Eight leave BACC to join ABA
California (USA), January 15: A group of Bhutanese American Community Center (BACC) defected from the organization to join Association of Bhutanese in America, chaired by D. P. Basnet.
The split has surfaced weeks after the first convention of the BACC held in California recently.
However, a senior member of the ABA said it is not necessary to defect from an organization to join ABA.
Ananta Gurung of BACC told Bhutan News Service that the defecting members have not tendered their resignation formally, while Hari Acharya of ABA did not clarify if this organisation has accepted membership of defecting members outside BACC.
“ABA and BACC have near-formal understanding to work together in the future, while those who left BACC will continue to be members of ABA as long as they continue to abide by the responsibilities bestowed on them by this membership,” he said.
Dick Chhetri, Sunita Chhetri, Rajen Giri, Rita Giri, Phal Rai, Mamta Giri, Kiran Pradhan and Anup S. Lepcha left the BACC to join ABA.
The defecting group accused BACC being ‘factional organization’. However, they have not given reasons why BACC is so. In a letter sent to BACC executive director, the defectors said, “We are tired of showing fake unity as you have resorted to petty politics, double standard and undermined the well being of the community you live in.”
Gurung said BACC is working at regional level to promote Bhutanese arts and culture in the US. While Acharya mentioned that ABA works for the smooth integration of people of Bhutanese origin in the mainstream of the United States of America and helps facilitate their socio-economic, and cultural empowerment and advancement in the US.
ABA claims that it also provides them with a platform for networking on all issues affecting them, their country, culture and their integration, and accessing opportunities in the Unites States in order to enhance the quality of life through services and shared responsibility. Futher, it says that ABA strives to build a healthy relationship with all communities in the Unites States through intercultural understanding.
Over a telephonic talk with BNS Gurung expressed sadness on the lastest scenario and added "BACC always welcomes them back if they want to rejoin the organisation and remain under its guidelines".
BACC is a non-profit organization formed by Bhutanese living in bay area in California in November 2006 and is registered to the state of California.
The official site of BACC bhutaneseusa.org quotes its objective as to help and promote new Bhutanese and other communities in the mainstream of the United States of America through education, advocacy and service.
The defect has once again given a lesson to Bhutanese community in exile to work together for common cause. We should set the principle united we stand, divided we fall. Bhutan News Service