Signature campaign for 11 gorkha communities demanding tribal status

7:27 AM

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tribal news

Darjeeling 9 May 2016 The Bharatiya Gorkha Janjati Sangarsha Mahasangh, an umbrella organisation of 11 hill communities demanding tribal status, today announced it would organise a signature campaign in various parts of the country to garner support and to create pressure on the Centre.

The BGJSM’s demand is for according tribal status to the Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami and Yakha (Dewan) communities from the hills and the Dhimals from the plains of Siliguri. The organisation, which is affiliated to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, asserted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bagdogra and Birpara on April 7 to campaign for the state Assembly election, he had said the process for granting tribal status to the 11 communities had started.

Signature campaign for 11 gorkha communities demanding tribal status

Through the planned signature campaign, the Mahasangh wants not only to thank the prime minister for his assurance, but also to urge him to take concrete steps in facilitating the early grant of tribal status.

The GJM had initiated the demand for issuing granting tribal status to those communities that had been left out. Presently, the Bhutia, Sherpa, Yolmo, Lepcha and Tamang communities come under the tribal category. GJM leaders have also placed the demand in several bipartite and tripartite meetings as the matter also figures in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration agreement.

BGJSM president Kanchan Gurung said, “The signature campaign has actually started already from May 7 beginning from Lebong and the next day it was held in Mirik. We conducted the campaign today along Hill Cart Road in Darjeeling town. We are getting a good response from the people.”

The BGJSM maintained that the signature campaign was being undertaken solely after the announcement by the prime minister and refused to comment on a recent government circular that stated a committee has been formed to look into the demand. On April 2 this year, the Union tribal affairs ministry issued an order stating it had decided to constitute a committee which would be headed by Ashok Pal, joint secretary to the tribal affairs ministry, for examining and making recommendations on the issue of granting tribal status to the 11 communities in question.

“We do not want to comment on the formation of the committee as it is official work requiring due process. All we have to say is that no matter what, we should get tribal status. And we feel that through the signature campaign we want to tell the prime minister to grant it as soon as possible,” said Gurung, adding the list of signatures garnered would be sent to the prime minister on a regular basis.

The BGJSM also said that after the Assembly election results on May 19, they would hold a meeting with GJM chief Bimal Gurung to plan future programmes. They will also try to meet central ministers and the prime minister too if possible, to pursue the much sought-after demand.


(EOIC)

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"सानो सानो राज्य गठनको समर्थन गर्दैछौ र गोर्खाल्यन्डको मांगलाई पनि समर्थन गर्छौ" - श्री अरबिन्द केजरिवाल

11:48 AM

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nepali

दिनांक १८ फरवरी २०१६ बिहीवार को दिन गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको प्रतिनिधीहरुले दिल्लीका मुख्य मन्त्री श्रीमान अरबिन्द केजरिवालज्युलाई वहाँको बासस्थानमा भेटघाट गरे । उक्त भेटघाटमा गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको प्रतीनिधीहरुले मुख्य मन्त्रीलाई केही मांगहरुको बिन्ती पत्र सुम्पे । मुख्य मन्त्रीज्युले गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको बिन्ती पत्रलाई ध्यान पूर्वक पडी दिनु भयो साथै वहाँले चाडै यस बिषयमा समाधान गरी दिने बचन दिनु भयो। मुख्य मन्त्रीले यस बिषयमा सचीवालयलाई र बिशेष सचिवलाई पनि तुरन्त निर्देश दिनु भयो । वहाँले आफ्नो बिशेष सचीव सुश्री अस्वथी मुर्लीधरण सित नियमित रुपमा संपर्क गर्नु भन्नु भयो। मुख्य मन्त्रीज्युले दिल्ली सरकारको बिभिन्न बिभागहरुमा १५००० नोकरीहरु छन, गोर्खा दाजु भाई दिदी बहिनीहरुले पनि यसमा मौका पाउने छ भनेर बचन दिनु भयो र नोकरीको निम्ती नामहरु पठाइ दिने गोर्खा फाउनडेशनलाई जिम्मा लगाउनु भयो।

मुख्य मन्त्रीलाई छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्यान्डलाई समर्थन मांग गर्दा, वहाँले भन्नु भयो, हामी त पहिले देखीनै सानो सानो राज्य गठनको समर्थन गर्दैछौ र गोर्खाल्यन्डको मांगलाई पनि समर्थन गर्छौ भन्नु भयो।

आउँदो दिनमा सम्पन्न हुने सेमिनरमा वहाँको स्वंय सहभागी हुने बचन दिनु भयो अपितु वहाँ न आउन सके पार्टीबाट कोही बरिषठ साथी पठाउने बचन दिनु भयो । वहाँले चाडैनै दिल्लीमा गोर्खाहरुको निम्ती एउटा कमयुनिटी हल बनाइ दिनु हुने आशवाशन पनि दिनु भयो। दिल्ली बसेका सबै गोर्खाहरुको सुरक्षाको मांग गर्दा वहाँले भन्नु भयो गोर्खाहरुको सुरक्षा र मानमर्यदाको निम्ती हामी चिन्तित छौ र कुनै घट्ना व असुबिधा भए सिधै मुख्य मन्त्री वा बिशेष सचिव सित संपर्क गर्नु भन्नु भयो । हामी पुर्णरुपले सहयोग गर्ने आश्वासन दिनु भयो ।

Supporting the formation of smaller states we also support the demand for Gorkhaland - Arvind Kejriwal

प्रतिनिधि टोलिमा सघन मोक्तान, युधिषटिर शाह, लोप्सँग लामा, डा० बिनु सुन्दास, निरज छेत्री, डि० के० प्रधान, एन्ड्रु गुरुङ अनी श्रीमती रेबेका राई उपस्थित थिए । सबैले बारी-बारी आ-आफ्नो पक्ष मुख्य मन्त्रीसित राख्नु भयो ।

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Remembering Gorkhas on VIJAY‬ DIWAS

8:41 AM

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Gorkhas in India

On ‪‎VIJAY‬ DIWAS: We Remember and Salute Our Legends

To those who don't know about it, Vijay Diwas‬ is when 93000 Pakistani terrorists surrendered to 5000 Indian soldiers on ‪‎Dec16‬ 1971.

