Source: www.nepalnews.com
[HPI note: Hindus, representing over one sixth of Bhutan’s population, were forced into exile during the 1990s. It is estimated that 145,000 Bhutanese Hindus live in exile today, according to www.bhutaneserefugees.com¬† You can read the story of 60,000 Bhutanese refugees in the US, one of the world’s largest resettlement efforts, here]
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, May 13, 2009: About 300 Bhutanese Hindu refugees gathered on this date to mark the first anniversary of their arrival in Australia and to showcase their food, culture, dance and singing. Inaugurating the event, Premier Mike Rann said the was impressed by the remarkable quality and commitment shown by Bhutanese refugees. “The story of Australia is the story of migrant. I am myself a migrant,” he said.
Some 700 Bhutanese refugees have settled in Australia and formed a Bhutanese Australian Association. Australia has committed to resettling an additional 5,000 over the next five years.