“As per the joint research done by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and GCRPPB, there are at present 35 Bhutanese political prisoners in the various prisons of Bhutan, and they are our beloved sons, fathers, brothers or husbands. Most of them are serving life sentences after they were arrested while engaging in political activities inside Bhutan between the years 1990 and 2008. With the dawn of democracy and constitutional monarchy in Bhutan in 2007, we expected that our relatives serving life sentences in Bhutan after being arrested for political reasons would be given amnesty. However, as decades passed, they continued to languish in prisons. Most of us are already resettled in eight countries after living many years in refugee camps in Nepal. Most of us have successfully gained citizenship in the country where we are resettled. Others are in the process of acquiring one.

“Despite living in an economically developed country and having all the necessary amenities, we are always incomplete and emotionally desolate only because our close family members/relatives have been serving in Bhutan prisons. We have remained disconnected following our resettlement, after which ICRC stopped their family visit programme. Those in the jails are our dear husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and uncles, without whom it has become increasingly difficult to live a modest life, no matter where we live,” the appeal reads.

“Therefore, we, with heavy hearts, request your good office to convince the King of Bhutan to use the constitutional Royal Prerogatives (per Article 2.16.c of the constitution of Bhutan) to provide amnesty to our most beloved family members. We would be ever grateful if our honest and sincere appeal is duly considered. Elderly parents are dying without their wishes to see the faces of their beloved sons being fulfilled. Children of those prisoners who were just born have great wishes to see their fathers and, likewise, other family members. They have been waiting for decades, hoping to get opportunities to live the rest of their lives peacefully together”.

A three-member team from SAHR, under the leadership of its executive director, Deekshya Illangasinghe, visited the families of Bhutanese political prisoners and those recently released Bhutanese political prisoners in the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldangi and listened to their agonies on 21 February 2024. Senior Nepali journalist and an expert on the issue, Devendra Bhattarai, also helped the SAHR team investigate and speak with the families and former prisoners. Former camp secretary of Beldangi refugee camp and a prominent Bhutanese refugee leader who advocates the repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees, DB Subba, recently released Bhutanese political prisoner Madhukar Magar and a few other families of political prisoners besides Damber Kumari Adhikari were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, GCRPPB’s youth coordinator Srijana Sapkota participated and spoke on the issue of Bhutanese political prisoners at a discussion event on Bhutanese prisoners of conscience organized by SAHR as part of a World Social Forum 2024 in Kathmandu on 17 February 2024. Sapkota also read the opening speech on behalf of GCRPPB’s coordinator Ram Karki as the event’s opening speaker. She sought the support of the international community towards GCRPPB’s effort to help release Bhutanese political prisoners without any delay.

The Indian Ministry of Communications, issuing a statement, announced this change, saying that citizens of Nepal can access mobile connections in India upon providing valid proof of identity.

This privilege is also extended to Bhutanese nationals under similar conditions. The Ministry specified that documents such as a citizenship certificate, voter identification card, or a limited validity photo-identity certificate issued by the embassy of the respective countries would be accepted as valid proof.

However, if Nepali or Bhutanese nationals enter India from a country other than their origin, they are required to present a copy of their passport with a valid visa.

The Ministry stressed that the validity of mobile connections for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan shall not exceed the maximum duration permitted for their stay in India or the validity of their visa. Even if the duration permitted exceeds three months, the validity of such connections will not surpass three months at a time.

Nepali Ambassador to India, Shankar Prasad Sharma, expressed appreciation for the Indian government’s decision, describing it as “great news.” He said that Nepali citizens were previously unable to obtain SIM cards in India due to technical reasons. Sharma credited the swift processing of Nepal’s request to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Communications of India.

In ‘Key to Happiness,’ Acharya Rajan delves into a variety of practical topics through 24 short articles that explore the philosophical and spiritual aspects of life, rooted in Eastern concepts. He intertwines these with quotes from Western thinkers and presents evidence to support his discussions. The primary message the author aims to convey through this book is that ‘it is 100 percent possible to find happiness within, and you can achieve that.’

In one of his essays, he poetically describes life as water, emphasizing the power to color it and shape it as one desires. He encourages readers to recognize their immense capacity to dream and turn those dreams into reality, advocating for a life led with commitment rather than mere wishes.

