TV altering life in Bhutan village

Hand-holding and kissing in public have become more common in the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan since television was introduced in 1999, says a government study quoted by United News of India.

Only one-third of the population of 700,000 have access to television, which includes uncensored news and entertainment channels from the West. But the medium is having an effect in urban areas, where people have shunned outdoor activities and are staying up later to watch TV, said the report by the Bhutanese Ministry of Information and Communication.

Fashion, art and the way people exchange greetings have also been affected “as the youth are more prone to mimicking,” United News of India quoted the report as saying.