Farewell to Dasho JMD - MHPA (10-01-2023)

A rare moment with Dasho JMD, MHPA

To all the alumni of MHPA, JMD was known as a legend who built Mangdechhu Project. He is the only Bhutanese who stands from inception till completion of the project at the Management level which caters all the decision-making body. He fought for the Bhutanese and made to recruit more Bhutanese Engineers. He has given more opportunities to the Bhutanese to explore all of the engineering fields in building this mega asset of Bhutan. He got a clear vision of venturing this project to a greater height in the world and the aim was realized when MHPA was recognized with the Brunel Award by the UK-based Institute of Civil Engineers Institution (IEC) in London in the year 2020.

It became clear to the engineering world and made it possible to have commissioned the project within the stipulated time and within the budget. Today, MHPA is known to Asian countries as the cheapest hydropower project. The benchmark was set for the forthcoming hydropower projects.

I have personally been connected to Dasho since the day, Dasho interviewed me for this job. I was recruited as an Assistant Engineer (Civil) without any practical knowledge of hydropower construction. The young engineers were given equal facilities that of seasoned Indian Engineers and were geared to learn from those experienced ones. We were made to take part in every decision the management makes and be that team when the rectification works are being attended to. In every progress review meeting, Dasho has made sure that we were seated too. Now, it is very clear to this point that it was all done to make us listen and observe the discussions that were made and to train ourselves on that path. I on behalf of all the Engineers and staff of MHPA, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It was due to our JMD that I got an opportunity to take up IPMA level-D project management course in New Delhi. It so happened that our JMD was also accompanying us and the name and respect JMD got in the world of Project Management, was so wonderful. It was known that our JMD is the only person holding the Level-B Project Management Certification from Bhutan. Thank you Dasho that I am now introduced to that Management Course.

I was lucky to have associated directly with JMD when I joined the office of Contracts & Procurement. It was always a learning experience from the advice Dasho bestow and the practical knowledge Dasho shared with us. Of all the learnings, the closure exercise was the best among all. I would remember the days in the conference hall and also the nights inside the conference hall. As Dasho always used to say, MHPA will be closed by a dot and so it did happened all due to the far-sightedness of Dasho.

As you leave MHPA, I wish Dasho good health and happy life hereafter. You were known to us as a father of MHPA and nothing will change this fact. You have given your heart and soul to this project, we can sense it. Because of that, Bhutan is benefited by the commissioning of this project and the merit of all may lift the glory of your deed.

I sincerely Thank Dasho For Your Service To The Tsa-Wa-Sum.