Naya Sandesh

  The deportation of Bhutanese Nepali people, also known as Lhotshampa, from Bhutan about 30 years ago was primarily rooted in ethnic, cultural, and political tensions. The main reasons were: 1. Bhutanization Policy (Cultural Homogenization): • The Bhutanese government introduced a policy in the 1980s and 1990s aimed at preserving the cultural identity of the majority Drukpa population, based on their Tibetan Buddhist traditions. • The government enforced the “One Nation, One People” policy, requiring all citizens to follow Drukpa cultural norms, such as wearing the national dress (gho and kira) and speaking Dzongkha, Bhutan’s official language. This marginalized the Lhotshampa community, who primarily spoke Nepali and followed Hindu traditions. 2. Citizenship Act of 1985: • The Bhutanese government tightened citizenship laws, requiring proof of residence in Bhutan before 1958 to claim citizenship. Many Lhotshampa were unable to provide the necessary documentation....

  Trick-or-Treat in Middletown, PA, like in many other communities, takes place on October 31 as part of the Halloween