Gorkha youth icons felicitated in “Bharatiya Gorkha Youth Meet” in Mumbai

5:29 PM

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Gorkhas in mumbai

Seetam Thakur

Mumbai 25th Sept 2016: The Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh (BGES), the frontal Gorkha organization of Indian Gorkha’s based in Mumbai jointly with its youth wing “Bharatiya Gorkha Youth Forum” (BGYF) organized a “Bharatiya Gorkha Youth Meet” on 25th Sept 2016 at Country Club Kandivali West, Mumbai.

The program was presided by Mr Dhurva Pradhan, Chairman BGES.
The meet was also attended by distinguished Gorkha youth icons:
1. Mr Adrian Pradhan (renowned singer)
2. Mr Bipin Dahal (Indian Navy “son of Gorkha who floated 12 hrs in Arabian Sea, in extreme weather conduction to rescue fisherman with his sole aim to protect his countryman)
3. Ms. Sasha Chettri (Airtel 4G icon)
4. Pratima Rasaily (Actress)
5. Mr Norden Sherpa (Fashion choreographer)
6. Mr Bobby Shah (Fashion Photographer)

The program started with felicitation of youth icons followed by some melodious Nepali Songs.

During the latter part of the program, BGYF organized an open house brainstorming session where in youths expressed their opinion on current sociocultural, socioeconomic standings of Gorkha community in Mumbai, the youths also felt the strong need of a youth task force to spearhead the noble community cause in a more organized manner.

The meet culminated with formation of 22 members youth task force and thereby declaring 25th Sept as BGYF foundation day.

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Gorkha community plans to re-establish their identity

9:49 PM

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Indo-Nepal

Melting pot: How Gorkha community in the city plans to re-establish their identity

Writes Sadaf Modak 

The Gorkha population, residing in various northern and north-eastern states, has also settled in Mumbai for over five decades.

FOR THE Gorkha community in Mumbai, a recent portrayal of its members as watchmen in an e-commerce website advertisement was a reminder of how often their identity is reduced to a ‘caricature’.

“Due to our physical appearance, Gorkhas are easily identified and misconceived to be from the neighbouring country of Nepal. There is a misconception that all are Nepali citizens who have migrated to India. Many are Indians but are made to feel like foreigners due to lack of knowledge,” said Dhruva Pradhan, chairman of the Bhartiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh in Mumbai.

He says not many are aware that a Treaty of Sugauli was signed between the East India Company and the King of Nepal in 1815-16, which had led to one-third of Nepalese-controlled territory to be given to the British, and which continues to remain part of Indian territory.

Hamro Parichai - A Gorkha Cultural Show

The Gorkha population, residing in various northern and north-eastern states, has also settled in Mumbai for over five decades. The Ekta Sangh was formed as a socio-cultural welfare organisation in 2002 with an approximate number of over a lakh Gorkhas who currently live in Mumbai.

Rohit Pradhan, the secretary of the Ekta Sangh, says that on the streets of the city, Gorkhas are often asked if they are from Nepal. “This could be due to ignorance or lack of geographical knowledge. But, when it is done by established entities in popular culture like the recent advertisement, it seems like a deliberate attempt,” he said. The members are now in the process of preparing a blueprint to be distributed to television, film and advertisement production houses, political parties and government organisations elaborating on the history of the community in India and its contribution to various fields including the economy, sports and the defence of the country.

The members also organise annual cultural programmes and celebration of Dashain (Dussehra) and Tihar (Diwali) in the city to ensure that the younger generation does not lose touch with their culture.

Another issue that the community faces is the lack of a shelter for members coming from other states to the city for medical care.

“When I first came to the city in 1989, I did not know anyone from the community. Many Gorkhas from Darjeeling would come to the city to Tata Memorial Hospital for cancer treatment. They would have nowhere to stay. Some states have their own bhavans like Assam Bhavan, Meghalaya Bhavan, where first timers coming to the city for medical care, education, employment can stay. No such facility exists for Gorkhas,” Dhruva said.

He said that for a year now the community has set up a centre in Kurla for cancer patients coming to the city for treatment but they have not kept it limited to Gorkhas alone.

The members plan to approach state government authorities for a Gorkha Bhavan or an allotment of land for its construction.

Via indianexpress

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Jay Gokul Bista Indian Gorkha cricketer played for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy

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sports news

Jay Bista (born 23 December 1995) is an Indian Gorkha cricketer who plays for Mumbai in domestic First Class cricket. He is a batting all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm off break. He represented Mumbai at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels before making his first-class cricket debut in November 2015 during the 2015–16 Ranji Trophy. For a player just two games into his first-class career, 19-year-old Jay Bista exudes remarkable confidence. He is, after all, a member of the Mumbai class of 2015 - a bunch of players who slide down the hallowed of the Wankhede pavilion yet step into the playing area with a brief prayer. This is a group which has grown up with the Mumbai doctrine of batsmanship, yet one which doesn't conform to its every rule. Nothing else can possibly explain his cover drive off RP Singh in the first hour of the match. He had, after all, played and missed his two previous deliveries, attempting the very shot. There is an air of nonchalance to his batting.

