CHENGA PENJOR's JOURNEY

 

With my Bum Baby Thayeden, When you are old enough, I fear you asking me why I was not there at that time when you need me with you. You may be awestruck as to why I am not visiting you too often. Baby, I miss you a lot every single day. I yearn to hold you always but the distance of us does part us. I am told by Ani that you miss me always and do enquire about me. I wish to help you freshen up in the morning, prepare your breakfast, dress you up in your uniform and drop you at school. I like to wait for you to return from school and want to know what you have learned for a day. I want to guide you in your studies and play with you. At the end of the day, I want to read you stories and hold you on my lap till you fall asleep. I want to wish you goodnight and kiss you. You are now thinking big and asking big questions. Your mindset has enlarged and talking sensibly. You are growing beautifully. I feel sorry that I couldn’t be with you always simply because I am doing the job on o...

Baby Thai with Chungku at Shaba School It has been always hard to leave you without my presence. It was even the hardest to leave you with other people. I can’t imagine the pain you went through on the night we disclose your stay over with your Ani at Paro. The days passed by convincing you to study there and you seem to understand our intention. Finally, it was the day when you are to be left behind and start your student life with Ani Kuenzang Lhaden at Shaba Primary School, Paro. Of all the good people around, I couldn’t think anyone than your Ani with whom you will be happy staying there. She is a loving and caring person whom we rely upon. Moreover, Chungku being your bestie, it felt good that you had a good friend to hang on to and hold on to. Azhim Bumchu is always supportive of you. I am so sorry that I couldn’t be there to reach you to your new school on your first day. Apa has to leave you behind and that’s how life is designed. The moment I left you, it was so heart aching m...

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 ...

PC: Kuensel The time was today, the 27th of December 2022 when the two governments (GoI and RGoB) decides to hand over the completed project, Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project to Druk Green Power Corporation Limited. In the presence of the then Chairman of MHPA, Minister of Economic Affairs and Ambassador of India to Bhutan, the two Managing Director signs the Handing/Taking over Note. As a loyal employee of this project, it was sad to witness the transition from MHPA to MHP. With this experience, I would say, I have witnessed the overall projects; from inception to construction to commissioning to handing over. The disheartening part was that our Honb'le Managing Director was absent on this important occasion.  Personally, for me, I have gained so much from this prestigious project and I am so lucky to be part of this history. All those involved shall be remembered and the gratitude from the people of Bhutan would uplift us spiritually. My sincere gratitude to all the employees of ...

Birthday Boy, Baby Yee Dear Yeezhin, As you have lived two years of your life in this world, I reflect on day zero, where your Mom and myself welcomed you with full of joy. Today the same happiness and smile can be seen while wishing you Happy 2 nd Birthday . More than anyone, your Azhim Thayeden is super excited to this day. We love you unconditionally. You were gifted on this day to us. You are our hero and the lucky charm of your Mom. Your presence with us has opened many opportunities to explore. We have travelled towards the East with you, the far end of Trashiyantse after you were born. Your Mom had her job offered when you were little buds in her womb and she had it greater opportunity at KHEL when you were just a little 1 year old. With you turning two, she is still at KHEL when others are retrenched. As you are always our hero, you are always loving Nuchu of your Ana. We love you loads. 

Langa Sir Anything to do has its reason behind it and every reason has supportive reasoning of management theories. Many are cases wherein the theories came right and logical in nature. Any planning has to be reviewed and further thought-processing and restructuring are made to realize the functioning process. He is one of a kind who gets along with any person. Every first meeting with him has one common doubt that they don’t get what he is saying. Everything he speaks has an indirect meaning and one has to be so attentive to understand. Once you get along with him, he has every meaning of what he speaks and you enjoy his company and learn many more life experiences that you can’t acquire through books. Ever since his joining the office of Contracts & Procurement, I was requesting him to occupy the spacious office space meant for the Head. By that time, he has already made up his mind to exit from Druk Green. He assured me that if he is not shifting the office by Mid-September, t...

Dedicated civil servants drawing their monthly salary cannot build their own house when he superannuates from their job. A time will come for everyone to leave the place we live now and call it home. A moment will knock sooner than our realization that we should leave with nothing in hand. The experience or the certificates that you have earned during those long years of service will not help at that moment. Nor the reputations shall aid you to proceed further. A salary that hardly meets the monthly expenditure can’t afford to save to construct a house. Many decent civil servants superannuate after certain age OR after serving for certain years and ultimately return back to their own village which was once abandoned. For all his life, a setup office with a laptop/pen/paper was the only tool handled and out of the blue moon, he was introduced to the farming life. This situation is alarming to me personally and it is happening to many civil servants. You invest all your energy in the gro...

