Thursday, February 27, 2014

Waiting for Dasho

I was a small young man with a small life. Just 19. Inexperienced, and naïve. That was many many years back. My parents were farmers (still they are) – my father worked in the fields, and mothers cooked. My village, Chuzagang, a very remote village, was a full two-hour walk from Gelephu Town. I suppose I could begin from here, an incident that had happened to me 11 years ago.
So every morning, my parents would ready my journey. They prepared breakfast and pushed Nu 10 note in my hand. Whereas, I combed my hair, dressed in fresh gho, fed on breakfast and then set out early. To Gelephu. The Dasho Dungpa’s office. To get the Dasho’s signature on a form for the identity card of my sister.   

And I had to run across several ungainly terraces of rice fields, avoid abuse from village youth, and escape dogs’ chase. Worst of all, I had to walk the infamous river, Maokhola, all alone.
At 9 in the morning, I’d reach the Dasho Dungpa’s office in Gelephu, all exhausted, drenched in sweats. The form has been reviewed by the admin assistant already. And outside the Dasho’s chamber, I waited for him to arrive and get his signature on my form.

“Dasho is in a very important meeting. He cannot come today, come tomorrow,” announced the office assistant to us. There were four of us. I made my way back home.       
   
The next day, again, we waited for the Dasho outside his chamber. At times, we walked in the office and asked the office staff about the Dasho. The staff who dressed rich and spoke only in English never answered us properly. They got angry, instead, disconcerted at us.
Dasho didn’t come the next day, either, nor the day after that. And soon a week went by. By then, we were over 15, waiting for the Dasho’s signature. There was nothing for us to do until the sun goes down. So we would walk down the office lane, bask in the sun, listen to each others’ stories, buy lunch in canteen, and take nap and return to waiting.

One afternoon, Dasho came to his office, donning himself in a colourful kabney. Our hope got lifted up and we ran into his chamber, in line, our forms in our hands. But he just walked out. For the record, he didn’t even look at us. Then, he drove off in a big Toyota car. We heard from others that he was going to attend his daughter’s birthday.

After a week, my parents stopped giving me pocket money – perhaps they didn’t have it. All day, I would yawn, scratch my head, hunger intruded. And as the sun set, I would run back and reach home only when the dinner was cooking. This created so much of stress even for my family. Fights broke out between my parents. 
However, next morning I would walk to the office, in a furious hope that this time, perhaps this time, the Dasho may come.

Let me tell you something about ‘waiting’. It’s so sickening, truthfully speaking. The waiting makes you furious, anxious and agitated. After sometime, it becomes a pain. It pains even if you sit, walk, talk or eat. Later, you boil, burn out – all inside. The last stage - hopelessness and apathy engulfs you. Then, you become a mechanized monster.

So I too became a monster, then, a hater. You never know, after that incident, how much I used to detest the government officials, bureaucratic system and above all, Dashos. After 10 days of painful waiting, and of course the longest 10 days of my life, I got the form signed by the Dasho.

About a decade later, I’ve become a civil servant too. When I think back on this particular incident, I often feel myself with a surge of affection and pity. But today this truly helped me understand my duties and responsibilities as a public servant. Our duty is not limited to paper works, tours, meetings and workshops, and honing skills in public speaking and making PowerPoint presentation, but way beyond that - to serve people.

Different people enter our office seeking directions and support, and helps and favors. I know that it takes your few minutes to guide or help them, but it can save their weeklong time, traveling and money.

And way advance, I wish you all a very wonderful Losar! 

12 comments:

  1. wonderful insight story of yours sir. Happy losar. I too have such stories to share!

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    1. Then you can write and share with us, Sangay. I would love to read your stories. Anyhow, thanks lots for the comment.

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  2. Gud one. Similar to this http://www.writersofbhutan.com/he-worries

    Porki Pie

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    1. Hi Porki Sir, read the link. It's quite similar. Thank you

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  3. That was really disappointing. I wonder if it's the same case these days as well; making you wait. I wish there was an appointment system everywhere. It makes it convenient for both government officials and people and not waste anybody's time.

    Happy Losar to you too Rikku Sir. So excited!. The day hasn't come yet and I already got Chicken Drumsticks today for Losar. Now you know how excited I am. Haha. A life without family is sometimes sunna suuna. I miss my Ama.

    Have a Great Losar Time!!!
    Much much love from OZ.

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    1. You live far away from home and is quite excited about the Losar. Here, in Bhutan, much of us haven't readied for it. Good to know it, and please do enjoy and good wishes for the New Year and studies.

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  4. Such scenario does exist to this day especially in the remote parts of the country. Even the Poens are considered dasho by the innocent villagers who are the worst victims.

    Happy Losar Riku sir, keep writing...

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    1. It's quite true. The government officials wreck havoc on the villagers instead of serving them. Thank you for the comment.

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  5. It is indeed a sad story. Many things used to happen in the recent past, and is still happening in some segment of our society despite some improvement. I feel quite fortunate for I was born when the time is better than in the past.
    Anyways, Happy Losar to you, sir.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this story with us Riku. Waiting can indeed be hard. Happy Losar to you.

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  7. An interesting post that I enjoyed reading.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  8. Thank you for providing such valuable information! Your insights have been incredibly helpful and have enriched our knowledge on Keep up the great work! Looking forward to learning more from you in the future Chair Executive

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