THE BRITAIN- SOCIETY

Journal

Number 20

1996 Outstanding Record of Service to the Society

See article page 11

1 THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCffiTY

Journal THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY Number 20 sends 1996 Warmest and most sincere congratulations and good wishes to His Majesty King Birendra on the occasion of His Silver Jubilee Year. May his reign CONTENTS continue in tranquility and success for many, many more years to come.

. 0~' -,f'''''t.-­ WELFARE T R U S T (;URKHAS 5 Editorial BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE 7 The Society's News by Pat MelIor MOST GENEROUS OF THE GENEROUS 11 Outstanding Record of Service to the Society NEVER HAD A COUNTRY MORE FAITHFUL FRIENDS THAN YOU 13 A House by the River 14 The Nepal-Britain Society by Mayura Brown GURKHA EX SERVICEMEN WHO FOUGHT IN Four Places in a Kingdom's Soul by Michael Hutt WORLD WAR 11 NEED YOUR HELP NOW. 15 21 Glimpses Around the Valley by Gerry Birch HELP REPAY OVER 175 YEARS LOYAL SERVICE Annual Nepali Supper by Mayura Brown WITH A DONATION. COVENANT OR LEGACY TO 23 25 The Royal Society for Asian Affairs by Gerry Birch THE GURKHA WELFARE TRUST 25 Obituary 3rd Floor, 88 Baker Street 26 Book Reviews: Kirthipur, An Urban Community in Nepal, London W1 M 2AX The Call of Nepal, With the Tel: 0171 707 1925 28 Reviews by Lt. Col T.M. Lowe Reg Charity No: 1034080 34 Addresses 35 Notes on the Britain-Nepal Society

2 3 EDITORIAL THE As our readers well know, this Journal And so on to the Summer Outing to BRITAIN -NEPAL is not directly concerned with Brighton organised by the Yeti sophisticated technology or the Association and attended by a 22 profounder aspects of philosophy and considerable number of our members as medical trust the natural sciences, or indeed with is duly reported by our Honourary politics, but we do have links with the Secretary. In view of the remarkable London University School of Oriental development ofthe Gurkha Museum it BNMT has for 28 years aimed to improve the health of people in Nepal by and African Studies, the Royal Society is hoped that a future outing may again implementing primary health care programmes in Nepal's Eastern region. for Asian Affairs and other notable be aimed at Winchester, where of Currently BNMT operates a TB and leprosy control programme in the hill districts academic bodies and do try to keep in course the Museum is located, and and a TB training programme for frontline health workers. We provide basic touch with them as a glance through the perhaps also to Warwick Castle as essential drugs to remote village health posts and district hospitals. Through our community health and development programme we are running literacy classes Journal will readily show. recommended last year in the Journal! for village women, promoting health education and supporting community The events of another active year are But when saying this, it has to be initiatives. well reflected in Journal No 20 and for acknowledged that the seaside has a full account of these we draw distinct attractions in the summer. To continue this work we need your support. attention to 'The Society's News' while Very much in the media recently has BNMT, 16, East Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN91HG. acknowledging that when so much has been the need for attention to the tel: 01732360284 fax: 01732 363876 been happening at Burlington House, welfare of our ex-servicemen and their where our talks are held, and at the dependants. We can assure members Royal Nepalese Embassy and the that the Gurkha Welfare Scheme with House of Commons where we come its twenty-four active welfare centres in together from time to time, not all our the hills of Nepal has achieved VISIT activities can be fully recorded. remarkable progress. Its success is In this the twenty-sixth year since the beyond praise and the Trust which ~ foundation of our Society we rejoiced supports it fully deserves all the help it Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road to hear of the award of the Prasiddha can be given. Prabal Gurkha Daksin Bahu 11 Class by The addresses and telephone Winchester S023 8TS Tel:(01962)842832 His Majesty the King of Nepal to Mrs numbers of both the Museum and the Mayura Brown, Founder Member and Welfare Trust are given elsewhere in the Open: Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm Vice President, who has been actively Journal, as indeed are those of many involved throughout the existence of the other important organisations such as Bank Holiday Mons Society. The prestigious decoration was the King Mahendra UK Trust for handed over to Mayura by His Nature Conservation, the Britain-Nepal Excellency the Royal Nepalese Medical Trust, the Britain-Nepal Special Events Wheelchair Access Ambassador on 10th June this year, the Otology Service, KEEP UK and the award having been made on the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce. e'l).~i- Gift Shop 01- 1S'0 occasion of His Majesty's 50th We wish them all a very successful -\'l)."O' Friendly and Helpful Staff O~~~~/)lY Birthday celebration. Many members of coming year. the Society were present in the We wish also the Royal Gurkha Reg Charity No 272426 ~IS' Embassy to participate in the joy of this Rifles a splendid future despite the fact memorable event. that they will be down to two Battalions 4 5 THE SOCIETY'S NEWS by Pat Melior by the end of the year, one in the United has provided for Journal No.20. General helping the environment in the Kingdom and the other in . The Finally some interesting news from The AGM in November 1995 was held mountains of Nepal'. Her slides were training of recruits was carried out very . Colonel Bruce Niven, author at the Royal Nepalese Embassy, by kind fascinating, but it was her enthusiasm successfully at Church Crookham this of 'The Mountain Kingdom' and noted permission of His Excellency Mr S P and obvious love of the work she year. The Queen's Gurkha Engineers, mountaineer, writes from Singapore Shrestha, the Ambassador. The meeting undertakes with the weavers and their The Queen's Gurkha Signals and the where he is now Consultant in the was followed by an excellent curry beautiful fabrics that gave the members Queen's Own Gurkha Transport Police Academy and where he has been supper once again supplied by Mr who attended such pleasure. Regiment are each represented by one reviewing the training system and also Ranamagar of the Munal Restaurant, On the 5th December, 1995, Susie fully trained and operational squadron. the recruitment procedures in Nepal on 393 Upper Richmond Road in Putney. Thompson and Bruce Herrod gave a To them all the Society tenders its very behalf of the in The Ambassador's secretary Nelia fascinating talk entitled 'Journey to sincere good wishes. Singapore. He is about to accompany to Ranamagar charmingly looked after all Kailash' - using fine photography to Nor must we conclude without a Dhaulagiri the Singapore team which the members during the supper which illustrate the vanishing heritage of the warm word of thanks to all who have will attempt Everest in 1998 when he was laid out in the Embassy official Khasa Malla Kingdom in far west contributed to the Journal and a very hopes to be with them. We wish them dining room adjoining the meeting Nepal and their journey with a Sherpa special thank you to Mr P K Donaldson all every success. room. couple to sacred Mt. Kailash .. The for the excellent photographs which he slides which accompanied this talk were absolutely stunning. The very sad news that I have recently received is that Bruce Herrod lost his life during the first South African attempt on Everest, while he was acting as photographer to the expedition. Our ZENECA deep sympathy goes to Sue Thompson. Agrochemicals On the 5th March, Dr Michael Hutt of SOAS gave the members a talk Zeneca Agrochemicals produces herbicides, insecticides and fungicides At the Annual General Meeting­ entitled 'Palaces and Temples of to help combat the weeds, pests and diseases that currently destroy some Nepal', this was accompanied by 30% of the world's crops. Mr Smith, newly appointed H.M. Ambassador to Nepal, with Mrs Smith, beautiful slides, and his talk enthralled Through Zeneca Public Health it also provides products to control the Mayura Brown, Vice President of the the large number of members who insects and rodents that cause life-threatening diseases and spread misery Society and Sir Neil Thorne attended. An article based on his talk to many people across the world. appears elsewhere in this Journal For further information, please contact:- together with some of his photographs.

