BHUTANESE REFUGEE NEWS

Bhutan News Service

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 08:52 PM PDT

At a time when Nepal that has failed to convince Bhutan to accept its citizens back home or internationalise the refugee imbroglio even after two decades, is trying to depopulate exiled Bhutanese from the UN-monitored camps, a few dedicated exiled Bhutanese including the camp secretaries and septuagenarian medical doctor Bhampa Rai are struggling to install a Bhutanese museum in Nepal.

Being planned to set up in either Sanischare or one of the Beldangi camps, the museum aims to preserve culture, identity and history of the Bhutanese citizens in exile.

Saradha Adhikari (Timsina)

“Our dream of keeping evidences in Nepal shall clear the allegation of the regime to keep overshadowing international community that we are not Bhutanese citizens,” explains Sarada Adhikari (Timsina).

Like Adhikari political analyst R.P.Subba, who is based in Virginia (USA), comments that museum, as a concept, is extraordinary. “If this idea would materialize, it will keep our eroding history alive. It will definitely give a space, a space to think and internalise our tragedy in days to come – to us, younger generation and to the world as whole.”

Adhikari, who has a Master’s degree in Finance from the Tribhuwan University, is chairperson of the Organization Protecting Indigenous Culture & Identity of Exiled Bhutanese (OPICEB). Other executives of the organization included camp secretaries, Dr Bhampa Rai as Museum Resource Analyst, and Multimedia and Animation Specialist Tika Ram Timsina.

Based on the permission of the local authority, the OPICEB has its camp-based office in Sanischare camp.

“The struggle to set up a working office in the camp was challenging,” says Adhikari recalling her initial days in the past, “However, we are lucky that aid agencies including the Lutheran World Federation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees also supported the local authority’s decision to offer the office space in Sanischare.”

Meanwhile, the organization said it has been lobbying with the government authority to obtain legal status for establishing the museum in government land but with a proposed management team from within the Bhutanese community.

A delegation from the organization also met Chief District Officer of Jhapa on August 14. He has instructed all Camp Supervisors of the Refugee Coordination Unit to support OPICEB and its activities in camps. However, the struggle to obtain the organization’s legality is still on.

The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Jhapa chapter has been providing all legal advises to the organization. “The Bar has formed a three-member body to lobby with the government regarding the land and registration,” says advocate Gyanendra Karki.

There are expectations that the protection of the Bhutanese identity and culture would be well addressed by preserving the copies of documents in the form of metal itched texts along with logbook register where every Bhutanese in future would be able to table their proof of origin of Bhutan.

Dr Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal

For Dr Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, Executive Director of the Punya Foundation, this kind of museum will always stand (for the Bhutanese regime) as a reminder of the heinous crimes they unleashed on humanity – similar to the concentration camps in Germany, during the Nazi regime.

Dr Dhakal further adds that it will be a testimony to Nepal’s failure in sending the refugees back to their legitimate homes; until the refugees have to make museums to preserve their past history.

At present, collection of various materials has been underway. However, the organization said not much has been done in that regard due to fund crisis.

“We expect to garner possible supports from the resettled community to operate and manage the museum,” adds Chairman Adhikari.

R.P.Subba

But, analyst Subba claims that resettled Bhutanese some five years before and now are financially emancipated. In his words, money should not be a problem to take initiative and give continuity to sustainability of any good programs. However, for Subba, to have money does not equate to give money.

Chairperson Adhikari hopes that they (the resettled people) would support the idea by providing the historic materials and belongings of the camps, and extending their helping hands.

The organization is also running bakery training in Sanischare camp to collect some funds for the basic expenses.

In coming days, it also aims to start a multimedia and animation training. “This will be the next fund raising scheme for the museum,” explains Adhikari, who aims to do a large donation drive from the resettled community in near future.

Taking some past examples, Dr Dhakal opines that the idea of museum will have no problem selling in the diaspora. “In large part, it is in the interest of every body to contribute to something that preserves their own history,” he elaborates.

But, analyst Subba regards that a clear mission with perceptible objective is a must to motivate the resettled community towards the museum.