Predominantly, he's all about getting into good position, keeping the head still and let the hand-eye co-ordination take over. Not very dissimilar to an affable Delhite who retired a while ago. "Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar have been the two biggest influences in my life," Bista says. "I know there cannot be another Sehwag and I'm not even trying to be that, but (like him) I just love to stay positive and treat every ball on its merit without worrying about what happened the ball before," he adds, quelling the Sehwag comparisons. The buzz around the bespectacled Bista started much before he swept the experienced Jalaj Saxena out of the attack on a rank turner in Indore to set up a chase of 280 in last month's clash against Madhya Pradesh. His name had been doing the rounds in Mumbai's cricketing circles for a while, and not just because of the numbers he'd been chalking up. He was earmarked to take a place in Aditya Tare's young Ranji side, making him the first player of Nepali origin to play for Mumbai. Bista hails from Dhangadi, a town on the foothills of the Himalayas on Seti zone of the Far-Western Development Region of Nepal, close to the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The relocation to Mumbai though happened so long before he was born that Bista can't put a finger on its exact time-line. "Our family moved to this city around 40-50 years ago. Mumbai has been home ever since," he says with a chuckle. Gokul Bista, Jay's father, had pursued cricket very seriously himself.

Jay Bista Indian Gorkha cricketer 

Despite representing Mumbai University, braving the cut-throat competition to make the Ranji side appeared a dream too far-fetched. So he redoubled his efforts to make sure his son was blessed with all the opportunities to make it to the sport's highest levels. This included enrolling Jay at Shardasharam Vidyamandir, the school Sachin Tendulkar famously moved to for its cricket focus. "I used to play my cricket at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana till seventh standard. I was asked to shift to Shardashram because of its sporting culture, especially towards cricket. And it was great because only after I went to Shardashram did I realise how much there was to learn. It was there I learnt the basics of how maidaan cricket is played," Bista Jr says. Interestingly, like Tendulkar, Bista started out wanting to be a fast bowler. Except, there was a little problem. His coach, Mr. Pravin Gorgaonkar, deemed that the boy, in his quest to bowl as fast as possible, was in serious violation of the infamous 15-degree arm flexion law and advised him instead to concentrate on his batting and off-spin bowling. For the batting to improve however, there were the hard yards to do. And in Mumbai, the hard yards usually start with crowded train journeys.

Bista's took him from Churchgate to Dadar, a good 12 kilometre distance, at 5:30 in the morning for practice. He used to get back home by 11, just in time to freshen up and make the return trip to Dadar for school. Giving him company in these chaotic commutes were his kit-bag and his doting mother. "My family has been my rock. I would say my mother worked harder for me than I did. When I was a kid, she would take me to practice, wait outside the grounds for the whole duration and then bring me back home and get me ready for school and the return journey." Naturally, academics took a back step in this daily grind but Mr. and Mrs. Bista ensured there was no undue pressure on their lad to excel everywhere. "I wasn't all that great but managed average grades. I scored 80 percent in my senior secondary certificate exams and 61 percent in the higher secondary level," he says. The batting talent though was spotted early. Pleasantly surprised by the boy's hitting abilities during a chance observation, Naushad Khan, father of the now-Uttar Pradesh teenager Sarfaraz, invited Bista to practice at his coaching camp for free. It was at this camp, at the famous Azad Maidan, where Bista would go on to learn his most important cricketing lessons, lessons that would hold him in good stead on a minefield of a track at the Holkar stadium in his second first-class game. "At Azad Maidan, you never got great wickets. They would spin, bounce awkwardly, sometimes keep low... you have to find some way, any way to survive.

Gorkha Ranji Player Jay Gokul Bista

And that's where I picked up my sweep shot," Bista recollects with a sense of accomplishment. "When I went out to open in our chase of 280 against MP, those practice sessions came flashing back. I attempted my first sweep and the ball went off the middle of my bat. I realised I was timing the sweep really well and continued to use it. 80 percent of my runs eventually came from that shot." The ascent to the senior Mumbai side was not overnight. Bista went through the full rigours of Mumbai cricket - the Under-14s, the Under-16s, the Under-19s and the Under-23s, churning out the numbers at every level. There were disappointments along the way as well. He was known to get very depressed if he ever got out early and needed a talking to from coach Vinod Raghavan to stop him from slipping into a negative spiral. Bista believes he is now mentally equipped to brush off failures and move on. The Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy early of 2014-15, in particular, put Bista on the peripherals of the senior set-up. The opener set up the title win with blazing centuries against Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in the quarters and the semis. This was followed by twin centuries for the Under-23 side against Bengal, giving the Mumbai selectors a ready-made option to address the senior side's opening woes.

The Ranji call up, he remembers vividly, was out of the blue. Under-23 Coach Vinayak Samant broke the news to him during one of the practice sessions. His parents were ecstatic while Jay himself was merely pleased. "I was not overly happy. I knew I have to perform there also. The ultimate goal, after all, is to play for India... and play at least for 10-12 years." The journey has only just begun for young Bista but he already has his eyes set on lofty targets, chief among which is to be part of a World Cup winning side. He was in Nepal in April 2011 when MS Dhoni & Co. lifted the trophy and regrets missing out on the celebrations that broke out around the Wankhede, a stone's throw away from his residence. "I dream of lifting the World Cup for India. Every once in a while, I log on to YouTube to watch the video of those celebrations at the Wankhede. Someday, I want to be that guy in the India jersey holding that cup." For now though, it's back to hard grind of Mumbai cricket for Bista. Cementing his place at the top of the order in the Ranji side is at the top of his wish-list. Tare and Chandrakant Pandit see a bright future for this lad. And he wants to do his bit to pay them back. Perhaps, propelling the team to a 41st Ranji title might get the ball rolling.

