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Gurkhas

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I was listening to a conversation the other day about,the Gurkhas and their roles in helping this country.
I never really had a point of view on this to be honest, but only know what I have read about them. But it seems fair to say they have done above and beyond the call of duty for this country for years.
Now I have read that some are not allowed to settle here, why they would want to baffles me. lol
So I saw this artical today in the Sun, and wondered what others thought about it. Some I agree with and some I do not. But does it make sense, or does it not?
I heard that too, Joanna Lumley's Dad was one wasn't he?
To be honest I don't know enough about them so I can't comment, but I can understand where the opposition's coming from, more money going out of an already financially struggling Government?
I'll leave it to others who'll no doubt be along soon with their bit Kent rotflmao
Without doubt, the Ghurka's should be allowed to settle into this country, and be treated as one of our own, for the efforts they have given us.
Quote by jaymar
I heard that too, Joanna Lumley's Dad was one wasn't he?
To be honest I don't know enough about them so I can't comment, but I can understand where the opposition's coming from, more money going out of an already financially struggling Government?
I'll leave it to others who'll no doubt be along soon with their bit Kent rotflmao

Dont want any problems Mar, just peoples opinions. If people have none then I would hope they stay out, and chew on some gum or something. lol
I was listening to the news this morning about it.
If anyone deserves to be able to settle in this country its the Gurkhas. I've had the pleasure of meeting a few on my travels, an even though they weren't allowed to live here they seemed to come across as still very loyal to this country.
Quote by kentswingers777
I heard that too, Joanna Lumley's Dad was one wasn't he?
To be honest I don't know enough about them so I can't comment, but I can understand where the opposition's coming from, more money going out of an already financially struggling Government?
I'll leave it to others who'll no doubt be along soon with their bit Kent rotflmao

Dont want any problems Mar, just peoples opinions. If people have none then I would hope they stay out, and chew on some gum or something. lol
Oooh I didn't mean that hunni just that people will know more about it than me. :lol:
Quote by anais
I was listening to the news this morning about it.
If anyone deserves to be able to settle in this country its the Gurkhas. I've had the pleasure of meeting a few on my travels, an even though they weren't allowed to live here they seemed to come across as still very loyal to this country.

At least Gaunty has the guts to say what he means. I have just been reading a bit about them and if anyone deserves to live here, it is them. cool
I was talking to someone about this a few weeks ago, I remember at the time they made good sense - but for the life of me I can't remember what they said rolleyes
It was another angle to the story tho, do remember that, quite a good one........ although it does make the argument kind of redundant when the UK is very multi-cultural, with loads of imigrants, whether legal or illegal.
Wracking my brains for the argument, and can't bluddy remember mad
This argument has been rumbling along for years. The Gurkhas have risked their lives for this country as bravely as any born & bred British soldier. They get paid less, have crappy pensions, and are given fewer rights than many others who want to settle here.
It stinks.
We live near a Gurkha garrison town, and I've yet to meet anyone from their community who isn't bloody lovely. There were a couple of nights when I was on the ship when we needed to call a local security firm in. Two ex Gurkha's turned up, and I've never met security guards who take their job as seriously, and with so much pride as these guys did.
They are an absolute credit to any community they live in.
Arrrrrrrgh. wink
To be honest, in some ways I'd prefer a street full of Gurkhas living next to me than some Brits I can think of.
They've paid their dues over and over, they've earned their right to live here as UK citizens.
Quote by Peanut
To be honest, in some ways I'd prefer a street full of Gurkhas living next to me than some Brits I can think of.
They've paid their dues over and over, they've earned their right to live here as UK citizens.