Dr Bhampa Rai

According to Dr Rai, the museum might benefit the Government of Nepal in tourism promotion by attracting thousands of resettled fellow-countrymen and foreigners in long run.

Materializing the concept of a Bhutanese museum in Nepal is not an easy task considering all the inviting costs. However, the museum team is fully committed in achieving the goal, but remains dependent on the resettled community in establishing and operating the museum independently.

“The Government of Nepal will certainly help us protect our cultural heritages and allow us to obtain legitimacy to our organisation for preserving the left over documents, cultural recipes, dress and etiquettes of the Bhutanese refugee community in the form of museum,” says Adhikari, as she presents her ultimate expectation from the host country – Nepal.

Bhutan News Service

Bhai Tika celebrated in camps

Posted: 28 Oct 2011 05:16 AM PDT

Exiled Hindus from Bhutan celebrated Bhai Tika, the last and last day of Tihar, the festival of lights, in all six camps, Friday.

Exiled youths playing Deusi in Beldangi camp to mark Tihar festival (Picture : Writer)

Marking Bhai Tika today, sisters put Tika on foreheads of brothers ensuring better health, prosperity and long life based on the cultural belief. And, in returns brothers honored sisters with Tika and also offered various presents including cloths.

Our reporters based in camps said, this year’s Tihar saw less celebrations as compared with those of previous years as the population in camp has been almost reduced by half due to the ongoing third country resettlement program.

Some relatives and family members from Bhutan even travelled to camps to receive Tika while some of exiled Bhutanese marked Tihar as the last festival before their relocation in various western countries.

A boy smiles as he faces camera after receiving Bhai Tika and a present from his sister (Picture : Hari Kumar Dahal)

Like in previous years, the Armed Police Force maintained tight security inside the camps after 7 p.m. to avoid any unforeseen situations.

The Nepali Calendar Determination Committee declared that the auspicious hour for offering the Bhai Tika in Tihar festival was at 11:55 am.

However, our reporters said they saw several exiled Bhutanese with Tika on their forehead since early morning today. They were also to travel to various places to catch up their sisters for receiving Tika.

Reports coming in from abroad say the resettled Bhutanese are celebrating the Bhai Tika on Oct 29.

Bhutan News Service

BAG’s Dashain Concert in Atlanta

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 05:01 PM PDT

Bhutanese Artists of Georgia (BAG) organized a Bhutanese Artists Live Concert 2011' on the occasion of Dashain and Tihar at Clarkston Community Center on October 16, 2011.

The live concert entertained about five hundred audiences which was performed by prominent Bhutanese and Nepali artists including Karna Das and Mahesh Thulung. The chief guest for the event was McKenzie Wren, director of Clarkston Community Center. The guests and participants were welcome with the tone of Malshree and Duesi and Bhailo.The event began with a song 'Sambodhan Timilai' dedicated to known and unknown Bhutanese who lost their lives during freedom movement and Georgia van accident which had claimed the lives of three Bhutanese youths in March,2011.

Karna Das rocked the stage with a dozen of his famous songs intermittently throughout the programme. Mahesh Thulung, a popular singer from Bhutanese Community who has recently released his hit 'Moment,' sang his famous numbers 'Akashaima ' and 'Priyasi'. Emerging Bhutanese singers Sagar Rai, Pratap Magar,Shiva Mapchan,Sudesh Thulung and a dozen others including Dhan Gurung of the then Euphoria band of refugee camp in Nepal some of the famous Nepali songs. There were also a number of group dances ranging from 'Dashain Dikpal' by Sanita Thapa and her team to Kunti Moktan's 'Humla Jumla Gadi Maa' by Shristhi Mapchhan and her team. Duet dances and opera dances were also performed by the Bhuta nese artists at the show. Rajan Rai made the audience laugh with his famous jokes in between the show.

The organizers facilitated McKenzie, the director of the Clarkston Community Centre and Susan Pavlin, the Director of Refugee Organizing in Action Network. A dozen of Bhutanese were awarded as the 'Best Artists of Year 2011' in the show that included prominent music arranger Bikash Thulung, rhythm guitarist Kamal Rai, among others.

