Comments on: The strange case of Tul Bahadur Pun http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun Reactionary, ill-informed, fabulous Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:04:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: hitch http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-71631 hitch Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:33:06 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-71631 "Is every US soldier that has served alongside British comrades in Iraq to be entitled to NHS care because of the shocking state of medical care in their home country?" - sjhoward. You are not only clueless about what you are talking about but you are also one very ungrateful and nauseating character. Shame on you! The US soldiers represent their country (the US) and are deployed by their government. The Gurkhas, on the other hand, are an INTEGRAL PART of the British Army and are recruited by the British government. They are deployed by the British government and fight for the interests of Britain. How can you compare the Gurkhas which forms an elite force in the British Army with the Americans ? That's a frivolous attempt to playdown the enourmous contribution that Gurkhas have made to British interests. The Gurkhas share a very long association with Britain dating back to more than two hundred years. They have fought gallantly for Britain in all the major conflicts including WW I & II. More than 45000 Gurkhas have sacrifised their lives fighting for the interests of a country they did not even belong to. Had Gurkhas been dispensable, the British government would no longer recruit them. There is a reason why Britain continues to recruit Gurkhas to this day and age and that is because they are indispensable. They are often the ones sent on very difficult and dangerous missions. They are not only very brave fighters but also fiercely loyal. Britain began recruiting Gurkhas after being awe-striken by their bravery and fighting prowess during a battle with the hill people of Nepal more than two centuries ago who despite being vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped than the British forces put up a fierce fight. The British forces that had already conquered India and much of the world came to a conclusion that it was an unwinable battle. After that the two sides signed a peace treaty. Incidently, Nepal is among a few countries that have never been colonized since medieval times. The Gurkhas despite being the most loyal friends of British people have been treated appallingly by the British government for far too long. The Gurkhas were paid pittance during their service in the British army, not even sufficeint to live a frugal life even in a poor country like Nepal. And the pension they were handed is a big joke. No wonder, they had to look for a job again soon after they retired from the army to make both ends meet. The British government should be ashamed of its conduct. The Gurkhas gave/sacrificed the most productive years of their life for Britain and once they retire the British government doesn't want to know anything. Is this how you show your gratitude? Just because the Gurkhas are very amicable and dutiful doesn't mean you exploit them. Thousands of war veterans without whom the victories would not have been possible continue to live in abject poverty in pitiable conditions in Nepal. They have been left high and dry by the government they fought for. The British government and the people owe them a huge debt that can never be repaid. It is the responsibility of the British government to look after the welfare of the veterans. Every year a few hundred Gurkhas are recuited in the Singapore police force but they enjoy the same facilities, perks, salaries and pensions as the Singapreans. There is no discrimination against the Gurkhas. Why is it the British government that discriminates against the Gurkhas? All that the Gurkhas have been demanding is an end to the discrimination and a parity in salaries and pensions. They are not asking for a reward, so, there is nothing for the stingy British government to be terribly worried about. They just want to be treated fairly. Is that too much to ask for? “Is every US soldier that has served alongside British comrades in Iraq to be entitled to NHS care because of the shocking state of medical care in their home country?” – sjhoward.

You are not only clueless about what you are talking about but you are also one very ungrateful and nauseating character. Shame on you!

The US soldiers represent their country (the US) and are deployed by their government. The Gurkhas, on the other hand, are an INTEGRAL PART of the British Army and are recruited by the British government. They are deployed by the British government and fight for the interests of Britain.

How can you compare the Gurkhas which forms an elite force in the British Army with the Americans ? That’s a frivolous attempt to playdown the enourmous contribution that Gurkhas have made to British interests.

The Gurkhas share a very long association with Britain dating back to more than two hundred years. They have fought gallantly for Britain in all the major conflicts including WW I & II. More than 45000 Gurkhas have sacrifised their lives fighting for the interests of a country they did not even belong to.

Had Gurkhas been dispensable, the British government would no longer recruit them. There is a reason why Britain continues to recruit Gurkhas to this day and age and that is because they are indispensable. They are often the ones sent on very difficult and dangerous missions. They are not only very brave fighters but also fiercely loyal.

Britain began recruiting Gurkhas after being awe-striken by their bravery and fighting prowess during a battle with the hill people of Nepal more than two centuries ago who despite being vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped than the British forces put up a fierce fight. The British forces that had already conquered India and much of the world came to a conclusion that it was an unwinable battle. After that the two sides signed a peace treaty.

Incidently, Nepal is among a few countries that have never been colonized since medieval times.

The Gurkhas despite being the most loyal friends of British people have been treated appallingly by the British government for far too long. The Gurkhas were paid pittance during their service in the British army, not even sufficeint to live a frugal life even in a poor country like Nepal. And the pension they were handed is a big joke. No wonder, they had to look for a job again soon after they retired from the army to make both ends meet.

