T.P Mishra’s parents fled Bhutan along with thousands of others when he was a young boy. He grew up in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal were he began his journalistic life training young journalist. Later Mishra became the editor of a newspaper and a news agency and an active member of a journalist association covering the issues facing the Bhutanese media both in exile and in Bhutan.
Last year he was resettled in the United States. I contacted Mishra, who regularly contributes to this site Media Helping Media, to find out what impact the move to New York has had on his work.
Q: Why were you exiled from Bhutan and how did you end up in refugee camps in Nepal?
Mishra: My parents were victims of Bhutan’s ethnic cleaning policy when Southern Bhutanese were systematically forced to leave the country. They were forced to sign land sale documents and state they were leaving of their own will. Most people left the country between 1991 and 1993. My parents were Bhutanese citizens with citizenship identity cards, land ownership documents and tax paid receipts. However Bhutan still categorically denies accepting them as Bhutanese citizens.
Q: You were instrumental in the development of newspapers, a news agency and an association for journalists while living in the refugee camps – what motivated that work?
Mishra: I started writing when I was 15 years old and studying in the eighth grade in the refugee camp school. At that time, there was a need to inform the Bhutanese refugee communities with news from the camps. I along with others kept the process going. We tried to apply high standards and ethics to our journalism and apply accepted journalistic ethics. My family has always supported me and that has been important. My brother, who is also a journalist, invested a huge amount for my higher education so that I could enhance my journalistic skills. Co-workers and some senior Bhutanese journalists in exile also encouraged and guided me at times.
Q: Was your motivation about empowering Bhutanese refugees in the camps or was it about working towards freedom of expression in Bhutan?
Mishra: At first we focused our campaigning for the Bhutanese community in the camps covering stories about their daily lives. We looked at issues such as repatriation and aid from groups such as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). We also felt that we needed to continue to campaign for media freedom in Bhutan.
Q. How powerful were the media bodies you helped create and what has happened to the journalists you left behind now that you are resettled in the USA?
Mishra: The entire Bhutanese community, both those living in the UN-monitored refugee camps in Nepal and those in Diaspora, rely on the information we produced and disseminate. Following the third country resettlement programme, which peaked in 2007 and still continues, our news agency, in particular Bhutan News Service, BNS has been playing a crucial role to keep the community informed with news concerning their lives. Local authorities including the Armed Police Force (APF) deployed in the refugee camps tried to intimidate refugee journalists, particularly as we became more influential. A majority of refugee journalists have already resettled in various western countries through resettlement programmes, but we still have people in the camps and continue to cooperate with each other via e-mail and phone. They still contribute news reports from camps.
Q. Now you have moved to the Americas, what do you feel you can contribute in your efforts to support media in exile?
Mishra: When I was boarding a plane from Nepal to New York I wondered whether I would still be able to contribute as a journalist. However I have found that I can manage my time in order to contribute along with many of my fellow journalists. Most of us work full time here in the States and some of us are even attending colleges, but we are still able to contribute our time to media. A strong sense of commitment is essential. I often edit content for our news portal and write features and analysis pieces without expecting anything in return. I feel it is my responsibility to devote some time in my hectic schedule to our news agency, BNS.
Q. What networks have you built with exiled journalists from other countries and is it your aim, eventually, to build a global voice?
Mishra: Until the filing of this interview, we have not been involved with any such formal networks run by other exiled journalists. However, we often try to contact exiled journalists when we find their contact address. And, we do share the story of our struggle and learn of theirs in return. We became refugees first and started practicing journalism after we left our country. We were not exiled for practicing journalism in our country. The experiences of exiled journalists from other countries often match ours, so it may be possible to create a network of exiled journalists as long as it meets our aims and objectives.
Q. Having left the camp and resettled in America it would have been easy to forget the past and the plight of exiled media – what motivated you to continue to care?
Mishra: Responsibility for Bhutanese society matters a lot to me. We felt the need to build a strong alternative media because of what was happening in Bhutan. I am keen to continue my career as a journalist in the West, although it may take some time. What has kept me going is the encouraging feedback from those in the Bhutanese community who rely on the material we deliver.
TP Mishra. Photo/BNS
Q. What international support have you received and how important has that been?
Mishra: At a time when I was working as publisher and chief editor of The Bhutan Reporter (TBR) – a monthly newspaper published by and for Bhutanese refugees – we received financial support from various individuals and international organisations. The World Association of Newspaper and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) helped us for three months and the Hague-based Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) supported the publication of TBR for almost a year. Many in the Bhutanese Diaspora also helped. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) was always a great support. Now we have stopped printing the hard copies of TBR due to a lack of funds. As far as the international support is concerned, it has always played an instrumental role and we are always grateful to those who offer extended support.
