THE UNHEARD VOICES

Reproduction: Refugee in NY reunites with son after 34 years

2011-11-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting story of a Vietnamese refugee who reunites with his son after 34 years. Take a moment to read the whole story:

Truong resettled in the United States in 1978, sponsored by an uncle living in Louisiana. On a trip to Thailand in June after hearing Kham might be alive, a social worker helped him locate his son, now a 34-year-old father of two named Samart Khumkhaw who lives in Surat Thani province.
"At this minute, I feel so excited and happy," Truong said as he stood next to his son at Rochester's airport surrounded by two dozen relatives and friends waving tiny U.S. flags and "Welcome Home" balloons. "We're going to have a big Thanksgiving holiday!

Click Here to read more.
(Source: MSNBC, 2011)

'1 is too many'

2011-06-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

We lost our home not the future: Bhutanese Refugees in Refugee Day 2011 (Source: BNS)

As a former Bhutanese refugee, I wanted to focus in the 'World Refugee Day 2011 ' celebration going on today all over the world.

Campaign: '1 is too many'

Sixty years after governments expressed their solidarity with refugees by signing the 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR is calling on the public to reaffirm their support for refugees, calling on their governments to show humanity and to respect human rights and refugee rights. In this special commemorative year and for World Refugee Day 2011, UNHCR has developed the "1 is too many" campaign concept reflecting on its goals to recognize and strengthen global protection.
The campaign involves, three ‘1’s: 1 refugee, (I am) 1 who cares, and a call to action: Do 1 Thing (learn, take action, spread the word, give, follow us).
The ‘1 Campaign’ concentrates on the central tag line, ‘1 refugee without hope, is too many’ and a portfolio of other taglines;

1 family forced to flee is too many;
1 refugee without hope is too many;
1 refugee returned to danger is too many;
1 refugee longing for home is too many;

1 child without a nationality is too many;
1 family without shelter is too many;
1 refugee denied a safe haven is too many;
1 child growing up in a camp is too many;

1 family torn apart by war is too many;
1 girl raped at gunpoint is too many;
1 refugee child behind bars is too many;
1 refugee without schooling is too many;

Source: UNHCR

It is highlighted in the UNHCR's website today that 80% of world's refugees are in developing countries.

In 2010, and of the refugees under UNHCR's mandate, 7.2 million people were in such a situation – more than at any time since 2001. Meanwhile only 197,600 people were able to return home, the lowest number since 1990.

Some refugees have been in exile for more than 30 years. Afghans, who first fled the Soviet invasion in 1979, accounted for a third of the world's refugees in both 2001 and in 2010. Iraqis, Somalis, Congolese (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Sudanese were also among the top 10 nationalities of refugees at both the start and end of the decade.

Click Here to read more of this news story published in UNHCR's website today.

Click Here to see the interview with Antonio Guterres, UN high commissioner for refugees released by the office of the UNHCR in the eve of World Refugee Day 2011.

Progressive 2010

2010-12-31T19:27:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of 2010. The year 2010 brought some changes in my life and also it was progressive year for me. Though, the first day of the year was quite painful and I think it as a struggle for a new life. I had to work on that first day, however, there were no Bus services on that day. We had arrived in this land six months ago, so there were no thoughts about buying and driving a car. Anyway, I had to manage transportation from my place to the work site. My brother had a bicycle. So, I planned to drive that bicycle. It was January, so with no doubt, it was cold season. It was very much difficult to drive bicyle in that cold weather from my apartment to the job site which took me around 35 minutes. The day was filled with hard work as it was New Year's day and the hotel was really busy. The beginning of 2010 was filled with such hardworks and of course, all the tweleve months was spent with many ups and downs for better life.

Lexington is a small and a beautiful city. Though, there are fewer people from my community, and in particular, we don't have our relatives here, I like the attractive environment of the city. As a kind of rule, we need to live our own life and work hard for becoming self-sufficient in this new land. I had a good time enjoying with my family for the whole year even though I missed my relatives and friends. Sometimes, It makes me feel bad and worry about those lovely friends and relatives.

In the early beginning of the year, I got a good opportunity to participate in a training entittled "Green Entrepreneur Program" by Kentucky Student Ventures Coorporation. There were seven Bhutanese friends along with me to participate in the training. We learnt about Green ideas to start a business, E-bay, and also about the American life style. In fact, this program gave me valuable tips to become more creative and straight forward, professional and a successful person. At the end of the program, I got a reward which was a new job. I was hired in Twittlebit.com. I was very glad to get this offer and I accepted it and till now, I am working hard for building a good website for the company. This was one of my great achievement in this whole year.

At the end of the year, I met some Indian folks who are filled with divine thoughts and ideas which impressed me a lot. They are within the group entittled 'Swadhyay Pariwaar'. As far as I know, this group reads and discuss about self development according to Vedas, and other Hindu books. Meeting with this Pariwaar is a great thing for me. As I am a devotee of the God, I like the principles and methods of the devotion towards God implemented by that group. So, I got a divine thought that is "God is within me".