Zeneca Agrochemicals Winter Lectures Our grateful thanks to all the Fernhurst Haslemere Surrey GU27 3JE Last October, on the 8th, our member speakers who give us their time, Telephone: 01428 644061 Fax: 01428 652922 Susie Dunsmore gave us a truly knowledge and beautiful slides to enjoy, Telex: 858270 ZENAGR G wonderful talk entitled 'Traditional and and we look forward to entertaining Innovative Nettle Tweed and Dhaka them at the next Annual Nepali Supper ~ Formerly a member of the ICI Group ~ Cloth Couture - raising income and in February.

6 7 Other Events after dinner talk and her subject was the On arrival the plan was to enjoy the their visit by sending them bouquets of The Annual Nepali Supper was held Red Cross in Nepal. Mr Manandhar and sights of Brighton and the seaside flowers with best wishes from the on Tuesday 22nd February at St his family from the Natraj Restaurant, during the day and then gather together Committee, Vice-Presidents and Columba's Hall, Pont Street. The venue 93 Charlotte Street provided an for a tea party at the very comfortable members of the Society. is ideal for holding our Annual event so excellent Nepalese Supper, which was new Thistle Hotel on the front, to we will probably continue to go there. enjoyed by everyone. This event was enable the members of both Societies to Finally, I am sure that members will The Guest of Honour this year was extremely well supported by 174 renew old acquaintances and forge new be pleased to hear about the appeal Lady Limerick, whose husband is a members attending. friendships. I am pleased to report that made about three years ago for member of the Society. She gave the this was a great success and many children's books for the ASMAN The Summer outing this year was a members attended including HE The Library in Kathmandu. Members joint affair between the Britain-Nepal Nepalese Ambassador and Madame generously gave 600 books for this Society and the Yeti Association, and Shrestha. appeal. However, because there were so was arranged to take place on the 18th many books, it has taken some time for August. We all gathered together for a Our Patron, HRH Prince Gyanendra arrangements to be made for them to be day trip to Brighton. The journey was B.B. Shah and Princess Komal R L D transported to Nepal. We are all most only marred by the fact that one coach Shah together with their son, HRH grateful to HE The Nepalese broke down on the way and about 2.5 Prince Paras B.B.Shah, made a brief Ambassador for undertaking these hours was spent by your Secretary and visit to this country in July. Time was arrangements. The Committee's Treasurer, the President of the Yeti too short for the Society to arrange a grateful thanks to His Excellency and to Society and many other members reception in their honour. However, I members for their kindness in giving so Old friends at the Nepali supper sitting on the hard shoulder of the M23 ! am pleased to report that we did mark many books. (21 Feb 96) ROJ\MJ\ TRAVEL NEPAL- Treks-Climbs-Tours

Get away from the pressures of work and enjoy the tranquillity of the Himalayan trails-Iow or high

Special itineraries arranged to suit your requirements Brochure from Bill Norman ROAMA TRAVEL, Shroton, Blandford, DTII 8QW Tel: 01258-860298 (24 hours) Fax: 01258-861382 CAA ATOL 3612. Vice President Mrs Celia Brown with Dr William Brown and members at the Royal Birthday Celebration at the Embassy on 4th January. 8 9 OUTSTANDING RECORD OF SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY

The Chairman of the Society and many of the Women's Council because she members had great pleasure in being felt that Nepal would benefit from present at the Royal Nepalese Embassy, affiliation to the Council. This was ~:# on 10th June 1996, for the ceremony of achieved with the help of the late Mrs the handing over by the Royal Nepalese Winifred Coulson, a former vice Ambassador, of the decoration Prasida president of the Society. LlctRT UT tlEPIH~ Prabal Gurkha Daksin Bahu IT Class In recent years and through the awarded by His Majesty the Kind of efforts of Mrs Celia Brown, an Nepal to Mrs Mayura Brown. On the executive member of the Women's same occasion they were able to thank Council and for 12 years this Society's and bid farewell to Colonel C.M.S. Honourary Secretary, a number of Guring on completion of his duties in Nepalese girls have had training in London. Child Welfare through the Assisted When the Britain-Nepal Society was Scholarship Scheme. Two Nepalese formed in 1960, Mayura Brown assisted girls are in England at the moment the Founder, Madame Bhuban Singha, undergoing tuition. during the first year of its existence. The question arose in 1968 of Primarily it was necessary to enlarge forming a Britain-Nepal Parliamentary the membership. Mayura wrote to group. Mayura wrote to those M.P's several people including Sir Ralph Turner, General Sir Francis Tuker, and her Uncle Field-Marshall Kaiser who had been a previous Nepalese Ambassador in Britain. After becoming a Life Member of the Society, F.-M. Kaiser decided to form the Nepal­ Britain Society in Kathmandu, which accounts for Mayura's continuing TANDOORI AND CURRY contact with it to the present day. RESTAURANT In the Society's second year Mayura Mrs Mayura Brown (Fully Air Conditioned) became Hon. Treasurer and was able to Prioate room aoailable for promote her idea of lecture meetings who had served with the Gurkhas or up to 40 persons. for the members. As she had been at the had contacts with Nepal. She has Parties catered for School of Oriental and African Studies, always kept in touch with the Group London University, for a while in the and was especially pleased when the 268 KING STREET. HAMMERSMITH 50's and was a Fellow of the Royal Hon. Secretaryship was held by Lord LONDON W6 osp Asiatic Society, she was able to find a James Douglas-Hamilton M.P. whose TELEPHONE: 081-748 3586. 081-741 2057 number of suitable and eminent Father, the Marquis of Clydesdale, was lecturers. the first airman to flyover Mount During 1962 she became a member Everest. That was in 1933 when she

