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Ata always smiles, i vividly remember his smile was so contagious, it lifted me every time i met him. A huge lift in positivity and energy each time he smiled.

I have a huge respect for Ata Yeshi, wonderful man, my singing and traditional music coach, but in time Ata so engrossed in his own music world, he don't communicate as much. Ata always smiles, i vividly remember his smile was so contagious, it lifted me every time i met him. A huge lift in positivity and energy each time he smiled.

I recorded countless music album with Ata Yeshi while i was studying at Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School and later Darjeeling Govt.College,(University of North Bengal 1999-2002), 

Tremendously helpful to pay off my university debts. I shouldn't forget to THANKS my lovely Ana Thinley (Music Druk) , Neten Dorji (Sound Engineer, BBS) Ata Kinley (PEl-Vision) and  Pradeep (Kolkata) for  post production & marketing. You guys are awesome.

Ata Yeshi

After retired from RAPA, he was music composer and Musicians with Tashi Nencha, later with Pel-Vision. Now he have his own Professional Recording Studio in Thimphu. The Best Recording Studio in Bhutan, Ata does Great Recording, Mixing Engineers and Music Production.

Ata has composed numerous HIT traditional songs namely,  LA THO YA ME THO DOCHULA,  PHARGI PANGSHO, KHARANG ZALAY ODO and many MORE. Ata Yeshi motivated hundred thousands musicians and singers in and around Bhutan.

Salute you for your bravery-Tshering Choden.

“In 2006 when there was very minimal awareness of HIV in the country, I went to have my routine checkup for my pregnancy and was told that I had HIV. Everyone at the time referred to it as the ‘untreatable disease of AIDS’. As one may imagine, I was scared. Thankfully, I received proper counseling from health workers, and they helped me follow a plan so that my unborn child would not be infected. The mother must take medication for HIV and compulsorily go to the hospital for child-delivery. After delivery, the baby is also given medication and tested after two years. They told me that a baby has a 5-10% chance of transmission during pregnancy, 10-15% during birth, and 25-30% through breastfeeding. I have four kids. Thankfully all of them are HIV-negative. The three kids born after my diagnosis were never breastfed. I only fed them lactogen that the hospital provided us till the baby turned one.

In 2011 on World AIDS day, a few HIV-positive people including my husband and I came forward on TV. Initially when my husband told me about this plan, I was strictly against it. I even told him that I wanted to separate if he went through with it. "However, around November that year, I realized that if I came forward with my story I would be able to share my experience as an uneducated woman diagnosed with a scary disease that people did not know much about. I believed that it might help people going through similar situations and ease the stigma around HIV."

In the following years, awareness has increased and stigma, although prevalent, has been reduced.

Tshering Choden

After coming out on TV, I was evidently discriminated against. Everyone knew about my status as an HIV patient and when I started weaving, an activity I was interested in, with a group of people in Changzamtog I was told to leave in just two weeks. The owner told my sister that she could stay but complaints flew in from customers just because I was working there. They thought that if I pricked my hand and my blood stained the clothes I was weaving, anyone who touched it would be infected, which is not true.

However, the situation has improved slightly over the years and Lhaksam has played a huge role in it. Before, people did not know the difference between HIV and AIDS. But now most know that HIV is not transmitted through mere physical or verbal contact or even from sharing bathrooms, although a lot of silly notions still exist. There is a center for Lhaksam at Genekha where we host HIV positive people who don’t have means to earn a livelihood or are from very remote places where they cannot avail medication and treatment. We give them work here at the center. There are about 30 people right now, including around 12 kids. Some of these kids are living with HIV and others are simply here with their parents. There is a school close by so they go there. Most of them do not complain about discrimination at school but we have had instances of these kids finding it difficult to make friends because of where they come from.

"Getting sick is never fun, even when it is something as mild as the flu. HIV is a lifelong condition and one that requires a lot of care, medication and will power. I want to urge everyone to learn all preventative measures. We can never tell who has HIV, so it is always important to be careful and practice safe sex.”

- Tshering Choden

Lhak-Sam, Bhutan Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS BNP+

Photo-@Lhaksam

#HumansofThimphu #HumanStories #Thimphu #WorldAIDSDay #MakeHIVHistory

Story Source: Thimphu Page.

