A resettled Bhutanese man in Louisville, KY was fatally-hit and killed by a car in Fegenbush Saturday evening at around 6 p.m. He was pronounced dead shortly after he was rushed to a local hospital from the crash site.
Louisville police identified the deceased as Padam Neopaney. He was originally from Chirang and resettled in 2009 from Sanischare camp, Nepal.
BNS learnt that the police contacted the family and returned the dead body following his postmortem today. His funeral ceremony was underway when this report was being updated at 6:56 p.m., Sunday.
Reports said Neopaney was hit in the section of the road where there is no crosswalk and street lights. According to the source, he was crossing Fegenbush to enter Bannon Crossings , where his friends and relatives live.
He is survived by four sons, two daughter in-laws and three grandchildren.
After the resettlement in third world countries and with the wider access to internets, many in the Bhutanese diaspora appear to have been, by and by, showing greater affinity towards various social entertainments.
And of late, soccer, music and dance have become the appetizing source of accruing happiness and peace of mind.
Against this milieu, there has been a substantial rise in the number of Bhutanese youths aspiring to establish their names in the communities and beyond.
Jitu in his uniform
Among these energetic and rising stars, Jitu Basnet, 34, a former refugee from Beldangi I stands high and firm when it comes to connect Bhutanese soccer in almost all the states of America. He is undoubtedly a trailblazer of Bhutanese soccer — taking the ethos of soccer (football) alive from the muddy grounds of refugee camps to stupendous stadiums in America.
Cool and composed and a father of four, Jitu hazily recounts playing with a ball of rags on a rocky ground at the age of seven in a small hamlet in Tsirang, Bhutan, with a small group of village peers. Since then, he never looked back and as times rolled by, his attachment to soccer each day pushed him to a newer height.
Despite being rooted out of Bhutan in 1991 with his family members and finding his way to refugee camp in Eastern Nepal, his passion, craze and intimacy with soccer never faded way even in the midst of panics and shocks during the initial phase of refugee life in camps.
Rather, he chose to work on turning all those impending misfortunes into strength and with the passage of time, he began witnessing his skills, aptitude and passion pushing him to a wider frame!
Eventually, he had been very successful in leading his team to many cross country tournaments in eastern Nepal. He is also the recipient of many awards and decorations.
Come summer, and when it’s rife for Bhutanese players and enthusiasts to brace up for annual Inter- State Soccer Tournament which is normally held in a mutually consented State among players, Jitu is a torchbearer.
He is always seen in the forefront, counseling and directing the fellow participants and leaving no stone unturned to precisely bring the entire tournament to a desired end.
Jitu Basnet in Beldangi-I camp prior to his resettlement
He foresees good future for Bhutanese players in America and hopes to see a few of his juniors in the national level someday.
Nonetheless, he is an ideal role model in the Bhutanese community of Nashville as well.
He always advises youths and elders to keep drugs, smoking and alcohol at bay for the sake of good health. Apart from his hectic job schedule, he also sets some time aside to engage boys in the community in the field nearby.
His relentless effort and unflinching determination towards sports seem to have served him a notable incentive in America too.
Today, besides being a head coach in Cameroon Middle School he is one of the registered trainers and referees in the State of Tennessee and his task involves overseeing, training, refereeing and making rosters for after — school soccer matches in most of the schools in Nashville.
