World peace event concludes in GA

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A religious event aimed at preaching ‘world peace’ and organized by Bhutanese-Nepali Buddhists community in Atlanta, GA from July 27-28 concluded amidst a special closing ceremony.

According to the organizer, the event that was held at Atlanta School for Deaf in Clarkston Georgia was able to garner around 1500 participants, most of them were senior members.

Noted Buddhist philosopher from Nepal, Khenpo Sange Rangjung Rinpoche, offered blessings (wang) to participants and delivered lectures on world peace and Buddhist philosophy. Rinpoche was accompanied by two of his disciples, and 15 Bhutanese Lamas from GA.

LB Gurung, President of the Bhutanese Gurung Society of Georgia, welcomed Rinpoche, guests and participants in the inauguration session.

While, Gopal Samal highlighted objectives of such a program.

Samal said, “Adopting new country does not mean adopting every thing new. It’s possible for all to live the way we used to and we aspire”.

He also claimed such a program granted an opportunity to all Bhutanese Buddhist communities to come together for preaching peace in the world.

Yet, another member of the organizing committee Phurba Lama thanked all volunteers, guests and participants during the closing ceremony.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee also decided to donate US $305 to Punya Foundation for recognizing its initiative to educate vulnerable education.

The donation was a part of individual donations made by participants throughout the program.

(Sarman Samal contributed to this reporting, while all pictures used are by Bishal Gurung.)

हल दम्पतिबाट पाँचौं वनभोजको आयोजना

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न्यु ह्याम्सर – अमेरिकाको उत्तर-पूर्वी राज्य ‘न्यु ह्याम्सर’ मा पुनर्स्थापित भूटानीका लागि यहाँका एक समाजसेवीको परिवार शनिबार (जुलाई २७) एक वनभोजको आयोजना गरेको छ । समाजसेवी डगलस हल, उनकी धर्मपत्नी केट राफर्टी हल र जोनाथन हलले गर्दै आएको वनभोज पाँचौ हो । वनभोजलाई हलले ‘भूटानी तथा उनका नेपाली एवम् अमेरिकी मित्रहरूको वनभोज’ नाम दिनु भएको छ ।

वनभोज कार्यक्रममा भजन गाउदै भूटानीहरू
वनभोज कार्यक्रममा भजन गाउदै भूटानीहरू

स्थानीय चाइचेस्टर, लेन रोडस्थित हलको आफ्नै घर-जग्गाको क्षेत्रमा आयोजित उक्त वनभोजमा नेपाली-भाषी भूटानी, नेपाली र अमेरिकी गरी करिब तीन सयको उपस्थिति थियो । उहाँले यस्तो वनभोज वर्षमा जूनदेखि अगस्तबीचमा शनिबार वा आइतबार गर्दै आउनु भएको छ ।

भजनबाट शुरू भएको वनभोज खानपिनका अतिरिक्त क्यारम बोर्ड, ब्याडमिन्टन, भलिबल खेल्ने व्यवस्था गरिएको थियो । एकल तथा दोहोरी गीत गाइएको थियो भने नृत्य गरिएको थियो । गायक तारा आचार्य सबैलाई मनमुग्ध पार्ने स्वरमा गीत सुनाउनु भएको थियो ।

हल-दम्पति सन् १९६०-७० को दशक सात वर्ष जति नेपालमा पिसकोर स्वयंसेवक हुनुहुन्थ्यो । अमेरिकामा भूटानीहरूको पुनर्स्थापना थालेपछि’नेपाली-अंग्रेजी-नेपाली डिक्सनरी’ छाप्नुभयो । सन् २०१२ मा ‘अमेरिकामा बसोबास’ (सहयोगी पुस्तक) र सन् २०१३ मा अमेरिकाको नागरिकता लिंदा दिनुपर्ने परीक्षाका लागि पढ्नुपर्ने प्रश्न-उत्तरको पुस्तकको अनुवाद र सह-सम्पादन गर्नुभयो ।

