Manoj Adhikari

Last rites for thousands of Gurkhas who fought for the British during the First and the Second World Wars and other conflicts commenced in Syangja district Tuesday.

According to Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen´s Organization (GAESO), which organized the ceremony at Fedikhola VDC, around 60,000 Nepali Gurkhas died or went missing in several conflicts in which Britain was involved in over the past two centuries.

Thousands of family members, religious leaders from different communities along with others gathered at Fedikhola for the last rites which will last for three days.

According to GAESO, the function commemorates all the brave souls who were used by the British Empire as ´human shield´ during the Wars. “Respecting their deeds, the final rites will be offered to all the soldiers who came from various castes and ethnic groups. All soldier will receive their religious rites according to their own cultural and tradition,” said Padam Bahadur Gurung, President of GAESO.

As per the records, youths from 18 different ethnic groups had joined the British Gurkha Army. “Until now all the dead souls were not remembered in such a religious rite who had given their blood for the victory of a foreign nation in the past,” said Gurung.

There has been no authentic record that provides the total number of Gurkhas who died in the wars. GAESO had estimated the total number of deaths based on account of various nations and historical writings.

According to Gurung, the organization also plans to construct Gurkha obelisk, Gurkha memorial and Gurkha library in Fedikhola. The mass construction will be spread on 300 ropanis of land with a total estimated cost of around Rs 3 billion, informed Gurung.

Published on: 21 November 2012 | Republica