Hague, The Netherlands: Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri, a Netherlands based Bhutanese refugee activist turned entrepreneur was awarded a Dutch nationality by the Dutch government amidst a lavish naturalization ceremony on March 13, 2009 at the Hague municipality building.
Chhetri, who was living in The Netherlands since November 2002 as a asylum seeker successfully fulfilled all the criteria required to become a Dutch national.
“ You are the first ever Bhutanese that has acquired Dutch nationality in The Hague “ said Robijn Baldewsingh, Head of integration and population at the Hague municipality while awarding Dutch nationality to Chhetri.
“I feel very proud for being able to gain a citizenship status after being rendered stateless by the autocratic regime in Bhutan for around two decades” said Chhetri while thanking Dutch government for being too generous in awarding him a citizenship.
Mr. Chhetri who was born in Chengmari Bhutan in 1970 left Bhutan on August 1990 and was active in the Bhutanese movement for Human Rights and justice since then. In spite of being in The Netherlands Chhetri always works for the human rights and justice of the Bhutanese people
Owner of the Himalayan Restaurant www.himalayanrestaurant.nl (the only place in whole of Europe where Nepalese, Bhutanese and Indian food are served) Chhetri is one of the first Bhutanese refugee entrepreneur in the western world that has succeeded in gaining popularity among the local population at a short span of time.
As a naturalized citizen of The Netherlands Chhetri would vigorously continue trying his best to build a strong public opinion in the western world against the discriminatory policies of Bhutan autocratic regime and work actively for human rights and democracy in Bhutan including dignified repatriation of Bhutanese refugee back to their home in Bhutan.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Well Done Ram B Kari. All our best wishes. You are truely the idol to the Bhutanese around the world. May your endeavours acheive another milestone.
Good luck
Parsuram Australia
March 18th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
It is good to hear that one of the Bhutanese Mr. Ram Badur Karki has succeeded to become a citizen of Netherlands but funny thing is why should he and how can he cliam that he is active for the justice of the Bhutanese people. If he was apparantly active then he must be active to allure, cheat, trick and obtain advantages from the troubled situation of the Bhutanese people. Should he truly was active for the human rights of the Bhutanese people he should have remained as Bhutanese or in fact not gone there to Netharland seeking greener pasture. The organisations he was attached such as BPP or YOB are simply overused for selfish purpose of the few selling the names of the innocent Bhutanese.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
If you are active for human rights and justice since you left Bhutan in 1990 as you said, I want to ask you is what is the outcome of your activism?? You have fooled the innocents and those who are blind.
Anyways, Congratulations Mr. Ram Bahadur Karki!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I know Ram Karki very well since late 1990. He always used his time and energy for making Bhutanese movement more stronger. He should be highly respected for his selfless sacrifices that he had made duing early 1991 when he was the incharge of the then only maidhar refugee camp. He helped to save the lives of thousands of early arrived bhutanese refugees in nepal.
I am proud that Ram Karki has become a dutch now and i believe he could use his new status in Bhutanese refugee movement’s favour.
March 19th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Baskota and adhikari, turn back and see what have you done?
March 19th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I have only one thng to point out, the heading ” Karki bags Dutch award” is misleading. It sounds like he received an award , in fact he received citizenship.
Anyways Congratulations to Karki, I suppose we are Gaunle. Keep up your spirit, good luck !!!
March 19th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Good abd Cong!!! mr. Karki.But see its dark side also, if you are true Bhutanese citizen and if you are really fighting for Human right for bhutanese people.
You said this is an award,but dont compare this with award.It is a regular process for all who ever come to western world and live for 5 years.Not good to compare with award.Awards has much respect and value.You are loosing your resoect as a genuine citizen,so why r u so happy with is as you say you always work for bhutanese people.
Many people know your are very active in BBP who always cheat people?
I dont support Dinesh as such leadres dont do any thing durings 1990,they only creat problems, the result is clear…
March 19th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Your right kancha.
I support u
why they print such stupid thind
I think he dont know meaning of award???