हल-दम्पति दुवै सेवा-निवृत हुनुहुन्छ र आफ्नो धेरै समय भूटानीहरूको सेवामा बिताउनु हुन्छ ।

भूट्नीज कम्युनिटी अफ न्यु ह्याम्सरका अनुसार यस राज्यमा दुई हजार भूटानीको पुनर्स्थापना भएको छ भने नेपाली कम्युनिटी अफ न्यु ह्याम्सरका अनुसार यहाँ एक हजार नेपाली बस्नुहुन्छ ।

सौजन्यः राजेश कोइराला

Repatriation still a far cry

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In March 2012, one of the former parliamentarians occupying a key position in Bhutan’s National Assembly (NA) had said repatriation of exiled Bhutanese was no longer possible.

He was the Opposition Leader during the Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley’s government. And, he is none other than the fresh elected country’s second Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay.

At a time when over 10,000 of genuine Bhutanese in exile are desperately awaiting dignified return to their hometowns, we can have a flash back of PM Tobgay’s interview carried by the Bhutan Today last year. Is Tobgay ready to re-define his “childish” opinion on repatriation during his five-years-long tenure?

What is your overall view on the issue?
I don’t understand how the prime minister can even consider repatriation. In 2001 the Bhutanese and Nepalese governments began a joint verification of the people in Khudunabari camp. That verification process came to an abrupt end after the Bhutanese team was attacked and beaten up violently in 2003, just before they completed the joint verification of the people in Khudunabari camp. The joint verification process did not resume after that unfortunate incident. Therefore, I don’t see on what basis, on what criteria, the prime minister could even consider repatriating people.

PM Tshering Tobgay
PM Tshering Tobgay

Does PDP support repatriation?
No. Repatriation is no longer possible. Repatriation of some people was a genuine possibility 10 years ago, but even then, only if the verification process was honest and complete. That didn’t happen. Now it’s more than 20 years since people settled in the camps, plus most of them have opted to resettle in third countries. If repatriation was not possible 10 years ago, in spite of the best efforts of the governments of Bhutan and Nepal, I don’t see how the prime minister can even talk about it as a possibility now.

At a time when most of the camp people have accepted resettlement in third countries, some observers feel that the prime minister should not have spoken that the government “will bring” some of the people back as the PM’s speech might disturb the resettlement programme in third countries. Please comment.
I fail to see the logic in the prime minister’s statement. How can he commit to repatriate people if we now don’t have any basis of even identifying whether a person is a genuine Bhutanese or not.

What is the best solution according to you?
I am grateful for, and support resettlement in third countries, especially since the people in the camps themselves prefer to settle in third countries. In addition, I strongly support honest dialogue between the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to consider workable ways of bringing closure to this difficult problem.

The PDP govt finally goes official

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With the conferring of dakyen, the  orange scarf to the cabinet ministers, speaker and deputy speaker headed by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, the new PDP government is now officially instated.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk offered dakyen and  addressed the new cabinet members and parliament members with a soft and inspirational flow of language.

The official recognition of the executive body of Bhutanese government for next five years took place in the  throne room of Tashichhodzong, yesterday.

The English translation of royal address is made available by Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck in her facebook page four hours ago.

The royal address:

