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Bhutan News Service

Bhutan News Service

Bhutanese New Yorkers mark Rishipanchami

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:15 PM PDT

Around three hundred Bhutanese-Nepali women of Syracuse , NY have participated in a group Snan (Holy Bath) to mark this year's Rishi Panchami amidst a big function today.

The women were seen wearing sari and blouse and holding plates that contained flowers and sweets needed for Puja following the Snan.

Women performing Puja after Snan. Photo courtesy:Jai Subedi

The program, that was organized by the Bhutanese Community of Syracuse (BCS) at the beach of Green Lake was viewed with great excitement, and as a means to pass the cultural practices to the younger generation.

According to Hari Bangale, the president of BCS, the program was actually organized so that the younger girls, along with their elders can participate at the Snan and Puja.

"Seeing is believing", adds Mr. Bangale that if the people get to involve themselves, that will awaken their inner desire to do something to preserve and promote their culture.

He added that he was taken aback seeing the young girls devoted to the Snan.

"Syracuse is the place with cultural diversity even among the Bhutanese group, and we have been successful so far to accommodate everyone. This has been our goal", adds Mr. Bangaley.

women performing Puja after Snan. Photo courtesy:Jai Subedi

The Snan was followed by Saptarishi Puja in group. According to the Hindu mythology, whatever sins committed by the women knowingly or unknowingly during menstrual cycle through out the year will be washed away by the holy bath.

BCS that was formed in mid 2008 has been carrying out different activities for the benefit of the people.

"BCS has been committed to serve the community. It has many programs piled up. The next thing we have been planning is to celebrate this year’s Vijaya Dasami making it grand so that everyone will understand the Nepalese culture and religious practices," says Jai Subedi, an executive member of BCS.

Two resettlement agencies operating in Syracuse, Interfaith Works and Catholic Charities assisted the BCS with transportation in today’s event.

Reported by Kazi Gautam for BNS from Syracuse, NY.

Danish assistance to end by 2015

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:13 PM PDT

The Danish government has ended its assistance of 22 years to Bhutan with a final commitment of 50 M Danish kroner. The 50M is the Danish government's assistance for the transition period from July this year until June 2015.

A high level and the final consultation between the officials from the Bhutanese government and the Danish government was held on August 30, this year to review bilateral cooperation.

The Danish delegation was led by the head of department of Asia and the Pacific, ministry of foreign affairs, Martin Hermann whereas Bhutanese team was headed by Bhutanese foreign secretary Daw Penjor .

Partners in development: Denmark and Bhutan government at its last consultation on August 30 in Thimphu. Photo Courtesy: Kuensel online

Bhutanese foreign secretary and Bhutanese team leader, Daw Penjor expressed their gratitude to Denmark for its assistance so far. He seemed very positive with the phase out program. To him, it means that Bhutan has been self sufficient; and now the assistance should be focused on more pressing situations in other countries.

Similarly, Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Commission secretary, Karma Tshiteem stated that Bhutan will no more be a recipient only but the relationship shall be changed to that of partnership, based on mutual benefits and shared values.

Bhutan has been receiving the assistance fro Denmark since 1989; and until the end of the 10th Five Year Plan, the total amount comes to be 1.9B Danish kroner. The Danish assistance has been utilized in key areas of health, education, good governance, environment and urban development.

The last consultation also endorsed the "framework for continued Danish-Bhutanese partnership" that provides cooperation in fields of global security; democracy; human rights; among others. The framework shall be approved by both the governments before it is signed at a ministerial level.