Read the following text and answer the questions.

Bhutan is called the Jewel of the Eastern Himalayas. This small, landlocked country is located along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, bounded by Tibet in the North and India from the other sides. The official name of Bhutan is Druk-yul which means ‘land of the thunder dragon’. It earned this name because of the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas. The country has an area of 38,394 sq km and a population of 716,896. Since it is cut off from the rest of the world by the Great Himalayas, a unique culture and tradition based on gentle Buddhist beliefs have evolved there over time.

Bhutanese men wear Gho – a knee length robe and women wear Kira-a sheet like cloth piece.

Bhutanese houses are built from mud and stone, with wooden shingle roof. The Bhutanese never use iron nails in their buildings. Usually, the Bhutanese build each other’s houses by exchanging labour within the community. Different Festivals are celebrated all year round in Bhutan. Colourful masks are used in the festivals which reflect the rich Bhutanese culture. Dances are performed by the Buddhist monks to protect the valleys and ward off evil spirits. The main religious festival is called Tshechus. The teachings of Lord Buddha are enacted through mask dances for three to five days in the courtyard of the monasteries. People attend these events in their best clothes, carrying picnic baskets. Another major festival is called Losar. It is celebrated on Lunar New Year. People cook special dishes and wear new clothes. It is a time for family get-together. Men play archery or darts while women sing and dance.

Pure mountain air, crystal blue skies and pristine vegetation cover have made this small country an ideal destination for the environment lovers. The ecosystem of this small nation supports the existence of rich flora and fauna which are protected by strict laws. Anyone found guilty of killing even a black-necked crane could be sentenced to life in prison.

The government of Bhutan has taken a number of steps to protect its bio-diversity. Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. According to the constitution, at least 60 percent of the country must remain under forest cover at all times. Efforts are also taken to protect the nation against the intrusion of foreign cultures and values. The first foreign tourists were allowed into Bhutan in 1974. Now, tourism is encouraged but is controlled and limited to about 6,000 visitors a year. Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television and the Internet to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV and the Internet only in 1999. The Bhutanese government has made it mandatory for all Bhutanese to wear only their national dress in public.

Finally, the most interesting fact about Bhutan is that they are the only country that measures success in Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product! In 2006, Business Week rated Bhutan as the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world.

ভুটান: প্রাচ্যের হিমালয়ের রত্ন

ভুটানকে প্রাচ্যের হিমালয়ের রত্ন বলা হয়। এই ছোট, স্থলবেষ্টিত দেশটি হিমালয় পর্বতমালার দক্ষিণ ঢালে অবস্থিত, উত্তরে তিব্বত এবং অন্যান্য দিক থেকে ভারত দ্বারা বেষ্টিত। ভুটানের আনুষ্ঠানিক নাম হল দ্রুক–ইয়ুল যার অর্থ ‘বজ্র ড্রাগনের ভূমি‘। হিমালয় থেকে প্রায়শই প্রবল ঝড় আসার কারণে এটি এই নামটি অর্জন করেছে। দেশটির আয়তন ৩৮,৩৯৪ বর্গ কিলোমিটার এবং জনসংখ্যা ৭১৬,৮৯৬ জন। যেহেতু এটি গ্রেট হিমালয় দ্বারা বিশ্বের বাকি অংশ থেকে বিচ্ছিন্ন, তাই সময়ের সাথে সাথে এখানে মৃদু বৌদ্ধ বিশ্বাস ভিত্তিক একটি অনন্য সংস্কৃতি ও ঐতিহ্য গড়ে উঠেছে।

ভুটানের পুরুষরা ঘো (Gho) – একটি হাঁটু দৈর্ঘ্যের পোশাক – এবং মহিলারা কিরা (Kira) – একটি চাদরের মতো কাপড় পরিধান করে।

