To continue deliberation on consolidating the idea of Non Resident Bhutanese (NRB), we have asked executive chief of Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) Dr D. N. S. Dhakal to explain more on rationale of this mission and his role.
You are just back from visiting various states of America. How are the resettled Bhutanese doing?
I could not visit all the places where Bhutanese are resettled but I contacted my friends over the phone. I met some resettled Bhutanese in Maryland, North Carolina, Atlanta, Jackson Ville (Florida) and Minnesota. They miss being together, they miss our culture, our society and they miss their country, Bhutan. The younger lots are trying hard in the schools, and that is the only consolation for the refugees since the school systems are good in the US, and success in education would be the only way to graduate from the sweat shops for the upcoming generations. There is a need to create interconnectivity among our people; there is a need to rekindle the hope of re-establishing our connection with Bhutan.
What is the mechanism to make the scattered Bhutanese together?
Our people are scattered in North America, Europe and Australasia. Among the recipient countries US would be by far the largest host of Bhutanese. Even the remotest state like Alaska has resettled Bhutanese. It is a real challenge for us to reach out to these people. Fortunately, our people have started organizing themselves into community based organizations. There is lots of cooperation to help each other, and that itself is a good beginning.
Why do you think NRB is important for Diaspora?
Identity is important for our people. They are being resettled as Bhutanese. The word Bhutan would be attached in every document. The social security number, the green card, travel document, citizenship certificate or passport. Also, every immigrant has a county of origin. Our people’s belongings are in Bhutan. The resettling countries will not deny the rights of these people to return to Bhutan, and they would encourage the effort to bring inclusive democratic changes in that country. Bhutan National Democratic Party has always maintained that the third country resettlement is an interim solution, and it will continue to fight for the rights of the resettled Bhutanese to return to Bhutan. In that sense, BNDP believes that the resettled Bhutanese should declare themselves as non-resident Bhutanese, and the formation of non-resident Bhutanese (NRB) platform is a necessity. The NRB platform will enable them to participate in their own way in the struggle that they had been with for the last 18 years to reclaim their rightful place in Bhutan; the NRB will continue to provide them with Bhutanese identity; and the NRB could form as an important resource base for Bhutanese Diaspora in the years to come. NRB could do a lot in the long-run.
Who else will be under NRB according to you?
We should think in long-term basis. We should not create a difference between the people who have directly gone from Bhutan, or would go from Bhutan, and those people who are resettled under the third country resettlement program. Our meeting point is the country of origin. All those people whose country of origin is Bhutan should be given an opportunity to be part of the NRB platform.
What mechanism should you suggest to go ahead for forming this platform?
It is heartening to know that our people have not remained silent. Bhutanese community based organizations are formed wherever they are being resettled. There is a need to introduce the idea of NRB in such community based organizations. In addition, there is a need to form a “Consultation Group” to do ground work for launching the NRB with proper consultation with our fiends and sympathizers in Bhutan, Nepal, India and elsewhere.
What about its legitimacy in Nepal, Bhutan and India?
The legitimacy of NRB remains unchallenged from the fact that we are being resettled as Bhutanese with full protection of our rights to return to Bhutan by the recipient countries. Nepal as a host country for the last 18 years there is no question for it not supporting the effort of Bhutanese people to strengthen their identity. India knows well that we are Bhutanese and it would be morally wrong for it to object to the idea of creating a platform for our long-term identity. Bhutan might ignore this concept for sometime, but it is bound to reach at NRB in future. For a country like Bhutan, having a powerful Diaspora in developed countries will always be an advantage.
It’s likely that some of the resettled Bhutanese will be driven towards NRN or NRI in future. What are your comments?
