TIIE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY

Journal

Number 18 1994 ( "

Remote Welfare CelUre tU Pinhi Set in the wilds of mid-eastern Nepal

See article Aid in Nepal, page 21

Photo: Captain Sean El/ioft THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY

Journal Number 18 London Electricity 1994 wishes continued CONTENTS The mayor ofKathmandu and the Lord Mayor of success to the London with our Chainnan and Mr Madhab P. Khanal, Minister Counsellor, Royal Nepalese Embassy, at the Britain - Nepal Mansion House in London

Society. 5 • Editorial 7 • The Society'S News by Pat Mellor 8 • The Nepal-Britain Society by Mayura Brown 9 • A Flying Visit to Lo Mantang by Gerry Birch 13 • Summer Outing to Blenheim Palace by Iris Perowne Bolton 15 • The British Cemetery, Kathmandu by Sir Michael Scott 19 • Annual N epali Supper by Mayura Brown 21 • Aid in Nepal by Captain Sean Elliott 27 • Himalayan Voices (MJ. Hutt) Review by Mark Temple 29 • Nepalese Textiles (Susi Dunsmore) Review by Mayura Brown 30 • Wars Bring Scars (E.D. Smith) Review by Lt. Col. T.M. Lowe 32 • Addresses Templar House 34 • Obituary (Joyce Denson) 81-87 High Holborn ~:= LONDON 35 • Notes on the Society London WC 1V 6NU ~ ELECTRICITY Telephone 071 2429050

3 EDITORIAL

Members who were present at Burlington course the Fair Rosamund (twelfth cen­ House to hear about 'The Wanderings of tury) and her well. ZENECA a Military Attache in Nepal', the reminis­ Last year we printed a fascinating con­ Public Health cences of Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Birch, tribution from Mark Temple on 'The and who enjoyed his dramatic account of Ruins of Khola Songbre'. When sending those wanderings, with the wonderful pic­ us his review of 'Himalayan Voices' this tures which accompanied it, will be year he kindly passed on a message he had pleased to find the substance of his talk received from Professor Alan Macfarlane and some of the pictures in this the eight­ (Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropo­ eenth number of our Journal under the title logy, Cambridge University) which says: Working towards a 'A Flying Visit to Lo Mantang'. We feel 'An archaeological expedi tion from Cam­ sure members who could not be at the talk bridge is even now excavating in Khola healthier environment will appreciate them no less. Songbre .. .' We wish them every success As usual the major part of the Journal and look forward to hearing more about it. is taken up with interesting reports on the While thanking all our contributors, we Zeneca Public Health offers a range of products and Society's activities during the year, so feel special thanks are due to Sir Michae1 expertise for the control of the world's major nuisance well recalled in 'The Society's News' by Scott, formerly HM Ambassador in Nepal and vector pests including mosquitoes which spread Pat MelIor. Among the many notable ac­ and a staunch supporter of our Society, for malaria. tivities of the year must be mentioned the his contribution on the British Cemetery Summer Outing to Blenheim Palace in Kathmandu which some of our mem­ The major products are 'Icon' (lambda-cyhalothrin) - a (Woodstock) organised by Iris Perowne bers will have visited. highly active broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid and Bolton and greatly enjoyed by two full We are asked from time to time about 'Actellic' (pirimiphos-methyl) - a broad spectrum coaches of enthusiastic members of the the welfare of Gurkha Soldiers who have organophosphorus insecticide. Both products have been Yeti Association supported by many served in the British Army, a topical sub­ extensively tested and used by the Nepalese Government members of the Society either in the ject in view of current reductions in the in their successful vector control campaign. coaches orin cars. With us throughout was Armed Forces, and are grateful to the con­ our Chairman Sir Neil Thorne. Our tributor of 'Aid in Nepal' which reports For further information about Zeneca Public Health readers are referred to the excellent report directly on the twenty-three Gurkha products please contact: by the organiser herself elsewhere in this Welfare Centres and the remarkable help Journal. they provide in even the remotest areas. Zeneca Public Health Situated close to Oxford, Blenheim The availability in this country of Fernhurst Haslemere Surrey GU27 3JE UK. Palace and its environs are inexhaustibly Nepalese textiles was referred to in last Telephone: 0428 644061. Fax: 0428 655439 interesting. For those whose thoughts year's Journal and is now, in this number, Telex: 858270 ICIPPF G wander back in time there was nearby the subject of a review by Mayura Brown Woodstock with associations reaching of Susi Dunsmore's remarkable book beyond even King Charles I and the Civil 'Nepalese Textiles' (British Museum War to Chaucer composing his Canter­ Press). Mayura keeps us in touch with our bury Tales and the great warrior and scho­ sister Society in Kathmandu and with Formerly a member of the ICI Group lar King Alfred (ninth century) translating events in Nepal which are likely to be of Before using pesticides always read and understand the product label a Latin classic into Anglo-Saxon - and of special interest to our members.