Several articles stand out, such as ‘Let’s Count Life by Smiles,’ ‘Life can thus become Festive,’ ‘Mug up these Tips – You will Never be Unhappy,’ ‘Colossal Hardship for Brief Pleasure,’ and ‘Hardship is a Boon, not a Curse.’

The article titled ‘Best Tips from the Srimad Bhagwad Gita for a Successful Life’ sheds light on Hindu scriptures and religious beliefs. This may pose a challenge for readers with diverse religious backgrounds, and some atheists may choose to overlook it. Nevertheless, the article highlights several prescribed methods to attain complete wisdom and happiness that are universal and acceptable, such as consistently embracing goodness and virtue, engaging in selfless service, action, and contribution, and making sacrifices by letting go of rage, obsession, greed, aversion, intoxication, and jealousy. Additionally, the importance of cultivating friendships and connecting with a god, teacher, guru, or wise and learned person is emphasized.

The book concludes with a brief yet powerful article, ‘Let’s Celebrate Every Breath,’ where Acharya Rajan advises readers to embrace death with the same acceptance as they welcomed their birth.

Beyond his literary contributions, Acharya Rajan, also known as Bhimsen Sapkota, has been actively involved in serving communities in various roles, from a spiritual leader and yoga teacher to an author. His other publications include ‘Yoga Philosophy and Ancient Healing,’ ‘Bhatkeyko Parkhal,’ ‘Prashnama Ishwar,’ and ‘Safaltako Shutra.’

Acharya Rajan serves as the Cultural Ambassador of Nepal-Republic of Fiji and the Peace Ambassador of the World Peace Council. He is the founder of the Global Society for Peace and Spiritual Science Inc (GSPSS), NSW, tirelessly working to establish the Pashupati Baudha Dham & Bishow Shanti Ashram in Lyndhurst, NSW—a place for Nepali temple, meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic services. Best wishes to him for his dynamic efforts in bringing multicultural communities together through literature, spirituality, and yoga in Australia and around the world.

Book Title: Sukhasutra (English Translation: Key to Happiness)
Author: Acharya Rajan Sharma
Language: Nepali
Genre: Collection of articles
Publisher: Global Society for Peace and Spiritual Science Inc (GSPSS), Nepal
Published Year: 2018
Price: NRs 400.00
Pages: 140

English Version: Key to Happiness
Author: Yogi Acharya Rajan Sharma
Translator: Mahesh Po
Language: English
Genre: Collection of articles
Publisher:  BN Pustak Sansar Pvt. Ltd. Nepal
Published Year: 2022
Price: NRs 300.00
Pages: 148

The event not only aimed to showcase traditional Loshar festivities but also was a fundraiser program for the local community, particularly in support of the RVA Riders and their families, it said.

“Loshar Saaj was filled with cultural performances, traditional rituals, and a shared commitment to giving back, according to Chairman Dipak Lungeli of BCGR.

“The celebration featured Unity Dance performances by Jharna Magar, Hang Subba, Susmita Allay, Uma Mongar, Devi Mongar, and Rabina Tamang’s team from Richmond. Susmitra Magar Subedi and Dhan Magar sang various famous Nepali songs, while poet Aita Magar shared the unity of people and the value of culture through his poignant poems,” according to the organizer.

Artists from Harrisburg, PA, Charlottesville, and the Newari Dance group from Richmond, along with contributions from Ray of Hope and Magar Samaj, showcased their talents in Nepali and Hurra Dance, adding a diverse cultural dimension to the event.

Blue Dolphin President Preedip Gurung said, “The festivities included traditional Loshar rituals, such as prayers and blessings, creating a spiritually enriching atmosphere. Attendees enjoyed a variety of cultural displays, showcasing the artistic and culinary traditions of the Bhutanese and Nepali community.”

Bal Lungali, President of RVA Riders, shared about the organization’s goal of exploring open roads and embracing the joy of riding.

Singer Kanchi Maya Mongar said Loshar Saaj inspired a sense of community engagement and charitable giving.

The host of the show, Bidesh Thapa, said, “As the Bhutanese community and residents of Greater Richmond eagerly waited for Loshar Saaj, the event stood as a testament to the power of cultural celebration in bringing people together for a common cause.”

