युनियन लिडरको  सूचिमा निरौला

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युनियन लिडरको  सूचिमा निरौला

न्यु ह्याम्प्शायर राज्यको एउटा चर्चित पत्रिका “युनियन लिडर”को वर्ष २०१६ ‘फोर्टी अन्डर फोर्टी’ को सूचिमा भूटानी समुदायका तिलक निरौला  समावेश भएका छन् । उक्त पत्रिकाले भर्खरै घोषणा गरेको सूचीमा ४० वर्ष मुनिका ४० जना सफल युवा पारखीहरुको नाम सार्वजनिक गरिएको छ |tilak

हरेक वर्ष समाजमा महत्वपूर्ण योगदान पुऱ्याउने व्यक्तिहरुको नामावली संकलन गर्दै आएको यस पत्रिकाले यस वर्ष भूटानी समुदायलाई पनि समावेश गरेको छ ।

भूटानको तक्लाई ब्लकमा जन्मिएर तीन वर्षको हुँदा सपरिवार देशनिकाला भएका थिए तिलक । पिता खडानन्द र माता पारवतीका कान्छा छोरा तिलक सानै छँदादेखि सामाजिक कार्यमा लागेका थिए । दुइ दिदी-बहिनी र दुई दाजुहरूको वात्सल्यमा हुर्केका तिलकलाई अन्य सदस्यभन्दा चम्किलो ताराका रुपमा लिन्छन् उनका परिवारजन ।

अभावै अभावमा खट्केको शरणार्थी अवस्थामा पनि अरुलाई सेवा दिने काममा लागिरहे तिलक । गोल्धाप शरणार्थी शिविरमा सोसियल ह्वेल्फेयर कमिटी नामक संस्थाका प्रणेता तिलकले भूटान समाचार सेवाको समाचार संयोजक रहेर लामो समय काम गरेका छन् ।

शिविरमा युवा केन्द्र (YFC) को सामाजिक संयोजक भएर युवाहरूमा देखिएका कतिपय समस्याहरूको हल खोजे र युवाहरूलाई बिभिन्न तालिम पनि दिलाए ।

२०१३ सालमा अमेरिका पुनर्वास भएका निरौला हाल पनि भूटानी समाज न्यु ह्याम्प्शायरका संचार  सम्योजक हुन् । ककंर्ड टिभीमार्फत नेपाली भाषामा “हाम्रो आवाज” नामक कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्ने उनी पहिलो नेपालीभाषी हुन् ।  यसै गरि तिलक निरौला न्यु ह्याम्प्षरमा दर्ता भएको भुटान मिडिया सोसाइटीको निर्देशक मण्डली सदस्य पनि हुन् |

युनियन लिडर पत्रिकाका अनुसार आगामी मार्च १५ मा हुने कार्यक्रममा निरौला लगायत न्युह्याम्प्षर राज्यका ४० वर्ष मुनिका ४० जनालाइ यो सम्मान प्रदान गरिने छ |

योसिक मंगलबारे सेमी फाइनलमा

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योसिक मंगलबारे सेमी फाइनलमा

डिकेश लामा, झापा,नेपाल

माघ ११ गते, २०७३, बेलडाँगी: इलामको चुलाचुलीमा जारी चुलाचुली गोल्डकपको पहिलो चरणको आज भएको तेस्रो खेलामा हिमचुली इलामलाई ० विरुद्ध ३ गोल गर्दै योसिक मंगलबारे मोरङ्ग सेमी फाइनलमा प्रवेश गरेको छ ।

खेलमा सहभागी खेलाडीहरू (तश्विरः विएनएस–डिकेश लामा)
खेलमा सहभागी खेलाडीहरू (तश्विरः विएनएस–डिकेश लामा)

खेल भएको २ मिनेट बित्न नपाउँदै डिबक्स नजिक पाएको फ्रि-किकलाई सदुपयोग गर्दै योसिकले विजयको शुरुवात गरेको हो । विजयी टिमको तर्फबाट जर्सी नं. ९ का विशाल तामाङ्ले फ्रि-किकलाई सिधै गोलमा परिणत गरे । यसैगरी खेलको हाफ टाइम पछाडी जर्सी नम्बर १२ को मिलन धिमाल र जर्सी नम्बर ५ को विदुर रिजालले १-१ गोल थपेपछि ३ गोलको अन्तरमा योसिक मोरङ्गले विजय आफ्नो पोल्टामा पारेको छ ।

