THE OTHER SIDE OF SHANGRI-LA.

The ethnic minorities in Bhutan have been made the political targets by the Thimphu super elite to preserve their own tribal interests. The government media and the bureaucrats have failed utterly to raise issues of the concern of the Northerners themselves. Being docile people, the down to earth villagers remained ignorant about the changes elsewhere and largely are self-centred. The illiterate Bhutanese peasants did not even know the existence of other countries and thus other forms of government besides monarchy, is unknown to them. To the Wangchuk dynasty in Bhutan, this became a gift as their rule was never challenged by the people. However, with literacy, the scene altered. The Lhotsampas, Ngalongs, Sharchops and other minor groups became aware of the merits of other systems of governance but mostly remained tongue-tied. Whosoever tried to oppose the absolute rule, the opponents were silenced forever. There is no justice at all in Bhutan and laws are amended to suit the interest of the ruling class, clergy and the nobility. Many Sharchops and Ngalongs had suffered immensely but the people never got courage to voice against it. The Government wanted to turn the whole Northerners against the Southerners by a false propaganda drive and luring them with development projects in their respective villages as gift. Few believed while the rest viewed the move as treacherous and remain silent and neutral. Those who opened their mouth in protest quickly disappeared. Selection of top ranking officials is at the likes and dislikes of the royal family members and the bureaucrats. Many of the people from Paro, Haa and Wangdi in fact have vanished overnight from the mother earth, while many suffered humiliation and defeat. Some of the instances of 'Northern suffering' are briefly highlighted, so that the readers become enlightened with the reality of the ruling elite. If at all something is to be believed, it is to be believed from a fact but not from the Bhutanese government officials, who are expert in the art of manipulation of wrongs from rights.