ভুটানের বাড়িঘর কাদা ও পাথর দিয়ে তৈরি, যার ছাদ কাঠের শিংগল দিয়ে ছাওয়া। ভুটানিরা তাদের বাড়িতে কখনো লোহার পেরেক ব্যবহার করে না। সাধারণত, ভুটানিরা সম্প্রদায়ের মধ্যে শ্রম বিনিময়ের মাধ্যমে একে অপরের বাড়ি তৈরি করে। সারা বছর ভুটানে বিভিন্ন উৎসব পালিত হয়। উৎসবে রঙিন মুখোশ ব্যবহার করা হয় যা সমৃদ্ধ ভুটানি সংস্কৃতিকে প্রতিফলিত করে। বৌদ্ধ সন্ন্যাসীরা উপত্যকাকে রক্ষা করতে এবং দুষ্ট আত্মাদের তাড়াতে নৃত্য পরিবেশন করে। প্রধান ধর্মীয় উৎসবের নাম চেচুস (Tshechus)। মঠের উঠানে তিন থেকে পাঁচ দিন ধরে মুখোশ নৃত্যের মাধ্যমে ভগবান বুদ্ধের শিক্ষাগুলো অভিনয় করে দেখানো হয়। লোকেরা তাদের সেরা পোশাক পরে, পিকনিকের ঝুড়ি নিয়ে এই অনুষ্ঠানে যোগ দেয়। আরেকটি প্রধান উৎসব হল লোসার (Losar)। এটি চন্দ্র নববর্ষে পালিত হয়। লোকেরা বিশেষ খাবার রান্না করে এবং নতুন পোশাক পরে। এটি পারিবারিক পুনর্মিলনের সময়। পুরুষরা তীরন্দাজ বা ডার্ট খেলে যখন মহিলারা গান গায় এবং নাচে।

বিশুদ্ধ পাহাড়ের বাতাস, স্ফটিক নীল আকাশ এবং আদিম গাছপালা এই ছোট দেশটিকে পরিবেশ প্রেমীদের জন্য একটি আদর্শ গন্তব্যে পরিণত করেছে। এই ক্ষুদ্র জাতির বাস্তুতন্ত্র সমৃদ্ধ উদ্ভিদ ও প্রাণীকুলের অস্তিত্বকে সমর্থন করে যা কঠোর আইন দ্বারা সুরক্ষিত। এমনকি একটি কালো গলাযুক্ত সারস হত্যায় দোষী সাব্যস্ত হলে যাবজ্জীবন কারাদণ্ড হতে পারে।

ভুটান সরকার তার জীববৈচিত্র্য রক্ষায় বেশ কিছু পদক্ষেপ নিয়েছে। ভুটান বিশ্বের প্রথম দেশ যেখানে তার জনগণের উপর পরিবেশ রক্ষার জন্য নির্দিষ্ট সাংবিধানিক বাধ্যবাধকতা রয়েছে। সংবিধান অনুযায়ী, দেশের অন্তত ৬০ শতাংশ সর্বদা বনভূমির আওতায় থাকতে হবে। বিদেশী সংস্কৃতি ও মূল্যবোধের অনুপ্রবেশের বিরুদ্ধে জাতিকে রক্ষা করার জন্যও প্রচেষ্টা করা হচ্ছে। প্রথম বিদেশী পর্যটকদের ১৯৭৪ সালে ভুটানে প্রবেশের অনুমতি দেওয়া হয়েছিল। এখন, পর্যটনকে উৎসাহিত করা হয় তবে এটি নিয়ন্ত্রিত এবং বছরে প্রায় ৬,০০০ পর্যটকদের মধ্যে সীমাবদ্ধ। ভুটান বিশ্বের শেষ দেশগুলির মধ্যে একটি যা তার জনগণের কাছে টেলিভিশন এবং ইন্টারনেট চালু করেছে। সরকার ১৯৯৯ সালে টিভি এবং ইন্টারনেটের উপর নিষেধাজ্ঞা তুলে নেয়। ভুটান সরকার সমস্ত ভুটানিদের জন্য জনসমক্ষে কেবল তাদের জাতীয় পোশাক পরিধান করা বাধ্যতামূলক করেছে।

অবশেষে, ভুটান সম্পর্কে সবচেয়ে আকর্ষণীয় তথ্য হল যে তারা একমাত্র দেশ যারা মোট দেশজ উৎপাদন (Gross National Product) এর পরিবর্তে মোট জাতীয় সুখ (Gross National Happiness) দ্বারা সাফল্য পরিমাপ করে! ২০০৬ সালে, বিজনেস উইক ভুটানকে এশিয়ার সবচেয়ে সুখী দেশ এবং বিশ্বের অষ্টম সুখী দেশ হিসাবে স্থান দিয়েছে।