For the first time in my life, I started driving from October of this year. My first car is Nissant Sentra GXE which is running good.

Afterall, 2010 was a good year for me to get in a right track to build my future. People say that hard work leads to success. I think that is true as my hard work didn't fail. It gave me a solution for an unsolved question and I was suceessful. I hope the coming year 2011 will be the more progressive than 2010.

I wish Happy New Year 2011 to all my friends and the visitors of my blog. May this new year brings you newly founded love, peace, prosperity, happiness and delight in your life.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

Happy Vijaya Dashami!

2010-10-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Vijaya Dashami is the greatest festival of Hindu people. This festival signifies the victory of the Hindu God Rama who defeated Demon Ravana and also Goddess Durga who defeated the demon Mahishasura. Celebrations already started in Nepal, India and different parts of the world where Hindu people are residing. We will get blessings from our parents and seniors and also eat delicious food. People visit each other's homes and exchange greetings and gifts to celebrate the victory of Good over Evil.

This year also we (my family) are celebrating Dashain in United States. I wanted to wish you all Happy and Prosperous Vijaya Dashami. May this year's Vijaya Dashami Celebration brings you lots of happiness in your life and fulfill your dreams.

Thanks!

Have a great Celebration!

A Story of 1990: Torture leading to Death

2010-09-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

It was past midnight, the 22nd of November 1990. I was sleeping with my children at home. Suddenly, I was woken up by the sound of banging on my door. When I opened the door, I was chilled to see my husband, Hom Nath Gautam and step son, Deo Dutta Gautam in handcuffs arrested by Major Chachu, accompanied by a dozen policemen. They were arrested from our own cattle farm, located at a distance from home, where they were sleeping for the night. Major Chachu said that my husband and son were being taken for questioning to the police station and would be sent back home the next day. (Pabitra Gautam, www.bhutannewsservice.com)

Some stories carry pain and some happiness. Some are based on reality, but sligthly tilted towards fiction. Some are very interestingly presented and it is real. The words and sentences in such real stories are very painful if it is tragic and very happy to read at if it is comic or humourous. In reality, the words and phrases comes out if one suppresses others very badly. People present those real sufferings and henceforth, it reveals truth.

The lines I have quoted in the top of my post is real story based on the suppression of one of the Nepali speaking Bhutanese in Southern Bhutan in 1990s. I was unknown about those facts going on inside Bhutan as I was only a child of 4 years while I was evicted from the country 'Bhutan'. However, the true facts cannot be hidden and it will be very powerful. When I go through the lines of that true story, i felt sad and it was tragic. This is kind of situation where the Govt. doesnot allow people to speak freely and hold its complete power. And, ultimately it results to movement and revolution and also violence and series of arrests, terrible tortures and also death. In that period, innocent and general people suffered a lot and they can't stay long with that and left the country and that is eviction. That is what I know after I heard from elders and also general Bhutanese people and also by doing research on that issue.

Click Here to read the complete story of Pabitra Gautam.

Inside Bhutan

2010-08-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

After a gap of probably two months, i am back again with some ideas which comes in my mind. In particular, I love reading and writing. To point out here, I was reading some books containing philosophical ideas, and also some religious books which definitely gives different approach about the Supremehead Lord, human life and also the world.

Every time, I think about my country where I was born. It was a bad time when our family left Bhutan. I was only three years young when my family were evicted from the place where I saw for the first time. As said by my parents, the place was very good and charming. Everybody loved that place so it was often compared with heaven. However, people inside there are not happy because of illiteracy and poverty. The developing nation 'Bhutan' which is also called as Land of Thunder Dragon is gearing up for development but it has numerous problems unsolved. People are not willing to speak on any matters going on the country. Because of lack of education and also the poverty, people in rural area suffers a lot.

I have presented one video reporting by 'Al-Zajeera' about the situation of the country inside Bhutan. In the video, Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley was saying that Bhutanese refugees in camps are illegal immigrants. Many say that the quote is untrue.(Click Here to see the news coverage and the people's response). Many people inside refugee camps possess their national citizenship card given by the government on that period and also many have photos and also other documents of their of home in Bhutan. Students in the refugee camps chant the national anthem of Bhutan and pray for the King in their morning prayer in the camps in the Dzongkha language which is the national language of Bhutan. There are many points of justification for that if we do research on this issue.

The video also gives the glimpse of the lovely and charming nature of Bhutan. I felt glad to watch this video which shows the beautiful nature of the place where I was born. Watch it:-

Refugee Day in Lexington, KY

2010-06-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

When I arrived in Woodland Park in the mid-day, I saw different group of people having fun in the charming nature. I came near to the group where there were posters relating to International Refugee Day. With no doubt, I was attending the same celebration organized by Kentucky Refugee Ministries in June 19.

The staff of the Ministries were giving warm welcome to the refugees and other peoples who were joining the Celebration. Refugees from Iraq, Bhutan and Congo had already been participating when I joined them. Children were playing soccer and doing some art works. Some were enjoying with the food and drinks. The adult group were chatting each other. In fact, this was a good get together as there were people from different culture and country who speak different language. Interesting thing is that people were dressed with their own costume.

