeing small word written by her scattered, Lodhen wondered how she concluded and whether anything was written for him. He used to have unparallel joy, if he discovered something of him in it. In the midst of drinking her sight to quench his thirst, time approached for Lodhen to leave for home. Throughout the journey, he was dreaming of Karma Euden. When awake, he used to see himself near Karma in her house and when asleep, he used to see her near him. He was reminded several times by his friend sitting next to him for laughing hysterically in his sleep.  Two days later, Lodhen reached his parents’ place. He found his parents’ home totally devoid of interest. He lost appetite.  He did not have peaceful sleep. He felt that he was being haunted by some curious phenomenon. He, no more enjoyed the company of his parents and relatives. Their presence did not make much sense to him. He was lost in dreams almost all the time. His parents suggested him to go and see doctor. But, he convinced them that he was alright. Days reckoned for months and months for years. He was thinking when would his two months break end so that he could go back and meet Karma. Literally, he was striking off the date and day from his calendar, early in the morning to count the number of days left.  The thought of completing his break gave him little solace. The reason for his sickness was ‘love’.  Finally, his long wait to meet her came to an end. He met her. They became inseparable. They spent time together almost like married couples. However, there came a twist in their story. A fresh batch of students from different schools joined college in class XI. One day, while Lodhen was going to his hostel, Karma caught his hand and handed him one letter addressed to one boy in class XI. She told him that they were good friends in their former school. Lodhen, who had no inkling of doubt carried out her errand. Next time too, he was asked to deliver a letter to the same person. He took from her hand but reaching the mid-way his mind got lured by the devil of temptation to tamper and read it. On going through it, Lodhen came to learn about the intimate relationship between them. At first, Lodhen could not react. Ultimately, he decided to dig out the truth from her. He went back and told her that he delivered her letter and asked her whether she had any special message for him. She said it was a normal friend letter. Lodhen knew the best. In fact, Lodhen had seen this world more than her. In age, in experience and in education, Lodhen surpassed her. It wasn’t a normal letter. Lodhen prompted her by saying even if it was any special thing there was no reason for her to feel guilty. She asked Lodhen whether he heard anything about them. Lodhen nodded.  She then narrated the story of how that boy approached her and how she refused his approach, and many more which Lodhen did not take note of. She assured Lodhen that she would harbor no more relationship of any sort with that boy. Lodhen remained unmoved which made her feel that Lodhen was hurt. She shed tears. Amidst tears, she was pleading Lodhen not to get hurt…no special link…nothing,… if parents knew…disappointed… in her unusual expression  and her poetry broken. She pleaded him that if Lodhen wished she would even try to plug stars from heaven and bring precious stones from the depth of the ocean. She shared her true feelings to Lodhen for the first time by saying ‘Lodhen, you won’t believe me, in fact, I love you more than you do’. By patting on her shoulder Lodhen said, ‘I know that’. Lodhen assured her that he would forgive her and that her parents would not know about this incidence at any cost. Lodhen was expressing truth. He would not let her parents know this. This was beyond the permissible range of his pious heart. He only thought of the ways to make these two young innocent hearts unite.  Once, Lodhen met that boy and asked him whether he had time to accompany him to Karma’s house. He accepted at once. They went together and Lodhen introduced him as his friend to the parents of Karma. Lodhen gave time for that boy to get acquainted with Karma’s family. All through, Karma tried to be with Lodhen and tried her best to make him speak to her. However, Lodhen averted her gradually. Lodhen reduced the frequency of visiting her house. Once her father even stepped into the room in his hostel to ask what happened to him and why he was not coming to their place. Lodhen replied in normal ways saying ‘Apa, these days I have lots of assignments to be completed and lot many things to prepare for my examinations. I will come little later. How can I be so ungrateful to forget your hospitality so easily? How can a child forget his own parents? You all have become my second parents.’ Lodhen found it difficult to resist his temptation to visit her house. Against his wish, he had to decide to visit Karma’s house once and for all. She asked Lodhen, ‘What the hell has come upon you? Why have you changed? Have you forgotten your promise?’ Lodhen simply replied, ‘Take care of Namdrup, he has a heart of gold’. ‘I knew you never loved me right from the beginning,’ retorted Karma. ‘You are clever to know about me before things became too late. I am sorry for trying to play with your life’, submitted Lodhen. While moving back to his hostel he muttered, ‘You are wrong, my dear Karma, gravely wrong, my love is eternal, its unfathomable abyss directs me to let you loose to go with your love’. Lodhen’s courage to relinquish his own heart throb calls to mind Socrates’ philosophy: ‘To the one whom you love, you must be in position to give him poison, if asked for’.  What could anyone in poor Lodhen’s shoes do? In the other fronts, Lodhen would have so many reckonings. But, in the battlefront of love, Lodhen accepted defeat. Yet, he remained satisfied that he could accrue one merit of uniting two young hearts.                                    Note: The persons, places and incidences mentioned in the above story are fictitious. Any                  resemblance to any one is purely coincidence.