His Majesty The King's Royal Address from Punakha Dzong || on 17th December 2020 || 113th National Day.

His Majesty The King's Royal Address from Punakha Dzong || on 17th December 2020 || 113th National Day.

His Majesty The King Addressed the Nation from the historic Punakha Dzong. 

-His Majesty granted Kashos for the reform of the Civil Service and Education on the auspicious occasion. 

The public did not attend commemoration of National Day at the venue due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings. Thousands of people instead listened to the Royal Address and viewed the ceremony and National Day entertainment programme on television.

His Majesty the King’s Speech, On the 7th of November, 2008, Changlimithang, Thimphu.

It is with immense joy that we are gathered together on this most auspicious day. In these last 100 years the dreams and aspirations of our forefathers and the vision of our Kings have been fulfilled beyond all expectations. The wise and selfless leadership of our kings, the sacrifice and hard work of generations of Bhutanese and the special bond between the People and King have given us this unique and special nation – a jewel of the earth.

Two years ago, at a time of profound change I came onto the Throne as a young King. You, my people, in the spirit of generations past, worked with me with complete faith and gave me your wholehearted cooperation and goodwill. Thus, in these two short years while we have taken gigantic steps towards strengthening our nation, we have done so in a calm, deliberate manner in complete harmony. It is with great pride that we stand as a new democracy, having successfully completed an unprecedented and historic transition.

Yet we must always remember that as our country, in these changing times finds immense new challenges and opportunities, whatever work we do, whatever goals we have – and no matter how these may change in this changing world – ultimately without peace, security and happiness we have nothing. That is the essence of the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Our most important goal is the peace and happiness of our people and the security and sovereignty of the nation.

Our generation of Bhutanese have been gifted a strong, dynamic nation by our forefathers. I am confident that as long as we are willing to work with their commitment and dedication and follow their example we can bring greater peace, happiness and prosperity to our country.

I am confident because I know the worth and character of our people. You are the true jewel of this nation. As citizens of a spiritual land you treasure the qualities of a good human being – honesty, kindness, charity, integrity, unity, respect for our culture and traditions, love for our country and for God. Throughout our history our parents have upheld these values and placed the common good above the self.

"My deepest concern is that as the world changes we may lose these fundamental values on which rest our character as a nation and people."

 It is critical that we are able to recognize Bhutanese character irrespective of how far we look back into the past or into the future. The Bhutan we see is vastly different – unrecognizable even – when compared to the Bhutan in the time of our first King. Yet, the character of our people and the nature of our fundamental values have remained unchanged.

Henceforth, as even more dramatic changes transform the world and our nation, as long as we continue to pursue the simple and timeless goal of being good human beings, and as long as we strive to build a nation that stands for everything that is good, we can ensure that our future generations for hundreds of years will live in happiness and peace.

The 5th Druk Gyalpo His Majesty the King JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK.

It is not because I am King that I ask these of you. Destiny has put me here. It is with immense gratitude and humility that at this young age, I assume the sacred duty to serve a special people and country.

"Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality."

"As the king of a Buddhist nation, my duty is not only to ensure your happiness today but to create the fertile ground from which you may gain the fruits of spiritual pursuit and attain good Karma.

This is how I shall serve you as King."

I cannot end without addressing our most important citizens – our youth. The future of our nation depends on the worth, capabilities and motivation of today’s youth. Therefore, I will not rest until I have given you the inspiration, knowledge and skills so that you will not only fulfill your own aspirations but be of immense worth to the nation. This is my sacred duty. A strong motivated young Bhutan guarantees a strong bright future.

The future is neither unseen nor unknown. It is what we make of it. What work we do with our two hands today will shape the future of our nation. Our children’s tomorrow has to be created by us today.

I end with a prayer for Bhutan – that the sun of peace and happiness may forever shine on our people. I also pray that while I am but King of a small Himalayan nation, I may in my time be able to do much to promote the greater wellbeing and happiness of all people in this world – of all sentient beings.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Due to COVID-19, has meant that the National Day will be celebrated differently, in view of the importance of this occasion for the people of Bhutan, especially in a year that has tested our strength and resolve, and required that we exhibit our unity and determination like never before, His Majesty The King has Commanded that the National Day Celebrations be held in a manner befitting the occasion while adhering to all the safety protocols necessary. 

