Hamro Aawaj ( Our Voice) Episode 2

Report on Bhutanese community participation in Multi-cultural festival held in concord NH: Hosted by Tilak Niroula

REMEMBER 1ST MARCH 2008 BIGGEST FIRE IN GOLDHAP CAMP.

STILL WE REMEMBER THE 1ST MARCH. AT THIS TIME OUR HEART WERE BROKEN AND WE ARE STABLY CANNOT DO ANYTHING, INSTED WATCH AND CRY OUT FOR THE LIFE. HERE IS THE VIDEO.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT AFTER WATCHING THIS VIDEO.

Nepali Short movie BHAYA

naya raido ko naya shaili

First Trial Programe of Bhutan Online Radio. - YouTube from kharel on Vimeo.

SHORT MOVIE(FIRST YEAR IN USA)

concert in philadelphia

There are no signs of democracy in Bhutan’

One of the senior professors of Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan University (TU) has ruled out existence of any signs of democracy in Bhutan. Professor Bhattarai Professor Dr Govinda Raj Bhattarai, who had also taught Nepali language for a few years in Bhutan in early 1970s, expressed that “the country may have peace, but it lacks democracy”. “There are no any signs of democracy in Bhutan. The citizens lack right to practice their own religion. The media have not become independent,” Prof. Bhattarai told Bhutan News Service during an exclusive interview with him by journalist Binod Dhungel. According to him, Bhutan has always curtailed people from enjoying their right to speech and expression. “The citizens are compelled to accept the fake democratic practices which have been totally imposed by the state authority,” he added, expressing some hopes for true changes in long-run. He further said, “I am optimistic that true democratic practices would prevail in the kingdom. But, they won’t appear immediately. I fear that citizens’ sufferings may continue for a longtime.” In another context, Prof. Bhattarai blamed exiled leaders of lacking sincerity and dedication towards the ongoing democratic struggle in Bhutan, saying it was their mistake to opt resettlement in the west. However, he expressed his hope that the Bhutanese diaspora would keep on pressing the regime through various means and mechanisms. Prof. Bhattarai is the author of famous Nepali novel ‘Muglan’ that he had written at the age of 21 in 1974. Its English translation has recently appeared in the Nepalese book market. The Muglan features pathetic lives of lead characters duo (Sutar Kancha and Thule), who are tricked into working for a local contractor believing that he would get them enrolled in the British Army. However, they find themselves as road workers constructing a road from Paro to Haa, where they work for some years in appalling conditions before they decide to run away. The novel has clearly depicted sufferings of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese and their contributions in bringing Bhutan to the present stage.

NGO releases books on exiled Bhutanese

 

 

The Empowerment Foundation, a Dutch NGO, published two books depicting situations of theBhutanese refugees earlier in September.

The NGO has brought an English novel ‘Headwind, Laxmi’s Story’ by Alice Anna Verheij, and another pictorial book by Verheij and her colleague Eveline van de Putte.

The 304-page novel carrying a story about a young Bhutanese girl, who has been resettled to the Netherlands and miles away from her longtime boyfriend in the United States , tells about her previous life in the Beldangi camp and the challenges of being an immigrant in the Netherlands.

While, pictorial book ‘Unforgotten’ is of 144 pages with 175 images showing life in camps and the Netherlands both in high quality full color print.

“The books are not only meant for informing the general public about the Bhutanese refugee situation but also as a memorial book for future generations,” Verheij told Bhutan News Service.

According to her, the story of the camps should never be forgotten.

Both books are sold with a 50% discount on the normal book price to exiled Bhutanese readers. The novel is priced 9 Euro while the pictorial book costs 11 Euro.

The Dutch nationals, who have also been advocating the Bhutanese refugee imbroglio, are doing a documentary film – the Headwind, which features both refugee camps and resettled Bhutanese in the Netherlands.

