NOVEMBER 17 // PUNAKHA
WHILE TREKKING THOUGH SOME FARMLAND I COME ACROSS THIS WOMEN SIFTING GRAIN. FARMING AND RAISING LIVESTOCK ARE THE MAIN PILLARS OF THE ECONOMY WITH 80 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION DEPENDENT ON THEM FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD; AROUND 98 PERCENT OF BHUTANESE PEASANTS OWN THEIR OWN LAND. COME MARKET DAY THEY EARN THEIR WHOLE WEEK'S INCOME.




NOVEMBER 21 // TRONGSA DZONG
THE UBIQUITOUS SMILING FACES OF THE BHUTANESE PROVIDE SUBSTANCE TO THE COUNTRY'S CLAIM TO MEASURE THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING ACCORDING TO "GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS." DURING MY INTERVIEW IN THIMPU WITH PRIME MINISTER ZIMBA, HE TOLD ME THAT "GNH" RELIED ON "FOUR PILLARS" ALL WORKING TOGETHER IN HARMONY-GOOD GOVERNANCE, ECONOMIC GROWTH, PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTAINENCE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY.

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