Bhutan News

First Bhutan polls in December

The first elections to the National Council of Bhutan will be held this December, the country's election commission announced Monday. Bhutan plans a switchover from absolute monarchy to democracy in 2008.7:02 PM on July 02

Prerna, Bajaj of 'Kasautii...' are Bhutanese heartthrobs

The skyline was afire with tints of red and gold with the sun beginning to set over the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Middle-aged Lily Tashi and her two sisters-in-law were busy, their hands in full flow, sowing paddy in this village on the outskirts of capital Thimphu.10:00 AM on June 17

Bhutanese entrepreneurs dreaming big, eye world bazaar

Bhutan looks like a speck on the world map and the Himalayan kingdom generally loves basking in its pristine natural beauty and exotic culture. But with the winds of globalisation sweeping across the globe, more and more people in this nation of just 700,000 are beginning to dream big - especially the country's business community.10:01 AM on June 07

Lecturers, diplomats, broadcasters - all in Bhutan's politics

From broadcasters and diplomats to civil servants, lecturers and retired generals, people from varied streams have started dabbling in politics as Bhutan embarks on a historic transformation from monarchy to democracy.11:00 AM on June 06

Bhutan's fledgling cinema influenced by Hollywood and Bollywood

When Hollywood star Demi Moore was taking a snapshot of her own blow-up tucked at a ramshackle video parlour in Bhutan, nobody noticed her - locals passed her off as another white skinned tourist visiting the Himalayan kingdom.10:30 AM on June 05

Watch out - bouncers on the prowl in Bhutan discos

Feel free to swing to the music at the chic discotheques in this usually conservative Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. But caution please - don't try to take liberties, smoke a cigarette, or pop a dance pill for a kick.1:00 PM on June 03

No dollars please, happiness is Bhutan's wealth

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz just couldn't believe when she was told during a private visit to Bhutan that the country's wealth was measured by the happiness of its citizens.9:30 AM on June 01

Malt whisky and treks in the dragon kingdom

Seated on a settee in the hotel lounge and quietly sipping Bhutan Mist, a pure malt whisky, burly and white-bearded Michael Johns and his demure wife Emma from New York seem chirpy. The two, in their mid-50s, have just returned from an arduous six-day trek and were relaxing in the sleepy but resplendent capital city of Bhutan.10:00 AM on May 30

Bhutanese root for tradition in mock polls, no to industrialization

Bhutan has elected a new mock parliament that promises to preserve the nation's traditions amid looming fears of anarchy and corruption swamping the cocooned Himalayan kingdom known as the 'last Shangri-la'.9:31 AM on May 29

Shakira rocks Bhutan, as Shangri-la embraces modernity

Once a sequestered nation, shy of opening up to the outside world, Bhutan, the land of fluttering prayer flags, massive fortress monasteries and oracles, is today in transition.8:30 AM on May 29

Encouraging turnout in Bhutan's historic mock polls

The final round of mock elections in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, a dress rehearsal for the planned transformation of the 100-year-old monarchy to democracy, ended Monday with moderate to heavy polling.6:31 PM on May 28

Bhutan's royal astrologers plan for 2008 elections

Yeshey Rinchen looks like any other maroon-robed Buddhist monk chanting hymns at the famous Tashichhodzong monastery, the summer residence of the head abbot of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.11:00 AM on May 28

Bhutan's brush with democracy begins with mock polls

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Monday made yet another historic leap towards democracy with voting for the final round of the mock polls beginning with the nation preparing to transform its 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.9:00 AM on May 28

Security alert in Bhutan after bomb threats

Security forces have been put on alert in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan with Nepal-based separatists threatening to stage a series of bomb attacks during Monday's mock elections.4:02 PM on May 27

'Democracy has risks, but Bhutan ready for challenge'

Bhutan is ready to take up the challenge of transforming from a monarchy to parliamentary democracy despite 'risks' from the historical shift, says Bhutan's Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi.2:02 PM on May 27