(All pictures used herein are courtesy of Jitu Basnet)
भूटानका ८० हजारौँ शरणार्थीले २०७१ मङ्सिर २३ गते (सन् २०१४ डिसेम्बर ९) नेपालबाट संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिकाका लागि प्रस्थानगरेकाछन् । नेपालका लागि अमेरिकी राजदूत पिटर डब्लु. बोडीले कर्मी उराव, दिलबहादुर सार्की र उनीहरूका ११ महिनाका छोरालाई त्रिभुवन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलबाट बिदा गरेका थिए । उक्त परिवारले ओहाइयोस्थित कोलम्बसमा नयाँ जीवन सुरु गर्नेछ ।
उहाँहरूको परिवारलाई भेटेपछि राजदूत बोडीले २० वर्षभन्दा बढी समयदेखिको भूटानी शरणार्थीहरूप्रतिको स-सम्मान आतिथ्यका लागि नेपाल सरकार र नेपाली जनताहरूको सराहना गर्नुभयो । उहाँले भन्नुभयो, “शरण माग्दै यहाँ आउनेहरूलाई संरक्षण गर्ने नेपालको प्रतिबद्धता यसको इतिहासले देखाएको छ । त्यसै सम्मानित परम्पराको परिप्रेक्षमा म नेपाललाई भूटानी शरणार्थीहरूका लागि स्थायी समाधानको खोजी हुँदै गर्दा विश्वकै लागि नमुना बनिरहन प्रोत्साहित गर्न चाहन्छु ।”
अमेरिकाले नेपाल सरकार, शरणार्थीसम्बन्धी राष्ट्रसंघीय उच्चायुक्तको कार्यालय (युएनएचसीआर) तथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय आप्रवासी सङ्गठन (आईओएम) सँगको निकट समन्वयमा पूर्वी नेपालमा बसोबास गर्दै आएका भूटानीलाई सन् २००८ देखि पुनर्वास गराउन थालेको हो । ६ वर्षअघि भूटानीहरुको पहिलो समूहले नेपालबाट प्रस्थान गरेयता अस्ट्रेलिया, क्यानाडा, डेनमार्क, नेदरल्यान्ड्स, न्यूजिल्यान्ड, नर्वे, बेलायत र अमेरिकामा गरी ९३ हजारभन्दा बढीलाई पुनर्वास गराइसकिएको छ । अमेरिकामा पुनर्वास गराइएका ८० हजारमध्येका केही भुटानीहरू अड्गीकृत अमेरिकी नागरिक बनिसकेका छन् ।
गत महिनाको अन्तिम साता नेब्रास्काको ओमाहा सहरमा तीन दिने बृहत् साहित्य गोष्ठि सम्पन्न भएको छ। नोबेम्बर २७ तारिकबाट सुरु भएको उक्त गोष्ठिलाई “अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सिर्जनात्मक अनुष्ठान-२” नाम दिइएको थियो।
कार्यक्रममा सहभागी साहित्यप्रेमीहरु
विश्व भूटानी साहित्य सङ्गठन (GBLO) र भूटानी समुदय नेब्रस्का (BCN) को संयुक्त आयोजनामा सम्पन्न सो कार्यक्रममा उत्साहजनक सहभागिता रहेको बताइएको छ। अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय नेपाली साहित्य समाजका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष पदम विश्वाकर्माको प्रमुख आथित्य र जी.बि. एल. ओका अध्यक्ष डेनजोम साम्पाङको सभापतित्वमा सम्पन्न उक्त कार्यक्रममा वरिष्ठ नेपाली साहित्यकार कृष्ण धराबासी विशिष्ट अथिति रूपमा उपस्थित थिए। त्यस्तै अमेरिका स्थित भूटानी समुदायहरूको सङ्गठन (ओ. बि. सि. ए.) का भूतपूर्व अध्यक्ष डी. जे. खालिंग, भूटानी गायक मनोज राई तथा डम्बर खापुंग, साहित्य परिषद भूटानका संस्थापक अध्यक्ष गङ्गाराम लामिटारे, साहित्य परिषद भूटानका वर्तमान अध्यक्ष भक्त घिमिरे लगायत ठुलो सङ्ख्यामा भूटानी साहित्यप्रेमीहरुको सहभागिता रहेको आयोजकहरुले जनाएका छन्।
कार्यक्रम संयोजक तथा GBLO का प्रवक्ता कर्ण गुरुङका अनुसार तीन दिनसम्म चलेको उक्त कार्यक्रममा विविध साहित्यिक विचार प्रस्तुत हुनुका साथै चार वटा कृतिहरु विमोचित भएका थिए। विमोचित कृतिहरुमा GBLO को प्रकाशनमा रहेका लिला निशाको कविता सङ्ग्रह ‘बुढो रुख र सान्नानीको इन्द्रेणी’, कर्ण गुरुंगको कविता सङ्ग्रह ‘बुद्धिको बिर्को’, यदुनाथ अधिकारीको ‘अपेक्षा’ र झकाश ग्रुपले प्रकाशनमा ल्याएको दावा तामङ्को रुबाई सङ्ग्रह ‘फाटेको मन’ रहेका छन्।
कार्यक्रममा विभिन्न साहित्यिक तथा सामाजिक क्षेत्रमा योगदान गर्ने १० जना व्यक्तित्वहरुलाई सम्मानसमेत गरिएको थियो। सम्मानित हुनेहरुमा OBCA का पूर्व अध्यक्ष डि. जे. खालिङ्, GBLO का उपअध्यक्ष लीला निशा, भूटानी नेपाली गायक तथा शिक्षक डम्बर खापुङ्, अग्रज भूटानी साहित्यकार तथा साहित्य परिषद भूटानका संस्थापक अध्यक्ष गङ्गा राम लामिटारे, साहित्य परिषदका अध्यक्ष भक्त घिमिरे, भूटानी नेपाली गायक तथा युवा नेतृत्व मनोज राई, समाज सेवी तथा नेब्रस्का भूटानी समुदयका बुद्धिजीवी कुमार गुरुङ, टेक्सासस्थित भूटानी अमेरिकी सङ्घ ह्यूस्टन (BAAH) का अध्यक्ष डि. बि. राई, जर्जिय राज्यबाट दिलीप दाहाल, भूटान रुबाई मन्चका उपअध्यक्ष ममता राई मोक्तान ‘तारा’ र OBCA का उपअध्यक्ष हरि उप्रेती रहेका छन्।
अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सिर्जनात्मक अनुष्ठान-१ २०१० सालमा खुदुनाबारीमा सम्पन्न भएको थियो।
Bhutanese Community of New Hampshire (BCNH) and its Youth wing-Bhutanese Youth of New Hampshire concluded a half day long ‘Annual Cultural Event- Euphoric Night II’ in Concord City Auditorium in New Hampshire on November 29th, 2014. The major objectives of organizing this year’s Euphoric Night were: honoring established and emerging Bhutanese artists across the USA who have contributed significant time and energy in the field of music and to share Bhutanese culture and heritage with the hosting community.
