Though not prescheduled, I headed to Atlanta to blog live about the first nation convention of the Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America (OBCA) from June 18-19. A never practiced trend, Bhutan News Service (BNS) finally reported the event live, though it was from mobile due to lack of internet connection in the convention venue. … Read more
Prologue Upon the request of TP Mishra, editor of BNS, I headed to the convention venue of Association of Bhutanese in America (ABA) on July 3 to report the event live. As their first day convention didn’t hold much significance, we decided to report the program live from the next day. We had actually thought … Read more
Learning is a lifelong process but it is challenging for immigrants who come from an entirely different cultural background to learn the culture and language of the new country and to get integrated among native people. The complication in integration for Asians is very high in Europe where culture, tastes, social system and daily behavior … Read more
For the sake of greater ‘unity’ I will suggest that the leadership of both ABA and OBCA sit and discuss pertinent issues together – thwart the differences and arrive at a consensus – for the benefit of the community as a whole. Do not worry about the mechanisms, think of the consequences that disunity could bring to our community, in the long run. Regardless of differences or grievances – conciliatory approaches from both groups will be a good investment for the real ‘unity’ of our community- if that is what you mean when you speak of ‘unity’ – and if you understand that ‘unity’ itself is the number one law of success – and not otherwise. If I may, I will even dare to say that such a meeting could be had within the parleys of ABA’s 3rd Convention in Georgia. If only the OBCA organizers and the ABA’s Board members are to take this message as a serious positive suggestion, I believe it is still possible to keep our community intact and proudly moving in the right direction.
The Context There is wisdom embedded in the old saying ‘unity’ is strength’. ‘Unity’ is the oxygen that consolidates us and helps us grow. But for us building ‘unity’ has been a difficult journey – an acid test to our strengths and potential – and to our reputation. Our ‘unity’ campaigns have never been a source … Read more
Please acknowledge my tardy wishes, both congratulations and appreciations, for serving the country in the aptitude of the first elected prime minister of a “democratic” Bhutan. In many areas in the country, some positive changes, which are noticeable, have taken place. This is an appreciating initiative. Honestly, you should, however, admit that the phenomenon of modern democracy is yet to be ushered in true guts
It was 5:30 am. The darkest hour before the dawn happens just at this time. Outside the thatched little bamboo hut in a refugee camp, it was pitch dark, but still calm. On a cool February 20 morning like this, nothing suggested that the peace of the camp residents had been devastated by, yet another … Read more
Come March 15, and all the households living in the USA will receive a special packet along with a stamped envelope from the US Census Bureau asking everyone to fill up a questionnaire about the people living in the household. This is a census exercise that US Bureau has been conducting since 1790 after the … Read more
India’s pursuance of the democracy factor in Bhutan and Sikkim was different from the Nepalese case. Though the security concern emanating out of the communist victory in China was the same, but the pressure of democratic forces was much weaker in Bhutan and Sikkim. The other pressing consideration of the Western intervention, present in Nepal, … Read more
Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom of 635,000 people, geographically located between China and India, has one of the highest per capita incomes in South Asia at over $2,000. Bhutan is a very peace loving and friendly country and its people are happy and prosperous. On November 6, 2008, formal coronation of 29-year-old Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar … Read more