Ditto to that....
I would trust a Gurkha with my life......Such is the way they are and they way they think...
This country owes the Gurkhas a huge debt and its high time the paid up....
For those who are interested, more info can be found here...
For certain Gurkhas should be allowed to live and work here.
How come there has not been some sort of on-line petition about this, along the lines of the one which got the petrol tax increase scrapped last year (or the year before)?
John & Shel
The problem has an Historic background.
In the past, the small percent that were recruited into the HM Armed Forces from the Gurung area of Nepal often returned home after their service to the Colours. Therefore their pension and pay was in keeping with the financial boundaries of Nepal. If a Gurkha returned home with the same pay and pension of a British soldier, he would be earning more than any other person in Nepal!
So what?
Well, the village he is from would now have more money than some of the businesses in the towns, and the whole economy would go tits up.
But now they can stay in UK, the balance needs to be readdressed, and equal pay, pension and rights are just. But for those who return home to their families, they will be unwittingly screwing up their own economy.
So the UK is indirectly responsible for screwing up the livelihoods of Nepalese farmers, etc.. from the villages, as the inflation in the towns and cities goes up to meet the extra money the village (ex Gurkha farmers have now got!)
I for one, have no problem with them having equal pay, pensions, and rights as the British tom who serves next to him. However, I do wonder about this equality being so damaging to a population so far away also.....
PS, having been to Nepal, they are very humble but proud people and it is difficult to balance both sides of the argument. One side is going to get screwed up!
dunno
Quote by Peanut
For those who are interested, more info can be found here...

thanks, I think I need to read up on this one
The numbers involved are tiny on the grand scale of things -- around 2000 in total -- probably equivalent to around 1 weeks supply of "illegals". Yet these are people who have risked their lives on our behalf -- and paid their taxes to our government -- They have surely more than earned the right to stay here !!!
As for their pensions -- They should be paid -- in full (with back pay) the same as any other person in HM forces. If that results in more money going back to nepal, all well and good -- hopefully it would buy more cattle or a tractor or dig an extra well !!
Bring round the petition and I'll sign right now (if anyone knows if there is such a petion please let me know)
Quote by HJ

If that results in more money going back to nepal, all well and good -- hopefully it would buy more cattle or a tractor or dig an extra well !!

True, but it doesn't work like that.....
Once a village has x amount of extra money, everything goes up in price to keep the villages in the correct place economically...
So if the next village doesn't have the x amount of extra money, how do they afford the essentials that have now gone up in price?
If the villagers no longer need to work as they have loads of money, who will grow the crops? Unfortunately it isn't an easy "one size fits all" solution. Whatever the outcome, either innocent villagers or honourable Gurkhas are going to feel some pain because of this.
I served with the Gurkhas in Seria, Brunei for three years during the "Troubles".
I will not bore you with the details but may I add this link to the debate :->>>>>

It is a long article, but it is worth reading and the story passing on to your children lest we all forget.
No greater friends can you have.
In Arduis Fidelis
Phredd
in edit:- note the date of the article
They are certainly by far and away more deserving than some of the half-brained "good causes" HMG spend tax payers money on!!
Time to repay the huge debt of gratitude the Country owes to these magnificent and honourable soldiers...
Tell you what, may be our "honourable" Members of Parliament might donate the special privileges money for second mortgages and televisions et al they get from the state....
not holding breath
I have had experience of Gurkhas and have found them and their families to be some of the loveliest people going. A credit to have in the UK in my opinion. They have a long history of working with pride and total committment for our country and I find it appalling that they are prevented from receiving what they deserve..times change, so should the ancient rules surrounding what they are entitled to.
let um stay i say they have more than earnt the right
can't understand why they can't considering all the others that are allowed to live here that haven't earnt any such right
not saying they shouldn't b4 anyone jumps on me just the ghurkas have earnt it way more than anyone else
The Rajputs have had a similar fate to the Gurkhas....

