Short story: LIFE INTERVIEW 

Dressed in burey pangtshe gho, black camel shoes in his feet,  combed medium length hair stowards side, he rushes to BBS interview with self assured mental preparation. 7:30 sharp is time for his interview but he already makes up at forum at 7 p.m. as requested by crew and show host of BBS for they needed briefing and a bit of grooming session to appear flawless in front of camera and the viewers. A cameramen very cleverly and beautifully showed magnificent clock tower of Sherubtse College in the background. It is in the basket ball court.  Karma isn't nervous or scared for he viewed it as good opportunity and he very well understand “only thing we have to fear is the word “fear” itself. Besides, it is to talk about himself and his own life. Life’s given him enough experiences and insights to share about.

When clock strikes 7:30, “Kuzu Zangpo and good evening to all the viewers. Today we have very renowned and widely admired professor Karma for Nangi Tam. Hope you will find great time to hear about him and wisdom he has to share. Professor Tashi, very welcome to our show and we are grateful for having spared your personal time with us here on bbs. Now to start from the lighter tone, give us brief introduction about yourself?” was words uttered by interviewer Sonam Ugyen.

Karma: "Good Evening to all the viewers. It’s not huge pleasure to be here on your show. You know why, Sonam?", Sonam was bewildered and speechless staring at Karma. Only was he relieved when with smile Karma said, “It’s rather an honor to be here on your show.” He then proceeded, “I am Karma, professor of Sherubtse College. I teach B.A. Political Science and Sociology. I am from Kilkhorthang, Tsirang. I did my primary, middle and higher schooling at Autsho, Tangmachu and Phuyum respectively. Thereafter i pursued BA.,LLB (Hons.) at NLSIU Bangalore which did not bear a pleasant end. I did my BA, Political Science and Sociology from Sherubtse College. After that I did PGDE at Samtse, joined in teaching for  5 years. Next I obtained masters in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. After coming back to country I served as Professor until now.

Sonam Ugyen: I heard you dropped law school. Why did you discontinue? Is it because you discovered your passion somewhere or did you find law difficult as most people say? Or else are there reasons otherwise?

Karma: Ha ha very good question. Passion? Of course I aspired to be a teacher since my high school days but would always feel uneasy to say “teacher” as my ambition in front of teachers since many of them would say dream bigger and other but not teacher. And of course yes; I found law as difficult and I lost a year in my 2^nd year. My scholarship was withdrawn and I couldn’t afford to continue law on self finance either. Thus, I am made to rationally quit. I must pass within 5 years as per legal bond signed between me and sponsors are concerned. But my failure in 2^nd year breached the contract and scholarship had to be withdrawn. I requested them to give me one more chance to prove my ability and improvement after stating my humble family background but they simply turned their ears deaf. They didn’t take things on compassion ground. I tried to find another sponsors after reaching back to country but to no avail. Hence I had to quit law school forever. However I accepted my failure and self convincing lines, “God has other plans for me and whatever happens happens for the best” and i couldn't agree more with "the world isn't all wish granting factory."

Sonam Ugyen: It was tough luck for you. I am really sorry to hear that. But why did you go for law if your passion was teaching?

Karma: Teaching was my passion but I also believed in picking up whatever comes on my way equally. I took life as a chance to experience. After result of 12 I was so proud of my marks that I didn’t want to be a teacher.  I chose law for it is considered creamy layer of profession in Bhutan. Besides, I have admired to see others study abroad. Perhaps I wasn’t too well set to go for teaching and passion.  I have also looked at financial aspects as a lawyer. One jocular but truthful reason, I dreamed to be someone big since we have none from our family who can lend help and support to parents and relatives. I don’t know but I loved law after I grabbed a bit of taste of it at law school. I came to understand that the basic foundation to peace and stability in a country is law. We in our lives, either as single or collective entity, are bound to follow law in one way or other. Hence I feel it’s great advantage and usage if you understand laws that governs country at least, if not international ones.

Sonam Ugyen interrupts and says, “Why do you think you failed?” Reasons for your failure

Karma: Astrologically, not logically I was told by a foreteller that my “Wang” and “lhung” were all down or bad in my 2^nd year. Speaking background wise, I came from very poor family background and I lacked behind in language as I had not used English as second/first language at home and schools. My parents are illiterate and I am first generation to break that chain of illiteracy. My siblings didn’t reach and cross 10^th standards to guide and advise me. Expectation of college was very high being top ranked law college in India. I never felt like studying during exam time; I did study, though. I used to study before hand, prepare for class in advance but could never study more than once or twice since we are burdened with 4 project works in a trimester. There were viva and other activities going on in campus. I found remembering lengthy syllabus in short period of time an uphill job. Perhaps my method of study wasn’t correct or I fell back intellectually. I didn’t use to consult in times of problem preferring to do it on my own. Those could be reasons.  Later I also realized weak social and emotional intelligence could have contributed too. I feel I had depression, cultural shock and distracted minds that are antithetical to soaking lessons. 