Bhutan: A Jewel of the Himalayas – 50 Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Bhutan often called? (a) The Land of the Rising Sun (b) The Jewel of the Eastern Himalayas (c) The Pearl of the Orient (d) The Kingdom of Dragons
2. Where is Bhutan located? (a) Along the northern slopes of the Himalayas (b) Along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range (c) In the middle of the Indian Ocean (d) Near the Arctic Circle
3. Which country borders Bhutan to the North? (a) India (b) Nepal (c) Tibet (d) Bangladesh
4. What is the official name of Bhutan? (a) Thimphu (b) Druk-yul (c) Kira (d) Gho
5. What does ‘Druk-yul’ mean? (a) Land of the High Mountains (b) Land of the Peaceful People (c) Land of the Thunder Dragon (d) Land of the Green Forests
6. Why did Bhutan earn the name ‘land of the thunder dragon’? (a) Because dragons live there (b) Due to fierce storms from the Himalayas (c) Because of its ancient history (d) To attract tourists
7. What is the area of Bhutan? (a) 716,896 sq km (b) 38,394 sq km (c) 60,000 sq km (d) 1999 sq km
8. What is the population of Bhutan? (a) 38,394 (b) 60,000 (c) 716,896 (d) 1974
9. What has evolved in Bhutan due to being cut off by the Great Himalayas? (a) A modern city (b) A unique culture and tradition (c) A large army (d) A different language
10. What are Bhutanese men’s traditional clothes called? (a) Kira (b) Sari (c) Gho (d) Kimono
11. What is a Gho? (a) A sheet-like cloth piece (b) A knee-length robe (c) A type of hat (d) A pair of trousers
12. What do Bhutanese women wear? (a) Gho (b) Kira (c) Skirt (d) Dress
13. What are Bhutanese houses built from? (a) Wood and metal (b) Glass and concrete (c) Mud and stone (d) Bricks and cement
14. What kind of roof do Bhutanese houses have? (a) Metal roof (b) Tiled roof (c) Wooden shingle roof (d) Thatched roof
15. What do Bhutanese people never use in their buildings? (a) Wood (b) Stone (c) Iron nails (d) Mud
16. How do Bhutanese people usually build each other’s houses? (a) By hiring professionals (b) By exchanging labor within the community (c) By importing materials (d) By using machines
17. When are different festivals celebrated in Bhutan? (a) Only in summer (b) Only during winter (c) All year round (d) Only once a year
18. What is used in the festivals to reflect Bhutanese culture? (a) Fireworks (b) Colourful masks (c) Big banners (d) Loud music
19. Who performs dances in the festivals to protect valleys and ward off evil spirits? (a) Local villagers (b) Tourists (c) Buddhist monks (d) Government officials
20. What is the main religious festival in Bhutan called? (a) Losar (b) Tshechus (c) Diwali (d) Christmas
21. How long do the Tshechus festivals last? (a) One day (b) Two days (c) Three to five days (d) A whole week
22. What are enacted through mask dances during Tshechus? (a) Stories of kings (b) Teachings of Lord Buddha (c) Historical events (d) Folk tales
23. Where are the mask dances performed during Tshechus? (a) In the town square (b) In the courtyard of the monasteries (c) On the streets (d) Inside people’s homes
24. What do people carry when they attend Tshechus events? (a) Books (b) Cameras (c) Picnic baskets (d) Umbrellas
25. What is another major festival mentioned in the passage? (a) Eid (b) Holi (c) Losar (d) Thanksgiving
26. When is Losar celebrated? (a) On New Year’s Day (b) On Lunar New Year (c) On Independence Day (d) On the King’s birthday
27. What do people do during Losar? (a) Go on vacation (b) Cook special dishes and wear new clothes (c) Fast for a week (d) Exchange gifts only
28. What is Losar a time for? (a) Working hard (b) Family get-together (c) Studying (d) Traveling alone
29. What do men play during Losar? (a) Football or basketball (b) Archery or darts (c) Chess or checkers (d) Video games
30. What do women do during Losar? (a) Read books (b) Sing and dance (c) Cook all day (d) Watch TV
31. What has made Bhutan an ideal destination for environment lovers? (a) Its big cities (b) Its shopping malls (c) Pure mountain air, crystal blue skies, and pristine vegetation cover (d) Its modern technology
32. What does the ecosystem of Bhutan support? (a) Only a few types of animals (b) Rich flora and fauna (c) Only plants (d) Only birds
33. How are the flora and fauna in Bhutan protected? (a) By natural barriers (b) By strict laws (c) By the weather (d) By tourists
34. What is the punishment for killing a black-necked crane in Bhutan? (a) A small fine (b) Community service (c) Life in prison (d) A warning
35. What has the government of Bhutan done to protect its biodiversity? (a) Nothing (b) Taken a number of steps (c) Allowed more hunting (d) Cut down forests
36. What is Bhutan the first country in the world to have regarding environmental protection? (a) A large national park (b) Specific constitutional obligations (c) A special environmental police force (d) A yearly environmental festival
37. According to the constitution, what percentage of the country must remain under forest cover? (a) At least 30 percent (b) At least 50 percent (c) At least 60 percent (d) At least 80 percent
38. What else are efforts taken to protect the nation against? (a) Natural disasters (b) Economic problems (c) Intrusion of foreign cultures and values (d) Animal attacks
39. When were the first foreign tourists allowed into Bhutan? (a) 1999 (b) 2006 (c) 1974 (d) 1950
40. How is tourism managed in Bhutan now? (a) It is completely open (b) It is encouraged but controlled and limited (c) It is banned (d) It is only for local people
41. About how many visitors are allowed into Bhutan each year? (a) 1,000 (b) 6,000 (c) 10,000 (d) 50,000
42. What is Bhutan one of the last countries in the world to introduce to its people? (a) Cars and roads (b) Schools and hospitals (c) Television and the Internet (d) Electricity and running water
43. When did the government lift a ban on TV and the Internet? (a) 1974 (b) 1999 (c) 2006 (d) 2010
44. What has the Bhutanese government made mandatory for all Bhutanese in public? (a) To speak only English (b) To carry a passport (c) To wear only their national dress (d) To sing the national anthem
45. What is the most interesting fact about Bhutan mentioned in the passage? (a) Its high mountains (b) Its unique architecture (c) It measures success in Gross National Happiness (d) It has many festivals
46. What does Bhutan measure success in, instead of Gross National Product? (a) Gross National Income (b) Gross National Happiness (c) Gross National Wealth (d) Gross National Education
47. When did Business Week rate Bhutan as the happiest country in Asia? (a) 1974 (b) 1999 (c) 2006 (d) 2010
48. What was Bhutan’s ranking as the happiest country in the world in 2006? (a) First (b) Third (c) Fifth (d) Eighth
49. What kind of beliefs is Bhutan’s unique culture based on? (a) Fierce warrior beliefs (b) Gentle Buddhist beliefs (c) Ancient tribal beliefs (d) Modern scientific beliefs
50. What is the purpose of the colourful masks used in Bhutanese festivals? (a) To scare children (b) To hide identities (c) To reflect the rich Bhutanese culture (d) To protect from the sun