Tika Acharya, the Executive Director of BCNH formally inaugurated the event by welcoming all to the event and highlighted the major projects operated in FY-2014 and the prime accomplishments achieved by the organization. “The event was a huge success with a titanic turnout of community members”, Acharya informed BNS.
Traditional dance presented at the event
BCNH’s Director for Programs & Development, Bhagirath Khatiwada highlighted the mission of organizing the event for bringing as many Bhutanese artists as possible from across the country in a single platform for them to meet and greet after long they been separated and for them motivate in taking determined actions for the promotion of Nepali music in diaspora.
Mr. Khatiwada thanked all the artists, volunteers, well-wishers and the entire community for their presence in the event.
“Many of the artists could not make to the event due to their busy schedule despite their immense desire to come, some of them could not respond on time and to some BCNH could not reach out, said Mr. Khatiwada and apologized on behalf of the organizing committee of the event to those artists who are not reached out.
Taking this auspicious opportunity, Board Chair of BCNH, Guru Subedi informed the completion of the organization’s Five Year Strategic Plan to the public.
Speaking in the event, Mr. Subedi said, “We are reexamining our core values and purpose to set priorities for future plans”.
The strategic plan will define our priorities of the community development and help us reach new heights in rendering our service, he further added.
launching of Gajal album
Artists who have demonstrated their determined efforts in building the musical foundation where honored with the Distinguished Service Award of BCNH in the event.
The recipients of the award include: Ram Gurung, Balaram Gurung, Mahesh Thulung, Amber Subba, Govinda Phuyel, Kishor Siwakoti, Dhan B. Baraily, Manoj Dhakal, Krishna Dhakal, Saran Gurung, Monika Khadka, Nabin Dhakal, Nikky Karki, Bhakta Ghalley and Kedar Neopaney.
Varieties of songs and dances were performed in the Euphoric Night-II. Artists from 16 states had participated in the event.
Speaking on behalf of the artists, Ram Gurung a student of veteran music composer and singer, Amber Gurung, expressed that it is very challenging for any artist to manage time to devote to music while handling the demands of life, career, family and public expectation.
Thanking BCNH and the organizing committee of the event, Mr. Gurung said, “We have attended several cultural functions after resettlement but this is the historic one for having these many artists in one platform with such a neat and unique mission and objectives”.
Neopaney honored for his album
In the mid of the event, Devi Timsina Foundation releases its first Ghazal Album ‘Jodera Samjhanaharu’.
The revenue generated from selling album will be deposited in the account of the foundation for carrying out various charitable activities, said Bhola Siwakoti (Puranaghare), the Executive Director of the foundation.
Representing Bhutanese youth in New Hampshire, Rabi Pathak and Subash Gurung applauded the hard work and commitment demonstrated by all individuals involved in making this event a great success.
They further stated that Bhutanese youth in New Hampshire have learned a lot from the senior Bhutanese artists from across the country in this event.
BCNH hosted ‘Post Event Panel Discussion’ focusing on challenges, opportunities and the future strategies of Bhutanese artists. Tilak Niroula, Media and Communication Manager of BCNH moderated the session.
Majority of the artists opined and aspired to have a national platform for the artists and requested the community leaders and intellectuals to help create productive environment.