Sonam Ugyen: It seems like you have studied in different places. How was each experiences like?

Karma: Perhaps from Autsho I may have not learned since I was too young to understand. From Tangmachu I learned about value of family since I was a bordering student. From High school at Phuyum I understood value of time, friendship and a bit of life. From NLSIU I discovered there is boredom and loneliness present as age adds by. I got to know that I am introvert, diffident and shy. I realized social and intrapersonal skills are essential in life. From Sherubtse I started covering, curing and correcting mistakes and discoveries I made at NLSIU. As a teacher I learned about importance of patience and hard work to guide students to right direction. I also felt the greatest joy provided by giving is priceless. At masters level I got to comprehend that life goes on so fast that I needed to do something for others which will put smile, sigh of relief and satisfaction to my heart. As a professor I learned about wearing thick skins, letting student discover their own passions, dreams and themselves.  I also understood job of professor is not to cover the syllabus but to uncover the syllabus. I learned after law school when I spend my time at village.  I was obsessed with thought of not being kind, helpful, hospitable, interactive and social. I was depressed sulking and thinking on things I lack and did. I have wanted to change it since at law school but never was it actualized. Gradually with effort and time I learned to interact with people, adjust my smile, interests and discomforts in making them and myself feel good. You may learn theoretically anything but if you are not practical in even one of stuffs there comes the drawback of formal education. I felt a need to teach and reach these lessons to hundreds and thousands of people in future. Role of teacher seemed appropriate beside being my right profession fueled by passion. Both as a teacher and professor I have taught, helped and counseled numbers of students in helping understand themselves emotionally and academically. I also practically help them in lots of stuffs.  I never stop to lecture every 10-15 minutes of lecturing time for giving insights to young and fresh minded students whose life is so promising yet vulnerable. This is why students would come in full room whenever I lecture at Sherubtse College and lecture as guest lecturer in other colleges/institutes of Royal University of Bhutan. Laughter of Tashi is acknowledged by Sonam with additional laughter.

Sonam Ugyen: What sort of insights would you give?

Karma: I tell them whatever you read for class don’t take it as burden and discard off as soon as you get over exams. Read for knowledge, interest, information, wisdom and life. Read beyond syllabus. And I tell them to try coping up with boredom and loneliness for it is present in anybody’s life. Perhaps, after life as well. If you fall prey to it you will try to fill its place by something and there is strong tendency that you will go for substance abuse. Students drink at college since they are hooked by boredom and loneliness. Once abused you will become addicted for it works as short term remedy to problem but impossibility of eliminating loneliness, boredom and problems will increase your dependence on substance. Hence you will ruin your life health wise and use wise. You should rather do something good like hanging out with friends, watching movies, reading books, praying, meditating, going for passion/hobbies and sleeping than substance abuse. One of the important advices I give is to keep moving forward no matter how big problems are. One must never give up on facing with obstacles and losing over it. Winning I tell them is not simply coming as a winner in game because only handful of people would always win in race of life, rest would all lose, some will lose or win at different points of time. So I tell them to be okay when we lose because real winner is the one who takes lose and hits of obstacles yet keeps moving forward. And another advice I give them is learn from parents, copy them, try to replace their place for we don’t have to call them when we need them; message is be independent and responsible. Do what makes you feel good. And I always tell them to go find happiness and pursue it. Being somewhere in territory of hope is what keeps us alive. Thus I tell them to be hopeful in life for it is that hope that keeps us alive. But equally I also warn and caution them to not dream impossible. Those are insights I always leave with students whenever I get a chance to give them one. I wish and hope all who heard me would spread it further without keeping to themselves which in turn would make the world a better place to live in.

Sonam Ugyen: You have very great insights. I wish they stay revolved around the country and pass from generation to generation. You said education system is bad. Would you gracious to embellish on it?

