3R + 1= 4R. What should the fourth R stand for?

For the last half decade I have been walking around listening to talks of many educated people about waste and no doubt of many few of them were so good and I was really inspired by them. I was so inspired that I started to take actions in my own little ways. Wherever I went, I carried the message of "reducing, reusing and recycling" of waste which is purely because of the inspiration I got from many people and many of my teachers. This practice has also been practiced in many schools across the nation and in many parts across the world. Together, we all have taken a step forward in combating waste and it is a huge achievement for us. 

One thing that hinders me is that it is high time that we leap one step further and enrich the existing the idea of reduce, reuse and recycle. But the question is that what should be the fourth R? Even if we are able to replenish a new word how should we define and implement it to the reality context to make it more practical made me worrisome till the recent past. However, after thinking for a while I finally got an idea of the fourth "R", which I will explain in the later part of this writing.

Now, let me explain how I started implementing my small ideas in fighting with waste in day to day life. One thing is true that, we don't need to take big steps in bringing change as I have always said,   " be the change to bring change for the society". So I started with how we can reduce waste and it is so simple that anyone can do. Look at the picture below and think, "do we need to buy a separate stands for pens and pencils when it can be simply made this way with our waste papers?". 

Pen stand made by my student during the "best out of waste competition"

This picture conveys so much powerful message for me as it is purely made from waste papers and we don't need to buy from market thereby saving your money by small folds too. Some might argue saying that, we can buy pen stands made from wood but people should also remember that many trees were cut before processing them to such fine products but papers are necessity but the pen stands are our wants, not needs. I would strongly agree if you choose to make one from unwanted wooden blocks and not buy any.  Also the pen stand in the picture is made from used papers not new ones. The used papers otherwise could have gone to dustbins. Answer my question now. "Are you going to buy a new pens stand or make one the next time you need this?".  The choice is yours.

The above picture may not convince you all, so I have the second one too. The picture below is a dustbin made from hard drinks bottles. Therefore, if you are using these bottles to make something like this, we are firstly reducing waste as these bottles would have gone to some open grounds and littered the beautiful environment and we are also reusing them. Here comes the concept of reducing and reusing the waste. Take some seconds to think, how many dustbins have you bought and I am pretty sure that most of them are plastics. I agree that the picture below is also a plastic but you don't need to buy these bottles. We can get them in and around the places that we live. You can also make it from waste planks and ply woods if you want. But the logic I wanted to share here is that we must do away with brand new plastic dustbins at homes. 

 Dustbin made from rockbee bottles by one of the class

Are you convinced? Some of you may agree with me yet I know some of you may still argue with me for various reasons. Some might say weather we throw or make dustbins still the pollution is the same. We can do almost nothing about the emission created by these bottles. I totally agree with that. But, I won't be able to go to every people who drink and give advise for which I might get some huge blows. Either these liquor factories stop producing these fermented juice or we stop drinking and both are not feasible. So, the simple solutions would be we collect them make something new and not add by buying more plastics products like dustbins and pen stands etc. If 10000 people in Bhutan, implement my idea at home, we will reduce at least 20000 (2 per house) dustbins made of plastics. Even if we calculate total cost saved, then 20000 *100 (per dustbin)= 2, 000, 000 (2 million). Remember all these dustbins are imported from India and saving 2 million India currency during such I.N.R crisis from dustbins in wow. From dustbins I seriously mean.

 If you find the above task difficult, then I have one more idea for you guys. See the picture below and if you walk towards Drugyel Dzong in Paro, you might find one or two such dustbins that I made when I was teaching in Utpal. It is so easy to make as you can take the used oil cans to make it. If you keep it inside you house, away from moisture contacts, it will last for about a decade. Isn't it cool. 

Dustbin which I made from oil cans at Satsham, Paro

I have one more to show and explain. The dustbin below was made from used jute robes, waste pipes and bamboos. I collected the unwanted robes from a construction site, joined them and coiled around the bamboo frames as shown below. Instead of pipe you can also use bamboo or wood as the rim. I had also made a broom from plastic bottles and it is so easy too. It can be done in no time although the dustbin takes some time and patience. The dustbin is perfectly eco-friendly.