I joined the Bhutanese friends and have conversations with them. We joined the whole group who were busy celebrating the day. One lady came near to me and shared her warm greetings. She was discussing with me about the Soccer and the life in Lexington. I expressed my views relating to it and she smiled. The team of youths got ready for playing Soccer. Though, I was not a good player, I prefer to join them. We had fun playing soccer. After a while, I got tired and left playing. I returned to the gathering and shared my greetings with the folks around the spot. Some were enjoying the cultural food and some taking pictures. In particular, this day would be memorable for the refugees and also the organizing committee.

Meanwhile, I was also watching some good pictures hanged around the area. The pictures were reflecting the life of refugees, the hope and also the struggle for the future. I thought that the slogan of this year’s Refugee Day- “They took my home but they cannot take my future” was matching to some of the pictures.

When I came back in my apartment after some hours, I heard some people giving good comments for the program. Thanks to the staff of KRM and also the refugees who joined the celebration.

Struggling for better future

2010-06-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

Lexington Herald Leader published from Lexington, KY covered a feature relating to the life of refugees resettled here in June 17 issue. As per Kentucky Refugee Ministries some 380 refugees from Congo, Bhutan and Iraq have been resettled in Lexington during the past two years.

In fact, this area is home to 380 refugees during the past two years, including 132 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 107 from Iraq. They all want a chance at the peace we take for granted.On Saturday, you will have a chance to meet some of them and maybe share a native dish at the World Refugee Day picnic from noon to 3 p.m. at Woodland ParkThe worldwide celebration aims to remind us that there are 14 million refugees around the world, 8 million of whom have languished in camps for a decade.
Kleine said she is expecting at least 100 Bhutanese, Iraqi and Congolese immigrants who have settled in the Bluegrass.
Charmelle Kindeke handed me a neatly folded piece of notebook paper on which her name had been written, last name first as is the custom in the Congo, her homeland. She, her husband and two sons fled to Ghana in March 2003, and there they lived in a camp until finally arriving in Lexington on Jan. 14.
Kindeke said she is getting used to America although she has two requests.
First, she wants her two children to attend school during the summer, learning English and other subjects so they can catch up with Americans in their age group.

Click Here to read more.

Support Fire Victims!!

2010-05-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the piece of news by Bhutan News Service covering the appeal by the media group for the support of the fire victims of the recent Fire incident in Beldangi-1 refugee camp of Eastern Nepal. Check this out: -

In a bid to collect financial support to fire victims in Beldangi-I camp in eastern Nepal, Bhutan Media Society (BMS), the media regulating body in exile, has set-up an “online call” urging individuals to extend possible support.
A media statement issued by the BMS urged the Bhutanese abroad to extend possible support. “You have time and again been kind in context to emergency situations in camps. This time some hundreds are in need of your kind help in Beldangi-I camp,” reads the statement, adding- “We appeal you and your family to extend possible support to these fire victims, who all are our friends and relatives.”

Click Here to read more.

Video of Khudunabari refugee camp!

2010-04-10T16:14:00.001-07:00

This is the video which was shooted by the Italian videographer, Sergio Basso whom i met in Khudunabari camp in Nepal last year. This video shows the real life situation in refugee camp of Nepal. Check this out:-

Green Program successfully completed!!

2010-04-01T15:50:00.001-07:00

Green Entrepreneur Program which was organized by Kentucky Student Ventures Corporation(KSVC) in Lexington city of Kentucky State ended successfully in 30th March where some 30 participants participated. There were seven Bhutanese students taking part in the program and others were Kenyan and American.. Bhutan News Service covered the news about the green program.

Seven resettled Bhutanese students have successfully completed the eight weeks
Bluegrass Green Entrepreneur Program organized by Kentucky Student Ventures
Corporation (KSVC) on March 30 here in Lexington city.
Bobby Clark, the CEO of the KSVC said that the Bhutanese students showed a good participation in the whole period and also appreciated the dedication shown by them.

Click here to read more.

Re-publishing "The Youth Times"

2010-03-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

"The Youth Times", a monthly bulletin which i founded and edited with supports from some friends in Khudunabari refugee camp of Nepal has been stopped currently. It was published for atleast seven months and informed youths and the genral public about the currrent issues and the life standards. We also published articles which were effective for social awareness in the community. Besides this, the bulletin also covered the poetry and write-ups written by the youth and the children.

In the initial phase, we published handwritten copy in a big chart paper. After two issues, we published it with a good formatting by using computer. Check out this samples:-

The Bulletin was published with partial supports from Youth Friendly Centre based in the refugee camp. It was started in August 2008. Hopefully, we are going to start the publication again in PDF format which can be accessed world wide through internet.

UK also accepts Bhutanese Refugees!!

2010-03-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

United Kingdom has also decided to resettle 200 Bhutanese refugees in it's land. UK will be the another country for resettlement after United States, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and Norway. According to UNHCR, some 83,000 refugees have expressed their willingness for resettlement.

