A US based Bhutanese Community’s Youth Leader Mr. Chuda M. Niroula, popularly known as CM Nirola who was resettled in the United States of America in 2011 has been decorated with a prestigious and national award “President’s Volunteer Service Award 2021” on 17 December 2021 in recognition of his outstanding voluntary services to the community.
Mr. CM Nirola was born in a village called Taklai, under Sarbhang district of Southern Bhutan and was evicted together with his family after 1990 democratic movement in Bhutan at the age of 4 years. Before resettling in The United States Mr. Nirola was a resident of Nepal based Bhutanese Refugee Camp in Goldhap.
Since his student life in Goldhap Mr. Nirola was deeply engaged in social works and later was very active in media sector informing the community about the Bhutanese refugees activities and development. Niroula had started his journey as The Chief Editor in Baal Saugat, a refugee camp based newspaper that was sponsored by Lutheran world Federation and implemented by Children Forum in Bhutanese refugee camp Goldhap. Later he joined The Child’s creation as editorial board also based in the camp. Niroula had reported for Kanchenjunga FM 92.6 Mgh and also to local newspaper like Jagaran, Sandesh, Arjundhara and others. Since 2013 he has been actively volunteering for then only news portal owned and managed by Bhutanese refugees called Bhutan news services. At present he is the US based reporter of Bhutan News Network.
Mr. Nirola has also become successful in launching and hosting his own Nepali language talk show “Khulla Bichar” and broadcasted through Manchester Public Television before he shifted to Pennsylvania. His zeal and skills towards serving community through providing information continues till today through social medias and other platforms. He regularly hosts facebook live programs by inviting guests who are community experts in various fields. Mr. Nirola has established himself and could successfully become one of the most popular faces in the community’s multimedia sector.
Mr. Nirola is also equally active and enthusiast in the field of writing and publishing his works. Recently published novel “Ainama Desh” authored by Mr. Nirola has been one of the most read and social media favourite book among the Bhutanese Community members. He has also been publishing articles on various issues both in the community owned as well as outside news portals. He has also been successful in publishing his debut article in the first issue of The Bhutan Journal in 2020.
Besides his volunteer services to the community via multimedia and writings, Mr. Nirola has also very been very active in various social and political activism. He is the National Coordinator of The Global Campaign for The Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) for USA and also a USA representative of the only exile based Bhutanese Think Tank The Bhutan Watch.
As per its website, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2003 to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. It further states that this award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
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