Dadhi Rai, Puspa Adhikari, Tika Chhetri and Becky Field were honored by New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in recognition of their invaluable contribution in the field of arts.
Rohit Suvedi, Bikash Bhattarai, Hema Gautam, Bhola Siwakoti (Puranaghare) and Chuda Mani Niroula were the program hosts. Bikash Bhattarai gave the vote of thanks and thanked all the participants and the audience.
Bhutan and India’s ties are on an upswing with three high-level meetings in the past six months, including Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s visit to Delhi in May and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee’s visits to Thimphu subsequently. As Mr. Tobgay prepares to meet Mr. Modi again in Kathmandu at the SAARC summit on November 26 and 27, he spoke to Suhasini Haidar of The Hindu about bilateral ties as well as the need for SAARC to be a common forum to collaborate on. Edited text of interview:
Just a week away from the SAARC summit…what are your hopes and expectations from the summit in Kathmandu November 26-27?
First of all, this is my first summit, and I am very excited to be able to meet the leaders of all our member countries. It’s also exciting that we will meet so soon after meeting in Delhi, during PM Modi’s swearing-in. So although, SAARC hasn’t met for three years, since 2011 in the Maldives, one feels it hasn’t been so long because of the “mini-summit” thanks to Mr. Modi. At a regional level, it is significant just because it is taking place at all. SAARC is in its 30th year, and we are meeting for only the 18th time. We have to have more summits and more meaningful summits. I am very hopeful for the Kathmandu summit, especially since many of the heads of government attending are new. India’s PM Modi has made it very clear, both in word and in deed that the neighbourhood matters. And even though India-Pakistan talks didn’t take place as planned in August, I am very hopeful that this SAARC summit will be a milestone and a watershed moment in realizing the collective hopes of the region to integrate and prosper together. India is the heartland of SAARC, India must play a leadership role in that.
You sound upbeat, but in the past, leaders themselves have called it a “talk shop”. I ask specifically because in 2010, it was the Bhutan PM who had criticized members, India and Pakistan for allowing their “quarrels” to keep the region back?
PM Tobgay
Well lets look at it another way…if we did not have bilateral differences, we wouldn’t need a SAARC. The reason we need SAARC desperately to realize our collective potential is, because we have differences. This forum provides for us to go beyond individual differences and in doing so it provides us the platform to reconcile them. A case in point, this room we are sitting in, is historic, because [PM Manmohan Singh and Pakistan PM Gilani met in this room during SAARC 2010]. In 2002, 3 weeks after the parliament attack in India , PM Vajpayee and President Musharraf were shaking hands. This is possible because of SAARC. Imagine if there was no SAARC, we don’t know what might have happened. EU has differences, ASEAN members have differences, in our countries also, member states will have differences. We need SAARC, a common forum to collaborate on. At the minimum it is a safe political stage for them to meet.
But how does Bhutan and other countries feel about the fact that every SAARC summit is overshadowed by India-Pakistan headlines?
Well this is a reality we can’t run away from. If certain issues affect more people, they must take centre-stage. Yes, so many SAARC summits have been dominated by political differences between [India and Pakistan]. That’s no reason to give up. India has already demonstrated its commitment, when PM Modi invited the heads of government to visit, and they all accepted at very short notice. That’s not something a ‘talk shop’ would do. 30 years later, all is not lost. SAARC still exists. We are meeting in Kathmandu, lets see if there is a breakthrough. These three agreements (on energy cooperation, railways, motor vehicles travel) will be a breakthrough if they are signed, and there may be a bigger one. And we will work towards the next summit if not.
Are you worried about PM Modi and PM Sharif not talking there?
From what I saw in New Delhi, I am not worried. Both PMs are world leaders, and when they meet, I am optimistic that good things are possible.
On India-Bhutan ties, it is unprecedented to have had two highest-level bilaterals in 4 months, with both PM Modi and President Mukherjee visiting Thimphu….why do you think it happened?
It is unprecedented, but shows that the level of our cooperation, understanding and trust is also unprecedented.
President Mukherjee said that the securities of both countries are “inextricably linked”. Does India suggest that it will enhance that security?
Our security concerns are intertwined. The cooperation we enjoy right now… there is no reason to review or revise or increase that. There is absolutely no cause for concern. I will answer the question you have not asked but want to….there is a theory that India’s leaders are visiting Bhutan in quick succession, and PM Modi made Bhutan his maiden foreign visit destination because the government is concerned about Bhutan’s security I say, nonsense. Our friendship is deep and this is a celebration of it. These are nonsense theories.
