DPT confirms new candidate for Lhamoizingkha- Tashiding

Prem Kumar Khatiwara, 48, will replace the former Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) candidate Hemant Gurung to contest from Lhamoizingkha- Tashiding constituency of Dagana Dzongkhag.

Holding a B.Ed. Secondary (Mathematics/Physics) degree, he has worked in various schools like Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, Nima Higher Secondary School and Pelkhil School where he taught classes X-XII.

He said that his decision to join politics was not a planned move but he believes many things happen for the first time in one’s life for a reason.

Citing his reason for joining DPT, he said, that the party’s vision of equity and justice, in itself is inspiring for every Bhutanese who loves his or her country.  “The way decisions are made with the consensus of all the DPT well-wishers rather than just the elected members is a sign of true democracy practiced by the party,” he said.

Prem Kumar Khatiwara said that he joined politics because he believes that he can make a difference.

“ For instance, it is my dream to have urban to rural migration one day though it might take some time.”

He added that he has adequate knowledge of agriculture and forestry as he is a farmers’ son.

“Additionally, I have some knowledge of engineering as I worked as a menial worker, a helper to a mason and became a mason myself.  I now know the importance of education for a country as I spent 23 years in teaching as well. The experience I have can be utilized for the upliftment of my birthplace which is my constituency.”

Prem Kumar Khatiwara has witnessed how people from Nichula Gewog where he is from risked their lives to visit the Basic Health Unit across the swollen Sunkosh River.

He narrated how four months of summer would cut off the gewog from the rest of the country unless people risked their lives crossing the river in a boat.

“The same river is devouring Lhamoizingkha every summer. The controversial and ill-fated Dalbaari road is producing stones and rocks which is hampering the environment, killing the trees and turning some areas into deserts. The same rocks and stones that could have been used to protect Lhamoizingkha from getting washed away by the Sunkosh river are getting deposited uselessly on the river bank,” he said, “When I requested some officials to do something about it, they laughed at me. This incident taught me the lesson that if you are in mainstream politics, it can make a huge difference.”

Chencho Dema from Thimphu