Via Veergorkha

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Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh have undertaken a ‘Cancer Patient Accommodation Project’

1:16 PM

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medical

The Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh is a socio - cultural organisation established in 2002 by Indian Gorkhas settled in Mumbai. The members are from different parts of India including Darjeeling, the Dooars, Assam, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh. The objective of the Sangh is to showcase, preserve and promote the culture, language, literature and arts of the Indian Gorkhas by uniting them on one platform. Since its inception, the BGES has organised several social and cultural events in Mumbai. In the sphere of social welfare, it has hosted many free medical and blood donation camps in various parts of Mumbai including Navi Mumbai.

More recently, the Sangh has undertaken a ‘Cancer Patient Accommodation Project’ for cancer patients who come to Mumbai seeking treatment. Funds for the project are raised both on the local and national levels and there have been significant contributions by members. BGES chairman DhruvPradhan and joint secretary RohitPradhan recently visited Dehradun to promote the objective of the Sangh and the Cancer Patient Accommodation Project. People come to Mumbai from all over the country for treatment of cancer and they have to wait for weeks and months for an appointment. The treatment period takes even longer. Moreover, Mumbai is a very expensive city and most patients and their families cannot afford hotel and guesthouse charges. Keeping this in mind, BGES members initially hosted cancer patients at their own residences and even helped them financially. As many cancer patients do not survive, Sangh members also made arrangements to send their mortal remains home by air.

Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh undertaks a ‘Cancer Patient Accommodation Project’

The CPAP came into being to help such needy cancer patients. Currently, accommodation for six patients and one companion has been made available at a very nominal cost. A kitchen with all cooking provisions has also been provided for guests to cook their own food. Further, there is a caretaker 24x7 to guide the patients during treatment. The number of beds will increase over time. The accommodation facility at Kurla was inaugurated in Kamgar Colony, Kurla on December 13 by Krishna Tamang from Kurseong, now a hotelier based in Mumbai. MGM Hospital in Vashi has donated five beds with bedding and side tables. The Sangh has started the project on a small scale, but the plan is to provide accommodation to poor and helpless patients on a much larger scale.

(EOIC)

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“Ramailo with Gorkhas” - Run with Roshni charity event

5:57 PM

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Run with Roshni

Date-12th Sept, 2015
Venue- Cidco Auditorium, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
Supported by Gorkha Territorial Administration, Darjeeling.
Project ‘Run with Roshni’ is started by a Gorkha Girl from a village known as Pedong in the sub-division of Kalimpong, District Darjeeling. Roshni is an Advocate, the ultra marathon runner and a motivational speaker. She is based in Mumbai. Now ‘Run with Roshni Foundation’ is registered as a Public Trust.

Marathon running is Roshni’s hobby and she has run several marathons, which includes four international marathons viz.
1.Prague International Marathon 2010 (42km),
2.Comrades Marathon 2012 (89km) in South Africa,
3. Maidenhead Half marathon 2013 (21km) in UK and
4. 10km Race- ‘ London Run to the Beat 2014.

Ramailo with Gorkhas

The longest distance run by Roshni is the Comrades Marathon of 89km in South Africa in 2012, which she had dedicated as a tribute to all the Gorkha martyrs, who have sacrificed their lives for mother India and also for the cause of Gorkhaland.

From 2012, Roshni has started a project by name ‘Run with Roshni’ and till now, she has supported more than 30 runners from Darjeeling to run eight different Marathons and Tiranga Relay 2015.
Following are the details of the marathons participated by team ‘Run with Roshni’.
1. Mumbai Marathon in January 2012,
2. Mumbai Marathon in January 2013
3. Hyderabad marathon in August 2013
4. Chennai Marathon in December 2013.
5. Mumbai Marathon in January 2014.
6. Hyderabad Marathon in August 2014
7. Mumbai Marathon in January 2015.
8. Tiranga Relay 2015- Five runners ran with India’s flag from Mumbai to Delhi in 20 days.
9. Cherrapunji Marathon 2015 (Meghalaya) in July 2015.

Future Events
1. Bangalore Half Marathon 2015 in October- Two runners areregistered.
2. Nashik Half Marathon 2015 in December- Six runners will go.
3. Mumbai Marathon 2016- thirteen runners are registered.
VISION of the project ‘Run with Roshni’ are;
• To empower and enlighten Gorkhas in India.
• To eliminate the identity crisis faced by Nepali speaking Indian in their own motherland.
• Bringing awareness among Indians, how the Nepali speaking people are Indians.
• To bring awareness all over India that Nepali is a recognized language under the Constitution of India and it is one of the languages mentioned in the Indian currency.

SLOGAN;
We are Gorkhas and proud to be Indian. Jai Gorkha, Jai Hind.

MISSION
• To support strong runners from economically backward class in Darjeeling to run national and international marathons.
• To make India proud by winning International and Olympic Marathons by Indian Gorkha runners.
• To let the world know, who the Gorkhas are by getting media mentions through running and winning marathons.

Best timings of the runners;
1. Runesh Tamang ran Mumbai Marathon 2013 (42km) in 2hrs 51km and he came third in Amateur Category.
2. Prabal Chettri ran Mumbai Half Marathon 2012 (21km) 1hr 17mins.
3. Binod Tamang ran Mumbai Half Marathon 2014 (21km) 1hr 18mins.
4. Uttam Bhujel ran Mumbai Half Marathon 2015(21km) 1hr 15mins.

If the runners of team ‘Run with Roshni’ get proper support and enough encouragement, in another 3-4 years, they will start competing with Kenyans / Ethiopians and start making India proud by winning International Marathons. All the runners, whom we are supporting, can run 21km in between 1hr 10mins to 1hr 30 mins, without proper coach and guidance. Many times these runners do not have proper running shoes as well.