Here are the answers to the 50 multiple-choice questions about Bhutan:

1. (b) The Jewel of the Eastern Himalayas
2. (b) Along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range
3. (c) Tibet
4. (b) Druk-yul
5. (c) Land of the Thunder Dragon
6. (b) Due to fierce storms from the Himalayas
7. (b) 38,394 sq km
8. (c) 716,896
9. (b) A unique culture and tradition
10. (c) Gho
11. (b) A knee-length robe
12. (b) Kira
13. (c) Mud and stone
14. (c) Wooden shingle roof
15. (c) Iron nails
16. (b) By exchanging labor within the community
17. (c) All year round
18. (b) Colourful masks
19. (c) Buddhist monks
20. (b) Tshechus
21. (c) Three to five days
22. (b) Teachings of Lord Buddha
23. (b) In the courtyard of the monasteries
24. (c) Picnic baskets
25. (c) Losar
26. (b) On Lunar New Year
27. (b) Cook special dishes and wear new clothes
28. (b) Family get-together
29. (b) Archery or darts
30. (b) Sing and dance
31. (c) Pure mountain air, crystal blue skies, and pristine vegetation cover
32. (b) Rich flora and fauna
33. (b) By strict laws
34. (c) Life in prison
35. (b) Taken a number of steps
36. (b) Specific constitutional obligations
37. (c) At least 60 percent
38. (c) Intrusion of foreign cultures and values
39. (c) 1974
40. (b) It is encouraged but controlled and limited
41. (b) 6,000
42. (c) Television and the Internet
43. (b) 1999
44. (c) To wear only their national dress
45. (c) It measures success in Gross National Happiness
46. (b) Gross National Happiness
47. (c) 2006
48. (d) Eighth
49. (b) Gentle Buddhist beliefs
50. (c) To reflect the rich Bhutanese culture