Amongst the various paltans that participated in the war for Bangladesh liberation, the ‪Gorkhas‬ have stood out  through their unparalleled bravery, sheer grit and determination, and won the platitude of laurels in not just India, but across the world.

Highlighting three major battles that the Gorkhas fought and won….

5/11 GR – BOGRA : THE BATTLE OF HILLI OR THE BATTLE OF BOGRA

Amongst the Gorkhas, the Fighting Fifth 5/11 GR won for themselves the Battle honour “BOGRA” for itself. In fact the battle honour Bogra and theater honour East Pakistan was bestowed to the 5th only.

In the Indo - Pakistani war of 1971 the 5th battalion was instrumental in liberating Bangladesh, In the operations of East Pakistan, the 5th had secured the Bogra town for 20 mountain division, in one of the most daring operations Lt Teja Bedi and his Gorkha troops had single-handedly captured the headquarters along with the Commanding Officer and RMO of the prestigious Baluch Regiment of East Pakistan.

The regimental flag of 52 Baluch Regiment is still HUNG UPSIDE DOWN in the officer’s mess of the 5th and is one of their prized possession.

4/5 GORKHAS: THE BATTLE FOUGHT WITH ONLY KHUKURIS

One great initial battle of the war fought at Atgram to break the outer crust of Pakistani defences in the East opposite Sylhet sector needs revisiting. The battalion tasked was 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) which went on to capture Gazipur and eventually single-handedly took the surrender of the Sylhet garrison.

Not before and not since has any battalion launched a full scale assault employing just the Khukuri and guile alone. After getting their orders, by 5am the fierce Khukuri assault had silenced Pakistani Maj Alvi’s Bravo Company. In the mopping up, nearly 45 bodies were found scattered around the main position.

The heroes of this silent battle were Rifleman Dil Bahadur Chhetri, whose Khukuri accounted for eight Pakistan soldiers, and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra; Rifleman Phas Bahadur Pun and 2nd Lieutenant Hawa Singh received posthumously, the Vir Chakra; and Captain Pravin Johry (posthumously) and Subedar Teerth Bahadur Gurung won the Sena Medal

[More details: http://bit.ly/1Rn8BJa]

4/5 GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE) - OPERATION OF SYLHET GORKHAS

The 4/5 Gorkhas were not to be left behind and were the 1st Indian troops to mount a Heliborne operations.

On a conservative estimate, the Heliborne Operation of Sylhet Gurkhas (4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)) made it possible for Indian Army and Mukhti Bahini to reach Dacca much earlier than planned; at least by 8 days.

On the 16th, when the surrender ceremony was going on at Dacca, Sylhet Gurkhas were celebrating with a toast, in honour of three fold success of the Battalion:

1. First Ever Successful Heliborne Operation of Indian Army, which tied the two brigades from the 7th to the 15th of December. 
2. Surrender of two Pakistani Brigades (202 and 313) on 15th December 1971. 
3. First major surrender to own forces in the Eastern Theatre. 
But the fourth larger toast, unknown to them at that time, was reserved for surrender at Dacca, which was thought unattainable.

For 'Early Dacca Surrender' was made possible by Sylhet Gurkhas tying down the Pakistani Meghna River Brigade (313), in addition to 202 Pak Infantry Brigade at Sylhet from the 7th to the 15th.

However, the degree of valour and contribution to the early creation of free Bangladesh, credit also goes to the men of the Sylhet Gurkhas, but not without a price. The cost of glory over the 27 days (20th November to 16th December) was not meagre.

Thirty one (4 Officers, 3 Junior Commissioned Officers, 7 Non-Commissioned Officers and 17 Riflemen) sacrificed their lives. Ironically one officer (Major Puri) and one Rifleman (Rifleman Kanta Bir Thapa) were injured during the 1965 War also, but this time they sacrificed their lives.

Another 122 (7 Officers, 2 Junior Commissioned Officers, 32 Non- Commissioned Officers and 81 Riflemen) were injured. A total of 153 casualties, including 11 Officers, constituted nearly 25 percent of the Battalion strength, out of which 55 were leaders at different levels (Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers); nearly 8 percent of the Battalion strength. This was the leadership and lead provided by Company, Platoon and Section Commanders.

Sylhet is the Battle Honour of The Sylhet Gorkhas and East Pakistan as Theatre Honour and nobody can deny that Heliborne Operations by Sylhet Gurkhas lead to early surrender at Dacca in December 1971.

[More details: http://bit.ly/1O7v4K2]

We SALUTE the bravery of our troops, and celebrate their great legacy.

While others may forget…. WE REMEMBER!!

Source : TheDC

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Truth Behind Politically non-Political Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh

2:51 PM

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society

Writes Upendra for The Darjeeling Chronicle

Established in 2001, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh had the potential to be a major force of change within in the Gorkhali society, while also becoming the platform for uniting Gorkhalis all over India under one umbrella organization.

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) logo

Sadly, their office bearers have jeopardized that pious agenda, perhaps due to their own political ambitions, so much so that today BGP is a name which is uttered with or followed by a cringe, amongst the political observers.