Ramailo with Gorkhas
‘Run with Roshni Foundation’ organized its first charity event ‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’ on 12th Sept, 2015 in CIDCO Auditorium, Vashi, Navi Mumai. Mr. AdilleSumariwalla, Indian Olympian and the President of Athletics Federation of India graced the event as a Chief Guest along with the distinguished guests like Dr. Malav Shroff, the Indian Olympian and Mr. Atul Kulkarni, Consultant to Ministry of Petroleum.

The aims of the event were to provide an awareness about all the Indian Gorkhas, our unsung contribution and to showcase our rich cultural heritage that contributes to making mother India, awesome and to raise the fund to sponsor 13 runners from Darjeeling to run Mumbai Marathon in January, 2016.

Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) supported the event by sponsoring the travel tickets of thirteen dancers from Darjeeling to Mumbai. Their food and accommodations were supported by Mr. Krishna Tamang, the owner of China Gate. The Dancers from Darjeeling performed the following dances;
1. Sarothi Dance
2. Maruni Dance
3. PachemeliChutke
4. TamangCelo and
5. Gorkha Folk Dance.

Mrs. Hira Rasaily was the guest performer all the way from Darjeeling on her own expense. Gorkha Youths of Mumbai also performed in the event under the leadership of Mr. Vivek Khati.
‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’ was inaugurated with the lighting of lamp by the Chief Guest, which was followed by the signing of National Anthem by all the guests.

Mrs. Poonam Lama, one of the Trustee of the Foundation gave the welcome speech.
Trustees of the foundation acknowledged the following supporters of the ‘Run with Roshni
1. Mr. Daniel Vaz- Marathon Coach for the Team Run with Roshni.
2. Mr. Prakash Wani, ACP Mumbai Police (Retd)- For the support to get the registration done for Run with Roshni Foundation as a Public Trust.
3. Mr. Mehra for buying 13 pairs of Nike shoes worth Rs. 70000/- (Seventy Thousand) for the team.
4. Mrs. Mala Sherpa and Ms. Premika Rai, the Co coordinators of team Run with Roshni in Darjeeling.

In March 2015, Foundation had raised Rs. 3 lacs for the treatment of a blood cancer patient Jyotika Khati from Darjeeling with the support of the runners from Mumbai. On this charity event, Foundation acknowledged the following supporters of the 'Run for Jyotika';
1. Mr. Vivek Sagar- Main supporter to organize the run.
2. Mr. Hari Nair- Coach of the runners club, Runestic-Dilse, who helped to raise Rs. 1lakh 10 thousand for Jyotika.
3. Mr. Samuel Chattair, a cancer survivor, who donated Rs.35000/- for Jyotika
4. Mrs. Mala Sachdev
5. Mr. Sunil Gwalani
6. Mr. Dinesh Lungani.
7. Dr. Sudarshan Singh & Mr. Vivek Soni from Joint and motion.
8. Mrs. Sonia Kulkarni & Mrs. Sharmila Munj- Pinkathon Ambassador for supporting to make the Run for Jyotika big.
9. Mrs. Vani Arora- For always helping team Run with Roshni, when they are in Mumbai.

Acknowledging program was in batches. The foundation acknowledged the following distinguished Gorkhas of Mumbai;
1. Prof. Jagdish Thapa – The first Gorkha to graduate from IIT in 1958.
2. Mr. Ranjeet Gajmer- Composer, who introduced madal in Bollywood.
3. Mr. LB Subba–First Gorkha scientist with BARC (Retd).
4. Mr. Lalit Dutraj, ACP Mumbai Police (Retd)- He is a Gorkhas Pride in Mumbai and the founder member of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh (BGES).
5. Mr. C.B Chettri- MDRT and COT in LIC. He is a guardian to every Gorkha in Mumbai.
6. Mr. P Shashankar – Admin head of MGM hospital, Vashi. He is the Vice President of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh(BGES).
7. Mr. Durva Pradhan- Nepali Industrialist and the President of BGES.
8. Mr. Rohit Pradhan- He is working with Times of India. He is the Secretary of BGES
9. Mrs. Indu Gajmer President of Sunakhari Nepali Mahila Samaj. In her absence, Mrs. Vishnu Singh and Mrs. Jyotsna were called upon the stage.
10. Major Habi Gurung, who is from Dehradun and socially very active.
11. Colonel Tilak Thapa.
12. Mr. Mahesh Powrel, Deputy Commandant, CISF.

Mr. Dhruva Pradhan, the president of BGES announced the launch of the website of BGES during his presentation.

The cultural program was followed by the Launch of the book ‘FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE OCEAN RUN WITH ROSHNI’ written by Ms. RoshniRaithe founder of the Run with Roshni Foundation. After the book Launch Chief Guest appreciated the effort of the foundation and he praised the Gorkhas for their contribution towards India. He also acknowledged the Bravery, Loyalty and Integrity of the Gorkhas.

Roshni read the first chapter of her book, after which her father Mr. Nardhoj Rai gave his speech. The publisher of the book, Mr. Venkat Pichumani also spoke about the book. As an ambassador of Puma, Mr. Pichumani presented the running kits to Roshni, which is meant for the entire team, who are going to participate in Mumbai Marathon 2016.