10 11 A HOUSE BY THE RIVER Mayura Brown writes:-

met the Expedition's photographer in King and to HRH Prince Gyanendra, There is much interest in the London which must have surprised and Kathmandu. prepares the AGM messages to the residence of my Great-grandfather, Jang delighted the Nepalese. When the Ralph Turner Memorial Patron, as well as the messages to the Bahadur Kunwar Rana, during his visit Besides these very pleasing lecture took place in May 1985 at the Nepal-Britain Society. In the early days here. apartments, a garden to the north gave Royal Asiatic Society. Mayura she produced newsletters for the A Nepalese Embassy headed by Jang excellent views of the River Thames. A suggested that the then Ambassador, Society before the advent of the printed Bahadur, Prime Minister of Nepal, large lawn lay to the east of the house, Ishwari Raj Pandey, should present a Journal to which she contributes arrived in England in May 1850. They and to the south was the public road. volume of the poems written by His late regularly. were accommodated in a splendid There are some buildings in Majesty, King Mahendra, to the Her main concerns are the protection mansion in Richmond Terrace (off Richmond Terrace today that resemble Society, The presentation was made of the culture and traditions of Nepal Whitehall). Probably an establishment those in the sketch made of the area in after the lecture. and its environment, respect for the for visiting dignitaries, it was, provided 1850. However, it might be difficult to Mayura served on the Committee in religions of the country and with beautiful paintings, elegant locate the exact house now since the early years as Vice-Chairman, and appreciation of its unique architecture, furniture, chandeliers, and costly modern constructions have taken place has been a vice-president for many as well as support for the retention and Brussels carpets. It was lighted by gas in the vicinity. years. She has carried on her duties of preservation of its ancient crafts, sending Birthday letters to H.M the including its elegant textiles.

~ritain - JVepaZ Chamber Of Commerce

The Chamber encourages two way trade between the and the . It acts as an interface through a newsletter, meetings, and a membership list, for those seeking to develop contacts in this sphere and welcomes new members with similar aims.

For further information contact:

The Secretan; Britain - Nepal Chamber Of Commerce Richmond Terrace in 1850 Sir John Lyon House Upper Thames Street Prime Minister fang Bahadur visited the United Kingdom during the period 25 London EC4V 3PA May to 21 August 1850 as the guest of Queen Victoria. This memorable visit was followed by one almost equally memorable to the Continent. Ed. Tel: + 44 (0) 171 329 0950 Fax: + 44 (0) 171 3294218

12 13 THE NEPAL-BRITAIN SOCIETY NEPAL - FOUR PLACES IN A KINGDOM'S SOUL by Mayura Brown by Michael Butt

On behalf of our Society I sent a Nepal, which we are sure will be very If asked, the members of this Society we all share an affection for Nepal then message of greetings and good wishes enjoyable. would probably offer a wide variety of we must also share a concern about the to the Nepal-Britain Society for their The Society in Kathmandu had reasons for their attachment to Nepal. valley'S deteriorating environment and Annual Dinner on the 17th November organised a lively programme of These might range from a record of the sorry state of many minor temples 1995. It was very pleasing to hear of the activities with a variety of talks and service with the Gurkhas, to a and monasteries, not to mention the Dinner's success with over 100 guests discussions. They hope to increase diplomatic posting in Kathmandu, to dilapidated condition of the old Newar present. The Society said farewell to interest in their Society which will happy memories of a trekking holiday, houses whose appearance is so much Her Majesty's Ambassador, Mr extend the goodwill that exists already to an abiding love of bhaat and raksi. more pleasing than that of the rash of Timothy George, who had provided it between Nepal and Britain. And of course many members are new concrete structures out by the ring 'with much support during his five At our Nepali Supper in February, I themselves of Nepali origin and need road. years stay in Nepal'. read out the warm and friendly message no further excuse. What we all share is However, this brief essay is not We welcomed his successor, Mr sent by the Nepal-Britain Society for a concern and an affection for a intended to bewail the imperfection and Barney Smith (and Mrs Smith) at our our members and guests, among whom particular country and the peoples and decay that every Hindu knows is an AGM last November tendering our we were delighted to see Timothy and cultures that dwell within it. There are inevitable part of the Yuga, the good wishes for his term of office in Richenda George. particular places within that country current era of degeneration. Instead, its that have a heightened meaning and intention is to celebrate the survival of significance and with which we are all Nepal's holiest shrines, those that Keith acquainted to some extent. Those I have Dowman in his recent book calls the in mind - and we will all have our own With All Good Wishes favourites - are situated in the 'heart of Nepal' , the Kathmandu valley. If the valley is the heart of Nepal, these place'~ From are a part of its soul. Even the most casual visitor to the Kathmandu valley (and almost every Lawri~; Qrou.pPlc foreigner who visits Nepal makes ~ Wrotham Pla~~ hislher first acquaintance with the '., :t\'~·~.~.~ .. ",~ ..· ..Wrothain kingdom there) cannot fail to notice that its townscapes are punctuated at t· Se~~no'aks regular intervals by temples, stupas and ,; :' ,.' .'. ,i> f,;f(Jfli .•.• '.! • shrines. These are not located arbitrarily, and many - though not necessarily those of the greatest architectural splendour - are important .~.. points in a religious and spatial matrix in the old sections of each town. The of the world's largest tea producers with gardens in l~dia, medieval settlements now form only a minor part of the rapidly-spreading Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya & Malawi. conurbation of Kathmandu-Lalitpur, Swayambhu stupa, with the Hariti though Bhaktapur retains its integrity. If temple in the foreground

14 15 Narayan. Each of these probably dates the miraculous appearance of a lotus­ from the early years of the Licchavi borne flame on the surface of the lake, Period. There are of course other and of how he cleaved the hills to the temples and stupas of equal antiquity in south to release its waters and render Nepal, but in my opinion these four the valley fit for human habitation and sanctuaries are supreme. the fostering of religion. And of how a The first walk I ever took through stupa - originally a low dome-shaped Kathmandu on my first visit in 1978 is reliquary mound - was built up, layer one that I try to repeat whenever I upon layer, year upon year, into the return, for no real purpose other than extraordinary structure that exists today, The great stupa at Bauddha. From for old times' sake. It begins beside the Pashupati temple, seen from the with its complex finial, painted eyes, Michael Huff (ed) Nepal: a guide to the old Dhoka palace: one hill of Mrigasthali. and thirteen copper rings representing art and architecture of the Kathmandu crosses the square to the Ashoka the levels of Buddhist perfection, valley. Kiscadale Publications, 1994. Ganesh shrine next to the great barn­ picturesque architecture along that lane topped off with the parasol of kingship. reminds me of the time when much of 'power places' of Nepal. The first rank like pavilion of Kasthamandapa from Up on its hill, festooned with prayer­ of these includes the Buddhist stupas of which the city takes its name. From old Kathmandu was like this! Over the flags and flanked by the two white Swayambhu and Bauddha, the Shaiva there, one dips down into Maruhiti, Bishnumati one goes by way of a sikhara towers that King Pratap Malla swaying ropebridge, Hindu temple of Pashupati and the following a narrow lane to the then up through added in the 17th century, the stupa of Vaishnava Hindu temple of Changu Bishnumati river. Nowadays, the the houses of Dallu (green ricefields Swayambhu can be seen for miles studded with egrets 28 years ago) to the around and has become one of the icons street that leads to the foot of Singum of Nepali national culture. or Gopuccha hill, with the eyes of If Swayambhu is the principal Swayambhu looking down from above. monument ofVajrayana, the Buddhism One pauses for a while beside the practiced by many Newars, the still decorated concrete arch that marks the larger stupa of Bauddha on the other beginning of the climb to the stupa: side of the capital is the central shrine there will probably be a few beggars for the Buddhist peoples of Nepal's sitting along the way, silently waiting hills and mountains, and for Nepal's for alms from passing pilgrims, as well Tibetan settlers and refugees. Only as Tibetan women performing their some thirty years ago this massive stupa prostrations. Then one climbs in the formed the centre of a small hamlet footsteps of the pilgrims who have surrounded by fields: now a broad street come this way for at least 1500 years, lined with unprepossessing buildings up to the great stupa of Swayambhu, runs alongside it, though once one is the 'Self-Made'. inside the sanctuary it is easy to Everyone who visits Nepal comes to imagine that little has really changed. hear of the Buddhist myth of the The stupa of Bauddha stands on a broad draining of the Kathmandu Valley: of plinth of interlocking platforms, upon how the Bodhisattva Manjushri came which the visitor may climb, though the The Pashupati temple complex, looking upstream along the Bagmati river. down from the north when he heard of true pilgrims are those who circle the

