Last week BBS tried to cover Bhutan's unemployment and its teething effects. It has the message that in the wake of modernization and increased development activities, human filial bond is weakening. But the crux of the matter is when one is stuck with unemployment, even his/her relatives and friends shun him/her. That might be true to some extent.
Now, coming to the persons who appeared on the screen, two Sangay Phuntsho both of whom are from a village called Wamling in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, one Sangay Phuntsho is portrayed as having no one to put up with in Thimphu and staying with his friend, another Sangay Phuntsho, who is only recently employed.
BBS has overlooked the fact that they are from the same village. And especially Wamling is a small village where everyone knows everyone and everyone is related to everyone – it means the two are more than just friends.
They are from Zhemgang, which means Khengkha is their mother tongue, but it seems they converse with each other in Dzongkha on the national television camera. I understand there is nothing wrong in speaking the national language, but even what they were saying seems to have been scripted by someone else. But I thought they gave out a nice performance acting it out.
BBS quotes Sangay Phuntsho as saying he has no one to support him and that without his friend, he has nowhere to go. His elder brother has been paying for his fees in Sonam Kuenphen HSS, in Bumthang and makes every effort to get his brother a job and constantly sends him money. BBS made it appear pathetic and viewers took home the impression that Sangay Phuntsho has no one to support him.
And finally, even I choose friends over relatives because this way I get to do what I would like to do. Staying with brothers or relatives means discipline and listening to advice from the elders. Whether it is said in good faith or bad, everyone has aversion to advice - all the more good reasons to choose to stay with a friend.
But the bottom line is this: BBS needs such pathetic stories to ‘delight’ the viewers. And it is surprising why this shy and quiet youth who even hesitates to speak to people chooses the national television as a medium to express his frustration. It looked quite bizarre anyways and maybe BBS is trying to give these two friends some sort of training on acting.
Kudos to BBS! And we wish them good luck.
Man, I like your critical analysis and thats how ppl should consume media.
ReplyDeleteNawang, i must say that was a nice observation. Its true. But whatever is being done, it is done so in the best interest of the public. Too bad that our people tend to get cramps the moment they realise it's going to be broadcast.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, i guess it turns out the unintended way. I had a talk with a reporter friend who scripted the story and he tells me that he was only trying to inform the general public about the available facility at YDF centre and nothing else. Alas!
Tshering Penjo
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