March 19th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
It is good to know that Mr. Ram Bahadur Karki was awarded with Dutch citizen. I am as one of the Bhutanese residing in Netherland knew that he always fight for the rights of the Bhutanese people. Congratulation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr.Karki. I espect further more from him and I hope every Bhutanese residing in Netherland will get support him. Once again congratulation.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Congratulations to Mr. Karki. Getting Dutch Nationality meant par -excellence for some of the critics but we can say he has a identity , Mr. Karki a Dutch. May be he mite not like to return to Bhutan where his forefathers planted Bar- Pepal, where his parents got married admist with panchay baja, where he caught hilay macha in khet in summer, where he stole naspati from bisnay baw’s land, place where he went to learn A,B,C,D, a place where he carried butey -ko maaki and exchanged for a half broken pencil, a place where he placed a trap for dumsi…….oh..i miss my home, i miss my land, i miss my Country.
For me, a home is where our heart is. I would prefer going home rather than getting oscar award.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I would like to add something as Mr Sharma has said. We should be well aware of such two- faced people. Do u know D. K Rai, who is lately released from Jail and now ganning popularity amongst innocent people. He was robber, he was real terrorist. He was caughted by people from Todhay, bodreing to Bara. He and his groups were returning from looting sakku dukpas house. So, he was caught and we villagers was asked to carry half dead chors from that place till bindu checkpost. On died on the way. So, such chors can be our leadres. I made a mistake, i should thrown him from the cliff while carrying him. So, such chors should be punished. I know, Bhutan released him, but God will never forgive him for terrorising and looting hard earned money of the villagers
March 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Mr. Karki is a true Bhutanese refugee activist who ever says whatever they like of him. Only chamchas of Jigme can point fingers at him and accuse him of being terrorist. He has lot of good works at his credit just for the sake of Bhutanese refugees.
Congratulations for your success Mr. Karki. Let Jigme’s people barks dont let get carry by such nasty people. Go ahead with your good work.
Good Luck.
March 21st, 2009 at 3:43 pm
why our people are talking about personal ego? Why our thought never change? Still we are raising personal matter.Mr. Karki had done good job.It is a pride of all bhutanese.one think we should not forget that we are bhutanese where ever we go. We can see the example our present present of US. Still he is considered as Afircian American.His identity is still there. Why not we can think in that part? We should blame Karki, what we had done for our cause? Every one who resettled in third countries , they will get their identity after one year.Then who to blame Karki, Adhikari,Rai or else.
March 21st, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I being a neighbour of Karki in house inHome town I know that Ram bahadur Karki is a [......]. He has [......] many people to leave the country. He destroyed many public properties like school buildings and bridges. he tried to blow Chamachi bridge also. Sometimes I think that BPP leaders have contarct with [.....] government because government knew that BPP wanted to halt the development in south Bhutan and BPP leaderds like Karki was active also to halt the development fulling the desire of the government. [..........]. becareful
March 21st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I know its good to be honored but I don’t what was the history.
CONGRATULATIONS MAN
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Congratulations! You deserve our praise for your success Ram Dai. Only good people like you can be successful wherever you go.
I know you took a noble idea for accepting dutch citizenship without denouncing your original Bhutanese citizenship. This action of yours clearly demonstrates how true Bhutanese refugee activist you are and how patriotic Bhutanese you are.
Finally i remind you not to be swayed by the irresponsible and untrue remarks of some jealous commentators here. I wish you a very successful life ahead.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Dear Karkiji, Saila Kharkaji and Editorji,
Editorji, why is this a news to you? As someone stays for 5 years in Europe he gets citizenship- this is natural. But why Karki has attracted you? Bhutan News Service writes “AWARD”. It is begging than a award. Krshna Pahadi got Italian citizenship. It is honorary and that is award. Do you know, that someone needs to apply, in otherwords beg for citizenship. Don’t misuse the word award. Why to both of these newsportals, it is so important. Why dont you delete this? Secondly, BNS is publicising his restaurant – what is available and including the website of his restaurant. Is this what a newportal does? Shame on you! This is not a journalism! It is time that you reflect yourself.