The enthusiasts for third country resettlement have yet another reason to cheer
for now, thanks to United Kingdom that it has offered to settle some of the
exiled Bhutanese from Nepal.
The country will start the process for
resettlement from next week, in Damak, where all other countries — United
States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway and Netherlands —
conduct processing.
According to reliable sources at the Minister of Foreign
Affairs in Nepal, the country will take over 200 exiled Bhutanese for
resettlement in the next two months’ period.
Click Here for more information!!

A village within a camp!!

2009-12-10T14:57:00.001-08:00

Here is a story written by an exiled journalist Jeetan Muskan, one of my reporter friend & also my brother who outlines the present situation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Check this out:-

By Jeetan Muskan
This is not a wonder, as you feel when reading this, but the fact is a village has been created within the Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal. And it is named as security village.
Created on the lap of Armed Police Force base camp in Beldangi I, the security village turns to be a shelter for all refugees getting threats for opting to go third country as part of the resettlement.
The village contains only few huts where people recommended by the UNHCR, having felt the need to provide security due to increasing threats, are sheltered in. Attached is four-hut separate shelter called transit huts.
The first to enter this security village is Thug Bahadur Thapa of Beldangi I who has recently received death threats. Thapa shifted to the village in November last week along with his seven-member family. The Bhutanese refugee camps in recent years have turned to be the heartland of warning, threats and killing of public figures.
Security Check Post in Bel-II
Those kept in transit huts say, they would be soon pushed up for resettlement while those in security village have to wait for some longer time before UNHCR forwards the case to resettling countries. Currently, Tashi Sherpa, T. B. Poudel and Subash Acharya have been camped in transit huts.
Acharya says, this a jail life. No one is allowed to enter the village without permission and registering an entry is only through APF personnel. Conversely, those sheltered in the security village and transit huts are not allowed to go out without security escort. The world for them is the distance they could see through their huts and visiting relatives has been limited through phones. APF personnel provide security vigilance for 24-hours around.

Click Here to read more.

An interesting Video of Bhutanese refugees at Nashville city, Tennessee, USA

2009-11-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

Starting a new life is a challenging and indeed a difficult task. We need lots of passion and desire to go through the hardships and struggle hard for existence. There are ample instances of struggle that refugees resettled in USA has been doing. In particular, they are struggling for their new life thinking ahead for better and progressive future.
The video below by Nashville Public Television(NPT) Productions is an interesting video which outlines the plight and sorrow of resettled Bhutanese Refugees while starting their new lives in Nashville city of Tennessee State of USA. Watch it:-

Source:-NPT Youtube Channel

Reproduction:Former refugee to return to Vietnam as US Navy officer

2009-11-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

I found an interesting story while surfing in the internet which can also be called as successful story of one of the former Vietnamese refugee. It is indeed a story of struggle and committment of a refugee to become a US navy officer. Check out this story:-

WASHINGTON — A US military officer who fled Vietnam as a boy and was picked up by an American ship will soon visit the country in command of a destroyer, the US Navy said on Friday.
Born in the Vietnamese city of Hue, Commander Hung Ba Le and his family were picked up at sea in 1975 by a US naval ship in the closing days of the Vietnam war, the Navy said on its website.
His family settled in Virginia and he later became a US citizen, graduating in 1992 from the US Naval Academy.
He is due to return to Vietnam in November with his ship, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen, on a goodwill visit, the Navy said.
"This will be an incredible experience for me personally, to return to the land of my birth for the first time since I was a child," Le said in the Navy's report.
"My memories of Vietnam are very few, yet I still feel very drawn to it, to its culture, and to its people," he said.
It will be Le's first visit back to Vietnam since he was five years old -- when his family joined the wave of refugees fleeing after the fall of Saigon.
Le called the visit "a symbol of the friendship between our two nations."
The first Vietnamese-American to command a US naval ship, Le in April took over the helm of the USS Lassen, which is part of the US 7th Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

(Source: AFP)

Food Supply deducted in refugee camps

2009-10-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

With the recent decision made by the World Food Program to cut the food supply in Bhutanese refugee camps, refugees have expressed disappoinment in the camps. They are saying that the deduction of the ration provided will increase the problems and difficulties in the camps. There will be the problem of feeding many childrens and elderly among others.

“We are worried about the children,” said Yam Gurung, a 33-year-old refugee at the Beldangi-2 camp in Jhapa District, nearly 500km southeast of Kathmandu. “They suffer from an insufficient diet already and this can only make things worse.” (Source:-www.irinnews.org)

You can Click Here to read more details.

When i recently chat with my friends residing in refugee camps, they were writing that with that cutting of the ration, they are facing trouble in their day to day life. In particular, they were stressing that ration provided now will be insufficient for all the family members. Rupesh Darjee, one of my buddy in the refugee camp said that people in the camp are thinking a lot about this case and also they are feeling quite frustrated. He hopes that same amount of ration will be distributed in the near future.
Before the deduction, peoples in the camp were provided 5.6 Kg of rice for 15 days per person. However, now they receive half that. Besides rice, they are also provided with lentils, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and some vegetables.
Refugees in the camp are urging and appealing the concerned agency to provide the regular amount of food to the people. I hope the UN and WFP will look forward and change the decision for this cutting of ration and provide the same amount of ration to the refugees. Otherwise, the the situation of exiled Bhutanese will become more vulnerable.

