BCFSA is a Nepali speaking Bhutanese community organization in Scranton pennsylvania. The full form of BCFSA is Bhutanese cultural foundation scranton association. The organization provides awareness program, volunteer services for individuals and families , cultural experiences,educational, creativity arts and integration.Finding employment,orientation,free interpreter and transportation,mental health and suicide prevention,drugs and alcohol are also some of the areas where we help. It was formed in 2013, initially started by providing ESL classes and citizenship classes for elderly people at 712 Linden St. in Elm Park Church Hall,where more than 20 students passed their citizenship test.Later in 2016 the organization was registered as a 501(c)(3) organization and today growing to serve in a non-sectarian basis in the community.
BCFSA also celebrates religious occasions and promotes peace,respecting other's religion and culture. Bcfsa inspires and celebrates together and be part of the diverse cultural beauty.The experimental and cultural activities offered by BCFSA are essential to the social, physical, and mental well-being of the community. As well as benefits everyone by introducing our cultural traditions to them and encourage all people to become better global citizens. BCFSA is dedicated to improving the lives of low to moderate income families.
Components of 'One Nation, One People'
Driglam Namza:
Driglam Namza is an ancient code of social etiquette of the western Bhutanese or the Drukpas. It dictates how to eat, how to sit, how to talk or bow before the authorities, and even how to dress. This rigid code was incorporated in the Sixth Five- Year Plan (1986-92) for promotion on a national scale. While it was initially in existence among elite groups in western Bhutan, conforming to its dictates was subsequently made obligatory for all civil servants, school students, people's representatives and village headmen. Through the village headmen, Driglam Namza was imposed on the masses. Any failure to observe the code was punishable by a week's imprisonment or a fine.
Commenting on Driglam Namza, Dr. Parmanand of Delhi University wrote in "Link" magazine article entitled "The King Drives In Reverse Gear" (May 20, 1990): "Drig Lam Namzha was said to have been initiated with a view to binding the growing class of educated Bhutanese into complete obedience to the Crown. However, the drive has been harsh to the Bhutanese nationals of Nepali origin, Indians, Tibetans and the Sarchhops living in south and east Bhutan."
Dress Policy:
Bhutan Signed the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1973. However, in clear contravention to that international convention, the National Assembly of Bhutan that very year adopted the following resolution:
National Assembly of Bhutan
Resolution No. 19, 39th Session, 1973
“In accordance with the decision of Lhengyel Shungsliog, the Assembly resolved that Bhutanese operating modern machinery in workshops, factories, etc., where the use of the Bhutanese "Gho" is inadvisable, would be permitted to wear other forms of dress. Nationals other than mechanics are not to be permitted to don any apparel other than their national dress. However, students and trainees receiving education/training abroad will be permitted to wear foreign clothing during their stay abroad or while travelling to and from Bhutan. While on vacations in Bhutan they would have to revert back to wearing the national dress. Anyone violating this rule will be arrested and accorded one month's imprisonment."
Despite the above, the dress code was not immediately imposed upon the people. In this regard, it may be noted that there are not only at least 14 different ethnic groups in Bhutan but also that there are more than seven distinct ethnic dress forms.
A change came in 1988, following the implementation of the "One nation, one people" policy. Then, the dress forms of all non-Drukpa peoples were banned and the Drukpa dress - "Gho" and "Kira" - was imposed throughout the nation. Violators of the dress code were subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment.
Language Policy: The following interview by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to Kamaljeet Rattan, a noted Indian journalist, in "The Economic Times" of Delhi of September 25, 1990 explains well the sad fate that has befallen the Nepali language in Bhutan.
The King said: " ... We recently decided to stop teaching Nepali in our schools. The National Assembly had suggested this years ago, but I turned down the proposal then. Now, the situation has changed. More so because the Assam Government has also stopped the teaching of Nepali. I admit this is a very unpopular decision and I fully sympathies with the Nepalese ... "
Source: Shangrila without human rights, Report by AHURA Bhutan.
REASON BHUTANESE PEOPLE SUFFERED