Punya Foundation has wrapped up its three day Martyrs’ Salvation program in Atlanta, Georgia today amid a religious function based on Hindu mythology. The program, according to the organizer, was launched to honor the sacrifices made by Bhutanese martyrs.
Our correspondent in Georgia reported that hundreds of resettled Bhutanese dwelling in Atlanta including the resettled folks from North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Ohio, Florida, among other places also showed their participation. Coordinator of the organizing committee in Atlanta Pashupati Timsina further informed BNS that 400 plus devotees attended the function yesterday.
According to Timsina, not only Bhutanese but fellow friends from both Nepalese and Indian societies here in the USA also participated during the function. The Foundation also distributed ‘letter of appreciations’ to volunteers involved in making the program successful.
Interestingly, an African American calling himself a Hindu follower showed up during the final day program today in Atlanta. Addressing the function, this unnamed American citizen encouraged resettled Bhutanese to continue preserving their culture and tradition.
Maheshor Regmi, one of the prominent Bhutanese Shreemadh Bhagawat preceptors recited the holy sermon followed by singing of Vajan-Kirtan (religious hymns) in the name of departed souls of known and unknown Bhutanese martyrs.
Addressing the wrap-up function in Atlanta, Tek Bir Chhetri, Chairman of the Foundation said that the puran was organized in memory of those Bhutanese martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the general cause.
Meanwhile, the Foundation also organized an hour-long salvation program in Kent, Washington, USA at the Kent-Covenant Church in accordance with the Christian mythology.
According to Yug Dabadi, volunteer of the Foundation, who had informed the gathering about the formation and objectives of the foundation, around 70 resettled Bhutanese attended the function.
It is reported that a Nepali national Pastor Bashu Prasai talked about the people who had lost their life during democratic struggle in Bhutan. He offered prayers to the family members of the martyrs for their well-being. Prayers were also offered for the people who have become the victims of violence and still continue to suffer inside Bhutan. Addressing the program, Pastor Prasai also requested the gathering to help the Foundation and help support the families of the Martyrs.
Meanwhile, Tek Bir Chhetri, Chairman of Punya Foundation has shared his thoughts with BNS/Saranarthi Sarokar representative from the function venue in Atlanta regarding the relevancy of ‘martyr’s salvation program.’
Link to the interview with Tek Bir Chhetri in Radio Bhutan Online