The event was concluded with the Thank you message from Mrs. Jaya Chhetri, the trustee of the foundation. We handed over the seal of appreciation to the dancers from GTA, Darjeeling.
Many Gorkha parents in Mumbai were happy for being able to show Gorkha cultural program to their kids. Founding Trustee, Roshni Rai says though the event’s aim was to raise funds for the foundation, they could not manage to raise even Rs. 3lakhs. However the intention of the event, which was to connect with all the Gorkhas in Mumbai and to bring awareness about Gorkha Culture to non Gorkhas were fulfilled.

We are very thankful to the following volunteers, who helped us to raise funds for this event by distributing donor passes to the people from all over Mumbai;-
Mr. Prakash Wani, Mr. Hari Nair, Mr. Suraj Chettri, Mrs. Sai Jyoti Chettri, Mr. Kesav Sapkota, Ms. Shristee Gurung, Ms. Sabina Lama, Mrs. Reshmi Karma, Mr. Mani Tamang, Mr. Shadeep Tamang, Mrs. Vani Arora, Mrs. Rajani Subba.

Gorkha Cultural Program in Mumbai University.
On 14th September, 2015, Foundation arranged for a Gorkha Cultural Event in the Student’s welfare Department of Mumbai University with the support of Mr. AtulKulkarni. Event was graced by the presence Dr. Manali Londhe, Director of Students’ Welfare Department, Mumbai University, Mr. Nilesh Sawe, Cultural Coordinator, Mumbai University, Dr. Terence D’souza, Foreign Advisor, Mumbai University and Prof. NishaDeodher, Manjunatha College, Dombivelli.

In Mumbai University, program started with the presentation of ‘Run with Roshni’ by Roshni Rai. She shared with the students the vision of ‘Run with Roshni’, which is to create a team of Gorkha runners, who will win Olympic Marathon for India, which will ultimately help to eliminate the identity crisis faced by Indian Gorkhas. In every marathon, they participate, her team, wears t-shirts with slogan- WE ARE GORKHAS PROUD TO BE INDIAN. JAI GORKHA JAI HIND!

The program was anchored by Roshni herself, while sharing the experience of her identity crisis, she became emotional. Later in the concluding speech, Mr. NileshSawe made his students promise that they will make sure that the Indian Gorkha feel emotionally integrated with India. All the students enjoyed the dances performed by the Dancers from Darjeeling. Mrs. Hira Rasaily presented one Nepali song and two Hindi songs of Lata Mangeskar, which was very well received by all. After the program was over, all the students present were seeking blessings from Mrs. Rasaily by touching her feet.

‘Run with Roshni Foundation’ is very thankful to Mr. Dawa Lepcha, Sabhasad of Pedong, who connected us with Mr. Bimal Gurung, Chief Executive of GTA and Mr. Binay Tamang, Sabhasad of Cultural Department, GTA, who sent thirteen dancers from Darjeeling to Mumbai. Special thanks to Mr. Krishna Tamang for all local support to the dancers in Mumbai.


Via Roshni Rai 

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‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’ successfully organized by ‘Run with Roshni’

6:08 PM

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Run with Roshni

‘Run with Roshni’ Foundation organized its first charity event ‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’ on 12th Sept, 2015 in CIDCO Auditorium, Vashi, Navi Mumai. Mr. Adille Sumariwalla, President of Athletics Federation of India graced the event as a Chief Guest along with the distinguished guests like Dr. Malav Shroff, the Indian Olympian and Mr. Atul Kulkarni, Consultant to Ministry of Petroleum.
Thirteen Dancers from Darjeeling were sponsored by GTA, who showed different forms of Nepali dances, viz SAROTHI DANCE, MARUNI DANCE, TAMANG CELLO, PACHIMELY CHUTKE et al. The welcome song was performed by Mrs. Hira Rasaily, who is known as Nepali Lata Mangeskar. Mrs. Rasaily has traveled to Mumbai on her own expenditure to support ‘Run with Roshni Foundation’. Her songs were highly appreciated by not only Gorkhas but all the non Gorkhas present in the event.

‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’ successfully organized by ‘Run with Roshni’

In this event, Foundation acknowledged the following distinguished Gorkhas in Mumbai;
1. Prof. Jagdish Thapa – The first Gorkha to graduate from IIT.
2. Mr. Ranjeet Gajmer- Composer, who introduced madal in Bollywood.
3. Mr. LB Subba - Ex scientist with BARC.
4. Mr. Lalit Dutraj, ACP Mumbai Police (Retd)- He is a Gorkhas Pride in Mumbai and the founder member of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh (BGES).
5. Mr. CB Chettri- MDRT and COT in LIC. He is a guardian to every Gorkha in Mumbai.
6. Mr. P Shashankar – Admin head of MGM hospital, Vashi. He is the Vice President of (BGES).
7. Mr. Durva Pradhan- Nepali Industrialist and the President of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh (BGES).
8. Mr. Rohit Pradhan- He is working with Times of India. He is the Secretary of BGES
9. Mrs. Indu Gajmer President of Sunakhari Nepali Mahila Samaj. In her absence, Mrs. Vishnu Singh and Mrs. Jyotsna was called upon the stage.
10. Major Habi Gurung, who is from Dehradun and socially very active.
11. Colonel Thapa

Foundation also acknowledged the supporters of 'Run for Jyotika'.

The cultural program was followed by the Launch of the book ‘FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE OCEAN RUN WITH ROSHNI’ written Ms. Roshni Rai the founder of the Run with Roshni Foundation by the Chief Guest. After the book Launch Chief Guest appreciated the effort of the foundation and he praised the Gorkhas for their contribution towards India. He also acknowledged the Bravery, Loyalty and Integrity of the Gorkha Community.

