KATHMANDU, Oct 22: A revised edition of the book titled "Dankindo Bhutan" has been released under the expert editorship of journalist Binod Dhungel. This marks Debi Bhakta Lamitare's inaugural contribution to the literature on the Bhutanese democratic movement.
The book, which had faced a ban for five decades, made its return to the market on Thursday under the adept guidance of Journalist Dhungel. This marks the fourth edition of the book, originally published in 1970. The book deals with the economic, social, and political movements, capturing the transformative changes since the inception of Bhutan.
For those seeking insights into Bhutan's democratic movement, particularly amidst the current scenario where high-ranking officials in Nepal's home administration are serving jail terms for orchestrating fake Bhutanese refugee claims and trying to send Nepalis to the US under the guise of Bhutanese refugees, this book proves invaluable.
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Emphasizing that the book serves as the genesis of Bhutan's democratic movement, Editor Dhungel expressed confidence that it will be a valuable resource for individuals keen on understanding Bhutan and its democratic struggle in the recent past.
Lamitare was single. He asserted that no one should bear the title Devi Bhakta. According to Editor Dhungel, Lamitare is a man "terrified of terror." "Dankindo Bhutan" is a book born out of the brutality of Mahasur Chhetri, who was killed by the royal regime of Bhutan and thrown into the Sunkosh River.
During the program, participants engaged in discussions encompassing various facets covered in the book. Gobind Rijal, also a Bhutanese citizen and agricultural expert, revealed that the then Bhutanese king claimed that Lamitare was not born in Bhutan. Speaking out against atrocities targeting Nepali speakers in Bhutan led to several arrests during that time. Rijal noted that Lamitare with his books and other campaign activities kept the movement for democracy in Bhutan alive.
Shekhar Koirala, a Bhutanese citizen resettled in the US, observed that despite material prosperity, social suffering persists. Koirala stated, "There is a situation where you have to erase Tika that is offered with blessings given by your father on Dashain. Socially, it is disheartening," he said.
Koirala also said that many like him have a desire to return to Bhutan, where they were born and raised. Over 113,000 refugees from Bhutan have been resettled in third countries, while more than 6,000 Bhutanese refugees still reside in camps in Nepal, hoping to return home.
