Nepal leaves 174 Bhutanese asylum seekers at limbo

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The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs said it distributed 1800 refugee identity cards to Bhutanese asylum seekers by granting them official refugee status in Nepal, but has left 174 asylees at limbo.

Asylum seekers from Bhutan, who have been termed as ‘disqualified’ for refugee status, display various documents from Bhutan to prove their identity as Bhutanese (Picture courtesy : Dikesh Lama)

The distribution of ID cards have been materialized based on recommendations of a three-member taskforce that  the ministry had formed earlier this year under the chairmanship of by one of its under Secretaries Shambhu Prasad Ghimire.

The taskforce invited applications from all asylum seekers who were either absent during official registration during 2006 or disqualified on various ground, and interviewed some 2106 individuals in between June and July this year.

Of them, 174 persons have been termed ‘disqualified’, while another 132 didn’t turn up for the interview.

Those who have been termed disqualified by the taskforce accused the authority of granting refugee status to even non-Bhutanese.

These asylees have formed a group to protest against the government’s decision to disqualify them without proper explanations on their cases.

On Thursday, the group led by Purna Gautam officially wrote to Shanker Prasad Koirala, the In-Charge at the National Unit for Coordination of Refugee Affairs (NUCRA) at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The letter demanded review of their cases, and asked the authority to figure out the taskforce’s lapses in granting refugee status to some non-Bhutanese.

The asylees said their sentiments have been deeply ignored by the government as it failed to recognize their refugee status, thereby ignoring the fact that those termed ‘disqualified’ are genuine Bhutanese and have long been dwelling in the refugee camps.

According to them, even persons belonging to the same family have been denied refugee status while remaining family members enjoy the same status.

Meanwhile, the district authority of Jhapa said the government has closed all doors for registering cases of asylum seekers from Bhutan.

Utah leadership goes to youths

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The Bhutanese Community in Utah (BCU) elected mostly  young leaders  for the seven-membered board of directors for a two years term this Saturday, December 24, through an election held at a local LDS church in Salt Lake city, Utah.

Resettled Bhutanese in Utah cast their votes for community leadership (Picture : Khem Kafle/BNS)

According to a press statement issued by the election committee, Bhim Kumari Sapkota, Chudamuni Dulal, Dina Rizal, Harka Biswa, Kedar Dhakal, Mukti Bhurtel and Yogesh have been elected to the board of directors.

 “The election was held from 9am to 4pm local time, where 553 persons cast their votes,” Tara Acharya, who chaired the election committee said.

It is learnt that the election committee also provided early voting opportunity on Friday  to allow maximum members to avail themselves for vote considering their job schedules and other situations.

The newly elected youths vowed to work hard for better addressing the community and  organizational issues.

The election held in a free and fair atmosphere was observed  by Gerald Brown,  Director and  Joseph Nahas, the Community Capacity Building Specialist from the State Refugee Office, claimed the statement.

Bhutanese honored with Victoria’s Multicultural Award for Excellence

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Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) board member Parsuram Sharma-Luital JP was honoured this week with a 2012 Victoria’s Multicultural Award for Excellence: Service Delivery to Multicultural Victoria – Community, for his outstanding contribution in promoting cultural diversity and multiculturalism and advocating for new and emerging communities in Victoria and Australia. He was honored with the same award in 2010 as well.

L-R, Parsuram Sharma Luitel, Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov and Luitel’s wife Tanka

The award was presented at a ceremony at Government House on December 18 by Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, stated a press circular issued by the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECSV).

Also in attendance were Victorian Governor Alex Chernov AC, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras, Victorian Multicultural Commission chair Chin Tan, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, ECCV chairperson Joe Caputo OAM and other dignitaries, added the circular.

Chernov congratulated the recipients and said the recognition reflected only a summary of the contributions made by the recipients to the community.

The circular further said, Caputo nominated Sharma-Luital for the award for his engagement in grassroots community consultation with new and emerging communities so they can lobby and advocate the state and federal governments.