Happy Diwali

2009-10-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Diwali- the second greatest festival has now appeared in every Hindu community across the globe. As i am a Hindu, I love festivals and i do want to celebrate in a grand way. The Diwali so called Tihar is the festival of color and lights. Every people celebrate with gladness and there will be fun which can be more interesting and enjoyable.
The popular deusi-bhaulis which is chanted in the door of every houses gives more pleasure and fun for all the deewali lovers. There will be firecrackers and lights which is lit every day and usually there will be prayers for Goddess Laxmi for enhancing the financial status in the family. The moments while i get enrolled in such activities while in camps were more interesting and memorable. Praying Cow as a mother, praying Dog and Crow, Ox and cattle is a added feature of this celebration.
The most interesting traits of this festival is the sisters wishes long lives for the brothers in the family and blesses them with honor and dignity and also gives gifts for their brothers. The day is so called Bhai Teeka. The sisters who do not have brothers adopt brothers from other families. Sisters put Teeka in the forehead which have different colors mixed up which is called as Saptarangi Teeka which seems really good. Sisters serve different delicious food to their brothers. Meanwhile, Brothers also gives sisters blessings for their good and fruitful life. The more interesting fact is that both brother and sister will meet each other in this eve even they are residing very far from each other. Some does not meet due to busier schedule of work or with some other reasons.
It is very interesting to celebrate this festival. However, in USA due to busier schedule and also having regular works it is somewhat difficult to celebrate in grand way as like we do in refugee camps in Nepal. Besides this, President Obama has wished on this eve:-

Finally, whereever we are, let us preserve our rich cultural practices by celebrating the festivals which can give us more pleasure in life and if we have continuity our coming generation will know about it. Let this Deewali brings u happiness forever. Happy Diwali.

My new job in USA

2009-09-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Since three days, i have been doing a job as a member of Catering Service in Crown Plaza. I am experiencing the new job as i have not done such kind of job while i was in refugee camps of Nepal. Even though, it is a physical labour for me, i have to do that as many immigrants who came earlier in US has recommended to do the first job whatever it may be. They further said me that it will be the starting of the job in US and indeed the employment history will be made.

I appreciated the recommendations from all my buddies and helpers and step ahead to do my first job here.

I was a volunteer journalist working for Complete press Freedom inside my homeland-Bhutan while i was in refugee slum and now also i am. While i was in the refugee huts, I used to spend hours for collecting the news and reporting it in our self supported Media which delivers news based on facts and truths to the common people. There would be only the work of paper and pen and in particular with the public for collecting the news. It was a fascinating and interesting deed and there was not much physical labor.

Comparing two jobs, it has got vast difference which i can't point it out here. As a member of Catering Service, i in a team should arrange the tables and chairs, make the hall attractive by placing the furniture covering with clean clothes as ordered by the hotel manager. I need some physical labor so that i can do that task. However, I am doing my level best to do continue my job with supports from all the members of the team. There is no work of paper and pen which i love most. Despite this fact, i am striving ahead for my better future.

We can learn more skills by experiencing a new job and also know more about the system of the new country. By thinking so, i am doing this job.

I hope the situation will be better for me to continue my studies and also the job i like most.

Radio Program in Diaspora

2009-09-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Resettled Bhutanese refugees in Atlanta city of Georgia state has begun broadcasting two hour-long radio program based on the lives of the Bhutanese community since August 21. The program which broadcasts messages of Bhutanese people across the globe and also gives the platform for the performance of Bhutanese artists is aired every Friday from Sagal Radio Services 1420 AM-Voice of New Americans.
Click Here to read more.

Celebration of Dashain in USA

2009-09-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

The greatest festival of Hindu- Dashain is knocking the door of all the festival lovers. Here, in USA despite the busy schedules and load of work, many Bhutanese are celebrating with get together program and also organizing Durga puja and get teeka and blessings from the seniors. In Nepal and southern parts of Bhutan and also India, this festival is celebrated in a grand way where everybody participates in the function where special Pujas are organized and there will be fun and entertainment. Specially, this festival is supposed to bring the peace and also enhance the relationship of brotherhood and neighbourhood. I want to wish all the readers of the blog and all the Bhutanese community in this auspicous eve of Dashain. Let this grand celebration gives you the happiness and success in every footsteps of your life. Once more- "HAPPY DASHAIN".

Following news cutting will update on how Bhutanese are marking the grand celebration in USA.