4 5 Recorded on page 32 are some ad­ Before concluding these remarks, we THE SOCIETY'S NEWS dresses of special interest to our members feel compelled to applaud the setting up by Pat Mellor this year ofthe British-Nepalese Chamber and we are grateful to the important or­ of Commerce, still in its very early stages ganisations mentioned there for keeping At the AGM in 1993, Joanna Thomas • On Tuesday, 8th March, Dr Andrew but with so much promise for the future. in touch. relinquished her task as Honorary Secre­ Russell, a lecturer at Durham University, All success to those involved in this am­ Our final word must be one of praise tary after three years of efficiently taking gave a talk to the Society on 'Anthropo­ bitious project and we look forward to for The Gurkha Museum in Peninsular care of all the events of the Society. Sir logy in East Nepal - the Yakha People', reporting progress in due course. Barracks Winchester. It has made tremen­ Neil Thorne, our Chairman, voiced the with slides which he had taken whilst Anyone requiring further information dous progress and is now in the front rank Society's appreciation of all that Joanna living with the Yakha people. should contact Jimmy Evans (Sylrock of modern museums but with a character had undertaken on behalf of the Society. I • On Monday, 8th April, Lt. Col. Gerry Farm, Lower Froyle, Alton, Hants GU34 and appeal all of its own which of course have now been in her place for one year. Birch spoke to the Society on his experi­ 4LL Tel: 042022134). could also be said of the ancient city of The Committee is pleased to report that ences and the 'Wanderings of a Military Winchester. the Society has recently been able to react Attache in Nepal'. This talk was also promptly to help major disaster appeals in beautifully illustrated with slides. Nepal. This ability is, to a large extent, due The last two talks were held at the to the contributions made by members at­ Society of Antiquaries in Piccadilly. tending the Annual Supper. The Committee Other Events feel that members would wish to know that The Annual General Meeting was held at it has been decided to use those contribu­ the Nepalese Embassy on Tuesday, 16th tions in future especially for this purpose. November by kind permission of His Over the year, the Committee has received Excellency, The Ambassador. This AGM a letter from Lakshrni Thapa thanking the was attended by the Society'S President, Society for their contribution to her School His Royal Highness the Duke of Glouces­ in Kathmandu, and also a letter from the ter. The meeting was followed by a fine NATRAJ British Ambassador in Kathmandu on behalf dinner provided by Mr Thapa of the Wem­ of the Prime Minister Mr Koirala, express­ bley Tandoori Restaurant. ing his warm thanks to the Society for the • The Nepali Supper on Tuesday 17th The First Restaurant to Introduce contribution to the Prime Minister's Flood February was once again held at St Col­ Nepalese Food to London Disaster Relief Fund. GAP were also very umba's Hall in Pont Street. This was a appreciative of the Society's contribution most successful event and a record num­ which has helped to successfully bring three ber of members attended. His Excellency OPlEN DMLY 12 to 3 & 6 to 12 teachers over here to gain experience of The Ambassador kindly made the after 93 Charlotte Street teaching in this country. dinner speech. Mr I.P Manandhar and his I am also pleased to announce that dur­ family from the N atraj Restaurantin Char- LONDON WI P 1 LB ing the year, 15 new members have joined 10tte Street, provided an excellent and the Society. much appreciated Nepalese curry supper. Telephone: 071-637 0050 or 071-6364995 Winter Lectures The Summer Outing this year was a On the 11th January, Mr Dudley Spain joint one with the Yeti Association and For reservations contact ISHWAR MANANDHAR gave a most successful talk on 'Develop­ consisted of a day trip to Blenheim Palace ments in Nepal and the King Mahendra on Sunday, 17th July. 23 members of the Trust' , with beautiful slides. This talk took Society and their friends were able to place in the House of Commons !PU attend, and 74 Yeti members joined in and Room. helped to make this a most jolly outing.

