Samtse (Samchi)

Dr. M. K. Rai (Votes Received in 2007: 7,996 votes)
Dr. Mani Kumar Rai, 63, is a bureaucrat, technocrat and a business executive. He is a veterinary doctor and worked in civil service for years.

He joined the civil service as a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in 1972 and served in many districts and was instrumental in development in the livestock sector. Dr. Mani initiated the present institutional networking of the country’s veterinary services with the Regional and International Institutions. He was also instrumental in the Fishery Development Program in Gelephu (Gaylegphug) during his tenure in Southern Region for increasing the income of the rural population. He became Assistant Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry under Ministry of Agriculture in Bumthang in 1975 and rose to the position of regional Animal Husbandry Officer in Sarbhang in two years later. Between 1984 and 86 he served as Superintendent of Animal Husbandry in Thimphu and Joint Director of the department between 1986 and 1989. In 1991 he was accredited as the first Permanent Delegate of Bhutan to O.I.E. (World Organization for Animal Health) where he worked for nine years and returned to work as Director of the Bhutan Agro Industries until he retired.

He retired from the service in 2002. After retirement, he worked as Business Executive with Tashi Group of Companies in Phuentsholing, Chukha, Bhutan from 2003 to 2007.

Additionally, he was also the Chairman of Bhutan Dairy Limited ( 1996 to 2000), Member of Technical Committee, Planning Commission of Bhutan, Member of the Board of Directors of Druk Seed Corporation and Member of Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (2001 & 2002)

Born on June 24, 1950 in Bahunitar, Chargharey in Samtse (Samchi) he has completed Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A,H).

Narayan Dahal
Narayan Dahal, 35, from Yoeseltse (Ghumauney), believes life is all about collaboration and contribution for a better society.

Having worked with the Bank of Bhutan (BoB) and the private sector, Narayan Dahal has 11 years of working experience.

After graduating from Sherubtse College in 2002 with a bachelor of economics (hons), he worked with BoB as a banking officer, and later as a branch manager in Dagana.

He resigned from the bank and pursued a master’s in business administration at Anna University in Chennai, India. After completing his master’s, he started a consultancy firm focused on human resource and business management.

Chhatrapati Phuyel
Chhatrapati Phuyel from Dophuchen under Dorokha block couldn’t make it into the upper house in 2007 election. He has returned to the race again.

Phuyel has a master’s degree in Nepali language and literature, from Tribhuwan University in, Nepal. He also has a master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University, India.

Prior to the 2007 election, he worked with Bhutan Broadcasting service limited for seven years as a program producer, news editor and television programer.

Ganesh Ghimiray
Having worked in a private sector for almost two decades, Ganesh Ghimiray, 43, now wants to play an active part in the democratic process by contesting for a seat in National Council.

He worked as tour operator. With a double Masters degree in international tourism and hotel management from Thailand and Australia, Ganesh Ghimiray said four candidates for Samtse means ample choices for people in the district.

Sangay Khandu
Sangay Khandu, a former chimi holds a degree in political science from Rangsit University in Thailand after he was sent to complete his studies partially sponsored by the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa party.

Although considered a potential candidate for the party in 2008, he could not compete for a seat in the assembly because he did not have the basic qualification required to contest for the parliamentary elections. He, however, campaigned for DPT.

Dhan Kumar Ghalley
Former educationist DK Ghalley holds a master’s in education from Archarya Nagarjuna University in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Ghalley resigned as the principal of Betekha middle secondary school in Paro to join the politics. DK Ghalley had served with the education ministry for 28 years, mostly as principal in schools across the country, including those in remote areas.

Khada Nanda Dhakal
Fifty-four-year-old, Khara Nanda Dhakal was in education sector for the past 34 years. Dhakal from Denchukha last served as the vice-principal of Mongar higher secondary school.

Khara Nanda Dhakal, who taught English and history, said as he was the first person to get a bachelor’s degree from his village then, and that people had faith in him.

Chungdu Tshering
Chungdu Tshering, 32, from Samtse thromde was a media person. He was also the People’s Democratic Party candidate in 2008 for Samtse-Pugli constituency, and later resigned from the party to join a newspaper.

A graduate from the Institute of Language and Culture Studies, he was the deputy chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Druk Neytshuel, a private Dzongkha paper.