Through Collective Work with Concerned Locals, Gurkha/Nepalese Youths, Older Veterans Group and the Council, GRNC Makes Giant Strides Forward

(A report by GRNC PR Jib Belbase)

 

25 September 2011, Rushmoor  At a special meeting convened by the Greater Rushmoor Nepalese Community, and run by the Naya Yuva Gen. Sec. Rohit Gurung, the GRNC President Maj. (retd.) Tikendra Dal Dewan informed attendees about recent developments in community relations, outcome of the GRNC meeting with MP Gerald Howarth, and other ongoing relevant issues.

The most significant development of late has been the cancellation of protest called by a Facebook group in Aldershot Council Offices against the lack of funding from government to help the local resources cope with mass Nepalese settlement in Rushmoor. The GRNC President highlighted that this became possible after intense meetings, negotiations and explanations from the GRNC, Rushmoor Council Officer Julia Graham and the Facebook campaigners on Rushmoor’s pressing issues. At the meetings, Mr. James Allen (representing the facebook campaigners) had clarified that the planned protest was not against Nepalese per se. After the intense meetings, all parties had unequivocally agreed that Rushmoor’s issues were not the indigenous populations’ alone, but a combined issue affecting all in Rushmoor.

Furthermore, it was brought to light that when GRNC President asked MP Gerald Howarth (in the presence of GRNC PR Jib Belbase and BGWS PR Prakash Gurung) for explanations on why he had made comments comparing Gurkhas to asylum seekers, the MP had explained that he still had the utmost respect for Gurkhas, and would refute the remark through Eagle radio and the Sunday Telegraph soonest.   

At the well-represented, interactive event consisting of both the young and old in Rushmoor (youths represented by Naya Yuva Group, older veterans by the Madat Samuha) as well as various other Nepalese organisations and personnel, the GRNC President applauded Naya Yuva group for making great strides in community service and assured his team’s utmost support to the youths in Rushmoor at all times. The President also remarked that whilst some issues were ongoing, moving ahead with positive thoughts and pure hearts was the need of the day alongside combined efforts at bilateral exchange of social and cultural awareness –including on the differences e.g. diet, attire, cultural norms and values.

From the Naya Yuva group, Sheila Limbu (Naya Yuva President) expressed that more needs to be done to help address problems associated with youths. She also highlighted recent positive work and achievements by GRNC youths which were proof that the Nepalese also know how to give back to society. One such achievement was the fund-raising cycling event, through which Naya Yuva successfully raised over £2000, subsequently handed to the Mayor’s Charity.  Sheila also mentioned some pressures faced by Gurkha Nepalese youths e.g family pressures and sudden relocation-related adjustment difficulties for some, and expressed the Naya Yuva’s resolve to help their fellow youths get back on track. Various attendees had also taken the opportunity to partake in Question/Answer sessions at the interactive meeting, whilst the GRNC advisor Maj. (retd) Damar Ghale concluded the event, stating no matter how many caste-based organisations there were, we are all Nepalese first.  

 

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• Omendra Gurung 1 years 234 days ago
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  Good news, weldone Naya Yuba Group and the GRNC for excellent job.
  
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