50 Critical “Wh” Questions with Two-Sentence Answers

1. What is Bhutan called? Bhutan is called the Jewel of the Eastern Himalayas. It is also known as Druk-yul, which means ‘land of the thunder dragon’.
2. Where is Bhutan located? Bhutan is located along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range. It is bounded by Tibet in the North and India from the other sides.
3. Why is Bhutan called ‘land of the thunder dragon’? Bhutan is called ‘land of the thunder dragon’ because of the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas. These storms are a common sight in the country.
4. What is the area of Bhutan? The area of Bhutan is 38,394 sq km. This makes it a small, landlocked country.
5. What is the population of Bhutan? The population of Bhutan is 716,896. This is a relatively small population for a country.
6. How has Bhutan’s unique culture developed? Bhutan’s unique culture has developed over time because it is cut off from the rest of the world by the Great Himalayas. This isolation allowed gentle Buddhist beliefs to evolve.
7. What do Bhutanese men wear? Bhutanese men wear Gho. It is a knee-length robe.
8. What do Bhutanese women wear? Bhutanese women wear Kira. It is a sheet-like cloth piece.
9. How are Bhutanese houses built? Bhutanese houses are built from mud and stone, with wooden shingle roofs. They never use iron nails in their buildings.
10. How do Bhutanese people build each other’s houses? Bhutanese people build each other’s houses by exchanging labor within the community. This shows a strong sense of cooperation.
11. When are different festivals celebrated in Bhutan? Different festivals are celebrated all year round in Bhutan. These festivals are an important part of their culture.
12. What is used in the festivals to reflect Bhutanese culture? Colorful masks are used in the festivals. These masks reflect the rich Bhutanese culture.
13. Who performs dances in the festivals? Buddhist monks perform dances in the festivals. They do this to protect the valleys and ward off evil spirits.
14. What is the main religious festival in Bhutan? The main religious festival in Bhutan is called Tshechus. It is a very important event for the people.
15. How long do the Tshechus festivals last? The Tshechus festivals last for three to five days. During this time, Lord Buddha’s teachings are enacted.
16. Where are the teachings of Lord Buddha enacted during Tshechus? The teachings of Lord Buddha are enacted in the courtyard of the monasteries. This is where the mask dances are performed.
17. How do people attend the Tshechus events? People attend the Tshechus events in their best clothes. They also carry picnic baskets with them.
18. What is another major festival in Bhutan? Another major festival in Bhutan is called Losar. It is celebrated on Lunar New Year.
19. What do people do during Losar? During Losar, people cook special dishes and wear new clothes. It is a time for family get-togethers.
20. What do men play during Losar? Men play archery or darts during Losar. This is a traditional pastime.
21. What do women do during Losar? Women sing and dance during Losar. This adds to the festive atmosphere.
22. What has made Bhutan an ideal destination for environment lovers? Pure mountain air, crystal blue skies, and pristine vegetation cover have made Bhutan an ideal destination for environment lovers. The country is very clean and natural.
23. What does the ecosystem of Bhutan support? The ecosystem of Bhutan supports the existence of rich flora and fauna. These are protected by strict laws.
24. What is the punishment for killing a black-necked crane in Bhutan? Anyone found guilty of killing even a black-necked crane could be sentenced to life in prison. This shows how serious Bhutan is about protecting its wildlife.
25. What has the government of Bhutan done to protect its biodiversity? The government of Bhutan has taken a number of steps to protect its biodiversity. They have strict laws in place.
26. What is unique about Bhutan’s constitutional obligations regarding the environment? Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. This means environmental protection is part of their basic law.
27. According to the constitution, how much of the country must remain under forest cover? According to the constitution, at least 60 percent of the country must remain under forest cover at all times. This helps maintain a healthy ecosystem.
