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Bhutan News Service

Bhutan News Service

Punya Foundation comes to light, programs announced

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:41 AM PST

With a slogan 'Justice Seeking through Education and Empowerment,' Punya Foundation has been officially announced today to recognize the sacrifices of Bhutanese martyrs.

Foundation's chairman, Tek Bir Chhetri, in a media statement said that the Foundation is being set up in the memory of those who sacrificed their lives during their struggle for Human Rights and Democracy in Bhutan.

According to the media statement, exiled Bhutanese resettled in different western countries and those still living in Nepal have established a charity based welfare forum.

The statement further added that the Foundation intends to assists the children of martyrs, political prisoners and vulnerable children throughout the globe. Besides assisting widows of martyrs and rendered vulnerable children, the foundation will also work to preserve Bhutanese culture.

"The Foundation has an executive team of 33 people with coordinators in USA, Europe, Australia, Nepal and Bhutan," said Chhetri.

The Foundation further stated that as its first activity, a three fold Martyr's Salvation Program in accordance to Hindu, Buddhist and Christian methodology in Atlanta (USA), Nepal and Washington (USA) respectively during 24-26 December 2010 will be organised.

According to the statement, on the last day of the program, the foundation shall declare its scholarship program and call for applications.

DNC, Rizal express condolence on death of 18 Bhutanese

Posted: 15 Dec 2010 10:56 PM PST

The Druk National Congress (DNC) has expressed its heartfelt condolence on the ill-fated Tara Air aircraft crash’s human casualty.

“This is something that should have never happened in our life,” DNC Chairman, RK Dorji, said in a statement issued Thursday. “Every Bhutanese is a part of the sorrow the families of those who have lost their lives are undergoing now.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Tek Nath Rizal, said the ill-fated incident of Tara Air Twin Otter with 18 Bhutanese pilgrims aboard on December 15 is a sad and heartbreaking news for all including the Bhutanese citizens in exile in Nepal.

A statement issued by Rizal today morning said, “I am highly saddened by this incident where 18 of my fellow-countrymen, three Nepalis and a foreigner have lost their valuable lives,”

He further mentioned, “At this hour of grief, I on behalf of Bhutanese citizens in exile would like to extend my heartfelt condolence to the families of those who have lost their lives in the incident.”

Rizal also mentioned that he was equally thankful for the Government of Nepal and all rescue teams for their immediate rescue efforts to find the missing aircraft.

Names of those who died in the crash

  • Lt Col Tshewang Rinchen (Rtd)
  • Aum Dema (wife of Tshewang Rinchen)
  • Thinley Rinchen (Son of Tshewang Rinchen)
  • Kesang Wangmo (Daughter of Tshewang Rinchen)
  • Samdrup (Accountant with the Center for Bhutan studies)
  • Kuenzang Dorji (Owner of Gyelyong enterprise)
  • The names of those yet to be identified are:
  • Karma
  • Sangay
  • Phub Gyelmo
  • Phub Dem
  • Lhazen Wangmo
  • Kelzang
  • Sangay Bidha
  • Tshering Yangki
  • Dorji Bidha (From Babesa)
  • Pema Wangmo (Daughter of Dorji Bidha)
  • Tshering Wangmo ( Daughter or niece of Dorji Bidha)

Source : Kuensel

Charred bodies recovered; PM Thinley contacts Nepali PM

Posted: 15 Dec 2010 08:52 PM PST

The remains of a Twin Otter aircraft belonging to Tara Air, which went missing on Wednesday with 22 people, have been recovered at Sri Chaur VDC of Okhaldhunga district on Thursday morning, media reports said. 

According to Deputy Inspector General at Tribhuvan International Airport, Ramesh Shekhar Bajracharya, the aircraft met with an accident after it collided with the a hill.

Meanwhile, rescue teams from Nepal Police and Nepal Army have reached the ill-fated site for rescue operations.

It is reported that the bodies have been fragmented into many pieces. “We have recovered the charred remains of all those in the plane,” a security personal involved in the rescue operation told Nepal FM over phone.

PM Thinley contacts Nepali counterpart

Prime Minsiter Jigmi Y Thinley on Wednesday contacted his Nepali counterpart, Madhav Kumar Nepal, over phone to ascertain the veracity of the claim regarding 18 passengers as the Bhutanese pilgrims.

“He contacted Prime Minsiter to inquire about the authenticity about Bhutanese nationals on the missing plane,” Bishnu Rijal, press advisor of Nepali PM told Bhutan News Service, Thursday morning.

 It is learnt that of the 19 passengers, 18 were Bhutanese, who were issued tickets by a Kathmandu-based travel agent on fake Nepali names, reports said.

According to Druk National Congress President RK Dorji, several Bhutanese nationals visit a meditation spot of Guru Padma Sambhawa near Halesi Mahadev in Khotang annually. “I am yet to confirm the claim. But, it is likely as quoted by Nepali media,” Dorji said.  

The aircraft, which took off from Nepal’s Lamidanda airport in Khotang district to the  TIA at 3.08 p.m. yesterday, went out of contact after five minutes.

Tara Air aircraft carrying 18 Bhutanese missing in Nepal

Posted: 15 Dec 2010 02:17 AM PST

A Twin Otter aircraft belonging to Tara Air of Nepal has been missing since Wednesday 3:08 pm from Khotang.

Along with Captain Anup Raj Shakya, Co-pilot Sachindra Shrestha and Air Hostess Sudiksha Gurung, there were 18 Bhutanese and one foreigner in the flight, the airline said.

The Bhutanese were in Nepal to take part in the SAARC Trade Fair in Kathmandu, it is learnt.

Details are awaited.