My Life With My Students

Satchel on the back, walking to and fro, in rain and shine, with incomplete home works and indescribable fear of reprimand by subject teachers, ten years of my junior school life came to an end in 1989. End of those years meant the dawn of next school life which was strewn with different hues. My life then was exposed to different opportunities and challenges. Attending two or three classes a day, going for a walk, witnessing literary activities, watching ball games, celebrating victories with laughter and regretting at failures – it was my life with adult learners. I had seen many seniors graduating with flying colors and many coming back to redo their examinations. My own successes gave me strength to move on and hardships or failures, mostly when I could not do as much as others could do, I used to sojourn to ask myself, ‘why am I finding it difficult to do like him or her?’ or ‘why are we not born equal?’ I had endured five years of hardships and celebrated equal years of glory at Sherubtse College.

As we did not have counselor or teacher for career education, no one, not even our teachers taught us to have goals in our life. So, it was obvious, I did not have any while walking out of college. I was alone with only thought of going to meet my parents. Incidentally, upon reaching Phuentsholing, where my parents resided, I was told that Pasakha PS was in need of temporary teacher. I took advantage of that situation and availed one place as temporary teacher. It was not teaching but fun being with small kids. Listening to the narration of how their parents fought at home, how their mother scratched father like cats, how quietly they sat crouched on one corner, adorned my life with pleasure. Some described about how their brother or sister got annoyed while playing and pelted stone at them which made them come to school with bandaged head. My interest in listening to their stories soon made me their best teacher. Some of them even tried to describe me through their imperfect art and distorted words. I was stuffed with ample reasons to join teaching.  Adequate or inadequate, I completed my one year of training to teach students from National Institute of Education, Samtse in 1999. I was posted to school the following year. I remember teaching classes IX and X in my first year. I was novice and nervous. I was little behind in content, experience, understanding students’ need and use of strategies when compared to other experienced colleagues. Yet, I was bent on improving any strength and increasing any energy for my students. It did not take long for me to understand that my students were my primary customers. I did work constantly.

It was during those upheavals, I had heard friends complaining of indiscipline students, of students’ poor performance, of students’ disrespect to teachers. Quite often we came together to discuss about students having drunk and fought with friends. The disciplinary actions were sanctioned depending upon the severity of offences. I had witnessed an awkward situation of some students getting thrashed black and blue by principal in the morning assembly. I had seen students getting suspended for months. However, that actions or sanctions did not dissuade others from indulging in transgressions. Much before suspended students came back from home; same forbidden actions were repeated by other students prompting teachers to meet again.  It was unfortunate. I thought there must be an end to everything one day.

Three years of my teaching experiences and working attitude gave some confidence to my principal, Mr. Karma Dhendup, present Drungpa of Sombaykha, Haa, to recommend me for the post of Assistant Principal. By the grace of God and my friends’ prayer, I got through the interview and got appointed as assistant principal. Working as assistant principal for one year, I did not see much difference in my school and my work. As usual, teaching, sitting for the review meeting, discussing about poor performance of students, and talking of students with problems – the same old story. Only difference, if I may be frank, was meeting principal in his chamber directly and talk of things going on, knowing matters little earlier than other friends.