PRASHANT AND AMIT CONCERT IN PHILADELPHIA

According to the organizor comitte said that prashant tamang a real nepali hero and amit paul will be in PHILADELPHIA on October, 14 2012. Don't miss out this opportunity. Ticket are avilable now in Namaste Grocery Store only $30 you might get discount if you buy as soon as possible.
                                                                                                                                    (by dhaka ram)

DATE: Sunday October,14th 2012
TIME: 6:30 PM
VENUE: 2401 S. Swanson St. Philadelphia, PA 19148

 

ORGANIZOR
Dillu Chamlagai: 215-397-1841
Kunti Thapa: 347-458-6659
Rabin Thapa: 619-715-5743

School Uniforms Distributed in Camps

news by tilak niroula
Caritas Nepal, the caretaker of Bhutanese refugee education, has set out to distribute school uniforms to all school students in camps. The distribution of the school uniforms is supported by UNHCR and the European Commission. Father PS Amalraj distributes uniforms to school students of Marygold Academy. Photo courtesy: Tilak Noraula Father PS Amalraj, the field director of Caritas Office in Damak, gave away the uniforms to school students of Marygold Academy today at a function organized by the school. Speaking at the program, Father Amalraj told the students and staff that all 10,222 students from pre-primary to grade ten will get the uniforms with a stitching charge of 200 rupees each. “The uniforms are worth 62, 37,000 rupees”, he added. The distribution of the uniforms at Marygold shall be followed in the order: Tri-Ratna seconday school (TRSS), Green Vale Academy(GVA), New Horizon Academy(NHA) and Pancha-oti English School(PES). D. B Subba, the camp secretary of Beldangi expressed his gratitude to the funding sources, EU and UNHCR, for their support to provide school uniforms. He also anticipated that such support system prevails until the camp remains in Nepal. One parent, Sabitra Giri, expressed happiness on receiving the uniforms. She said, “My child received the uniform after many years and it happened when the festival, Dashain, is just approaching”. (news from bhutanese nes service) watch more on http://bhutanesearoundglobe.blogspot.com/

HERO (SA RE GA MA PA) 2012 NEW SHOW

SECTOR B AND C VICTORY IN VOLLEYBALL

झापाको बेलडाँगी भूटानी शरणार्थी शिविरमा मंगलबारदेखि शुरु भएको सेक्टर स्तरीय भलिबल टुर्नामेन्टको शुक्रबार भएको खेलमा बेलडाँगी २ को सेक्टर बी र सी विजयी भएका छन् ।

युवा मैत्री केन्द्र बेलडाँगीको आयोजना तथा क्यारिटस नेपालको सहयोगमा भएको टुर्नामेन्टमा पुरुष तर्फको खेलमा बेलडाँगी २ सेक्टर सी लाई हराएर सेक्टर बी ले विजय हात पारेको हो । महिला तर्फको खेलमा भने बेलडाँगी २ सेक्टर एफलाई हराउँदै बेलडाँगी ३ सेक्टर इ सेमी फाइनलमा प्रवेश गरेको छ ।

पुरुष तर्फ १५ र महिला तर्फ १० टीम सहभागी रहेको खेल प्रतियोगितामा भोलि बेलडाँगी २ को पुरुष तर्फ सेक्टर ए र आम्दा समूह तथा महिला तर्फ बेलडाँगी २ को सेक्टर एच र सी बीच प्रतिष्पर्धा हुने केन्द्रका फिल्ड स्टाफ मनबहादुर पौडेलले बताए ।

समाजसेवाको लक्ष्यमा स्थापित ‘तिम्सिना प्रतिष्ठान’

गतवर्ष अमेरिकाको न्यू-ह्याम्पशायरस्थित कन्कर्ड शहरमा असामयिक निधन भएका देवीचरण तिम्सिनाको स्मृतिमा नेपालीभाषी भूटानी समुदायमा  शिक्षा र समाजसेवाको लक्ष्य लिएर  सेप्टेम्बर २२ का दिन “देवी तिम्सिना प्रतिष्ठान”- स्थापनाको घोषणा भएको छ ।

स्व. देवीचरण तिम्सिनाको २९ औं जन्मतिथि पारेर उनको स्मृतिमा गठित यस प्रतिष्ठानले विभिन्न सामाजिक कार्यक्रम र प्रतिभावान् भूटानी विद्यार्थीहरूलाई छात्रवृत्ति उपलब्ध गराउने मूल लक्ष्य लिएको भूटान समाचार सेवालाई प्राप्त प्रतिष्ठानका अध्यक्ष रुपनारायण तिम्सिनाद्वारा हस्ताक्षरित विज्ञप्तिमा जनाइएको छ ।