28. What other efforts are taken to protect the nation against? Efforts are also taken to protect the nation against the intrusion of foreign cultures and values. Bhutan wants to preserve its unique way of life.
29. When were the first foreign tourists allowed into Bhutan? The first foreign tourists were allowed into Bhutan in 1974. Before that, the country was largely closed off.
30. How is tourism encouraged in Bhutan now? Now, tourism is encouraged but is controlled and limited. They allow about 6,000 visitors a year.
31. What is Bhutan one of the last countries in the world to introduce? Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television and the Internet to its people. They adopted these technologies later than many other nations.
32. When did the government lift the ban on TV and the Internet? The government lifted a ban on TV and the Internet only in 1999. This was a relatively recent change.
33. What has the Bhutanese government made mandatory for all Bhutanese in public? The Bhutanese government has made it mandatory for all Bhutanese to wear only their national dress in public. This helps preserve their cultural identity.
34. What is the most interesting fact about Bhutan mentioned in the passage? The most interesting fact about Bhutan is that they are the only country that measures success in Gross National Happiness. They focus on happiness instead of just money.
35. What does Bhutan measure success in, instead of Gross National Product? Bhutan measures success in Gross National Happiness. This is a unique way of looking at a country’s progress.
36. In what year did Business Week rate Bhutan as the happiest country in Asia? In 2006, Business Week rated Bhutan as the happiest country in Asia. This was a notable achievement for the small nation.
37. What was Bhutan’s ranking as the happiest country in the world in 2006? In 2006, Bhutan was rated as the eighth happiest country in the world. This shows their success in prioritizing happiness.
38. Who protects the flora and fauna in Bhutan? The rich flora and fauna in Bhutan are protected by strict laws. These laws help preserve the country’s biodiversity.
39. What kind of roof do Bhutanese houses have? Bhutanese houses have wooden shingle roofs. This is a traditional building style.
40. When do Buddhist monks perform dances in festivals? Buddhist monks perform dances in festivals to protect the valleys and ward off evil spirits. Their performances have a spiritual purpose.
41. Why is the Bhutanese government trying to protect the nation against foreign cultures? The Bhutanese government is trying to protect the nation against the intrusion of foreign cultures and values to preserve its unique identity. They want to maintain their traditions.
42. How many visitors are allowed in Bhutan each year for tourism? Tourism in Bhutan is limited to about 6,000 visitors a year. This control helps manage the impact of tourism.
43. What happens in the courtyard of monasteries during Tshechus? The teachings of Lord Buddha are enacted through mask dances in the courtyard of the monasteries. This is the main part of the festival.
44. What do people carry to the Tshechus events? People carry picnic baskets to the Tshechus events. This makes the festival a community gathering.
45. What is Losar celebrated on? Losar is celebrated on Lunar New Year. It is a time for new beginnings.
46. Why is Losar a time for family get-together? Losar is a time for family get-together because people cook special dishes and wear new clothes. It’s a joyful occasion for families.
47. What makes Bhutan an ideal destination for environment lovers? Pure mountain air, crystal blue skies, and pristine vegetation cover make Bhutan an ideal destination for environment lovers. It’s a very natural and unspoiled country.
48. How does Bhutan ensure its forest cover remains at 60 percent? Bhutan ensures its forest cover remains at 60 percent through specific constitutional obligations. This commitment is written into their law.
49. What is the significance of not using iron nails in Bhutanese buildings? Not using iron nails in Bhutanese buildings reflects a traditional building method. It also shows a reliance on natural materials.
50. What does Gross National Happiness (GNH) mean for Bhutan? Gross National Happiness (GNH) means that Bhutan measures its success not just by economic wealth, but by the well-being and happiness of its people. It’s a focus on holistic development.