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Gurkha hopes and dreams in Nepal Gurkha hopes and dreams in Nepal
(about 3 hours later)
By Alastair Leithead BBC Asia correspondent, in KathmanduBy Alastair Leithead BBC Asia correspondent, in Kathmandu
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Ex-Gurkha Gyanendra Rai has had his bid to move to the UK rejectedEx-Gurkha Gyanendra Rai has had his bid to move to the UK rejected
The framed picture of the Queen and the Union Flag hold pride of place on Gyanendra Rai's wall in the small one roomed flat he now rents in Kathmandu.The framed picture of the Queen and the Union Flag hold pride of place on Gyanendra Rai's wall in the small one roomed flat he now rents in Kathmandu.
He was a young Gurkha corporal during the Falklands War when his British army career came to an abrupt end, as a piece of shrapnel from an Argentine artillery shell lodged in his back.He was a young Gurkha corporal during the Falklands War when his British army career came to an abrupt end, as a piece of shrapnel from an Argentine artillery shell lodged in his back.
He still keeps the chunk of metal, about the size of a finger and wrapped in a small piece of paper, alongside his medals and a new addition - a newspaper cutting of Joanna Lumley raising the Gurkha kukri knife in triumph outside the High Court in London.He still keeps the chunk of metal, about the size of a finger and wrapped in a small piece of paper, alongside his medals and a new addition - a newspaper cutting of Joanna Lumley raising the Gurkha kukri knife in triumph outside the High Court in London.
What are seen as successes for Gurkha rights in court and in the House of Commons have had little impact on Gyanendra Rai's life so far. Just last week, he received a letter saying he would still not be allowed to move to the UK.What are seen as successes for Gurkha rights in court and in the House of Commons have had little impact on Gyanendra Rai's life so far. Just last week, he received a letter saying he would still not be allowed to move to the UK.
"I am really sad as I almost died for the British Empire," he said."I am really sad as I almost died for the British Empire," he said.
Life-changing experienceLife-changing experience
"I want to go to the UK first of all for treatment as I am in pain. The wound has healed but I have problems - I cannot walk far and have some paralysis in my leg. When I go to hospital in Nepal, I just get pain killers. All they give me is pain killers.""I want to go to the UK first of all for treatment as I am in pain. The wound has healed but I have problems - I cannot walk far and have some paralysis in my leg. When I go to hospital in Nepal, I just get pain killers. All they give me is pain killers."
"The first time I applied to go to the UK they refused, and now a second time again they have refused. So I am very, very sad.""The first time I applied to go to the UK they refused, and now a second time again they have refused. So I am very, very sad."
New guidelines are being prepared and it seems unlikely he would be passed over a third time - but he is concerned.New guidelines are being prepared and it seems unlikely he would be passed over a third time - but he is concerned.
For 150 years the mountain kingdom of Nepal has provided some of Britain's most fierce and respected soldiers.For 150 years the mountain kingdom of Nepal has provided some of Britain's most fierce and respected soldiers.
It is a desperately poor country and while a good average annual income is perhaps £300, the military says the starting salary for a British soldier straight out of basic training is £16,500.It is a desperately poor country and while a good average annual income is perhaps £300, the military says the starting salary for a British soldier straight out of basic training is £16,500.
Last year more than 17,200 young men between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 competed for just 230 spaces.Last year more than 17,200 young men between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 competed for just 230 spaces.
Being successful is a life-changing experience. Becoming a Gurkha soldier is a golden ticket out of poverty.Being successful is a life-changing experience. Becoming a Gurkha soldier is a golden ticket out of poverty.
Some teenage boys train hard in the hope of one day becoming a Gurkha.Some teenage boys train hard in the hope of one day becoming a Gurkha.
In a high-ceilinged gym in central Kathmandu around 30 boys run around the gym in a circle, their coach screaming commands to jump, crouch speed up and slow down.In a high-ceilinged gym in central Kathmandu around 30 boys run around the gym in a circle, their coach screaming commands to jump, crouch speed up and slow down.
It is an intensive workout of push ups, pull ups, sit ups and weight training - and this is just the basic preparation ahead of the Gurkha selection process which begins in Nepal every September.It is an intensive workout of push ups, pull ups, sit ups and weight training - and this is just the basic preparation ahead of the Gurkha selection process which begins in Nepal every September.
