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| Picture: Bhutan Observer |
Once upon a time, we ate bongkharang (dried wheat used as food
grains) in our schools. Teachers served us every meal. Those who served us more
bongkharang would become our favourite teachers, not those who taught better.
The teacher’s announcement of ‘second share’ would lead to a near-stampede in
the dining hall. In the mad rush, some younger pupils would get jostled to the
ground. Every Saturday, we would be led to a nearby stream in a ceremonial line
for ‘washing’. Every few months, our heads would be shaved clean. Everything
seemed ritualistic. It was during bongkharang time.
In those days, teachers took care
of children more than parents, especially in the remote areas. Now, since
parents are more exposed and educated, teachers have a smaller role and
government no longer has to buy shaving blades and soaps for children. While we
might think that our children today are in more secure hands of their parents,
the instances of children going astray are more today than in those days.
In those days, Marijuana plants
grew aplenty on the campus, but we knew it only as a food for pigs. We
associated nyozey (intoxicating
substance) with alcohol only. Substance abuse was little known to us until we
got more exposed to the outside world.