We strongly advise our people against such ideas. First, it is morally wrong to give up the identity based on which we are being resettled in overseas countries. Our history of struggle for 18 years should not go as waste to the forgotten pages of history. Second, our loyalty towards our county Bhutan should not be diminished because a regime at particular period of time in history felt bad about us and expelled from the country on ethnic grounds. The situation would change over time, particularly when there would be a change of regime in Thimphu. Third, exiled Bhutanese will not qualify for NRN or NRI unless they had taken citizenship of those countries when they were in the camps. Even if some had obtained the citizenship certificate, they will face legal problem when they apply for NRN or NRI since all their documentation in recipient countries will have the word “people of Bhutanese origin”.
APFA/BNS started the discussions among the Bhutanese three months ago. Several have commented well regarding the formation of network. What should be the next step that we take?
I appreciate the effort of APFA/BNS to reach this idea to our people. I have been reading the comments and I could see plurality in the opinions. It is heartening to know that our people have started challenging the idea before accepting it. The democratic process should be encouraged. However, we have to move on with the work, and the NRB platform will have to get materialized sooner than later. The next step would be networking, and the networking base should be established in Kathmandu until NRB is allowed to operate from Bhutan. I would think that we should start contacting Bhutanese organizations and individuals and get their ideas on how we should go about the modus operandi and on how we work about the logistic and increasing the connectivity. The role of APFA/BNS is important since you are based in Kathmandu.
Only BNDP and DNC supported the concept. Rest parties and organisations in exile are silent. What do you say?
Probably, other organizations are examining the development and would support the idea at their convenient time. I believe that there is no alternative to this idea, and we should all support it. It is a question of our collective identity, salvaging the suffering and struggle of our people for more than 18 years in the camps, and intrinsic value of this platform for our country in the long-run. We should make it a win-win situation for the resettled Bhutanese, the country and those who supported us in difficult times. That is the sole reason why BNDP and DNC felt the need of NRB so strongly.
DNC has even hinted that you are one of the capable leaders for leading the network. Are you ready?
I appreciate the proposal of the DNC President R.K. Dorji. It is natural for him to think in this line since I have some flexibility to travel around the world. As executive chief of BNDP I do not qualify for non-resident Bhutanese. I am a Bhutanese political activist; officially my party’s headquarter is in Thimphu. I am willing to provide the necessary support whenever needed, and I have been doing that during my visits abroad, during my meetings with concerned people in Nepal and India. As executive chief of BNDP I am going to do more for recognition of NRB in Bhutan when we are allowed to participate in the democratic process. We will have to create its leadership through democratic process. The formation of NRB will have to have wider consultation and democratic process, for that the need of an hour is formation of “Consultation Group” with establishment of the networking base in Kathmandu.
Your message to the Bhutanese citizens
The third county resettlement is a painful decision. This is for the fist time in the history of South Asia people had been moved en-masse in overseas countries for political reason. We have become the victims of geo-politics and we cannot do anything about it at least for time being. Those of us who have chosen the option for third county resettlement let us focus our effort on children’s education. Children are our hope; we have to do what we can to give them the best education, appreciation to our cultural heritage and inculcate in them the spirit of being Bhutanese. Our identity should not be lost at any cost and there are lessons to learn from the Jews, Armenians, and from many other communities who have suffered in the process of history. We will continue to work for dignified repatriation of Bhutanese people who have been unjustly expelled at different period of time for political reasons. The struggle to give justice should continue from one generation to another until it is given to everyone. The immediate task at the moment is to create a space for our collective identity. Let us create NRB, which is our legitimate right, and continue to nurture it. If NRB becomes strong, our identity would consolidate, our sufferings and pains of the refugee camps will not be lost in the forgotten pages of history, and we will have an opportunity to contribute towards growth and development of our beloved county, Bhutan. Let us start the process, and the process will take us to the logical end.
Dear Editor
I suggest you to please get the opinion of all parties not just BNDP and DNC.
I suggest Dr DNS Dhakal to revisit the constitution of NRN and NRB and define the clause what will prevent Bhutanese from being member.