Here is the reason why

Since their inception, one of the major contributions of BGP to our community has been the erection of Shaheed Durga Malla’s statue on the grounds of our Parliament [Details: http://bit.ly/1MBENqh], thus cementing the Gorkhali contribution towards India’s freedom struggle forever. This was a major achievement of an organization which drew to it members from all over India. BGP branches opened up in Sikkim, Delhi, Assam, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, making it truly a national level platform for voicing issues relating to the Gorkhali community.

POLITICAL AMBITIONS
Perhaps that is what led to the BGP bosses harbouring political ambitions. Perhaps that is when the BGP bosses forgot that their’s was a non-Political organization.

BGP started off as a socio-political group that would highlight and voice the social and political concerns of Gorhalis in India.

When Gorkhaland andolan re-started in 2013 and GJM called for all the “political parties” to form a joint forum, BGP also joined as one of the “parties” constituting the Joint Forum, I guess that is when the downfall of BGP truly began.

In my opinion, BGP being a national level body of the Gorkhas had no business in involving itself with a “joint forum” which was meant to contain political parties. BGP I think should have remained over and above the “joint forum,” as that particular forum was formed to raise the Gorkhakand issue, which even though emotionally related to all the Gorkhas in India, BGP by its very mandate should not have confined itself to the issue of Gorkhaland alone. There are many issues across India that confronts the Gorkhalis, and Gorkhaland happens to be just one of the many such issues, hence BGP could have chosen to support Gorkhaland while remaining uninvolved in the “join forum” deliberations. But that didn’t happen.

The unsuccessful “joint forum” experiment failed miserably, when you have too many political interests clashing it was bound to fail, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of everyone involved. The outcome of “joint forum” was mistrust, doubt and suspicion against each other amongst Darjeeling’s political parties, and sadly that included BGP.

BGP after that stint stopped being a non-Political national level entity, people started to view them as another Political group in the fry.

JAN AAWAZ
Towards the end of 2013 Gorkhaland andolan, one of the well known leaders from BGP Mr. Munish Tamang along with senior journalist Mr. Joel Rai etc went on to form a group called Jan Aawaz, based out of Delhi. I am not very clean on the agenda or orientation of Jan Aawaz, but even they joined the cry for Gorkhaland from Delhi and along with BGP held a Dharna and Protest in Delhi in support of Gorkhaland statehood.

It was only when 2014 elections came around; that I realized that perhaps Jan Aawaz was meant to be the political arm of the BGP, as almost everyone involved with Jan Aawaz was also associated with BGP. Mr. Munish Tamang the leader of Jan Aawaz travelled extensively and had even addressed a Jan Aawaz rally in Darjeeling, prior to the 2014 MP Elections.

2014 MP ELECTIONS
In 2014 MP elections BGP extended support to Dr. Mahendra P Lama, that is when BGP openly transformed into a political entity [Details:http://bit.ly/1NDQz0o and http://bit.ly/1NiJjKg].

For a body claiming to represent the national interest of Gorkhalis in India, by deciding to support Dr. Lama openly BGP had gone on to antagonize the majority Gorkhas of Darjeeling who supported and continue to support GJM.

Anyone with any inclination towards politics understands that keeping a non-Political group out of the purview of electoral politics is one of the most important criterion for maintaining its neutrality. In supporting Dr. M P Lama the BGP leaders may have been doing the right thing, but it sounded the death knell for BGP as an organization.

Connecting political dots becomes is a dicey job as it becomes difficult to connect the interests and orientations of various groups that tend to emerge every once in a while. So when Jan Aawaz died a convenient death of sorts (no action) after the 2014 MP elections, I was more than convinced that it was another failed experiment on the part of some of the BGP leaders to head into politics.

Following the defeat of Dr. MP Lama voices of dissent were heard from within BGP rank and file against the political stand taken BGP central leadership and the decision to support Dr. Lama by Dr. Enos Das Pradhan.

Unhappy with the development Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Working President C P Giri and National Vice President Arun Upadhyay accused BGP Executive President Rev Dr. Enos Das Pradhan and a few central committee members of subverting the political neutrality of BGP [Details:http://bit.ly/1J2Gc2Y].

Cornered BGP claimed that the support was extended at a “personal capacity” and not on an organization basis. Which as the facts so, is untrue [Details: http://bit.ly/1NiJjKg].

BGP which started as a non-Political group had gone on to become a politically active group which was anti-GJM. I am not a fan of GJM myself, but for a non-Political group which “claims” to represent all the Gorkhas from India, to take such a hard stand against GJM was stupid. If integration of all the Gorkhalis is/was BGP’s actual ambition and aspiration, then there was no reason for them to cut off a major Gorkha group like GJM.

SUPPORT TO GNLF
The final nail in the coffin for BGP as far as I am concerned, came after Mr. Mann Ghising took charge of GNLF, following the death of late Subash Ghising. As GNLF was trying to regroup, BGP national spokesperson Mr. R Moktan stated that “BGP would provide “documentary support” to GNLF if it decides to pursue 6th Schedule status for the Darjeeling region” [Details: http://bit.ly/1JpzucW].

This again led to another round of outrage from BGP insiders, to which once again Dr. Enos Das Pradhan responded that it was Mr. R Moktan’s personal decision and not that of BGP [Details: http://bit.ly/1gVCZL8].

Do you see a pattern? I do

BGP leaders support a political group, and when pointed out they claim it was a “personal decision” as an excuse.

BGP which was once a ray of hope that could have gone on to become the strongest lobby group for the Gorkhalis in India, has today lost its direction, sense of purpose and apolitical nature.

YOUTHS SHOULD KNOW
I was forced to write this longish editorial as apparently BGP is trying to recruit new people into their fold and targeting the youths as potential recruiting base. I wouldn’t worry otherwise, but since 2016 elections are around the corner, I have every reason to suspect the timing of their current attempts. Our people, especially the youth have a right to know what has happened with BGP so far, so that they can make an informed decision.