His Majesty the King and Queen conferred Dakyen to the Prime Minister and Ministers (Photo: BBS)
His Majesty the King and Queen conferred Dakyen to the Prime Minister and Ministers (Photo: BBS)
Firstly, I would like to extend my felicitations to all the members of the second democratically elected parliament. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the political parties as well as the people who have eagerly participated and served in such a historical event. It is very important to remember in the politics of a democratic country especially during election periods, tensions and complications will definitely arise. Such complications arose during the first democratic elections in 2008 and similarly it arose in this year’s elections as well. People divided themselves into categories of “us” and “them”, some ended up happy and some, sad . Even though such complications naturally arise , it is very important for the people to get along like a family living under one roof. The institution of democracy is a very new one, having been established only in 2008. Even then, within a short span of time we have gained new knowledge and experience. It is important to further strengthen this democratic process in the years to come. In 2008 my father, the Fourth King and I have established the democratic process. I take this opportunity to remind us of the goal of such an establishment . The most important goal of democracy is to emphasize on the institution of law; as a result of which good governance can be established. Through good governance , equality and justice can be established in order to achieve national goals and aspirations. Peace, prosperity and harmony for the people is the end goal through such means. It is common to hear on television that democracy is a gift from the throne to the people. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that it is not a gift but rather it is a responsibility given to the people from the kings to further strengthen our country.
The meaning of democracy takes different forms and interpretations. Let me take this opportunity to be very honest concerning diverse undertakings in a democracy. For some, democracy is a platform for personal ambitions. By contributing either personal times and energy, labor or wealth to a particular political party, democracy is seen as an opportunity to mobilize through the system easier without considering the process of law and merit. Whether it is business licenses and opportunities, status, positions, foreign trips, education abroad, etc. The 5 years of democratic rule by the winning political party can be taken as an opportunity by the supporter for such personal ambitions. The losing parties on the other hand experience fear, disappointment and embarrassment. Such democratic practices is something that should never prevail in Bhutan. It is an example of corrupt practices that is rampant in other countries. It is important to hand over a good democracy to our future generations without such corrupt practices.
Today, as the People’s Democratic Party takes this opportunity to form the ruling government I hope you all will prove that a system without such corrupt practices and divisions can exist. The party in the next five years will receive my full support as well as that of the people. Such opportunity is historical and I hope everyone will take their duties seriously. During the political campaigns, many candidates expressed their genuine concern and enthusiasm to serve the people and country free of personal interests and ambition. Such sincerity is admirable but it is important to match promises with actions. I hope in the next five years, such promises will be met with humility and hard work keeping in mind the overall interest of the country.
Presently the work of the Eleventh Year Plan is very important. Financial abundance is important for this plan. We are currently facing shortage of Rupees. It is also important to clear off our national loans. With changing times many new challenges arises. It is necessary to provide our young people not only with education but employment according to education. Starting from housing for the people, the need to provide opportunities for the people is dire.
In our country; some people live in rural areas, some live in the urban areas, some migrate from rural to urban areas, some become rich, some remain poor. Even with such diverse conditions it is possible for the king, government and people to all contribute equally to strengthening the country. It is important to strengthen the people and not only the country. So, today, I hand over this responsibility to the new parliamentarians. I hope the 2nd democratically elected parliamentarians will work hard to achieve such goals. I hope the new government will be able to curb corruption in the system from the very start. If the government works hard, the government will have the full support of the King and country. On the other hand, It is also the responsibility of the King and people to provide constructive criticisms to the government.
So today, during this auspicious occasion, I would like to offer my felicitations to the New Prime Minister, Cabinet and Parliamentarians. As a King , I have always tried to serve our people, with no fear and reservations and always keeping the National Interest at heart. During my service, from old parents to young kids have shown me much love and support; for which I am grateful. Even from now the parliamentarians and I pledge to serve the country with much sincerity and dedication.”

Cabinet ministers announced

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A ten member cabinet of ministers for the new government is announced a few hours ago, which comprised of all the news faces in running daily affairs of nation.

Cabinet ministers: Photo BBS
Cabinet ministers: (Photo courtesy: BBS)

According to The Bhutanese, a private newspaper, Tshering Tobgay has shown a careful move to pick the cabinet members to represent all constituencies in a balanced way.

While three MPs elected from Southern Bhutan are taken to the cabinet, five are from the East including the speaker. Central and western region are represented to the cabinet with one minister each from Gasa and Wangduephodrang. The prime minister is from Haa.

DN Dhungyel from Pugli-Samtse constituency, Rinzin Dorji from Sarpang and Ngeema Sangay Chenpo from Kalikhola-Tashiding constituency in Dagana are chosen as ministers to represent the south.

Likewise, Dorji Choden fromThrimsing and Norbu Wangshuk from Kanglung-Shamkhar-Udzorong represent the largest constituency from Trashigang. Both Norbu and Dorji Choden had joined PDP after their party DNT got disqualified in the primary round election.