fought both in world war I & II.
Does loyalty pay???
My grand & greatgrand parents fought for and along side the British. They fought for us all to have freedom, including the fascists.
Well with everyone so far agreeing, it leads me to believe that this Government will not allow it to happen. They never agree with the majority only seem to bend over backwards for the minoroties !
If there was ever a case for letting people stay in this country, then they are it.
Can you imagine how these people feel now after all they have sacrificed, to have it now thrown back in their faces.
Trying not to get political here, but the day will come when this sleazy government and all the other cronies, get kicked out. That day is a coming, and the day Brown gets the boot, will be a day to celebrate!
Why has this government allowed so many dim wits in and to offer an amnesty to over a million illegals, but won't offer and do the right thing with these honourable soldiers? It beggars belief. cool
I am lucky enough to have visited a garrison where the Gurkhas cooked a curry and oh my God was it memorable. So lovely.
I know that has nothing to do with the subject, but it had to be said lol. From what I know of the Gurkhas they are extremely hard working, loyal and respectful and have made huge sacrifices for their families and our country. For that reason alone I would say they should be allowed and able to settle both themselves and their immediate families in this Country.
If there is a problem with returning home with the same financial package, then I don't see a problem in offering them 2 options depending on their choice. It might encourage more Gurkhas to stay in the UK if they are getting more here, but as it has already been stated, the money is relative to the situation. I'm sure housing is a damn sight cheaper in Nepal.
I have served with the Gurkhas in Belize. They are honourable, loyal people, who given their history of fighting for this country should be allowed to live here!!
They would be an asset to us, unlike the spongers and criminals that seem to have no problems making this country their home!!!! mad :x :x
Quote by Sgt Bilko
I have served with the Gurkhas in Belize. They are honourable, loyal people, who given their history of fighting for this country should be allowed to live here!!
They would be an asset to us, unlike the spongers and criminals that seem to have no problems making this country their home!!!! mad :x :x

Would that be the million plus spongers we have then sarge?
I would love to know how many people have come here and give nothing but take take take, all the time. I bet it comes into millions. And this Government penny pinch on 2000 people who have EARNED the right to be here. cool
Quote by Sgt Bilko
I have served with the Gurkhas in Belize. They are honourable, loyal people, who given their history of fighting for this country should be allowed to live here!!
They would be an asset to us, unlike the spongers and criminals that seem to have no problems making this country their home!!!! mad :x :x

here here totally agree with you
There is a petition -- you can find it here -- for whatever good it will do. At least Number 10 will know that there are a good number of people who disagree with their actions
Its a shoddy way the goverment treat the Gurkha soldiers .
If France can offer french citizenship to those who serve in the "French Foreign Legion" after 5 years sevice why the hell cant this goverment offer the same to the Gurkhas especially when these men normaly give more than 5 years to this country!!!!!!!
I don't 'know' anything about this subject, so correct me if I'm wrong, and also got a couple of questions biggrin
Firstly - Do the Gurkhas actually want British citizenship, what does British citizenship mean? One thing I do know is that the Gurkhas are an extremely pround lot. Have they actually asked for/wanted British citizenship, or is the press just saying they're not allowed it. Do they want it, do they want to be merged with us brits, or do they want to stay as independent people, proud of their heritage, proud of what they stand for in their own right as Gurkhas?
The money thing, their pensions not being in line with other military pensions. Suffolk-cpl gave an excellent angle of how, down the line it's damaging for one set of people to have so much more money than the rest of their country, so therefore their pensions are kept lower and more in line with their countrys wage level....... But do they also get add-ons? Do they get extra pay for living away from their home country? and things like that? Which brings the pension up to level with everyone elses?
Have any Gurkhas actually been deported?? Or is it just a loop hole that the press have found, that they 'could' be. Which goes back to the first part of what I wrote. Do Gurkhas want to be classed as British citizens. Maybe they don't, they're very proud of who they are and what they've done and they don't want to have to change citizenship..... therefore on paper they could be deported. But would they be, would that loophole ever be used? It's always been there hasn't it? Never been used as far as I know, would it even ever be used? Is it a loophole that's appeared because the Gurkhas want to stay as they are, not become part of Britain. The government as far as I know (as I said, I don't 'know' anything, just guessing stuff, so correct me on whatever or all of it lol ), have never asked more of them, and nor have they actually deported any of them (or have they, I don't know).
Have the press just cottoned on to it or have Gurkhas been uprooted from here??