The British government should be ashamed of its conduct. The Gurkhas gave/sacrificed the most productive years of their life for Britain and once they retire the British government doesn’t want to know anything. Is this how you show your gratitude? Just because the Gurkhas are very amicable and dutiful doesn’t mean you exploit them.

Thousands of war veterans without whom the victories would not have been possible continue to live in abject poverty in pitiable conditions in Nepal. They have been left high and dry by the government they fought for. The British government and the people owe them a huge debt that can never be repaid. It is the responsibility of the British government to look after the welfare of the veterans.

Every year a few hundred Gurkhas are recuited in the Singapore police force but they enjoy the same facilities, perks, salaries and pensions as the Singapreans. There is no discrimination against the Gurkhas.

Why is it the British government that discriminates against the Gurkhas? All that the Gurkhas have been demanding is an end to the discrimination and a parity in salaries and pensions. They are not asking for a reward, so, there is nothing for the stingy British government to be terribly worried about. They just want to be treated fairly. Is that too much to ask for?

]]> By: Coire http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70462 Coire Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:15:59 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70462 I wouldn't worry about the politicians, Mort. I very much doubt they did the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing. I think it's more fear of losing votes.... I wouldn’t worry about the politicians, Mort. I very much doubt they did the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing. I think it’s more fear of losing votes….

]]> By: Mort Karman http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70443 Mort Karman Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:13:57 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70443 Politicians actually let the poor old man into the UK. Perhaps you doctors ought to examine the politicos involved. Government types who do the right thing may be ill as they do not follow the general trend of politicians in most countries. Politicians actually let the poor old man into the UK. Perhaps you doctors ought to examine the politicos involved. Government types who do the right thing may be ill as they do not follow the general trend of politicians in most countries.

]]> By: Coire http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70441 Coire Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:06:07 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70441 He's allowed in!! :o) Now for all the other Gurkhas, we've won one battle, now for the war.... He’s allowed in!! :o )

Now for all the other Gurkhas, we’ve won one battle, now for the war….

]]> By: John white http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70413 John white Thu, 31 May 2007 22:15:17 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70413 Thank you. This is the most intelligent comment I have seen about this issue. In my view, it's about "exceptionality". There is no need to set the Downing St petition precedent, this man is, clearly, someone who has given at least as much as other WW2 heroes [D.Bader, etc]. Given the wasted resources which have been doled out to "far less worthy" people, including virtually every Briton alive today, it would not only be churlish, but also very stupid, to deny him the relatively paltry amounts of DWP and NHS benefits he might accrue. If he's denied this in his dying months/years, God help us all. He is exceptional. Best wishes [good blog] John White Thank you. This is the most intelligent comment I have seen about this issue. In my view, it’s about “exceptionality”. There is no need to set the Downing St petition precedent, this man is, clearly, someone who has given at least as much as other WW2 heroes [D.Bader, etc]. Given the wasted resources which have been doled out to “far less worthy” people, including virtually every Briton alive today, it would not only be churlish, but also very stupid, to deny him the relatively paltry amounts of DWP and NHS benefits he might accrue. If he’s denied this in his dying months/years, God help us all. He is exceptional.
Best wishes [good blog]
John White

]]> By: Des Orpin http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70406 Des Orpin Thu, 31 May 2007 19:30:24 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70406 For anyone who has seen service in any of the armed forces, ever, the moral commitment to Tul Bahadur Pun is absolute. Alas he is another "Tommy Atkins" at a time when service has become old fashioned and second best to self service. If the public were to look at British troops in action on the ground in Iraq and Afganistan today many would be most surprised at the high numbers of "foreigners" serving their interests. Not a new idea; how many "Romans" were Roman in Britain AD43. And guess what - when the foreign "Roman" had served his time he had earned his place in Rome. Et tu Tul Bahadur Pun; you have earned your place here, and if precedents will be set that your ilk will also have earned their place here too - then I will be at the airport to carry their bags. Service to this nation, military or not, voluntary or not, for reward or not, in pursuit of self interest or not, deserves honouring and our loyalty. Come on Mr Liam Byrne the Immigration Minister, if we can get the paperwork right for a young barefoot white South African female runner likely to earn us an Olympic Gold Medal we can do it for an 84 year old winner of a Victoria Cross in need of medical care. Do that "in my name". For anyone who has seen service in any of the armed forces, ever, the moral commitment to Tul Bahadur Pun is absolute. Alas he is another “Tommy Atkins” at a time when service has become old fashioned and second best to self service. If the public were to look at British troops in action on the ground in Iraq and Afganistan today many would be most surprised at the high numbers of “foreigners” serving their interests. Not a new idea; how many “Romans” were Roman in Britain AD43. And guess what – when the foreign “Roman” had served his time he had earned his place in Rome. Et tu Tul Bahadur Pun; you have earned your place here, and if precedents will be set that your ilk will also have earned their place here too – then I will be at the airport to carry their bags. Service to this nation, military or not, voluntary or not, for reward or not, in pursuit of self interest or not, deserves honouring and our loyalty. Come on Mr Liam Byrne the Immigration Minister, if we can get the paperwork right for a young barefoot white South African female runner likely to earn us an Olympic Gold Medal we can do it for an 84 year old winner of a Victoria Cross in need of medical care. Do that “in my name”.