The speaker, Jigme Zangpo is from Mongar while Deputy speaker Chimi Dorji is from Punakha.

Tshering Tobgay’s facebook page has become  the pioneer media to announce the list of cabinet ministers, and National Assembly speakers.

List of ministers and speakers:

  1. Damchoe Dorji – Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs
  2. Norbu Wangchuk – Minister for Economic Affairs
  3. Mingbo Dukpa – Minister for Education
  4. D N Dhungyel – Minister for Information and Communication
  5. Rinzin Dorji – Minister for Foreign Affairs
  6. Dorji Choden – Minister for Works and Human Settlement
  7. Ngeema Sangay Chenpo – Minister for Labour and Human Resources.
  8. Yeshey Dorji – Minister for Agriculture
  9. Tandin Wangchuk – Minister for Health
  10. Namgay Dorji – Minister for Finance
  11. Jigme Zangpo – Speaker, National Assembly
  12. Chimi Dorji – Dy. Speaker, National Assembly

Shrimad Bhagawat Puran concludes in Norway

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A seven-day Shrimad Bhagawat Puran cum Pitristi Mahayagya has successfully got completed on Monday here in Northern Norway.

“We are very excited that we have successfully concluded this exceptionally important event”, Chandra Chhetri said in a skype-conversation with BNS. The Chhetri family in Vadsø, a city in Northern Norway, organized the Mahayagya.

Pundit Adhikari recites holy mantras. Photo: Finmarken.no
Pundit Adhikari recites holy mantras. Photo: Finmarken.no

According to the organizers, the ceremony went over seven days and concluded with lighting of one hundred thousands batis (holy-light) on the shoreline of the Barents Sea.

Some of the local online and Norwegian National Broadcasting (NRK) covered the event with detail report, number of photos and videos. The ceremony was a very big and entirely different event in the far North. One local online has even praised the event terming Vadsø as “Hindu Heaven”.

Chhetri claimed that this was the first time such a big Hindu ceremony has ever taken place in the northern-most part of the world. Small city of Vadsø lies at 70° N.

A team of Pundit and Purohits from Denmark made their way to Vadsø already on July 13. Pundit Bhola Nath Adhikari, who headed the team, said that it was important for them to practice the rituals despite changing circumstances.

Pitristi Mahayagya is observed in a belief that deceased souls achieve mokshya (salvation).

Altogether 16 Bhutanese families have made Vadsø their home since resettlement program began.

Scroll down to listen to the full conversation with organizer and purohits.

Subsidy likely to be reinstated

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No worry now
No worry now

A meeting of senior Indian Officials chaired by Foreign secretary, Ranjan Mathai, held friday is to determine the lowering of LPG and kerosene prices in Bhutan that shoot up to triple the existing price just before general election. The meeting was attended by officials of Oil Ministry  and Ministry of External Affairs.

 According to PTI, the foreign ministry has initiated the process of assessing the financial and logistic components of reinstating the subsidy on cooking gas and kerosene.

 The meeting was aimed at restoring the subsidy soon enough even on a short term basis. However, the Union cabinet has to pass the detail reinstatement plan before the subsidy can be fully implemented, sources said.

 The subsidy amounting to Rs 150 crore per annum is borne by the Indian Oil as part of its under-recovery reported to the petroleum ministry.

 Meanwhile, Bhutan has officially requested the foreign minister Salman Khurshid not to keep the subsidy cut for longer time. Tshering Tobgay, the Prime Minister-elect is also reported to have requested the Indian side to allow subsidy to Bhutan on the backdrop of forming his new government by the end of this month.

 According to zee news, Ministry of External Affairs said that Bhutan’s 10th plan ended on June 30, for which the financial aids and subsidies allowed to Bhutan government has to undergo fresh negotiation.

Worth mention, the subsidy cut has come a week before the election date, most observers pointing it  as unhappy move by India,  for JYT’s meeting with Chinese premier during the Rio summit.