The 113th National Day Celebrations have therefore been opened beyond the venue to the entire Bhutanese population, who are invited to join from the comfort of their own homes.  Internet shall serve as platforms through which to participate in the celebrations this year.

Offering prayers to the embodiment of Rigsum Gonpo on His 65th birth annivesary.

- His Majesty the King, 17th November 2014

Offering prayers to the embodiment of Rigsum Gonpo on His 65th birth annivesary.

NGA CHUDRUGMA-NGAWANG NAMGYEL

His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo brought the nation out of darkness to light. For the remarkable transformation His Majesty brought to the nation, the people consider His Majesty to be the embodiment of Rigsum Gonpo. When the nation’s security was threatened, his form was like Vajrapani (Chana Dorji) defending bravely the country without fear for his life. His Majesty took the cause of wellbeing and happiness of his beloved people like a manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokitesharva (Chenrizig). The clarity of His Majesty’s visionary policies that still shine and guide us in our path of good development was similar to that emanating from Manjushri (Jambayang).

 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, (The founding father)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, (The founding father) is revered more as a Bodhisattva than anything else. Still, the Zhabdrung was much more than that. He was an extraordinary administrator, an accomplished monk, talented in all the thirteen arts and crafts and a strict vegan whose daily diet composed of milk and fruits.

Modern Bhutan will do well to go beyond reverance and learn from his administration style instead of only reading text books from the West. For example, Zhabdrung travelled extensively so that people need not take the trouble to come to see him. He believed in not taxing the people and maintained that the government should so good that the people will pay tributaries to run the administration.

Here in this piece, though, I would like to dwell on his great military strategies.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel was confronted with a series of invasions from Tibet during his reign. However, he did everything to minimize the casualties and just repel the invaders. Besides, he never set off on any conquest of a foreign land. He never wielded a sword. More often that not, he won without fighting. And thus, as contemporary historian Tshering Tashi puts it, he was a true Buddhist warrior. 

His biggest feat was in 1648-49, when a joint Tibetan-Mongol forces launched, what was perhaps the largest military campaign then. Gushri Khan, the Mongol warlord in Tibet and a direct descendent of Genghis Khan, felt the need to vindicate the loss of 1644 and despatched his troops under the command of Depa Norbu – the nephew of Tibetan Regent Sonam Chophel. Interestingly, the Mongols had not lost a single war ever since the Great Genghis set out to bring under his domain, of what could be the largest land mass in the history of the World under a single empire. From the coastal lines of Sea of Japan to the gates of Vienna, the Mongols have seen nothing but victories.

The joint Tibetan-Mongol invasion of 1648 was not just to reclaim the sacred relic, Rangjung Kharsapani, but also to capture the Zhabdrung and occupy the whole country. Tibet under the fifth Dalai Lama, Lobzang Gyatsho, was going through its golden period. Drukyul was invaded from two directions – Paro and and Punakha. A small contingent was also despatched to Thimphu where they managed to occupy Kawang Dzong*. It was the winter of 1648. 

The Bhutanese were also prepared by then. The central administration in Punakha was well established and two third of modern-day Bhutan was under its domain. Pazaps from Sha (Wangdue), Wang (Thimphu) and Paro valley made a formidable strength but was still far incomparable to the massive invading forces. Besides, unlike the professional war machines, the Bhutanese were mostly peasants and farmers who came forward in times of need. Still, the Bhutanese commanders were ready to face the enemies immediately – perhaps frustrated by the frequent intrusions from the North. They sought the permission to attack but Zhabdrung refused – ordering to prolong the war and not engage the intruders.

In Punakha the invaders were camped at Jiligang overlooking Punakha Dzong. At one point, to deceive them, Zhabdrung ordered the pazaps to file out from one gate and enter from the other – once in the morning and once in the evening. The invaders were made to believe that a large number of soldiers were stationed inside the Dzong and were going on daily rounds.