There were 18 songs played live on the concert. The sound and light was managed by AEE Sound and Light of Atlanta.

Bhutan News Service

A Day of Dashain in Bhutan

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 05:41 AM PDT

A newly wed couple in Thimphu were counting days for the Thimphu tsechu , not that they mean celeberation but sneaking out of Thimphu to Tshirang and then to Kalikhola. Not only for this couple but to all Hindu Lhotshampa studying or working in Thimphu, Dashain was important festival to celebrate at home. So many of them took advantage of the official holidays allowed in Thimphu in observance of the Tshechu. Otherwise they would have to be satisfied with one day holiday allowed for the great Hindu festival , and remain in the capital wearing gloomy faces.

An engineer and a government employee, also in Thimphu made his way down to his home village across the proposed dam site of hydro-project in Sunkosh river for Dashain, which he missed for a long time owing to his studies in India.

Another family in Damphu that this scribe could catch was returning from their parental home after observing "tika" and showered with blessings from the elders. They traveled all the way from Dagana to Gairigaon taking two day's off from their job at road construction site. Thanks to the two days' holiday authorized by the school in Dagana, their children could visit the grandparents.

Most schools throughout the country permitted only a day as official holiday for Dashain. Lhotshamp students of middle schools and higher secondary schools, living away from their parents could not celebrate the festival with the families. So a single mom working in a private company in Phuentsholing had to request leave from the school for her two children in order to visit her parents in Nichula.

Disaster and Dashain

For the south western district of Samtse disaster preceded the festivities. In villages like Bara , tendu, Chargharey some mud houses were demolished by the September 18 earthquake. Keeping themselves busy over the rubbles of demolished houses, people in Sipsu could barely prepare for dashain with religious fervor. However , king's visit to Chargharey participating in the tika ceremony with the people of affected areas somehow placated them. Besides, Minister Thakur S Powdyel, a Lhotshampa who hails from Samtse district, was accompanying the king to sympathize his electorates.

Navaratra in Thimphu

A temporary Hindu temple in Thimphu has been the abode of navadurga bhawani with annual performance of Durga puja by nine pundits from southern districts. After the inception of Hindu Dharma Samudaya as an organ of the religious organization of Bhutan, performing nine day puja during dashain has finally taken root as an organized community activity. According to a pundit who engaged in nine-days recitation of Chandi in Thimphu, the final ritual was attended by all the cabinet ministers and high level officials of Lhotsampa origin. It is a welcoming gesture of accommodating the religious sentiments of southern Bhutanese, majority of who are Hindu.

Enjoying freedom of religion is not just the fruit of democracy in the country, but the collective representation of a major religion as Hinduism, practiced for over a century in the country to the mainstream of theocratic governance serves a milestone.

Dashain Economy

While most villagers engage in preparing beaten-rice and procuring the best produce of banana to be served during dashain, town dwellers and small-income job holders find the prices of essential commodities exorbitant. Meat, usually the delicacy of this featival, has become a prize worth three hundred ngultrum a kilo in the urban areas.

Thanks to the indefinite closure of local weekly markets in the Bhutan side of Indo-Bhutan boeder, people of interior villages are bound to take three to four hours to weekly Indian markets.

Purna Bahadur had to start a day before the market from his home in Deorali, so that he could make frugal purchase of new clothes to his family, kerosene oil, vegetable oil, salt and some non-perishable vegetables. It is haatkhola on every Sunday. Haatkhola, a Sunday market in upper fringes of Kumargram tea garden, usually become crowded with villagers of hinterland Kalikhola, Deorali, Katahare and Nichula before Dashain.

A corporate employee in Phuentsholing chose to make major purchase in Jaigaon on the way to his home village, Dorokha. By doing so, he said he could obviate the monopoly of traders in Banarhaat or Chamurchi and that the small shops in Samtse bazaar do not sell any of those kinds.

Need more compliance

A businessman in Paro, who served RBA for over sixteen years, had no parental home to go for the festival even he had the choice of doing so hitherto not availed. His parents lived in refugee camps and now got resettled in the far west of where he is vegetating. He said there existed a kind of stigma to be in northern Bhutan during dashain and put tika. 'The northern people see our festival with contempt,' he wrote in a offline massage.