न्यु ह्याम्सरमा भानु जयन्ती

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  • राजेश कोइराला

न्यु ह्याम्सर – ‘रामायण’ पाठ गर्दै न्यु ह्याम्सरको कंकर्डमा शनिबार (जुलाई २०) २०० औं भानु जयन्ती मनाइयो । भूट्निज कम्युनिटी अफ न्यु ह्याम्सर (बिसिएनएच) ले मनाउँदै आएको भानु जयन्तीलाई यसपटक यो राज्यका नेपालीले पनि साथ दिए । कार्यक्रममा सन् २०१३ मा हाइस्कूल ग्य्राजुयट गरेका भूटानी छात्र-छात्रालाई सम्मान गरिएको थियो ।

Bhanu Jayanti_NH-2013bकार्यक्रमको सभापतित्व बिसिएनएचका निर्देशक टिका आचार्यले गर्नुभएको थियो । अतिथिले आसन-ग्रहण गरेपछि आयोजकतर्फ बाट लाक्पा तामाङ्गले स्वागत मन्तव्य दिनुभएको थियो भने दुई बालिका भीमा तामाङ्ग र सविता तामाङ्गले ‘हरिया चुरा मेरा हातै भरी …’ गीतमा स्वागत नृत्य गरेका थिए ।

आदिकवि भानुभक्तबारे एउटा वृतचित्र देखाइएको थियो र भानुको फोटोमा माल्यार्पण गरिएको थियो । आयोजकका तर्फबाट रोहित सुवेदीले न्यु ह्याम्सरको साहित्यिक गतिविधिबारे बोल्नुभएको थियो । चन्द्र राई र उहाँका साथीहरूको आमा-समूहले ‘रामायण’ पाठ गर्नुभएको थियो ।

भानु जयन्तीका अवसरमा आयोजित कविता प्रतियोगिताको पहिलो कविता मदन पोखरेलले वाचन गर्नुभयो । आमा-समूहले ‘फूलको आँखामा फूलै संसार …’ गीत गायो । घनेन्द्र रसाइली ‘फुत्रुके’ ले ‘वारी जमुना पारी जमुना …’ र ‘पोस्टेकी आमा …’ गीतमा नृत्य गर्नुभयो ।

न्यु ह्याम्सर कलेज एन्ड युनिभर्सिटी काउन्सिलका अध्यक्ष टम हज्यन (Tom Hougen) र साउदर्न न्यु ह्याम्सर युनिभर्सिटीको बिजिनेस स्कूलका डिन र इन्टरनेसनल इन्स्टिच्युट अफ न्यु इंगल्याण्डका बोर्ड प्रमुख बिल गिलेट  (Bill Gillette)  ले आफ्ना अनुभव सुनाउँदै सन् २०१३ मा ग्य्राजुयट गरेका भूटानी छात्र-छात्रालाई बधाई तथा शुभकामना दिनुभयो ।

नेपाली समाजबाट इश्वरी भट्टले भानुसम्बन्धी अप्रतियोगी कविता सुनाउनु भयो । युवक तारा आचार्यले ‘जाग लम्क चम्क हे नौ-जवान हो …’ गीत गाउनु भयो । भवानीशंकर निरौलाले प्रतियोगी कविता प्रस्तुत गर्नुभयो । घनेन्द्र रसाइली ‘फुत्रुके’ ले नेपाली नेता केपी शर्मा ओलीको ‘क्यारिकेचर’ गर्नुभयो । धामीको अभिनय गर्दै रवि विश्वले नृत्यबाट मनोरञ्जन गराउनु भएको थियो ।

चित्रकला प्रतियोगिताका प्रतियोगी चित्रमा हस्ताक्षर गरी अतिथिहरूले पहिलो, दोस्रो र तेस्रो छनौट गरिदिनुभएको थियो । कन्सास बस्दै आएका कवि/गजलकार युवा भोला शिवाकोटी ‘पुरानाघरे’ को अप्रतियोगी कविता वाचन गरिएको थियो । तनहुमा नै जन्मेका नेपालीका तर्फबाट सुरेन्द्रदेव आचार्यले बोल्नुभएको थियो । उहाँले अप्रतियोगी कविता वाचन गर्नुभएको थियो ।

