Hearts now here as Himalayans make Hobart their home
A SNOW-CAPPED Mt Wellington used to bring mixed feelings for Khadga Thapa.
A reminder of the Himalayan homeland he was forced to leave as a nine-year-old, it was also a symbol of his freedom.
The mountain, visible from the Glenorchy home he has bought with his wife, Naina, could now represent Mr Thapa himself – the rock four generations of his family have relied upon.
For 20 years, they had no country to call home.
Tomorrow, 16 members of Mr Thapa’s extended family – ranging in age from nine months to 86 years – will become citizens.
The Thapas are Bhutanese Nepali, a minority ethnically cleansed from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.