In another deception, a full ceremony of the immersion of Rangjung Kharsapani into Mochu was staged to fool the onlooking invaders into assuming that the Bhutanese really threw the sacred relic into the river.

Months passed, spring came and still Zhabdrung held the orders to attack. The Tibetans thought the Bhutanese had given up. Then, on one moonless night, the order was passed and the Bhutanese, in Paro, led by Paro Penlop Tenzin Drukdra launched a massive raid of the enemy camps – taking them by surprise. The captive Tibetan and Mongol soldiers, on the orders of Zhabdrung, were treated like guests, disarmed and freed back to Tibet. Depa Norbu managed to flee – facing wide criticism back home. 

When the news of the defeat in Paro reached Punakha, the invaders went into a total disarray, at which point the Bhutanese attacked. This time in broad daylight – energized by the victory in Paro. The warmer climate had also brought hot weather, sand flies and bees that the invaders had no immunity to. Religious historians and oral sources attribute this to the works of Guardian deities, while western-trained historians maintain that the Zhabdrung waited for the hot summer to engage with the Tibetan who were used to only to cold weather. Some scholars assume that many Tibetan soldiers could have fallen sick by then. 

Following the victory, though, Zhadrung Ngawang Namgyel did not celebrate. He was deeply saddened by the deaths. He commanded rituals and moelams to be conducted in all the temple across the country – in the memory of the dead from both camps. Later that year, he was 56 years old then, he commissioned a massive religious project to make over 11 million miniature statues of Buddha in memory of all the war victims in the all the invasions that took place. He worked together with the artisans, ensuring each and every statue, and late into the night for months. This apparently took a heavy toll on his health. Then came the news of the death of his only granddaughter. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel was further distressed and went through some serious health problems. He made frequent trips to Chuphu Tshachu in hope of gaining back his health. 

Then when he saw his end was nearing, he retreated into the Machen Lhakhang of Punakha Dzong – issuing instructions that no one should disturb him. The year was 1651. It is believed that he passed away on this day as per the Bhutanese calendar – the 10th Day of the 3rd Month.

AMAZANG PUNAKHA DZONG.

RANGSHEKHAR GONPA, EAST:BHUTAN.

Zangthopelri Rangshekar Gonpa is located at a serene place above the village of Rangshekar, (11km from Trashigang Town) Eastern Bhutan. Gonpa was founded by His Holiness Jigme Chogyal Rinpoche. His Holiness was born in the year 1936. He received all the Nyingma transmissions from His father The Great Drupthop Dekiling Yeshi Lhuendrup from early age. 

 ༄༅། །ཟངས་མདོག་དཔལ་རི་རང་གཞི་མཁར་དགོན་པ། བཀྲིས་སྒང་།

His Holiness practice meditation for many many years including TSA LUNG meditation (Tsa Lung works with both the body and the breath. Also, this technique combines movements of the body (subtle body channels – nadi) while holding the breath and visualizations, to open channels, release blockages and restore the healthy flow of prana (energy). 

Jigme Chogyal Rinpoche also studied with several Masters such as Lama Sonam Zangpo (1888-1982) being the direct disciple of Togden Shakya Shri  aka Drubwang Shakya Shri (1853-1919) and accomplished a serious of tantric practices. He is venerated for displaying various miracles as well as for his healing powers. 

ZANGTHOPELRI, RANGSHEKHAR GONPA.

Rinpoche is very humble human being  and great meditation master. He has many followers and devotees all over Bhutan and especially in eastern regions. Many followers get initiations and empowerment from rinpoche as and when they request. Rinpoche has constructed a huge Buddha Shakyamuni together with smaller statues telling his Buddha’s life. During consecration ceremony, a holy water (drupchu) started  flow from the alleviated Lord Buddha Statues head with triple rainbow sign in the sky. Simply amazing... breath taking, elevating us beyond the beyond in a feeling of a happiness explosion, every one must visit.

GHABU RINPOCHE

ABOUT HIS HOLINESS GHABU RINPOCHE:

His Holiness Ghabu Rinpoche was recognized as The emanation of Great Mahasidha. His Holiness Ghabu Rinpoche studied traditional subjects from several masters, including from his father. His Holiness meditated for many years which includes TSA LUNG meditation and also received the major teachings of Tibetan Buddhist schools. Moreover, there are several incidents of miracles performed by His Holiness.  The Great Drupthop Dekiling Memey Yeshi Lhuendrup is the Grandfather of Rinpoche. 

