How can we repay the debt to the Gurkhas?
The Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years. These are the fearsome Nepalese fighters whose motto is “Better to die than to be a coward”. Without exaggeration one can say that if Great Britain is a free country today, some if not substantial, credit goes to the sacrifices and blood of these famous soldiers. The potential of these warriors was first realised by the British (the East India Company) at the height of their empire building in the 19th century. The Victorians identified them as a “martial race”, perceiving in them particularly masculine qualities of toughness.
After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a peace deal in 1815 which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy. Following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain meant four Gurkha regiments from the Indian Army were transferred to the British Army, eventually becoming the Gurkha Brigade. Since then, the Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses. More than 200,000 fought in the 2 World Wars and 43,000 Gurkhas lost their lives. Proportionately the Gurkhas paid with their lives more than the British, American, or Australian soldiers. This illustrates the valour, determination and devotion of the Gurkhas. In the past 50 years the Gurkhas have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo and then in Iraq and Afghanistan. They serve in a variety of roles, mainly in the infantry (no one can compete with the Gurkhas in the close quarter battle) and there are significant numbers of Gurkhas in the Engineers, Logisticians and Signals Specialists. The name 'Gurkhas' comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded. Their ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups, the Gurungs and Magars from Central Nepal, the Rais and Limbus from the East, who live in villages of impoverished hill farmers.
Gurkhas' numbers have been sharply reduced from a World War 2 peak of 112,000 men and stands at about 3,500 now. Up until recently the Gurkhas had to fight a long battle with the British government for their pension rights. In 2009, all retired Gurkhas won the right to live in the UK, following a high profile campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley whose father served with the 6th Gurkha rifles. Gurkhas were most helpful for the British in 1817 for the Pindaree war, the battle at Bhurtpore in 1826, the First Sikh War in 1846, and Second Sikh War of 1848 when six regiments of the Nepalese army were offered to the East India Company. In what is commonly called the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58 (which Indians call the First War of Independence) the 2nd Gurkhas showed striking proof of their loyalty in Delhi with 327 casualties out of a total strength of 490 was their contribution. It is also important to recollect that during that fateful year a force of 8,000 men (twelve Nepalese army regiments) under the personal leadership of the Prime Minister of Nepal took part in the Final Relief of Lucknow.
Such a loyalty, such a sacrifice has been the Gurkhas contribution to the Great Britain of today. How much has the debt been repaid by the British? It is no exaggeration that in several battlefields the Gurkhas turned the tables for Britain and the allied armies during World War 2. This has been well illustrated in 'The War in Europe' by General Dwight Eisenhower. With the shrinking of British Army personnel, we will always need the Gurkhas, small in numbers, giants in valour. Nepal has undergone enormous death and destruction in the recent earthquake. Britain has contributed but a lot more is needed. The 6th richest nation (ie UK) can contribute a substantial amount to build infrastructure and suitable housing in that unearthquake prone country. This could be a permanent and honourable repayment to the thousands and thousands of Gurkhas who have paid with their lives. The Royal Family and the ordinary British men and women have always held Gurkhas in very high esteem. Can the people in power create a vision to rebuild Nepal or at least some parts of it where the Gurkhas hail from, as a permanent legacy of gratitude and comradeship?
Fight against terrorists deserve all party support
India has been a victim of terrorism for a long time. The only effective way to fight terrorism is concerted action by the Central and state governments. There is equal need for the political consensus and also the need to enlist the support of the neighbouring countries in fight against the menace. All political parties should support the government in its fight against the misguided elements. Recently, militants ambushed an army convoy and killed 18 of its occupants in Manipur's Chandel district in what is being described as the worst casualties the Army has suffered in recent years. In another case of defiance, separatists in Kashmir hoisted the flags of dreaded terror group ISIS along with those of Pakistan at two place in the state during protests over the killing of a separatist activist by unknown gunmen. Hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests against the killing of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activist Altaf Sheikh by unidentified gunmen. Only strong action by the authorities can restrain these men from indulging in anti-India activities.
In the first of its kind reaction, the Modi government has asked the army to launch counter-insurgency operations to trace and eliminate the militants involved in the Manipur attack. Central security agencies have said they suspect a mixed group of militants from the Naga group NSCN (K) and the United National Liberation Front of Manipur, or UNLF, is behind the attack. In retaliation and the first of its kind cross border operation, special forces of the army, in coordination with the Air Force, carried out a surgical strike possibly inside Myanmar, killing nearly 20 insurgents of the groups that are believed to be responsible for the deadly ambush in Manipur. The operation was guided by specific and precise intelligence input as elite commandos of the army went a few km (possibly) inside Myanmar territory to destroy two camps of insurgents.
Commenting on the operation, MoS for Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardham Singh Rathore, a former colonel said, “We crossed over to the Myanmar territory. We have good relations with them and carried out the strike.” Major General Ranbir Singh, Additional Director General Military Operations, said Army had been on ‘high alert’ after Manipur attack. In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary. Based on intelligence, we conducted operations to counter these planned assaults,” he said. The strike is described as ‘unprecedented and extremely bold’ by the government as Prime Minister Modi had ordered hot pursuit of militants into Myanmar. Sources said the strike was carried out inside Myanmar with the coordination of local authorities.
Instead of supporting the Army's strike against the militants in Myanmar, the Congress party has criticised the Union ministers for making “boastful and jingoistic” statements on the Army operation in Myanmar and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give them “mentoring and counselling”. The Congress spokesman’s refrain was that in matters of operations by Special forces and those concerning India’s neighbours, there should be sobriety and maturity in the statements and actions of Union ministers and others concerned.
The hot pursuit of militants by the government will be a strong reminder to India's neighbours, especially Pakistan, that India will not hesitate to take pre-emptive strike against the militants, in the interest of India's unity and integrity. It would be in the interest of Pakistan if they restrain the anti-India activities in their own country.