6 7 THE NEPAL-BRITAIN SOCIETY A FLYING VISIT TO La MANTANG by Lieutenant-Colonel G.D. Birch

The Annual Dinner of the Society was ner's subject, which attracted much inter­ Any forbidden territory exerts a great to have visited that place. His photographs held on December 10th at the Hotel Shan­ est, was on Soil Conservation, a very im­ power of attraction and curiosity, more of Lo Mantang, the approach up the Kali gri-La. There was the usual large gather­ portant matter in Nepal. (She will be the especially if it is remote, and one where Gandaki and the surrounding areas on the ing which included the President, Dr. speaker at our Society's meeting in few, if any, Westerners have ever pene­ edge of the Tibetan plateau were dramatic. Hemang Dixit, and the two Vice-Presi­ January 1995. The meeting at the Royal trated. I had always had a great longing to The first reference to Mustang in Eng­ visit the remote province of Mustang and lish literature was by W J Kirkpatrick in dents, Mr. Hrubra Shrestha and His Excel­ Geographical Society last February con­ its capital, Lo Mantang, ever since my first 1793. In his book on his travels to Nepal, lency the British Ambassador who read vened by Dr. Gardner was very successful. he mentions 'Moostang is a place of some our message of greetings and good wishes It was 'Himalayan Crisis? Environment posting to Nepal in 1962/3. My interest was awakened on reading Tony Hagen's note in Tibet or Boot'. Mustang appeared to the members and guests. The Guest of and Development Conflicts'). book 'Nepal' , the first 'coffee table' book to be at that time a semi independent prov­ Honour was Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Vice­ The Society announced, with much Chairman of the National Planning Com­ sorrow, the passing of Colonel J.P. Rana, on Nepal published in 1961. Tany Hagen, ince owing tribute to the 'Gurkha Kings' a Swiss geologist, was given carte blanche in Kathmandu, although originally it was mission. Trustee and Past President of the Nepal­ The Society had a very busy year with Britain Society. His loss will be deeply by HMG Nepal in the early 1950's to part of a Tibetan province. Today Mustang several meetings. Colonel Mike Kefford, felt. We send sincere condolences to our travel throughout Nepal whilst carrying is part of Nepal but it still retains the the Defence Attache at the Embassy in sister Society. out a survey at their request. He travelled 'Mustang Rajah' or more correctly in Kathmandu, gave a talk on the Gurkhas. extensively in the trans-Himalayan areas Tibetan the Lo Gyalpo. It was very well attended. Dr. Rita Gard- Mayura Brown including Mustang and Lo Mantang, situ­ In 1962 the chances of a visit to the ated in the upper reaches of the Kali Gan­ northern border regions of Nepal were nil. daki, and was probably the first Westerner Dramatic events had taken place to the

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An aerial view ofLa Mantang

8 9

I turned out in discussion that he too had by now we were clear of the gorge and harboured a wish to visit Mustang since could see the whole of the Upper Mustang his first trip to Nepal in the early 1960's. basin. We were flying at around 14,000 A chance remark to Major General Shanta feet and the pilots had their oxygen supply Kumar Malla, principal Military Secre­ at the ready. It was a magical moment as tary to HM The King, during an Embassy Lo Mantang came into view. We circled dinner party, led to some initial planning. round several times and cameras were General Malla was very encouraging and 'clicking'. Little appeared to have thought that some help could be provided changed since the photos taken by Toni by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). First Hagen in the 1950s. The city was still thoughts were for a trek but General Duf­ tightly walled with its single entrance fell's Hong Kong programme could not accommodate the minimum ten days away from the Colony that such a trip would require. However, the Chief of Army Staff, RNA, General Gadul S.J.B. Rana very kindly offered the chance of a flying visit Some of the inhabitants of La Mantang; the La-Bas outside the city wall by helicopter during General Duffell's final visit from Hong Kong. The flight was north of the Himalayas forcing the Dalai By 1989 the situation in Mustang had fixed for 1st March, 1992. Lama to flee to India in 1959 as the greatly changed. Following political The day dawned clear and cold, and I Chinese tightened their hold on Tibet. Fol­ pressure from the Chinese, the Khampa took off from the military end of the air­ Hall of the great statue, La Mantang; lowing his flight, Khampa tribesmen from guerrillas were cleared out of Mustang in port at 0630 hours in the RNA Alouette looking north towards Tibet Kham in Eastern Tibet, fiercely loyal to 1974. (On trek in 1977 the closest I could piloted by Colonel Puspa K.c. and Cap­ the Dalai Lama, moved into remote areas reach was to the check point at Dana, tain Koirala with whom I had previously maintained although there were some of Nepal along the Tibetan border and above Tatopani in the Kali Gandaki Val­ flown on other sorties around Nepal. We small extensions just outside the main commenced guerrilla operations against ley). Although political tension had signi­ picked up General Duffell in Pokhara and walls. The outline of tiny fields could be the Chinese army. The main centre from ficantly decreased, HMG Nepal kept refuelled and headed Northwest towards seen where with artificial irrigation barley where such operations were launched was Upper Mustang firmly 'off limits' for trek­ Jomsom. The route up the Kali Gandaki can be grown. Upper Mustang. Accounts of life there are kers, but trekking had been opened to gorge must be one of the most dramatic On landing, we were quickly sur­ graphically recorded by Michael Peissel Muktinath and as far as Kagbeni in the with Annapuma and Dhaulagiri rising rounded by an eager crows of locals in his two books 'Mustang - a lost Tibetan Kali Gandaki valley in Lower Mustang. steeply up on each side. Visibility was known as Lo-B as. The arri val of a helicop­ Kingdom' and 'Cavaliers of Kham'. By Large numbers of backpackers venturing excellent, and again we refuelled before ter is not an every day occurrence; so we amazing luck, Peissel was granted per­ into such a remote area as Upper Mustang making the final leg to Lo Mantang. We were the object of considerable curiosity. mission to carry out a cultural survey of would create many problems for the were now behind the main Himalayan The Lo Gyalpo, King Jigme Parbal Bista, Mustang in 1964. It was on reading those fragile economy of the region, and inex­ range and into the dry arid semi-desert was not in residence, but a member of his two books in the British Embassy library perience would lead to many dangers and with all shades of grey, brown and orange. staff came out to meet us and took us to in Kathmandu that my interest was re­ difficulties for the tourists themselves. The tiny scattered villages that eke out a the Palace. We were now at 12,000 feet kindled. My posting to Kathmandu would During the visit to Kathmandu in 1991 meagre existence were laid out below. and although the sun was strong, it was in all probability present my last chance of of Major General Peter Duffell, then From the helicopter it was possible to see very cold. We were ushered into the city reaching Lo Mantang. Major General Brigade of Gurkhas, it the bleak treeless hills of the Tibetan pla­ and into the Palace, a tall impressive teau in serried ranks to the far horizon as