 Dustbin made from coconut jute, bamboo and pipe

Now, the explanations and pictures above definitely explains the concept of reducing, reusing and recycling (to some extend) waste. But, my objective was one more "R", and its derivation. What do you think the fourth "R", should stand for? 

To me, it should be REFUSE. But, how can we refuse waste? The answer is simple. Every time we for shopping, imagine the amount of plastic bags and other waste that we bring home. Is that necessary? We may not even notice but try reflecting, how much unwanted waste we collect and it can be simply avoided. We just need to be little more conscious and be mindful, nothing more. So I have promised myself and I refuse plastic bags whenever I go for shopping. I carry my small bag to carry everything that I buy. Frankly speaking, this I have started very recently and it works.

A small bag which I carry for my shopping

It is 100% possible if we think positively. "Be the change to bring change for the society". I have changed. Have you/will you?
Lastly, the fourth "R", stands for refuse but should it be the fourth or the first one. The choice is yours. For me, it is the first at least from now.

My love and passion for animals

Picture: Me holding a duck during mud fight at Bali, Indonesia

Age didn't really mattered to me but my passion and love for animals remained same throughout. I remember my days when I went back home from school, I used to meet our cattle and other domesticated animals before meeting my parents and relatives. Still today I do the same although we really don't have as many number of animals to that of the past. I always used to talk to them although they don't talk verbally. But, I understood their message through gestures and movements. At times some of the calf became so friendly that they take positions to fight back and tease you. I just loved those movements. 

A goat in Tsimalakha town giving a pose as I took a Goatfie

This Goat I met in Tsimalakha was so cool and friendly and I could make out through its eyes that it had no personal goals or agendas like human beings. It just wanted to live, grab a bellyful grass and take a shelter in a safe place. Sometimes I wish I could eat grass and combat heat and cold through summers and winters where I could just wander and lead a simple life. May be because of exposure and responsibilities I am carried away but it I just want to "live and let others live". It also hits me why am I between this complex world which demands so many stupid formalities and justification. 

Me with Yaks in Sikkim Photo courtesy: Dr. Deki Gyamtsho

When I saw these herd of Yaks, I was so happy and felt if I could stay back with these animals and play with them forever. I forget everything and I can't be more happy than being in between these animals. I don't want a luxurious life. I don't want a furnished house and five star resort for vacation. I would rather choose to be in between any animals and play with them, feed grass and talk to them.  

A calf paying full attention to my camera as it wants the picture to be clear and nice

Look at this picture of a young calf who is so innocent and cute. I just love this fellow and gets my full attention when I am back home. But now it has grown older and tries mingling with larger herd, sometimes gets thrashed for no reason. Yet has no grudge and is same within a while. I wish I could return home soon and meet her again.

                                         

Me feeding a Goat in India Photo courtesy: Dr Deki Gyamtsho

I don't know if it has turned into mutton or it is still living but no doubt it was so friendly and beautiful. I know I can do nothing to help this Goat but I feel so happy that I met it someday and hope to meet again. The love that I could share with this animal made me so happy. I had told before and I am saying now that I just want to be happy in life.

Calf of a Buffalo feeling shy as it know it will face racism against its colour.haha....

Buffalos are one of the most friendly animals that I have ever encountered in my life. Off course they are vary lazy too but these animals are very cool and lovely. Like every other animals they just want to feed good grass, swim in ponds and sleep flat on a sunny ground. They are crazy about salts and won't mind to consider you as their best friends if you promise them salts. I really used to feed them salt quite often as we reared them in the past but not anymore. 

There is also a tale between Yaks and Buffalos which I will narrate it briefly here. Yak and Buffalos are believed to be relatives and somewhere they heard that they can find salt in the North. They were so excited and wanted it immediately. Buffalo was believed to be the older sister and the Yak was younger at the time when this incident took place. The younger one, being physically strong decided to go North, looking for salt and the Buffalo agreed. The older sister gave all her fur to protect from the younger one from chilly cold and helped the Yak to pack all necessities as it would be a long journey. The Yak then left in search of salt to the destination unknown, which was miles away. 