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तिम्सिना परिवार सन् १९९० मा भूटान सरकारद्वारा चालिएको “जातिसफाय अभियान”-मा शिकार बनेर भूटानको चिराङबाट विस्थापित भई नेपालमा करिब दुई दशक शरणार्थी जीवन बिताई सन् २००८ मा अमेरिका पुनर्वाश भएको थियो ।

“सन् २०११ को जुलाई १८  का दिन असामयिक रूपमा निधन भएका देवीचरण तिम्सिनाले आफ्नो जीवनमा सामाजिक उत्थान र विकासको आशा राखेकाले उनका लक्ष्यहरू पूरा गरिदिनलाई यो प्रतिष्ठान स्थापना गरिएको हो”, अध्यक्ष तिम्सिनाद्वारा हस्ताक्षरित विज्ञप्तिमा भनिएको छ । नेपालमै वाणिज्य शंकायमा स्नातकसम्मको शिक्षा लिएका २८ वर्षीय तिम्सिनाको क्यान्सरका कारण मृत्यु भएको जनाइएको छ ।

स्मृतिमा रहेका स्व. देवी तिम्सिनाका पिता रुपनारायण तिम्सिनाको अध्यक्षतामा स्थापित सो प्रतिष्ठानमा मञ्जु खँड़का, भगिरथ खतिवड़ा, भोला शिवाकोटी, साजन नेपाल, टीकाराम चिमरिया, माधव साप्कोटा, कुविर आचार्य, देउकुमार दाहाललगायतका मित्रमण्डली संस्थापक सदस्य रहेका छन् ।

“वार्षिकरूपमा कक्षा १० अर्थात प्रवेशिका परिक्षा प्रथम श्रेणीमा उत्तीर्ण गर्ने एक भूटानी नेपाली छात्र र एक छात्रालाई उच्च शिक्षा आर्जन गर्न सहायता स्वरूप वार्षिक छात्रवृत्ति सञ्चालन गर्ने,  विभिन्न क्षेत्रबाट अनवरत रूपमा भूटानी समाजलाई सेवा पुर्याउने समाजसेवीहरूलाई कद्दर तथा प्रोत्साहन गर्ने, भूटानी विद्यार्थी र युवा पुस्तालाई हौसला तथा मार्गदर्शन प्रदान गर्दै विभिन्न कार्यक्रमहरू सञ्चालन गर्ने”-लगायतका कार्यक्रमहरू प्रतिष्ठानको योजना रहेको विज्ञप्तिमा बताइएको छ ।

MA TIMRO BHAISEKI 2012

Living a world away: A refugee story

No electricity, poor food rations and meager work meant the couple had little hope for their daughter’s future.