Addressing an interaction entitled ‘Nepal Beyond Borders: Diaspora Connect,’ in Dublin on Saturday, founder and CEO of the UK-based Value IT Consulting Company, Genese Solution, Anjani Phuyal, said the IT sector in India started to flourish in the mid-1990s and now they are world leaders. According to statista.com, an online portal, IT sector exports from India reached at about 178 billion U.S. billion dollars in the fiscal year 2022. The IT services dominated the export with 104 billion dollars.

A recent study conducted by IIDS, a Kathmandu-based think tank, estimated the IT service export industry in Nepal at approximately 515 million USD in 2022, representing an outstanding growth of 64.2% compared to 2021.

“As Indian talents are becoming more costly, Nepal has an opportunity to fill in the gap. Nepali professionals are working in top tech companies in the US and Europe. Now, we should aim to utilise their skills, experience, and network to promote Nepal as an emerging IT destination,” said Phuyal.

Phuyal said that in collaboration with companies like Amazon, Nepali academic institutions are producing world class graduates. “We now have graduates in cutting-edge subjects like cloud, data science, Generative AI and cyber security. We are now having an oversupply of our graduates. The challenge is to utilize their capacity within the country as well as globally.”

Phuyal, who is the first Nepali Amazon Web Services (AWS) ambassador, said that the first generation of Nepali immigrants were doing great despite challenges to integrate in their host society. Technology is an enabler and it can be leveraged in any field and sector, he added. Mr Phuyal, who is founder of Girls in Tech-Nepal is also the regional lead of Women in Big Data. “We are encouraging and attracting more female talent to the big data & analytics field and helping them connect, engage and grow,” he said.

President of NRNA Ireland chapter, Prakash Sapkota, said NRNA is working to bring Nepali professionals together and channelise their skills, expertise and resources for the development of Nepal. “We stand ready to support Nepali diaspora in whatever way possible.”

The event made an effort to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose among Nepali diaspora in Ireland. Professionals from diverse backgrounds gathered, engaged in conversations, making connections, and sharing experiences. They also shared their professional journeys and insights. Those attending the interaction included IT engineers, data scientists, PhD students, architects, accountants, students and NRNA Ireland office-bearers.

The GCRPPB is a global initiative formed in 2019 to advocate for the safe release of Bhutanese political prisoners and based in The Hague, Netherlands. 

Rizal, who was arrested in May for alleged involvement in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal in Nepal, served six months imprisonment. 

“Since his arrest, GCRPPB strongly believed that leader Tek Nath Rizal was innocent. Still, due to his strong initiative to become a whistleblower after sensing the criminal activities in the name of Bhutanese refugees among the high-ranking officials in the Nepal government, he was falsely implicated,” a statement issued by GCRPPB reads.

GCRPPB, in the release,  expressed its faith in the judiciary of Nepal and wholly hopes that Rizal will finally be given a clean chit on the allegation of his involvement in the scandal.

GCRPPB also thanked lawyer Raj Kumar Suwal and his team for defending Rizal’s case in the courts and successfully getting his release on bail. 

“Rizal is an internationally renowned leader of the Bhutanese refugee movement and was a former high-profile political prisoner of Bhutan. With his arrest, the movement was demoralised, and with his release on bail today, GCRPPB hopes that this movement has been rejuvenated,” the statement reads. 

GCRPPB also reiterates its appeal to the international community to pressurise Bhutan to release all its political prisoners without further delay, and those already released and living in the refugee camps be allowed to reunite with their families in their resettlement country. 

Furthermore, GCRPPB hopes that the government of Nepal and UNHCR will expedite work to resolve the Bhutanese refugee issue by activating and implementing the three durable solutions per the refugees’ wishes: repatriation, resettlement and local integration. Until those solutions are found, GCRPPB requests that relief agencies resume providing enough relief supplies, including health and education facilities, to all those genuine Bhutanese refugees in the camps.

Sanjay Sah, Managing Director of Makesworth Accountants and founder of the Makesworth Foundation, said, “We would like to share our clients and supporters with a Christmas update and were astonished at just how much had been achieved.  The impact the Makesworth Foundation is having is growing and includes planting thousands of trees via Ecologi 16,241 to date resulting in 137.95 tonnes of carbon reduction.  We plan to continue doing this for the long-term planting thousands more trees!