Roshni read the first chapter of her book, after which her father Mr. Nardhoj Rai gave his speech. The book is published by YouTooCanRun Sports Management Pvt. Ltd and its founder Mr. Venkat Pichumani also spoke about the book. As an ambassador of Puma, Mr. Pichumani presented the running kits to Roshni, which is meant for the entire team, who are going to participate in Mumbai Marathon 2016.

Via Run with Roshni

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‘Run with Roshni’ looking for shoes for a clutch of talented Darjeeling athletes

9:55 PM

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sports news

Run with Roshni, a project started by Mumbai-based advocate Roshni Rai, is looking for sponsors to donate running shoes for a clutch of underprivileged marathon runners from Darjeeling who run under the umbrella ‘Run with Roshni’.

Puran, Menuka & Bikram are running Cherapunjee Marathon on 17th July 

The Run with Roshni project is supporting this talent since 2012, to help them run marathons in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. Says Rai, a marathon runner herself, “Team Run with Roshni is supporting 12 runners to run Mumbai Marathon 2016.

We need 12 pairs of running shoes. Even if people have second hand shoes of their sizes, (all ranging from US size 5 to 7) that would be of help.” Though the accent is on the Mumbai event, several of the runners in fact, run a very fast half-marathon (21 km) Rai says that every effort is made to give them maximum exposure. She adds, “Three runners from team Run with Roshni are running the Cherrapunji Marathon on July 17.”

Expense
The young runners come from poor families and find it difficult to buy long distance running equipment, given their financial condition. They are mostly sons and daughters of farmers from villages around Darjeeling. Rai says that these runners are currently training for the marathon in hilly areas around Darjeeling.

“The high altitude is beneficial. I go to Darjeeling very often, to monitor how they are training. I have approached a sportswear company for shoes for these athletes. I am also appealing to people to give running shoes. These talented youngsters wear canvas shoes and train. Marathon runners need a couple of pairs a year, because the soles wear out due to the high amount of mileage, so I am hoping that each of these runners get at least two-three pairs, so that they can train in them.”

Roots
Rai, is originally from Pedong village, which falls in the Kalimpong sub-division, in the Darjeeling district. She says I support them because they are such good runners. We have to give them avenues and opportunities. In the end, I think these are small steps towards my ultimate aim, ensuring that Gorkha runners represent the country at an Olympics.”

Rai, who is also writing a book on the identity crisis facing Indian Gorkhas, using her personal experiences as a prism, says that she has supported more than 30 runners from Darjeeling to run seven different marathons. Out of these the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon stands out because of its international stature.

Rai is steadfast in her belief a day will come when these young Gorkhas will battle the best in the world. While working towards that, she is chipping away at stereotypes about people from the North East and clearing misconceptions. It is a tough, multi-pronged effort, but using the marathon event as a platform and vehicle, Rai believes she is getting there.

To help team Run with Roshni email for details: runwithroshni@gmail.com

What is Run with Roshni?
Project 'Run with Roshni' is started by a Gorkha girl from a village known as Pedong in the sub-division of Kalimpong, Dist, Darjeeling. Roshni is an advocate by profession and based in Mumbai. Marathon running is Roshni’s hobby and she has run several marathons including four international marathons. These are:
1. Prague International Marathon 2010 (42km), 
2. Comrades Marathon 2012 (89km) in South Africa, 
3. Maidenhead Half marathon 2013 (21km) in UK and 
4. 10km Race ‘London Run to the Beat 2014’.

Run with Roshni

Her vision is:
>> To empower and enlighten Gorkhas in India. 
>> To eliminate the identity crisis faced by Nepali speaking Indians in India. 
>> Bringing awareness amongst Indians, about how Nepali speaking people are Indians. 
>> To bring awareness all over India, that Nepali is a recognized language under the Constitution of India and is one of the languages mentioned in the Indian currency.

Best timings of runners
Runesh Tamang: Mumbai Marathon (42km) 2013 Time: 2:51m. Third in the amateur category.
Prabal Chettri: Mumbai Half Marathon (21km) 2012  Time: 1:17m.
Binod Tamang: Mumbai Half Marathon (21km) 2014. Time: 1:18m.
Uttam Bhujel: Mumbai Half Marathon (21km) 2015. Time: 1:15m.

Source: mid-day.com

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Annual General Meeting of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh, ( BGES)

10:17 AM

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Gorkhas in mumbai

Roshni Rai

Annual General Meeting of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh, ( BGES) held on 14th June, 2015 in Andheri Recreation Club, Andheri West Mumbai.

Annual General Meeting of Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh, ( BGES)

The meeting was attended by all the Managing Committee Members, Members of the Sangh and many enthusiastic Gorkha Youths of Mumbai. The Venue was arranged by Mr. Lalit Dutraj (Retd), ACP, Mumbai Police one of the founding members of BGES.

The AGM was attended by Prof. Jagdish Thapa, probably the first Gorkha to Graduate in 1958, with Master Degree from Premium Institute of India, IIT Kharagpur & Powai. Prof. Thapa was felicitated by Mr. Lalit Dutraj. Mr. Dhruva Pradhan, the Chairman of BGES presided the meeting.

Mr. P. Shasankar, Vice President of BGES read out the minutes of last year’s AGM. In pursuance to objective of Social & Welfare Scheme of the Sangh, the Chairman informed about the accommodation problems faced by Gorkha Cancer Patients and proposed to make an arrangement of accommodation for them by renting a place. He has appealed all the Gorkha to come forward and support him in this cause.