Accepting the award, Sharma-Luital said: “this recognition is an acknowledgment of the contributions made by all migrant community volunteers who work tirelessly to promote cultural diversity and multiculturalism in Victoria”.

“I am very proud to be the first from a Bhutanese background to receive such a prestigious award. I dedicate this award to Victoria’s new and emerging communities.”

Meanwhile, Consulate General fo Nepal  and Nepalese Association of Victoria congratulated Luitel and other recipients of the award in a joint statement.

The Consul-General of Nepal (VIC) Chandra Yonzon congratulated Mr Sharma-Luital and thanked for his contribution to the Nepalese community

Bom Yonzon, President of Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV)said, “Sharma-Luital made significant contribution the Nepalese community when he was in NAV executive committee and furthermore the services he provided to the other community were even remarkable”.

Another non-resident Nepalese Sudhir Shakya who was also presented with Victoria’s Multicultural Award for Excellence: Meritorious Service Award.

Sharma-Luital works at the Victoria Police as New and Emerging Community Liaison Officer and can be contacted at [email protected].

A true Christmas celebration

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On Tuesday, Deepak Rai, his wife, Sita, their young daughter Blessa and some 400 others will gather for a Christmas feast at West End Mennonite Fellowship.

Deepak Rai (Courtesy : Blaine Shahan)

As they savor the meal and the fellowship around the table, they also may pause to remember something else this Christmas, Rai’s third since moving to the U.S. in 2010: During most recent yuletide seasons, the traditional Bhutanese/Nepali feast would not have been possible.

“Here, we have a freedom (to celebrate Christmas) that we never had before,” Rai says at Bhutanese Nepali Church of Lancaster, which meets at West End Mennonite Fellowship.

Rai, the worship leader at his church, who sings and plays guitar, doesn’t need to be reminded of the real meaning of Christmas.

“Here, we can truly celebrate Christmas,” Rai says, adding that the celebration would not have happened during his years growing up in the Asian nation of Bhutan and in a refugee camp in Nepal.

In the Hindu nation of Nepal, the Christmas celebration in the camp had to be low-key, and “pretty much restricted.”

“We could have Christmas carols, but only in a small group,” says the 29-year-old Rai, who lives on Pine Street in Lancaster.

“So here, we are thankful.”

Rai says Christmas 2012 means he “feels more and more freedom” to do things such as going Christmas caroling around the church’s city neighborhood, which he and some friends have done, and to put up Christmas lights at his home.

Rai was 5 years old when his family left his native Bhutan, a Buddhist nation, and moved to the Nepali refugee camp.

He came to the U.S. in October 2010, “on Columbus Day,” he says proudly.

In Bhutan, Rai recalls, Christians were prohibited from engaging in public celebrations of Christmas, and there were “lots of restrictions” on how large any celebration could be.

The “Christmas celebration among the Nepali population in Lancaster has become like a tradition, where all Nepali people can gather together once a year and see each other,” says Shankar Rai, pastor of Bhutanese Nepali Church of Lancaster.

Throughout the year, his people “work hard and do not have time to see each other, and there are no platforms where we can gather,” he says.

Tuesday’s Christmas Day celebration will include cultural song and dance, plus a brief message from the pastor.

Then comes traditional foods such datshi, which is made of milk mixed with ema, or chili. It is the national food of Bhutan and is “very popular among the Bhutanese Nepali,” the pastor adds.

“In this celebration, we not only have Christians but we have all religious groups coming together … and celebrating the birth of Christ,” he says, adding that the church has celebrated Christmas since 2009.

In the past, church services where Jesus’ name could be mentioned were limited, as in China and other nations, to small fellowships that met in basements and the like, Deepak Rai says.

Many Bhutanese people fled to Nepal in the early 1990s because of persecution in tiny Bhutan, squeezed between India and China.

Close to 1,000 Bhutanese now call Lancaster home, according to various estimates.

