Bhutan ready to accept Christianity

 Himalayan Guardian Jan 26, 2011

Thimphu, Jan 25: Christians in Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan has something to cheer about. The Druk Kingdom is about to grant the much-awaited official recognition to Christians residing in the country.

According to a report in the International Christian Concern, the Chhoedey Lhentshog, the authority that regulates religious organizations in Bhutan, during its meeting held here last month discussed how Christian organizations may be recognized to represent the community.

 Lhentshog Secretary Dorji Tshering when asked if Christians were likely to enjoy the same rights enjoyed by Buddhists and Hindus replied, “Absolutely.”

Bhutan had in 1969 and 1979 banned open practice of non-Buddhist and non-Hindu religions.

Initially, the government is likely to register only one Christian organization to represent all Christians in Bhutan, sources said.

Indo-Bangla land ports to benefit Nepal, Bhutan

Dhaka, Jan 25: Bangladesh and India have opened two land ports along the international border to boost bilateral trade and facilitate trading activity of neighbours Nepal and Bhutan.

The simultaneous openings of the two land ports on Saturday followed an understanding reached last year between the neighbours. India said it would also facilitate goods movement through Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mangla ports.

Soon after India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee opened a land port at Phulbari in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, Bangladesh's Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury flagged-in a flower-bedecked Indian truck at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh, the northernmost district of the country.

The opening of the land ports will help resume communication and movement between the two countries after more than six decades, since India was divided by the British in 1947.

Trade between Nepal and Bangladesh through Banglabandha has been continuing on a limited scale since its introduction in September 1997, The Daily Star reported.

Banglabandha will be an important land port thanks to broader trade with India, analysts said, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh in January 2010.

Chowdhury said importers and exporters have long been demanding opening of the port for goods transportation in and out of India. 'Today their demand is fulfilled.'

Iqbal Kaiser, president of the Panchagarh Chamber and Commerce and Industry, said the Banglabandha point was the key to developing regional trade. Siliguri is only five km from the port while it is 10 km from Jalpaiguri and 58 km from Darjeeling.

Mukherjee along with a 13-member delegation, including West Bengal Minister of Urban and Municipality Development Ashok Bhattacharya, joined in the inauguration, while Chowdhury led an 11-member team from Bangladesh.