Mrs. Poonam Lama, General Secretary gave the details of sixteen activities carried out by BGES in last year, some of which are as follows;

• Workshop for Gorkha youth of Mumbai (GYOM) to know and connect with other Gorkhas in Mumbai. 
• Football match of GYOM.
• Medical and blood donation Camp in association with MGM Hospital Vashi.
• ‘Run for Jyotika’ to raise fund for the treatment of Late Jyotika’s cancer. 
• Sending relief materials to Nepal in association with Giants Group, Rotary Club, Siddhivinayak Logistic Ltd and many other organisation of Mumbai. 
• Organized “GORKHA SOCIAL MEET” in Mira Road, with “Preeti Bhoj”

Mr. P. Shasankar, who is the Administrative Head in MGM Hospital Vashi informed that underprivileged Gorkhas will get medical support in his hospital and also he has managed to RESERVE SOME QUOTA for Gorkha students in MGM Nursing College.

For any query regarding the same one can write email to bharatiyagorkha2002@gmail.com

Mr. Bharat Darnal and his son Mr. Arpan Darnal presented the history of BGES and future course of action of BGES along with Gorkha Youths of Mumbai. Some of the future course of actions are as below :

• Gorkha Food festivals, 
• Youth Workshop, 
• Holding Nepali Sahitya Academy Annual Conference in Mumbai, 
• Providing Shelter to Cancer Patient, 
• Free Medical Checkup & Blood Donation Camp, 
• Celebrating Mass Gorkha Festivals etc.

BGES also felicitated some achievers, who were present in the AGM. Miss. Roshni Rai, the marathon runner hosted the felicitation program [to know who were felicitated click on the pics]

After the felicitation, under open interaction program floor was opened for all to share the experiences. Mr. Kesav Sapkota, Mr. Passang Goley , Mr. Seetam Thakuri & Tapan Naubagh shared their experience and volunteered to take part in activities of BGES to serve the cause of Gorkha community.

Despite Mumbai Rain, more than sixty committed Gorkhas from different walks of life were present for the AGM of BGES, for the development of the Gorkha Community. The AGM was concluded with the positive note & thanks giving by The Chair, followed by refreshment and personal interactions.

Source:TheDC

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Kalimpong Basibiyalo to Support to build Gorkha Bhawan in Mumbai

9:16 AM

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Kalimpong

Popular monthly literary programme of Kalimpong - Basibiyalo (Passtime) which promotes a fraternity amongst the people literary community of our hills, and provides for a platform to the literary and language enthusiasts to share creative ideas pertaining to any field without any inhibition or apprehension, now have a new goal, which is, building of a Gorkha Bhawan in Mumbai.

Gorkha Mela organized by Basiiyalo in Mumbai

Why is a Gorkha bhawan in Mumbai necessary? because many of our people who go to Mumbai for treatment, education, work - especially those who go there for Cancer treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital need a cheap place to stay.

Gorkhas living in Mumbai have time and again requested GTA to consider building a Gorkha Bhawan in Mumbai, but GTA has said that their priority right now is to build a Gorkha Bhawan in Vellore where most people from our region go for their treatment.

Extending their support to the cause members of asiiyalo voted in favour of extending support to Gorkha Ekta Sang Mumbai proposal for building a place for Gorkhalis to stay while they are in Mumbai for various causes.

Basiiyalo will help Gorkha Ekta Sangh Mumbai to collect donations from Darjeeling region as well.

Source: TheDC 

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Arjun Pradhan 2nd Fastest Amongst Indians in Mumbai Marathon

10:33 AM

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sports

After team Run with Roshni another Indian Gorkha, Arjun Pradhan, from the Army Sports Institute, Pune, has finished 2nd amongst the Indian competitors at the recently concluded Mumbai Marathon.

Hav. Arjun Pradhan - 2nd Amongst Indians in Mumbai Marathon 

Running his full Marathon for the 1st time, Hav. Arjun Pradhan was the 2nd fastest Indian (12th overall) to cross the finishing line with a time of 2:22:22. He was leading the entire race, but inexperience showed at the last leg, and that is when reigning Indian champion Hav. Karan Singh took over and finished 1st with a time of 2:21:35, while Mr. Bahadur Singh Dhoni (2:22:41) finished 3rd.

It is remarkable that both Hav. Karan Singh and Hav. Arjun Pradhan practice together and are team mates from the Army Sports Institute.

It has been declared that these champions will be sponsored by TCS to participate in the TCS New York City Marathon in November this year. Those in New York may wanna be there to cheer our two heros.

With inputs from DC 

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Team Run with Roshni makes Indian Gorkhas proud in Mumbai Marathon

9:59 AM

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sports

Congratulations!!! Team Run with Roshni for making Indian Gorkhas proud with amazing performance at the Mumbai Marathon 2015 and for earning good name, fame and recognition of the Gorkhalis in India.

Roshni Rai founder of Run with Roshni 

Roshni started her Community project “Run with Roshni” in August 2011. She supported 23 Gorkha Runners from Darjeeling to run Mumbai Marathon 2012, wearing t-shirts with the slogan “We are the Gorkhas, proud to be an Indian". The project got lots of Media mentions to highlight the long struggled Cause of identity crisis faced by Gorkhas, all over India.

Here is the team result
1.Runesh Tamang – Full Marathon (42km) in 2hrs 56mins 7secs.
2.Roshni Rai- Full Marathon (42km) in 5hrs 10mins.