16 17 SlUpa in a clockwise direction fingering shrines where Lord Pashupati, protector oldest inscription ever found in the beads or twirling their prayerwheels of Nepal, receives offerings and Kathmandu valley, dating from 464 AD and muttering the basic prayer of supplications day in and day out but apparently still perfectly legible if Tibetan Buddhism: Om Mani Padme through the year. Often, a funeral pyre you can read Gupta characters (must Hum. From the plinth one can see the will be burning on the riverbank a liule confess that I cannot!) new monasteries and meditation centres downstream, where the ashes of the Also, several of the kingdom's oldest that have grown up around the stupa in deceased will ultimately mingle with and most exquisite stone sculptures are the wake of the flight of refugees from the waters of the holy Bagmati. On dotted about the temple courtyard, now Tibet in the 1960's and the growth of I several occasions I have witnessed the thankfully secured in strong brick Western interest in Himalayan spectacle of a group of tourists niches to deter the ubiquitous art Buddhism. .) photographing the mourners there, and thieves. Of particular interest is a huge The presence of Buddhism looms have wondered how such tourists would stone which kneels in a posture large in Kathmandu, and the line that react if the situation were ever reversed. of adoration before the main shrine divides it from is often The last of the four places to be door, whose mouSlachioed face is difficult to draw. However, Nepal is the mentioned here is less frequented by reputed to be modelled upon the face of foreign visitors, but in some respects is King Manadeva. My own favourite is the most interesting of the four. If you the 7th-century representation of have the time and the energy, you may appearing in all of his different find that the most fulfilling way to visit manifestations simultaneously to the the temple of Changu Narayan is to awestruck warrior Arjuna, a sculpture The 7th-cenrury sculpture ofVishnu walk from the northern outskirts of known as Vishvarupa. Vishwarupa at Chang Narayan. From Bhaktapur town - this is especially From Changu Narayan, if you have Michael Hutt (ed) Nepal: a guide to the pleasam in the late summer, for the path walked to the temple, you have the art and architecture of the Kathmandu winds through terraced fields of rice choice of either returning 10 Bhaktapur valley. Kiscadale Publications, 1994 where no two shades of green are alike. or proceeding down the other side of The temple stands at the end of a the hill and turning west toward world's only Hindu kingdom and promontory of higher ground that juts Bauddha, crossing the Manohara river is its guardian deity. The most out across the valley floor between en route. It wou ld be a long day, but a imponant Hindu temple in Nepal is that Bhaktapur to the south and the valley of fulfilling onc, to visit each of these four dedicated to Pashupati, the 'Lord of the the Manohara river to the north. It is a places in turn, moving perhaps from Beasts', a name given here to Shiva. marvellously elaborate example of the west to east across the Kathmandu Those of us who are not Hindus may classic Newar pagoda temple with an valley, setting out at dawn for not enter the inner sanctuary, where the 1 exuberance of woodcarving and Swayambhu and ending at dusk at devout can perform their religious ). repousee metalwork that defies Changu. Perhaps such a day would duties undistracted by the tourist's description. Here one can inspect the bring the traveller a little closer to the camera. Instead, we may cross the pillar inscription of King Manadeva, the soul of Mother Nepal. sacred Bagmati river to the hi llside opposite, which affords the splendid Deity on a roof strut of the temple of view recorded on film many thousands Changu Narayan. of times each year: of the broad two­ tiered pagoda surrounded by subsidiary

IS 19 GLIMPSES AROUND THE VALLEY by Lieutenant Colonel G.D. Birch 20 Active Years ... During my time in Kathmandu an exhibition of early photos of the city Guiding the Himalayan Travellers to their was held in 1991 at the Bal Mandir. Dream Destinations ... This generated much more interest than the organisers foresaw and resulted in the exhibition's timeframe being doubled. Unfortunately my own photos of the early 1960's had been left behind so I was unable to submit anything.

The Bhimsen Tower

the country in 1962 there was an embryo tourist industry depending upon a few mountaineering expeditions or some intrepid tourists who ventured as far as Kathmandu for 2-3 days

Let Us also help you to plan or fulfill your Himalaya Dream: be it just a Elephant transport by the Rani Pokari regular Holiday or full scale Himalayan Expeditions. Those shown here were taken in Contact us TODAY! 1962-63. Kathmandu has grown remarkably quickly over the last 30 years or so, with increased acceleration H'IMALAYA Inc. especially over the last 10 years as &~, those who have known it during that time will be well aware. Development ~Adventure Trave~ up to the early 1950's was kept in check SAARC Secretariat Corner by the Government's policy of isolation Kantipath Line,GPO Box: 105, Kathmandu / Nepal from the rest of the Sub-Continent. Tei: 226622/229031 Fax: + 977-1 228890/247999 With the fall of the Rana regime in E-mail: [email protected] 1951 the borders were tentatively Internet: http://www.south-asia.comlhimalaya.html opened, and by the time I first visited Patan - no cars, no tourists

