HAPPY DAYS IN THE LAST SHANGRI-LA I have always succumbed to the lure of the mountains, be it the Alps, the Andes or the Himalayas. Bhutan as a place has always stirred my imagination as a mythical country, lost in time, whose people where doggedly cocooned themselves from the restlessness of the modern world. This country has never been invaded or colonized by foreign powers, helping it to preserve years of its traditions intact. The Bhutanese rank first in the world in terms of gross national happiness (GNH).In geographical terms Bhutan has the same land area as Switzerland, and is nestled high in the Himalayas, wedged between the belligerent China and the laid back republic of India. The days of Tibetian invasion by the Chinese are still freshly etched in the minds of the Bhutanese, who have since then thrown their weight behind India. In effect Bhutan is India’s 29’th state, where the country is supported on all fronts- geopolitically, militarily and in nation building process by its “Bada Bhai” (big brother)-India .Bhutan’s national TV networks are flooded with Bollywood movies and soap operas. Only Indian visitors are are welcomed with open hands and are given visas on arrival for free!. The other nationals (barring SAARC countries) will have to shell out a daily toll of US $ 250/- for each day of their stay to the Bhutan government. This is the government’s way to prevent cultural contamination of its inhabitants. Our fluency in Hindi, kept us going in the country. You can get to Bhutan driving across the Indian border from Siliguri or can fly from Kolkata to Paro. We took the easy option enjoying the bumpy ride on a propeller driven small aircraft, when the snow laden mountain peaks got past our window. The landing of the aircraft in Paro air airport can be a hell raising experiences, as the plane makes a rapid descent right into the middle of the mountains.Paro airport is tiny and all it’s officials ( immigration, Customs etc) were dressed in customary clothes- men in their “Kho” and women in their “kiras”. Our first day hit off well in the company of of our driver cum guide- Bheem Pradhan a Bhutanese Hillbilly who drove us around in his Maruti Wagon-R car. His constant phrase was “ Saheb, tension lena nahim, aur dena bhi nahim” ( Don’t get stressed, nor make others stressed), which echoed the outlook of the gentle, peace loving Bhutanese people. (To be continued……….)
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:50:51 +0000
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