Fourteen Years of Bhutaneseliterature.com: A Journey of Expression
Message from the Founding Chairman
Dear Esteemed Readers, Writers, and Friends of Bhutanese Literature,
Time has flown by, and here we stand, achieving yet another milestone in our literary odyssey. As the founder of Bhutaneseliterature.com, I am humbled and delighted to welcome you to the Fourteenth Anniversary Special Issue, a journey of fourteen years filled with words – perhaps a slow but steady race.
Each passing year leaves behind its footprints in the ever-moving tapestry of life – a collection of memories, challenges, and achievements that shape our collective story. Our voyage, spanning fourteen years, has been nothing short of remarkable. From the seeds of an idea, Bhutaneseliterature.com has grown into a thriving community, a directory of our shared thoughts, stories, and emotions.
Encompassed within these web pages archived in the digital realm, we’ve witnessed the unfolding of Bhutanese Nepali literature’s growth and the collective endeavors dedicated to its upliftment. Our writings have spoken of heartaches borne from a distance, of the struggles and triumphs of an uprooted community seeking solace in words.
Our words have beautifully chronicled the challenges endured by fellow Bhutanese, destined to be scattered across the globe, all while striving to put their thoughts to paper amidst the conflicting currents of their lives. And throughout this journey, Bhutaneseliterature.com has evolved into a platform where our narratives find fertile ground to flourish, and our voices reverberate across vast distances.
This year, as we commemorate the Fourteenth Anniversary of Bhutaneseliterature.com and the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Literature Council of Bhutan (LCOB), we are presented with an opportunity to delve deep into our shared past – a chapter often overlooked but profoundly significant. The theme of our anniversary special issue, “Camps in Reminiscence,” warmly beckons you to delve into your memories, feelings, and unwavering strength that characterized our days in the refugee camps. It encourages you to paint the canvas of memory with words, capturing the daily lives, interactions, struggles, and camaraderie that were etched into those years.
Just as a writer weaves tales from imagination, we, the authors of our own lives, hold the power to evoke the essence of those days through our creative expression. Refugee camp experiences are the acid test of our life. Let’s summon back the unity that sprouted amidst adversity, the friendships that blossomed under the makeshift roofs, the collective nurturing of dreams, and the unwavering spirit of hope and optimism that propelled us forward.
This special issue is a tribute to our collective journey – a journey that traversed borders, spanned decades, and united us as a community bonded by the thread of a shared heritage. I welcome you all to explore the articles in this special issue. Immerse yourselves in the narratives that capture the essence of those times – the stories, the essays, the poems, and the reflections. Let the power of the written words take you on a journey, carrying you through the pages of memory, sparking recognition, and evoking emotions.
The diverse voices that grace this anniversary issue testify to our strength as a community. They remind us that while our paths may have diverged geographically, our hearts remain connected by the threads of our shared past – the experiences of being “the other” in Bhutan and the fate of being hard-hit by refugee adversities. By reading and reflecting upon these articles by fellow Bhutanese writers, we commemorate our heritage, pay homage to the struggles we have conquered, and celebrate the links that bind us together. Let us allow ourselves to be taken back in time as we flip through the pages of this special issue. Let us rejoice in the bravery, tenacity, and survival strategies that have brought us this far. May these narratives carry us back to memory lane, reminding us of the journey we’ve traversed and the rich tapestry of our experiences.
With gratitude for your continued support and participation, and with a heartfelt invitation to embark on this nostalgic journey together.
Warm regards,
Ramesh Gautam
Founder
Bhutaneseliterature.com