Hope: beyond the Sky and the Earth
Eighteen years is a long time! Ideally, a baby born in 1990 is just about to graduate from junior college, kiss good-bye to his or her friends perhaps to make new ones in the university. I pause, ponder and think as to what happened to those born in the camps where exiled Bhutanese take asylum in eastern Nepal. They have been living in sub-human conditions. Youths, of late, took different paths to express their frustrations of disenfranchisement as others beat the odds to educate themselves through thick and thin. Old became older and many died with their dreams un-reaped as others tried to salvage the situation to the best of their knowledge and ability.
As the fragile political movement in exile suffered for various reasons, the well-financed and constant campaign of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) at international level made a tremendous impact. Our prayers that Mahatma Gandhi’s secular India as a big brother would see the Bhutanese situation with compassion to Human Rights and freedom went unanswered so far, let alone actions towards its solution.
Our human rights movement in exile endured extreme humanitarian crisis. Under such circumstances, Bhutanese leaders in exile tried in every possible way to organize themselves and lead the movement properly. However, the emerging leadersship led to the formation of many small organizations that divided the exiled Bhutanese population. Perhaps this weakened and distracted us from the main objectives. Some elements who were ideologically inclined towards revenge and retribution carried out such activities that became a negative force to the movement as it gave the RGOB ammunitions to brand and sensationalize the human rights movement as “anti-national movement” that fed the largely innocent and ignorant Bhutanese populace; and in calculated doses, the international media projecting itself as the last bastion of Himalayan Buddhist kingdom at the brink of extinction. Thus, it became an uphill battle for the Bhutanese leaders in exile to fulfill the promise and make a point of such a genuine cause. The highly orchestrated campaign of the RGOB continued outside as the hidden agenda of “One Nation, One People” largely succeeded inside, mostly through secret and systematic ethnic persecution using various insidious methods.
Even though it is hailed that, the king granted democracy in Bhutan recently, the facts remain that the democracy is being handed over to those people who did not need it or asked for it (as it is made to appear in the media). At the same time, the democracy is denied to the very Lhotsampas, who initiated the movement for democracy and made sacrifices with untold sufferings. They have been rendered victims of political manipulation and are heavily subjugated inside Bhutan and neglected in the refugee camps.
It has been almost two decades of real estate and other economic prosperity for the King’s favorite ethnic groups in Bhutan at the cost of Lhotsampas’ home, land, job, businesses and most importantly, basic human rights. Our people inside Bhutan have their rights curtailed as they continue to live in fear from the very government that claims to be pursuing gross national happiness. Despite this deplorable situation, I venture to hope that no matter how the democracy is born in Bhutan and how imperfect it may be for our people at this stage, it is a step towards right direction; and we must continue to seek and strive for equality and justice for all people irrespective of race, caste or creed; and never stop from doing the right thing to protect our inherent right to return to our motherland, Bhutan and help make it a true democracy.
The US offer to resettle as many as 60,000 exiled Bhutanese certainly gives mixed reactions. Some see it as a concession to defeat but I see a ray of hope. Others see it as a blessing in disguise, may be it is true. After 18 years, we have reached at a fork in the road. Like in a sad story, in a sentimental song or in harsh reality, which path would you choose the lower, the upper, or the one in the middle? It is time to make a decision for the ‘Promised Land’, for your family and for the rest of your life. Look forward and try to understand the value of a human life versus the love for your country. If you really love your country, love alone is not enough. You need an environment to survive, thrive, succeed and gather your senses to understand the very meaning of love and must have the right motivation to pursue your hopes and dreams without fear.
Mission of our desire to get repatriated seems highly uncertain for now while the condition in the camps deteriorates every day that is threatening our whole generation. What are the alternatives left for us? Ask this question, not only to yourself but also to the child who was born 18 years ago, to the one that is learning to walk falling down and standing up time and again; and then most importantly listen to the unborn child kicking the womb of his or her mother. Then think about how you want to welcome the next generation of Bhutanese to this world!
It is not often that US offers to help, support and grant asylum to such a large population. It is a good offer for our situation imbroglio. It is time to see above and beyond the horizons. I ask you to see from the sea to the shinning sea of the US. Through proper channel, America welcomes you even as it deports other illegal immigrants every day. America welcomes you even as it stops many at the border who spend thousands of dollars just to enter this land of opportunities. You must be someone special as Bhutanese. This land follows the rule of law. It brightens the beacon of liberty and freedom for everyone. With an open mind, it teaches you to become the change you want to bring.
Certainly, your life in the US will not be without struggles but I believe, what you are going to endure will be much more rewarding and meaningful. With due respect to your patriotism and dedication to fight for repatriation, I ask you to make a right move today. I assure you, your journey to new destination to any one of the generous countries that offered resettlement, would certainly be the new beginning of your journey, perhaps in a much better way in an environment of safety and security you deserve. Do not miss it. I ask you to give yourselves an opportunity and hope beyond the sky and the earth. Welcome Abroad!
(Opinion expressed here is not necessarily be that of BNS.)