There was a time not so long ago, when almost every news article on Gurkha Nepalese population in Rushmoor -including from media groups in Rushmoor itself- fanned the already wild sweeping generalisations made of Gurkhas, based on stereotypical representation of all migrants as state-spongers. 

As inter-communal relations (in terms of Gurkhas and some locals in Rushmoor) started turning hostile, older Gurkha couples became too afraid to venture out of their homes/rooms on their own. On the other hand, while some locals feared our youths (mainly when they congregated and walked about aimlessly in groups).

Things have yet to make a full U-turn, but much of the vitriol is subsiding, thanks to many brave people - including the youth group Naya Yuva, United Rushmoor group and the Rushmoor Gurkha Nepalese community- who broke barriers to reach out to 'the other side', in order to initiate open discussions and resolve matters positively, together. It was during the turbulent times too, that the facebook page 'We Love Our Gurkhas' was initiated by then Rushmoor Mayor Cllr Alex Crawford in direct retaliation to the other facebook page with outspoken members who were mostly against further Gurkha Nepalese migration in Rushmoor.

The new facebook page was a brave step from a prominent figure in the Council in reassuring Gurkhas at Rushmoor and elsewhere that Gurkhas' still had firm friends. Slowly yet steadily, the facebook page members grew in number. This week, it was highlighted in a positive light in the Rushmoor-based Star Courier newspaper article. 

Here's the cutting of the article in Cllr Alex Crawford's own blog, which he regularly updates with interesting news from Rushmoor/his involvement in various Rushmoor-based official and unofficial community-based activities. http://cralexcrawford.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/starcourier-gives-nepalese-a-front-page-boost/
 

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