I honestly think that, it is time to for people associated with BGP to realize that they cannot continue to do politics in the guise of a non-Political entity.

Stop pretending!! Is what I am trying to say... and if you guys cannot do that, please stop making trying to fool the people... come clean on your agendas, priorities and political leanings...

फेरी it was कुन्निकोसको “personal decision” चै न भन्नु होला पछि गएर

Is someone listening?

Originally posted here http://on.fb.me/1USt1cr

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Bharatia Gorkhas Towards Gorkhalism

3:21 PM

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Opinion

Anmol Mukhia, PhD Research Scholar, JNU,

Gorkhalism is a philosophy which belief in the method of structural change in the various Nepali speaking community in India and beyond. The main idea behind this philosophy is to unify them in the umbrellas of Gorkhas. This philosophy is well supported by the ideas of many prominent theories like post colonialism, post modernism and social constructivism etc. There have been the various movements in Indian history and abroad which address the question of Gorkhas identity and their demands. Some questions have been the ethical part of Gorkhas as self questioning. Such as- Who are the Gorkhas and why does it matters? What are the difference of Nepali and Gorkhali? Why Gorkhaland? These are the major questions of so called Gorkhali people living in the Himalayan foothills and distinctive areas of Darjeeling district who were known as Bharatia Gorkhas.

Gorkhalism

Addressing to each question there is a need for revisiting of history from theoretical understanding.
The terminology of ‘Gorkhalism’ was first coined by the Gorkha Youth and Students’ Association (GYASA) based on New Delhi, India, as “unity of all Gorkhas as Indian Gorkhas” but the ‘Bharatia Gorkhas’ has been used by the various political and non-political groups and parties of India. Gorkhalism is a way of life of the Gorkha community who have struggle in the past and have their same history. It goes to an extension when it comes to the question of identity of Bharat Gorkhas. Bharatia Gorkhas differs from the Gurkhas of Nepal because the former are the Indian citizens who have been the ‘sons of soils’ of India, and have been practising the Indian constitutional rights and duties. Although the Bharatia Gorkhas have been seen many times as the Gurkhas of Nepal but, nowhere in Indian histories Bharatia Gorkhas have been celebrating the Independence Day on December 21 (Independence Day of Nepal). Bharatia Gorkhas have been distinctively following the Independence Day on 15 August i.e., the Independence Day of India, from their heart, mind, and soul. Bharatia Gorkhas have not only been practising the Fundamental duties listed in the Art. 51A (Part IVA of the Indian Constitution) which is non-enforceable but also the various constitutional rights which gives by default the Bharatia Gorkhas rights with democratic values.

Theories like post colonialism not only shows how the third world societies were marginalised in international politics but has left the hangover effect of the terms of Bahadur, or ideas of marginalisation which has been influencing the Bharat Gorkhas till the date today. Post modernism theory shows that it was the power-knowledge nexus which has been genealogically influencing in the making of histories. This means there are histories of histories and there are essentialities of revisiting or rewriting the histories of Bharatia Gorkhas by deconstructing with textual strategies. However well accepted theories like social constructivism address that it is the ‘ideational factors’ (ideas, identity and ideologies) that plays an important role in formation of structures. Thus democratic rights are based on the theory that rights are not created by the state. Individuals are born with right. It is on this theory that the Indians before independence raised the slogan that “freedom is our birth right.” It is in this sense again that Prof. Laski asserts that the “state does not create rights, it only recognizes rights.”

Likewise on the question of who were the Gorkhas? The recognition of Bharatia Gorkhas is essential because it is the Bharatia Gorkha community who have been the essential part of strengthening the Indian community. Moreover, many are confused with the Nepali and Gorkhali, while the latter are the broader homogenous concepts which have inclusion of heterogeneous Nepali community. The similarities in the homogenous Bahratia Gorkhas are the common cultures, languages, and cause for the Gorkhaland. However there are various answer to the statehood demand of why Gorkhaland but the basic logic behind this demand is- Bharatia Gorkhas has been ill-treated in the socio-political and economic distribution by the West Bengal, there has been the question of identity crisis despite enjoying every day constitutional rights, and it the constitution rights of Art 3 of India constitution which gives the rights to demand for it peacefully.

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Who are Indian Gorkhas?

8:19 PM

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Indo-Nepal

Indian Gorkhas (Nepali: भारतीय गोर्खा) are Nepali speaking community mostly living all along the Himalayan belt and the North-East states of India. Gorkha is an umbrella term for numerous groups and tribes such as Chettri, Bahuns, Newars, Gurungs, Mangars, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Sunuwar, Thamis and others.The term ‘Gorkha’ in the Indian context is used to differentiate the INDIAN CITIZENS of Nepali ethnicity from the citizens of Nepal who prefer to be called ‘Nepalese.’ It is estimated that there are about 1,50,000,00 Gorkhas in India or Bharatiya Gorkhas.

Ethnically Indian Gorkhas are one (living in India or Nepal or any Diaspora) and our language is Nepali(8th Schedule& Nepal's Official Lingua Franca).But due to foreigner,nationality issue we Indians Nepali Speaking Population name ourselves as Indian Gorkha Tribe though we share same ethnicity. The Contradictory term is Nepalí; where Nepali refers to Citizen of Nepal and also people of Nepali Origin(general term who speak Nepali Language ).Main problem is our single term for Citizen ,Language and Ethnicity.Language doesn't matter much but term for Ethnicity and Citizens contradicts and many tries to distort knowingly or out of ignorance.

Contrary to perceptions that the Gorkhas are citizens of Nepal residing in India, Indian Gorkhas have lived for generations in India, the areas which they inhabited having been ceded to the British by regimes in parts of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim during the pre-independence days. 

