Narayan Adhikari,28, committed suicide in his apartment in Cincinnati, OH early Tuesday morning, hanging himself to death.
According to family sources, Narayan was found dead in the bathroom, early Tuesday. He might have committed suicide late Monday night or just after midnight, a brother of Narayan told BNS.
The dead body has been taken by the police and the family is not given any further information whether the body is hospital for postmortem or has been taken to funeral home, said Sudarshan Adhikari, brother of the deceased.
A night inferno that reportedly started from a hut in Sanischare camp when the hut owner was performing Laxmi Puja on Tuesday night at 10:15 p.m. has displaced 110 individuals.
APF officials guard huts destroyed by fire in Sanischare/Vidhyapati Mishra
Sub-Inspector of camp-based Armed Police Force (APF), Rit Bahadur Basnet, confirmed that those displaced by fire included refugees from various 40 huts of Sector D1, D2 and D3.
Of this, 21 huts including two rooms of New Horizon Academy were damaged by fire while additional 19 huts were dismantled while containing the mishap, informed Camp Secretary Champa Singh Rai.
The hut from which the fire was reported to break out first belonged to Dhan Maya, said the camp authority.
It took almost an hour for a fire extinguisher to contain fire, the joint battle operated by APF personnel, camp residents and locals, according to Sub-Inspector Basnet.
The displaced are taking shelter at the camp school and community child care center. Caritas Nepal and Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum (BRWF) supplied today’s breakfast to the displaced victims.
Assistant CDO Yogendra Dulal (left) talks with UNHCR Damak Chief Sajal Gupta as both arrived Sanischare camp Tuesday morning to inspect inferno site
Assistant Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Yogendra Dulal, and UNHCR Damak Chief Sajal Gupta also visited the site this morning, assuring victims of prompt relief packages.
Talking to BNS correspondent, Assistant CDO Dulal told that displaced people would be temporarily housed in Sanischare before issuing their permanent huts, either in the same camp or Beldangi-II.
Officials from World Food Programme and Lutheran World Federation also visited the camp for releasing ration and construction materials respectively, added Camp Secretary Rai.
Most of the victims the BNS correspondent talked to lamented that the inferno not only destroyed their personal belongings and documents but also significant cash amounts sent to them for celebrating festival by their resettled friends and relatives.
Involving Bhutan Media Society (BMS), BRAIN (Bhutanese Refugee Association of Intelligent Novas) and Camp Management Committee of Beldangi camp, Australia-based Punya Foundation held an empowerment program in Beldangi-II, Tuesday.
Guests of the empowerment program(Picture : Durga Pokhrel)
Aimed at empowering vulnerable population of the camps, local partners in Nepal organized ‘community empowerment through various cultural and literary activities’ involving school children, general refugees and representatives of various camp-based organizations, according to BMS Regional Coordinator, Tilak Niraula.
Sponsored by the Foundation, the event saw single person open dance competition and inter-school extempore speech competition. The best three participants were awarded with prizes and certificates, Niraula said.
In addition, songs, dances, drama and Bhailini were performed as the program was organized coinciding the 103rd anniversary of famous Nepalese poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
Chief Guest of the program and reckon folk singer, Lakshi Prasad Joshi, entertained the audience with his famous song ‘Riting Riting Nabajau Binayo’, which he first recorded some 60 years ago.
Reckon folk singer and Chief Guest of the program, Lakshmi Joshi, sings ‘riting riting nabajau binayo’
Speaking at the program, Camp Secretary Dhan Bir Subba appreciated the Foundation’s efforts in bringing such a program in the camps.
“The Foundation’s scholarship program has already started motivating our students. Now, the community is happy to receive empowerment program,” said Subba.
While, Manager of the Bhutan Media Society, Vidhyapati Mishra, thanked all those who were involved in assisting BMS in implementing the Foundation’s empowerment program.
A dozen of camp-based organizations, volunteers and community workers extended their helping hands to make the event a grand success.
Fire, which started about a few hours ago in Sanischare refugee camp destroyed about 50 huts. It is reported that the fire is yet to come under control.
According to our Jhapa correspondent, Hari Kumar Dahal, the fire is said to have started from Sector-D/3 while performing Laxmi pooja.