I saw dramatic change since I assumed my post of principal. Small accomplishment, victory, words of praise makes me elated and little unpleasant words about school and its inmates pricks my heart and inflicts inexplicable pain. I feel I am the real owner of my school. I fear and make constant prayer that no untoward incidence occur among students, among teachers, between teachers and students, between administration and teachers, between administration and students, and likewise between our school and other organizations. I watch and enjoy, as though I was watching scenic beauty, seeing teachers working smoothly and students ardently preparing for their lives. I get peace of mind and get peaceful sleep when no eruption of volcano-like problems, occasions where heated arguments among cross-sectional society occur. But, this prayer, even if granted, is momentary. What we wished not to happen happens – misunderstanding crops-up, students indulge in drink spree, join drugs gang, vandalize property and harbor less fear of examinations. All these make to live in constant fear and skepticism. At this juncture, I am reminded of Thomas Hardy who said: “Happiness is but an occasional episode in the general drama of pain”. Like him, I feel problem that inflicts ceaseless pain in men continues.

My other mind says that matter will turn up better one day. If our old saying, ‘everything that began has an end’ be true, even the problems encircling human beings will end. I get little assurance of this when I reflect on how some of my students got up from their revolving chairs seeing us entering, how some of them bowed down while we passed by them and how some of them even saluted us with words in their army uniform. They have realized their mistakes. The times when they were monkeying in school have long entered oblivion. They are transformed. Great work, Yonten, you must continue! 

-          My diary collection                       

      

Can we heal our ailing world?

It is sad to note that the present generations have become so hostile to nature. Everybody talks of their share from the environment. Quite often, many countries reach the brink of war with one another. For instance, China and many countries nearby it are at loggerhead with one another because of their claim for the same territory in the South China Sea. We do not find any more sleep in the serene night and appetite at sumptuous meals. This is ironic. We are made to remain under fear and insecurity. Presently, people have become so dependent on their wild thoughts. They carry out any activity without contemplating for good or bad. Most often our environment becomes the victim of their selfish human actions. Thought of it inflicts unbearable pain and irreparable wound in my heart. 

Only a few environmentalists are heard talking of desertification of fertile lands, consequences of climate change, direness of ozone layer depletion and UV rays. They talk of solutions to heal the wounds of the world. They lament the setting of peace and hope. They point out the cause of all those destructions to human beings. However, they are rendered helpless. Majority of the profit motivated people turn deaf ears to the warnings of those environmentalists.

We as observers see the truth of warnings taking effect. Most places experience extreme climatic conditions. Rainfall comes at odd times and land remains dry when in dire need for cultivation. Most fruit trees and crops are killed by pests before they bear fruits. Varieties of deadly diseases like SARS, H1N1, Avian flu etc. that make scientists dumb-founded are reported from different places. Calamities like earthquakes, landslides and mudslides, volcanoes, flashfloods and windstorms which were rarely heard few decades ago have become the order of the day. Every day we hear of wildfire here, windstorm there and earthquake elsewhere. Threat from nature as well as human beings has made us forget peace. But, that is not something that cannot be restored.

Buddhists believe that being born as human being is a fortunate thing. We have an opportunity at hand to get enlightened.  Similarly, Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote:

“For what are men better than sheep or goats

That nourish a blind life within the brain,

If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayers,

Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

For so the whole round earth is every way

Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.”

 Rather than hiding our forehead with fear of uncertainty and insecurity, I feel time has come for us to seek refuge in these philosophies. Our Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, at the 3^rd Convocation of the Royal University of Bhutan, Paro College of Education, 17 February 2009 said, “I am a firm believer that if there is one word that will stand out above all other words when we describe our country’s amazing journey of modernization over the last few decades – it is Education. Our institutions, our leaders of today – all of us – including me – are the proud products of the Bhutanese Education System.” I feel it is education, education of right kind that will change the attitude of a man. In good faith, let us teach good values to our younger generations. With the new outlook gained through right education, I am sure all people will be able to see the harmful sides of what they are doing.

May every powerful nation discovers the despondent side of the mass destructive weapons and agrees for disarmament. I pray that peoples’ wants have reached its pinnacle and that they are satisfied with it. I feel it is time for people to get reconciled with nature and find ways to contribute to rebuilding what is lost in our environment. I long to see our earth filled with trees, fresh air, enough safe drinking water, reduced numbers of factories and industries that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. I like to see the animals and plants considered to be extinct to reborn and co-exist with us.  