“We undertook a wide variety of direct charitable events in partnership with local charities and local team members in both Nepal and Ukraine.  We have recently stared to run regular charitable activities in both countries twice a month.  We continue to fund and donate in partnership with B1G1 creating diverse, significant global impacts.  We also became a permanent sponsor of Nepal Ru, an organisation that manages running events to promote health and well-being among Nepalese communities in the UK.

“We provide Scholarship to one deserving ACCA student every year in Nepal.  Starting in 2022 and continuing in 2023, due to the impressive potential of candidates, we also supported one extra student for a year’s ACCA subscription fees.

“Makesworth Accountants remains a very proud supporter of the Makesworth Foundation and this will continue across 2024.  Our plans for the Makesworth Foundation in 2024 include planning the inaugural Makesworth Foundation Charity Ball which will see 300 attendees gather together in London.  All funds raised will go to support the vital worth the Foundation undertakes.  We will also be registering the Makesworth Foundation with the UK’s Charity Commission.  This big step will see the Makesworth Foundation continue to provide funds to support a wide range of vital charitable projects.

“We will be launching the Makesworth Foundation in Africa.  We’ve decided to increase our reach by supporting a country in Africa.  We have yet to choose which country but are very keen to support those in most need via a range of charitable projects, extending our reach even further.  Finally, Makesworth Accountants will donate 3% of its annual revenue to the Makesworth Foundation supporting the incredible and varied work it carries out.  Whilst a lot has been achieved there remains a lot to continue to do and I hope that our clients, colleagues, suppliers and community continue to support this vital work.” said Sah.

The fourth and revised edition of the book, edited by Binod Dhungel, was published by the Bhutan Media Society, headquartered in the United States. Lamitare, a prominent figure in the Bhutan State Congress known for his activism, passed away in 2022 at the age of 87 in India.

In “Dankido Bhutan,” Lamichhane reveals, “I wrote hundreds of letters against the Bhutanese king and the monarchy. Dozens of leaflets were published. When this process gained momentum and discussions about these letters took place even within Bhutan, I felt the need for a comprehensive book, and I prepared ‘Dankido Bhutan.'”

Editor Dhungel shed light on the extensive research behind the book, stating, “We have studied this historical work over an extended period. The author has undergone in-depth interviews multiple times. This comprehensive endeavor has been made possible through interactions with family sources, relevant individuals, and organizations in Bhutan.”

The release of this banned book marks a significant event, offering readers an opportunity to delve into the historical and political perspectives that led to its suppression for half a century.

According to Vidhyapati Mishra of the Bhutan Media Society, this book highlights the efforts of Bhutanese refugees and their struggle to raise their voices in the movement.

In the recent election, Dr Shakya emerged victorious with 436 votes, defeating his opponent, Chiranjibi Bhattarai, who received 297 votes. The elected president will serve a two-year term in the new executive committee. 

In the race for Senior Vice President, Dadin Pandey obtained 426 votes, defeating Kulananda Sharma, who secured 299 votes. Meanwhile, Narayan Luitel clinched the position of Vice President with 433 votes, defeating Rachana Subedi Pokhrel, who garnered 291 votes. 

The role of General Secretary was secured by Kalpana Bhandari, who garnered 446 votes, while her competitor, Rishi Ram Adhikari, received 260 votes. The newly-elected board members include Priyansu Nepal, Ramesh Oli, Niveeta Sharma, Kalidas Bhandari, and Tila Dhamala Chaulagain.

Established in 1999, the Nepal Center for North Carolina plays a crucial role in fostering community ties and supporting Nepali residents in the region.

Ganesh Pradhan, a social worker and singer, engaged in a thorough discussion on the essential aspects of the Newa society, addressing various questions and providing information about the program organized in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Durga Prasad Pradhan, a prominent social worker, stressed the importance of transforming the younger generation and safeguarding the identity of the Newa society. The participants praised the gathering and honor program in Pittsburgh, PA, expressing love and respect towards the organizers.

During the concluding ceremony in Pittsburgh, PA, members commended the organizers for their open appreciation and love for the Newa community. Jeevan Pradhan expressed gratitude, emphasizing the use of the Newa language in domestic conversations and raising awareness about the preservation of language.