A major festival in the south and central part of the country, Dashain and Tihar need to be well recognized and those who follow the faith must be understood in terms of their fundamental rights. Citizens should have no stigma over the practice of their faith or belief, just because it is the other way. However, king's participation in the tika in a southern village is worth applauding and a gesture of overcoming such stigma by the Lhotshamps who live in north.

A memory of 1987 clicked in me: Nagphey a mate of mine from Paro, studied in Samtse primary school used to be one of our leaders in Samtse high school to sing Deusi during Tihar around the town. We enjoyed the harmony.

Bhutan News Service

Laxmi Jayanti observed in Adelaide

Posted: 22 Oct 2011 03:16 PM PDT

Participants of the function/ Photo: Jogen Gazmere

Bhutanese and Nepalese community in Adelaide, Australia celebrated the 102 birth anniversary of great Nepali poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota amidst a special function on Saturday.

At the beginning of the function, the participants observed silence for a minute in memory of Druk National Congress president Rongthong Kunley Dorji and prayed for the peace of departed soul. Dorji died recently in Sikkim due to liver ailments.

The function was jointly organised by International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Australia chapter and Bhutanese Association in South Australia (BASA). The organisations had come together in Bhanu Jayanti to organise literary function earlier this year.

According to Bhuwan Sharma, INLS-Australia chapter president, the function has been organised in advance considering the tight working and studying schedules of the Nepali speaking community here.

Over a dozen personal poems were recited. They range from politics to satire and love to nature. Participants also recited Devkota's poems including Pagal (Lunatic) and Muna Mada, the most popular creation of Devkota. They also sang Devkota's poem Kun Mandirma Janchau Yatri. Participants were awarded certificate of their participation.

Nepalese businessman in Adelaide and INLS founding chairman Deepak Bista expressed satisfaction over joint initiatives of Bhutanese and Nepalese community in Adelaide to keep Nepali literature alive in Diaspora. BASA chairperson Jogen Gazmere expressed hope to organise more literary and culture functions in future with joint efforts of the two communities and thanked Sagarmatha Restaurant and Anil Ranabhat for sponsorship of the function.

The judiciary in Bhutan is still under influences of the autocratic regime of the past upholding verdicts that are intended to crush all possible oppositions in the country.

Few days before the death of freedom fighter Rongthong Kunley, his supporters in Bhutan, now serving jail sentence, have been given additional prison sentences. And it was all done in courtrooms when these DNC activists fail to get any attorneys to speak in their favour.

According to high Court verdict, Rinzin Wangdi will serve additional seven years and six months in jail apart from his previous 25 years. He was slapped this confinement for allegedly planting bombs in November 1997 in Chamlimithang ground to disrupt the birthday celebrations of King Jigme Singye.

Now he has been charged of violating the national security act. According to allegations, he snapped the photos of all political prisoners in Thimphu jail using an smartphone and sent it to Druk National Congress in exile – whose founding leader has expired.

I saw the photos of the Thimphu prisoners during the annual convention of the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Society in Delhi. However, it is not clear whether the party collected these photos from the inmates' family or Wangdi leaked them to exile.

According to allegations, Wangdi befriended a police constable Thinley Tobgay to use his phone and take pictures. The court has also slapped same jail term to Tobgay for aiding Wangdi to leak out information.

Under human rights norms, it is not violations to publish the photos of inmates and campaign for their release. It is other story for the campaign to prove he/she is not guilty – through evidences. And this is the first instance I read that an inmate has been extended his jail term for giving someone his photos.

No doubt, Bhutanese inmates charged of anti-government activities never get any attorneys to defend them and court verdicts are based on what police and government produce documents against him. A single inmate locked up in jail, without attorney and witness, will absolutely fail to produce any evidence of his innocence. That's what stories go on in Bhutan for political activists.

The autocracy continues to thrive in Bhutan. Fabricated democracy gives them no space to enjoy fundamental rights. It has added pain to already paining DNC in exile. Very sorry to hear that.