You’re saying this is not linked to China? That China is not a factor in India-Bhutan relations? I ask because reports suggest the Seema Sashatra Bal is planning a series of helipads along the border with Bhutan, so as to boost security, amid other reports of incursions over the Bhutan China boundary….would you comment on those?
China is a factor in India-Bhutan relations in so much as it is a neighbor for both countries. Bhutan has an unresolved border with China. We need to resolve it. And the boundary issue is very important. We have had discussions, 22 rounds of them since 1984, including this year. We have to be extremely careful because this is about our sovereignty, territory that is precious for a small country. Right now, the discussions are going very well with the Chinese. Each bilateral discussions are done carefully, and the negotiations based on the 1988 guiding principles and 1998 agreement for maintenance of peace. Where there have been issues, we have raised them. I have read those reports you refer to, but I have no information on either.
Finally, is democracy in Bhutan irreversible? You have just completed a year in office, and you came in with some high expectations
Well, we have started delivering on some of our promises on paying government employees, on employment, on electricity. We have used this first year well. Is democracy irreversible? Lets ask a simpler question: if people are unhappy, will they be willing to change governments. They did, when they voted us in. We went from 2 seats in the opposition to 32 (out of 47 seats). People do miss the direct involvement of his majesty the King in day to day administration. But his majesty the King himself insists that democracy must succeed in Bhutan.
None of the parties including Subba, family of Acharya or BNS could confirm the nature of the meeting, including the exact location and other attendees.
Subba further informed BNS that Acharya also stated that he was with Rinzin Dorji, President of the Democratic National Congress-D, an exile-based political party.
“I failed to establish contact when I telephoned him around 4pm. When contacted Dorji in the evening, he told me that he was at home the entire day and did not accompany Acharya that day,” said Subba, adding- “Since then we desperately started looking for him. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged with the West Bengal police at Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri.” Subba has assured BNS that he will send a copy of the FIR soon.
Upon an inquiry of BNS, Dorji said that he was neither aware where Acharya was headed, nor did he meet him on October 16. Dorji said he is been constantly in touch with local authorities in Nepal to request them to help trace the whereabouts of Acharya.
Lok Nath Acharya. Photo/family.
When pressed as to why he did not have any clues about what was unfolding despite the fact that Acharya talked about a well-being check after 1pm on October 16, Subba maintained that his impression was that Acharya was traveling with Dorji. “I thought they were together and that things would be okay.”
According to the HUROB Chairman, he recently received information from a reliable source that Acharya was taken by Samchi-based Royal Bhutan Army on October 16 from Malbazar, India.
He further added that Acharya was firstly taken to Samchi army camp by three individuals and kept there till October 18 before he was taken to Thimpu. It is not yet clear whether those individuals were army personnel.
Subba claimed that now Acharya is being kept in Rubina, an army jail in Wangdi Phodrang. It is also suspected that Bhutan army in connivance with the police of Malbazar took him.
Subba claimed that Acharya could have been arrested due to his affiliation with HUROB since 1990. According to Subba, Acharya used to be involved in gathering information from inside Bhutan in order for them to monitor political development and the state of human rights in the country.
HUROB feared that Acharya is kept in solitary confinement and his life is under threat, as no body has access to him.
“I call upon the international community, including the human rights organizations to help us fight for his protection from tortures and fair trial in the court for any allegations. HUROB calls for his immediate unconditional release,” said Subba.
Family fearful Talking to BNS over the phone, North Dakota-based Hem Acharya, brother of the victim said his family has taken the whereabouts quite serious.
“We are having hard time to piece this together,” he said, adding—“Why would someone who is working in the field of human rights sector be arrested in a kidnapping fashion and that by a government claimed to be democratic”?
According to Hem, his brother had asked his sister-in-law on October 14 that she should take their 82-year ailing father to Kakadvitta –Indo-Nepal border, so that he could take him to a hospital for treating kidney related problem. When contacted on October 15, Lok did not answer the phone.
“Since there is no evidence that Loknath is actually inside prison, we have more questions than answers about his whereabouts,” Hem said.
Hem further requested the international human rights organizations, including the Amnesty International, among others to help his family trace the whereabouts of his brother.
“Even if he is put into prison, there is no guarantee he will have a fair trial. What is guaranteed though is severe torture.” Hem is equally concerned as to whether someone foul played and tipped-off the Bhutan army falsely.
Hem added that a source that do not want to be identified at the West Bengal police administration told him that his brother was drugged and dragged into a black SUV by three men and was driven away. The source, according to Hem, thinks the Bhutan army took him in connivance with the police of Malbazar.