People in Chicago city of Illinois State are also preparing for the get
together program on Saturday in a hall followed by teeka offering program in a
park on the next day. BNS source in Illinois said the community will also
declare the formation of Chicago Bhutanese Community for the betterment of
Bhutanese in the area. Mahendra Kafle informed BNS that there will be cultural
program and thanks giving to resettlement agencies and the supporters in the
city.
Gopal Samal informed BNS that Bhutanese Community of Georgia is also
preparing for celebrating the festival by having get together on Saturday, which
will be participated by estimated 3000 refugees resettled in Atlanta city.
In
Seattle city of Washington, as per Som Acharya, they are planning to celebrate
the festival in a hall by conducting Durga puja and cultural program where
dances and songs giving the insignia of Nepali culture and tradition will be
performed on Saturday. A committee has been formed there for the management of
the function.
Click Here to read more.

Insecurity inside the refugee camps

2009-09-17T07:56:00.001-07:00

It is very sad to note down here that life in refugee slum in Eastern Nepal is going vulnerable and in particular, people are feeling insecure to live inside the camps. In a recent incident in Beldangi refugee camp in 8th September, KB Khadka,former camp secretary and social activist in the Bhutanese community was knifed to death by unknown person.(Bhutan News Service). It is a sudden incident and with no doubt it has created fear among other refugees living inside the camps. The insecure lives inside the camps will definitely lead to difficult situation where the common people will be depressed much about their living condition. Many Bhutanese whether living inside camps or resettled in different countries of the world have given heartfelt condolences and also demanded for finding the murderer as soon as possible.

We pray to god to give strength to his bereaved family to overcome this grief.
And we strongly criticize this inhumane and criminal activity of his murder held
in the Camp premises and demand for the early finding of his murderer and demand
for the punishment of the criminal. - Friend Circle, Bhutan

Following this incident,eight social workers were also threatened to leave the camps citing that if not they will be attacked. Click here to read the complete news.

By listening this sorts of attack and violence inside the camps, i am sad and think that when the people will live without fear inside camps? It is the question of all.

In the same context, threatening was also given to journalist who is serving in the refugee camp for providing news and informing people. It is to note down here that journalists should be given right to report on the news so that all people can know about the events inside the camps. He/she should not be given hindrances in their reporting duty. It is to be taken consideration by all the folks that the media is only there to inform and educate people and aware on different issues in the community.

At a time when Bhutanese media sector in exile is taking a good height in terms
of promoting public right to information, instances of murder and physical
threats and even attacks on refugees or their leaders are at continual tempo.
Journalists always try their best to hit truths while reporting but often such
middle-line reports become bias for those who want to bring media under their
control. Above all, a sense of self-censorship matters much for a journalist,
thus, not to an exception, exiled journalists making refugee camps as their base
for reporting are these days facing troublesome. Our junior reporters in camps
are often in my contact. The only concern they are raising is about their safety
and security. One of our senior reporters, let me hold the name, has shifted his
dwelling place from Beldangi camp to elsewhere (local area) with a fear of
falling as prey for physical attacks. - T P Mishra

It is necessary to make the refugee camps safe place to live and only the people's right to information can be safeguarded. By this, people can express their ideas and opinions freely and subsequently there will be progress to build up a good society.

Finally, i request all the agencies and organizations operated inside the refugee camps to initiate the process for maintaining a secure life of the refugees inside camps.

Feelings in America

2009-08-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

“You Start Again”

When I landed in Bluegrass Airport of Lexington city of Kentucky state of USA in 3rd of July, I felt that I would be puzzled and lost along with my family in the complete new place. But this thought was removed from my mind when an American guy who was accompanying with me in the same plane assisted me to go in the direction where there was exit (in airport).By this, I came to know that many Americans are helpful and supportive. At the exit, my brother along with Karissha and Mallisha (case workers of Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM)) were giving us a warm welcome after noticing the IOM bag carried by us. The caseworkers in the first meeting were too helpful. With their pleasant smile and talks, they drove us to towards our new house.

My new house is completely different from the refugee slum where we stayed for sixteen years in Nepal. There are two bed rooms, sitting room, kitchen and two bathrooms. In particular, we are kept in an apartment where we should pay the rent. There are fifteen apartments in three storey building located in the residential area without any crowd, pollution and disturbances. In Kitchen, we have refrigerator, oven run by electricity and many other household and kitchen used items which we have not got in Nepal. In this context, I remember the bygone days about the refugee hut made up of bamboo, plastic, thatch and mud. It is to point out here that we were hardly served with products and vegetables with more vitamins by the agencies while remaining in the camp. I remember even the moment when we burn the briquette made of coal that used to produce lots of smoke which pollutes the environment and affects the health of the people and also the moment we repair the hut which was difficult and with hard labor. In times of rain and wind, it would be troublesome and difficult to take care of the hut. This all the difficulties are now kicked off as we are in a good house with a fine and suitable environment for housing. Even the vehicles run hither and thither in the streets, there is not much sound and air pollution here.

The main fact of this place it “Time is Money”. Without following time. There will be no penny in the wallet. Public buses are operated in time and follows time. If a bus is left, it will be late for work. Everybody here strictly follows the time. So that, they earn money. Another thing is that every people are conscious of their duties and responsibilities and also equally working for their rights. Everyone is on their own work and there will be a busy time. In this place, when I stepped in the transit centre of the bus named “Lextran”, I find many peoples who have arrived here from different parts of the world. There are African, Asian, European, Mexican, Korean,… people so that I discovered that this place is full of immigrants.