Condolence continues, BMS to bring special publication on Late Dorji

Posted: 22 Oct 2011 05:08 AM PDT

Condolences pour in as Bhutanese mourn the death of R.K Dorji's death. Rajan Giri sent a condolence letter on behalf of the Youth Organization of Bhutan (YOB) to late Dorji's family and members of DNC.In the condolence letter Giri writes," Continuous and tireless efforts for the repatriation of Bhutanese refugees and establishment of inclusive democracy had always been his primary struggle until this death despite having lived with chronic ailment and health related complications".

Bhutanese community of Netherlands(BCN) and Organisation of Bhutanese of Community in America(OBCA) have aslo seperately expressed heartfelt condolence to the family members and cadres of DNC. "BCN joins the Bhutanese Community in other part of the world in grieving the loss of a man who has spent his life advocating for Human
Rights and Democracy in Bhutan”,BCN writes on the condolence message.

OBCA recalls late Dorji as stunt believer of democracy.OBCA writes on the condolence message,”The people of Bhutan, both inside and in exile, have seen how fearlessly and tirelessly that he fought for his people and community”.

Similarly Bhutan Media Society (BMS) has expressed its condolence to the family members of Late Dorji. BMS is planning a special publication on Late R.K Dorji for which it has requested Bhutanese community to contribute articles including memories, commentaries and any other form of write-ups dedicated to late Dorji by the end of October.

Bhutan News Service

Bhutanese around globe mourn Dorji’s death

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:50 AM PDT

Bhutanese political organisations and individuals from exile and Diaspora are pouring in condolences to the family of late R.K.Dorji via various media. Releasing a press statement,Bhutan National Democratic Party has expressed its heartfelt condolence to the members of Druck Natioanl Congress and family members of late R.K Dorji. "On his demise the Bhutan democratic movement lost a charismatic leader whose absence will be felt deeply by the freedom loving people of Bhutan both in exile and inside the country",reads the condolence message. Bhutan People's Party has also sent a condolence to late Dorji's family and members of DNC. In the condolence letter, BPP says that the untimely death of well respected leader has created an irreparable loss to the Bhutanese political movements. " Not only Bhutanese in exile but whole country will remember Dorji's acknowledgement contribution", says BPP in the condolence messange. Similarly, Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee has expressed its condolence to the family of late R.K Dorji and support and solidarity to DNC. Highlighting his background and personality, BRRRC writes on the condolence letter,"Once becoming a free man, without caring for his health, he became active in pursuing movement with more enthusiasm and vigor and consolidated the political parties and was working to boost movement undeterred by resettlement of refugees by core countries". R.K. Dorji passed away at Manipal hospital in Sikkim due to liver failure while undergoing treatment on october 19th.

Bhutan News Service

Dorji died of liver failure
Nepalese PM urged to raise refugee issue with India
Real sense of human rights is absent
RK Dorji passed away
BCRC celebrates its first anniversary

Dorji died of liver failure

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:35 AM PDT

Latest reports coming in confirmed that the Founder-Chairman of the Druk National Congress (DNC), Rongthong Kunley Dorji, also popularly known as 'RK Dorji' was receiving treatment in the ICU at the Manipal Institute of Medical Science, Sikkim since two weeks before he was pronounced dead at 11:05 p.m. Wednesday night.

According to the General Secretary of DNC, late Dorji, who was 73, died of 'liver failure'. Doctors at the Hospital had admitted him at ICU (Intensive Care Unit) from 5 p.m. onwards when his heath condition was critical.

General Secretary further informed BNS that the funeral processing is scheduled for Sunday and that the dead body will be kept in the hospital until that time.

Meanwhile, it is reportedly learnt that a group of other exiled Bhutanese leaders from Nepal will travel to Sikkim to pay last tributes to late Dorji sometimes soon.

Late Dorji, who was leading a strategic coalition formed by the Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Bhutan Peoples' Party, Bhutanese National Democratic Party and his own DNC, was based both in Kathmandu and Delhi after the Delhi High Court lifted the ban on his movement outside New Delhi. He was confined within New Delhi for almost 13 years since 1998.

Late Dorji is survived by his two sons, two daughters and wife.