पराजित टीम हिमचुलीले धेरैवटा सुवर्ण अवसर पाए पनि त्यसलाई गोल हुनबाट गोलकिपर विकी राईले बचावट गरे । लिला बाँस्कोटा मुख्य रेफ्रीको संचालनमा भएको खेलमा विजयी टीमका खेलाडी जर्सी नं. ९ का विशाल तामाङ म्यान अफ द म्याच घोषित भए । तामाङलाई आयोजक चुलाचुली खेलकूद समितिका अध्यक्ष राजेन्द्र केरुङ्गले हातबाट भानु माविका शिक्षक बमप्रसाद लिम्बुले प्रायोजन गरेको नगद १ हजार, ट्रफी र प्रमाण-पत्र प्रदान गरे ।

खेलमा प्रथम र दोस्रो हुने टीमलाई नगद ५० र ३० हजार, ट्रफी, मेडल र प्रमाण-पत्र प्रदान गरिने खेल संयोजक दुर्गासिंह योङ्याले बताए । आज बुधबार हुने विआसी भूटान र आयोजक निलोबीच प्रतिस्पर्धा हुने फोर्थ अफिसियल सदस्य युवराज राईले जानकारी दिए ।

 

परिचय-पत्रका लागि शरणार्थी अनसनमा

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परिचय-पत्रका लागि शरणार्थी अनसनमा

डिकेश लामा, झापा नेपाल

माघ १२ गते, २०७३ बेलडाँगी । परिचय-पत्र नभएका शरणार्थीहरूले आफूहरूलाई परिचय-पत्र दिलाउन माग गर्दै बुधवार देखि भूटानी शरणार्थी शिविर बेलडाँगीमा अनसन शुरू गरेका छन् ।

लामो समयदेखि परिचय-पत्रका लागि शरणार्थीसम्बन्धी दातृ निकाय युएनएचसीआरले फोटो खिच्ने काम गरे पनि हालसम्म शरणार्थी परिचय-पत्र नदिएको भन्दै करिब १ सय शरणार्थीले रिले अनसन शुरू गरेका छन् । ”सन् २०१२ मा परिचय-पत्रका लागि हाम्रो फोटो खिचियो तर हालसम्म परिचय-पत्र पाएनौं,” शरणार्थी महिला अनसनकी अगुवा सनमाया गुरूङ्गले बताउनुभयो ।

अनसनमा सहभागीहरु / फाइल फोटो : डिकेस लामा
अनसनमा सहभागीहरु / फाइल फोटो : डिकेस लामा

पछिल्लो पटक परिचय-पत्र नभएका १ हजार ६ सय ४१ जना शरणार्थी रहेको परिचय-पत्र नभएको समूहले जानकारी दिएको छ । परिचय-पत्र नभएका शरणार्थीका विषयमा सरोकारवाला निकायले उचित जवाफ नदिएसम्म अनसन जारी रहने अनसन समूहले जानकारी दिएको छ ।

कटौती राशन लिन अस्वीकार

भूटानी शरणार्थीलाई वितरण गर्दै आएको राहतमध्ये दाल र तेल कटौती गरेको भन्दै शरणार्थीले राशन लिन मानेका छैनन् । हिजोदेखि सधैं वितरण गर्दै आएको २० ग्राम तेल र ६० ग्राम दाल कटौती गरेकाले शरणार्थीले आफूहरूले पाउँदै आएको राशन लिन अस्वीकार गरेका हुन् । ”शरणार्थीहरूको राशन दिन प्रतिदिन कटौति भइरहेको र हाल आएर यो राशनले बाँच्न नसक्ने अवस्था आएकाले हामीले राशन लिन अस्वीकार गरेका हौं,” महिला फूलमाया सुब्बाले बताउनुभयो ।

अनसनमा लामो समय गोलधाप शिविरमा बसेर शरणार्थी राहत पाएको तर हाल राशन काटिएर विजोग भएकी बेलडाँगी २ सेक्टर जी२ की ८१ वर्षिया रूक्मिणी न्यौपानेले आँखाबाट आँश झार्दै दुखेसो पोख्नुभयो । वृद्धा न्यौपानेका अनुसार आफ्नो श्रीमान् होम न्यौपाने र छोरा कृष्ण न्यौपाने तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वास भईसकेका छन् ।