The Bhutanese Community in the Netherlands (BCN) said it responded to deteriorating health condition of Arun Rai by donating 661 Euro for supporting his treatment, Monday.
“We have taken the news of Arun Rai’s health situation very seriously and accordingly extended our helping hands,” Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri said in a statement issued earlier today.
According to BCN, Karki coordinated a donation drive by involving resettled Bhutanese in the Netherlands.
“BCN Successfully ended its week-long donation drive from among the Bhutanese based in the Netherlands on Nov 11 that was started soon BCN received a news alert on Rai’s heath.”
According to the statement, a total of Rs 69,646.00 has been transferred in the name of Dr. Bhumpa Rai today to support Arun’s treatment in Katmandu-based Vayodhya Hospital where he is awaiting major surgery of spinal cord and neck region.
“He has given all his youthful life for the community service and now he needs help in return from the same community,” added Karki in his statement.
BCN has also appealed all Bhutanese communities around the globe to take the call seriously and opt urgent measures to help financially for the treatment of social worker Arun Rai.
46-year-old Arun Rai is a long time Bhutanese refugee social worker. He has been actively serving the community since the start of Bhutanese refugee camp in Maidhar in 1991.
Earlier today, Dr Bhampa Rai appealed every resettled, Bhutanese through BNS, to support Arun’s treatments.
The BNS editorial team expresses the heart felt condolence to Pokhrel family on this 13th day of his funeral rites. May his soul rest in eternal peace and his writing to exile media remembered for many more years.
Late Pokhrel. Photo: Family
Born on 10th of May 1967 to a farm family in Lower Bockray, Tshirang Bhutan, Late Omnath Pokhrel was the third son born to Badrinath and Sabitra Pokhrels. Having been born in a big farm family, he was fortunate to join schooling at Damphu Junior High School from his tender age. A rare child should have such inborn qualities, was seen in him by everyone from early. He was said to be the talk of the village. His dealings and uncommon manners had subdued the attention of his teachers, neighbors and peers.
After completing his lower secondary education from his home town school, he was placed by the Ministry of Education at the thenYanchanphug Central School (YCS), a very renowned school in the capital, Thimphu for his secondary education. He was then, sent to Sherubse College, in eastern Bhutan for his pre-university degree. He failed to stand second in any of the levels. This merited him government sponsored scholarship to pursue his University degree from Hindu College, in New Delhi.He stood fourth in the National Civil Service Examination in 1990 and went to Zhemgang for his National Service. Due to an abrupt political situation Omnath’s dreams shattered. The unfair No Objection Certificate (NOC) system introduced by the government stood as a wall between him and his aspirations. That he was deprived of the document due to the implicated involvement of his sibling is still a mystery to be solved. Omnath’s dreams of serving his nation and materializing his dreams became a distant reality. His mates got employed but he was not. This was the beginning of his decline. However, he didn’t give up hope, for hope is the rope that swings life through.
He began his career with private sectors. Later he tried his luck in the field of teaching. Though he had joined with a great reluctance he outshone in this profession and churned out hundreds of smart students. He was declared the best teacher by the district administrator of Wangduephodrang. Believe it or not, his ex-students are a testimony to this.
Apart from his professional career, he was an avid reader too, and, that enabled him to pen dozens of contemporary short stories. His mastery of vocabulary was enviable. He often solved crossword puzzle in minutes. He often travelled in Bhutan, India and Nepal to bring out the common threads that bound the people of South Asia. His stories are cantered around the theme of injustice, inequality and the need to build a more just and equitable system. Often taking a fictional style Om’s characters are the same typical South Asians that are the victims of poverty, injustice and political suppression. Whether it is Pagal Karma wiping his Dasho’s car or intelligent Barun’s expulsion from the country; the coincidence shown in Consanguinity in Jeopardy, Omnath wove black humour with suspense and entertained as well as informed his readers fully.
Omanth was a victim of a closed system. Fearing repression he even created U Sharma, Babesa, Thimphu Bhutan to launch some of his work. A dozen or so of his work were published in Bhutaneseliterature.com, one of the much browsed literary websites run by literary persons from outside and inside Bhutan.