Q. What is your vision for Bhutan in terms of media freedom?
Mishra: After the general elections in Bhutan in 2008 the state of media freedom in the country changed. We have always welcomed such positive changes in the media sector in the country. However, there are still beaches and Bhutan has yet to guarantee complete media freedom. As a result, some journalists in the country practice self-censorship. The government of Bhutan should not try and escape from guaranteeing media freedom because the public has a right to information and freedom of speech and expression.
Q: Do you think media in exile could ever have an impact on the situation within their home country and if so, to what extent?
Mishra: We provided one of the major sources of information both inside and outside of the country. Often, news stories from Bhutan were bias-driven and the public was denied access to balanced, authentic and ethical news stories. Because we are publishing uncensored and impartial news we are able to fulfill a need. We continue to try to inform the Bhutanese about democracy and its values. I cannot imagine how the situation would be if by chance we stop our news service. Without us the public would have to depend on news agencies, newspapers and online news sites, which disseminate bias and censored news from Bhutan.
Q: What do you see as the future strategy for media personnel like yourself?
Mishra: I need to keep the commitment alive and continue to sharpen my skills in journalism and media freedom advocacy. There is always a need to expand our networking with other exiled journalists. This will help strengthen our capabilities and it will perhaps lead to a stronger network for exchanging views and campaigning for media freedom. We will also continue to lobby the international media bodies who support media freedom. For me the goal is complete media freedom in Bhutan.
Q: Have you made (or intend to make) any contact with the Bhutan authorities as part of your push for freedom of expression in Bhutan?
Mishra: It is a challenge to make worthy and meaningful correspondence with the Bhutan authorities for they really don’t entertain to call us as Bhutanese citizens. Their view is that we were and are illegal immigrants. We continue to be tagged as non-Bhutanese. Sometimes we are labeled as terrorists. However we continue to try to make contact with the Bhutan authorities, mostly via e-mail, but have yet to receive a response. This does not mean we will stop trying. We are still committed to establishing constructive and positive contacts with the Bhutanese authorities to discuss our call for complete media freedom in the country.
Note: Anyone who wants to contact TP Mishra to discuss the setting up of a global media in exile association should message him via twitter.
Adam LevittAdam Levitt, who carried out this interview, is based in the UK and has recently graduated with a BA (Hons) degree at the University of Manchester studying History with Sociology. He ntends to further his studies with an MA in Broadcast Journalism later this year. Levitt is carrying out a series of interviews for this site as part of a work experience placement.
भूटानी शरणार्थी शिबिर-बेलडाँगी १ -का पूर्बसचिब रमेश सुब्बाको हत्यासम्बन्धी अनुसन्धानको क्रममा प्रहरीले बेलडाँगी १- शरणार्थी शिबिर, सेक्टर जी की लालमाया राईलाई नियन्त्रणमा लिएको छ । २४ बर्षीया ती शरणार्थी महिलालाई हिजो नियन्त्रणमा लिइएको दमक प्रहरीले पुष्टि गरेको छ ।
गएको ७ फागुनको राति ८ बजेतिर नेपालको सीमा शहर काकरभिट्टामा गोली हानी भुमिगत आन्दोलनमा संलग्न सुब्बाको हत्या गरिएको थियो ।
भूटानको सुदूर पूर्वी पहाड नाम्लिङस्थित अग्लो झरना नजिकै गुडिरहेको एउटा ट्रक सडकबाट करिब 50मिटर तल झर्दा त्यसमा सवारमध्ये कम्तीमा पाँचजनाको मृत्यु भएको समाचार छ।