Their opportunity for a new life came last spring in the form of a series of thick application packets, security clearances and a few lucky breaks. The Tamang family is among a growing number of legal refugees relocating to Hampton Roads in search of the American dream, even as the nation continues to struggle from the worst economic downturn since the 1920s. Just four months after arriving on the Peninsula, Bir Bahadur now has a job. The couple’s daughter, Samichya Tamang, started school Tuesday. The family’s apartment has basic amenities — air conditioning, a refrigerator, separate rooms — that weren’t available to them in the refugee camp. From the time they landed at Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport in early May, the Tamang family allowed a Daily Press photographer and reporter to follow them as they assimilated to their new surroundings. As refugees, they have attended English classes and workshops teaching them about nutrition, public transportation and banks. Helping them become self sufficient within the first five to six months of moving to Hampton Roads is the goal, according to the officials helping to relocate the refugees. At an inch or two shy of 6 feet tall, Bir Bahadur is tall compared to his fellow countrymen who have moved here. He parts his black hair to the side and he often wears button-up shirts. His handshake is remarkably soft, although he is quick to offer his hand to greet strangers. Deo Maya often wears long floral-print skirts. She has not taken to English as quickly as her husband and often looks to him to translate dialogue into Nepalese. Since moving to Hampton Roads, the couple has reconnected with friends and family from the Nepalese refugee camps who have also relocated to Hampton Roads. Fleeing Bhutan Bir Bahadur, 31, and Deo Maya, 27, grew up in Bhutan, a mountainous country in south Asia bordered to the north and east by China and to the south and west by Nepal and India. As ethnic Nepalis, they were stripped of their citizenship and forced to leave Bhutan in the mid-1990s by the ethnic majority. More than 100,000 Bhutanese fled to Nepal where they were shepherded into refugee camps, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Bir Bahadur’s family was first forced to pass through neighboring India on an eight-hour bus ride before they arrived in a camp. Some Bhutanese people made the journey on foot, which took as long as six days, he said. Bir Bahadur arrived in the United-Nations-controlled camp at age 12 or 13. He finished his education in the camp, met his future wife in the camp and eventually watched his daughter grow up in the camp. Throughout that period he ate only what the United Nations provided him, and vegetables from small neighborhood gardens. Only worked on jobs available to him within the confines of the camp’s walls. Sitting in the living room of his two-bedroom apartment in Regency Square Apartments in Newport News, Bir Bahadur says he choose to move his family to the United States to open new opportunities for his 7-year-old daughter Samichya. With limited job opportunities in Nepal and little chance of returning to his home in Bhutan, Bir Bahadur said he hit a breaking point. The Tamang family applied for, and received, refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, an organization that seeks to ensure refugees can find a safe country to reside if they are exiled from their homes.

One stabbed to death in Beldangi-I

An exiled Bhutanese from Beldangi-I camp was stabbed to death by an unidentified gang while he was reportedly sleeping on his bed early Thursday morning.

Nepalese police guard the entrance to The Beldangi II Refugee Camp some south-east of Kathmandu. (Courtesy: Prakash Mathema) Camp-based Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector Tirtha Gautam identified the deceased as 31-year-old Bhim Bahadur Rai of Sector F-2, Hut No 167/68. Following an SOS call from the family, an APF team reached the spot immediately. Rai, who was also a camp management committee member, was lying still on his bed, being stabbed by sharp weapons. His aged mother, who was sleeping in a next room, informed police that she was unaware of the tragedy until the police squad reached her for questioning at 1:45 a.m. today. Remaining members of the family had gone to India for a family visit, informed Inspector Gautam. The dead body was taken to Mangalbare for postmortem earlier today. “A few suspects have been arrested. However, it is too early to tell who have murdered Rai,” said Inspector Gautam.

APF recover one dead body

Camp-based Armed Police Force (APF) recovered a dead body of Prem Bahadur Rai of Beldangi-II Sector F who reportedly died on Sunday as he was drown in and driven away by the Ratuwa river near Beldangi-I camp. “We found his dead body on the river ban at around 9 am,” APF Inspector Bijay Hamal told BNS. “We have suspected that he was driven away while crossing the flooded river.” Formerly from Samtse, Rai had left his hut early in the morning to work in a local farm, according to his family. news by bhutanese news service

Bhutanese diaspora marks Teej

The Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum (BRWF) celebrate Teej special programs amidst various cultural shows in Beldangi and Sanischare, Tuesday. Women dance to mark Teej festival in Beldangi-II (Picture : Tilak Niraula/BNS) Both married women and young girls performed different cultural and traditional dances, and songs, featuring red sari and traditional ornaments during the celebrations, according to our correspondents. Including Camp Secretary DB Subba, a number of speakers also extended their wishes to Bhutanese women on the occasion of Teej festival. Meanwhile, the Youth Friendly Center (YFC) also held a separate event to mark this year’s Teej festival in Beldangi-II. Around 1000 people gathered to observe the YFC Teej program, according to its Coordinator Damber Kumari Rai. Reports from Australia said, around 300 resettled women attended Teej celebrations organized by a community radio program – Yuba Sansar this Saturday in Adelaide, Australia. Young children and youth perfumed cultural shows including dancing and singing, while senior ladies presented sanguine, reports Nepalnews. According to the report a group dance performance by Bikram Adhikari, Jeevan Koirala, Prakash Niroula, Shova Biswa, Niru Mishra and Lok Poudyel turned even livelier as they took to the floor for dance. The organizer also said it has planned to donate the collected funds to Aama Ghar in Kathmandu. Similarly, Bhutanese Organization in Australia (BOA) also organized a community celebration to observe the Teej festival on Saturday.

