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Vol. 7, April 2018
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FROM THE BCI OFFICE DESK.......
The year 2017 swiftly passed by leaving more challenges for the future. While every experience is an asset for meeting what lies ahead, the new year was a time to work with renewed vigor and vision. The BCI tightened its belts to serve the community even better than before. The Board and the Executive delivered on the new strategy to enhance the dispensation of projects and services which is the heart of the BCI. From simple support of benefit applications, our volunteers who are mostly the members of the board and executive continue to impart major classes of ESL and Citizenship. However, the new comer, Karate classes taught through Druk American Shito-ryu Karate Do, has taken the lime light as significant numbers of youth and elders alike are attracted to the program.
But that is one aspect of what the BCI hopes to achieve. Another major goal of the BCI is the protection, promotion and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in Iowa. We are very concerned of the fact that our identity lies in the culture we carry. Hence we leave no stones unturned in promoting our culture. On a long-term basis, the BCI is already working towards our goal which will keep our community intact. This would require time, commitment and investment by the members of the community which would eventually lead to the materialization of a Nepali Bhutanese dream here in Iowa.
But that is one aspect of what the BCI hopes to achieve. Another major goal of the BCI is the protection, promotion and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in Iowa. We are very concerned of the fact that our identity lies in the culture we carry. Hence we leave no stones unturned in promoting our culture. On a long-term basis, the BCI is already working towards our goal which will keep our community intact. This would require time, commitment and investment by the members of the community which would eventually lead to the materialization of a Nepali Bhutanese dream here in Iowa.
Faith Groups- Cream of the BCIThe faith groups that compose the main structure of the BCI truly gives the organization a secular outlook. The BCI respects the religious and spiritual aspirations and practice of all human kind irrespective of caste, creed, color, sex, origin, religion or any conscientiously held beliefs. The heartbeat of the BCI are these faith groups namely Bhutanese Hindu in Iowa [BHI], Kirat Society of Iowa [KSI], Bhutanese American Buddhist Society of Iowa [BABSI], Ray of Hope International, Inc. and the Heavenly Path. These groups besides serving in their own capacity, constantly ring an alarm in the BCI that humanity comes before anything that you are. With this spirit, this organization has been moving forward to achieve what it has stated in its mission statement. |
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BHI Celebrates Ram Nawami
The Bhutanese Hindus in Iowa (BHI), the sister organization of the BCI, celebrated the auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Ram in the office complex here on March 25, 2018. Hindus regard Lord Rama as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. While Rama’s life itself had not been less difficult than others yet he never lost his balance and was equipoised in all kinds of situation. This could be his central message to the mankind. A devotee found highest regard from Rama without any discrimination as can be seen in how he ate the fruit first tasted by Saberee who wanted to make sure the lord got the sweeter fruit.
VOICES OF VICTIMS: A SPECIMEN OF RACIST REPRESSION IN BHUTAN
I am Ashraj Rai, originally from the Dumtey village of Dorokha Sub Division in Samchi district in south Bhutan. I am 70 years old living with my 5-member family in Des Moines, Iowa in the United States. I and my parents were all born in Bhutan. Prior to coming here, I lived with my family in Sanischare Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal until September 1, 2013. We landed in the US on September 16, 2013.
I used to be a Karbari meaning an assistant village headman, in my village in Bhutan. I served between 1977 - 1979. Until 1977, things w ere good for all in Bhutan. However, gradually the germs of discrimination entered into the minds of the rulers in Bhutan. In early 1980, southerners were allowed to wear their cultural dress to go to government offices. This freedom was turned upside down when in 1986, the government banned the Dhaka topi and daura surwal [Traditional southern Bhutanese dress] altogether. The south Bhutanese officers in high government offices were hand in gloves with the northerners.
The immediate cause of racism was the implementation of the census policy in 1988. By this the Nepali speaking Bhutanese were categorized into 7 different groups and asked to produce the land tax receipt of the year 1958 as a proof of Bhutanese citizenship. They also put a condition that you must speak the north Bhutanese language to be eligible for citizenship. In such a situation, one can imagine how terrorized the citizens were for being turned into illegal immigrants overnight.
I was asked to produce the land tax receipt of 1958 which I could not. We were told to leave the country immediately. The chief district officer warned that if we did not obey the government order, we will be imprisoned for life. Fearing this, I and other village folks from the adjoining villages left Bhutan to take refuge in Nepal.
I used to be a Karbari meaning an assistant village headman, in my village in Bhutan. I served between 1977 - 1979. Until 1977, things w ere good for all in Bhutan. However, gradually the germs of discrimination entered into the minds of the rulers in Bhutan. In early 1980, southerners were allowed to wear their cultural dress to go to government offices. This freedom was turned upside down when in 1986, the government banned the Dhaka topi and daura surwal [Traditional southern Bhutanese dress] altogether. The south Bhutanese officers in high government offices were hand in gloves with the northerners.
The immediate cause of racism was the implementation of the census policy in 1988. By this the Nepali speaking Bhutanese were categorized into 7 different groups and asked to produce the land tax receipt of the year 1958 as a proof of Bhutanese citizenship. They also put a condition that you must speak the north Bhutanese language to be eligible for citizenship. In such a situation, one can imagine how terrorized the citizens were for being turned into illegal immigrants overnight.
I was asked to produce the land tax receipt of 1958 which I could not. We were told to leave the country immediately. The chief district officer warned that if we did not obey the government order, we will be imprisoned for life. Fearing this, I and other village folks from the adjoining villages left Bhutan to take refuge in Nepal.
invitation to those in need
The BCI extends hearty invitation to all the members of our community to take the free benefit of the projects and services being offered here upon appointment. Some of them include ESL and Citizenship class, Karate classes, Computer Literacy Program, Elderly Program and benefit applications, application for citizenship, green card, translation and interpretation services.
The BCI update
Published by: The Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI) | 4121 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50320 | bci@bhutaniowa.org