Karkiji, why dont you write a news that you have become a father – or is that not a news? APFA and BNS will definately pick this up. Do stop your craze and ambition for fame and power – BPP is gone, YOB is gone, you are alone but already a businessman.
Sailaji, It pains to read the truth. It hurts you and your ralatives. Kharkaji-dont write stories but facts. You say karki is a resettlement man. Check this (also the editors), what is Karki, as someone said – this is rouge, cunning, scropulous man using people for fame: Read these news published by APFA and BNS (there is no trustworthy newsweb, so one needs to go through your web to see if something is happening in the camp, however useless news you are writing of late).
- Posted on 02 January 2009 by editor: “I urged Poudel to exercise all measures to carry resettlement parallel with repatriation, Karki told Bhutan News Service in a telephonic conversation.” Is Karki a repatriation or resettlement man?
- Repatriation campaign strengthens in Germany, Posted on 29 June 2007 by editor; Karki including his wife were the delegates (Honeymoon and vacation turned to political campaign). Sailaji – Is Karki a repatriation or resettlement man? Speak truth man, help people get out of cheats!
Karki bags Dutch award Posted on 17 March 2009 by editor; “dignified repatriation of Bhutanese refugee back to their home in Bhutan.” This is what BNS writes. Is Karki a repatriation or resettlement man? Sailaji and other Karki’s aides and including editors, I would like to see your response.
Someone was writing Chamchas – Karki’s family are in Bhutan. Karki’s brother returned to Bhutan after living several years in Beldangi I !!!. Now he is working in Bhutan. Who is a Chamcha? You or Karki?
Bhim K Nepal
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I know why Bhim is so desperate on Mr. Karki’s success and working very hard to discredit him for his great works and success. He seems a great frustrated and mad person and he might have failed heavily on all fronts. The way he back bites others and concentrate his time and resources for blackmailing other people with good credential shows his true nature and madness.
Mr. Bhim Kumar Nepal, do something constructive and make your life successful rather then to stay jealous forever for others success.
Good Luck Bhim.
March 24th, 2009 at 2:55 am
it is nice to hear that bhutanese started getting the nationality….which was lost before…..
March 25th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Interesting comments for interestion man.Plz save this and keep for record.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 am
Congratulation bhai Ram for the quick success and progress you made there in Holland.Please keep up your sprit for the best ,inspite of foolish comments
made by the foolish people.those people will never do any progress .
Leave No Stone Unturned.
well done.
thanks
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Karki again bags next Dutch award.But it is secret .Hard to tell this …
may be he will tell later..
April 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Congratulation Mr. Karki. You deserved praise for helping our people in Netherlands as U are matured and have faced many challenges and arrived netherlands. But you deserved life imprisonments if we start narrating your past activities. No,… It all happen in revolution and in the politics.don’t be serious all about the comment of mine as U have a long way to go.U have done a good job and I respect U.Lastly, go on working for good of our community.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 am
This so called journalist have to improve his writing. Right from the heading to the contents and facts it is misleading.Ram Karki does not have any faults as he was not the one to publisize the article. So it is not fair to write against him.
May 25th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
haha…………interesting…
May 29th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Sarki bags Americal award.
Karki bads Dutch award.
pokhrel bags australian awards.
hahaha after 5 years 100000 bhutanese will bagd different awards.
May be by that time sarki and karki will bags other awards..
Good..
August 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Gosh people why so much of an issue….. Can’t we just be happy, proud & congratulate Mr Karki on his achievement & stop there itself. I dont see why u guys have to make fun with the writing style of people & comment on how he’s writing & expressing.
Well, i think the word ‘ AWARD’ isn’t out of place.After all these yrs of struggle & hardship of being a refugee one is granted a citizenship of a country, am identity of his own…… if this is not an award for him then what is it….. please expand ur way of thinking & try to get optimistic & appreciate our people’s success…..
Congratulations again Mr Karki…..may many more of our people be able to the enjoy the fruit of success that u are not experiencing. Best wishes for many more wonderful events.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
congratulation! Mr. Karki.