यस विषयलाई लिएर शिविर व्यवस्थापन समितिले दिँदै आएको राशन कटौतिको निर्णय फिर्ता नलिएसम्म शरणार्थीहरूले दातृ निकायलाई दिँदै आएको स्वयंसेवक सेवा उपलब्ध नगर्ने शिविर सचीव सन्चहाङ्ग सुव्बाले बताए ।

यता विश्व खाद्य कार्यक्रमकी संचार प्रमुख सितास्मा थापाले भन्नुहुन्छ, ”हाल विश्वमा शरणार्थीको संख्या बढ्दै गएकाले सहयोगी दाताको सहयोगको अभावमा राहत कटौती गर्न बाध्य भएका हौं ।” थापाका अनुसार हालै शरणार्थीलाई कटौती गरेको राशन धेरै पहिलेदेखि जानकारी गराउँदै आएको र हालै दिन नसक्ने अवस्था रहेको प्रष्ट पार्नुभयो ।

हाल शिविरमा रहेका करिब १० हजार शरणार्थीमध्ये ३ हजार असक्तलाई भने पूर्ण राशन दिँदै आएको खाद्य कार्यक्रमले जानकारी दिएको छ । दुई दिनदेखि चामल नपाएका शरणार्थीहरू हातमा झोला र बोरा बोकेर राशन गोदाम आसपासमा झुम्मिएर बसेका छन् । कहिले सहयोगी दातृ निकायका मानिसहरू आउलान् र चामल थापेर लगेर जाऊँ भन्ने उनीहरूको व्यग्र पर्खाइ रहेको भोकै बस्न बाध्य भएको बेलडाँगी २ की फुलमाया तामाङले बताउनुभयो ।

Refugees begin relay hunger strike demanding ID cards

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Refugees begin relay hunger strike demanding ID cards

 Around one hundred exiled Bhutanese languishing in eastern Nepal have begun hunger strike in Beldangi from Wednesday demanding official registration and refugee identity cards.

Rukmani Neupane, 81, with her fellow refugees in the relay hunger strike (Photo: BNS/Dikesh Lama)
Rukmani Neupane, 81, with her fellow refugees in the relay hunger strike (Photo: BNS/Dikesh Lama)

According to them, although the UN Refugee Agency has already taken their photographs their ID cards haven’t been issued to them even after months.

“They took our photographs back in 2012. However, we are still without ID cards,” one of the women leaders, San Maya Gurung, told Bhutan News Service.

One of the hunger strikers, Rukmani Neupane, 81, lamented that she has been long awaiting her ID card despite of the fact that her husband, Hom Neupane, and son, Krishna Neupane, have already been resettled in the third country.

The group also claimed that some 1641 exiled Bhutanese are without official registration and ID cards.

They have vowed to continue their strike until the concerned authorities meet their demands.

Reported by Dikesh Lama from Jhapa, Nepal for BNS

An open letter to the King of Bhutan

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An open letter to the King of Bhutan

By: Rup Pokharel- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

 

His Majesty the King
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Tashichho Dzong
Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

Your Majesty,

The year 2016 has just ended with so many historic milestones in the history of the kingdom of Bhutan. The nation got blessed with the future heir to the golden throne- the birth of the Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, allowing Your Majesties to begin experiencing the bliss of parenthood. The 400th year of the visit of His Holiness Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to the nation stands as signpost to everyone. The temporary return of (“in loan”) the rare statue of His Holiness Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel from Asiatic Society building in Kolkata, India came as a priceless gift from the immediate neighbor. Your Majesty’s successful reign as the King for a decade with numerous achievements, service towards the citizens during the difficult times such as natural disasters, has strengthened the bond of love, amity, and trust between the king and the people. The latest celebration of the 109th National Day in the historic Dzongkhag of Trongsa will remain a cherished landmark in the nation’s history.

Nevertheless, amidst all those great moments of celebrations throughout the year 2016, Your Majesty, there was a sizeable population of over 40,000 Bhutanese subjects mainly in the Dzongkhags of Samtse, Sarpang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Tsirang, Dagana, and Chhukha participating in those celebrations with a ray of hope to celebrate as an authentic citizen. These are the people who have been praying to see an end to their ‘statelessness’ for 25 years. They lament that they have very limited access to get their grievances reaching to Your Majesty’s office. Almost all the attempts to redress their plight end-up at the Dzongkhag level and Your Majesty’s office has rare opportunity to hear them. The national media has conspicuously and cautiously remained silent on this issue for years. When every attempt of theirs got aborted at the local level many of them started reaching out to Bhutan News Service (BNS) as their ultimate means. Out of those many cases-three of them are presented here for Your Majesty’s merciful consideration. Keeping in mind the perceived level of insecurity among these folks at the local level and based on their request, the identity of the cases is withheld. However, these cases are the representative of the plight of over 40,000 subjects waiting with some faint hope of restoring their citizenship.

