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BCA backs Harmony Day Award 2010 Posted: 20 Mar 2010 07:57 AM PDT By Teju Chauhan, Melbourne March 20: The Bhutanese Community in Australia (BCA) received the Harmony Day Award 2010 in Broadmeadows on yesterday at the Migrant Resource Centre North West. Resource centre chairman presented the award to president of BCA, Parsuram Sharma Luital, on behalf of the community. The award offered for actively contributing on harmonization within the Bhutanese community and the wider Australian society. Bhutanese from Albury, Wodonga and Melbourne staged traditional Dzongkha and Nepali dances during the event organized. BCA also held interactions with chief commissioner and senior members of Victoria Police and other communities' representatives. "Harmony Day is a reminder for all Victorians to reaffirm the importance of tolerance, harmony and mutual respect." Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs Jacinta Allan said. Harmony Day falls on the same day as the United Nations' International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination and is part of Celebrate our Cultural Diversity Week starting from March 17.

DNS, State Congress send condolences Posted: 20 Mar 2010 07:04 AM PDT March 20: Druk National Congress has offered heartfelt condolences Nepali Congress (NC) and people of Nepal at the passing away of former prime minister and president of NC, Girija Prasad Koirala today. Rongthong Kunley Dorji, the president of DNC said that he was instrumental in providing safe refuge in Nepal to exiled Bhutanese from their homeland, and he always extended his assistance and advice to Bhutanese political parties in exile. The condolence letter also highlighted Koirala's contribution towards strengthening friendly relations between Nepal and Bhutan. "The Bhutanese will never forget his kindness. We will always have a special place for him in our hearts," Dorji said. Meanwhile, general secretary of Bhutan State Congress (BSC), Durga Sitaula from Khudunabari camp expressed his deep condolences to Koirala's family. Taking to Saranarthi Sarokar, weekly radio programs of Bhutan Media Society, Situala said that his party was shocked to hear the demise of Koirala who had worked hard to coin BSC in 1952. According to formal statement made by central committee meet of NC held this afternoon, Koirala expired at 12:10 p.m. today. Last rites will be performed Sunday morning with a funeral march starting at 8:00 a.m.

We have lost our father : Rizal Posted: 20 Mar 2010 02:45 AM PDT Tek Nath Rizal in deep look. File photo/TP Mishra Exiled human right leader Tek Nath Rizal, who is agonized with news of passage of the former Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said he has lost his father second time. Vidhyapati Mishra talked to him shortly after the formal announcement of Koirala’s death by Central Committee meet of Nepali Congress . Excerpts: How do you comment on the sad this sad news? Actually, I am unable to speak following this news. I am really sad that I have lost the strong supporter of our struggle, no less than my father. I pray to God that his soul rests in peace in heaven. Besides playing vital roles in bilateral talks when Koirala was head of government, he used to say that he was also a founding member of Bhutan State Congress. What is your evaluation on his contribution to our struggle? I met Girija Babu only after I came to Nepal. I met him on several occasions and we did exchange our views. I cam to know from him that long time ago he travelled to Sarbhang via Padgaun. Also, I was informed that along with leaders like B.P. Koirala, they contributed for democractic struggle in Bhutan. He was well informed our refugee issues. As you have asked, his party Nepali Congress other parties have also contributed. However, Koirala helped me for my personal as well as political issues. Many times he rendered his feedbacks and supports to me. As he looked our struggle through close vicinity, we shall remember him forever. His dedication would remain immortal. Do you think his absence would paralyse our issue? Every individual has his own access and capability. With whatever stand Nepal was working for finding a solution to our issue, I hope the same spirit will never fade away. I hope that all political features will follow his path to repatriate Bhutanese refugees. When did you last meet him? I met him some four months back. Any momorable moments that you spent with him to share? He used to tell me that he would read Bhutan on me each time he saw me. He was always with the say that one day I would achieve success in Bhutan and work for welfare of the Bhutanese citizens. He suggested me not to work only for those outside the country but also to work for poors dwelling inside. He advised me to study political changes in Nepal and apply for democratic struggle in Bhutan. As an old personality, he used to discuss political issues. He even released one of your books? How do you remember him now? I am extremely heart-grieven with loss of this personality. I can’t speak any longer. This is the second time that I have become parentless in my life.

(Breaking News -12:35): GPK passes away Posted: 19 Mar 2010 11:56 PM PDT Kathmandu, March 20 : Former Nepali Prime Minister cum President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has passed away at 12: 11 noon today according to Nepal FM Network, Kathmandu. File photo: Koirala with Rizal and Nepalese PM Madhav Kumar Nepal/Vidhyapati Mishra One of the founding members of Bhutan State Congress formed inside Bhutan, 87-year-old Koirala played crucial role in hosting exiled Bhutanese in Nepal. His government held several rounds of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan on the Bhutanese issue. Human Rights leader Tek Nath Rizal was wordless when Bhutan News Service contacted him for comment. “We are without a leader now. We have lost our father,” he said. According to the FM station, formal announcement of his death is yet to come from doctors or Congress sources.