Om’s acquaintances know well that he was a writer in the making. Definitely he didn’t earn a Booker or Pulitzer, but he had the potentials. Many of works are still awaiting publicity.
Fate would have it Om could not complete his writing career. As most writers are he had a certain sense of idiosyncrasy. Despite all the efforts of his family members he chose to tread a path that reached him to a dead end. We received the news of his sudden, sad demise on 1 November 2012. He left us in deep sorrow without letting any of his relatives; friends and readers know that his tenure to remain amidst us was nearing. He heeded his Maker’s choice and surrendered to cruel fate. His physical absence has caused irreparable loss to his family and to all who that know him.
Here is a first hand memorial written by one of his closest cousins, who remained very close to him in all his life and has felt his inner fill in.
Adieu my Brother Om
Welcome to Hotel California, It’s such a lovely place; it’s such a lovely place… I remember you in the lines. I remember you in your own fine lines that you created and wanted to publish someday. I remember you in the innumerable jokes you used to crack. I remember you in the fun we used to have. I remember you in the debate we used to argue; I remember you in the humanity you served. I remember you in my home with my children and family. When I drive my daughter back from her Day Care Center, she still points to your place (though it was short lived) and tells me ‘baba lets go to Om Bada’s house, he lives over there”. I remember you amidst circle of friends. I remember you in our difficult times and in our joyful moments. I remember you in your intelligence; (and sometimes of your stubbornness). I remember you in the lanes you treaded and the bars you have combed. I remember you for all that you lived thus far. You drank your life to the lees and are no more any more, my brother.
Perhaps you have influenced my life more than any other person on earth-more than my teachers, parents and friends. You added colors to my life and existence. You helped me shape my life from my childhood. You were for me more than a brother- a true friend. At times you were bad to yourselves but always good to me. I am already judging you. I am not here to judge you my brother. Almighty as all of us will be.
When I walk back the memory first flash that the memory is of your energetic childhood. Playing rug-balls in that undulated village pitch you used to play and joke. As we walk back from school you and other seniors would speak in English. It was then considered elite to speak English. At first it was all Greek. But you left that impression on my mind for me it was following your footsteps. Many instances I narrated define your identity; they represent you.
Like me, there might be who would have benefitted more than me form your influence, inspiration and above all your company. You were simply a rare man of our time but gone unnoticed like the flower that flowers in a forest and withers before reaching to anyone’s altar. I am mindful of your struggle to avail education. Born in a big family amidst poverty, yours was not a smooth sailing story of success. I don’t remember you failing in your school and your grades were always first class. You were an epitome of our village, a real role model to emulate for your younger ones. When the rich guys failed and never made it to high school you outshone and went to a boarding school. You were simply the pride of our village, clan and above all your family members.
Being my senior, you brought back experiences and shared with me during vacations. I still remember you drawing a map to guide me reach my high school in 1986 when I had to leave our village. You introduced me to English country music early. You loved to enjoy life.
Your friends report that you always excelled in studies all through and I fully endorse it. Sometimes I wonder that if you had landed up in the right place after attending degree the course of your life would have taken a u-turn. You would not have ended your life untimely and you been placed where you ought to have been placed. For this, I must blame the then prevailing situation in the country. His is fate of course. In this short account I cannot recount your entire anecdote. I cared you my brother more than I cared anybody else. I helped you through several opportunities to survive and to live. Yet, you choose a different path that led you to your dusty end, untimely. Blame destiny-you were born in wrong time.
We shared moments that I will always cherish. I can only say that you were cruel to me for you never fulfilled my dream that I had dreamed for you. You loved me and I loved you. Only that I could not be present to see you turn dust. You lived a rich life I should say but the end was a sorry sight. You have a reason to take a rebirth.
My only prayer will be for you to be reborn as your daughter’s child again. Goodbye my brother, you will remain in my mind and memory at all times”.
At the time when Bhutanese authority has suspected the abduction of a taxi driver from Gelephu by an exiled armed group, the Bhutan United Socialist Democratic Party (BUSDP) refuted the allegations in a press release, Sunday.
BUSDP flag
In counter to a news story carried by the Bhutan News Service, BUSDP said the allegation clamped was totally baseless.