SY Thayeden 27 th  June 2022, you turn 6 years old. The first birthday, I will be missing. The situation comprising of rainy season and blockage of roads access across the country especially the national highway between Bumthang-Mongar is too risky to travel being the ongoing widening works in progress. I am extremely sorry for not being able to come there and I have no doubt for you in understanding the situation. 6 years ago on this day, you were born – a little princess of mine and today as you turn 6, you are grown into a beautiful princess of mine. I wish you many more years that you grow intellectually and fulfill all your dreams. You will remain my little princess forever how old you may grow. Today, as you cut your cake and blow away the candlelight, may God bless you with an abundance of strength. The strength to have thoughts for others and the depth of understanding of the nature of life are the signs of your growth. I am no prouder than this to be your dad. The conc...

The adoption of DGPC Service Rule came as a surprise to many of MHPAians. What surprises even more is that the adoption is w.e.f April 1st 2022 when the notice of adoption was issued at the end of April 2022. Why is it so desperate to adopt DGPC Service Rule? questioned by every employee silently.  With the adoption, new pay and allowances scale changes after cutting down all the MHPA (Project) allowances. There are many cries and dissatisfaction amongst those affected portions of employees. Some ranks are changed from higher to lower. The pay was halved and there are other stories of crediting 100s after deduction of loans & advances. Some are said running to negative. Now, how are they going to sustain for a month-long with families? I wonder how they are managing it. It is said “Money isn’t everything”. But everything seems money in reality. Without it, nothing seems existence. Isn’t it too ad-hoc to implement the rule? Are we not supposed to have a notice beforehand? Mental...

Sonam Yoesel Thayeden It is today that you are introduced to your schooling life. We believe schools are where education is taught and manners are learned. The first step to a better future is today and life after school will decide where you will land. Schooling life will introduce you to new friends and will provide you with many opportunities wherein you will showcase your talents. You are now given a variety of fields to choose from. Teachers will guide you to reach your inner call and they will make you deliver your inborn talents. Otherwise, they will also make sure that your talents are created and you follow that paved path. Give everything you are interested in and weigh it appropriately to discover what best suits you in the field of education. Education is not only learning to read and write. Learn how to respect your elders and care for your youngers. Learn how to talk with others and how to think good all the time. Be innovative that coexists with this technological world....

With my Team The days were tough with a tight schedule. On the way, it became smooth meeting with new friends, seniors, and a new environment. With the job stands completed, it is time to say goodbye. It had that great moment shared together with all the teams. The respect that they have shown and the regard that they have given me over my stay, kept me going till the end. They were my family, my friends, my coworkers. We shared our happiness together, shed our sweat together. We ate together and spent the whole time together. We were connected and dedicated ourselves to achieve the common goal. And at the last hour, I am happy to say, we have done what we were mandated to do so. It was doable all due to the team spirit. I have high regard to all the team members for their sincerity and commendable working spirit. It was a great opportunity to have associated with them and I will yearn for the same group of people if there are any such mishaps in the future (fingers crossed, no such re...

  With Dasho MD Coinciding with the 42 nd Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King, on 21 st February 2022, those from external agencies namely; Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA), Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA), Hindcon Limited, and Jaiprakash Associated Limited (JAL) were called for a certification program from DGPC. It was scheduled inside the Dzangdopelri of Chukhha and Dasho MD and DGPC Directors were present. The day was sunny and the cool breeze of Chukhha was gushing on top of the Dzangdopelri. I can sense the excitement of all the participants. I can glance at the overall overview of Chukhha town towards the north, an astonishing view of the switchyard of Chukhha towards the east and the outfall of CHP, and the access road to the site in the south and west direction respectively. It was an awesomely refreshing view after so many working days.   After prostration, we were made to seat inside the Dz...