20 21 ANNUAL NEPALI SUPPER by Mayura Brown

sightseeing, based on the Royal Hotel Though the inclement weather remembered their shared wartime run by Boris and Inge Vassilevitch. As hampered some members from exploits. Now, he said, it was time to Nepal became better known in the late attending our Annual Supper on consider the mutual benefit of bi -lateral 1960s and into the 1970s Kathmandu February 21st, over 170 were present at trade and the continual support of became something of a 'Mecca' on the our usual venue, St. Columba's Hall, democratic values. It was encouraging 'Hippy Trail' of those times across including Their Excellencies, the to find that the visits of Nepalese Asia. Low budget tourism took off and Nepalese Ambassador and Madame politicians to this country were the valley became exposed to rapid and Shrestha with the Embassy party, and reciprocated by British uncontrolled development which is still our Guest of Honour, the Countess of Parliamentarians going to Nepal. the case today. Tourism has not been Limerick, Chairman of Red Cross Lady Limerick gave a lively and the only development as there are now International, who was one of our most interesting talk. It showed her care garment and carpet factories, some run earliest members. Our Chairman, Sir and concern for the Nepalese people. by Tibetan refugees or their Neil Thorne, extended a waillI welcome Shortly after her marriage she visited descendants. There are roads, offices to all. There was, however, a very Nepal with her husband, (then Viscount and monasteries where there were once special welcome for courageous Glentworth), who is a keen The Nyatpala, Bhaktapur open fields. General Iim Robertson (86) who, with mountaineer. They travelled to the Mrs Robertson, had braved the cold to Langtang area, a good introduction to join us after a very serious accident and the country, for she became acquainted many painful months in hospital, and with the demanding terrain and the ;johnnie (;urkha's also for Mrs. Ann Mitchell, who had arduous life of the villagers. The work just had a hip replacement. Their to contain natural disasters in Nepal, WNEPALESE~ staunch support, despite their vast landslides for example, is r":~ CUISINE ~:: infirmities, was greatly appreciated. formidable. The work of the Red Cross '\ (r- "'- /-~\ ~ Sabash! is far from easy. Sylvia made many In a Nepalese surrounding Soon it was time to take our places at useful observations, and it is comforting the tables. As ever, Mr. Manandhar's to have such a valuable and Tel: 0125228773 & 23191 menu was excellent. With reckless knowledgeable friend to turn to for A truly inimitable restaurant for Oriental Specialities disregard for our waistlines, many of us advice. Fully Licensed took delicious second helpings. At the It was disappointing that the Earl of Open 6 days a week. Lunches and dinners conclusion of the meal we had the Limerick was unable to join us, but he 12 noon - 11 pm - right through Varied set menu until 5pm. Sunday - closed all day privilege and pleasure of hearing the sent his regards in an amusing little Namaste! Ram-Ram!! gracious message from Her Majesty the poem. He took over the Hon. We open 6 days a week for luncheons and dinners Queen read to us by our Chairman. Treasuryship from me in 1964, and We cater for large parties, functions and banqueting The close and ancient ties between helped to iron out some creases in the the two countries was mentioned by Society's Constitution which had been at downtown area, 186 Victoria Road Aldershot, Hampshire (Easy Parking) H.E. the Ambassador in his speech, assembled rather hurriedly in 1960. Table bookings welcome. reminding us of the VB and VI Every Hon. Treasurer that followed Remember commemoration during the previous should be very thankful to him that all "JOHNNIE GURKHAS" year when British and Gurkhas subscriptions are paid yearly on a fixed

22 23 date. I had to send out weekly notices to Hall so welcoming, to Mr Wieler for THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ASIAN AFFAIRS members for subscription renewals on the charming floral decorations he by Lieutenant Colonel G.D. Birch the day they joined the Society - a time supplies ever year, to Mr. Manandhar consuming chore. and his family who always give us The Society was founded in 1901 to belong to the Royal Society for Asian After the loyal toasts had been drunk, special attention, and last but not least, promote interest in Asia. Originally Affairs including Dudley Spain, I read out the message from the Nepal­ our splendid Gurkha Pipers. known as the Royal Central Asian Cynthia Stephenson and Marinel Britain Society. As another enjoyable As always on this occasion the Society it had the ring of the 19th Fitzsimons (the recently retired evening was over, we said our 'Au presence of the pipers from the Royal century and the 'great game'. Its form­ secretary of the R.Soc.AA) revoirs' till next year. Our grateful Gurkha Rifles was very gratefully ation occurred just in this century but The benefits of belonging to the thanks go to our Committee and helpers appreciated. the Younghusband expedition to Tibet Society include access to an extremely for the work undertaken to make the inspired by Lord Curzon, the last major comprehensive library on Asia, with not event of the game, had still to take only many old and rare books but also place. Sir Francis Younghusband was a contemporary works, a series of founder member of the Society and lunchtime lectures held between Lord Curzon its president 1918 - 1925. October and July in London, and the The Society was renamed in 1975 to Society's Journal that is published three reflect its true area of interest and Nepal times a year. The Journal is well reco­ falls squarely within the Society'S gnised as one of the best publications of remit. A glance at my 1965 membership its type on Asia covering, as do the list reveals a number of distinguished lectures, a whole range of topics people who had and have great interest including current affairs, geopolitics, .. For more than eight years, we have been in Nepal. These included Lt. Gen Sir defence, economics, exploration, successfully leading treks ,'off the beaten track' to Francis Tuker a famous Gurkha Brigade culture, anthropology and much else. Nepal, with both groups and private individuals. officer and author of several excellent The annual subscription is £45 for books on Nepal, India and the Gurkhas; those living within 60 miles of London, Our programme of trips is now even more Lt Col Eric Bailey, probably the last £35 for those over this distance and £31 comprehensive than before including Western Nepal, Rara lake - Langtang and Holy Gasaikund - the player of the 'great game' who had for overseas members. There is also a Kingdom of Mustang - Manaslu Circuit - The Upper accompanied Younghusband to Tibet, junior membership (under 21) at £5. Dolpo trek. outwitted the Bolsheviks in Bokhara, For anyone wishing to be a journal and journeyed across Tibet into Assam, subscriber only, the cost is £32 per year. Everest Base Camp and Mani Rimdu Festival - and whose last appointment was Anyone wishing to join may either A Christmas adventure Minister Resident in Kathmandu. I contact me or the Secretary, Royal know that a number of long standing Society for Asian Affairs at 2 Belgrave For a full colour brochure of these and other treks in Britain Nepal Society members already Square, London SWIX 8PJ. the Himalaya. contact Dept NPL" OBITUARY - Major Peter Cecil Jebb We heard with deep sorrow of the very sudden death on the 11 th August of Major Peter J ebb, an early member of our Society and a past member of the committee. Colonel Jimmy Evans and Mrs Pat MelIor represented the Society at his funeral. A donation to the Gurkha Welfare Trust has been made by the Society in his honour. It is sad to lose such a dynamic and supportive friend, especially one so devoted to Nepal and to our Society. We will miss his cheerful presence at our events. He cannot be replaced - but we are the happier for having known him.