As we began talking, she broke into tears, saying that her only brother is in prison and that she has been waiting unsuccessfully for 15 years to get her brother back so that she can offer him Bhai Tika. “I desperately miss my only brother, especially during Bhai Tika, and I cried the whole day remembering him,” she said.

“We heard from Madhukar Magar daju that my brother is very sick and has been struggling to survive for many years due to rigorous torture,” said Dhan Maya. She further said, “In May 2023, after years of struggle, the ICRC arranged for my mother to visit my brother in Chemgang prison in Thimphu, but as she travelled, the Indian Immigration office in Jaigoan denied her entry into Bhutan, citing an error in her papers.” Though ICRC has given words to re-arrange her travel, nothing has been done as of now, said Dhan Maya on her mother’s desperate wishes to meet her ailing son in Chemgang prison.

“My mother is determined to stay in the camp until brother Omnath Adhikari returns. So, she did not opt for resettlement, and I could not dare to leave my lonely mother behind and go for resettlement”, said Dhan Maya.

Omnath Adhikari was born in Dagapela in 1985 and was a resident of Bhutanese refugee camp Beldangi II sector C subsector III hut number 104.  As per a report published by Human Rights Watch, he was arrested in February 2008 from Sarbhang, Bhutan while distributing pieces of political literature and imprisoned in Chemgang Central Prison for life.

As per the available information, in total, 36 political prisoners are still languishing in various prisons inside Bhutan, mostly at Chemgang Central Prison in Thimphu and Rabuna Prison in Wangdi.

Despite repeated appeals from the families, the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, the European Union and other civil society bodies to Bhutan to release all its political prisoners without further delay, Bhutan continues to ignore such appeals.

In the outside world, Bhutan claims that everyone in the country, including the street dogs, is happy. But on the contrary, in reality, inside Bhutan, even human rights and political activists have been thrown to life imprisonment for the reason that they advocate for political change and human rights in the country.

 It is high time the Bhutan King gave them justice, released them all, and took full responsibility for their proper rehabilitation into everyday living to end human miseries.

Let every unfortunate family get their beloved safely, and sisters like Dhan Maya get her only brother to offer Bhai Tika during Diwali next year.

Ram Karki is the coordinator of the Global Campaign for the release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB).

“I am confident that the hundreds of thousands of NRNs in foreign land very well understand the non-resident Nepali citizenship was achieved through whose struggle and initiatives. You will also explain to all friends and the Nepali community this fact and make them understand it accordingly.”

He further said that many issues related to the NRNs have been addressed through the government’s policies and programs, and the budget. “Legal provisions have been made for opening the non-resident Nepalis’ investment in the secondary securities market. Similarly, the decision to encompass the workers on foreign employment into the contribution-based social security program through the Social Security Fund has been implemented. This is a historical work,” the PM explained.

Reminding that the Nepalis spread throughout the world are Nepal’s non-resident envoys, he said the nation expected a lot from the NRNs. The PM mentioned that the government has been collaborating with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) since its inception. Various programs targeting the NRNs have been announced through the budget statement for the current fiscal year, he added.

NRNA Executive President Badri KC said with the distribution of Nepali citizenship to NRNs, the campaign ‘Once a Nepali you always remain a Nepali’ has become meaningful. ‘The citizenship is not just a paper. It’s a responsibility. Nepalis living abroad should contribute in motherland’s prosperity”, he stressed. Stating that ‘Diaspora’ has significant role in country’s development, President Kul Acharya mentioned that the citizenship has connected people residing abroad with motherland. Likewise, NRNA Founding President Upendra Mahato shared that the Non-Resident Nepali citizenship is not just a piece of paper, it is the part of the heart.

District Administration Office, Kathmandu, had issued an NRN citizenship certificate in the name of Executive Chairman KC on Monday, while District Administration Office, Parbat to Chairman Acharya on Sunday. Earlier, the certificates were handed to PM Dahal by the respective chief district officers. The NRN citizenship documents were provided in line with Article 14 of Constitution of Nepal. The constitutional provision was further eased with the amendment of Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063.

NRN citizenships allow Nepali diaspora the economic, social and cultural rights. The government has made arrangement to distribute NRN citizenship certificates from all 77 districts, said Secretary at Home Ministry, Dinesh Bhattarai. The NRNs can apply for such certificates from today onwards. The NRNA had been demanding citizenship certificates for long.