Let us not divide ourselves into regions, races, and nationalities. Let us not talk of armament or another cold war. Let us not be the cause of our own extinction.  Let us accept the fact that all the citizens of the world, be it from America or Africa, white or black, have or have-nots, as same. Let us come together in thoughts and actions. Let us unite in making this world a second heaven! 

Introduction

Chapter I

 Introduction

A boy named Zangpo Lodhen, who can well be described as shy and humane, once studied in Sherubtse College. He was known among his friends as a person with purity of heart. Being in Sherubtse, he had seen flashing of different seasons. Most of the time in his initial days, he enjoyed fresh aromatic evening air nearby Dantak area, chirping of different birds above Degree Hostel (DH) II, shout of cheers and victory in the football fields during monsoon tournament, and bathing in the pool of knowledge in resourceful library almost alone. However, in his later life somebody named Trashi Dema accompanied him in every sphere of his life. Since their encounter, Zangpo Lodhen considered and respected Trashi Dema as perfect being. Zangpo Lodhen was studying in First Year English Honours in Sherubtse College. Trashi Dema was studying in class VIII in Jigme Sherubling High School, Khaling. Only during summer breaks and winter vacations, Trashi Dema used to come home to meet her parents.

How Zangpo came across Trashi Dema was a result of twist in the story. Let me narrate this true story. It may not engage you meaningfully. Yet, here it is. The story that I am going to narrate was of the year 1996. I am going to give detailed account of the story in first person.  

Never did I think that fate would bring two strange souls, separated by many mountains and gorges, staying in different places, closer. But fate did. When I was studying in First Year Degree, I saw a young lady, attractive particularly her eyes and the way of talking. Those qualities made her very unique from other girls. She was working in our library as temporary librarian. I was by nature, simple and shy young man. However, I was not devoid of human feelings of love. On my very first sight of her, I had feelings which I could not explain it to myself. I was haunted by strange feelings day and night. I was shy to talk to my friends about what had happened to me. I was internally worried that my friends might mock at me and embarrass me by calling me romantic fool. I let off the idea of sharing this development with my friends but decided to find out something about her secretly. I succeeded in discovering that she was the daughter of a caretaker of the college. I felt fortunate. That caretaker was known to me because that caretaker happened to be the friend of my father when he was serving in Royal Bhutan Army long time back. I already made my introduction to caretaker who in turn invited me to his house several times.

I thought time was ripe for me to pity my own state and help myself. I thought she might become apple of others’ eye if I did not act early. So, I summoned my courage to talk to that young librarian who disturbed me all day long and became substance of my dreams at night. One day I deliberately asked the help from that young librarian to look for one particular book. She was so soft at heart. I knew clearly that she cannot refuse any help to anybody. So, as expected she gave her helping hand to me willingly. In the process, I could initiate some topics for conservation with her. To take advantage, I did mention to her about our parents who were good allies once. She finally invited me to her house as done by her father. I was waiting for that offer for so long and upon hearing I became so impatient. I did not wait to give second thought but decided to go and see her in her house.

Obsessed by passion, I forgot everything about myself. I forgot to think why I was going to meet her, what I would tell her parents, won’t I feel shy and what I would tell her when I first meet her in her house. Oblivious of these facts, I proceeded as decided in rash. I met her in her house. Her parents were not at home. She was with her only brother. Her brother was little more than one year. He was distinct, talkative, and well disciplined.  From my very first meeting, I got different impression of her brother. He was behaving like a matured person. She told me that her brother never fails to offer place to sit to any stranger or visitor to her place despite being young.  I was also asked to sit very courteously. That was really impressive. However, I came to observe some problem with his eyesight. He had to make his eyelids and pupils small and bend his neck to look and recognize person at a distance. Reasons remained unknown and hidden to me till I became very close to his family. Anyway, this is not that important and it concerns very less in relation to my purpose of visiting his home.  