The Gorkha community, which came with the land and culture, accepted India as their motherland and added to the country's rich diversity. Gorkhas played citizens' role in the Independence movement, with many of them being martyred during the years India fought to free itself from the colonial yoke.

Indian Gorkhas are citizens of India as per the Gazette notification of the Government of India on the issue of citizenship of the Gorkhas of India.However, the Indian Gorkhas are faced with a unique identity crisis with regard to their Indian citizenship because of the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) that permits "on a reciprocal basis, the nationals of one country in the territories of the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature".Thus, there are also many Nepalese citizens of Nepal living in India. The Indian Gorkhas are mistakenly identified as citizens of Nepal, which has led to several movements of the Indian Gorkhas, including the Gorkhaland movement, for a clear recognition of their Indian citizenship.


One of the many Gorkha heroes of the period is Shaheed Durga Malla, whose statue stands on the lawns of the Parliament House. Thousands fought in the ranks of the Azad Hind Fauz, while two Gorkha nationalists were participants in the Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi. An Indian Gorkha was a member of the Constituent Assembly. Post- Independence, many Gorkha soldiers have given their lives for the country in the wars that India has fought against foreign aggressors and in countering terrorism in different parts of the country.

The mother tongue of the Indian Gorkhas is Nepali, a language that is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution as a national language.

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RECALLING THE BLACK DAY FOR GORKHALAND APRIL 9

9:25 PM

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Gorkhas in India

"Ourtake: Justice should be in the form of Gorkhaland "

“April 9 is considered as the "Blackest Day" for all Gorkhaland supporters as it was in this day in 2008 that our ex servicemen were injured in a lathi charge by the police when conducting a peaceful rally for Gorkhaland. Till date now no proper action has been taken by the government on this matter. The GJM demands a high level enquiry in this incident. I would appeal to all ex servicemen to vote for the BJP so that we are able to convince the coming BJP Government for a high level enquiry in this matter. Today our Bharatiya Gorkha Bhutpurwa Sainik Morcha is organizing a rally from Darjeeling More to Milan More”—Bimal Gurung on Facebook.

April 9th "Blackest Day" for all Gorkhaland 

Gorkhas have been manning the border since India procured independence. The ex-servicemen who were charged up by the police on this very day, April 9 ofcourse was a sad day for the Gorkhas living in the country. Bimal Gurung has rightly demanded justice ahead of this poll season and rallied his ex-servicemen unit to the streets of Darjeeling. 

Though the demand comes ahead of the polls, many might be making a guess that the ploy is to grab voters in a bid to make sure that the BJP wins and GJM serves its promises. In such sense, again the GJM is using sentiments to win the seat. The hills have been acting on sentiments since years and are still lacking to prepare a roadmap to achieve statehood. 

Speaking on the justice to ex-servicemen on this very day the GJM is making a ploy to make people believe that ‘they’ are still sincere with the issue amidst doubts from the pro-Gorkhaland forces, those who are anti-GJM and not satisfied with the way GJM are handling things.

Results are a far story for the Darjeeling seat now because unlike in the past equation allows one to be unpredictable this time. But if S.S.Ahaluwalia wins the seat, the onus to deliver justice to these ex-servicemen lies with the BJP then. The GJM has a role to play definitely in the long run and the servicemen should not tolerate if the issue fades away after polls. The ex-servicemen unit of the GJM should be aware that April 9 incident cannot be used as just an issue to get votes. So the right justice for these ex-servicemen for their sacrifice should be nothing less than ‘Gorkhaland’.  

Vivek Ghatani - Editor Indian Gorkhas

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Controversy over Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Dr. Enos Das Pradhan declaring support to M.P. Lama

10:36 AM

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Mahendra P. Lama

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Working President C P Giri, accuses Rev Dr. Enos Das Pradhan of subverting BGP Constitution

Controversy has erupted over Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh executive President Rev Dr. Enos Das Pradhan declaring BGP's support in favour of Independent candidate from Darjeeling, Dr. M P Lama.

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh executive President Rev Dr. Enos Das Pradhan

Talking to the press BGP Working President Shri C P Giri said, "BGP is fundamentally a non-political organization and therein lies its mandate and its strength. Our Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh.... we are a pan-India organization for reason, we are not expected to indulge in politics... but Dr. Enos Das Pradhan and a few other executive members have udnermined that mandate and indulged in active politics."

Making further clarification, Mr. Giri said, "on March 9th, 2014 we all attended a meeting in Siliguri for deciding BGP policy, and we had not discussed anything about supporting Dr. Lama... However Rev Enos Das Pradhan called a press meet and declared BGP support for Dr. Lama... which he should not have done."

National Vice President Arun Upadhyay has also confirmed that BGP did not take any official decision to support Dr. Lama and clarified that what Dr. Enos Das Pradhan did was on his personal capacity and that he should not have dragged the BGP name in it.

Both Mr. Giri and Mr Upadhyay have accused Dr. Pradhan of his personal agenda clouding his judgement and impairing his ability to function as the President of a national level body.

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Himachal - Gorkha Sabha Bakloh in trouble

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northeast gorkhas

Bakloh was the soul of 4 GR and at present is in trouble. The Executive Committee of Gorkha Sabha Bakloh came to AIGEWA Dehradun for help. Lt Gen (Retd) Ram Pradhan, Lt Col (Retd) Vk Sharma and Col (Retd) MS Thakur, VP AIGEWA made joint efforts to draft a letter for Colonel 4 GR. Uploaded for general information.

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Gorkhas of Uttarakhand demand Linguistic Minority status

11:26 AM

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northeast gorkhas

A press conference was held between Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), Zone IV, Uttarakhand and representatives of other Gorkha societies to demand Linguistic minority status to Gorkhali/Nepali Language in Uttarakhand on 22-03-2014 at Hindi Bhawan, Dehradun.