The press statement issued by the name alias Puskar said, “As far as possible it is not our intention to cause harm to individuals that also like taxi driver who hardly manage their end meals. Therefore, we condemn such activities’’.
The press release further clarified, “BUSDP is also trying to find out on its part as who is behind the irresponsible incidence. Also we humbly request through this press release the group responsible for kidnapping and causing pain and agony to the families to release him without any harm and financial burden immediately.”
BUSDP has earlier claimed the explosion in Nichula and Gelephu as a part of their ongoing armed revolution in Bhutan.
Senior Bhutanese surgeon and Chairperson of Bhutanese Refugee Repatriation Representative Committee (BRRRC), Dr Bhampa Rai, has appealed resettled Bhutanese to extend their helping hands in supporting medical treatment of 46-year-old Arun Rai, who is being treated at Kathmandu-based Vayodhya Hospital.
Arun Rai, 46
Dr Rai, who has been escorting Arun since two weeks, said the patient could get his new life if the resettled community decides to extend financial supports.
“So far we have spent over Rs 300,000 already. The patient is no longer in a position to pay for his treatment. This is why I appeal our friends abroad to wholeheartedly support Arun Rai at this hour,” Dr Rai told Bhutan News Service, Monday.
Some of Arun’s friends from abroad have extended their supports already, Dr Rai added. “However, I want to alert every resettled Bhutanese to join the noble cause of adding new life to Arun.”
According to the sexagenarian surgeon, doctors at Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPIHS) and Siliguri-based Mitra Nursing Home failed in diagnosing Arun’s suffering.
Referred by AMDA Nepal, Arun was treated at BPIHS for three days before he was transferred to Mitra Nursing Home, Siliguri, India.
In Siliguri, Arun was kept under ventilator for a week, where doctors in attendance asked the patient party to transport him to either Calcutta or New Delhi.
“In lack of sufficient funds from personal investment, we were forced to take our patient to Kathmandu instead of Calcutta or New Delhi,” explained Dr Rai.
According to Dr Rai, former member of Students’ Organization of Bhutan (SUB) Arun has been struggling with acute breathing difficulty provoked by central cause.
Arun being treated in Siliguri-based Mitra Nursing Home (Picture courtesy : Arun’s Facebook)
“Only surgery of spinal cord and neck region could save Arun – which is very expensive for the patient party to manage,” added the surgeon Rai.
It is learnt that the patient party has been bearing a daily cost of Rs 25,000 in Vayodhya Hospital besides medicines and doctor’s fees.
Arun, who is an employee at AMDA-run Primary Health Care Project for Bhutanese Refugees, is being escorted by his wife Neeru, son and Dr Rai.
Editor’s note: Friends and well wishers may submit their financial contributions to support Arun’s treatment through Dr Bhampa Rai (Mobile: +977-984-270-7488). The patient could be contacted at +977-984-279-0278. Donations can also be submitted through Bhutan Media Society ([email protected])
Altogether 72,846 exiled Bhutanese have been resettled through the ongoing third country resettlement process overseen by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Exiled Bhutanese boarding IOM buses in Beldangi
Of this, the United States alone has resettled 61,692 individuals. Similarly, Canada and Australia have accepted 5,022 and 3,679 persons respectively, a highly placed source at the UNHCR mentioned.
Resettlement figures in other countries included 709 (New Zealand) 625 (Denmark), 538 (Norway), 324 (Netherlands) and 257 (United Kingdom).
Still, three refugee camps in Jhapa and one of Sanischare continue hosting some 35,000 Bhutanese refugees.
Authorities in Bhutan have suspected involvement of cadres of the Bhutan United Socialist Democratic Party (BUSDP), an underground armed outfit, in kidnapping a taxi driver from Sarpang-Gelephu highway on Oct 22.
The unnamed taxi driver,37, who is being treated after his rescue is learnt to have reported police that he was allegedly kidnapped by cadres of BUSDP.
The state-owned Kuensel has claimed that the driver was unable to furnish details owing to his health condition as he was still reported to be in the state of shock.
“The Gelephu-based taxi driver also told police that there were eight people when he was kidnapped from the road,” wrote the Kuensel.
The Bhutan News Service couldn’t verify the allegation from the Party.