Half Marathon Runners:
1. Uttam bhujel – 1hr 15 mins 52 sec
2.Bikram thapa -1 hr 19 mins
3.Ranjeet rai - 1hr 27 mins
4.Kamal thapa – 1hr 32mins.
5.Patrus lepcha - Though he was suffereing from vomiting and lose motion, he completed 21km in 1hr 38mins
6.Menuka Rai - 1hr 53mins
7.Premika Rai- 1hr 57mins
8.Treeshna Rai- 2hrs 34mins
9. Ritesh Rai- 2hrs 8mins

Team Run with Roshni in Mumbai Marathon

Following their amazing feat they were felicitated by the Gorkhalis based in Mumbai and Bharatiya Gorkha Ekta Sangh.

Source: DC

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Gorkha's Daughter Roshni runs to claim her nationality

9:19 AM

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Kalimpong

Running with pride of being an Indian comes naturally to this Gorkha girl, Roshni Rai. With her project "Run with Roshni", she wishes to bring her Nepali-speaking community, which has been facing racial discrimination and an identity crisis, to the Indian mainstream. A Mumbai resident for 10 years, Rai will be running at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon in January with 10 of her community members from Darjeeling.

Gorkha's Daughter Roshni runs to claim her nationality

Coming from a small village called Pedong in Darjeeling, 34-year-old Rai has represented India at various national and international marathons and races. She claims to be the fastest of the three Indian women at the 2012 South African human race "Comrades Ultramarathon" of 89 km and takes pride in her nationality, but everything hasn't been a smooth sailing for her as she struggled with identity crisis in her own country. "We are Nepali-speaking Gorkhas but we are Indian. Many people don't realise that Nepali is a language listed in the Indian constitution and found on Indian currency notes," says Rai, who began the project with the express purpose of being accepted as Indian.

Run with Roshni began in 2011 to support native Darjeeling athletes and bring them to the forefront. "Athletes in Darjeeling participate in every single race to support their own education and, with this project, I wish to bring empowerment and enlightenment to our community," she says.

Rai began running at the age of 23 when she suffered a heartbreak. "I was heartbroken and bedridden for 15 days. I couldn't eat or sleep, and felt utterly useless. One day, I just went out on a run and cried my heart out. I kept crying and running. At one point, the tears stopped but my feet didn't. I felt so light and kept doing it regularly. That was in 2003 and in 2006, I saw the Mumbai marathon and tried to run it without any practice. I injured myself and felt I couldn't run in future," says Rai, who ran six half marathons in 2009.

Rai is a Powai resident and an advocate by profession. She completed her law degree from Mumbai university and started working at Colgate Palmolive, where she got to know the runners club and her coach Daniel Vaz, who taught her the systematic way of running a marathon. She took up Run with Roshni in 2011 as a part of a leadership course. Ever since she has been collecting second-hand shoes and funds through Facebook and other means to send them to promising athletes back home in Darjeeling. "Most of them come from a poor background and can't afford train tickets sometimes. I know these runners and I am confident that they can run a full marathon under three hours without practice. We want to represent our country so that we get accepted as countrymen," she stresses.

Rai says she is tired of explaining her nationality to everyone. "Even when I practise, exercise or run on the roads, I get called Chinese or chinki. The friendship treaty between Nepal and India further complicates our identity crisis and, for the same reason, we want a separate state of Gorkhaland. The Ghorkaland agitation of the1980s saw 1,500 deaths but nobody talks about it. I only want to spread awareness," she says.

Rai, who has been honoured with the Kalimpong Ratna award back home, has taken a break from work and is focussing on her book that she wishes to publish next year. She wants to become a full-time social worker.

Rai believes that they can compete with Kenyans and Ethiopians as running is in their blood. "Walking 16 to 20 km everyday is normal for people in the hilly areas. I was inspired by author Brandon I Koerner's piece on why Kenyans win all marathons and observed that we could challenge them too in the Olympics. There is a boy in our group who used to be a drug addict but became clean due to running. He says it gives him the same high. Running releases the happy hormone," she says.

Source:DNA

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Gorkha Mela in Mumbai to begin on 11 January

10:30 AM

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news

SNS,Gangtok:To bring the Gorkha community staying in Mumbai under one platform, Basibiyalo ~ an organisation engaged in promoting literary excellence in the community all over India ~ would host Gorkha Mela next month.

Gorkha Mela in Mumbai 

The two-day long Mela that would begin on 11 January, would stage literary and cultural programmes along with exhibitions of various traditional food, attire and article in Mumbai. Informing about the Mela, its publicity in-charge, Sudesh Khati informed it aims at uniting the Gorkha community people either working or staying in Mumbai. “For these two days, we will make them feel at home in Mumbai,” he said.

The Mela is being organised in collaboration with Mumbai-based Sunakhari Nepali Mahila Samaj at Trivedi Hall, Mira Road in the Thane district.

“During the Mela, three books in English, Hindi and Nepali will be released. Besides, the programme will also witness poetry recital in Marathi, Urdu, Maithili, Urdu, Telugu, Hindi and English besides Nepali,” he added.

Prabin Khaling, representing Sikkim chapter of Basibiyalo, informed the programme will have the participation from Kalimpong, Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Dooars.

“We appeal to all the Gorkhas staying in Mumbai to be present at the Mela as we will be presenting different cultural performances and the ethnic cuisine will also be there,” he added.

The two day long literary-cultural programme will be graced by the literati from Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim. Kavita Lama and C K Shresta are among others litterateurs to be present at the Mela in Mumbai.

Source - SNS

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