A yak herder knows happiness

Regarding the statements about Bhutan made in Santi Ram Poudel's Sept. 12 letter, "Realities belie national boast": Can yak herders in the mountains not have happiness and contentment when they own their livestock and have rights to productive pastures? It is this very notion that happiness is always tied to material things that we do not agree with.

Contrary to what Poudel writes, the only yak herders in Bhutan who wear animal-hide aprons outside their traditional dress (which is convenient for keeping in warmth while carrying loads) belong to the Merak and Sakteng communities in eastern Bhutan. In fact, they are very progressive and financially sound. I am offended that Poudel equates yak herding and wearing traditional garbs to poverty and the struggle for survival! And I would question how he calculated that 20 percent of Bhutan's population lives like this. He should visit Bhutan and see for himself.

It is old news that many "Bhutanese refugees" live in camps in eastern Nepal. With frequent visits to Bhutan by the International Committee for the Red Cross, UNHCR and others, the real story is that many of these people are not even Bhutanese, but opportunist economic "refugees." After an attempt to create chaos and mayhem in the country was thwarted in the early 1990s, the numbers in these camps grew as aid and assistance poured in. Nevertheless, many Lhotshampas (southern Bhutanese) live and work in Bhutan peacefully with everybody else from various parts of Bhutan.

As for Buddhism, most Bhutanese revere all sects equally. Many high lamas and teachers in Bhutan belong to the Nyingmapa sect, while the Kagyupa sect is the main official form of Buddhism followed by central monastic orders. Still, there is no disharmony between the two sects.

While the whole country gears up for parliamentary elections on a philosophy that values society more than the individual, some people look for anything to malign. As we look around for good examples of a true democracy (there aren't many), we hope that Bhutan shines as a beacon in Asia and the rest of the world, though there will be stumbling blocks.