BNS could neither confirm if Acharya was drugged, nor could it confirm it’s time and location independently.
He told BNS that he was deeply concerned about the safety of rest of his brother’s family members, including their parents currently languishing in camps.
“I kindly appeal to the UNHCR to address the security issues of my brother’s family members in camp.”
Formerly from Sarpang district in southern Bhutan, Acharya was living in Beldangi-II extension refugee camp in eastern Nepal.
Similar arrests and deportation stories
Bhutan is known to have a good record of arresting exiled political leaders or human rights activist in a strange fashion.
All six men were claimed by the Bhutanese Government to have organized a campaign of civil disobedience, involving acts of violence, protesting against the government’s policy of national integration.
They were detained in solitary confinement at Wangdi Phodrang prison—the same prison where Acharya is now reportedly detained. They were released on different time periods, and Rizal served the longest time in jail under harsh conditions.
According to an archived report of BNS, late RK Dorji, an exiled political leader, was arrested on April 18, 1997, by the Government of India at the behest of Royal Government of Bhutan to have him extradited to Bhutan, when he arrived in Delhi to garner support from the Government and the people of India for the Bhutanese peoples’ struggle for the establishment of democracy and human rights in Bhutan.
He was imprisoned for 14 months at Tihar jail, India and released on bail on July 12, 1998.
However, his bail condition prevented him from leaving Delhi without permission, and he had to report to the local police station twice a week. Later, the extradition proceedings against Dorji, the President of the Druk National Congress decided to withdraw the case by the Government of India.
In 2008, Assam police arrested the then general secretary of the Druk National Congress -Democratic (DNC-D) Tenzin Zangpo, and later deported to Bhutan. Indian media reports stated Zangpo was arrested in charges related to serial blasts in Assam on 30th October 2008 that killed about 80 people. However, Zangpo’s deportation had raised serious concerns when he was deported to the Bhutanese authority without any trial in Indian soil. His whereabouts is still a mystery even to his family members.
Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI) organized one day awareness program November 23, on tax filing and held discussion about the Obama Care (Affordable Care Act) in a hall managed by Lutheran Social Services 3200 University Ave, Des Moines City. The program was initiated by Bhutanese Community Education Committee under BCI in order to create an awareness and explain the value of tax preparation. The program was focused to all the general public of BCI to understand exactly about EITC or Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Business tax, SSI, unemployment insurance, Independent employee/contract, W2 forms, 1099 forms etc. Attorney Mr. Jason Burdick of Iowa Legal Aid was the main speaker for the program. He explained in detail on each topic of tax matters and also answered questions raised by the public. He also mentioned clearly about the consequences, lefts and rights, if tax matters are not handled or solved properly in given time of the year. He addressed clearly about the difference between W2 and 1099 forms and about an employee’s responsibilities and independent business owners. He cautioned the attendees about not to fall prey to IRS red list of defaulters.
Participants with facilitator attorney Jason. Picture courtesy: Prabesh Rai
The program started at 10 a.m with welcome speech and program announcement by Birkha Gurung. This was one of the events of public importance held on tax matters for new Bhutanese Americans in Iowa. Attorney Mr. Jason also explained in brief about Obama Care and its importance especially for the low income families in the community. He stressed further about the consequences for not following tax rules and not having insurance according to affordable care act, that may result to penalties. Mr. Jason further pointed out that documented tax preparer would be most suitable to get assistance for those who have eligible income levels to file the tax during tax filing season. He also encourage all residents of Iowa to network with Iowa Legal Aid if required to resolve any nature of legal problem freely, especially applied to the low income families. About fifty community members participated in awareness program.
The Awareness program was possible by the joint efforts and active co-ordination of all the community members, attorney Mr. Jason Burdick, the president of BCI,Mr. Harka Lal Biswa, board members Gopal Khadga, Tika Bastola, S.B.Gurung, the chairman of education committee of BCI. Mr.Gurung volunteered to serve interpreter for the program.
Harka Biswa, expressed his deep gratitude to attorney Jason for his time and expertise to aware about matters of vital importance like health insurance and tax credit.
Movie Desh Khojdai Jaanda literally “In Search of a Nation” is based on chronology of historical facts about the ethnic Nepalese in early history of southern “Bhu-utan” now known as Bhutan. Historical evidence lavishly suggests that the theocratic ruler of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal consolidated Bhutan. His visit to southern part of Bhutan influenced him to send the request to the king of Gorkha, Ram Shah (present Nepal) for 41 Nepali families to settle in the southern Bhutan. The “Tamrapatra”(copper plate treaty) signed by both the kings in 1624 stated that the Nepalese settlers shall be given Bhutanese citizenship and shall be treated equally in every respect.