24 25 BOOK REVIEWS The Call of Nepal 'Kirtipur, An Urban community in Nepal' Editors Mehrdad Shokoohy and Natalie (A Personal Nepalese Odyssey In A Different Dimension) H. Shokoohy 258 pages. Araxus Books £43. For over 50 years J.P.Cross has been adoptive family, and he is in the unique Among the ancient towns of the that 'the development of tourism in very closely connected with the people position of being the only foreigner Kathmandu Valley Kirtipur, the oldest, Kirtipur must be planned and controlled of Nepal. First, for nearly forty years, ever allowed to be a land-owner and a is the least known to visitors. It has from its infancy, to make sure that it as a soldier then as a very privileged householder in the history of that retained much of the atmosphere and does not have an adverse effect on the civilian. His name is known by country. character of the past. An increasing culture of the town, or the originality of countless thousands of and on This fascinating story has been population and the demands of the the historic sights, something which one 107 day journey to East, West and written with obvious sincerity and the tourist industry are beginning to erode unhappily has already happened not South, he met someone he knew, or author's love for the people and the the life-style and structure of this only in the Durbar Squares of who knew him, every day. It is said by country shines through the pages. He unique site. (1998 is the 'Visit Nepal Kathmandu and Patan, but also the Gurkhas that if you put a sheet in has written it partly because he feels he Year') Bhaktapur' (p.188). Among the blots I front of his face you can't ten, he is not owes it to the extraordinary strong It was therefore very encouraging to saw in Kathmandu in 1992 were the a Nepali, so perfect is his accent and so relationship between Nepal and Britain discover that the Greenwich University haphazard rash of small houses, while fitting his vocabulary. Despit~ there and also to honour his surrogate family. had a project 'to study the historic in one of the ancient squares a six being many dedicated people who love Theyhave made the evening his life so heritage and present conditions of storey ediface overshadowed its the Nepalis, few have managed to 'feel wonderful. Kirtipur with a view to its conservation medieval neighbours. When we visited the pulse' of acceptability to the extent Address your order to: New and development'. The Editors have the late Ishwari Raj Pandey, (Nepalese achieved by J.P.Cross. Millennium, 292 Kennington Road, produced a timely and informative Ambassador in London 1983-88), his He now lives in Nepal with his London SEll 4LD. UK £9.95 volume which will be of immense value small private temple was menaced by to future scholars. The wise inclusion of . another modern six-storey block. The With the Gurkhas mainly Nepali contributors among the old centres of Patan and Bhatgoan India, Burma, Singapore, Indonesia 1940 - 1959, experts, including two residents of (Bhaktapur) seem to have 'shrunk' Scott Leathart Kirtipur, is to be highly commended. perceptibly since my youth, though Every aspect of the town is covered in they have been spared the heavy traffic The 1940s and 50s were times of great Wounded in action during Wingate's the eighteen chapters, and ably pollution that is plaguing Kathmandu. change in India and South East Asia. 2nd Chindit Campaign behind the supported by numerous photographs, The problem of traffic requires serious Christmas 1940 found Scott Leathart in Japanese lines, he was invalided home, architectural drawings, town plans and consideration in any development plan Victoria Barracks at Aldershot prior to a but managed to rejoin his Battalion in seven week voyage to Bombay in a maps. for Kirtipur. Apart from its detrimental 1946 for service in Singapore, Indonesia My chief interest is in the continual effect on the health of the inhabitants, it converted meat ship, the Highland and Malaysia, before returning to India preservation of the temples, medieval will be extremely harmful to the fabric Chieftain, which was a stranger both to and transferring to the 2nd Gurkha buildings and antiquities, a very of the ancient buildings and sculptures physical comfort and culinary delights. Rifles after the turmoil of Independence. expensive undertaking for a poor of the town. Commissioned in Bangalore, he joined In 1949 after action in the Malayan country like Nepal. UNESCO, among A better understanding of the perils the 3rdl9th Gurkha Rifles on the North Emergency, he joined the Colonial others, has given some assistance, but I of development in these medieval areas, West Frontier; thence to Bengal before Service and raised the Gurkha feel the work of restoration has been without entirely diminishing their facing the Japanese in the rain-forests Contingent of the Singapore Police, patchy and several monuments have hereditary culture, will be gained by of Burma. Early in his service and commanding it for 10 years during the been lost. Any new development in reading this excellent book. I especially in Mountbatten's 'Forgotten island's progress from Colony to the Army', with all its hardships, he Republic, which the expanding Kirtipur should be handled with the recommend it most strongly to our realised how privileged he was to serve contingent still loyally serves. There was utmost sensitivity. Dr. Shokoohy, the members. Mayura Brown project Director, has rightly commented with the Gurkhas whose loyalty and also time to marry, to honeymoon in the courage gained his increasing Himalayas and holiday in the Australian admiration. Outback with a three month old son. 26 27 With the Gurkhas is one man's the Far East. In 1949 he was mentioned The Mystery of Mallory and Irvine by T. Holzel and A. Salkeld Cape. £12.50. 322 pages. in Despatches, received the Colonial memoir and a moving tribute to the In the mountaineering world of the detectives'. men with whom he served, combined Police Medal in 1957 and was made Himalayas the names Everest, Mallory In the early part of the book the MBE in 1960. He was Secretary of the with many observations on the wildlife and Irvine are linked inextricably. Not authors have looked closely at matters Royal Forestry Society 1959-74, and taken from letters written home (often because these two mountaineers might relating to previous British expeditions Editor of its journal 1960-84, and has in pencil from 'the back of beyond') have succeeded in climbing Everest. If, and all those who took part. The and a daily diary kept since 1948. It is a written three books on forestry and indeed, they did succeed, their personalities of Mallory and Irvine unique, authentic and entertaining story, trees. With his wife, Betty, he now lives achievement is shrouded in mystery. come under close scrutiny, particularly in Lower Heyford, Oxfordshire. a feast of memories covering 20 years Successive expeditions in the 1930s their mutual relationship, because there All proceeds to the Gurkha Welfare of fast moving events, pleasures and failed to find any trace of Mallory and had been speculation that Mallory Trust. Please order from The Pentland privations, based on the close bonds Irvine. It was Tom Holzel who had his might even have abandoned Irvine in a Press Ltd, 3 Regal Lane, Soham, Ely, between a British Officer and his own theories about the success, or desperate solo attempt to reach the Cambridgeshire, CB7 5BA, England. Gurkha colleagues, as explained in failure, of Mallory and Irvine which summit. It was well known that Mallory £17.50 per copy. For single copy orders Field Marshall Sir John Chapple's prompted him to write this book, prior had an urge to get to the top at virtually please add £2.50 p&p UK and £5.00 Foreword. to getting permission from the Chinese any cost. p&p overseas. Post and packaging free Born in 1919, Scott Leathart was Mountaineering Association to retrace, The book is packed with a great deal for orders of two or more copies (UK educated at St Edwards School, Oxford, if possible, the steps and the of information about almost everything only). and Oxford University, taking a circumstances of the last climb of connected with the final attempt and the (The Author is a Member of the Britain­ Forestry degree. There followed Mallory and Irvine before they happenings which led up to it. The Nepal Society) distinguished service with Gurkhas in disappeared. expedient of using oxygen is dealt with In his search for material for the at length. Ultimately, the difference BOOK REVIEWS BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL T.M LOWE book Holzel has had the advantage of between success and failure is one in Chomolungma - Goddess, Mother of the Earth by G. Dingle and M. Perry Hodder & close collaboration with Miss Salkeld, a which the human factor plays a vital Stoughton. £14.95. 