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Nepal's ex-Gurkhas cheer British settlement rights
1 hour ago

KATHMANDU (AFP) — Retired British Gurkha soldiers in Nepal on Friday hailed as "historic" a British announcement that the veterans can settle in Britain.

The British government said on Thursday all of the Nepalese fighters who retired before 1997 and had served at least four years with the British army could now apply for residency.

"This is a historic achievement for all Gurkhas," Jit Bahadur Rai, treasurer of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen?s Organisation, told AFP.

Gurkhas who retired after 1997 -- when their base was moved from Hong Kong following the territory's return to China -- already had the right to settle in Britain and more than 6,000 have done so.

But a vigorous lobbying campaign led by British actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, had demanded that all 36,000 of the Nepalese who served with the British army before 1997 also be eligible.

"The new decision has made us proud. The British government has finally given us respect," said Rai.

The British government was forced to change its stance after being defeated on the issue in a parliamentary vote last month.

"We'd been fighting for our rights for the last 15 years and our dreams have become true. It took us a long time to get to this point but we're very happy," said Rai.

Til Bahadur Gurung, 65, one of the former Gurkha soldiers who has been waiting for years to go to Britain, said he welcomed the announcement.

"My visa application was rejected three times by the British embassy in Kathmandu which said I didn't have strong ties with Britain," said Gurung, who served for nine years in the British army as a rifleman.

"Finally we've won the battle for our rights. I feel like this is a tribute to the courage, loyalty and sacrifice I made while serving in the British army," Gurung said.

"I will begin the legal procedures to get a British visa soon," he said.

"We were never against the British government. We were just fighting against the unjust and discriminatory practice in the British army," he added.

Quite right Jim,

We (the Brits) used to think they were good enough to die for Britain and their bravery is legend (13 Victoria Crosses awarded) but not good enough to settle permanently.

This is a wrong that has now been righted !.

I signed and supported this campaign from day one and will admit to having a tear in my eye when they won yesterday.
And they are a hardworking and honest people and won't be milking the Social Security Benifits system like some others who arrive here.
Much better to have people who make the untimate sacrifice and put their life on the line defending our country, and I would rather see them here as people who constantly decry our troops as murderers.
After all the biggest killers and murderers of innocent Muslims are the Muslims themselves.

HiHi

Fully agree Antoni.

All credit to Joanna & the team that forced this, and I use the word loosly here, government, to understand that even in their purile world there are some that remember and feel honourbound to acknowledge the Gurkhas loyalty over 200 yrs.

On a lighter note, having been wearing my GurkhaJustice sweatshirt solid for the last 2 months, I'll now give it a treat and put it in for a well deserved Wash!

All the Best
Peter

I have always been intrigued by the Gurkhas, ever since I read about them in a Kipling book. Good for them.

The government must have advanced some arguments against letting them come to Britain -- anyone know what those arguments were?

Lowlander Wrote:I signed and supported this campaign from day one and will admit to having a tear in my eye when they won yesterday.
And they are a hardworking and honest people and won't be milking the Social Security Benifits system like some others who arrive here.
Much better to have people who make the untimate sacrifice and put their life on the line defending our country, and I would rather see them here as people who constantly decry our troops as murderers.
After all the biggest killers and murderers of innocent Muslims are the Muslims themselves.

Well said that man...I agree 100% what you say here.

I've always wondered about the "justice" of how those not of the group are treated by those they support that are of the group... Even when they cover themselves with distinction and support the group with a dedication and loyalty which few can match... Does that not earn them some consideration?

Gurkhas were a loyal member of the Empire, but not worthy of any special treatment by the Crown... Too often, those that are worthy are bybassed for political expediency...

I look at US History and the Indian Scouts that supported the US Army, but were treated the same as the hostiles by most... One group I always thought that received a raw deal were the Apache Scouts... Helpful in subduing their kinsmen, but in the end it reaped them no benefit... except to be put on the same rail car as their foes to destinations such as Florida and Oklahoma...

Today, an immigrant to the US can become a citizen in 5 years.... but if they served in the Armed Forces... they can cut that time down considerably... I serve with one individual from Nigeria that became a US Citizen while in Iraq this year... I met him while on Staff Duty... He was my runner... While on 24 hour duty, I had a great conversation with him and learned his story...

I am currently helping an Iraqi with his paperwork to emigrate to the US... and he plans to enlist... and eventually become an American...

One of our other Iraqis recently emigrated... and has more than earned his opportunity to become a US Citizen IMHO... For many years he supported the US Army in Iraq... then in 2005, he was almost decapitated by an IED while on patrol... the scar is quite visible...

Those Iraqis I've come into contact with fasinate me with their strength of character and their dedication... A few months ago, I was talking to an American of Iraqi origin... We were discussing the first Gulf War... and he chimed in that he had served... then added in Saddam's Army... captured by US forces... he eventually moved to Europe, then the US to become a US Citizen...

I meet some interesting characters with unusual stories... When I slow down to listen (it is difficult to do when you are as busy as I've been, but it is really worth the effort), I'm amazed at some of the stories of the people around me...

Well, enough of my rambling...

Jim vK

Good afternoon

Interesting and emblematic story…

And what to say about many “Indigenes” soldiers who fought bravely for France during WW2 such Algerians, Moroccans and Senegalese “Tirailleurs”, involved in all battlefields (North Africa, Italy, France etc.) for France ?

Yes it seems, as someone said, that they were viewed as good enough to die for us, but not good enough to get the same rights as us…. Most of the French veterans were allocated with a pension for retirement, contrary as for all “Indigenes” veterans who were allocated very few in comparison or … nothing!
Yes the Justice can be on a “variable geometry” so does the “collective memory”.
As I know, the actual French govt is on the way to solve this shameful situation at last. Very honourable behaviour indeed… Since less than 10% are still alive…

+++

Joanna for MP Antoni must be better than those thieving b****** in power now.Yep a disgarace ill fight for Britain all my life like to retire here stuff you mate back to Nepal.She's done those BRAVE and LOYAL men proud good on her for making the goverment do a u-turn.She ever becomes an MP ill support her at least she fights for the good of the poeple.