Farewell to Mr. Towla.

Today we the staff, chaired by the Program Director has come together to bid farewell to Mr.Towla. He has served for the last 32 years in the civil service; older than the age of the most of the staff here. Due to the covid-19 situation and subsequent directives from the government, we could not organize the formal gathering for his farewell. So at one point it incites a sense of an embarrassment as well as an resentment for this discrepancy.

As for Mr.Towla, he has started his career from as a lab technician at Paro and came a very long way this far. Today as he retires to home, he is overwhelmed with emotions. He is one of the most silent staff and who did not know how to deny things. Man of few words but larger actions. His retirement itself is a testament how he has humbly served the nation to his ability. Today, there are many incidences of people being sacked out in connection with corruption, fund embezzlement or any other sorts of unhealthy practices. In the contrary, he has adhered to the principles of ethics, morals, and values in his code of conduct. His friendliness and amiable personality has gathered the trust of his colleagues, boss, and from all walks of life. This is an inspiration to all the young staff at the center.

As we bid him adieus, perhaps it is good privilege to reflect the retirement stories from the past and reserve considerations for our future retirement. Some years from now, it would be our generations to leave the service go home. My father is also near to his retirement and I can feel the anxiety and anxiousness for his post retirement. Things are worst for those who have little children and elders to look after.

Only few while in civil service emphasize on saving money and planning for our future. Often some of the most diligent workers but failed to plan for their future bears the brunt of their mistake in later life. At the end of the career life, although accolades, appreciations and stashed up certificated may give some sense of achievement but are short lived. The worries and apprehensions supersede the same and the anxiety simply magnifies.

Some have little children at home after retirement. They worry about their upbringing, education etc. Some have no home to go back retire peacefully. Not everybody is wealthy enough to build houses and settle down with heads held high. Many stories of, otherwise a distinguished civil servant, often holding significant post such as Dashos not being able to handle post retirement decently. Some people often suffer from alcoholism and related issues. For instance, my dad shared me an incident of his encounter with his old mate who was once a distinguished principal in some school. He was shocked to see him in rags and begging for money.

Having said that so, there are many who are able to manage their affairs meticulously. It may appear as frugal and stingy for saving smalls from anything they get but at the days end these are people who keep themselves out of the harm’s way. Some people although not ethical invest into business and make money. Covertly doing business in the name of their spouse etc and making profits. What are the perspectives we can deduce from this; as contemptuous as it may look they are meticulous manager. The best ones are those, who have nothing at the time of their retirement except the meager benefits but venture into a successful business.

As a standing civil servant, what can we learn? Should we compromise everything and continue saving money? As far as the things are concerned, we can take a middle path. We may save little, open nominal recurrent account in the bank. Many financial institutions today provide different money saving schemes; we could avail those service. We cannot limit the essential expenditure but we can restrict our lavish lifestyle. Unnecessary loans are the most common factor affecting the livelihood of us. Those could be avoided.

Generally we Bhutanese are carefree and lavish in spending. Perhaps inspired by the principles of Buddhist teachings , we only take care of present . In the contrary Indians are very scrupulous in their expenditure and they hoard whatever they get making them appear as a miser and selfish. This could be an influence of our environment during our infancy. Hardships, struggles and misery instill the value of things into the minds.