Case 1: Samdrup Jongkhar: “His Majesty is our ultimate hope. The future of our children depends on his grace. I tried my best by appealing and visiting the tiers of authorities to present my family’s case with our beloved king. The procedure to meet the king starts at the village level and I always stumble reaching up to the Dzongkhag.  My grandfather and father were born in this country. My grandfather passed away long ago. My father was arrested in the early 1990s for he was a social worker. Later on, he was released with a condition that he would leave the country. He was in another district and I was in Samdrup Jongkhar. Thus, he and the rest of my siblings left the country. In his absence, the census team in 1991 and 1992 kept my family’s census registration in pending.  Now, I only hope that my children not be punished so long for no fault of their own. I may die soon but before I die I want to see my children become ‘citizens’ of their beloved country where they were born.”

Case 2: Thimphu: “I am a father of three children. I am a citizen of Bhutan. I got married in January of 1990. My in-laws left the country in 1991 but by then we had not transferred my wife’s census record to my household. During the census of 1992, my wife could not produce Certificate of Origin (CO) from her parent’s side since they were not in the country at the time.  My three kids are recorded under my wife’s census status.  So, my wife and three kids are still stateless. One of the National Assembly members (current) during the 2013 general election assured us saying if their party won the election the cases like ours would be in their priority so that my family members would become citizens.  Now, it is almost four years since the last election but there has been no indication of anything happening to resolve this pestering issue of my family and that of thousands similar to mine.”

Case 3: Phuntsholing: “This year (2017) is the ‘silver jubilee’ of our sufferings and agonies. We have spent all these years by marking the auspicious days on the calendars with the hope to hear from our benevolent King for a ‘kidu’— a kidu to become citizens of the country we love and call home. I have visited so many Temples and lhakhangs and offered butter lamps all these years to see the light of hope; have read all the issues of the national daily for any good news related to my sufferings. Now, my eldest son graduated from a university in India. He is in the country trying his luck to settle in a job. He cannot apply for any of the government jobs for he is not a ‘citizen’ yet! He has appealed through Dzongkhag administration a couple of times for reviewing our case. Years have passed without any news. I hope I would be able to call myself a proud citizen of the country of Gross National Happiness (GNH). It’s beyond one’s imagination to suffer for 25 years with no good reasons.”

Your Majesty, the nation has lots of problems to address: unemployment among the increasing numbers of graduates is above 3% (per labor ministry’s statistics) and people assume it might be higher; involvements of youth in drug abuse and anti-social activities reported to be increasing at an alarming rate; alcoholism has become a national disease and shame – ‘Alcohol is the highest killer in the nation’ and there are hardly any families where someone is not suffering from mental illness of some sort. The public’s concern of ‘free-corruption’ against ‘corruption-free’ is brimming up slowly. The minds of the young generation Bhutanese are being planted with seeds of nepotism and favoritism as the hallmark of elites in power. Therefore, it’s imperative that the paradigm of GNH has to go hand-in-hand to make the youngest democracy flourish in the kingdom with no sufferings.

It is a great national culture of the kingdom to commemorate the auspicious occasions with various themes, one being thankful to Their Majesties, wishing and praying for their well-being, sound health, and long life. Those occasions are so precious where all loyal citizens express their gratitude towards their national guardians. And, citizens expect some types of kidus from the kind end of Their Majesties- and this has been a national tradition.

Your Majesty, for some unknown reasons, highly regarded occasions of historic importance in the year 2016 ended up hollow, with nothing towards addressing the longest festering citizenship issues which I believe is the root cause of so many problems in the kingdom.

May the February 21st (2017) the auspicious birthday of Your Majesty put an end to the silent sufferings of those deserving citizens. Constituting a commission as per the constitution and expedite the process of addressing the citizenship issue would be a reward from Your Majesty’s end to the children of those parents.  I beg you to make 2017 the year these stale citizenship issues a priority.

Long live Your Majesty, long live the true essence of GNH, and may Bhutan lead the world as a carbon-neutral country, and prosperity and justice for all.

