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Bhutan News Service

Bhutan News Service

Bhutanese in Melbourne celebrate several festivals

Posted: 06 Sep 2011 04:38 AM PDT

The women committee of Australian Bhutanese Welfare Organization (ABWO) under the coordination of Maya Adhikari organised the Teej amidst special event at the North Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT) Hall in Broadmeadows.

Devotees perform Rishipanchami Pooja.

The celebration was marked in three stages – Haritalika Teej puja on August 31, Rishi Panchami puja on September 2 at Hem Lal Adhikari's residence where women from the community gathered and performed puja under the guidance of Pandit Mitra Lal Adhikari followed by gathering in the NMIT Hall where more than 230 community members participated. They performed traditional dances of teej, sangini by the senior women group and concluded by Vajan and Kirtan. Pandit Adhikari inculcated the importance and meaning of Teej to young boys and girls.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Melbourne. Dadhi Adhikari and Meg Nath Thapa are seen in the front row.

On the September 4, Bhutanese participated in the Ganesh Chauthi celebration organized by the Darebin Council. Statue of Lord Ganesh was made available through Australian devotee Mr Ken, who has been doing this for last 7 years, for the function.

The function was held at Darebin Arts and Centre Hall with all rituals and traditional formalities where members from ABWO sit in the steering committee in the council. The Bhutanese participated in a traditional procession with Indian community to a lake in Bundarra Park in Melbourne's north for final laying of the statue after prayers. Mayor of Darebin, Councillor Diana Asmar attended the event and said that she has special place for this celebration of Ganesh Chauthi in the Council. She has assured her support to this event.

Senior Bhutanese Bal Bdr Budathoki said that it reminds him of being back home by taking part in the celebration during festive season. Yarra Trams, which also provided a free tram to carry Ganesh statue, supported the program, Special Emergency Services provided volunteers for safety and escort the procession, and Victoria Police offer traffic safety.

Earlier, the Bhutanese celebrated Krishna Janmasthami at the Banksia Community Garden Centre in Broadmeadows on August 21 where more than 150 Bhutanese participated coordinated by Meg Nath Thapa and Bhim Dangal.

The Bhutanese Thunder Dragon Football Club plays All Nation Cup in Melbourne

Posted: 06 Sep 2011 04:36 AM PDT

On the September 3, the youths from the Australian Bhutanese Welfare Organization (ABWO) in Melbourne joined the one-day Men's All Nations Cup football tournament organized by Football Federation Victoria (FFV). The Bhutanese were among the 150 participants from various backgrounds including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Burma, Cameroon, Kenya, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Pakistan who took part in the competition.

Players of the team pose after the match

The Bhutanese Thunder Dragon Football Club of ABWO, under the captaincy of Meen Adhikari has secured third place among the junior (under 17 years) after playing four matches and securing one bye. They have defeated the Brunswick Stars twice in league and in knock-out round for third place. Earlier giant players of Ethiopian Stars defeated them.

The team was led by Jagan Dhimal, youth Coordinator of the ABWO, and coached by Bhuwani Rai.

According to the young players, it is there first time to play in such precinct venue and on FIFA standards at the Darebin International Sports Centre in the north of Melbourne. Most of the players said that they were very nervous at the start because the opponents were from African countries and were huge in comparison, but from the second match they have gained confidence and dominated the games.

Some said it is their first time to play soccer from anyone other than Bhutanese or Nepalese community who speaks different languages.

Youth Coordinator Jagan Dhimal, said arriving in a new country and to play with new teams from different cultures is completely a daunting experience, but there is one language that much of the world speaks fluently – football. And it is through football that many newly arrived Australians have found a way to connect to their new country.

Tobacco Control Act to be amended

Posted: 06 Sep 2011 03:30 AM PDT

Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley, during the 16th Meet the Press session has said that his government has decided to propose an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act in the upcoming parliament session.

"Given the pain and the suffering that it has caused, the government is going to seek a swift deliberation and an adoption on the amendment," Thinley said.

According to Thinley, the government will propose the amendment as an urgent bill. "Even if it doesn't satisfy the requirements to be submitted as an urgent bill, we will consult with the National Council and make every effort to see it through during the upcoming session," added the prime minister.

He said that, after the government heard the stories of people who got heavy punishments and the social and emotional impact on their friends and family, the government tried to find a way out by establishing a set of rules, which was not effective.

Until now, some 59 people have been arrested under the act. And going by the verdicts handed out by the courts, it is likely that those who are found guilty will be sentenced to a minimum of three years, Thinley said.

He explained that the government could not propose an amendment earlier because the act was not one year since it had been enforced. In the summer session of parliament, the act will have been one year old. So, the amendment is possible.

Thinley further said that the decision was taken after the cabinet deliberated on the issue a number of times. He said that they are also looking at the legal implications.

He also told the media that the members of parliament have started to consult with the people about the tobacco act to get their views and comments.

The prime minister acknowledged that there are ambiguities in the act including the ones on what constitutes smuggling.

The Office of the Attorney General is studying the possibility to remove the ambiguities to make certain specific references to ensure that there is no direct relation between certain sections of the act and the Penal Code concerning three years of imprisonment.

Prime Minister also made it clear that it was never the intention of the parliament to punish those who smoke.

Adoption of happiness by UN praised

Posted: 06 Sep 2011 03:09 AM PDT

Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union (EU) to India and Bhutan, Daniele Smadja, called on Prime Minister, Jigmi Y Thinley on Monday.

During the farewell, she said her delegation was gratified by the results of the 11th Round Table Meeting, and that the adoption of happiness by the UN is a great contribution from Bhutan to the international arena.

PM (R) shakes hand with EU delegation head. Photo courtesy/Kuensel.

In return, Thinley expressed Bhutan's gratitude for the role the EU played in the development of Bhutan. "You have all the reason to be proud, because you have been a partner – a trusted partner indeed," the PM said.

Daniele Smadja took over as the EU ambassador to India – accredited to Bhutan – from December 1, 2009 till date.