TEACHING:

Rinpoche is a regular speaker in social media group especially in WeChat and addresses teaching on the topics Buddhism in the modern world, death and dying, and meditation and happiness. The goal of addresses is to examine both the capacity and the resilience of Buddhism to engage with the pressing concerns of the modern world such as violence, social and economic disparity, environmental degradation, discord between and within communities and nations, and to contribute towards cultivating and fostering peace, harmony, co-existence and a shared responsibility amidst the diversity of cultures, communities and nations. 

Rinpoche teaches regularly in Zangthopelri Rangshekhar Gonpa and had taught in some of the schools in the east and also teaches upon the request from people. Rinpoche also teaches in the school as priority since it is the only remaining independent Vajrayana in Buddhist country. He too believe that today’s younger generation need to understand the Dharma in a practical way.   

SPONSORSHIP:

The Gomchen Sponsorship program is one way that we strive to ensure the very basis of Buddhist Philosophy. It is a very powerful way for anyone particularly for Buddhist students who want to demonstrate their gratitude to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and who are continuously working for our benefit of sentient beings. Supporting the Gomchen Sangha would receive tremendous blessings and will help to accumulate good deeds which are very vital for the enlightenment. 

The purpose of this sponsorship program aims to cover all basic necessities like fooding, lodging, clothing and basic needs for studying for all Gomchens during their stay at the Gonpa. 

We currently have sponsorship for one-third of our Gomchens and still more need be supported. Support is very crucial for every Gomchen to pursue their practice, study and to dedicate to serve the sentient beings. Without this, there are big chances that every one of our Gomchen will not be able to be able to practice the Buddha Dharma effectively. Therefore a small support is very much necessary to support the livelihood of Gomchen. Such a sanctuary radiates positive energy and promotes peace, harmony, happiness and liberty throughout the entire universe. 

BENEFITS OF SPONSORSHIP TO THE SPONSOR: 

Your support will immensely benefit our Gomchen and help every one of them to pursue Dharma. The ripple effect for your support will be exponential and through your generosity support, our Gomchen will be able to practice without gist of worrisome and peacefully in the monastery. 

CURRENT SITUATION:

Happy to inform that we have approximately 40 GOMCHENS including those in the meditation. We also have countless elderly parents from Trashi Gang provence who are permanently reside in our Gonpa.

༉ ཇི་ལྟར་ཆུ་ཐིགས་རྒྱ་མཚོ་ཆེ་ནང་ལྷུང་།། རྒྱ་མཚོ་མ་ཟད་བར་དུ་དེ་མི་འཛད།།

དེ་བཞིན་བྱང་ཆུབ་ཡོངས་བསྔོས་དགེ་བ་ཡང་།། བྱང་ཆུབ་མ་ཐོབ་བར་དུ་དེ་མི་འཛད།། 

དགེ་བ་སངས་རྒྱས་ཀུན་གྱིས་དེ་ལྟར་གསུངས།།

Heartfelt gratitude to All REGISTERED MEMBERS, Appreciate for the generosity you have shown us. 

Thank You So Much for your overwhelming support.

CONTACT:

Be part of our family and get register now,

KHANDROLLA NIMA PHONE NO. 011975-77493101

email: zangthopelrirangshekhargonpa@gmail.com

Land of Tea Herbs || Darjeeling || Himalayas Mountain || Heritage Railway || Kangchenjunga Peak.

Darjeeling is a city and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 2,000 metres (6,700 ft). It is noted for its tea industry, its views of Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of the Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status called Gorkhaland Territorial Administration within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.

The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the colonial administration under the British Raj set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India.

Darjeeling has several British-style private schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighbouring countries. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu comprising Lepcha, Khampa, Gorkha, Newar, Sherpa, Bhutia, Bengali and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. Darjeeling, alongside its neighbouring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland social movement in the 1980s and summer 2017.