प्राप्त समाचारअनुसार उत्तरपूर्वी मोंगरको जिल्ला मुख्यालयभन्दा करिब 71 किलोमिटर टाढाको सो घटना बिहान 10 बजेतिर भएको बुझिएको छ। बुम्थाङको उरास्थित गेदेन ड्राक्छाङका 48 वर्षीय उम्जेलगायत सबै यात्रीहरू बौद्धभिक्षु (लामा) रहेका थाहा भएको छ। सो ट्रकका चालक तथा दुईजना 12 र 16 वर्षीय भिक्षु (लामा)-हरू सो घटनामा जीवितै रहन सफल भए भने अन्यसबै यात्रुको ज्यान गएको भूटान प्रहरी सूत्रले पुष्टि गरेको छ।
जीवित भेटिएकालाई मोंगर जिल्ला अस्पतालमा सघन उपचारार्थ लगिएको जनाइएको छ।
मृतकहरूमा 48 वर्षीय लामा उम्जेबाहेक अन्य नौ, 11, 13 र 14 वर्षका लामाहरू थिए। बाँचेकामध्ये 16 वर्षीय लामाको अवस्था चिन्ताजनक रहेको जनाइएको छ।
न्यूजिल्याण्डको क्राइस्टचर्च महानगर भत्काउने गरी शनिबार बिहान आएको 7.1 चुम्बकीय रफ्तारको भूकम्पमा त्यहाँ पुनर्वासमा भएका भूटानीहरू सुरक्षित रहेको समाचार छ।
त्यहाँस्थित हाम्रो समाचार स्रोतका अनुसार सो भूकम्पस्थलभन्दा मात्र 30 किलोमिटरको दूरीमा भूटानीहरूलाई बसाइएको छ।
समाचारदाता डोमा काफ्लेका अनुसार भूकम्पको कारण उनीहरूको घरको चिम्नीमा केही खराबी आएको थियो, तर सरकारी तदारुकता र सहायताले तत्काल त्यसको मर्मत भयो। क्राइस्टचर्च महानगरका निवासी एकजना भूटानीले जनाएअनुसार यस घटनाले त्यहाँ रहने भूटानीहरूलाई त्रसित बनाएको छ। किनकि उनीहरूले यस्तो कहाली लाग्दो घटनाको सामना पहिलोपटक गर्नुपरेको छ।
क्राइस्टचर्च महानगर वरिपरि करिब 55 परिवारका 3 सय भूटानीहरू बसोवास गर्दै आएका छन्।
Camp based Police arrested one refugee from Beldangi-I camp in connection with the murder of former camp secretary Ramesh Subba. The arrestee is identified as Lal Maya Rai, 24 of Sector G from the same camp.
Police said that she was arrested Saturday following a special investigation.
At least five people were killed on the spot and three seriously injured when an Eicher truck they were traveling in skidded off the road and plunged into the whirlpool of a waterfall at Namling brag along the east-west lateral highway.
According to a news report in Kuensel, the accident occurred around 10 am along the accident prone Namling brag area, about 71 km away from Mongar. The truck plunged about 50 m below the road.
All passengers were monks, including the 48-year old umzey of the Geden dratshang in Ura, Bumthang.
While the driver and two monks, aged 12 and 16, survived and were taken to the Mongar regional referral hospital, the others died on the spot, said police. Including the umzey the others were nine, 11, 13 and 14 years old.
The 16 year old monk is in critical condition said the doctor on duty, Dr Namsa Dorji. “He suffered an eye injury, open fracture wounds in his limbs and massive bleeding,” the doctor said.
While the driver does not have external injuries, its yet to know if he suffered any internal injuries. “The 12 year old injured his head but he is stable,” Dr Namsa Dorji said.
An eyewitness, Karma Dolma, who was following the truck in a Hilux, said that the truck snaked several times before it went off the road. The truck was on its way to Bumthang.
Karma Dolma is the daughter-in-law of Geden Dratshang’s lam. She informed that the monks were returning from Trashiyangtse, after reciting Kanjur and attending the 49-day ritual for her brother’s death.
The Gyalpoizhing police and its rescue team, officials from the dzongkhag and the Gyalpoi Zimpon’s office reached the accident site at around 12 noon.
All bodies were found, with the last one recovered around 5:30 pm, after a search that took more than two hours, said police. The Gyalpoi Zimpon’s office gave a semso of Nu 10,000 each to the families of the accident’s victims and Nu 3,000 each to the injured passengers.
Police said that the cause of the accident is not known and that they are still investigating the case.
The last major accident at the same place happened in June 1998 when the then Druk Express killed 58 people including three Sherubste collge students.
During the construction of the east-west highway, Namling was the most difficult area. Elderly Bhutanese say that at one time 240 workers were buried alive in a mud slide during construction. The lateral route finally opened in early 1980s, 20 years after its construction started.