Days passed by followed by weeks and months, the Yak was never back. Each day, Buffalo kept its hopes alive and prayed for her sister to return. Her desires for having fresh salt of the Himalayas kept on burning but in vain. The Buffalo had no other dreams than salt but only thing she could do was to hope. In span of time, the Buffalo grew old and could barely walk and knew she was going to die soon. Before dying, she cursed her sister for everything and said that they should never meet again.

So today, the descendants of Yak lives in high regions while the Buffalos lives in hot climatic conditions. But I have seen and met both these animals and are equally friendly and nice. Both have served human to the extend possible with milk, dung, meat, skin and fur etc. Despite these beautiful qualities they are hard core enemies as neither can't survive in each others environment. 

Me and Crocodile (Dummy)

In streets of Bangalore, as I walked by, my friends used to laugh at me when I use to play with street cows and dogs. But all these didn't bother me much because I was happy play with them and nothing else mattered for me. 

A street dog in Paro

Lastly, I have so much love and passion for all animals and would continue to do so regardless of any situation ahead in my life. I vividly remember my horse that use to seek place inside my jacket for warmness. It was so friendly and lovely. I use to take a ride and take him for water. I remember that it had no patience to wait for maize grains which I use to feed him everyday.

My brother riding the horse (Kale) as they pause for the click

Life was so beautiful and fun to be with such wonderful animals. It was awesome indeed.

One of the last organic village in Bhutan

                                                   A view of our family's last paddy fields
                                                                                                Photo Courtesy: Indra Parsad Dahal

I wonder how many more purely organic farms have been left in Bhutan but I am quite confident that this view is definitely one among few. I come from a village called Maugaon (Lhayul), under Sarpang district. Here, agriculture is done with all conventional methods and everything is purely organic. People stack piles of manure, mostly cow dung throughout the year to use as and when required in their farms. "This practice has been the same for at least a century," is what I have heard from my dad who is now a very old man.
But recently with  new rules and Act for pasture lands that the government has passed and implemented, people of my village have minimised the rearing of cattle, leading to the quantity of manure drastically decreasing. This has a direct impact on the productivity scale, and so the production scale for each house has gone down at least by three folds.
Now, the biggest question is: "was the decision made by the government about pasture land wise?". Government officials have argued that large number of cattle eat everything available in forest and destroy them. My question to them is: "if the above statement was true than why do the forests across Bhutan still remain green despite our fore-fathers rearing hundreds of cattle and other domesticated animals?". In fact, same greenery was seen the very next season and thereafter. The truth is that as the cattle grazed on the rich plants and grasses, they leave behind pure organic manure which helps other plants and grass to grow for the next season. Indeed, the cow and the grass share symbiotic relationship which we have failed to understand.
The biggest worry that lies ahead is that should these laws continue to be implemented, people may lose hopes of rearing large number of cattle, which helped farmers to produce large quantities of organic manure. Should we take a step back and resume the conventional practice and scale up the production like that of the past? If our answer is no, then our farmers will slowly switch to inorganic manure and the proposition or dream of becoming a 100 % organic country would be a history. Let us be wise and think twice. The future of our nation lies in what we do today.

Plastics

                                                 Picture: Plastic rope that I made myself

Recently upon my visit to the Green School, Bali I have learned that we never understood the value of plastics. We use them once and throw them in garbage. People have complained, debated and argued that it takes decade for it to decompose and some have even banned using it. But the very fact it doesn't decompose is because of its strength. Therefore, we need to understand that it has great potential to serve people in various ways and for many times.
This made me think twice and now I am thinking of how I can re-use plastic in various ways. One simple solution that I found was to make ropes and use them for hanging and tying etc. I am also trying my best to think of other ways how I can use plastic. Therefore let us not misunderstand its potential but think of ways to use them

My Philosophy of Education

Education to me is a process, which makes everyone understand individual capabilities and potential, make them reflective through experience and take actions for larger good. But the biggest question is that, “are the educational institutes giving such platforms to our children where they can groom their qualities, learn to take responsibilities and be reflective practitioners? Or are these institutes just driving students’ towards their ideology and indoctrinate beliefs to match the demands of some job industry? I have a strong opinion that many educational institutions are certainly trying to achieve the second statement. However, education to me is not about what you think is right but is about giving right platform to a learner where he/she can actually groom themselves through trail and error basis to realize their potential, be passionately involved in it and gain experience through constant reflection on their repertoire. The basis of education should be happiness, which would lead to success of an individual.