Copy of press release

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Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh concerned over insecurity of North East Gorkhas

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northeast gorkhas

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has raised the issue of insecurity being felt constantly by the Gorkhas living in the North Eastern states. Speaking today at a press conference here, BGP national spokesperson R Moktan demanded the Centre and the governments of the NE states to ensure security of the Gorkhas residing in those areas.

He strongly condemned the recent incident in Karbi Anglong, at the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where seven houses of Gorkha families were torched by underground Naga extremists. The incident has created an environment of terror and insecurity among the Gorkha people living in the region, said Moktan.

“The BGP is very serious on the issue. We will form a high power committee that will visit the places and the victims. After gathering necessary details, a report will be prepared on the basis of which we will meet the prime minister, home minister and other concerned ministers of the NE states to bring the matter to their notice while also demanding necessary action.”

The BGP spokesperson also welcomed the Guwahati High Court’s verdict to scrap the ‘D’ voter status clause using which the Assam government disenfranchises suspected ‘foreigners’ living in the state. He said the high court’s ruling will bring about a profound change in the social and political lives of the Gorkha community in Assam. According to Moktan, the ‘D’ status was a ploy of the Assam government to dilute the citizenship of the Gorkhas and deprive them of voting rights.

“We welcome the verdict of the Guwahati High Court. This will eradicate the biased attitude towards Gorkha voters in Assam,” he asserted.

Source:EOI

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Gunu Gharti: The ‘Idol’ of Mizoram Gorkhas

10:53 PM

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northeast gorkhas

Mizoram based social activist and recipient of several national awards and the first recipient of International Award from amongst the Mizoram Gorkhas, Dr. Gunu Gharti may not need introduction among the Mizos.

Dr. Gunu Gharti

The minority Gorkhas living in Mizoram are united and bonded firmly under the umbrella of Mizoram Gorkha Youth Association (MGYA). Dr. Gharti has helped in cementing and promoting brotherhood among the Mizos and Gorkhalis and that he has made Mizoram proud through his contribution in music. He founded the ‘Bairagi Sangeet Parivaar’ on 26th July 1988. Since there was no one in Mizoram who has expertise in arranging Nepali music so in 1989, he took a team of singers comprising Ravi Tamang, Minu Tamang and Madan Pun for their first recording in Kathmandu. Many people enter the music world to make money but Dr. Gharti’s aim was that with music he would bring change in society. In the process, he made a lot of sacrifices and even had to sell his land in the pursuit of music.

Dr. VR Ralte, Director Universal Hindi Communications, Aizawl came to know about him and his missionary zeal for music in 2009. Dr. Ralte deemed him fit to be recognized and he was awarded ‘Excellent Music Achievement Award’ by the then Governor of Mizoram Lt. Gen. M. M. Lakhera. After getting this award, Dr. Gharti gained confidence and thought that he should do something for Mizoram – the land of his birth.

Dr. Gharti was Born on the 26th July 1958 at Durtlang, he is the youngest of six children of late Dal Bahadur and late Zo Maya. During the troubled years that followed 1966, his family lived for a couple of years in Assam, but later they returned to Mizoram. At present he and his family live in ‘King House’ at Thuampui.

Having limited economic means, he realized that he could not do something great and noble; this gave him many sleepless nights. Coming from a humble and modest background and despite not having much educational attainments, he, was from his childhood very interested in literature and social work. He has written four books and perhaps he is the only Nepali novelist person from Mizoram. He has also penned a number of compositions in Hindi. Besides being a composer, he is also a singer. He has released eight Nepali audio cassette albums; seven of them were released in Kathmandu and one in Aizawl.

He soon realised that his talent was God given. So, he set out to make the first ever Hindi music video album ‘Lovely Mizoram’ which would showcase Mizoram, its people and its natural beauty not only to the other parts of India but to the entire world.

Gharti said that he hoped that the album will help strengthen the relationship between the Mizos and the Gorkhalis besides bringing different communities closer. He further added that if these are accomplished the aim of making Lovely Mizoram would be fulfilled. Gharti showcased the natural beauty of Mizoram through his Hindi Music Video ‘Lovely Mizoram’, which was released by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on the September 5, 2012. ‘Lovely Mizoram’ album earned him the prestigious 22nd Lelte Award in the category “Best Hindi Music Video Album of the Year” on 19th April 2013, and he is the first Gorkha to receive Lelte Award.

On September 14, 2012, on the auspicious occasion of the 63rd National Hindi Day, the Mizo Hindi Zirlai Pawl (MHZP) & Rashtrabhasa Vidyarthi Sangh, Mizoram, awarded Gharti “Foremost Mizo-Gorkha Unity Devotee Award”.

Miseries and hardships in life hurts, but sometimes the tough people overcame it and they left exemplary footprints for others. Gharti is also one of such tough people struggling through all those miseries and hardships. But due to his untiring efforts and courage, some anthropologists came to know about him. Gharti’s biography ‘Anmol Ratna’ (Precious Pearl) has been published in three languages namely Nepali, Hindi and English. It is reported that publishing the biography of a Gorkha man in three languages is a world record.

Gharti is humble and gentle in nature, he always shows respect to others. In the meantime, he hates injustice and bad governance as he is fair and honest. He wants to have good governance and justice in the society. Even though he did not pursue higher education, no one could argue that he got a talent from God as hehad composed many songs that contributed a lot for better society. He has another major project ahead of him. He is now busy preparing Hindi Gospel Song Audio Album. He said he will donate the album to Masihi Sangati for the glory of God. “Just as a tree sheds its leaves to bring forth new buds, I hoped people will remember me for my contribution in music and literature,” he said.

