Mr. Padam Rizal
Padam Rizal was born in Tashidin village, Dagapela subdivision in Dagana district of Bhutan as the first son of Mr Dhanapati and late Yeshoda Rizal in 1967. He grew up in a middle class family, his parents owned and operated a group of small businesses in Goshi bazar. He started his pre-primary schooling in Tashidin community school, moved to Goshi Junior High School after the closure of Tashidin School. He graduated from Goshi School in 1987 and attended Jigme Sherubling High School, Khaling in Tashigang. Untimely demise of his mother put his family owned businesses into jeopardy, hence he left school and took to running businesses.
By 1990 Southern Bhutan was witnessing the brunt of socio-cultural massacre in the pretext of “One Nation One People Policy”, “TSAWASUM” and “Diglam Namza”. Nepali speaking people across southern Bhutan took to streets raising voice against the government’s discriminative policies from the month of August through October 1990. After the people’s demonstration in Dagapela on September 26, 1990, government closed Goshi School, turned it into Royal Bhutan Army barrack and deployed army in the villages to suppress the movement. Army resorted to unspeakable horror-torture, rape and killings in the villages.
Mr. Rizal left Bhutan to escape army brutality in November 1990 leaving his eight member family behind including his wife and three month old son. He arrived Faras Busty an Indian village at Indo- Bhutan border after six days trekking through unhospitable terrain through Bada Ranga, Upper Nichula and Manas forest ranges. He lived in Faras Busty for a month, life was not safe there either thence he entered Nepal hoping for a breath in safety.
He stayed with his relatives in Jhapa until Kankai Mai refugee camps were set up. Before the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) took over refugee camp and started aid distribution in October 1991, main source of food mobilization to the refugee camp residents was collecting food grain donations from local communities. From spring through autumn of 1991, Mr Rizal was one amongst the volunteers who used to walk across villages of Jhapa during the day begging food grains, whatever the quantity they collected they used to bring back to the camp in the evening and share among all families. Some days there used to be full meal, some days half and some days none at all. The biggest hope on those days were one full meal at the end of the day.
His spouse, child, parents and siblings joined him in Kankai Mai refugee camp in November 1991. After his family’s arrival he came to know that his father was arrested, jailed, tortured, business looted, properties seized and evicted out of the country. When Rizal family arrived in the refugee camp, tattered clothes they were putting on, was the only valued possession they spared from Bhutan. The Rizal family joined refugee camp and became part of thousands of other souls praying for mercy of international community for existence.
Mr. Rizal volunteered in the refugee camp and pulled up his education through National Open School and Indira Gandhi National Open University. He started teaching in refugee camp school and rose to the position of Primary Curriculum Planner/Teacher Trainer in Bhutanese Refugee Education Program, served one term as Camp Secretary elect in Goldhap refugee camp, worked as Assistant Lecturer in Gomendra Multiple College, Birtamode and Program Officer in Sahara Nepal, Charpane, Jhapa.
He moved to United States in 2005 and his spouse and two children joined him two years later. At present Rizal family has settled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr Rizal is self-employed, Mrs Rizal has health sector employment, both of their children are college educated and work for the United States government.
Rizal Family during graduation ceremony of Krishna Rizal
Mr Rizal is thankful to the government and the people of Nepal for giving protection and shelter to his family in the most difficult time. He wants to give back to Nepal in every possible extents he can. He is decided to support complete educational expenses of one orphan per year.
Anita Roka
Anita, 13, is from Phulpingkot VDC, Ward No. 1, Sindhupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 4 studying at Shree Phulpingkot Higher Secondary School, Phulpingkot. Her father died during the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Their house collapsed destroying whatever properties they had. Her traumatized mother is facing severe psychological problems and is facing challenges to cope with the losses. Because Anita’s mother can’t afford to support her education, she is in need of financial help to meet her school expenses.
Very true story untold so far and a very humanitarian afford to a mercilessly devastated child. This article should be a good lesson to Democratic King Gayser Namgyal Wangchuck that, how his beloved, but heartless father propounded his favorite GNH philosophy.
Thanks to Mr. Padam Rizal for this outstanding humanitarian work. A solid best example to all.
Great job sir
Thank you Padam sir for making us proud by sponsoring a orphan child in need. You are a role model.
Thank you Gopalji for thinking in building the lives of people like this small child their support in her education. I hope more families would support this cause willingly and as a proud Bhutanese wanting to make a difference in the lives of those who need our support the most.