BCN Inauguration:

28th December 2009

Narration by Mrs. Goma Devi Timsina Adhikari. Mrs. Adhikari is one of the few versatile Bhutanese women talents in the Netherlands. Studied, grown up and matured in and around the refugee camps in Nepal, Mrs Adhikari has capacity to give life to neglected issues.

The bitter story of thousands of Bhutanese refugees who are now undergoing the process of resettlement in different parts of the western world dates back to the early nineties, when they were forcefully evicted by the government of Bhutan. The mass of innocent faces kept on moving, undestined until it was settled by the UNHCR in seven different refugee camps in eastern Nepal. They were compelled to live miserable lives full of pain and hardships. Time went on, the data's changed, many new ones were born, children turned to youth, youth to old and old generation died, but nothing changed in the life style of these poor people; the same days and nights where all the negative aspects of life were piled up. After spending almost two decades of such difficult lives, a ray of hope and also an issue of confusion entered in their lives; their resettlement in different western countries. Though they hesitated a little at the beginning, the majority accepted it since thirteen bilateral talks between the government of Nepal and Bhutan failed to solve the refugee issue and they were unsuccessful with their attempts to return Bhutan.

There is a small group of these people in The Netherlands too. The group also consists of the other Bhutanese citizens who came on their own to rescue themselves from different problems. The group felt the need to form a community for different reasons. The several meetings of these people, the hard works of many dedicated individuals and the intelligence of many intellectuals finally gave a name to the group-BCN (Bhutanese community in the Netherlands). Central committee members were formed and they immediately organized a programme to launch it. The programme was held on 28.12.2009 in Noordeinde 15 2311 CA Leiden, the Netherlands. The program consisted of cultural items, literary items, speeches and comedy. Mr. S. Sital, the Chairman of Global Defence for Human Rights (GHRD) was invited as the chief guest and Mr. Ram Babu Nepal, a Nepali citizen and an UN employed was invited as a guest. The president of the BCN, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal was appointed as the chair person. The co-coordinator of the BCN, Mr. L.N Adhikari was the anchor.

The program began at around 11.30 by allocating seats to everybody and offering khada to the distinguished individuals by Ms. Priyanka Karki. It was great of the president of BCN to give vivid explanation on BCN and its developments along with his welcome speech. Then the cultural items began. Ms. Robina Majhi gave huge entertainment to the audience with her dance "Basanta nai basna khojchha yaha" and "Kata laga". Similarly the dance by Ms. Nisha Neopaney also made everyone starred with her dance performance in "Chhama chhama" and  "Man ki chari". It seemed that the chief guest was concerned about her when he saw her mind blowing moves in "Chhama chhama". It was then Ms. Laxmi Rizal to show her magic in "Dil yo mero dil" where she wholeheartedly talked about what her heart says. Ms. Meena Rizal also came with beautiful steps in "Aakasai ko jhilmil tara" and expressed that she has grown up and needs someone to take her gifts to her beloved. Above all, the audience was surprised to see Ms. Dilasa Dhakal a very  small child coming to the stage and moving her little body to the tunes of "Jhal jhali akhama". Despite the fact that these children were born and brought up in place where there was no access to television and theatre; they beautifully learnt the art of dancing.

Mr. Mahindra Prasad Adhikari created pin drop silence within the audience with his tragedy song "Hey Barai". The elderly people almost cried since many of them have lost their beloved relatives in the movement and the theme of the song matched with their sufferings. He also with his gai jatra "Pap ra Dharma" made the mass laugh and at same time talked about the good deeds and bad deeds    and gave moral message of "United we stand, divided  we fall". Mr. Bikas Koirala recited a poem "Jeewan Prachhyapan" (life test) and told about the facts of life, its ups and downs and the fact that people struggle to get something till the end and get nothing more than death. Mrs. Goma Devi Timsina Adhikari appeared with an article entitled "Bichhara purus" and talked about how the females of our society are degrading in terms of values and religion when they still  have loving, caring and positive minded males in their society.

Many intellectuals gave speeches. Ms. Naina Gajmer, the youth Co-ordinator of BCN and Mr. Pralad Karki beautifully talked about their short experiences in the Netherlands and views on BCN. Mr. Yogesh Bdr. Kharka and Mr. P.S Gurung who were supposed to express similar views couldn't make their presence due to their domestic problems. Mr. Probin Basnet, a little boy also very confidently gave his speech in English. Mr. D.P Acharya, the vice president of BCN expressed his views and deliberated that such an event had never been though and it was one of the very moving and emotional events. The respected guest of the program also gave his standard speech and expressed that though we are from different countries, our language, culture, traditions, values and norms are same and hence we should have a feeling of brotherhood among us.

It was then the time for most important moment "launching BCN website" by the chief guest. The honourable chief guest made a surprise announcement of 15000 Euros as a charity to our welfare forum. It created more strength among the people to be more hard working. The team of Chief guest, the chairman and the guest distributed first ever prices and appreciation to more than a dozen of the participants. Finally Mr. Ram Bdr. Karki gave vote of thanks without forgetting any deserving individuals. The formal program was formally ended by the chair person at around 15.30 pm.

Everyone was thankful to the anchor for coordinating and running the program smoothly and smartly with loud and encouraging voice even in the shortage of microphone.

The formal program included tea and snacks in-between, while a modified Nepali lunch was served after the program. Mr. Lalit Basnet, Mr. Chhatra Rai, Mr. Aiman Samal, Mrs. Sila Rai and Mrs. Deoki Dhakal were seen active in the kitchen. The lunch was followed by disco where everyone enjoyed moving their bodies. The people were very happy gossiping and chatting in their own tones and tunes. At the end, at around 11.30 pm, with no choice, people started moving. We hope BCN organises more and more of such programs and give platform to the hidden talents of the children and adults of our community.