There are only fourteen Bhutanese families resettled here in Lexington city where I am residing. There are refugees from Iraq, Congo, Mexico, and other places also in my place. Peoples are from different refugee slums and are stepping ahead for learning American culture and starting a new life. The main intention of all the refugees is to cope up with this culture very soon. Everybody are asked to go English as a Second Language(ESL) class to improve English by KRM and every Bhutanese adults are going for that. Some Youths who want to learn more English are starting their new class of language in Bluegrass Community and Technical College(BCTC) where there will be one and half hours session for four days in a week. Every Friday, KRM also gives two hours Cultural Orientation classes on the new place for all the refugees for eight weeks after their arrival. Children under 18 have started their new session in the school from August 12. Many of the refugees are jobless due to economic recession in USA. Most of all refugees are searching for the jobs for their better future in USA.

Diary notes

2009-07-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Leaving the camp and resettlement in USA

It was much difficult for me to depart with all the friends, relatives and nearest neighbours along with the country NEPAL where i have stayed for more than fifteen years in the refugee slum made up of bamboo with the plastic and mud in 26th july. It was the matter of sorrow and pain for leaving such home where i have spent my childhood life. At the same time, it was the challenge to go ahead to start the new life in the busiest and the largest country USA. My mood was off that time as tears were falling from my eyes and my heart was beating very fast. In the span of fifteen years in the refugee hut of Khudunabari camp of Eastern Nepal, i was in touch with many relatives and friends. The time and the situation made me to miss all the friends there in the camps and also in other different countries.

My hands were moving to bid big and last BYE to all the folks of Khudunabari when i stepped in the IOM vehicle at 6:45 AM in Khudunabari. Many friends of me were there in the camp who supported me in my everyday life and also at the last moment in the camp, they also assisted me to pack up the luggage for my move in USA.

After leaving the camp, we were taken by the Yeti Airways to Kathmandu in that day. That day passed by remembering the moments in the camp, the activities i used to do for refugee community. It was indeed a very strong desire of me to assist the society by doing something which can make our society a good one.

When i depart from Kathmandu in 1st July through ETHIAD Airways to Abu Dahabi, UAE with my six family members including ma, pa, sister and two brothers, i was thinking about the definition of the word LIFE- is it a struggle for us or is it other thing. After all i came to a decision that i am leaving the camp for getting the better lives in the developed country and the ultimate is to know what life is?

In 2nd july,we reached Paris, the capital city of France where maximum of us in the team were sick due to the first experience in the plane. We stepped in another plane of American Airways towards JFK Airport in New York(NY) city of USA. We arrived there in NY in that day at the afternoon time. The finger print was taken and photo was snapped by the officers in the airport. The staff helped us for getting our I 94 card which is legal document and helpful for residing here. That day, we stayed in a hotel and rested in the comfortable way. The next day, we left NY and go for procedures for our flight towards our destination Lexington city of Kentuky(KY) state. We had to make connecting flight towards there. We left NY through United Airways towards Chicago and than towards Blue Grass Airport of Lexington.

When we arrive our final destination in 3rd july, we were bit unknown about the place as it was new for us. I observed the beutiful scenery of that place, where there were green bushes along with the pasture land. It was indeed a beautiful place for living.The early days here in the new place was extremely boring and nothing was there for time pass. At first we dont have knowledge on the place. we were supported by other bhutanese families resettled here for visiting different places and also Kentucky Refugee Ministries(KRM) assisted us for beginning new life. There are lakes and parks where the children and adults pass the time and many go to Public libraries for using internet and reading books. Some go for visit to different places including the relatives apartment and also making new friends.

The system is completely different here comparing Nepal and Bhutan. All the activities are done with in few seconds using computers and machines. Although it was difficult for me to start a new life, i am trying a lot for getting used to with the american life and culture. Going ESL classes is another way for getting known with more friends and know how to be familiar with american english. By learning English it is said that we will get better jobs here.

I always remember the days in the camp while i move for searching news for BHUTAN NEWS SERVICE as i was its correspondent. It was my duty and also my strong desire for collection of news in the camps. I also used to send messages of death to samabedana program of Kanchanjunga F M of Birtamode, Nepal and also update with the currrent events in the camp. I also had formed "The Youth Times(TYT) Unit which published "The Youth Times" a monthly wall bulletin in the Youth Friendly Centre(YFC), Khudunabari camp. I had to search the matter for it.

Besides this, in April we had formed FRIENDS CIRCLE, BHUTAN(FCB) for networking with in all bhutanese across the globe. we were going ahead for its memberships and all.

I am also continuing these many tasks staying here in the busy time. I think the struggle has already begun in our lives and there are more things to be done by us in this world. I think that we should go ahead for our good lives and know the real definition of LIFE.

