E-Kantipur

The issue of Bhutanese refugees who are residing in the camps in Eastern Nepal has been debated and brought to light on many occassions. There have been several attempts to find a solution to this issue both at the government level as well as through more informal channels. Many rounds of talks have been held between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan. But these negotiations have failed to produce the desired results for any of the parties, including the refugees. However, what is of prime importance is the need to take the refugees’ views into account and enquire as to what would be the best solution to their problems.

However, considering that the demographics of the refugees differ significantly from those almost two decades ago, it is only natural for the differences to emerge among the refugees with regard to the kind of measures that should be undertaken to address their problems. It is interesting to note that a whole new generation of refugees has grown up in the camps. Their views and aspirations don’t necessarily concur with that of the first generation. This difference in opinion was clearly seen when the option of  third country resettlement was floated among the refugees. Many of the younger generation, it seemed, were eager to take this option as it presented them an opportunity of a better life. However, the older generations have not given up on their dream of  returning to Bhutan and reclaiming their identity.

These and many other issues pertaining to the refugees have been brought before readers by Kundan Aryal in Sambad bata Sashaktikaran. This work comprises the experience gathered by the author and some of his colleagues while preparing a radio programme for the refugees called Saranarthi Sandesh (The Message of Refugees). This programme was aired from different places in Eastern Nepal and Kathmandu with the intention of providing a platform for the refugees to broadcast their experiences. What was interesting about the programme was that it  gave an opportunity for both older and younger generations of refugees to share their experiences. And for the former, it was also an opportunity to recall their stay in Bhutan. Declared as non-citizens by the Bhutanese authorities in the late 1980s, the residents of Southern Bhutan, who are of Nepali origin, were expelled from the country. This work devotes a full section to the backdrop of the events that unfolded in the late 1980s, which resulted in the expulsion of these citizens from the country. Among those expelled included both the common person as well as personalities like Tek Nath Rijal, who occupied an important position in the Bhutanese government.

Without going into details about these events, which have been discussed in detail elsewhere, the book focuses on the pressing issues concerning refugees. With the option of third country resettlement being presented to the refugees, strong lines of division have been drawn. In fact this proposal brought sharp differences within familes. Aryal himself speaks of the initial suspicions of the refugees towards the radio programme. According to him, there were rumours in the refugee camp that this radio programme was being aired to support the idea of third country settlement. But after a few rounds of interaction with the refugee leaders, an atmosphere of trust was built, which helped Aryal to conduct the programme with ease. While these examples give us a glimpse into the psyche of refugees in the camp, Gopal Guragain’s reportage on the life of those refugees resettled in some European countries provides a different picture. Guragain tries to portray the different sort of struggle undertaken by those refugees in search of a better life. Their account of having to adjust in a new and different cultural environment makes for an intersting read.

The effort on the part of Kundan Aryal and his colleagues is noteworthy. Their attempt to highlight the issue of third country settlement among refugees through this book will without a doubt enrich the understanding of this complex problem. For those interested in the issue, this is a must read.

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