A scene from the movie
The story is true, the people are real and the ill-fate is shared in common. However, the movie has become an artistic piece of fiction representing the story that goes as:
The Lhotshampas (ethnic Nepalese in Bhutan) continued to live in Bhutan in close harmony with other ethnic groups. Abruptly, the xenophobic royal government started enforcing policies targeting the Lhotshampas. The citizenship act of 1958, 1977 and 1985 were enacted and implemented only in Southern Bhutan. The census of 1988, which required Lhotshampas to provide “Certificate of Origin” consequently resulted denial of citizenship for many in southern Bhutan. Meanwhile, the government intensely enforced the “Green Belt” & “One Nation One People” policy since 1988 in a deliberate mood to afflict Lhotshampas, interfere in practice their religion, culture, forbade wearing ethnic dress and speak Nepali, their language.
The Lhotshampas made an appeal to the forth king to reconsider those enacted policies but the government reacted by arresting the leaders and the signatories.
In the fall of 1990 and in 1997, Lhotshampas and other ethnic groups organized peaceful demonstrations demanding basic human rights and cultural freedom. The royal government of Bhutan cracked down the peaceful movement with military might. Unwarranted detentions, killings and prosecution followed intensely that resulted the mass exodus of Lhotshampas in the neighboring India and Nepal. The United Nations came to their rescue. Forceful eviction of mass continued until 1998. More than 120,000 of Bhutanese refugees were registered by UNHCR, some of them remain languished in the camps even today. Thousands of undocumented refugees are stranded in India and Nepal.
Government of Nepal held 16 rounds of bilateral talks with Bhutan to repatriate refugees. With Bhutan not ready to accept its citizens, the door of third country resettlement was eventually opened after 18 years of effort, in 2007.
Majority of the refugees opted to start new life in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. According statistics furnished by UNHCR in June 2014, still 26,000 were awaiting return to Bhutan.
The movie is filmed in the refugee camps to document the history of sufferings, pathetic living conditions of the refugees and their genuine effort to return home. It also depicts the dilemma of the refugees whether to choose the resettlement offer or just wait in the refugee camps for good days to return.
The movie
“Do you think this soil as mere sand from the river bank? It’s Bhutan’s soil, boys. Bhutan’s” – as quoted in the movie by the central character “Karbari kaka“ in the movie “Desh Khojdai Jaanda”- is finally ready to hit the theaters in January, 2015.
The movie can aptly be historical, filmed in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal and post production work completed in USA. It documents the ill-fate of Lhotshampas who were forcibly evicted from Bhutan, and the pain and agony of sufferings when it comes to being stateless. The research based superior graphic contents of the movie reflects the lives and historical facts of Bhutan and Bhutanese, especially the circumstances surmounting the plight of refugees, particularly the Lhotsampas.
The movie directed by writer/filmmaker Prakash Angdambe and conceived by fine artist/filmmaker Pralhad Gurung, is based on the early settlement of Nepali subjects in Southern Bhutan. The historical facts has been presented graphically since early 17th century from the days of Zhabdrung, about the treaty between the then Gorkha king, Ram Shah and Zhabdrung, and how the Lhoptsampas took measures to clear the malaria infested southern forests to build the fertile terrain and establish farming and civilization.
The movie intertwines about the emotional shifts in various circumstances of the central character, “Karbari kaka”, the village head assistant. He is presented as a wise observer but a mute sufferer. The movie makes the Bhutanese viewer nostalgic about the past life and daily activities in the refugee camp. To the non-refugee viewers, it may shoot up high emotions.
The movie bears the clear message that Lhotshampas are not the only to face injustice but equally mistreated are other ethnic groups in Bhutan.
The movie also portrays the genuine attempt made by the refugees returning Bhutan, consequent violent crackdown by the Indian security forces to stop them from entering Bhutan. The refugees’ anguish for unequal treatment by local Nepali population is presented with humility.
The frustration, anger, guilt and disparity among refugees is interwoven fabric of the movie. The dilemma whether or not to opt third country resettlement, the conflict of interest between the acceptance and denial resulting to internal clashes and death of a patriotic character certainly make the viewers’ eyes to well up.
The movie is presented by Line Cross Movies, production by Ifacans International Foundation. Per Birendra Khadka, the executive producer, the movie is slated to be released in second week of Jan 2015.