Deepak Rai, as well as leading worship in his church, works as a laboratory technician for Fenner Precision in Manheim, and also is majoring in chemistry at Harrisburg Area Community College.

So, like the others, he looks forward to taking a break and celebrating on Christmas Day.

Courtesy : Landcaster

Prabashi Manch distributes relief aid to fire victims

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Prabashi Bhutani Jana Samparka Manch distributed relief materials to recent fire victims of Beldangi camps, Saturday.

The group’s coordinator Amber Poudyel said they donated plastic buckets and jugs worth of Rs. 20,550 to sixty-seven burnt huts.

According to him, some of the resettled Bhutanese from Arizona in the United States have contributed for the relief aid.

Deputy Camp Secretary of Beldangi, Mon Maya Rai, extended her gratitude to the group for their extending helping hands.

Interest towards games and sports is fading away: Sherpa

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Neeku Sherpa, President of Young Guys Sporting Club, has opined that sportsmanship in the Bhutanese community is decreasing gradually. According to her, lack of trained players and sports facilities are the main causes. Sherpa is of the opinion that some major steps are a must to uplift and enhance games and sports in the Bhutanese refugee community. Tilak Niroula has talked to Sherpa and tried to dig out the real scenario.

How do you analyze the status of sports inside camp?
Indeed, I am sad to mention that general interest towards games and sports are decreasing gradually. The community lacks senior and trained players. The resettlement has driven them away from the camps. We have very limited facilities for sports and games. The sports prevailing in our community is being declining these days. Also, emerging players have no opportunity for exposure and professional trainings.

Sherpa

Your club’s achievements?
Formed in 2002, our team is the one and only sport club that reveals and promotes sports talents, both inside and out the camp. Our team won the football tournament that was organized in Sikhar Kateri, Morang where 32 teams of various places participated. Several from our club represented the Bhutanese team during the Eastern Regional Football Tournament. Indeed, we are always leaping forward. I am proud to mention here that we have achieved a lot. Every member in our team is a serious player to promote and represent the exiled community. The community should be very proud of this. Who else constitute the Young Guys Sporting Club? We are a Bhutanese club. Thus, our players are refugees dwelling in various camps. However, based on our strategy we sometime decide to hire local players. However, the hiring would be limited for one game or two.

What is the response from the community?
I must thank the entire refugee community for their inspiration. The community has always extended helping hands. In all tournaments, we have received applauds and hooting from our people for which we always feel to be highly encouraged. Indeed, the community loves our club. This has been proved through several instances already.

What are your challenges?
Resettlement has brought transformation even in our team. We suffer frequent change of players. Seniors and skilled players have already resettled in various places in the west. The young and emerging ones are showing some interests towards soccer and other games and sports. However, we lack resources and trained manpower to instruct these emerging players. Some of our players have even become frustrated as they have realised that making a career in this field is really challenging for them.

How many teams does your club own?
Our club has two teams. One is under 14 and another is Young Guys Sporting Team consisting players above 14 years.

Courtesy : The Refugee Herald, December 2012

Tata Power eyes more hydro projects in Bhutan

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Private power producer Tata Power is eyeing more hydro-power projects in Bhutan.

Tata Power’s Managing Director Anil Sardana is expected to visit Bhutan this month where he would negotiate the finer print with the Bhutan Government, sources told Business Line.

Currently, Tata Power has a joint venture with Druk Power, an entity of the Royal Government of Bhutan, under which it is implementing a 126-MW from Dagachhu Hydro Project.

The project is at an advanced stage of implementation.

A Tata Power spokesperson confirmed the development. “The company is also looking at other opportunities to work in Bhutan and has always been keen due to good and healthy association with Bhutan Government. Tata Power is keen to explore all possibilities as may be forthcoming in Bhutan,” she said in response to queries from Business Line.

Earlier this year, the Rs 25,083-crore worth Tata Power sought Ministry of Power approval for setting up hydel projects in Bhutan.

