By Bishnu Luitel, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

A special program to bid farewell to the year 2024 and welcome the New Year 2025 was held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the Himalayan Taekwondo Hall in Harrisburg. The event was jointly organized by Triveni Sahitya Manch Harrisburg and the Bhutanese Community of Harrisburg, where greetings and best wishes were exchanged.

On this occasion, Suraj Budhathoki, a state representative from New Hampshire, was invited as the chief guest. Both organizing institutions jointly congratulated Mr. Budhathoki and presented him with a certificate of appreciation, wishing him a successful and productive tenure. The event was attended by the presidents of the two organizations: Keshav Ghimire, Bairagi Milo, and Tilak Niraula.

Speaking as the chief guest, Budhathoki stated, “I have always remained diligent in my studies, and it is through consistent hard work that I have reached this position today. I consider this victory not my own, but a triumph of the people.” He also encouraged young individuals to engage in community service and remain committed to learning through innovative initiatives.

Budhathoki was born in Samrang Gewog in the Samdrup Jongkhar district of Bhutan. In 1990, the Bhutanese King Jigme Singye imposed military rule, suppressing the human rights voices of southern Bhutanese citizens. Due to the injustices and atrocities committed by the army, over 100,000 Bhutanese were forced to flee the country. To save their lives and the lives of their families, many Bhutanese left their homeland. While some lost their lives to army brutality, others have endured harsh imprisonment and torture since 1990.

Suraj Budhathoki, the son of Dil Bahadur and Nar Maya Budhathoki of the Samrang Block, was just nine years old when he had to leave Bhutan. At that tender age, he arrived with his parents and family at the Timai Bhutanese Refugee Camp in eastern Nepal. There, he began his education in grade three at the Oasis Academy, eventually completing his SLC (School Leaving Certificate). While in Nepal, he pursued higher studies at Tribhuvan University, demonstrating himself as a hardworking and resilient individual.

Believing in the importance of continuous education, Budhathoki relocated to the United States in 2009 under the Bhutanese Refugee Third Country Resettlement Program. Comparing the education systems of Nepal and the U.S., he resumed his studies from the undergraduate level and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change.

According to Yadu Koirala, a Nepali language teacher at Oasis Academy, “Budhathoki was an exceptionally hardworking, honest, and sharp student. His cheerful demeanor, calm nature, and eagerness to learn new things have paved the way for his current success.”

In November 2024, Budhathoki was elected as a state representative for New Hampshire in the United States’ general election, representing the Democratic Party. His victory is not merely a personal achievement but a significant milestone for Bhutanese Nepali speakers, the broader Nepali-speaking community, and all immigrant Americans.

Budhathoki, known for his impartial and community-oriented personality, has become a beacon of hope for justice among all Americans. There is a strong belief that he will bring the voices of immigrant Americans to the legislature in a fair and effective manner. The Nepali-speaking Bhutanese and immigrant American communities collectively extend their best wishes for his successful and smooth tenure.

Budhathoki’s success marks only the beginning and serves as a model of inspiration. Immigrant youth have shown a growing interest in American politics, and for Bhutanese-Americans, the journey has been particularly arduous. The trauma of being forced into exile by Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and enduring two decades of harsh refugee camp life is still fresh in their memories.

In this context, Budhathoki’s success symbolizes the beginning of a defeat for the monarch who exiled his own citizens. As Bhutanese refugees resettle in countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and others, their growing presence in different spheres is a testament to resilience. The day will come when the actions of King Jigme Singye, who rendered his own people stateless, will be met with universal shame. Today marks the start of that reckoning.

In the 1990s, approximately over 100,000 Bhutanese were exiled, with 6,500 of them enduring over 40 years of refugee camp life in eastern Nepal. Until these refugees can breathe the air of peace and a permanent solution is achieved, Bhutan’s monarchy will remain under international scrutiny. The lease of 1,000 square kilometers of land near Gelephu to foreign investors for 100 years under the guise of projects like the “Gelephu Mindfulness City” is one such example of Bhutan’s dependency on external aid. Historical treaties, such as the 1865 Sinchula Treaty between Bhutan and the East India Company, further expose the vulnerability of Bhutanese sovereignty.

The event also featured cultural performances by women, who presented various traditional dances and songs to welcome the New Year 2025.

During the program, special guests including Dr. Narad Pokhrel, Nakul Sharma (proprietor of Himalayan Taekwondo Harrisburg), Om Ghimire (coordinator of Triveni Sahitya Manch, Lancaster branch), and writer Gandaki Putra shared New Year’s greetings and recited their literary works.

The successful and well-organized program was conducted by Narad Acharya Sudama, the secretary of Triveni Sahitya Manch Harrisburg.

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