Yours affectionately,

On behalf of those anticipating Your Majesty’s consideration

 

Photo Courtesy:

The official Facebook page of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck- Editors

Losar celebrated in Manchester, NH

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New Hampshire/ Jan 15, 2017
Buddhist Society of NH observed Losar amid a function here on January 14 at 251 Maple st . Manchester, NH.
“We have invited all local religious groups to exhibit unity among us”, man Ghalley the member of society informed BNS.
“There was Nepali cultural songs and dances from from different religious groups and individuals”, informed Ghalley.
The program was chaired by Pema Tamang the president of society. The chief guest was Mothikhar Bhujel.
“We observed Losar because it is the most important festival of Buddhist. To protect, prevent and educate our younger we have observed this festival”, informed Pema, the president of this organization.
“We are glad around 400 individuals from different faith groups attended the celebrations”, Tamang expressed in telephone conversation.
Losar (Tibetan: ལོ་གསར་, Wylie: lo-gsar) is the Tibetan word for “new year”. lo holds the semantic field “year, age”; sar holds the semantic field “new, fresh”. [source Google)

Bhutanese Community in Iowa- inaugurates its office

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Bhutanese Community in Iowa- inaugurates its office

Des Moines, IA,   January 15, 2017:  Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI) has inaugurated an office building amidst a function today, January 15, 2017. The new community office is located at 4121 SE 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50320.logo

The mission of the organization is to establish BCI as a common forum for enhancing the quality of life of all the resettled Bhutanese population living in Iowa through empowerment, collaboration and cooperation; and to promote, protect, and preserve distinctly rich cultural values in order to maintain identity as Bhutanese Americans.

Founded in September 2011, BCI is a not-for- profit community organization in Des Moines, Iowa.  The community seeks to work for the religious, charitable and educational welfare and the promotion and protection of the rich culture of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese people living in Iowa. Presently, about 500 households comprising roughly a total of 4500 people live in Des Moines and its outskirts. The population is expected to be little higher- for people from other states are reported migrating to this city for better job opportunities, affordable housing and the placement of  refugees from the camps in Nepal is still continued in this city.

 

Nabin Khadka, the General Secretary of BCI, contributed to this report-ED

Refugee leaders urge UN SG Guterres not to ignore their plight

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Refugee leaders urge UN SG Guterres not to ignore their plight

Three Bhutanese refugee leaders from Nepal have urged the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres not to ignore the plight of Bhutanese refugees who have been languishing in eastern Nepal since early 1990s.

In a petition signed by chairperson of Bhutanese Refugee Repatriation Representative Committee Dr Bhampa Rai, human rights activist Tek Nath Rizal and Beldangi camp secretary Sanch Hang Subba, the trio appealed Guterres to put pressure on Bhutan to accept those refugees who have been desperately awaiting repatriation back home.

File photo: Dr Bhampa Rai, Tek Nath Rizal and Sanch Hang Subba (L-R)
Dr Bhampa Rai, Tek Nath Rizal and Sanch Hang Subba (L-R)

“We have still a good number of refugees in the camps who would want to be repatriated to their home and hearth in Bhutan,” they said. “We are not mere numbers, we too have a human face. What is sure is that pious declaration alone and mere slip service to human rights and justice will not resolve our problem.”

The trio also requested the Secretary General to stand for the rights of refugees to return to Bhutan, and use the leverage of his office to persuade the international community to press Bhutan for the return of the genuine Bhutanese as a priority human rights issue and in the larger interest of the rule of law.

According to the refugee leaders, the longstanding Bhutanese refugee problem “persists with no sight of solution”.

Their petition further mentioned that the refugees’ rights to be repatriated must be seen at least on the same scale of justice as the rights of those who have chosen the option of resettlement in various third countries.

They also thanked the United Nations through the Secretary General for the humanitarian supports that have been extended to the Bhutanese refugees at a time when the Bhutanese government rejected and abandoned them.

“While the continued and adequate humanitarian assistance is absolutely necessary for those living in the camps to live a dignified life, it is not sufficient to see the end of the problem,” they said.

MH Training concludes in Charlotte

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MH Training concludes in Charlotte

A day long Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training was conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 7, 2017. The training was aimed at creating awareness on MH issues among the community leaders.

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Participants and trainers pose for a photo session after the training. Photo/TP Mishra.