However, Government has not responded to Tata Power’s proposal, the source said.

The private company had approached the Government because it was understood that no Indian company can ink deals with Bhutan without prior approval.

“But after reading the finer points, it came to light that the embargo is only for 12,906 MW that both the Governments are setting up based on bilateral agreements,” the source explained.

“Any Indian company is free to negotiate with Bhutan Government to set up a project outside the mentioned ones. The Bhutan Government is happy with Tata Power’s progress and they have initiated dialogues,” he explained.

Currently, in Bhutan 1,416 MW capacity is operational; 2,940 MW is under construction; detailed project report has been prepared for 6,750 MW and agreements have been signed for another 1,800 MW project.

All these projects are being set up under Indo-Bhutan Cooperation route.

For the Dagachhu Project, statutory clearances — land, water, and environment — have been received. The power purchase agreement for the entire quantum of power has been signed for the project. The first unit is targeted to be commissioned by 2013-14, according to information on Tata Power Web site.

Courtesy : The Hindu

NH community supports Arun Rai

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Resettled Bhutanese from New Hampshire have contributed US $ 383 for supporting medical expenses of social activist Arun Rai.

It is learnt that Subash Acharya from Concord and Narad Adhikari from Manchester collected the funds from the Bhutanese community.

The collected donation was transferred to Dr Bhampa Rai, who made an appeal to all Bhutanese last month to support  Arun’s treatment, according to Adhikari.

Rai underwent a successful surgery of the neck region three-weeks back in Kathmandu-based Vayodhya Hospital.

Resettled Bhutanese from various parts of the world contributed for Rai’s treatment.

Rising for the community service

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Last year, the Bhutanese Student Club of Foster high school in Tukwila, Washington worked to bring their community of students together for both academic and social support.

The BSC team and their well-wishers

The BSC, the first club of its kind in our school, also aims to support the staff and students by teaching them about Bhutanese and refugee culture.

The BSC held three cultural events in order to share their identity, in an attempt to observe their first anniversary.

First, the students hosted a introduction presentation, attended by about ten percent of our staff members attended.

The students put together an informational presentation of their culture and described for staff, through pictures and first-hand accounts, life in their refugee camp in Nepal.

Those who attended walked away with a clearer understanding of students’ experiences.

The students also prepared traditional food, sang traditional songs in their native language, and danced for the audience in traditional dress.

This event made such a positive impact on our building staff, which they have been asked to have another introduction for the entire school district.

In addition, BSC students prepared another event to educate staff and students about Dashain.

The students worked together to deliver an informational and impressive presentation.

The staffs who attended appreciated learning about the students’ religious views and perspectives.

The students prepared a memorial service for Krishna Dhital, one of our students who passed away a day after graduation. The event was respectful and important for the community that lost Krishna to a tragic accident, the students have had discussions about safety and making good choices.

The club’s executive members are Lalit Humagi, Bhagi Biswa, Bal Diyali, Sujan Bhandari,Barun Biswa, Diya Katel, Sumitra Biswa and Tek Kafle.

Contributed for BNS by Carrie Stradley, BSC Club Advisor,Foster High School, Tukwila, Washington.

Serving Bhutan with full dedication & integrity

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On the occasion of the 105th National Day, it gives me much happiness to address our People of the 20 dzongkhags.

This National Day is of special significance.  The powers offered by our People to the King in 1907, after hundred years of nation building, were returned in 2008 to our People by the Druk Gyalpo.  It was in that year that we held the first elections under democracy and adopted the Constitution.  Today, we are nearing the end of the term of the first Parliament we elected in 2008, and the culmination of the tenth and largest 5-year plan.  So much work lies ahead and such immense responsibilities rest on our shoulders as we approach 2013.

Yet, with capable and dedicated citizens, who have great love for our country, with the guidance of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and with the ever-stronger bonds between People and King, I have great confidence that we shall achieve our goals.

