Bhutan- a breath of fresh air!

"In a world obsessed with more,it is very easy to forget the beauty of less"

In this world of capitalism, consumption, and self-gratification—where worth is measured by social media likes, wealth, and status; happiness is validated by the approval of others; even a simple smile or a kind gesture is dissected for ulterior motives; where religion becomes a pawn in political games; and people wage wars over imaginary gods and long-dead historical figures; where development often means destruction of nature; intolerance and hatred grow like the heads of Hydra, and happiness and hope are locked away in Pandora’s box—this world, ravaged by war, famine, corruption, and cruelty, reeks of decay so strong that even the gods have forsaken,cursing humans to their doom.

And yet, in the midst of all this chaos, Bhutan felt like a breath of fresh air—a land of smiles.

As our guide aptly put it: “Smile Sir, we don’t charge you for that!” while we were posing for our mandatory immigration photos!

I didn’t sit down today to rant about what’s broken in our society—that would take up an entire blog (and possibly future editions!). I’m here to offer a sliver of hope, a glimpse of what I saw in Bhutan—the land of happiness.

The people are genuinely happy and truly content with what they have. All basic amenities like healthcare and education are taken care of by the government. I didn’t see any grudge, nor even a simmer of anger in their voices. They radiate peace, living by the maxim “less is more.” And this individual happiness culminates in societal well-being. Perhaps it's the influence of Buddhism, or maybe nature itself has taught them to live in harmony.

At the Paro Festival, I witnessed a sense of community that felt like stepping back into a time we’ve forgotten. Families picnicked under willow trees beside the river, with the beautiful Paro Dzong towering above. There were no loudspeakers, no influencers staging reels, no disturbances—just authentic, joyful celebration.

This stood in stark contrast to the individualism many of us now practice.

And then, the civic sense: Bhutan maynot be the wealthiest kid in the block,but certainly she is well behaved. No honking. No traffic lights. No litter on the hillsides. No catcalls or eve-teasing, even late at night. No beggars. No drunk driving—even though there are plenty of pubs around. And all this not out of fear of law, but from a deep-rooted sense of responsibility. You don’t need police or CCTVs when society sees order as a shared duty.

Culture thrives here,be it the art,the music,the attire(they are lovely!), the food or the religion. The architecture of Bhutan—hotels, homes, cafés—resembles a string of pearls nestled in nature’s lap. Uniform in style, yet each uniquely beautiful. The Dzongs and Lhakhangs of Punakha and Gangtey are adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant paintings, each cloaked in legends and whispered secrets. It feels as though nature and people are in rivalry to please Persephone. A small insider tip, do visit in spring to witness the beautiful Mask Dance and the flowers bloom in shades of pink and blue and red,admist the green mountains and the yellow ricefields of the valley forming a stark contrast to the different hues of green.

And no society can be forward without the true empowerment of the women. Women in Bhutan enjoy real empowerment. Whether running businesses, holding government positions, or inheriting property, they stand as equals. Society is progressive,with no dowry, and live in are not frowned upon.There’s visible gender equality and a noteworthy division of power—the monks, for instance, do not have voting rights (perhaps something to consider elsewhere?).

Let’s not forget the food. Mild, aromatic, and wholesome—Bhutanese cuisine is largely non-vegetarian, with dishes like pork and beef satay served with their signature red rice. A word of advice—always order in advance. Some hotels, trying to please the “rude, ever-fussy, bossy” Indian tourists, may serve stale imported fish instead of fresh local fare. And don’t miss the Bhutanese tea (Suja—mildly buttery!).

I have run out of adjectives for the people—loving, caring, happy, educated and sometimes a wicked sense of humor. Far from dull or prudish, the Bhutanese are vibrant and fun-loving. They enjoy karaoke, sip on excellent Ara (rice whiskey) and peach wine (a personal favorite), and chew betel nuts—without staining the streets red! And there is some awesome Bhutanese rock songs too!

And if you’re a shopaholic like me, Bhutan won’t disappoint. From stunning Thankas and wooden masks to organic honey, beef jerky, and yes—even wooden phalluses. Don’t be shy—they’re not taboo here. In fact, phallic art is celebrated as a symbol of fertility and protection. Painted on walls or hung from doorways, they’re believed to ward off evil spirits—much like our nimbu-mirchi. (Pro tip: get a good guide to hear the fascinating folklore behind them!)

And after shopping or trekking (do consider Tiger’s Nest and the Phobjikha Valley trek), you must experience an authentic hot stone bath to soothe your nerves.

Before I sign off, a heartfelt apology on behalf of all those Indian tourists who treat every destination like their "baap ki zamindari",simply because they’ve paid for a tour.

Laso La (Goodbye)—and may you find your own breath of fresh air.