The pre-selection training is six days a week, covering both physical and academic demands.The pre-selection training is six days a week, covering both physical and academic demands.
It is expensive to join, but it is seen as a leg-up in the competition to join the Brigade of Gurkhas.It is expensive to join, but it is seen as a leg-up in the competition to join the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Those working hard in the gym have a clear idea why they want to join up: "Since my dad is a Gurkha, I also want to join the British army - that's my dream," said one of the hopeful recruits.Those working hard in the gym have a clear idea why they want to join up: "Since my dad is a Gurkha, I also want to join the British army - that's my dream," said one of the hopeful recruits.
"I will definitely be able to live in the UK once I have served in the British army and after that I would like to start a business to look after my mum and dad.""I will definitely be able to live in the UK once I have served in the British army and after that I would like to start a business to look after my mum and dad."
"There are not so many jobs and facilities here and in the UK army you get good salary, plus also you get respect in our own community," another young trainee added."There are not so many jobs and facilities here and in the UK army you get good salary, plus also you get respect in our own community," another young trainee added.
And another said: "If I was a UK soldier right now my future would be much better than the future I would have in Nepal right now, so I think that is the reason."And another said: "If I was a UK soldier right now my future would be much better than the future I would have in Nepal right now, so I think that is the reason."
RespectRespect
Krishna Kumar Pun owns the Bull's Gym in Kathmandu. He is a former Gurkha physical training instructor and has used what he learned during 15 years in the British forces to set up a successful business.Krishna Kumar Pun owns the Bull's Gym in Kathmandu. He is a former Gurkha physical training instructor and has used what he learned during 15 years in the British forces to set up a successful business.
Krishna Kumar Pun, a former Gurkha, now owns a gym in KathmanduKrishna Kumar Pun, a former Gurkha, now owns a gym in Kathmandu
Out of the 200 or so who join his training session he says on average 40 make it through selection.Out of the 200 or so who join his training session he says on average 40 make it through selection.
"The main incentive is money," he said. "They get better facilities in Britain and once they have joined the British army they can stay in the UK.""The main incentive is money," he said. "They get better facilities in Britain and once they have joined the British army they can stay in the UK."
More than half the men he joined up with in 1979 now live in Britain, but he has property and a successful life in Kathmandu. He is staying in Nepal, but his daughter is able to study in Britain because of his military service.More than half the men he joined up with in 1979 now live in Britain, but he has property and a successful life in Kathmandu. He is staying in Nepal, but his daughter is able to study in Britain because of his military service.
The British government says their pensions go a long way in Nepal, and with money spent on schools and hospitals the men are not forgotten, but Krishna Kumar Pun disagrees.The British government says their pensions go a long way in Nepal, and with money spent on schools and hospitals the men are not forgotten, but Krishna Kumar Pun disagrees.
"The pension you receive is just not enough. Everything is going up in price, but the pension stays the same. Schools are expensive, and so is health care, but in the UK it's all free.""The pension you receive is just not enough. Everything is going up in price, but the pension stays the same. Schools are expensive, and so is health care, but in the UK it's all free."
Chakra Prasad Limbu, 48, is another former Gurkha who is now battling to qualify for "indefinite leave to enter, or remain" in the UK.Chakra Prasad Limbu, 48, is another former Gurkha who is now battling to qualify for "indefinite leave to enter, or remain" in the UK.
Since he was made redundant a couple of years short of his 15 years of service he has been working illegally as a security guard in Iraq.Since he was made redundant a couple of years short of his 15 years of service he has been working illegally as a security guard in Iraq.
"We want to go to the UK because we served the country and being servants of the nation it is our right," he said."We want to go to the UK because we served the country and being servants of the nation it is our right," he said.
"We are not going there to beg, we are going there to work. Everyone around the world calls us hired soldiers - mercenaries - but if we get our rights, we will get respect.""We are not going there to beg, we are going there to work. Everyone around the world calls us hired soldiers - mercenaries - but if we get our rights, we will get respect."
He is also waiting to hear if the British government will reconsider, but is leaving nothing to chance. We met him at a Hindu temple saying prayers for his wish to be fulfilled.He is also waiting to hear if the British government will reconsider, but is leaving nothing to chance. We met him at a Hindu temple saying prayers for his wish to be fulfilled.