172 pages distinguished researcher and historian part. Did Mallory and Irvine reach the in the field of mountain climbing, top? After more than sixty years this Here we have a book about climbing rate coloured photographs and especially in the Himalayas. must be a matter of academic interest. numerous maps and sketches to help the highest mountain in the world Holzel and his co-author have Hillary and Tensing got to the summit the reader. Unusually, in books of this which is entitled quite simply examined the available evidence and no mystery surrounds that sort, there are separate appendices 'Chomolungma' , the ancient name for relating to the last attempt of the 1924 achievement. Mount Everest. This book is not the which give details of previous expedition when Mallory and Irvine By the time this book was published story of a successful climb to the very expeditions from the Chinese side; a went to the Summit. As Holzel says, 'It the co-authors were in the Himalayas top of the mountain, but one of failure table of successful ascents by seasons would be years before we could feel trying to retrace the route of the fatal without loss of life. The route selected and by routes; comparative costs of ready to revise the story that the ascent. That, however, should provide by the New Zealand expedition of 1985 some expeditions; deaths by route (keep documents seemed to tell, but together material for another book, or a film, or was via the north face of Chomolungma away from the North Ridge, or you may we decided to become historical TV documentary. - the traditional route of the early end up in a Deep Freezer which doesn't British expeditions. Unlike many other switch off). Table 7, the successful attempts which took place before the climbers per expedition, shows Britain The Windhorse by Elaine Brook and Julie Donnelly. Jonathan Cape. £9.95. advent of the South West Monsoon, this very low down. Perhaps it was the plus­ Climbing Everest, or any other high make climbing difficult. one was tried in September. fours and homburg hats which helped to peak in the Himalayas, is not an every 'The Windhorse' is not the story of The story of the attempt is well told; lower the rate? The advice by Mike day occurrence. Those who attempt two high altitude climbers, but the tale the author is no novice in this field. He Perry concerning photography is well high peaks are physically fit and have of two young ladies who reached Kala is a mountaineer with an international worth reading, even if you can't, or no obvious impediment which could Patthar which is above the Everest Base reputation. The book is filled with first won't, climb to the top. 28 29 non grata' to members of the climbing explanation of Smythe's approach to Camp. Nothing noteworthy about that Elaine is a N epali speaker and this establishment, the Alpine Club and the mountaineering is summed up in his you might think. One of the girls, must have made her task somewhat less Everest Committee. Earlier climbers own words: however, was totally blind even if the difficult. Even so, how many of us were men whose background included a 'Deeply engrained in the other was familiar with the Himalayas, would have managed to shepherd a major public school, the universities of mountaineer is a desire for adventure, as a member of two expeditions in blind companion on a journey which is Oxford or Cambridge, commissioned far and high, and to attain some those parts. described so vividly in this book? rank in the Armed Forces or status in indefinable spiritual degree of Courage of a very high order and Why the title 'The Windhorse'? Read the highly regarded professions at the attunement with the beauties of the great determination to succeed were the book and you will be better time. Smythe, alas, had attended a universe'. characteristics of these two girls. Apart informed. The text is supported by minor public school and was trained to The author and the publishers are to from anything else it was a winter some excellent photographs in colour. be an electrical engineer. He had, be congratulated on a book which will journey. The book is a moving account How sad that a person so courageous as moreover, learned to climb mountains be read by mountaineers, both amateur of what can be achieved if the will is Julie can't see them. without help from patrons. Some and professional, and, let us hope, by there. prejudice you will say against a man selection committees where they still who had already reached one of the exist. How many great climbers over peaks of the Kanchenjunga range and the years have not put pen to paper? Smythe's Mountains - the Climbs of F.S Smythe by Harry Calvert. who, for good measure, had organised Few publishers would not seize a Victor Gollancz. £14.95. 223 pages. and led a successful expedition to the chance to bring out a good book about High altitude mountaineering has been determined climber whether in the top of Kamet! Perhaps the best mountains and those who climb them. fashionable for many years past and Alps, the Himalayas, or the Rocky there are plans for more expeditions in Mountains. 'He was a sensibly cautious the years ahead. Smythe's climbing man who admitted to fear, but his fear career covered more than 40 years and and judgement did not keep him off the included everything from the Welsh mountain'. The author touches on Into Thin Air by John Pilkington. George AlIen & Urwin. £10.95. 171 pages. Hills to the highest Himalayas. The top Smythe's trek along the Bhyundar of Everest, alas, eluded him, but only Valley of which Smythe has written in High altitude climbers are the subject of for the author for most of the 500 miles just. his book 'The Valley of the Flowers'. A other reviews in this Journal. Pilkington covered by him. It was an Earl of Calvert has given us a first rate book to read at any time. has had experience of high mountains Cadogan who said, 'Never go abroad, account of an extraordinary man who The saga of the selection of leader in Africa and the Americas, but he is it's a dreadful place' and there were by any standards, was one of the and climbers for the 1933 Everest said to be rather more a compulsive times during the trek when Pilkington greatest climbers of his time. Calvert Expedition provides us with an insight traveller than a climber. echoed the sentiments of the noble Earl. has traced in some detail the life of into the workings of a committee which This book is an entertaining story of The author had attended a crash course Smythe who started climbing at the age dealt with these things. Smythe was not Pilkington's trek in Nepal in 1982. He in Nepali before starting out, but soon of seven in Switzerland and died before selected to be leader because 'there stopped off at New Delhi and Varanasi realised that Nepali, as spoken in his fiftieth birthday in in was, about Smythe, the stench of (formerly Benares) en route to Kathmandu, wasn't understood in many 1949. professionalism ... Smythe's vice seems Kathmandu. From Kathmandu of the villages which were included in Smythe was a prolific writer and his to have been that he actually needed his Pilkington set off for Magar and his itinerary. His diet consisted of curry, writings give clear and detailed earnings from this source' (writing Gurung country. His walking days rice and lentils much of the time and accounts of his climbs in different parts about mountaineering). There were ended at Pithoragarh, some fifty miles large quantities of sweet tea. of the world. He was not just a other reasons why Smythe was 'persona from Almora. The trek was a solo effort He found little difficulty in forming a