 Hence as a facilitator I strongly believe that institutes should create a right platform as stated before for the learners to explore to extend possible so that they choose what they are interested and also develop passion for particular domain to be a connoisseur. As a matter of fact what is happening across many institutions is that they cane to the syllabus, which in most cases has been huge documents, and actually fail to teach concepts. Teaching to me is not about twining to syllabus rather about teaching concepts deftly. I undeniably have no dishonor to teachers who have null or very little hands in the making of the frameworks but to those who frame curriculum and syllabus should be more practical while designing. The more precise the syllabus is, the more likely it is for the governesses to plan and design teaching with versatile strategies. The vastness of the syllabus is inversely proportional to versatile strategies and methodologies, which serves as a chain between teaching and learning.

To me, to teach students rules alone is useless unless we teach them how to frame rules. When you teach them rules you are teaching them to be followers but when you teach how to make rules you are making them to be reflective, inquirers and leaders. Leaders in scientific world means making our learners Scientists, inventors and designers, as it can only be achieved when we start teaching students why a particular formula was derived and how, when and where it can be used. Why and how will explain the purpose and process while when and where explains the time and conditions required. Therefore when we teach concepts from these angles, it will definitely make learners reflective and passionate for learning. When one has passion for subject they start learning on their own as they become self-directed learners to be leaders and each small achievement would embrace happiness, which would lead to success.

 We also must make them understand the purpose of life rather than making them to study hard to get good grades in life. The purpose of life is to live and let others live. Therefore when learners start believing that the world we live belongs to everyone they learn to share and care. They will learn to use resources according to their need and sustain themselves and sustain for the future generations. Hence they need to feel for everything they learn. This comes through experiential learning. Without making learners feel for whatever they learn, the facilitators might just confuse them and they might become subjectphobic as they come across many theories, formulas, definitions and equations. Therefore experiential learning will make learners subjectphilc because they know the root cause of each phenomena. Experiential learning comes through observation, experiment and research. This is where we need to bring change to change the system.

Last but not the least, as quoted by Lincoln “it is far more honorable to fail then to cheat’, we must teach them that there is no shame in failing. We must teach them the values and being honorable shows that them have more wisdom although passing by cheating might make someone think the they are knowledgeable. We must teach that knowledge is power but wisdom is wealth. We must teach them to learn to celebrate victories and accept defeats. We must teach them problems are the part of everyone’s life and the difference is made by the way we face them. We must teach them to retain good charismas and morals and preserve them yet discard the bad ones but learn. We must teach them that united we stand and divided we fall hence they need to be a team player. After all we must teach them to be leaders not boss because a leader is the one who leads not orders. This is what education should endure at the end of the day.

R C Dahal

Drawing my skills

Its great to learn knitting as I always thought it was a job meant for ladies. I felt so happy that I learned a new skills and now I can make my own scarfs and need not be dependent to anyone. It also gives me time to relax as this is completely different thing than what I do regularly.

Therefore I would like to urge all my colleagues to learn this simple skills which is so easy and you can  make your own scarfs. Life is cool so have fun...
Cheers

Abduction again......We must do something. Who is held accountable for this?

The recent news of abduction was very disturbing and people living in these areas are getting tortured more and more. I don't understand why such troublesome situation happens again and again and the biggest query is who should be held accountable? Is it the government or people themselves. The more fearful thought that generates in my mind is who knows you or I might be the next to be abducted.
I think time has come where we unite as one nation and think of a better solution that would safeguard of national happiness and peace. The demands have been increasing each time and this has been the easiest business for those stupids and we have been able to do nothing.

I can imagine the  pain and torture that the family has been going through but they have to face the truth and it is not so easy. May god help them in giving strength to overcome the challenges soon.