Click here to read a piece by IP Adhikari of BNS on late Dorji’s contribution in Bhutanese movement.
Click here to read late Dorji’s media presence with interviews & articles.

Nepalese PM urged to raise refugee issue with India

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 04:48 AM PDT

Bhutanese political organizations in exile have jointly requested the Nepalese prime minister to raise Bhutanese refugee issues with his Indian counterpart.

Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Druk National Congress and Bhutan People’s Party sent an appeal to Nepalese Prime minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai who is on his 4 day long visit to India, requesting him to include refugee agenda with ‘some merit’.

In a joint appeal sent to PM Bhattarai, the political organizations have held the lack of commitment from Bhutan responsible for the failure to resolve the refugee stalemate through bilateral talks. They have also criticized the resettlement programme calling it a factor effecting the long movement and efforts of most of the refugees to repatriate to home country.

In the appeal letter, the political organizations have labelled the refugee issue as an important part of peace process of Nepal.” Since this is not a bilateral issue alone between Nepal and Bhutan, we are highly optimistic that this visit will win the confidence of India to ensure their sincere involvement to resolve the long outstanding refugee issue for repatriation to home country”, reads the appeal.

Tek Nath Rizal, Balaram Poudel and Kezang Nedup have singed the appeal on behalf of BMSC, BPP and DNC, respectively.

Real sense of human rights is absent

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 01:03 AM PDT

This was the last interview that the BNS conducted with late R.K.Dorji. Coinciding the 62nd Human Rights Day, BNS Executive Editor TP Mishra had talked to Dorji on various contemporary issues including the situation of human rights in Bhutan. The interview was published in the BNS on Dec 9, 2010. Excerpts:

BNS: How do you evaluate the 'state of human rights' in Bhutan especially aftermath of 2008 general election in the country?
The real sense of human rights exists only on paper post 2008. The regime applies human rights discriminately. The human right is upheld if it pleases. However we have to admit slight lee way is granted in terms of freedom of press. The real sense of democracy is absent, so the real sense of human rights is also absent.

BNS: Why do you think Bhutan has been always successful in convincing the world communities that there is 'improving situation' of human rights and democracy despite the truth being the otherwise?
In modern world economic motives determine the nature of relationship. Outsiders have so far only observed the good thing in country. This must have shaped their flaw picture of country. The army, state machinery and money are with king so he seems successful. In addition, international communities have to deal with him whether you like it or hate it for the larger interest of Bhutanese citizens. His success is temporary.

BNS: In one sense, whatever the comments from exiled groups, parties or individuals be, the situation in Bhutan is little different. People inside the country are silent and that they are happy with what's been prevailing there. Why it concerns so much to exiled Bhutanese when it comes to 'democracy' and 'human rights' in their country?

: Late Dorji

The grass root people are ignorant of democracy and human rights knowledge. So far some fifty thousand people who enjoy the state privileges believe that democracy exist in the country. As the democracy knowledge is ingrained into Bhutanese society, people will automatically come forward to campaign for genuine democracy and Human rights.

Exile people are fortunate to have experience the democratic cultures in their refuge country. Because of these exposure and experience, to exiles, the democracy is a basic requirement to lead the respectable life.

BNS: Of late you have been consented to lead the 'struggle for democracy' by three major exiled forces—Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Bhutan People's Party and Bhutan National Democratic Party. Tell us about your new road map.
Our road map is illustrated in five points that we have announced during joint press conference. Our objective is to hold meeting with Government of Nepal, Bhutan and India in realizing the five points which are as follows:
Five points are:
- The exiled political parties and the exiled Bhutanese must be permitted to participate in the forth-coming elections.
- The Bhutanese refugees must be repatriated with honour and dignity, and must be allowed to participate in the political process. To call upon the international community to pressurize Bhutan to take back its citizens.
- The immediate unconditional release of all the political prisoners in Bhutan who have been in prisons since the early 1990s.
- To promote and strengthen the existing bonds of friendship at the people to people level among the citizens of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, which hasn’t been promoted to the desired level thus far.
- To extend thanks to the international community and all well-wishers of the Bhutanese democratic struggle and seek continued support and solidarity.