The word Bhutanese origin in our documents are words and not laws. Whereas the word in NRN in NRI are laws that make people of any nepalese origin eligible should they wish to be the members. This does not mean, the Bhutanese are sacrificing their identity, it is also the fact that no matter where we live we are ethnic Nepalese of Bhutanese origin.
Joining any such organization is individual choice of the people and does not need right or wrong suggestion from anyone.
Most of the interview has good points and valid argument but pragmatically hypothesis only if we talk from the RGOB point of view. The fundamental to NRB should be involvement from within Bhutan or people living outside bhutan who are citizens of Bhutan. We are resettled or given refugee status because we have lost the bhutanese citizenship in the laws of Bhutan and no country has challenged the laws of Bhutan specifically representing our cases except the Human rights and other rights group.
We have waited for 18 years and no link with RGOB has been established directly and we hypothesise now that the regime will change and they will accept us. On what ground? By then we may loose another generation by giving them false hope. The best way forward could be is to bring the Bhutanese diaspora together through some connectivity which does not invite the criticism from all.
What we all need is how to go to Nepal and India without any problem. Currently India and Nepal do not allow the visa on travel document generally to refugees that is why Ratan Gazmere was held in Airport in Nepal. We need not mention here why our people want to go to Nepal, everyone knows.
Personally, I feel it is better to float ideas which will help people to solve their problems.
Editors, if you invite interviews of leaders or people from other spheres of Bhutanese rather than going back to two parties, it will generate some more acceptance of ideas.
Having said this, i am ready work for what general public will support and what works for them rather than individual proposals.
regards,
parsu
Dear Parsu,
I had discussion with high official of Foreign Ministry of Nepal government with regards to NRN and resettled Bhutanese refugees. There is a formal process for an individual to qualify for NRN and the resettled Bhutanese refugees would be under radar screen of Nepal government since it believes that their legitimate place of belonging is Bhutan. This was the official position. I hope that Apfanews brings interviews of other Bhutanese leaders, the viewpoints of political leaders of the region and supporters or sympathiers of Bhutanese refugees at large. I am glad to know that you are willing to go the way that the majority would opt. I do subscribe to that viewpoints.
With all the best,
Dr Dhakal
Dr. Dhakal is doing a wonderful job. He is in fact a neutral technocrats, harbingers of rationality and conveyors of objectivity. I am ready to work in the line of ideas he has proposed for NRB.
Krish Sharma
IT engineer
Singapore
This is in response to Chakra Pd Bastola’s interview
First,Again I request the editors to put the interest of the common people not leaders and their interest. Please pick up some oe in US or elase where who may have their own opinions and understanding.
Second What ever chakra Bastola is saying is from his understanding.
The non residence Bhutanese is for Bhutanese people to choose and see how that will work for them.
Third to be NRN or NRI is not up to any organisation or leaders to spell out. One cannot say if any Bhutanese chooses to be one of these, they are anti or less Bhutanese in any sense. it is thier choice and human rights.
The matter of the fact is that NRN and NRI has to change their current constitution to keep Bhutanese from joining or any citizen of west who is of Nepali origin.
The constitution of NRN says any person of Nepalese origin living outside of the SAARC country can be NRN. Once the Bhutanese people obtain the citizenship of any country in the west, the NRN constitution will qulify them to join automatically in the current context, and understand this NRN constitution is not written to see if any bhutanese will return to Nepal. This does not mean that they are aganist Bhutan. Many people will take this opportunity to go to Nepal which will allow them more freedom than under the tourist visa of Nepal which is painful in many aspects.
Or Unless, NRB writes in its constitution in a manner that is acceptable to all that if people join NRN, NRI or any Non residence country that they will not qualify to be NRB.
How long before the NRB will have its structure? What are the option for Bhutanese to go nepal or India?
When is RGOB going to accept NRB? Infact, there is a strong rumour that RGOB is planning to launch its version of NRB in late Nov 2009. If so how will we respond.
There is a more input needed pragmatically then…. visions
I suggest people to form NRB by fully informing them of the option available through NRN and NRI. We should not tend to hide or blame or ignore people simply if they choose to take their personal options.