YFC holds mentor-mentee workshop

YFC holds mentor-mentee workshop

The Youth Friendly Center (YFC) organised one-day orientation workshop on mentor-mentee for youths of camps, Wednesday. Participants of the workshop/Picture : BNS According to the organizer, the trained youths (mentors would work as mentor and start assisting children (mentees) at risk. Addressing the opening ceremony, Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector of Beldangi, Bijay Hamal requested the youths in camps to co-operate for maintaining peace and order in the community. He also expressed hope that such a program would benefit the vulnerable children at risk. Meanwhile, Mentor-Mentee Program Coordinator, Anup Maiji SJ, highlighted the importance of the program in the present context. The program is managed under the regular funding of Caritas Nepal.http://bhutanesearoundglobe.blogspot.com/

बेलडाँगीमा फोहोरले समस्या

बेलडाँगीमा फोहोरले समस्या

दमकको बेलडाँगी भूटानी शरणार्थी शिविर क्षेत्रमा रहेको बेलडाँगी बजारमा लामो समयदेखि फोहोर नउठाएको कारण फोहोर व्यवस्थापनमा समस्या आएको छ । विभिन्न ५ स्थानमा राखेको फोहोर राख्ने भाँडो भरिए पछि बजारमा फोहोर व्यवस्थापनमा समस्या आउँन थालेको हो । फोहोर राख्न सिमेन्टबाट बनाइएको डम्पिङ्ग भाँडो भरिएर फोहोर फाल्न समस्या भएको बजारका व्यवसायी भिम भट्टराईले बताए । यता बेलडाँगी बजार व्यवस्थापन समितिले दमक नगरसँग फोहोर उठाउँन पटक पटक भन्दै आएको भए पनि नगर पालिकाले चासो नदेखाएको कारण समस्या आउँन थालेको समितिका अध्यक्ष नैंनसिंह भण्डारीले बताए ।

Inter-sector volleyball kicks off

An inter-sector volleyball tournament has begun from Tuesday in Beldangi-II. The Youth Friendly Center (YFC) is the organizer of the match. Participants of the inter-sector volleyball tournament/Picture : BNS According to organiser, there are 11 female and 15 male teams from all sectors of Beldangi II and Extension, and Lutheran World Federation, Trans Pyshiocultural Organization and AMDA (Association of Medical Doctors of Asia) Nepal. Speaking at the inaugural session earlier today, YFC program Coordinater, Sarju Rai encouraged the youths to participate in such a tournament rather then involving in various anti- social activities. Another speaker and Armed Police Force (APF) inspector Bijay Hamal suggested the exiled youths to be social and friendly in all aspects. “You need to be responsible youngsters,” he said. The chair of the program, Damber Kumari Rai requested YFC members and general youths to help the community create a peaceful environment in the camp premises. In today’s battle, Beldangi-II Sector D team defeated Beldangi-II Extension Sector C team. Among the female teams, Beldangi-II Sector H team defeated Sector H team of the same camp securing 2 : 0 sets.

Inter-sector volleyball kicks off

An inter-sector volleyball tournament has begun from Tuesday in Beldangi-II. The Youth Friendly Center (YFC) is the organizer of the match. Participants of the inter-sector volleyball tournament/Picture : BNS According to organiser, there are 11 female and 15 male teams from all sectors of Beldangi II and Extension, and Lutheran World Federation, Trans Pyshiocultural Organization and AMDA (Association of Medical Doctors of Asia) Nepal. Speaking at the inaugural session earlier today, YFC program Coordinater, Sarju Rai encouraged the youths to participate in such a tournament rather then involving in various anti- social activities. Another speaker and Armed Police Force (APF) inspector Bijay Hamal suggested the exiled youths to be social and friendly in all aspects. “You need to be responsible youngsters,” he said. The chair of the program, Damber Kumari Rai requested YFC members and general youths to help the community create a peaceful environment in the camp premises. In today’s battle, Beldangi-II Sector D team defeated Beldangi-II Extension Sector C team. Among the female teams, Beldangi-II Sector H team defeated Sector H team of the same camp securing 2 : 0 sets.