BNS: The exile activism for genuine democracy in Bhutan have never received convincing support and solidarity from the international communities. What is your logic that now your leadership will gain momentous support and solidarity so that the struggle takes a good height?
Our demand for democracy is genuine. Besides the international community also want to see genuine democracy taking roots in Bhutan. I therefore expect India and Nepal to counsel Bhutan to resolved exile Bhutanese issues.

Bhutanese have now spread throughout the globe. All wanted genuine democracy to take deep roots in Bhutan. We need to work together to realize the aforementioned five points. Besides, we are hopeful that international communities will support our initiatives to utilize of small opening that we saw in Bhutan since 2008. We will take the confidence of India in our works. For that, we will meet the government functionary and political leaders in India. Our country and India enjoys special friendship and each other destiny in 21st century is intertwined. My main thrust of work involves India.

BNS: But, in one sense you have even failed to garner government support and solidarity from India, where you have been taking shelter for years?
The atmosphere of 1997 and 2010 is different. You have failed to observe my nature of shelter in India. I was undergoing trail and the open support to me was inappropriate.

But in retrospection, I see that India had supported me. I owe gratitude and indebtedness to India. I was not extradited to Bhutan. Now I am able to campaign for democracy and human rights. The support is one thing, working is another. We all must work towards genuine democratization of Bhutan. We must cook food ourselves for our own eating.

BNS: What positive and welcoming changes have you noticed so far in Bhutan since the country stepped into 'democratisation process' beginning 2008?
The positive change is that we see an absolute Monarchy being replaced by Constitutional Monarchy. The democratic institution of parliament, Supreme Court, etc has been displayed to world community. However, the intrinsic power continues to rest with King.

BNS: What needs to be changed further then?
The institution of democratic set up has up in Bhutan. We irrespective of our stay in exile or inside country must struggle together to bring genuine changes tearing current façade of 'democracy'. Change is inevitable in life. But we must work together to bring this inevitable changes favorable to us.

Editor’s note: Following are some of his recent articles that had appeared in BNS.
* Why New Alliance?
* Overhaul Samteling directive
* Real game of democracy begins now
* Radio interview with Dorji

RK Dorji passed away

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 12:38 AM PDT

Founder-chairperson of the Druk National Congress (DNC), Rongthong Kunley Dorji, died Wednesday night while undergoing treatment for multiple complications in Manipal Institute of Medical Science, Sikkim. He was 73.

File photo: Late Dorji talks to former Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal(Photo/Writer)

Confirming Dorji's death at 11 p.m yesterday, DNC Vice-Chairman Keshang Lhendup said, his immense contribution to the establishment of constitutional democracy in Bhutan will always remain in the heart of Bhutanese people.

"We express heartfelt condolences to his family and pray for the peace of the departed soul," added he.

Late Dorji, who was leading a strategic coalition formed by the Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Bhutan Peoples' Party, Bhutanese National Democratic Party and his own DNC, was based both in Kathmandu and Delhi after the India’s High Court lifted the ban on his movement outside New Delhi. He was confined within New Delhi for almost 13 years since 1998.

BCRC celebrates its first anniversary

Posted: 19 Oct 2011 08:30 PM PDT

Participants at the anniversary

Oct 17: Washington based Bhutanese Community Resource Center(BCRC) organized a cultural presentation to mark its first anniversary on October 16, 2011.

The event was held at Greenriver Community College, Auburn Campus, which ran for five hours. The program constituted dozens of cultural dances and few solo songs.

Khem Rizal who headed the cultural committee narrated and managed the event. According to the organizers, about 600 audiences were present in the event.

Youth volunteers and students of the University of Washington also highlighted about the ‘Washington Lets Go To College Project’,which is an initiative of 2011 graduates from Bhutanese community in Washington.

Honoring high school graduates of past years was also a part of the program. Forty five graduates were honored with certificates of appreciation from the community. BCRC Chairperson Tanka Dhital emphasized on the importance of education and suggested parents to take part in their children's academic performances.

BCRC is a local non-profitable organization working for Bhutanese in Washington State promoting the culture and has been conducting cultural events twice a year.

