warvet

RETURN OF THE GURKHA   Post treaty of Sagauli, the Gurkhas left Shimla hills for good. Or so it seemed. However, in a curious twist of fate, the Gurkha returned post independence – not as conquerers but as migrant labourers. The rapid economic development of new state of Himachal was what led to it. Extreme poverty in Nepal compounded it. Almost every farmer in upper Shimla used to have a Gurkha farmhand who was integrated into the family. Most came as boys and left for home once in 2 years or so, sending money orders home otherwise; their visits to home diminishing gradually. Most died of old age in their masters house, cared for like family. Ramlal was our Gurkha. He was my fathers age, had not gone to Nepal for decades; had stopped taking any wages. He dined with the family. Infact, he had the privilege of smoking his regal looking brass hookah in the pahadi kitchen of non-smokers where all of us sat on the wooden   floor in the evening for dinner whenever we visited th...

  AYO GURKHALI   “Jagadish SJBR”, announced the carved iron alphabets welded artistically on the huge wrought iron gate of the most exclusive house on a picturesque hillock in - Mashobra , the “Queen of Shimla”. “ The Peak” as the bungalow that commanded a 360 degree view of Himalaya was christened by the original British owner, who had got the estate on perpetual lease from the “Rana of Koti” was my destination and I had an appointment with “ Jagdish Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana” of Nepal. I had fallen in love with Mashobra when in my childhood father took me to that beautiful village in midst of the best Deodar forests interspersed with quaint little British era bungalows owned by the Maharajas and ultra rich of India. “The Peak” was itself surrounded by a 500 Bigha estate of Maharaja of Faridkot having beautiful bungalows with British names like – “Kenilworth”, “Sherwood” and “Cosynook”. Father after graduating from Punjab Agricultural University had spent a year in Masho...

  MY BLUE BERET DAYS Year - 2007   UN missions provide a unique opportunity to soldiers for travel to distant lands. One gets the chance to see new places, people and cultures. UN establishments are a melting pot of people from countries all across the world. Working in the cosmopolitan environment brings out the best out of staff. Lifelong friendships are made amongst people of different nationalities. All troops from myriad nationalities are bound by the UN ethos symbolized by the blue beret they wear. Learning from success of “Sadbhavana” programmes at home, Indian   Army always carries a RVC detachment   with it. These dets have invariably played a unique role in generating goodwill for the Indian troops amongst the local population. Livestock holds a special place in life of people in rural places devastated by wars. They are not only the only wealth that people possess but also are a measure of the standing of owner in society. As such people are greatly ...