It was 6:30 AM in the morning, The tired body is forced to open my eyes, With sleepy eyes freshened with cold water, Cleansed surfacely, rinsed coldly, There, a driver was patiently waiting for my arrival, Greeting with a broad smile on his face, of course, sleepy face, Riding down to the site, Crossed the bailey bridge with security doing their job, Further down crossing the gate, Where the security looks at me, checks who else inside, Sometimes, my thought wanders, "they should know me by now," But then they are mandated to do so, I gave my smile, and they let us through, Passing the Dam makes me visit it once, There, I reach the mess where people are dining, I was greeted and offered a seat for breakfast, All are called for a gathering, Which they termed as TBT (Tool Box Talks), Groups were formed for doing a particular job, Briefing on today's program and safety issues were discussed, Vans, Tractors, and Thukrals are means for transportation, Here, we all are inside t...

Dear Sir, As you are leaving MHPA this time and this time for real never to return (formally), it saddens me to the depth that takes me to the times I have worked under you for the last 2 years. The worst part happens to be not able to bid you well formally since I am out of station attending the important mission you have assigned me (Tala HRT Rectification Work). I hope this small note of mine will represent me spiritually there as you bid Goodbye to MHPA. The times fly real quick sir. With you, MHPA has grown and C&P, in particular, has grown to a height that shall embrace your presence even though you leave this place. You came with a mission to implement the Contractual terms and Procurement rules in MHPA and I hope the subordinates (including myself) are receptive to what you have preached. I am hopeful that you are satisfied and confident that the people you have trained will continue with your legacy. I have personally grown in terms of contracts & procurement und...

A roaring sound of a river, There flows the water; Freely, gently and calmly, Please deliver my messages to those dearly.   To those souls who have thought of me, To others who are satisfied where I am to be; With a message, I’m doing fine with sound health, Paving the pathways of problems that I’ve dealt.   With you, I am sending my love and warmth, Let it not diminish while you are stormed; Convey my deep respect and gratitude, Solemnly submit with a positive attitude.   Days seem to be like months, Homesick within seldom hunts; As Tractors & Power Tillers nearby thud, Woke from a deep imagination yearning to be hugged.   Life has its own course of destiny, Accepting the fact with utter dignity; Sometimes placed in a place you haven’t dreamt, Go with the flow for fate is always that to be meant.

Team MHPA It has a feeling of home wherever you are to a new place when you see someone known/familiar to you who belongs to a place that you originate. For instance, when you are traveling to Indian roads and by any mere luck you see the Bhutanese vehicle, the feelings are so intense that you feel safe and make you to the mindset, ‘there are some Bhutanese friends around who are also traveling via the same roadways.’ I felt that many times and I hope you all did too.  It was that day when MHPA management had their SC meeting at Thimphu and planned for a visit at THP on 10th January 2022. The team visited the site and luckily I was scheduled for Night Shift which has prompted me to dine the lunch together with the team. It was nice meeting them (although heads) and sharing my experiences. With them, I saw MHPA that I longed for and I felt homely. To them, I am confident enough to represent in executing the works assigned to me. With them, I am sending my love back home (Dangdung)...

Representing MHPA at THP It was on this day (02.01.2022), Sunday when everyone is in deep sleep and some may be dreaming because our sleep seems so sweet in the morning hours, I was awake as early as 4:00 AM. I have done the cleaning and arranging the things out (some perishable to be thrown out), checking my Gas, checking my switches to be OFF because I was not sure when I will return. The time-bound as per paper is three months which I am optimistic that it will be completed as planned. As discussed, the driver has timely turned up at 5:30 AM and surprisingly the street lights turned off at 5:00 AM. It was still dark when we started loading my bedding. We started our journey leaving Dangdung with emptiness dragging me. But one point I was very excited that I am representing MHPA in a larger forum. I feel lucky to have been nominated and contribute in whatsoever little way. Ascending towards Palela pass, it was so refreshing with thick blankets of snow-capped on the trees and driz...

My bedding packed In this current situation, Bhutan is solely dependent on Hydropower generation for the government to function after the closure of Tourism. Hydropower sectors cannot afford to lose time without generation and every hydropower plant in Bhutan is striving to live up to that standard. Unfortunately, Tala Hydropower Plant (THP), the largest power plant with a generating capacity of 1020MW has got some issues wherein the experts believe to be the issue related to HRT (Head Race Tunnel). A chunk of concrete was found inside the MIV (Main Inlet Valve) to which the decision of dewatering the water conductor system and rectifying was planned. As part of the manpower arrangement, I was nominated as a site engineer from MHPA. The news came as a surprise for me during the eleventh hour. The notice was circulated on 30 th  December 2021 that I should report to Tala on 2 nd  January 2022. For this kind of assignment, an individual needs to have mentally prepared. Anyhow, I...