Karma:  Yes but not whole system. Some things can be done to improve our education system. Education at the end of the day should serve humanity. I have always raised a voice suggesting improvements but it hasn’t improved yet. Hence I am filing Public Interest Litigation petition and I hope court would use its wisdom looking and weighing importance of good education system in Bhutan. Our education system is never weak and poor student friendly. Poor here I mean intellectually (both IQ and emotional intelligence) poor. Firstly there should be inclusion of teaching lessons on emotions. Hence we will understand about emotions and philosophy. Of course teachers can read and teach but inclusion of it in syllabus makes everyone compulsorily and necessarily know about it, thus benefiting all. There should be practical lessons taught and made to feel by students. For instance taking them to field trip, making them interact and feel about life in village for those who stay at town and vice versa. Their perspective will change. They should be able to value and respect diversity and equality. Most importantly kids at elementary level should be emotionally nurtured since childhood is a stage where things could be rectified and improved upon. Making people emotionally intelligent is what I felt would make education better one.  Emotional management can be taught and learned by practice, teaching and motivation. Why do you think suicide and substance abuse take place? Student must be both theoretically and practically taught interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. There are highly learned students but are week in daily interaction and affairs of life. And there are those who are academically poor but are good at maintaining and managing emotions doing great at much non-academic stuff and life in general. Well, there are both poor and good in both areas too. I want those two diverging and opposite poles to meet somewhere in the middle and come to the term that will improve life of the students. No students should be left out in ensuring everyone is emotionally sound as much as academically. Remedy to shy, less interactive and introvert students should be sought in making sure everyone is able to raise their voice when in need and enjoying freedom of speech and expressions. They need not waste their twenties stabilizing and realizing about emotional management if they had learned in schools. This would make them have time to do something better one. Beauty will be added to life of each student.

Sonam Ugyen: your last words to audience since we are falling short of time.

Karma: I emphasized on emotional intelligence too much because I was poor manager of emotions. I used to be over emotional at law schools and perhaps after there too. I never talked to friends more than a line and smile. They used to tell me why am I silent and I was depressed of my silence and shyness at NLSIU and anywhere. Whenever I felt emotional I logged myself on facebook ruining my timetables and prospect of becoming lawyer. I felt lonely and emotional wherever I go even after law schools. I am into substance after some point of time for same reason but not addicted. Perhaps I wasn’t alone suffering and battling within myself. So I thought why should I not make people overcome their shyness and understand themselves emotionally well and be happy wherever they go irrespective of income their parents earn, ethnicity they bear or other markers. Lastly I thank bbs to invite me over here. Wish that all of you audience had great time as much as I had talking to you here and I hope you will find great time in reading the book I will soon publish, “TRUTH OF LIFE”. Buy and read it. Have a great night.

Then chapter of “Nangi Tam” interview closes by Sonam Ugyen waving good night and thanking Mr. Karma for his time. Karma comes smiling a bit after having poured few useful insights of life. He drives back to resident, relax a bit, interacts with 3 orphans that he adopted as a son and daughters and go to his work. He is unmarried at 52. His daughters are in their first years and his son studies in 2^nd year at Sherubste College. He allowed his kids to call him by name “Karma” but they never stopped calling him “DAD” too. His kids tell they had great time watching his interview. They dine together and get back to respective chamber to do homework and reading. He doesn’t have to check on if they are doing real homework because he had done the checking for 3-7 years when those kids are brought first time to his home. Now they are already habituated and inspired. He was able to do whatever he needed to undistracted. 

He was very happy and hopeful about everything in life but he secretly feared death. Perhaps fear of decay and ephemeral nature of things on earth has made him the human being that he was and is. He is a religious person. He prays after having prepared for first class to begin tomorrow for first years. He just needs to introduce what is political science and outline syllabus briefly. He prays before going to bed to lie hopefully to see sun of tomorrow. On that tomorrow whenever he opens his eyes first, gave him the maximum and the greatest happiness of all. Thanking the day he sticks to morning prayers and reading news. He would underscore important news he finds and shares, discuss and debate in the class. Thus making the lessons he taught relevant and dynamic.

Besides teaching he has his own NGO to look after as a founding President. That “CHANGING AND GROOMING YOUTH.” NGO looks after least fortunate, rejected, psychopaths, orphanage kids and youths. He took his NGO with a vision, “every youth in this country should breath and feel same”, with mission “to educate and nurture vulnerable youth to make a country better place to live in.” he knew those problems will never be to zero but reduced. To be orphan would not be anyone’s choice yet it isn’t in our hands solely.  There shall be orphans always. He sees himself smiling when he sees kids smiling who otherwise would have had no privilege to do so if they had nowhere to go to. He would make personal visit to them, chat and interact with them. They would feel his comfort and warmth calling him “DAD” whenever they see him. 

Does he need to be married to be called as DAD? Whenever people asked him, “Why didn’t you marry? Don’t you believe in love and marriage?’ he would answer, “I am married to my life and work and I have found love I gave to youth very long time back and I don’t necessarily expect love in return so long they give them to others. And when all those unfortunate and vulnerable kids are eliminated  shall I marry.

Email id: tashinetndorji@gmail.com