यूरोपेली आयोगको मानवीय सरोकार तथा नागरिक संरक्षण कार्यालयले भूटानी शरणार्थीको खाद्ध सहायताका निम्ति नेपालस्थित विश्व खाद्ध-कार्यक्रमको शाखा कार्यालयलाई १.५ मिलियन युरो डलर प्रदान गर्ने भएको छ। यूरोपेली आयोगद्वारा प्रदान गरिएको सहायताको समयावधि यसैवर्षको १ जुलाईदेखि आगामी दिसम्बर ३१ सम्म तोकिएको छ।
नेपालका विभिन्न सातवटा शिविरमा रहेका भूटानी शरणार्थीलाई पर्याप्त खाना तथा पोषकतत्व उपलब्ध गराउनु नै यस आर्थिक सहायताको मूल उद्देश्य रहेको आयोगले जनाएको छ।
युरोपेली आयोले सन् २००६ देखि भूटानी शरणार्थीलाई सहायता प्रदान गर्न थालेको हो भने आयोगको मानवीय सरोकार कार्यालयबाट मात्रै करिब ९ मिलियन यूरो डलर पुगिसकेको जनाइएको छ। यसरी नै आयोगले नेपालस्थित शरणार्थीका लागि राष्ट्रसंघीय उच्चायुक्तको कार्यालयमार्फत पनि आर्थिक सहायता प्रदान गर्दै आएको छ।
The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office (ECHO) has extended financial support amounting to 1.5 million Euros to contribute to the eligible costs of the humanitarian aid Action entitled Food Assistance to Bhutanese Refugees, Nepal implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP).
The EC funding covers a period of six months starting July 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010. The principal objective of the humanitarian intervention is to save lives by providing secure access to food and safeguard the nutritional status of the refugee beneficiaries currently living in seven camps in eastern Nepal.
The support aims at safeguarding lives and maintaining nutritional status of dependent refugee populations and meet their basic food consumption need.
The EC assistance to Bhutanese refugees started in the year 2006 and the total disbursements by the Humanitarian office alone has reached 9 million Euros till date. The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal also supports them through the UNHCR.
गएको सातादेखि नै भूटानको सरकारी मुखपत्र निलम्बित रहेको कुरा जानकारीमा आएको छ। शुरुमा ‘एकाउण्ट निलम्बित छ’ भन्ने स्क्रिन म्यासेज आउँदैथ्यो भने अहिले ‘सम्पूर्ण वेबसाइटमा मर्मतको कार्य चलिरहेको’, भन्ने आशयको सूचना आइरहेको छ। यति धेरै समयसम्म किन क्युनसेलको वेबसाइट बन्द रह्यो भन्ने कुराको ठोस कारण क्युनसेलको व्यवस्थापन पक्षले अहिलेसम्म सार्वजनिक गरेको छैन।
कुनै पूर्व सूचनाबिना नै सो वेबसाइट बन्द भएकोले यसले क्युनसेलको व्यवस्थापन पक्ष अथवा प्राविधिक पक्षको कमजोरी झल्काइरहेको छ। भूटानभित्र ठूलो संख्यामा पत्रपत्रिका र विद्धुतीय सञ्चार माध्यम प्रयोगमा आइरहेको वर्तमान परिवेशमा क्युनसेलको वेब निलम्बनले धेरै भूटानीहरूलाई सूचनाको हकबाट वञ्चित गराएको छ।
अधिकांश विदेशी तथा देशबाहिर रहेका भूटानीहरू भूटानको विश्वसनीय समाचारका लागि क्युनसेलमै निर्भर रहने गरेका छन्। क्युनसेलको वेब निलम्बनमा जेसुकै कारण भए पनि कम से कम व्यवस्थापन पक्षले पाठकवर्गलाई शुसूचित गराउनु अनिवार्य थियो जुन काम अहिलेसम्म हुन सकेको छैन।
Baikuntha Dhakal reads an exclusive report on the recent strategic coalition of parties followed by expression of TN Rizal. In the second half you can listen to Dr. Bhampa Rai.
lived for many years in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal. He has now resettled in American. He is the president of Third World Media Network – Bhutan Chapter and the editor of the Bhutan News Service (BNS). He is the author of the Handbook for Journalists in Exile. Mishra blogs at Journalism in exile and tweets @tpmishra.
Adam Levitt, who carried out this interview, is based in the UK and has recently graduated with a BA (Hons) degree at the University of Manchester studying History with Sociology. He ntends to further his studies with an MA in Broadcast Journalism later this year. Levitt is carrying out a series of interviews for this site as part of a work experience placement.