I would prefer to communicate with Dr Dhakal personally on this at parsuramluital@yahoo.com.au
Trying to create some blind faith toward Bhutan. It is dangerous. To continue retaining connection with Bhutan is insane when a greater need is to escape from the refugee situation for the residents’ safety of life and loth. It is far too late to make these cries. Luckily some countries have been able to rescue the refugees from the awful situation. Otherwise, the leaders would have them there for decades. “No any problem because they are fed”. The good time for the refugees to return to Bhutan has bidden ‘Good Bye’. Leaders better start thinking about helping those that would be left in Nepal, after the resettlement program is concluded. An urging need now up front at the refugees’ stakes is disolution of all the parties. NRB is an insane option before all the social and political parties are dissolved. Something that we cannot soundly do without is soundness of performances, which requires soundness of ideas. NRB I know is thought out to maintain connectivity with Bhutan, but how? when without anything to do with Bhutanese, or Royal Govt of Bhutan?
I ask the readers to focus on this comment below
I am writing my comments after reading what everyone has commented earlier, including my own, in the name of Non Residence Bhutanese (NRB), I put my suggestions as follows:
1 WE SHOULD DISCUSS THE NAME OF THIS INSTITUTE BEFORE WE MOVE FURTHER AND GET EVERYONE’S APPROVAL.
Should we call it NRB?
Should it be called Bhutanese Living Abroad (BLA)?
Should it be Bhutanese Diaspora Abroad (BDA)?
Should it be Bhutanese in Exile (BIE)?
Please let us come up with the name first and agree in it, it could be totally different from the above suggestion. Let every body put names first and agree.
Action: By all Bhutanese in exile and inside Bhutan.
Time: Final outcome by June 2010.
Responsible to coordinate:
Please form the committee of lead this. Anyone can be lead who does not represent any political or associated groups. Could be someone like RP Subba dai who has been writing very researched article about Bhutan? I think is a neutral person to coordinate through emails if he is willing.
How: Form the new goggle email group with the help of our journalist bhais and bainees for BNS and Apfanews. This is very important since there are many unknown people in present Bhutanese refugee google group and we cannot depend on confidentiality in this forum since this is read by all. There may be times, some things discussed first before bringing in the forum.
2 DISCUSS THE MAIN VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVE OF THE INSTITUTE BASED ON THE NAME
How: Share the ideas in the same email group and discuss each point dot by dot.
Time: Final outcome by 2011 June.
Who can lead the discussion?
The same person as in 1 or can form the small committee of members from all the places voluntarily through emails.
3 FINAL CONSTITUTION DRAFT AND OTHER DETAILS
How: By discussion with all
Time: End June 2112.
4 HOW TO REPRESENT ALL BHUTANESE AROUND THE WORLD?
One:
By choosing the representative from each country where people are settling.
Two:
By electing representative from each country from their community organisations who are serving as executives
Three:
By choosing anyone who may or may not be in the community organisation
Four:
Should be from the neutral background or declare apolitical or not affiliated to any groups for the interest of the organisation who may be in conflict with other groups
Five:
Anyone from inside Bhutan should also be allowed to be executive if the RGOB is becoming partner like other Non residence institutes.
5 SHOULD THIS INSTITUTE BE INDEPENDENT OF RGOB OR INCLUSIVE OF RGOB?
Discuss with the forum above whether RGOB is inclusive. If yes, what is the approach?
Should we demand our property back through this forum?
Should we fight human rights or democracy through this forum? Or we only seek return to Bhutan as non political in the goodwill as tourist or visitors on the invitation of the relatives and friends?
Should the people of Bhutanese origin with Bhutanese passport who can come and go to Bhutan become members? If yes, what is the difference between resettled refugees who are not allowed to go to Bhutan?
6 WHAT WE WANT FROM THIS FORUM?
One: Relation with Bhutan and its people! If so, how?
