Bhutan News Service |
- Tornado victims receive cash support
- High school graduates honored in NH
- Bhutanese in Twin Falls celebrate WRD
- We will be one of the organized faith-based entities in diaspora: Ramdam
| Tornado victims receive cash support Posted: 16 Jul 2011 08:54 PM PDT The Bhutanese Tornado Release Fund, initiated by the Bhutanese Society of Western Massachusetts, Inc, has distributed the donated funds to the tornado victims today amidst a special function.  The fund distribution function. Photo Courtesy/Bandu Adhikari. According to Hari Khanal, the Society distributed US dollar 5,058, which was collected from various organizations and individuals, to the victims. Khanal further informed BNS that each of the 14 tornado Bhutanese families received at least US dollar 344. At least 14 Bhutanese resettled in West Springfield were badly affected by a powerful tornado that hit the city on June 1. Benu Chhetri, one of the tornado victims, after receiving the financial support, said that he was very excited to receive such support and solidarity from people from all walks of life. "We will also extend our helping hands in any such difficult situations," added Chhetri. Below follows the details of the donors: - Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Needham, MA (USD 1000) Meanwhile, the VHP, New Hampshire distributed utensils, clothes, among other items to the victims during the function. Reported by Shankar Gautam from Springfield, MA for BNS. |
| High school graduates honored in NH Posted: 16 Jul 2011 08:00 PM PDT The Bhutanese Community of New Hampshire (BCNH) has honored Bhutanese high school students graduated from different schools the state in 2011 amidst a special function in Concord, New Hampshire on Friday. According to BCNH, a two-hour long program was organized in Oasis Christian Church in Concord, NH. A sizeable number of American guests including from the resettlement agency, teachers from Concord High School, representatives from different colleges, officials from different non-profit organizations, volunteers and resettled Bhutanese folks in the state attended the function.  Students after receiving the honor. Photo Courtesy/Rajesh Koirala. BCNH further stated that Megan Brecy from United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) was the keynote speaker of the function. During the program, Megan congratulated the grads and suggested that no matter what they want to do with their life but need an education. Speaking about the function, Bhagirath Khatiwada, Deputy Executive Director of BCNH stressed students on taking responsibility in their studies. Emphasizing education as biggest asset, Khatiwada called on each of the students to set their goals for their education and do everything they can to meet their goals. BCNH Executive Director, Tika Acharya motivated students to use their intelect to be successful in their life. Do not let your family down or your community down, he added. Another speaker, Annamarie Dipasquale, School Liaison from Lutheran Social Services stressed on involvement of parents in successful outcome of children. Congratulating the graduates, Dipasquale highlighted on difference of earning between high school diploma and college degree for the same job. Linda Banks, Program Director, ELL Teacher, Concord High School stated that it is important for students to work hard in college to be successful. Addressing the function, Jesica Santos, State Grant Coordinator, Department of Health & Human Services motivated students to be serious in their studies and put their best effort into everything they do. Dawn Higgins, Director of Cross-Cultural Education and ESOL from New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) congratulated and extended warm welcome to the students at NHTI. Similarly, John Doucette, Admission Counselor & Transfer Students Coordinator from New England College said that he was happy to have Bhutanese students in his college. He further said that the college door for Bhutanese students is always open. Parents’ representative Parsu Nepal encouraged students to excel in their studies through research and hard work. We need every single student to develop their talents and skills to challenge hardship in their life, he added. Speaking in the program, students’ representatives from three cities requested school administration to properly evaluate their transcripts from Nepal. They also thanked their supportive parents and caring community members. During the function, Devika Bhandari offered vote of thanks to the audience and guests presented at the program. |
| Bhutanese in Twin Falls celebrate WRD Posted: 16 Jul 2011 07:39 PM PDT Bhutanese resettled in Twin Falls of Idaho celebrated this year’s World Refugee Day on July 15. Resettled refugees of from various countries became a part of the celebrations.  Cultural show. Photo/Mahara. Some of the Bhutanese volunteers also organized a photo exhibition that portrayed pathetic life of exiled Bhutanese in UN-administered camps in Nepal. Even, the Bhagawat Gita and a few books written by Bhutanese writers were displayed during the exhibition. The program that gathered around 300 people and even various Nepali food items were shared to guests and participants. Reported by Lok Bahadur Mahara from Twin Falls, Idaho. |
| We will be one of the organized faith-based entities in diaspora: Ramdam Posted: 16 Jul 2011 07:05 PM PDT The Bhutanese Christian Community of Georgia (BCCG) organized first-of-its-kind 'Bhutanese Christian Summit 2011 in GA' from July 1-3, 2011. The Summit, as reported, was successful to gather hundreds of Christian followers, especially resettled Bhutanese, from across the USA. Santosh Ramdam, the secretary of BCCG talked about the Summit and other contemporary issues the Community is facing with TP Mishra of Bhutan News Service. Excerpts: Tell us in detail about the Summit including the objectives  Ramdam purely faith-based event in the name of Almighty God. In our three-day program, the local church choir groups sang the hymns and led the worship. The Pastors and leaders from different states expressed their experiences of initiating the fellowship in their respective States and shared words of God to the participants. Cultural shows were other attractions of the Summit. Prayers by all participants for healing of sick and needy people was yet supplementary attraction. There were an estimated 600 participants from the host State, other States and abroad. Initially, an estimated 300 participants were expected to participate in the Summit from outside GA. The main objective was to worship God together, generate ideas of encouraging Bhutanese Christian communities in America to come together. This is to explore different means and resources and put them to better-organized form and extend support spiritually and materialistically to the Bhutanese communities in general. Is it true that the freshly arrived Bhutanese refugees in the USA are intimidated—both by Bhutanese and non-Bhutanese Christianity preachers—in some forms to convert their religion? Bhutanese Christian society was suppressed, at some point—both in Bhutan and in refugee camps in Nepal. Now that most of you are in the USA, where right to religion is well guaranteed, how do you feel?  Participants of the summit. Photo Courtesy/Ramdam. Interestingly, this is true to some extent. The Bhutan government's coercion on Christian followers might have been done intentionally, which is a sad thing. I, however, never think that my Bhutanese folks in refugee camps intended to suppress Christian population for I personally never experienced that situation ever. We lived harmonious life, which in some cases in the refugee settlements around the world might be otherwise. Our fight is a common fight, which in particular also includes our call for the guarantee of right to religion in Bhutan. If there was any discrimination in whatever forms/nature, it was ignorance and I consider social set-up as a backdrop, not the people. What are the main challenges for Bhutanese Christian, in the Diaspora, especially in the USA? Interestingly, our next National Bhutanese Christian Summit (2012) has roughly been scheduled in Arizona next year and I am hoping that we will be able to figure out something well. Where do u see Christian Bhutanese communities in ten years time from now? |
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