The technical aspects are profoundly superior in 4K picture print and 5.1 surround sound quality. According to the production team the movie will be available for shows in all countries of Bhutanese settlement and in Nepal.
In nutshell, the movie provides strong history based evidence to the plight of Lhotasmpas and documents the sufferings of refugees who are fervently in “the search of a nation”.
Motivated by the need to advocate on behalf of Bhutanese refugees, twenty seven resettled Bhutanese of ten states flew to Washington DC this Monday, November 17, undeterred by the sub-zero temperatures and beating rain on roads of DC area. They congregated in the capitol hill for a congressional briefing supported by Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a pluralistic advocacy organization based in USA.
The first ever congressional briefing, called as Bhutan Advocacy day began at 9 am, Monday, meeting with the officials of US State Department in their office. The briefing to the officials overseeing South Asian affairs, particularly Bhutan lasted for an hour and half.
The delegates presented their share of stories covering most important areas concerning resettlement.
From left-right: Suhag Sukla (HAF), Madhap Sharma, Dorria Bramente (Film producer, Refugees from Shangri-La) and Dr Chhabilal Sharma Photo courtesy: Balaram Gurung
Madhap Sharma gave an overview of his personal story of becoming a refugee from his native land, life in refugee camps in Nepal and having resettled in the US. He also highlighted domestic issues faced by resettled refugees in learning language, citizenship test preparation, unemployment and other post resettlement challenges in everyday life.
Dr Chhabilall Sharma emphasized the need for increased appropriations for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to fund specific programs that address the mental health, economic, and cultural needs of Bhutanese refugees.
Mangala Sharma raised issues related to resettled women and children and emphasized on skills development, in a bid to stabilize families to address post-resettlement stressors.
On foreign policy, Narad Adhikari briefed on the historical background of Bhutanese refugee issue and unyielding bilateral talks between Bhutan and Nepal.
Parangkush Subedi urged the State Department to put international pressure on the Bhutanese government to protect the linguistic, cultural, religious, and civil rights of all ethnic and religious minorities in Bhutan; to democratize and allow open participation by all political parties; repatriate all those refugees, who wish to return with honor, safety and dignity; designate resettle Bhutanese refugees as Non-Resident Bhutanese (NRB), and establish US diplomatic mission in Bhutan.
Participants in one of the congressional briefings
The actual congressional briefing by the delegates including HAF members took place in 240 Cannon House office building. The briefing to the congress members and their staffs ran through 11:30am to 1pm. Stories of broken families and their right to reunion, particularly meeting of family members left in Bhutan by the resettled ones attracted quite curiosity.
Later in the afternoon at Capitol Hill , beginning 1:30 pm, the delegates divided into four groups, each led by a representative of HAF to meet the congress members and staffs in their chambers. They met representatives from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Indiana, Utah, Maryland, Colorado.
Issues were raised on same topics with elaborate discussions. On the domestic front, emphasis was given on language barrier by the elderly people for the citizenship test, mental health and suicide risk factors. On foreign policy matter, early repatriation of refugees living in the camps who wish to return to Bhutan, family reunion in Bhutan and recognition of resettled Bhutanese as Non-Resident Bhutanese were the main issues raised with the Congressional staff.
Madhap Sharma and Dr Chhabilal Sharma served panelists representing Bhutanese delegates while Doria Bramente highlighted the rationale behind making Bhutanese refugees documentary -Refugees from Shangrila. The Panel was moderated by Suhag Sukla, Executive Director of Hindu American Foundation.
The delegation with Congress woman Tulshi Gabbard
Other members of the Bhutanese delegation included BM Rai, Mohan Tamang, DP Basnet, Biswanath Chhetri, Sarman Samal, Kishor Pradhan, Tulsa Sharma, Ganesh Subedi, Rajen Giri, Chuda Dahal, Tika Acharya, Leela Kuikel, Mukti Raj Gurung, Suraj Budathoki,Bhagirath Khatiwada, Motikhar Bhujel, Bhuwan Pyakurel, Balaram Gurung, Bhuwan Gautam, Laxmi Niroula, Suraj Budathoki and Gopal Subedi.
The program concluded at 6:00 PM with the meeting of Congress woman Tulshi Gabbard.
Meanwhile, at the reception night on 16th November, the documentary ‘the Refugees of Shangrila’ was screened for the general public at Shri Shiva Bishnu temple in DC area.
The program was organized and supported by HAF and coordinated by Jay Kansara on behalf of HAF and Parangkush Subedi on behalf of Bhutanese delegation.
