Posted: 30 September 2004 1735 hrs
KATHMANDU : Veterans of and aspirants to the Gurkha brigade voiced gratitude at Britain's decision to grant citizenship to the mountain fighters, saying their way of life was under threat due to the turmoil in Nepal.
For Kumar Bahadur Gurung, an 18-year-old who survives on odd jobs in the capital Kathmandu, the British announcement fueled his hopes of entering the Gurkhas, who have been part of the British army for nearly two centuries.
"Joining the Gurkhas is like winning a million-rupee lottery," he said. "Now if I am selected, my family and I could one day settle in Britain and live comfortably."
Gurung last month fled his village of Chipledunga in western Nepal under threat by Maoist rebels, who have taken over much of the Himalayan kingdom in their eight-year campaign to overthrow the monarchy.
He said the Maoists had tried to recruit him and had warned young people not to join the "imperialist army" -- meaning either the Royal Nepal Army or the Gurkhas.
Gurung left behind two brothers, two sisters and his farmer parents, who gave him 500 rupees (seven dollars) for his journey to Kathmandu, where he has made inquiries with Gurkha veterans in hope of trying out.
"If I had the chance to be a Gurkha, I would be assured of an education, training and a salary that surpasses that of a government minister," he said.
Aspiring Gurkhas undergo a rigorous recruitment, with a less than five percent acceptance rate for the thousands of young men who try out each year. Gurkhas usually retire in their mid-30s.
The Gurkhas -- who traditionally carry 45-centimeter (18-inch) kukri knives -- have served in the British army since 1815 when they impressed officers with their valiant defence against British invasion.
Some 3,600 Gurkhas are now serving in Britain and overseas, but very few had been granted citizenship and they have long complained of unequal benefits compared with veterans of British nationality.
"In the 200-year history of the Gurkhas, most have preferred to settle in their home villages after retirement," said retired major Deepak Bahadur Gurung, who spent 30 years with the Gurkhas.
"But now the situation is different because of the Maoists. Gurkha veterans wonder how they can stay in Nepal," said Gurung, president of the Nepal ex-Army Association veterans group in Kathmandu.
He welcomed Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement on citizenship, but was concerned that only Gurkhas who were discharged after July 1, 1997 would be eligible.
"It's even more important for older Gurkhas to become citizens because they can no longer work. Their children could find jobs in Britain if their fathers were citizens," he said.
Krishna Kumar Rai, vice president of another veterans group, the Gurkha Ex-Army Servicemen's Organisation, echoed his views.
"Citizenship is not the most important thing. It's that people who served Britain should have job security afterwards," Rai said.
"We're disappointed some Gurkhas are being excluded. Why not give citizenship to a Gurkha who retired on June 30, 1997?" he asked.
"But even if just a few Gurkhas will be able to settle in Britain, we're very grateful to the British government for that."
Around 100 of the 400 Gurkhas already resident in Britain will be ineligible for citizenship because of the 1997 cutoff, according to Gurkha activists.
Gurkhas expect ample job opportunities in Britain as many have a background in work such as driving and mechanics and, unlike many immigrants, tend to speak English.
- AFP
KATHMANDU : Veterans of and aspirants to the Gurkha brigade voiced gratitude at Britain's decision to grant citizenship to the mountain fighters, saying their way of life was under threat due to the turmoil in Nepal.
For Kumar Bahadur Gurung, an 18-year-old who survives on odd jobs in the capital Kathmandu, the British announcement fueled his hopes of entering the Gurkhas, who have been part of the British army for nearly two centuries.
"Joining the Gurkhas is like winning a million-rupee lottery," he said. "Now if I am selected, my family and I could one day settle in Britain and live comfortably."
Gurung last month fled his village of Chipledunga in western Nepal under threat by Maoist rebels, who have taken over much of the Himalayan kingdom in their eight-year campaign to overthrow the monarchy.
He said the Maoists had tried to recruit him and had warned young people not to join the "imperialist army" -- meaning either the Royal Nepal Army or the Gurkhas.
Gurung left behind two brothers, two sisters and his farmer parents, who gave him 500 rupees (seven dollars) for his journey to Kathmandu, where he has made inquiries with Gurkha veterans in hope of trying out.
"If I had the chance to be a Gurkha, I would be assured of an education, training and a salary that surpasses that of a government minister," he said.
Aspiring Gurkhas undergo a rigorous recruitment, with a less than five percent acceptance rate for the thousands of young men who try out each year. Gurkhas usually retire in their mid-30s.
The Gurkhas -- who traditionally carry 45-centimeter (18-inch) kukri knives -- have served in the British army since 1815 when they impressed officers with their valiant defence against British invasion.
Some 3,600 Gurkhas are now serving in Britain and overseas, but very few had been granted citizenship and they have long complained of unequal benefits compared with veterans of British nationality.
"In the 200-year history of the Gurkhas, most have preferred to settle in their home villages after retirement," said retired major Deepak Bahadur Gurung, who spent 30 years with the Gurkhas.
"But now the situation is different because of the Maoists. Gurkha veterans wonder how they can stay in Nepal," said Gurung, president of the Nepal ex-Army Association veterans group in Kathmandu.
He welcomed Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement on citizenship, but was concerned that only Gurkhas who were discharged after July 1, 1997 would be eligible.
"It's even more important for older Gurkhas to become citizens because they can no longer work. Their children could find jobs in Britain if their fathers were citizens," he said.
Krishna Kumar Rai, vice president of another veterans group, the Gurkha Ex-Army Servicemen's Organisation, echoed his views.
"Citizenship is not the most important thing. It's that people who served Britain should have job security afterwards," Rai said.
"We're disappointed some Gurkhas are being excluded. Why not give citizenship to a Gurkha who retired on June 30, 1997?" he asked.
"But even if just a few Gurkhas will be able to settle in Britain, we're very grateful to the British government for that."
Around 100 of the 400 Gurkhas already resident in Britain will be ineligible for citizenship because of the 1997 cutoff, according to Gurkha activists.
Gurkhas expect ample job opportunities in Britain as many have a background in work such as driving and mechanics and, unlike many immigrants, tend to speak English.
- AFP
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