DARJEELING.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Camellia sinensis was first planted in the Darjeeling area in 1841 by Archibald Campbell who was working for the East India Company in this jungle-covered, sparsely-populated area to develop a hill station for use by the British stationed in Kolkata. At the time, the British were seeking a source of tea outside of China and had both recently discovered a second variety of the plant growing in the wilderness of Assam and smuggled seeds and plantings out of China. The Chinese variety (sinensis) was planted in Saharanpur Botanical Gardens and propagated in other Himalayan gardens where Campbell had acquired seeds from Kumaun via Nathaniel Wallich. While the original plantings succeeded, Campbell moved to Lebong where he and several other residents planted a new batch, in 1846, of both varieties (sinensis and assamica).A year after planting the first three Company experimental tea gardens in 1852, at Tukvar, Steinthal and Alubari, they reported having 2,000 tea plants and Robert Fortunewas sent to provide an expert opinion on the "suitableness of the climate and soil of the Hills for the cultivation and manufacture of Tea". While both varieties grew, the sinensis variety was flourishing, as it was found assamica preferred warmer and wetter growing conditions while sinensis had been selectively cultivated for higher elevations. The first commercial tea gardens were established in 1856 and by 1866 there were 39 tea gardens in Darjeeling, including the Makaibari Tea Estate which had established the region's first processing factory for withering and oxidation, necessary for the product to survive the months long journey down to Kolkata and over to Britain. Success of assamica at the nearby Dooars-Terai tea gardens led to infrastructure investments that would be extend up the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, allowing more machinery and supplies to reach the tea gardens.Darjeeling's population had grown from less than a 100 in the 1830s to 95,000 people with 100 tea gardens in 1885, predominately Indian Gorkha and Lepcha migrants from Nepal, Bhutanese and Sikkim, as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the use of steamships and the Suez Canal reduced shipping times.

Darjeeling tea workers, 1890

After the British nationalized the East India Company it only ever leased the lands to tea garden owners on 30 year basis and maintained the practice of only permitting 40% to be used for tea crops with 40% being left natural and 20% for housing and facilities. Following Indian independence in 1947, practices shifted as British began to sell their stakes in the gardens to Indians and the 1953 Tea Act put the tea industry under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Tea Board of India. With more area being opened for tea crops at the expense of natural area and the introduction of pesticides and fertilizers, yields increased from 7.8 to 10 million kilograms between 1950 and 1960, though this came at the cost of increased soil instability. Despite a limited exemption for the tea industry the 1973 Foreign Exchange Regulations Act the new foreign ownership limitations resulted in Indian nationals becoming majority owners of the Darjeeling tea industry. As the Soviet Union replaced the United Kingdom as India's largest tea customers, Darjeeling gardens were supplemented with assamica plantings to accommodate their preference for that variety.

Production methods again shifted in the 1990s as Western Europe and Japan replaced the collapsed Soviet Union as Darjeeling's principal customers and new garden managers were bringing the principles of biodynamic agriculture to their practices. In 1988, Makaibari became the first tea estate in India to attain organic certification, followed by Tumsong, and the first to gain biodynamic certification, in 1993, followed by Ambootia. Darjeeling could not compete with other tea regions in terms of quantity or price (due to its geographic limitations, remoteness, slower plant growth, inability to mechanize, among other factors) or so it focused on quality. While the certifications provided an indication of a superior product, its practices also helped the gardens cope with erosion, slope instability and soil depletion that had become prevalent with pesticide and artificial fertilizer applications on the rainy hillsides. Yields had reached 14 million kilograms in 1994 but, with organic practices over much of the tea gardens, yields fell to an average of 9 million kilograms in the late-2010s. In pursuit of differentiating Darjeeling tea, the Darjeeling Planter's Association had been established, in 1983, to promote the product in other countries and a logo was copyrighted, consisting of the side profile of a woman holding two leaves and a bud and registered it in various countries and then, once it was eligible, internationally in the Madrid system. In 2000, the Tea Board created new licensing requirements for Darjeeling tea exporters, including product authentication and a prohibition on blending, which allowed them to issue certificates of origin. In 2004, Darjeeling tea became India's first product to receive legal geographical indication protection under the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement and in 2011 it was given Protected Geographical Indication status in the European Union.