Three decades ago more than 100,000 ethnic Nepalis were forced to flee Bhutan for nearby Nepal leading to one of the most significant refugee crisis in the world.
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Politically, under Bhutan's 'One Nation, One People' policy, Lhotshampas - one of Bhutan's three main ethnic groups - were no longer considered citizens in their own country.
Today, it's estimated more than 5000 Nepali and Bhutan-born refugees call Northern Tasmania home. On Friday, they were among representatives of numerous cultures celebrating their heritage as part of Launceston's Harmony Day celebrations.
For many, the day is one of the most significant events of the year, offering a platform to not only share their traditions with the broader community, but to also remind many - particularly the older generations - of a life that was taken away.
With the theme of 'Everybody Belongs', The Sunday Examiner caught up with members of Launceston's Bhutanese and Nepalise community to find out what Harmony Day means to them, and the challenges that remain.
Bridging the gap
By 1991, seven refugee camps were established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in response to those exiled from Bhutan. Over three years between 1990 and 1993, a whole generation had become stateless.
They would then go on to spend more than two decades living in refugee camps. This was the case for Dilip Pradhan, who said he was "very small" when he was forced to leave Bhutan with his family.
"We stayed in a refugee camp for nearly 20 years," he said. "It was a very miserable life here, but the good thing is we had a free education ... I am really thankful for that.
"Finally we were given the chance to settle in other countries and a few of us, we chose Australia because we found Australia is one of the most respectful countries for migrant people."
Mr Pradhan worked as a teacher in Nepal for more than six years before coming to Tasmania. Now working for the Migrant Resource Centre North as an advanced support worker, education is something he remains particularly passionate about - especially when it comes to ensuring his culture is not lost.
"At the moment, we have a fear in our mind that one day it will be in danger," he said. "By seeing our community, and the new generation, because they might not be motivated or being given the platform or opportunity we have had.
"Nepali, from the last census, we have the second highest international language spoken in Tasmania. But still, we can't include it in any school curriculum ... so this makes us worry."
While most Bhutanese refugees in Nepal were educated through an English curriculum, language still remained a major barrier when they came to Australia.
Om Kumar Magar, who works as a practice manager with MRC North, was a teacher for more than 20 years before coming to Australia.
"I was an English teacher, but I was never a good English speaker," he joked. "I taught the grammar, I taught the language ... but I am not a good speaker in the case of Australia, because of the use of slang.
"It left me a bit confused in the beginning, but now I start to identify the sounds - somehow, but not completely."
The challenges of language and fears over a loss of identity is something that continues to resonate with Launceston's migrant community. This is particularly true for older generations - many of whom are still living with the physical and mental trauma of what happened to them in Bhutan.
"We are very worried about losing our culture and language," Mr Magar said.
"Because when our grandparents come here, every time their grandchild speaks the English language, they don't understand. They have to talk to their grandchild in Nepali language, but the grandchildren don't understand this.
"So there is a huge gap between the generations. We want to bridge that gap, but it's hard. "It makes us really alienated, feeling, after maybe the second or third generation our language culture will disappear.
"We are also seeing significant mental health problems, because of that alienation. They can't communicate it."
Bringing people together
Harmony Day is celebrated each year on March 21 in Australia. It began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Today, it continues to bring communities of all backgrounds together.
Obeth Rai has been in Tasmania for eight years. He was just two months old only when his family fled Bhutan for Nepal. However despite the challenges, the now 28-year-old says he had a fantastic childhood - something he credits with his passion for the arts.
Now working as a project assistant with MRC North, including helping to organise Fridays' Harmony Day celebrations, he said the event was a chance to reflect on how far they had come.
"It means a lot for us, especially the migrant people, where we can have the opportunity to see the same values and integrity of people of different cultures," he said.
"We have music, dance, we see food and culture - it's more about having fun with the different cultural activities and performances. We have faced barriers, but we never give up. Because we came here for a better life. We are still struggling in some ways, but we are just so grateful."
It's a sentiment echoed by Hem Bali Sampangrai, who was 13 when she left Nepal with her family for Tasmania. Now 21, she said she was grateful to her parents for the opportunities she now has in front of her.
"I was pretty young when I was in Nepal, but the journey my parents went through to bring me here ... I am very grateful," she said.
"There is so much opportunity here, we can do so many things. It's a much better life, and I owe that to them."
After the cancellation of Harmony Day events in 2020, MRC North chief executive Ella Dixon said it was wonderful to see the celebration return on Friday.
"Festivals like today are important for the whole community," she said.
"There is nothing quite like food, music and dance to bring people of all walks of life together. It is an opportunity to meet new and old friends, learn something about another part of the world, try delicious food, watch performances and understand the stories behind them and for the performers, the chance to share and live their traditions."
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