Little later, I was offered a cup of hot tea by his librarian sister. Through our subsequent talks, I came to learn that her name was Sonam Yangchen and that she had three younger sisters namely Trashi Dema, Sonam Lhaki and Yeshi Cheki. The youngest among them was a son and he was called Nyingpo. Sonam Yangchen completed her ISCE - X and was waiting for her result. In those days, our country did not have examination board of our own. We had to depend on Delhi Board, India for our examinations. ICSE is the short form of Indian Certificate for Secondary Examinations. In the mean time, Trashi Dema completed her class VIII and Sonam Lhaki completed class VII from Jigme Sherubling Higher Secondary School. Yeshi Cheki was studying in Kanglung Primary School.

Their father was from Lhuentse and mother was from Trashiyngtse. After their father’s retirement from arm force, they bought one small plot above Dantak Camp and settled there. They were residing there temporarily. They did not own sufficient land and at the same time they were not opulent. To describe in the true words, they were humble settlers. They simply had a small bungalow to cover their bodies against cold, protect them from scorching heat and shed them from beating rain. But, they never had big desires and their hearts were wholly contented.   

Intimacy with Nyingpo

Chapter II

Intimacy with Nyingpo

I have written this story sixteen years after my encounter with the family of Sonam Yangchen.  I could remember the name of their only precious son as Nyingpo. From my first encounter itself I came to learn that the son was very different from other children of his age. He was courteous and humble. He used to ask me so many questions as if like somebody taught him. However, I came to learn later that such manner was not taught to him by anyone. It was ingrained in his nature and it was spontaneous.

In the beginning, I was not very acquainted with the family, so my visit was less frequent. Over the years, I almost became part of their family members. I visited them frequently. My visit did not have particular time and reason. I visited them whenever I got time. Sometimes I even slept in their house.

It was during such time, I became very intimate with Nyingpo. As I kept visiting their house, I became his close associate. He used to call me Ata and accepted me very much like one of his family members. He used to remind me to come again later when I decided to leave them for my class or hostel for my repose. I was then in my First Year Degree taking English Honours. I used to go to my class regularly. After the completion of my classes, I would have nowhere to go than to visit the house of Nyingpo. His parents being farmers did not have the luxury of time to be in one place. They had to keep moving from their place of shelter to another in search of essential items at home. Whenever his parents had work at Trashigang or Samdrup Jongkhar, they trusted me and used to leave him under my care. The young boy did not have any problem so long as I was near him. I took him to toilet, washed him, fed him and played with him. Sometimes, I joked with him about his sister. I still remember one windy night with him when he was so scared that the wind might blow away the roof of the house. I consoled him saying nothing will happen and put him to sleep though I too was scared internally. The wind that time was not normal. It was so powerful that literally shook the whole bungalow. Fortunately, wind got subsided which enabled us to have peaceful repose for the rest of the night. Much later, I came to learn that He was not an ordinary boy. His birth was filled with auspicious signs. His mother narrated me a story about how He got conceived. As I have written earlier, his family had four sisters and all elders to the only son. After having four daughters, the family desperately wished for one son. Hence, with the consent from father, mother had gone to meet one hermit who was believed to be meditating for life in the middle of forest, far away from human settlement, to get blessing for one son. That eminent figure was well known as ‘Tse Tsham Rimpoche’. Tse Tsham Rimpoche assured the family that they will soon have one extraordinary son.  He also cautioned the family to take good care of their son; not to mingle him with crowd, not to take to the place of birth as well as death as it may defile him. Though the parents knew that, yet they could not keep themselves away from visiting places of birth to celebrate and death to mourn. As warned by Tse Tsham Rimpoche, precious son got affected. His eyesight became weak and poor. He had to make his pupil very small, bend his head to look at somebody at a distance.       

In spite of this small problem, he was brilliant, inquisitive and innovative. On the 15^th Day of every Bhutanese calendar, he used to perform mask dances. He used to call it Guru Tshengay dance. On such day, he used to allow only his father and me to join him in the alter to act as cymbalist and drummer. It was on one such occasion that he commanded me and his father to come wherever he would be in future. He used to tell us that he would not stay at home but be the wanderer.

I always felt warm, assured, comfortable, and pleasant in his presence. When I decided to go elsewhere, I took the blessing from Nyingpo’s body. When I came back, I never forgot to see him first and hand him small present.