Bhutanese delegation in Geneva

On 4th of December, many Bhutanese refugees gathered in front of the UN complex (Palais de Nations) of Geneva to press the Bhutan government on the issue of human rights and democracy. Some of the refugees dressed in Bhakku (national dress of Bhutan). One of the refugees carried a national flag of Bhutan. It was the day when Bhutan government was to present "Universal Periodic Review of the Government of Bhutan's Human Rights Report." "We want justice, human rights and inclusive democracy; stop human rights violations in Bhutan; Bhutan forcefully evicted 13,0000 citizens (20% of total population); repatriate Bhutanese Refugees with dignity and honor; Bhutan's Human Rights Report to Universal Periodic Review is False," were some of the quotes found in the play cards carried by the Bhutanese refugees. The review session began at 2 pm with the delegation team from the Bhutan government. The Bhutanese refugees who protested out side the UN complex were also present during the session.

Nigeria: A Perspective through Post-colonialism

Nigeria, one of the nations whose economy is heavily depended on oil, lies in the west of Africa. Nigeria is a country of multi ethnicity with around 120 million populations. Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are the three dominant groups from over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. Oil is one of the major cause factors which pushed Nigeria towards its disintegration causing 30-month long civil war till 1970 (Oby, 2005: 111). Nigeria was colonized by Britain in 1914 and was granted full independence in 1960 (Burnell, 2000).

Self Employed Lakhpa in Brussels

(Lakhpa at the right side)

How many people can fit into a small single apartment? The answer might be few people. What about running a small hotel in a small one bedroom apartment? What??? A hotel in a sigle apartment!! How might it be possible to think of a hotel in an apartment? Lakhpa, a self employed, originally from Tibet, proves that it is not impossible. A friend from Brussels took us to Lakhpas's place where we were amazed to see how Lakhpa is making a good business within his small apartment. I thought our friend from Brussels was going to take us to a nice Nepali restaurant for ordering momo and Nepali food. But amazingly we ended up to Lakhpa's place. A small congested kitchen, with a small dinnig table, is what he has as a hotel room. There is another small room where few people can fit in. It is just an apartment but anyone could hardly believe how well he has turned it into a cosy hotel. After few minutes of being there, we were served with momos (not just the momos but the real momos with the flavor in it) along with pickle. Mean while, we also had an opportunity to taste fried pork. The background Nepali music coming out of his bedroom from huge flat-screen enriched Lakhpa's tiny wonderland. Now, his momo business needs no publicity since many Nepalese, Tibetians and quite few Belgians are already his regular customers. At the beginning, he started it with serving food to few Tibetians living in the same apartment. Slowly, it became well known and currently, his place has become one of the junctions for hanging out. It is also surprising to hear that he manages to do home-delivery on his bicycle. Quite unbelievable!! He earns more than anyone with normal (entry level job). An entrepreneur with amazing entrepreneurship. Kudos Lakhpa!!

                                       Doesn't it look good?

Life in Damak

(Time: 1st January, 2008) Many people were busy celebrating New Year 2008 but I was busy in packing my stuff to go to Damak. I took a night bus from Kalanki and got ready for Damak. I did not get the proper seat though I was assured by the travel agent that I would get a comfortable seat at the front next to the driver. The assurance did not work well since I had to sit with an old man squeezing my ever-slim body. The old man was not happy with the situation since he was also guaranteed that he would get a deluxe seat. “This is what guaranteed-deluxe seat in New Nepal!!!” I thought. I did not want to be a trouble maker for the old man. So, I moved at the back of the bus. I was happy to find a free space there (where I could maintain my space!!!) at the back-side of the bus. I was bit relaxed thinking that I had enough space if I wanted to sleep. I was going to be my long-night bus tour. I was happy about my new destination and travel. I was not that enjoying the travel since I could not see anything outside because of the darkness. At night when everyone started taking nap, I tried lying on the last seat of the bus where many passengers could fit into. Eventually, I realized that I won't be able to sleep because last seat always jolts too much. Learned a lesson. "Never take a last seat when you travel long." Within 21 months stay at Damak, I travelled on the bus only twice (long travel). Didn’t have much idea, how eastern part of Nepal look like.....I was excited about it. AND then all these HAPPPPPPPEEENNNNEEED.......to be continued.

      

CO team at Kanyam, 2009

               Mai Khola Bridge near Ilam, 2008              Bhedetar, 2008

 

 Maikhola Bridge, 2008

                                                                             New Year  Eve

                                                                       Party at Sofia's houseHarry's (Tshering's Treat for Lhosar)    

Nirvana Country Club, Dharan, Ghopa CampBack from Antu Danda"Cheers"- Again at Harry's

                                                                            Ilam

 

Tongba at Bhedetar, Better than Heele                                                              

Dharan

HOLY in Damak

HOLY 2009 with CO Team in Damak

HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI HOLI

A LONG WAY GONE- memoirs of a boy soldier

"A gripping story of a child’s journey through hell and back.
There may be as many as 300,000 child soldiers, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s, in more than fifty conflicts around the world. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. He is one of the first to tell his story in his own words.
In A LONG WAY GONE, Beah, tells a riveting story. At the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Eventually released by the army and sent to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, he struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion. This is, at last, a story of redemption and hope."

"Excerpt"


My high school friends have begun to suspect I haven’t told them the full story of my life.
“Why did you leave Sierra Leone?”
“Because there is a war.”
“Did you witness some of the fighting?”
“Everyone in the country did.”
“You mean you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other?”
“Yes, all the time.”
“Cool.”
I smile a little.
“You should tell us about it sometime.”
“Yes, sometime.”
This is how wars are fought now: by children, traumatized, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become the soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them.
What does war look like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But it is rare to find a first-person account from someone who endured this hell and survived.
In A LONG WAY GONE: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Beah, tells a powerfully gripping story: At the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. At sixteen, he was removed from fighting by UNICEF, and through the help of the staff at his rehabilitation center, he learned how to forgive himself, to regain his humanity, and, finally, to heal.
This is an extraordinary and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty. ..............................

Source: www.alongwaygone.com