Rabindra Pokharel

Kathmandu:

Known as the most formidable of soldiers, Gurkhas have a dignified history of gallantry and loyalty. The history of Gurkhas goes back to 1815 AD when the British East India Company penetrated the Indian Subcontinent extending the frontiers of the erstwhile British Empire (where, it was said, the sun never set).

For over 180 years now, Gurkhas have been an inextricable part the British Army, fighting for the British crown in almost all the major wars, including World War I and II. In all these wars, Gurkhas have demonstrated their unwavering allegiance and fidelity to the British Throne. And, in turn, Gurkhas have been rewarded with due deference. Gurkha soldiers have been honoured with Britain’s highest service honours. The honours include 13 Victoria Crosses, more than any other single troop in the world, and a legion of other important military awards.

Lieutenant, Kamal Rai (Ex-serviceman)

Lt Kamal Rai had his own secret dreams like anybody, his age when he was young. He wanted to travel to new places and most importantly, fly on an aeroplane. He was born to a middle class family in Ilam, a small hilly town in eastern Nepal. When the “Galla” came searching for young and eligible lads for recruitment in the British Army, Rai was only too eager. “I’d never before boarded an airplane and never been to Kathmandu. However, during my service in the British Army I traveled and stayed in many countries — Germany, France, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Macao…”, he says, savoring every cherished moments of his service.

After his retirement, back in Nepal he has opened a Mini Market that he has named “Gurkha Mini Market”. “The name is intended to keep those days of active service alive,” he says. His house stands in the neighbourhood of other British Gurkhas, most of them his colleagues. That gives him the occasional opportunity to resurrect the vibrant good old days in the British Army.

Rai retired from service in the year 2000. Owing to the new provisions he’s entitled to indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. But, he has double thoughts about accepting it. He wants to stay back in his own country. But, what if his family’s and children’s security and well-being are at stake? Would he still persist to retain his Nepali citizenship?

Rai tells his children, “There are thousands of men and women that you’d find more pleasing to look at than your own father and mother. But can one of them replace your father and mother?” But the children too seem to be at a loss of conjuring the ideal answer.

“I’d never want to relinquish my Nepali citizenship and I wonder if my children would, either. But I still want my children to have good education, which definitely is not possible in the country, with schools being shut down, for petty political reasons, every other day.

However, once they complete their studies I want them to settle down back in their own country. It would be unfortunate for their father and their country if they don’t,” he asserts.

Major Bala Singh Gurung (Member of the British Empire) During his thirty odd years of service in the Army, Major Bala singh Gurung received the honorary title as the “Member of the British Empire”.

Now, after his retirement he has settled in downtown Kathmandu with his family. “I’ve stayed outside my country for over thirty years. Now I’m no more interested to stay away from my friends and relatives”, he says. Most of Bala’s colleagues have settled down in the United Kingdom with their children and family. “ Nobody wants to stay away from their country but at the same time, nobody would want to keep their family’s security and their children’s future at stake. If it the situation in the country were to improve, I wouldn’t let my children go away. But, I’m sending them so that they can get better education and have a secure future,” he says ruefully.

“After all, it’s not easy to adjust in an absolutely new environment. Making one accustomed to new ways of living takes generations. And the saddest part of it all, it’s not easy to sever every connections with the place that you dearly love, all at once.”

Khadga Pd Thapa, Rifleman (Ex-serviceman) Soon after completing matriculation in Hong Kong where his father was stationed Khadga Pd Thapa followed his family tradition and joined the British Army in 1986. “It was the tradition in my family and I myself was keen to be one of those gallant Gurkha Soldiers.”

However, Khadka’s service in the British Army was rather of a short duration. He works as a civilian clerk at the British camp, like many others who’ve retired from active military service. Would he want to be a British citizen? He has a different story, though. He is not entitled to an ILE/ ILR. He says, “I’ve never yearned to be a British citizen and be away outside my own country.”

With scenes changing dramatically, it wouldn’t take the rest of the Lahorés, to think the same way. With the deteriorating security situation making it impossible for them to venture into any worthy business undertaking, with the schools being forced to shut down every now and then and abounding insurgency, the possibility that they soon have to look for better options cannot be ignored, unless, the government waves a magic wand to prevent the burgeoning of the diaspora.