By Lila Seling Mabo.
Remembrance Day was held on Saturday, 9/11/2024 by the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11th November to recall the end of First World War hostilities and It ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month “of 1918.
Everyone was assembled at the Princes Garden & Surgery car park and marched from there to the Kulbir Thapa VC memorial statue accompanied by the band pipers.
The Act of Remembrance and speeches started at 10.50 am and exactly at 11.00 am two minutes of silence were observed. The Prayers were started by priest of the Hindu faith ( Pandit) Guru and Buddhist priest Lama Guru.
The wreath laying followed by invited guests, community leaders and GRNC president Mr. Man Gurung and members at the statue of Kulbir Thapa VC, the first Gurkha to receive the Victoria Cross out of 13 VC recipients, at the Aldershot Princess Gardens.
This statue was unveiled by the Gurkha Memorial Project (GMP) team from the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community on 26th September 2021.
This programme was coordinated by advisor Maj Ret’d. Khim Gauchan, assisted by Vice President Uttar Bahadur Gurung & Advisor Ret’d Capt Rajendraman Gurung.
It was a very beautiful Remembrance Service, and we were blessed by lovely weather for the occasion.
Invited guests were: Alex Baker MP (Aldershot & Farnborough), L. P. Sanwa Limbu MP ( Government of Nepal) the Mayor of Rushmore Borough Mara Makunura, County Councillor Alex Crawford, Armed Forces champion councillor Nadiya Martin, Deputy Council Leader Sophie Lem Porter, councillor Dhan Sarki, Garrison commander Graeme.
There were many leaders from the Nepali community NRNA UK, President Prem Gaha Magar, MAUK UHSB Chairman Mr Rishi Rana, Kirat Rai Yayokha Rushmore Mrs Dhurbasari Rai, Kirat Yakthung Chumlung UK Rushmoor branch Chairman Mr Than Kuman Nalbo, Intake 85 founder Chair Sher Bahadur Sunar, Ex-Gurkha Hunger Striker, Mr Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Gulmi Jilla Samaj UK EC member & GMP Trustee Ret’d.Capt.Tam Dhega, 1st Naumati baja Gulmi UK-Mr, Omprasad Thapa Kaucha Maddhat Samuha ( Nepalese help) Ret’d. Capt Birbahadur Thapa, British Gurkha Welfare Society Chairman.Ret’d. Maj.Tikendradal Dewan Jp.
In addition, the President of Gurkha AMA Samuha Aldershot Empire Hall Dhan Maya Gurung, President of BCC UK Harka Gurung , President of Shiva Cultural and Community Centre, Bikram BHATTARAI, Director of Empire Hall Narayan Giri, Director of Thakali Kitchen Keshar Gurung, Gurkha Major of QLGR Bhim Sirish Magar and Band Director Garry were invited. In total around 200 people attended, including guests.
