Trip Of Happiness

I will always cherish this trip which I undertook to Bhutan a couple of years ago. Bhutan, a small country nestled and tucked in the lap of the eastern Himalayas is favourably placed in the happiness index ranking of the United Nations. A country with a population of barely seven hundred thousand and surprisingly with a high gross domestic produce. Being landlocked, it is totally dependent on Indian Sea ports for its import and export of commodities. Although it has now a functional air port at Paro.

A friend of mine, an exporter of commodities to Bhutan had got an assignment from Bhutan government. So he wanted company and I slipped into the role of his companion for this trip.

We booked train ticket from Sealdah in Kolkata to Coochbehar in North Bengal. From there we took a cab ride to Jaigaon, the Indian town bordering Bhutan. The cab journey was superlative through the lush green forest of Chapramari interspersed periodically with tea bushes of tea gardens. After a spell of rainfall, the surrounding country side was decked in a blanket of green. We were in perfect harmony with our environment and felt very happy. At Jaigaon we crossed over to the town of Phuntsheoling in Bhutan.

We were really taken aback by the neat and clean surroundings of Bhutan.

The country had taken a lot of effort to maintain high standards of sanitation and cleanliness. We could understand that Bhutan ranks high in the happiness index just for nothing. All the indicators pointed towards this certification. The people all around wore a very happy look over their faces. Their needs were very limited it seemed. These were the main criterion for their happiness.

The next day, we being the guests of this Himalayan kingdom were driven to the capital Thimphu by the government vehicle.

At Thimphu, my friend started his work with the government agencies. So I was now a free bird. I began my solitary journey through the hills and valleys of this little kingdom. The hills had the rice fields in the shape of terraces by the side of the hills to prevent water from eroding the soil. They looked truly beautiful and blessed. The woman farm workers working in these fields continuously sang songs while working so making the environment more harmonious. The little narrow streams flowed down busyly over small rocks and boulders making a gurgling sound. The total environment seemed in harmony with nature. 

While traveling, I visited a Buddhist monastery . There I was fascinated by the prayer wheel. These wheels were to be turned in unison and then one had to move ahead. I spent time with the Buddhist monks and with their help read their ancient books and scriptures. I was truly in a grand dream of happiness. One day, I forced my friend to take time off and we visited Taktsang Monastery in Paro valley situated on a altitude of 3120 meters above sea level. Truly an amazing experience. 

No where I could hear fights or arguments. Everyone went about their work mechanically but with a happy disposition. Surprising that no one had any complain against anyone. 

Although, there was a court of justice. But what I learnt that it was not burdened with law cases like in India. The Police force complied with their duties with diligence and happiness. 

The education standard had improved recently and all the young citizens had to attend school compulsorily. Illiteracy was negligible. This was one important point for a rank in the happiness index. 

While crossing the road I noticed that the traffic came to a stand still and allowed me to pass safely and then they continued on their journey. This practice is followed in Europe, they say. 

The quality of women folk are very high, I found and there is little disparity with men. 

My friend's work had almost finished and now it was our turn to return. I felt very sad. How all this good life would end very soon and I would go back to my daily challenges and traffic chaos with energy soaking heat and humidity. 

Now, amidst all this slow, steady and happy life could lie an earth shattering challenge we were unaware of. 

My friend had all of a sudden lost his very important portfolio bag. With this loss the ground moved apart under our feet. It contained the contract papers for which he had come so far. It also contained the advance payment cheque for the first consignment. Even our return tickets back to our homes were gone with it. All the hard work done had suddenly turned to naught. 

We were totally flabbergasted. Our future steps were absolutely uncertain and unclear. 

Much later we had come to know that we had a competitor and he was our compatriot. That he had also come to Bhutan to participate in the tender in which my friend had participated and had won. There were a couple of participants from Bhutan also. 

The local Police started the investigation. But fortunately, we had to overstay by two days only and by this time we got the good news . 

My friend received his portfolio bag by courier the next day. On checking the contents he found it to be intact. The only difference was that the papers seemed that they had been washed or they had passed through water. Further investigation showed that the portfolio bag was sent from my friend's Kolkata office. A telephone call later confirmed this news. My friend's office staff had called confirming our receipt. He further said that someone by name of Dorji had sent the package by courier and the contents were wet. My friend immediately recognised the name Dorji as his competitor and he told the Police so. 

The Police questioned Dorji the local competitor of my friend. Dorji said that he had found the portfolio bag lying in the mountain river bed caught within the web of the riverine reeds. He knew that the bag belonged to my friend but fearing by returning it to him it may be construed that he had a hand in it's disappearance so didn't take risk and sent it to my friend's head office address . This behavior reflected the honesty in their character and due to which the high happiness index . However, the Police took cognisance of the offence and decided to question all the participants of the Bhutan government tender. 

At this time a Bhutan government official gave an alarming news. He said that my friend's compatriot had tried to bribe him to influence his case. 

Finally, my friend's only Indian compatriot broke down under pressure and revealed his crime. He said that he had felt jealous on not being able to secure the contract. So he had secretly stolen the portfolio bag and being undecided what to do with it had disposed it off by chucking the bag down from above through the open windows. 

The Bhutan government department replaced the wet contract papers with new papers and paid by a new cheque. 

Our happiness restored we returned home with a contented mind from the trip of happiness.