Who do we blame, and starting when...?
I guess the answer lies in a conscientious, clear and committed reading of the story of the Gurkhas. The historic wrongs-and there are many-must be addressed, and where appropriate and possible, corrected.
Not all Gurkhas were-or are-heroes. It cannot be denied, however, while in service of the British Army, they were certainly treated as second-class soldiers, and their compensations similarly reduced, though the challenges they faced were no less than that of their British compatriots.
Recently, efforts have been taken to redress the situation. The present Gurkhas are a happy lot. But this improvement came about largely after long and concerted protests and legal actions from several 'grieved' ex-Gurkhas and organisations sympathetic to their cause. How wonderful and just would it have been if the British government could have claimed sole credit for this belated change of heart. But we all know it is not so.
And while we are taking the bilayetis to task, I would recommend looking into the history of our own country, and examine the 'treaties' that were made by then Nepali leaders. If the British took the services of the Gurkhas at a nominal price and for granted, I'm afraid we will discover that they were brigands and betrayers of our own who also readily sold their brethren while taking the glory and the gold for themselves. Looking at present naya Nepal, this policy is unchanged; history repeats and continues. Perhaps the Gurkhas were never a brave lot, just benighted and betrayed.
In all of this, Joanna Lumley's 'victory' need not be labelled 'hollow'. Though wonderfully blond, fair and rouge-lipped and terribly well meaning, she is but a bit player, and her cameo role a welcome distraction in the ever unfolding but never ending Gurkhas vs. Bilayetis drama.
Kunal Lama 13.02.2010/300
