Bamboo Bound: A Young Bhutanese Craftsman’s Experience in India

Dorji Wangchuk, a 22-year-old who dropped out of class 10, was among the seven participants who went on an exposure and a knowledge-sharing visit to India in 2023. Hailing from Kheng Nagor in Mongar district, Dorji shared his experience of the trip, saying, “It was my first time flying as well as my first visit to India,” with a smile. “Learning about how bamboo is used by the people there was an eye-opening, as it exposed me to new possibilities. I am grateful to the Tarayana Foundation for giving me this opportunity,” he added.

During the trip, Dorji was impressed by how bamboo was utilized efficiently, ensuring the use of every part with zero wastage. He was surprised to see bamboo being carved into office decorations and teapot sets, which he had not known was possible before.

He said, “Previously, I used to work with wood carpentry, but it had many challenges. Trees take years to grow, and there is a lot of competition in the wood carpentry market. However, with bamboo, there is less competition currently, and bamboo only takes two to three years to grow, so I decided to shift my focus to bamboo carpentry.”

Until now, Dorji has been making furniture from bamboo, but after the knowledge and experiences gained from the trip, he plans to expand his product range to include home decor items and kitchen utensils such as spoons, cups, and water bottles made from bamboo. He learned carpentry from his mother while he was in the 8th grade, and his entrepreneurial training further fueled his aspirations. Dorji is determined to share the knowledge and skills he acquired from the trip with his friends in the community so that they can all grow together. He said, “I am not going to keep the knowledge to myself. Instead, I will share it with my friends back in the community and let them know what I learned from the trip. Together, we can all benefit and prosper.”