]]> By: julie usher http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70405 julie usher Thu, 31 May 2007 17:27:51 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70405 Give the Indian gentleman Chelsea Pensioner status. Honour his wishes to come here and die here we owe these brave men, my hushand served with the Gurkhas in MALAYA DURING THE CONFRONTATION HE HAD NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR THEIR LOYALTY AND COURAGE. Give the Indian gentleman Chelsea Pensioner status. Honour his wishes to come here and die here we owe these brave men, my hushand served with the Gurkhas in MALAYA DURING THE CONFRONTATION HE HAD NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR THEIR LOYALTY AND COURAGE.

]]> By: Mort Karman http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70383 Mort Karman Wed, 30 May 2007 01:28:54 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70383 I don't know how many people have been honoured with a Victoria Cross fighting for the commonwealth, but if each and every one got British citizenship, they deserve it.You do not get a VC for cutting your finger while opening a can of peas in a war zone. There actually are very few people who live to receive their VC. Most died in brave action. As far as allowing everyone who has ever done a service to the UK citizenship-how about you let me in-in 1973 I was appointed one of only two news photographers to photograph HM Queen Elizabeth when she opened the Shaw Theater in Niagara On The Lake, Ontario. I can even claim a need to be in the UK. I went back to the old country (Canada) last week and visited Niagara On The Lake for the first time in over 30 years. The house I had across the road from the Shaw Theater is no more- it wand the entire neighbourhood had been torn down and is now a hotel and high end shops. Can I claim homeless refugee? Perhaps I don't qualify, but that poor old man does. I don’t know how many people have been honoured with a Victoria Cross fighting for the commonwealth, but if each and every one got British citizenship, they deserve it.You do not get a VC for cutting your finger while opening a can of peas in a war zone. There actually are very few people who live to receive their VC. Most died in brave action. As far as allowing everyone who has ever done a service to the UK citizenship-how about you let me in-in 1973 I was appointed one of only two news photographers to photograph HM Queen Elizabeth when she opened the Shaw Theater in Niagara On The Lake, Ontario. I can even claim a need to be in the UK. I went back to the old country (Canada) last week and visited Niagara On The Lake for the first time in over 30 years. The house I had across the road from the Shaw Theater is no more- it wand the entire neighbourhood had been torn down and is now a hotel and high end shops. Can I claim homeless refugee? Perhaps I don’t qualify, but that poor old man does.

]]> By: sjhoward http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70376 sjhoward Tue, 29 May 2007 20:55:26 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70376 No problem! Thanks for your comments! Remembrance Sunday is, according to the Royal British Legion, "a unique expression of national homage devoted to the remembrance of those who have given their lives <b>in war</b>." Believe me, it's a bit of a sore point with me... As for Mr Pun being 5'4"... I'm not much bigger than that... Well, only six inches... I hope I'm more than a straw, too! No problem! Thanks for your comments!

Remembrance Sunday is, according to the Royal British Legion, “a unique expression of national homage devoted to the remembrance of those who have given their lives in war.”

Believe me, it’s a bit of a sore point with me…

As for Mr Pun being 5′4″… I’m not much bigger than that… Well, only six inches… I hope I’m more than a straw, too!

]]> By: Coire http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun/comment-page-1#comment-70373 Coire Tue, 29 May 2007 18:36:36 +0000 http://sjhoward.co.uk/archive/2007/05/29/the-strange-case-of-tul-bahadur-pun#comment-70373 Simon - thanks for that! I think the facts behind the campaign for Gurkha's rights are sound - it is not just being fought on emotional grounds. The background to this has been grumbling for a while, it just needed a 'straw' to kick things off - and Mr Pun is much more than a straw (even if he is 5'4'') Yes, we should pay more attention to the memory of other people; but Rememberance Day is for anyone who has fallen in the service of their country, not just military. Simon – thanks for that!

I think the facts behind the campaign for Gurkha’s rights are sound – it is not just being fought on emotional grounds. The background to this has been grumbling for a while, it just needed a ’straw’ to kick things off – and Mr Pun is much more than a straw (even if he is 5′4”)

Yes, we should pay more attention to the memory of other people; but Rememberance Day is for anyone who has fallen in the service of their country, not just military.

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