It’s not first
time that I heard about beggars in Thimphu being not only forceful but also
rude. There were instances when I heard of the beggars knocking the doors with
sticks instead of hand. And with increasing number each day, it’s not only
worrying to the residents but also a cause of concern for the government.
Frankly I was little convinced when I heard of such stories from various
sources including my cousin sister. However they were right!
Once it was my
friend who stays with a relative at Thimphu (NPPF colony) and was alone at
home, the owners were out to work. He heard a knock at the door. He didn’t give
damn on the first knock. Second time the
knock was even louder; little frustrated, he opened the door’s latch reluctantly
and he saw a man aged about fifties in ordinary gomchen’s attire. As soon as he
opened the door, even without a word from his mouth, the man stepped inside the
room and then started to talk. The man told that he resides at Paro Taktsang
doing meditation and that he came to collect annual ration. He also boasts of
so many other religious accomplishments and stories, which convinced my friend
that he was really a realized religious man. He felt touched with all those brags
and even though jobless himself (because he is a recent graduate) he searched
his wallet and gave the man one hundred ngultrum. There was a beam in
the man’s face, he could see it. But there was more to it. The man then began
another round of talk that shocks my friend.
“Ja cup thuragmawamo, tshampa tong
tongsangmachako” ( is there not even a cup of tea for dry throat of me,
tshampa?) came the words. Believing it and feeling pity, my friend went inside
the kitchen prepared a cup of tea and offered him. Then another surprise comes:
“Is there no Zaw?”
That was when my
friend began to doubt if this man was even a decent gomchen? He told that he
has no idea if there is anything as such for it was not his home. With much
difficulty, he managed to let the man go out of the house. That evening when
his relatives were home, he talked of the day’s incident only to receive some
hard-to-digest words.
The same thing
happened with me with the same Man! Fortunately I was along with my sister at
home. The time was about nine in the morning and we were having breakfast. The
door of the house was regrettably not latched. With just a murmur, (not even a
clear word!) out of no where came the man. He came directly into the room and
repeated the exact words he said to my friend. That was when I became certain of the man’s identity.
My sister told if I had Nu.20 or 30 to offer. The man heard our dialogue and it
was surprising to hear him say that he wants at least Nu. 50/-! I had no change
but he was again quick to answer about having change with him. After I gave him
50 bucks, he was inquiring if we had a cup of tea for him, immediately the
dialogues of my friend echoed in my head.
With changing
time the beggars also seem to have evolved and become demanding. I remember
reading someone’s blog of the same incident and I realize how true the
scenarios are now. So a word of caution to the residents of Thimphu; one should
never keep the doors un-latched.
It’s also
saddening to see the pristine spiritual religious being tainted by disguised as
above. It may not be a serious issue for now, but if certain cautions are not
taken, the numbers are on the rise and it will only become worse in the times
to come.
Interestingly
just a week ago, I found the same man at Paro bazaar and I was wondering when does
he starts his annual retreat at Paro Taktsang?
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