It’s the matter of pride that Bhutanese across the globe started unifying themselves for some social objectives.The Bhutanese are settled in different states in America and other countries like Australia, Canada, Newzealand, Norway etc. started unifying themselves with the name “BHUTANESE COMMUNITY”. Similarly the Bhutanese in Nebraska too initiated and declared “ Bhutanese Community in Nebraska ” 0n 22nd August 2009. They consulted with some of the Bhutanese intellectuals and figured out some common objectives and goal.
On the occasion, participants from Volunteer and Community Support Specialist, International Center of the Heartland, Lutheran Refugee Services, Bhutanese refugee support group and Nebraska Nepali Society addressed the gathering. The program started at 9.30 am and ended at 2.00 pm. Claire Hetherzog from Lutheran Family Service, Mark Kiser, the Co-ordinator of Bhutanese Refugee Support Group and Proff. Dr. Kiran Bastola are appointed as the ADVISORS of Bhutanese community in Nebraska.
The house elected Kumar Gurung for the post of President, Hari Adhakari --Vice President, Durga Biswa -Joint Secretary, Tek Nath Gurung- Sports Secretary. Deepak Karki - Cultural Secretary , Phurba Tamang –Treasurer and Karna Gurung -Press and Publicity Secretary.
BCN started its responsibilities right from the day. With an objective to make the organization financially well equipped, the house declared to contribute $1 per head every month from the families that have job. The Bhutanese again started living a happy life after the platform is made. We started helping the new arrivals and the needy. BCN has also declared several programs like Dasain ,Tihar , Christmas, Losar and Sakele celebration. Picnic and other social recreational programs will be scheduled in the calendar.They urge every Bhutanese settled world-wide to initiate and remain organized and live safe and sound.
They have also supported the idea of the intellectuals to form “Bhutanese Community in America ” uniting the states and finally the “GLOBAL BHUTANESE COMMUNITY” that unites the world Bhutanese Community.
Underneath is the leaflet circulated by BCN on 22nd August 2009 in order to aware the guests about our mission:
Bhutanese Community in Nebraska (BCN)
THE PAST.
Bhutan lies between the two Asian giants, China to the north and India to the south, Bhutan is a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious Himalayan nation. Its present population figures at 700,000 plus. Politically, Bhutan is an absolute monarchy; established in 1907, practically autocratic, primitive, despotic and feudal. Bhutan had no written constitution to protect basic political and human rights till 2008. The newly formulated constitution in 2008 also doesn’t carry the real interest of the citizens.
By the last quarter of 1980s, books of Nepali language were burnt; fines were imposed for speaking other languages. Wearing dresses and worshipping other than Buddhism were strictly prohibited. Being intolerable, the citizens appealed the King for the fundamental rights. Hence, the situation in the country went worse. Torture and rape cases rose up. Nepali speaking 4/6 of the total population were forbidden the rights to school, every day Nepali speaking girls were raped by the Govt. officials, police and armed forces.
The Govt. of Bhutan collaborated with Indian security forces and dumped the innocent Bhutanese in the vehicles like animals for sale and pushed across the Indo-Nepal border into east Nepal . Nepal could not deny the entry under humanitarian grounds. Ever since, the Bhutanese refugees have been living in seven camps, and have been carrying out numerous peaceful programs, anticipating their return to Bhutan . Having received UNO membership, the Royal Government of Bhutan discriminated on the basis of race, sex, language or religion.
Upon international pressure, in eleven years fifteen rounds of bilateral talks have been conducted between Nepal and Bhutan but there has not been an inch of progress towards the justice and permanent solution. Refugees were in deep frustration. Consequently, to the solution of this problem, the US government brought-up the program of resettlement of 60,000 Bhutanese refugees. It germinated a hope as a second option. We are today in America . Americans are found very kind and helpful to us. We got a new life. We are really glad to be here. We are made to forget our sorrow, grief, pain and sufferings. The assistance made by Lutheran Family Service, Southern Sudan , the volunteer group led by Mark Kiser and Lorry and NN society, Dr. Kiran Bastola has remained to the depth of our heart.
NEED OF A FORMAL ORGANISATION (Non-profitable and charity organization)
To begin a social and sound life in a new system and arrangement is certainly complex. So to help each other, we felt the need of a formal organization for ourselves for the numerous purposes. Finally we moved toward the conclusion to proclaim “Bhutanese Community in Nebraska ” (BCN). We are optimistic that their contribution would go on until the complete management of the Bhutanese refugees in Nebraska . Being new to the place, system and people, it’s impractical to attain the destination without their involvement in our activities.
OBJECTIVES:
To preserve, protect and uplift the cultural and traditional values, promote modern system of education and to introduce Bhutanese morals and values to America
To subordinate social justice, peace and security without any discrimination on the basis of cast, color, creed, sex, religion and place of birth
To help each other during birth, wedding, demise and accidents
To socialize new families and assist them to find job
To promote health all the way through games and sports
To organize and observe remarkable days
To promote unity among us and extend brotherhood with diverse communities in America and world in general
BCN is purely non- political and shall not participate in any political agenda.
These are the Executive member of “Bhutanese Communit in Nebraska (BCN)
Contact:
Kumar Gurung
President.
Bhutanese Community in Nebraska.
5139 Maple Street. Apt-4
Omaha City, Nebraska , USA
Cell- 402-812-5616
Email: grg_kumarklt@yahoo.com
Hari Nepal.
Vice-President
Omaha City, Nebraska. USA
Cell: 402-706-1571
Email: Namaste_hari@yahoo.com
Durga Biswa
Joint Secretary
Omaha City, Nebraska. USA
Cell: 402-359-3331
Email: durgagsq4@yahoo.com
Phurba Tamang
Treasurer
Omaha City, Nebraska , USA
Cell: 402-208-6810
Email: phurba_tamang17@yahoo.com
phurbatamang@yahoo.com
Tek Nath Gurung
Sports Secretary
5132 North West Redial High Way
Apt. 1
Omaha city, Nebraska , USA
Cell: 402-452-9184
Email: tn_grg09@yahoo.com
Dil Karki
5
Cultural Secretary
139 Maple street. Apt,4
Omaha City Nebraska , USA
Cell: 402-203-5669
Email: kc_deepak28@yahoo.com
Indra Gurung
Vice- Cultural Secretary
5135 Maple street apt 2
Omaha City , Nebraska , USA
Cell:402-612-5874
Email: indragurung76@yahoo.com
Karna Gurung.
Press and Publicity Secretary,
Omaha City , Nebraska , USA.
Email; Karna_grg87@yahoo.com
Cell: 402-685-8074
