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Formation of Fraternal
organizations
After the formation of the Bhutan Peoples' Party and mass
movement, the women and youths realised the importance of
organizing their strength to contribute and support to the
ongoing movement lunched under the leadership of the party. The
BPP had also realised the importance of the organized support of the
women and youths in bringing about social changes. The Bhutanese women
organized themselves under the aegis of Bhutan Women Organization (BWO)
under the leadership of Mrs. Devika Gajmere on August 21, 1990
in exile. As this organization became passive over a period of
time and
these was an urgent need for a umbrella body of the women
members of the Bhutanese population and “Women Organization
of Bhutan” (WOB) was formed on December 26, 2003 under the
president-ship of Mrs. Jasoda Budathoki. The WOB is active in
fulfilling its duties to its community and nation building for
the rights and justice of the Bhutanese women.
Likewise, the youths formed “Youth
Organization of Bhutan” (YOB) under the leadership of late
Mr. Pemba Sherpa on January 25, 1992. After a while, YOB functioned
under the leadership of Mr. Damber Sing Ghaley and then the leadership
was shifted to of Mr. Ganesh Subedi, who is the current
President of the organisation. As a fraternal organization of
BPPt, it follows the path of “Democratic Socialism"
and strives to contribute support to the democratic movement.
Under the successful guidance of the party it succeeded in obtaining the
membership of 'International Union of Socialist Youth' (IUSY) in
1996 and continued in its quest for social justice, equality and
freedom.
The increasing strength of student population and the compelling
needs and issues of the students compelled the student's community in
exile to form “Student Organization of Bhutan” (SOB) on
December 26, 2003 under the leadership of Mr. Bhim Kumar
Dhungana. The SOB is actively working hand in hand with
students' community in exile and the party to advocate the
protection of child rights and other related issues both in Bhutan and in
exile. Unfortunately, Mr. Dhungana succumbed to snake bite in his own hut
on 1st of October
2004. The SOB is now under the Presidentship of Mr. Upendra
Dahal. As a fraternal organization of BPP it subscribes to
the principles and values of “Democratic Socialism".
Back in Bhutan, prior to formation of the human rights and
political organisations, few social organisations of teachers and
students were also formed clandestinely. But those organisations could
not work effectively because of the restriction and vigilance
put on by the RGOB. Often these organizations would be labelled
as anti-national associations. Even so,
the teachers and students played a vital role of educating their
fellow teachers and students on the
anti-people policies of the RGOB. Of these organisations
"Bhutan National Teachers Association" (BNTA) functioned
from National Institution of Education (NIE), Samchi. When the
government learned about the formation of the teacher’s
organisation it arrested the leader of the organisation,
founding president,
Mr. Mon Bahadur Chhetri,
interrogated, tortured, imprisoned and finally brutally killed
him. While some active members
met horrible and merciless torture in the
Bhutanese prisons,
the rest sought protection in the neighbouring states of
India. Presently, this organisation functions under the Presidentship
of R.C. Khanal.
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