Dr. Gunu Gharti came in the limelight after being recognised by YUVA MANCH (a Nepali magazine published from Siliguri) in 2010, Recognition by Rang Bhang Samawaya Sahitya Sadan, Darjeeling in 2010. He has received almost 30 awards from various quarters. The awards he received include Akhil Bhartiya Nepali Bhasha Samiti (28/8/1995), ‘Best Lyricist Award’ by Aizawl Gorkha Chess Club (6/2/1998), ‘Pioneer Award’ by Apek(Nepali literature magazine) Nepal Kathmandu (14/12/2009), Certificate of Appreciation by Mizoram Gorkha Youth Association (Central) on 22/8/2004 and again on 24/1/2010; ‘First Late Khem Shore Subha Memorial Award’, Darjeeling on 4/3/2012, the ‘Vishist Academy Award’ (Distinguished Academy Award) by Punjab Kala Sahitya Academy, Jalandhar on 25/11/2012. In the INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT, Bangkok, Thailand on 11th May 2013 organised by GLOBAL ACHIEVERS FOUNDATION (GAF), New Delhi, Dr. Gunu Gharti was honoured with the “Global Achievers Award for Social/Public Services”; he received the Certificate from the hands of His Excellency, Ambassador (Dr.) Anil Wadhwa, Ambassador of India, Kingdom of Thailand; and received the Trophy from the hands of Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Korn Dabbaransi. National Organisation VIKRAMSHEELA HINDI VIDYAPEETH, Bhagalpur, Bihar conferred two (2) Honourary Doctorate Degrees to Dr. Gharti namely Honourary Hindi Doctoral Degree ‘VIDYAVACHASPATI’ on the 14th December 2012, and Hindi Honourary Degree “VIDYA SAAGAR” (D.Litt.) on 13th December 2013 in the Convocation held at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh due to his “Remarkable Contributions to the Community and Society through Literature and Music”. The Delhi based ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH ON NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION & VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES (known as “ARNOVA”) honoured Dr. Gharti with “ARNOVA AWARD” on the 10th December 2013 at Gorkha Bhavan, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi. Dr. Gharti received this Award from the hands of Shree Manoj Shankar, President of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Darjeeling at the TALENT AWARD CELEBRATION. Dr. Gharti is the first Mizoram Gorkha who has been conferred Honourary Degree “VIDYA SAAGAR” (D.Litt.). Due to all these achievements, Dr. Gharti was honoured by ‘Thuampui Local Council’ (his locality) on the Silver Jubilee of BAIRAGI SANGEET PARIVAAR (founded by him) on the 26th July 2013. After the All India Radio, Aizawl Station broadcasted “An Interview with Dr. Gunu Gharti”, Exclusive Interview with him has been broadcasted from various Radio Stations and TV Channels like AIR Kurseong Darjeeling, BBC LONDON Nepali Service, Kanchanjungha FM Radio Birtamod Nepal, and TV NEPAL CHANNEL 1.

By James Ramdinmawia
Source: mizonews

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Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) to Support Dr. Mahendra P Lama in LS Polls 2014

10:08 AM

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Live News

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national president Dr. Enos Das Pradhan today announced the organisation’s decision to support Dr. Mahendra P Lama in the general election in keeping with the BGP’s strategy of supporting a local candidate.

BGP president Dr. Enos Pradhan at the press meet
in Kalimpong on Monday.

He said, “Lama is the only capable candidate from the hills. He is not a puppet in the hands of the state and central governments at least and we have decided to support his candidature.”

Talking to reporters today, Pradhan said the BGP’s policy determination committee recently met in Siliguri and held extensive discussions on the upcoming polls following which the leadership officially approved support to Dr. Lama.

The BGP chief also said, “Gorkhaland is not impossible. We need to unite and work together. We will form a platform in the national level after the elections to take the demand ahead,” while adding the GTA and even the Sixth Schedule status will never fulfill the long-sought aspiration of the Gorkhas.

Talking about the planned BGP national level platform, Pradhan said Sukman Moktan will be appointed its convener. Meanwhile, there has been a reshuffle in the policy determination committee and Bhupendra Adhikari has replaced Prabhakar Dewan as its general secretary, while R Moktan has become the national convener.

Further, Pradhan condemned purported attempts by certain forces to disintegrate the BGP and said members have also discussed ways to fight such divisive forces.

The BGP president also did not spare dramatist CK Shrestha and accused him of trying to divert the people’s attention by proposing a Gorkha National Satellite Council.

He claimed, “The Gorkha National Satellite Council is but a brainchild of the central government to suppress the Gorkhaland agitation. He (Shrestha) has been making false claims that the North-East people are supporting such a council.”

Source:EOI

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Enos Das Pradhan BGP President Condemns National Gorkha Council

8:04 PM

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Live News

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) condemns the formation of the National Gorkha Council an alternative to Gorkhaland proposed by CK Shrestha a noted intellectual and dramatist. Shrestha has come with an idea of National Gorkha Council a national organization to find an enduring solution to the identity problem of the Gorkha community.His statement had come up while addressing a function held in Guwahati by Gorkha Bharati Bichar Mancha.BGP President insisted only and only Gorkhaland would be an apt solution to the crisis , which on historical basis, dates back to more than 108 years.

Enos Das Pradhan BGP President 

Enos Das Pradhan National President at Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh came up with the Facebook update -

"Only separate state is the solution of all century old problems faced by the Gorkhas across the nation and the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh is committed to this cause and consistently leading this movement since 2006. When there is a need for all pro-separate state (Gorkhaland) groups to come under one platform the proposed formation of the national Gorkha Council as an alternative to the demand of Gorkhaland must be condemned from all quarters as this is an attempt by those anti-Gorkhaland forces engineered by the external sources to weaken the movement. The proposal has sent a wrong message accross the nation and I urge all Gorkha brethren in the Country to be careful of such divisive activities of such individuals."