Our People of Bhutan are unique.  We have a sense of family, community and brotherhood that inspires us to come together in times of need.  I have seen this following natural disasters and, most recently, in the way in which all Bhutanese came forward to offer whatever little we could afford to rebuild the historic treasure, Wangduephodrang Dzong.

In other nations, difficult moments in their history are met with strife, violence and conflict, as people sacrifice national interest in order to achieve individual ambitions.  In Bhutan, such acts and events have never occurred.  Our way of life, our heritage, loyalty and values remain strong in the hearts of our People and our People stand ready, even in times of great personal hardship, to place Nation above Self.  I am so proud of our People and offer my deep gratitude for the love you have shown for your nation.

It is during times of prosperity and success that we must remind ourselves of the work that lies ahead.  We have made a good start in our transition to democracy, but much remains to be done.  Our nation has seen great socio-economic growth, but it is more important that we have growth with equity.  We must raise, with all our effort, the less fortunate so that they may, at the earliest, begin to partake in the opportunities brought by modernisation and progress.  The government has provided education to our youth.  But for the nation to prosper for all time, a sound education must be succeeded by access to the right jobs and responsibilities, so that our youth may bloom as individuals and, at the same time, serve their nation well.  The recent Rupee shortage is a serious problem.  I feel it is a reminder that, as a nation, we must exercise our traditional sense of caution, and work even harder, as we address the challenges of the time.  For, no matter what challenges lie ahead, it is only the Bhutanese citizen, who can protect and safeguard Bhutan.

Today, the most important duty for us is the 2013 elections to Parliament.  I would like to say that we – all of us – are new to this democratic transition.  We have all equally acquired four and a half years of experience in democracy.  Experience comes with participation, so I urge you all to come forward as candidates, members of parties and voters for 2013.

Remember, achieving democracy is not the goal.  The real fruits of our efforts should be that democracy brings greater unity, harmony and prosperity to our nation.  Democracy must be able to fulfill the aspirations of our People.

Many hundreds of years ago, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified the nation, established the dual system and laid the foundations on which a unique Bhutan was born.  This new nation was then further strengthened over the course of history by fifty-four Desis and generations of Bhutanese.  The last hundred years, the Wangchuck dynasty further strengthened the foundations laid by the Zhabdrung, and handed over a special nation to our People in 2008.  All of this was possible because our People have lived as one small family, true to the ideals of the Zhabdrung and the foundations of a unique and special Bhutanese identity.

As we approach the elections of 2013, we must therefore keep in mind these foundations of our nation and prevent all ethnic, religious or political divisions in our small nation.  We must participate in democracy with the spirit of harmony and fraternity.  In 2008, our democratic transition and the wholehearted participation by the people, including the 80% voter turnout, were lauded by the world.  I urge you all to exercise your right to vote – it comes but once in 5 years – for it is an act of great benefit to the nation.

With the Blessings of the Triple Gem and our Guardian Deities and the good fortune of our People, I am confident we will conduct the second elections under democracy successfully in 2013.

For me, I hold sacred the endeavours begun by my father, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.  I have committed myself to bringing to fruition all the noble endeavours begun in his 34 years of service and sacrifice.  I also hold sacred my duty to ensure the success of democracy, and I shall work to lay the strongest foundations for a vibrant democracy within my reign.

Above all, I believe that the Golden Throne is not a Throne of wealth, power and prestige.  The Golden Throne of Bhutan is a unique Throne of Destiny to serve our People and Nation.

As King since 2006 I have always served with complete dedication and integrity.  Sometimes I may have erred.  Yet, you, my people, have given me even more love and support and placed your complete faith and trust in me.  To our People of the 20 dzongkhags, I offer my heartfelt gratitude, and I pledge that I shall give everything to be of service to you and Bhutan.

In this land, blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and our Fourth Druk Gyalpo, I pray that there shall be everlasting peace, prosperity and happiness.

Editor’s note: The King delivered this speech to the nation on the occasion of the 105th National Day on December 17

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