अमेरिकाद्वारा ६० हजार भुटानी पुनस्र्थापित

नेपालबाट अमेरिका प्रस्थान गर्ने भुटानी शरणार्थीको संख्या हिजो, २०६९ भदौ १९ गते ६० हजार पुगेको छ । ती ६० हजारऔं शरणार्थी एक २८ वर्षीय महिला हुन् । उनको एक श्रीमान र छोरी छन् ।

उनको परिवारले ओहायो राज्यको कोलम्बस शहरमा नयाँ जीवनको शुरुवात गर्दैछ, काठमाडौंस्थित अमेरिकी दुतावासले जनाएको छ ।

शरणार्थीसम्बन्धी संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघीय उच्चायोगको कार्यालय र अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय आप्रवासी सब्गठनसँगको निकट सहकार्यमा संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिकाले पूर्वी नेपालमा रहेका भुटानी शरणार्थीहरूलाई सन् २००७ देखि पुनस्र्थापना गर्न शुरु गरेको हो, दुतावासको वक्तव्य अनुसार ।

यस पुनस्र्थापना कार्यमा संलग्न अन्य राष्ट्रहरू अस्ट्रेलिया, क्यानडा, नेदरल्यान्ड्स, डेनमार्क, नर्वे, न्युजील्यान्ड, र संयुक्त अधिराज्यले संयुक्त रुपमा यस बाहेक अन्य ११ हजार शरणार्थीहरूलाई पुनस्र्थापना गरिसकेका छन् । पुनस्र्थापना कार्यक्रममा इच्छुक धेरै भन्दा धेरै भुटानी शरणार्थीलाई पुनस्र्थापना गर्ने तर्फ अमेरिका प्रतिबद्ध रहेको छ ।

Obstructed transportation in Beldangi resumes

western union

All means of transport from Beldangi to Damak have resumed this afternoon following negotiation between the concerned parties. Transport entrepreneurs brought all services into a halt to protest arbitrary arrest of two persons by camp-based Armed Police Force (APF) Thursday. APF arrested and interrogated two transporters following a dispute on bus fare yesterday, according to Inspector Bijay Hamal. They were later released. Inspector Hamal also claimed that the law enforcement agent was compelled to arrest the duo when they verbally based some of the APF personnel yesterday. A joint meeting involving APF and transport entrepreneurs decided to resume the obstructed transportation from this afternoon.

Agencies to renew identity cards from Sep 17

The District Administration Office of Jhapa and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have announced that they would start renewing existing refugee identity cards from September 17. Chief District Officer of Jhapa Narendra Raj Sharma and UNHCR Damak Chief Sajal Gupta jointly made such an announcement to camp management committee of Beldangi camp, Monday. “Considering expiry date of refugee identity cards, we have planned to issue new cards from September 17,” Gupta said. Validity of most of the existing cards will be over by this October, while others would last up to February next year. According to Gupta, the distribution of new cards would commence from Sanischare camp, as his office plans to issue around 500 identity cards each day. The officials also informed the camp management committee that new cards will be more secure based on a digital technology. “We’ll distribute the identity cards at Damak, and every individual has to travel in person for the biometrics required,” said CDO Sharma, who heads the Refugee Coordination Unit. According to Sharma, some 27,000 individuals would be benefited from this package. “This figure excludes asylum-seekers whose registration process has recently completed,” CDO Sharma further said adding, “We have submitted details of all pending cases to the Ministry of Home Affairs. We need to wait for the Ministry’s response.” Chief District Officer of Jhapa (middle) speaks to camp management committee of Beldangi in presence of representatives from the UNHCR and other agencies  Meanwhile, the UNHCR also announced that the agency would bear travel costs during the distribution for all individual refugees. The agencies have also planned various consultation programs to inform exiled citizens regarding the renewal of their identity cards. Expressing his views during the information-sharing program, Beldangi Camp Secretary Dhan Bir Subba requested both the parties to expedite distribution of identity cards for all verified asylum seekers. Secretary Subba also appealed the UNHCR Damak Chief Gupta to continue assistance to refugees till camps exist.