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National Gorkha Council for Gorkha community - CK Shrestha

7:47 AM

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Live News

CK Shrestha a noted intellectual and dramatist has come with an idea of  National Gorkha Council a national organization to find an enduring solution to the identity problem of the Gorkha community. Addressing a function held in Guwahati by Gorkha Bharati Bichar Mancha yesterday, Shrestha shared his vision of forming of such an organisation.

Among other dignitaries present in the occasion were Assam’s Gorkha Development Council president Lekhnath Upadhayay, former minister PB Chauhan, Bharatia Gorkha Parisangh working president CP Giri, national vice president Arun Upadhayay and BB Chettri from Meghalaya.

Noted intellectual and dramatist CK Shrestha

Shrestha, who is also the founder of Gorkha Bharati Bichar Mancha, said Darjeeling centric Gorkhaland movements and their outcomes have frustrated the statehood aspirants and as such, a national council will be a best option in their general interest. Stating his analysis of Gorkhaland movements till date along with the unstable character of the regional and national parties and the stubborn notion of the state government towards the demand, he concluded it would be impractical to keep on carrying ahead the demand for Gorkhaland. 

Shrestha said even though he has no opposition to the pro-Gorkhaland parties and organizations, the initiative of forming National Gorkha Council is to ensure identity protection of Gorkhas all across the country.

Shrestha’s proposal was unanimously welcomed by the people present at the function. Dignitaries who came to represent Gorkha people from the Norrth Eastern states accepted the proposal and suggested to begin the activities soon. 

Source - EOI

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Pratiman Singh Lama unsung Indian ‪Gorkha Freedom Fighter

4:32 PM

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History

Pratiman Singh Lama 1890-1944.was an Indian ‪‎Gorkha‬ who was not only a freedom fighter but also a linguist, writer author and a private correspondent of English daily Amrita Bazar patrika. He wrote many books, articles, political thoughts, etc.We have very limited information about him, however, if anyone could throw some light on this yet another unsung Indian ‪Gorkha Freedom Fighter kindly click here and write to us. 

Pratiman Singh Lama 1890-1944

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Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Letter to Home Minister for Gorkhaland

8:51 PM

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Gorkhas in India

Text of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Letter to the Home Minister for Gorkhaland are as follows:

New Delhi, February 20, 2014

Hon’ble Mr Sushilkumar Shinde
Home Minister of India
New Delhi

“After Telangana, democracy demands creation of Gorkhaland state”

Respected Sir,

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, the representative pan-India body of Indian Gorkhas, congratulates you on having got the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013, passed by the Lok Sabha toward creation of the state of Telangana despite the lack of unanimity in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly on the matter. The people of Telangana have aspired long to have a state of their own and you have bravely taken the steps, in spite of numerous political hurdles, to see that their dream is now fulfilled. In this, we see the true spirit of democracy at work.

The Gorkhas of India too have been petitioning the government in Delhi since 1907 for an administrative set up outside of West Bengal, with whom there is no commonality in terms of ethnicity, language, culture and history. But more than all these, it is the intense desire of the patriotic Gorkhas not to be misidentified as foreigners and settlers from a neighbouring country that underlines their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. 

The government has sidelined the demand for the creation of a state under Article 3 of the Constitution by setting up ineffective and misconceived agencies like the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, all of which have failed to satisfy the Gorkha people, and, in fact, which have only strengthened the feeling among the community, resident across the length and breadth of India, that the Central Government does not regard their aspirations as of any consequence.

Now that the United Progressive Alliance Government has seen it as democratically justifiable to heed the expectations of one group of citizens in Telangana region, it must also mete out equal justice to another group of citizens. We firmly urge you to accept the validity of the demand for a new state of Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling and Dooars region of West Bengal because it is voiced not just by the people of Darjeeling, but by Gorkha citizens from every part of India. In the spirit of justice, equality and democracy, please takes steps forthwith to legislate on the state of Gorkhaland in Parliament. 

Faithfully yours,
Munish Tamang
General Secretary, Central Program Cell,
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh


Source : The Darjeeling Chronicle

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Four Indian Gorkhas who represented India in London Olympic 2012

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sports

Four Indian Gorkhas represented India in Olympic 2012 which took place in London (UK) which started from 27 July 2012. This was the proud moment for Indian Gorkha community.

London Olympic 2012 

Bharat Chettri

Bharat Chettri is the Captain of the Indian national hockey team. He was born in 1982 at Darjeeling. He is the goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team. He was first appointed the captain of the Indian national team in October 2011 for the four-nation Super Series and an international tournament in Australia. He was the captain of the 18-member Indian squad at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, which won the bronze medal. Bharat Chhetri will lead the 16-member Indian hockey squad in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Tarundeep Ra

Tarundeep Rai is an Indian archer. Tarundeep is a recipient of the Arjuna Award in the year 2005. Tarundeep Rai became the first Indian to win an individual mens silver medal in archery at the Asian Games on 24 November 2010 in China. Tarundeep was a part of the Indian archery team won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championship in Madrid (Spain).

Shiva Thapa

Shiva Thapa is an Indian boxer from Guwahati, Assam. Shiva Thapa is the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the for 2012 London Olympics. His date of birth is 8 December 1993. In 2012 Asian Olympic Qualifiers held in Astana (Kazakhstan) he defeated Syria’s Wessam Salamana to clinch the gold medal and qualified for 2012 London Olympics in 56 kgs category.

Basanta Bahadur Rana

Basanta Bahadur Rana is an Indian athlete. He has qualified in 50 Kilometers Race Walk event in London Olympics 2012. He is the first athlete to represent India in 50 Kilometers Race Walk event. He was born on 18 January 1984 in a town near Kathmandu, Nepal. He joined the Indian army in 2002 and currently serving the Gorkha Regiment of Indian army.





Source:himlalpun.net

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