Adap Som's Profile

As I flipped and read through the pages my emotions were as if on a roller coaster as different stories opened into some being educational like the story of the King and two pundits, funny like the story of complete strangers, Disheartening like the story of chadi’s child, inspiring the story of the art lesson and some even mind jogging adventures. Beneath those stories I could sense a witty writer who is exposing the worst reality in a subtle manner and off course in every story there is a small ingredient of humor added, which makes it more interesting to read. I liked how the author show cased the unfortunate ground reality , some hidden disappointing stories and some events which looks familiar and even unknowingly has become normal in the society but needs attention; all these stories are crafted so well. And it amazes me how the two to three pages of short story uncovers a huge meaning and a completely different lens to look upon life. All in all if I had to describe this book in one sentence, then it is the book of a mysteriously and silently alive facets of Bhutan. 

It was quite interesting to read the experiences the author had shared of his journey throughout the electoral process happened in Bhutan. My understanding of politics broadened and my knowledge of politics in Bhutan expanded. While I read through the book I realized that it is not just to blame those politicians who are power hungry and greedy but also the people who are voting for making them turn into a leader like that. The politicians who from my perspective should be treated as a noble profession as their roles and responsibilities require them to serve the people and moreover their decisions have a larger impact on the nation building process. However I could sense that politicians are looked down upon and people babble about politics being dirty. It has now become the profession which most talented people ignore and also someone with a low financial background has minimal chances of winning. This I feel is purely not to be blamed to those who had run the parliament but also to be shared equally with the public. The public who expect meals at every meeting or souvenirs and favors are equally to be blamed for the downfall of the purity of the politicians. I feel it’s high time that the politicians work genuinely and vigorously to uplift the respect they deserve in the community. And the public should engrave in their heart that the vote which they refer to as a gift has to be really perceived as a responsibility of every Bhutanese to exercise for nation building.Our majesties have passed down the Power to the people and especially to the parliamentarians. Hence the leaders with power should be considering this opportunity to not to do less but a responsibility to do more. Even if it is tiring, requires more time and energy, the one with power has to understand leadership is always commitment to human beings. The video referred to in the book was very disheartening to watch. Witnessing some good leaders losing their way, becoming selfish and power-hungry, and at the same time some people who are more selfish and greedy, clouded by their own narrow thinking, spilling ill thoughts which are very toxic for a small peaceful nation like ours. It was very sad to find out that there are people who forgot that Bhutan today is because of the continued hard-work and effort of our forefathers led by the visionary monarchs and to whom Bhutan tomorrow can be trusted upon. Personally for me, I deeply comprehend that a politician at his/her best will be able to think beyond and may extend his/her genuine service from his family to his companions, further to the village, then to his/her constituency and the best ones may be able to extend his/her services to the whole nation but his/her services and decisions will be biased for their term in the office. However the monarch’s service will always include the whole nation and their visions will always include for the best of the present and the future generations for their term is forever to serve the nation. I feel that whatever the decisions our monarch has for our country is always for the nation as a whole to prosper.I am thankful that our country has always had a visionary and compassionate head of state to protect, guide and care us from any internal and external affairs. Our monarchs have always led the country towards peace and harmony considering not just the present generation but also the future generations to come. 

The book which reminds me of my root as I come from the village in Athang. It was a story my late grandmother used to narrate me. Even though the story was not new to me, I enjoyed the read as it was more detailed in the book and it was refreshing for my good memories since it was the story that was bought to me by my late grandmother. This story uncovers the strength of one's faith and devotion and also the power of love and compassion. The story exhibits the strong bond of love between the two lovers even when unfortunates kept them apart. A true love indeed. The story also expresses the uncertainty of life.

A very heartwarming read as it was a story of a very ordinary boy in his teenage years learning the best lessons from his father and the people he met. I could very much resonate with the author’s writing since the lessons it portrayed had reached me at some point though through different routes. It was very refreshing to read as a Bhutanese for this book had Bhutanese values engraved in it. The stories which most Bhutanese would have experienced but at the same time would not have contemplated. The experiences were very common however had greater meanings to extract. Through the read, it brought to me the importance of the present moment and making the best out of what we have. The indispensable truth of having a purpose in life and working towards achieving it. 

When you are a Buddhist and a Bhutanese at the same time, at times your mind gets clouded with all different kinds of questions which may sound sensitive politically or religiously. This book has opened to me many windows through which I can now see different views. I am very grateful to the author who has presented the detailed research and relevant comparisons on which as a reader myself I can count on to. The founder of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who wished for ‘Uncle- nephew ‘ succession mode of Drukpa theocracy unified the country but after his secret seclusion, the country saw reincarnation succession mode followed; the battles over succession and the political machinations that followed his death and ultimately set the course for the next two centuries of Bhutanese history.I feel that no governing system is perfect in the world, however a system becomes perfect if the people it is serving are living a peaceful and harmonious life. Hence the system established in 1907 came in at the most crucial period and since then the Bhutanese people have been enjoying the blessings. This book came to me as an enlightening read and I do recommend you to as well mark on your reading list.

The book unfolds the hidden stories of the real life struggle and very unfortunate incidences happened in a life of a woman. The book uncovers the struggle of a woman and the strength needed of a person to live life and make life portrays that there is always a choice in life. Reading through the story made me realize how hard and unfortunate life can be for some people and reminds me to be thankful of all the fortunate things happening in my life. It made me to pause and feel gratefulness for what ever I have now and it also aggravated my will to help people who are struggling because no mater how unique each person is, there is always this one common thing that is we all are ultimately  seeking happiness and peace. It taught me the power of persistent and resilient. Albeit the story may seem common, however creates great awareness. Hence makes this book a worth reading.