Anonymous in Bhutan

Bhutan is a very small country. Living in Bhutan is unlike living anywhere.

My father was a NCO in the Royal Bhutan Army. I used to go to school in the same army truck as the son of the Colonel, my fathers boss. In class, I shared my desk with my best friend whose father was a Dzongda.

I am all grownup now, running a travel business. My best friend from School, the Dzongda’s son, works for one of the 4 banks. The Colonel’s son with whom I used to take the bus to school with, now works for a government organisation.

When I go to the bank, my friend is always there to help me. From free consultations, to getting a loan from his bank. I have benefited from the Colonel’s son. He has referred his friends abroad who want to visit Bhutan, to my travel business.

The other day I went to the census department to make citizenship ID for my uncle from the village who had lost his ID. The official in-charge was an old school mate. We chatted over a cup of tea. The whole affair was a breeze.

My father-in-law is a serving police officer. My daughter goes to a school run by my old high school teacher.

And once in a while, I am golfing buddies with the Prime Minister’s son.

Such is Bhutan. Everybody has a similar story.

A lot is being discussed these days about anonymity. Specially, anonymous comments on the social media.

I am one of those anonymous characters actively participating on the internet.

I dont want my banker friend to know that I think his bank’s services suck. I cannot pass comments about the Police Chief. He knows my wife’s family personally. I cannot pass comments about the Prime Minister. I enjoy my golf with his son.

But I am a concerned citizen. It bothers me when there is injustice in the society. I feel helpless to see corruption unfold right in front of my eyes.

I want my country to have an environment in which our children can grow up in a manner in which they can walk tall, and rub shoulders with anyone from anywhere in the world, on equal terms. I want my country to be the precious gem that it can be.

Therefore I wear a mask.

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Contributed anonymously. Obviously.

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