Bhutan News Service

BCRC celebrates its first anniversary

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:30 AM PDT

Participants in anniversary celebration

Oct 17:Washington based  Bhutanese Community Resource Center(BCRC) organized a cultural presentation to mark its first anniversary on October 16, 2011.

The event was held at Greenriver Community College, Auburn Campus which ran for five hours. The program constituted dozens of cultural dances and few solo songs. Khem Rizal who headed the  cultural committee  narrated and managed the event. According to the organizers, about 600 audiences were present in the event.  Youth volunteers and students of the University of Washington also  highlighted about the 'Washington Lets Go To College Project',which is an initiative of 2011 graduates from Bhutanese community in Washington.  Honoring high school graduates of past years was also a part of the program.  Forty five graduates were honored with certificates of appreciation from the community.BCRC Chairperson Tanka Dhital emphasized  on the importance of education and suggested parents to take part in their children's academic performances.  BCRC is a local non-profitable organization working for Bhutanese in Washington State promoting the culture and has been conducting cultural events twice a year.

Bhutan News Service

Rajasthan to receive royals for honeymoon

Posted: 16 Oct 2011 11:39 PM PDT

The largest Indian state by area – Rajasthan is learnt to be preparing to receive newlywed King and Queen from Bhutan whose area is comparable to Indian state of Kerala.

The royals seal the fairy tale wedding

Rajasthan is popularly known as ‘the land of kings’. The state is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast, Punjab to the north, Gujarat to the southwest and Madhya Pradesh to the southeast. It has inhospitable great Indian desert -Thar.

The news of the royals arrival in Rajasthan has not been confirmed by the Bhutanese authority. However, Indian media reports Monday said,”they will take a trip across Rajasthan in a special train arranged for the couple.”

Media reports also said Bina Kak, Rajasthan’s Minister of Tourism, denied disclose authenticity of the news. “We’d love to play host if the royal couple comes to our state,” reports said quoting Minister Kak as saying.

The King and Queen are expected to arrive on October 25 and stay in India for their honeymoon, The Hindu reported today.

While in India, they will also visit Udaipur, Jodhpur and Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur. Jaipur is known as the ‘pink city’ of India.

King Jigme Khesar Wangchuk married Jetsum Pema last week. The royal ceremony was considered as ‘fairy tale wedding’ in many accounts by Indian media.

The King with an un-named Thai lady

The King married commoner and was not free from criticism. In 2006, a Thai website carried his picture with an un-named lady, considered to be his girlfriend.

The most popular Thai web forum (pantip.com) and the Thai Rath daily both printed the picture, whose further circulation was banned by the Thai Department of Special Investigation.

Bhutan News Service

King Weds Commoner

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 03:59 AM PDT

The 31-year-old king of Bhutan has finally tied nuptial knot with a commoner, who is 10 years junior to the former, in a colorful ceremony in Punakha today.

The king and queen greets commoners after the wedding ceremony.

Thursday’s wedding took place amid clouds of incense and chanting by monks in accordance with the Buddhist culture.

The world's youngest King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck – an Oxford graduate who came to power in 2008 at the start of democracy in Bhutan - crowned his queen, Jetsun Pema, at the end of a series of rituals in the 17th-century fortified monastery chosen for the occasion.

It is reportedly learnt that Pema is a daughter of an airline pilot widely admired for her beauty and her impact on the love-struck monarch.

The celebrations began as early as 8:20am - a time set by royal astrologers – when the king walked into the courtyard of the monastery in the old capital of Punakha. Wearing the royal yellow sash, he proceeded up the high staircase inside.

The couples.

After a brief purification ceremony, the couple walked hand-in-hand, smiling to the inner sanctum of the monastery where an hour of blessings, prostrations and prayers culminated with the queen taking the throne.

The wedding captivated the nation, which was growing impatient with its king’s lack of urgency to tie the knot. Children composed poems, flight attendants practiced celebratory dances and posters of the couple were almost everywhere across the country.

The couples are scheduled to return Thimphu on Friday to celebrate the wedding in Thimphu on Saturday, October 15.

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