31 30 rapport with the inhabitants of the area photos in the book are in black and in which he trekked. On one occasion white. A glossary of Nepali words he met a former Q.G.O. (Captain) which are sprinkled liberally NATI~J whose appearance suggested that he throughout the text will be useful for was 100 years of age, but when readers who are unfamiliar with the Pilkington was asked 'How is Aldershot . The First Restaurant to Introduce these days?' he had quickly to revise his Let the author have the last word.: assessment of the Gurkha's age. 'Those of us from the West who have Nepalese Food to London' Here and there you will find an been privileged to meet the Nepalis at Established in 1969 apocryphal story. What happened on the home in their astonishing country OPEN DAJILY 12 to 3 & 6 to 12 banks of the Suez Canal during the First remember them with well deserved World War is something new. The affection expressed eloquently earlier in 93 Charlotte Street Q.G.O. says it was true. He was on the this century by Sir Ralph Turner' . LONDON WIP lLB banks of the Canal at the time. Those words, of course, will be familiar This book has a number of mini to anyone who has served in a Gurkha Telephone: 0171 637 0050 sketch maps and the end papers are Regiment. (See page 2: The Gurkha helpful maps of the places visited. The Welfare Trust) For reservations contact ISHWAR MANANDHAR

Honey Hunters of Nepal by E. Valli and D. Summers. Thames & Hudson. £16.95. 104 pages. Large paperback.

This is not just another book about the giant black bees in Southern Nepal, Nepal and Gurkhas. It is a very large so now they can read all about it. paperback and tells the story of the The script which precedes the photos ®@[M]~trD=aOOO@ Honey Hunters not only in words but is informative and the photos also more dramatically in superb themselves have been enlarged many ®[P)~©O~[b 000 photographs. The main tribe from times. The photographer used a Leica which the hunters come are the R4 for the purpose. As a publication the Gurungs. Few officers of Gurkha book will fill a gap in what most of us Regiments will have heard of the know about Gurkhas and their ways. ~ activities of Manilal and his fellow Not all Gurkhas were soldiers. SUMMIT HOTEL hunters who set out to rob the hives of and SUMMIT TREKKING PVT. LTD.

KUPONDOLE HEIGHT, LALlTPUR OBE KSG Lieutenant Colonel HCS Gregory P.O. BOX 1406, KATHMANDU, NEPAL On the occasion of his 80th birthday, I am sure the members would like to join TEL:521894,521810 in wishing him best wishes and thanking him for producing the Britain-Nepal FAX: 977-1-523737, TLX: 2342 SUMMIT NP Society Journal for so many years. Celia Brown.

32 33 r IMPORTANT ADDRESSES NOTES ON THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY Patron H.R.H Prince Gyanendra B.B. Shah of Nepal President: H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester, GCVO GAP House The King Mahendra D.K. Trust for Our aim is to promote and foster good • a Spring or Summer outing to a place 44 Queen's Road Nature Conservation relations between the people of the of interest: Reading Wah Kwong House United Kingdom and Nepal. The • receptions and hospitality for visitors Berkshire RG1 4BB 9th Floor Society was founded in 1960, under the from Nepal Tel(01734)594914 10 Albert Embankment patronage of His late Majesty King • the AGM in November and an annual London SE2 7SP Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah of supper party in February or March The Wilderness Trust Tel (0171) 582 1234 Nepal during his State Visit to London: 1 Parkholme Fairfield Road Lord Hunt became the first President. We keep in touch with the Nepal­ Eastbourne BN20 7LU The Gurkha Welfare Trust British and Nepalese subjects, and Britain Society in Kathmandu which Tel and Fax (01323) 647801 3rd Floor, 88 Baker Street business firms or corporate.bodies are the late H.H. Field Marshal Sir Kaiser, London W1M 2AX eligible for membership. a Life Member of the Society, founded The Britain-Nepal Medical Trust Tel (0171) 7071925 Members include serving and retired shortly before his death. 10 East Street Fax (0171) 707 1929 Gurkhas, mountaineers, members of the The Britain-Nepal Society has a Tonbridge Diplomatic Service, schoolmasters, growing membership and there is a School of Oriental and Mrican Studies KentTN91HG doctors, nurses, businessmen and tremendous enthusiasm for Nepal. Our University of London Tel (01732) 360284 scholars. meetings which are usually well Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square Ordinary members pay a subscription attended, provide an excellent London WCIH OXG The Gurkha Museum of £10 per annum. Life members - a opportunity for members and their Peninsula Barracks single payment of £150 and Corporate guests to get together. Our membership, The Britain Nepal Otology Service Romsey Road Members £25. The Journal is sent free not counting Honourary Members and (BRINOS) Winchester to all members. Corporate Members, is now well over 2 West Road Hampshire S023 8TS Members of the 'YETI' Association five hundred. Guildford GU1 2AU Tel (01962) 842832 for Nepali's resident or staying in The President of our Society is His Tel (01483) 69719 Britain are welcome at all functions. Royal Highness The Duke of Fax (01483) 306380 Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce They are eligible to join as full Gloucester GVCo. (Administrative Office) members in the usual way. They have a The Committee welcome new Yeti Association Sir John Lyon House flourishing organisation of their own members amongst people with a (Nepali Association in UK) 5 High Timber Street and publish their own attractive journal. genuine interest in Nepal. The address Dr Raghav Dhital London EC4V 3PA The Society'S programme includes: of the Honourary Secretary is: 48 Cheyne Avenue Tel (0171) 329 0950 • monthly lectures or events from Mrs E.P. MelIor South Woodford Fax (0171) 3294218 October to May in London 3c Gunnersbury Avenue London E18 2DR Ealing Common The Pahar Trust London W5 3NH KEEP(UK) clo Tom Langridge 72 Newhaven Road 5 Foxsteep Cottage Edinburgh EH6 5QG Crazies Hill Wargrave Tel (0131) 554 9977 Berks RG 10 8NB Tel(01734)404004 If your address has not been included here please accept our apologies and request inclusion in the next journal. Ed.

34 35 THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY

President: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester GCVO

Vice-Presidents His Excellency the Nepalese Ambassador The Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine KG, CBE, DSO, DCL Major General J.AR. Robertson CB, CBE, DSO, DL Mrs Mayura Brown Lieutenant Colonel e.G. Wylie OBE AR.H. Kellas Esq. CMG Brigadier AB. Taggart MC Sir George Bishop CB, OBE Lieutenant Colonel H.e.S. Gregory OBE, KSG Mrs Cella Brown Colonel J.M. Evans MC

Committee Chairman: Sir Neil Thome OBE, TD, DL Vice-Chairman: Roger Potter Esq Honourary Secretary: Mrs Pat MelIor Honourary Treasurer: Miss Antonia Derry

John M. Brown Esq Mrs Minu Chhibber Peter K. Donaldson Esq David J efford Esq H.B. Karki Esq (ex officio) P.K. Prasai, Esq. Minister Counsellor, Royal Nepalese Embassy (ex officio) Lieutenant Colonel Guy Pears on (ex officio) Mrs Sneha Rana Sir Michael Scott KVCO, CMG

Editor of Journal: Lieutenant Colonel HCS Gregory OBE KSG

36