Dawa Moves On ......

Contd from pg 1/-

After I finished reading and explaining the last two pages of the novel, I also shared with them my feelings of the previous night when I was going through the last few pages, preparing for the lesson. I told them that many of them will be successful in life, but only a handful of them may be coming back to CHSS as a teacher. They will replace the elderly teachers like me and teach a new generation of students. But whatever it may be, they will have lots of fond memories and they will be contented with their memories and achievements. , I requested the class to give a round of applause for Ashi Kunzang Choden for writing such a beautiful novel. Generations of Bhutanese students have already been fed on this value-laden novel and many more should be. I still remember having taught this novel some 9 years back!

There can’t be any better ending to the novel: Dawa looking down at the valley and getting apprehensive of its growing size. But he is happy for the capital and his love for his motherland; his patriotic feelings come to the fore. Jamyang asked me how would I have ended the novel, if I was the author. I told him in reply that writers like Mrs. Kunzang Choden are not born every day. They are blessed people, meant for all times and places. I was not sure if I would have wanted to end the novel any differently. But if I had to make any change at all, I would try to find a soulmate for our own Dawa. I would try to do that as Dawa is not getting any younger. In fact he is very old now. Most of the dogs do not know him and even if some do, they do not seem to trust him all that much. So who is going to care for him in his old age? He has no children of his own. If he has a partner, life would be still meaningful and pleasurable for him and the two of them can stay happily ever after.

All said and done, Jamyang seemed happy as the bell for the recess rang. As I was coming out of the class, I heard someone speaking in a singsong voice in my mind. Thank you so..oo very much, Ashi Kunzang Choden for writing such a graceful, value-laden novel. The constant presence of having Dawa Koto in our daily diet, will keep generations of Bhutanese youth healthy, happy and rooted to the ground and remind them of their role and responsibility of keeping this god-blessed country green and gorgeous for ages to come.

P.S: I would like to blog about some of the incredible questions we discussed along with the MCQs, nearly 40 in number, made by Class-IX A in the next couple of blogs.