The Ordinary Special of the month!



Gurkhas:The untold story!

a. Introduction -Gurkhas are the soldiers from Nepal who have been serving in the British Army and Indian Army for many years to present days. They are mostly respected and also feared for their bravery and valor through out the worlds and has been an integral part of the British force for many years. The word, Gurkhas is derived from the place called Gorkha in western part of Nepal. However, it has been written this way, Gurkhas! from the beginning and remain this way until present days.
b. History -It all started in 1815 when India was under control of the British Raj. Troops were sent to north with the mission to capture and colonize the mountainous country called Nepal. That did not happen but the British officer who was in charge of the mission was so impressed that he extended the hand of friendship instead. Although some might argue that they were bribed. Whatever the case, it was the starting of the journey that lasted for nearly 200 years and still on today.
c. The Journey-After joining the British Raj in India, they also follow up the British empire as it grows to Burma, Malaysia, Borneo, Hong Kong and now back to in UK and always served their master well with full commitment and loyalty.
d. The war they have fought with/for British Throne -1st worlds war in Europe, 2nd worlds war in Burma/Borneo with Japanese, Falkland war in 1982, 1st and 2nd Gulf war in 1989 & 2003 and still serving in Iraq & Afghanistan now. On its long course of duty they also took active part in Malaysian unrest, HongKong riots & border protection from communism & cultural revolution from China in seventies/eighties, as UN peace/protection force in Serbia/Kosovo and many parts in Africa.
e. Casualties and valor- In all those wars & duty combined, they have lost more than 200,000 lives. The Victorian Cross, the highest medal for bravery & valor in British force and heroism, total of 26 in all were given to the Gurkhas soldiers, (also 3 more of PARAM VIR CHAKRA, the Indian version of VC) from Indian force were given to them, which roughly the same in equivalent.
f. Who are in the Gurkhas- Mostly Gurung, Magar, Pun and Thapa from western part of Nepal. And Rai & Limbu from eastern part of Nepal are the preferable caste of people who are mostly enlisted for the Gurkhas from the beginning to present days. However now days peoples from other caste of people are also enlisted in the Gurkahs these days, Nepal is still a country with multi caste and ethnicity today. The like of occupation or religion is pretty much already determined by the family and society you are born in, therefore, there is not much choices left for one to choose from in later days. You just follow the tradition and move on in life.
g. Numbers in one time- The numbers of Gurkhas serving in the Indian army are in ten of thousands. However in the British army, it has been always based on the need and requirement of the British forces alone. It was definitely in hundredths of thousands during 1st and 2nd worlds war time, ten of thousands in Malaysia and Borneo, up to 10 thousands when they were based in Hongkong. Now approx. 3-4 thousands Gurkhas are based in UK and Brunei altogether in active duties and these numbers are of course not included of theirs family and dependents. There is also few thousands Gurkhas serving in Singapore as Gurkhas Police Force.
h. Why they have to join the British Forces?- For outsider, there is no other reason than money! it's all about having a better life as else where in the world! and it can not any truer than that! Nepal is one of the poorest country in the worlds and it is the main source of foreign currency other than tourism. The direct affect it can put on the daily life of many people in Nepal is huge and the indirect influence on the economy is even more vital. However, for those people, it is definitely not all about money, it is far more than that. It is a 200 years long tradition, culture and way of life! nothing in this world can last that long for money alone!
g. Future of the Gurkhas -There is a rumor that the UK government is considering to stop recruiting the Gurkhas from Nepal, as they are accused of exploiting and treating badly to the Gurkhas for hundred of years. And there will not be also enough willing conscripts to join the army these days in Britain. The newly appointed Maoist government of Nepal also want to stop it for patriotism and self-pride reason, but almost all the young and able men are heading aboard and the money they sent home is the main reason their family have a good life in this recently conflicts torn country. Without this regular income many families will struggle for their daily life and in desperation, situation in society can turn very ugly and i am sure that the government of Nepal is also more than aware of this possibility! Therefore, keeping the 200 years long tradition as it is the best for all party, let the future decide it when the time is right.
i. Conclusion- Serving others than your own home country for few bucks with your own life might be the most pathetic job in the world and also sound absurd and stupid but in life not everyone is as lucky as you hope for and choice is the word you do not get there. If you have a choice, nobody will want to go to the strangers land leaving your home and family behind. You are born in a society or place and destined to follow and live with it. You have to do things the way it has shown you. It does not matter how the people see & think about it, when you are serving with your own life, nothing can go wrong! it will always be fine! This has always been the case for the Gurkhas! as nothing matter more than life in this world and nobody can argue about it.

Written & Posted by tim i gurung/27 jan 2009 in HK!