According to the organizer, a total of 27 individuals both from the Bhutanese and Nepalese communities, including leaders from the religious groups, college students, and medical interpreters attended the training.

The WHO Cares International, a Non-Profit Organization chaired by Manoj Rai, organized the training. WHO Cares International organized the event in partnership with State Refugee Program and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

Two bilingual (English and Nepali) certified trainers, Ashok Gurung, and Parangkush Subedi, Health Program Analyst, ORR facilitated the training.
Perry Griffin, a Mental Health Counselor in Charlotte observed and attended the training throughout the day.

Rai welcomed the participants, while Griffin also talked about local mental health resources. Talking to BNS, Rai extended gratitude to the State Refugee Program, NC and the Division of Refugee Health, ORR for their support. “Given the fact Charlotte has already seen few suicide cases, trainings of this nature are need of the hour,” added Rai.

The Health Promotion Case Manager from the Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, Inc. also attended the training. “The training was very informative,” he said.

According to WHO Cares International, at least three resettled Bhutanese have taken their lives in recent months.

Bhutanese Shito-Ryu-Karate in the US Revives

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Bhutanese Shito-Ryu-Karate in the US Revives

Refresher training was organized by Druk American Shito Ryu Karate Do (DASRKD), Columbus chapter on December 31, 2016 through January 1, 2017 headed by the two Bhutanese karate founders Sensei Ran Rai and Sensei Tika Rai.

Senseis (instructors), senpais (seniors), and well-wishers from nine different states participated in the event.

The sensei Rai duo formally opened the program with a welcome speech and observe a minute silence to tribute to former karatekas, late Rupa Subba, late Ramesh Rai, late Raju Rai, late Tara Rai, late Rita Gurung and late Arthik Subba, for their untimely demise and their contribution to Bhutanese karate.

During two-day training, the duo focused on the latest changes on kata on the first day. They engaged officials in referee training on the second day. Participants took part in demonstration and refereeing practices according to new rules. Senpai Moni Rai, another sensei based at Columbus, conducted the program throughout the event. The second day meeting discussed around modernizing karate, adopting collective leadership, and developing community based karate in Bhutanese communities in United States and beyond.One of the Karatekas and the community leader at Columbus, Bhuwan Pyakurel appreciated the initiative taken by the Columbus Dojo to conduct the program.

Similarly, president of Bhutanese Nepali Community of Columbus (BNCC), Bhim Bastola appreciated for bringing youths together and helping them engaged for healthy activities strengthening them physical and mentally. “Through the games sports, it is expected to help many youths who otherwise could easily get indulged into drug and alcohol abuse”, Bastola added.
Since its establishment in the Fall of 1992 at Beldangi I camp (Nepal), Shito-Ryu Karate has attracted thousands of Bhutanese youths. Transition to a new country posed a challenge for a while.

This event, however, remained a historic one in a way that the sensei duos continue to work to bring all the karatekas together in a new country that gave hope for future of karate in United States.

The participants believe the revival of Bhutanese Shito-Ryu Karate brings hope in development of Karate in Bhutanese community while they are learning to live in a new country. A meeting was called on the first day to bring all dojos (clubs) and players to one umbrella organization, “Druk American Shito-Ryu-Karate Do”, so that karatekas trained in refugee camps and who are currenly in different US states could work together. A core committee and sub-committee were formed to work on bylaws gearing toward developing community based Karate and formulating rules and regulations to manage the organization. For the time being, DASRKD headquarter is based in Georgia.

Sensei Ran Rai was nominated as the chairperson of the core working committee and Sensei Tika Rai as the chairperson of the sub-committee. Other core committee members include Sensei Hemant Ghising(Secretary/Spokesperson), Sensei Shiva Jogi, Senpai Bahadur Subba, Senpai Sarman Samal, Senpai Tek N. Nepal, Senpai Moni Rai (Assistant Secretary), Senpai Ashok Gurung, Senpai Maya Lepcha (Treasurer), Senpai Yam Bista and Senpai Madan Rai were nominated as coordinator and assistant coordinator of sub-committee respectively.

“It is just the beginning of another chapter of Bhutanese Shito Ryu Karate. I invite all karatekas in and outside of United States to join us to develop a concept of community based karate that could support youth development to some extent” said Sensei Ran Rai.

The participants appreciated the initiative taken by Columbus dojo under the moderation of Sensei Hemant Ghising and Senpai Moni Rai for the whole process to bring the event as a successful one.

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