Page 33 - BHUTAN 2007

More distressing still is the contempt with which these poor folks are
considered and treated by the Bhutanese citizens. In all candor and with no

shame whatever, our polite and considerate guide informed us that the

Indians are just not equal to the Bhutanese. One day he was telling us that

when addressing each other, Bhutanese people customarily add the syllable

“la” to a greeting when meeting others. For instance, when we met monks
coming down mountain paths, Kelzang would say in Drongzah, “Good

Morning, la.” He would use that construction in greeting both men and

women. As part of our efforts to understand the place of the Indians in the

Bhutanese society, we asked him if he would use that term of respect when

addressing an Indian, either male or female, young or old. He looked
thoroughly confused and a bit surprised but he answered, “Certainly not.”

However, he became quiet and it appeared that he had never considered