News

2009-05-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

Wind blows houses of refugee camps

The severe wind along with the rain that appeared since a week in this area destroyed several bamboo made huts in the refugee camps.
According to Bhanu Dhungana, Camp secretary of Khudunabari camp, altogether 107 huts were destructed by the wind where the displaced refugees are sheltering in the neighbours hut. The office of Bhutanese Refugee Children Forum(BRCF) of Khudunabari camp and school building of Druk Model School has been destroyed by the wind as per him. The roof of several huts in other six refugee camps has also been blown off by the wind as per sources.
Refugee huts are made up of bamboo along with the mud and plastic. By this terrible disaster, refugees have been facing problem and difficulties in surviving in the clustered refugee huts in Eastern Nepal.

News

2009-04-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

Exhibition concludes

A four day photo exhibition named "HOME" based on resettled Bhutanese folks in United States of America(USA) has been concluded in 24th April 2009.
Almost 35 photoes of two Bhutanese families resettled in NewYork City of USA captured by NewYork based photographer and journalist Kashis das Shrestha was the main attraction of the exhibition in the seven refugee camps. After the exhibition, refugees in the camp commented to bring more photoes of resettled refugees of individual camps in next time.
Shrestha talking to BNS said that he would do further more for documentary and collecting the photoes of bhutanese refugee resettlement program.
The exhibition started from 20th April was managed by photo.circle of Nepal and was organized by UNHCR.

2009-03-24T00:53:00.000-07:00

Do you want networking?

Tribikram Adhikari
Khudunabari Refugee camp

Imagine the situation, when somebody is departing from you who is your intimate friends or relatives and has stayed with you for some period of time. Definitely, the situation is difficult to spend and also sorrowful.

The same situation is now seen in the Bhutanese Refugee Camps in Eastern Nepal. Refugees who have opted for third country resettlement and have the finished all the process are flying USA and other countries leaving the refugee huts where they have stayed for eighteen years. It is no doubt that tears fall from their eyes as they are leaving the shelter they have stayed for eighteen years.

In Particular, they are not leaving only their huts but also departing from the nearer relatives, neighbors and their friends. After the departure, the resettled refugees will not have the frequent meeting and discussions with each other.

However, using the means of communication, the people can interlink and interact with each other for those who have the knowledge of using those devices. For example, telephone, online and other means of communication devices are useful for us to communicate each other. Many are resettled in USA and few are resettled in Australia, Denmark and other countries. As the resettlement program is it the height in the refugee camps, the means of communication, especially the knowledge of computer is necessary, says the refugees.

It is to be informed to all that young and dedicated youths in Khudunabari camp have recently established a platform for all Bhutanese across the globe where all Bhutanese can interact in online by sharing the feelings and opinion each other by which the pain of departing each other can be relieved to some extent. It can be relieved by sharing messages, wishes, condolences, greetings, photos and so on. The common platform is FRIENDS OF BHUTAN, which has its working area as networking, friendship and peace building and social awareness.

Messages can be sent via email to drukfrens@yahoo.com and frens.bhutan@gmail.com. The messages can be published in the blog www.friendsofbhutan.blogspot.com and people can view it world wide.

Hence, when the people are being separated and have no networking with each other, it might be difficult to recognize each other in the near future. So, why not we communicate each other by using above address and remain near as we were before?

2009-02-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

Application for TCR on rise

The figure of Bhutanese refugees applying for the Third Country Resettlement(TCR) exceeds sixty thousand according to UNHCR's PUNARBASH BULLETIN. According to the data, Nine thousand one hundred and fifty four refugees have been resettled in the seven different countries till now.

The maximum number of refugees that is eight thousand three hundred and thirty two refugees have been resettled in USA and small number of refugees have been resettled in other countries.

As per the sources, Eighteen thousand refugees are planned to be resettled in the year 2009.
Refugees are resettled in USA, Canada, Norway, Netherland, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark since 2007.

2009-01-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Expression of the blogger

My life speaks refugee
with unknown tension,
eighteen years passed
no reply from nation,

Thinking goes on
without any aim,
Refugee life
with lots of blame,

Everyone should
make their voices stronger
to make the rest of life
good, longer and also happier.

Information Corner

2008-01-31T02:43:00.000-08:00

Information Corner

After the political crisis in Bhutan in 1990, many Southern Bhutanese were forcefully evicted from their homeland and this mass arrived at Maidhar, a place in eastern Nepal via India and presently they are living under the UNHCR-administered seven refugee camps in Jhapa and Morang districts of Eastern Nepal.
Beldangi-1, Beldangi-2, Beldangi-3, Sanischere, Timai, Goldhap and Khudunabari are the seven refugee camps . The refugee population has reached 109311(November 2007).
The situation of the refugees is worsening day by day as no amiciable solution has been brought.
United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) is the agency supporting the refugees. Lutheran World Federation, CARITAS, World Food Programme, AMDA-Nepal are its impllementing Partner.

this is the begining

2008-01-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

I am tri bikram adhikari, a refugee journalists associated with the Bhutan News Service. i ma starting this blog to share my experiences with my friends as i work as a journalist in refugee condition.

this blog shall also contains the stroies from the refugee community and their future hopes.

thanks