कार्यक्रमको अर्को चरणमा सन् २०१३ मा ग्य्राजुयट गरेका ३६ जनामध्ये उपस्थित भूटानी छात्र-छात्रालाई उपहारसहित सम्मान गरिएको थियो । कुसुम आचार्यले सम्मानित छात्र-छात्राका तर्फबाट बोलेकी थिइन् । भानु जयन्ती किन संयुक्त रूपमा भूटानी-नेपाली एक भएर पहिलोपटक मनाइयो भनेर भगिरथ खतिवडाले बोल्नुभयो ।

पेमा शेर्पाले दुई अप्रतियोगी कविता वाचन गर्नुभयो । रवि विश्वले गीत गाउनुभएको थियो । लक्ष्मी निरौला र रवि मिश्रले प्रतियोगी कविता सुनाउनुभयो । सुवास गुरूङले ‘दर्शन नमस्ते …. ‘ गीत गाउनुभयो । गोपाल भण्डारीले भानुका बारेमा अप्रतियोगी कविता सुनाउनुभयो । धनमाया अधिकारीले अप्रतियोगी कविता सुनाउनुभयो ।

कविता प्रतियोगितामा लक्ष्मी निरौला, भवानीशंकर निरौला र मदन पोखरेल पहिला, दोस्रा र तेस्रा हुनुभयो । दुवै प्रतियोगीताका विजेतालाई पुरस्कार प्रदान गरियो ।

कार्यक्रम बीच-बीचमा विभिन्न अप्रतियोगी कविता सुनाइएको थियो । कार्यक्रमका विभिन्न चरण सिएम निरौला, श्याम गौतम, रूद्र तिम्सिना र विधान कालिकोटीले सञ्चालन गर्नुभएको थियो ।

Tshering Tobgay elected Prime Minister

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After securing majority seats in the lower house of Bhutanese parliament, PDP’s president, Tshering Tobgay qualifies for being elected as the country’s second democratic Prime Minister for next five years through a secret ballot of all elected representatives of his party.

PM-elect Tshering Tobgay
PM-elect Tshering Tobgay

PDP’s party ideology of wangtse chirphel is what followed in this secret ballot of choosing an able leader for the country.

Tobgay is known to have insisted on ballot cast by all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of the party which they represent.

According to Article 17 section 1 of the constitution of Bhutan, the king will confer dakyen to the leader of nominee of the party which wins the majority seats in National Assembly.

 There is no any date stipulation as yet when he will take the oath of office and appoint the cabinet ministers.

“The names of the ministerial candidates will be first  endorsed by the executive committee which is likely to sit for the purpose on July 21. Then only it will be presented to the His Majesty for official protocol”, reads the press statement issued by the party spokesperson, Tandin Wangmo.

PM-elect Tobgay has a degree in mechanical engineering from the Penn State University PA and Master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2004.

 

BWA to organise seminar on integration

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The Bhutanese Welfare Association (BWA) in the United Kingdom said it is organizing a seminar on ‘integration through education’ in Manchester on July 27.

According to BWA, the seminar is aimed at promoting harmonious integration of Bhutanese students and youths into the wider British society by increasing awareness of the concept, helping to identify challenges, and maximizing potential to negotiate the challenges.

“The objective of the seminar is to create awareness and inspire the school and college going Bhutanese children in the UK to enhance their education by exercising their utmost potential,” said BWA Chairman, Durga Giri.

Coordinated by Sitaram Pokhrel, facilitators of the seminar included Yam Khadka, Bhadri Subedi, Dr Suresh Chhetri and Dr Prakash Subedi.

“We shall highly appreciate if the intellectuals, academicians and professionals across the Bhutanese diaspora contribute by sending suggestions, ideas and messages to the seminar which will be a great source of inspiration to our young Bhutanese children in the United Kingdom.”

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