Two: Is it a lobbying forum for more freedom inside Bhutan? Or developing people to people relation inside Bhutan? Or helping Bhutan in Business and investments or projects to assist the common people in Bhutan?
7 HOW WE COORDINATE GLOBALLY?
Do we form this institute (eg NRB or BIE) in each country first and make a global representation?
Or we make one globally body and develop a branch in each country?
Or the Global executives advise each country to form and representatives in each countries?
Or we decide the number of executives in the global body and conduct vote in each country?
Should the general mass decide on the president or chairman or executive members elect the presidents and portfolio from the elected body?
8 IS IT THE RIGHT TIME OR WE WAIT FOR FEW MORE YEARS?
Many people who are the actual stakeholders and seniors and less literate Bhutanese have no idea about this discussion going on. Are we being fair to them? And many youth who have no internet access or have no knowledge are in complete dark. Many are settling and many more are in the process of settling and their priority is not this now. They will have first interest to resettle first, then think of such institute and decide to take part or not later on.
If we are moving and pushing the idea with the few willing ones, probably opportunist, are we becoming fair to all or are we giving them equal opportunities to be the fair stakeholders?
How we take the view of general mass in this particular regard? How we communicate people inside Bhutan? Are they free to discuss with us now? And will they in the present context?
Should we start talking to RGOB authorities both on personal and official basis? If so, should we stop advocating democracy and human rights inside Bhutan and say RGOB is our govt and we forgive the past action and offer the olive branch! or fight until the end to get our rights back?
Please let us put these points first before our personal interest and saying one is better than other to lead.
Hopefully, we may be ready to come up with something concrete by end 2113. I believe we are not in hurry to form something now and fail. We may explore the ideas now and debate until 2113 and see from there.
There will be two choices whether we ignore the mass and lead this organisation.
One that willing people will form one institute and advocate as per their views, or
other trying to include everyone with consensus until 2113.
The choice is ours
All the best
Parsu
Dear Bhutanese
Isn’t is a rediculous plan to form NRB and set date. Bhutanese of Nepali origin started an agitation and proved to be unsuccessful. it is another bogous idea to form another platform. Bhutan will never accept us and our ideas.
As our leaders advocated us a Bhutanese of Nepali Origin, i feel it would be wise if we join Non Resident Nepalis (NRNs) and contribute ourselves for the prosperitiy of Nepal, where we were for more than 19 years.
Jai Nepali
NRB is what you Bhutanese need to form as an umbrella body. More you show a hardliner nature, more likelihood of you being considered anti-mainstream Bhutanese. If so, you are called a separatist and will not achieve anything even after 100 years. The crux is: if you failed to transfer strong sense of Bhutanese legacy to your younger generation within 20 years from now, your community is gone, will dissolve in the melting pot. Your younger generation will not care Bhutan. They will become too global and materialistic. So what the hell you Bhutanese want to achieve by posing hardliner stand? I understand it is an offshoot of protracted refugee crisis and your cowboy kind of mentality. I understand that is what you have learn starting from Sherubtshe college , in BPP Garganda and in refugee camps.
Frankly, Bhutan is for mainstream Bhutanese, and unless you try to become a part of mainstream, you will not be recognized as Bhutanese. That is rationale why TCR was supported by third world countries.
I assume you Bhutanese are kind of hypocrite: when you are so easily adopting in the mainstream of resettled countries, why were you hesitant to join the mainstream of your country of origin?
If you continue to act as an immature, hardliner on your issue then: I doubt your repatriation to Bhutan in your life time. I doubt your younger generation will care about Bhutan. I doubt third world will support for your return to Bhutan. I doubt you can compete with Bhutanese from Bhutan for advocacy on your respective agenda!
The only ray of hope I can see is formation of NRB and doing strong advocacy, opting flexibility and compromise and building good relationship with people in Bhutan. Doing so is the only holistic way to return Bhutan , and good possibility to get back your properties.
Krish Sharma
IT Engineer
Singapore