10 11 to stay too long. After looking around the building in the Tibetan style. At the time SOCIETY SUMMER OUTING of our visit, I saw little evidence of any narrow streets and outside the walls we A JOINT VISIT WITH THE YETIS TO BLENHEIM PALACE new architecture. The city has changed finally and sadly had to leave. However, it by Iris Perowne Bolton little since the Middle Ages, but with the proved to be the most exciting trip of my closure of the trans Himalayan salt trade tour in Nepal. We felt that we had truly The big question was, would the uncom­ Above all else there was the Palace resulting from the Chinese invasion of visited a place where time had stood still monly hot fine weather hold until the day itself, Sir John Vanbrugh's great Baroque Tibet, it is no longer the trading centre that of our summer outing? In the event, we masterpiece built in the years 1705-22 for it once was although some local cross-bor­ woke yet again to cloudless blue skies and the 1st Duke of Marlborough in the Manor der trade is still permitted. The once large sunshine, so that when some one hundred of Woodstock, which together with a grant caravans of yaks, goats and sheep that and forty members, families and friends of £240,000 had been given to him by travelled across the plateaus or along the converged on Blenheim at noon, the Queen Anne (and confirmed by Act of Kali Gandaki have passed away. Recently Palace and its park were looking their Parliament) in recognition of his victories though there are signs that an increase in glorious best. in the War of the Spanish Succession. The cross border trade may be permitted as Members had come by coach and car name Blenheim is the anglicised version China and India begin to reconcile their from places as far afield as Manchester, of Blindheim, the village on the Danube differences in the Himalayan region. Peacehaven, Cliftonville and Bath, con­ where, in command of the allied forces, he The Palace, on five floors, is made of firming the attraction of the Committees' scored his greatest victory of all over the mud brick, and like all Tibetan houses in House extensions Lo Matang style choice of venue. Attractions in the plural French troops of Louis XIV. the area has a flat mud roof. Roofs are outside the city walls might be more apt. Games and races for Across the vast main entrance fore­ edged with low brick walls topped by the children (and their parents) were sche­ court the Palace building looks truly thea­ stocks of juniper for firewood, and prayer for several centuries. For the privilege of duled for the afternoon; otherwise every­ trical, with its receding planes, heavy flags flutter from pots that project from the such a visit and the fulfilment of a life­ one was free to do what they liked and detailing and elaborate roof decorations. roofs like chimneys. The Palace has Tibe­ time's ambition, I am in the debt of the what a choice they had! There was the But then it was designed, as Vanburgh tan mastiffs on each floor. They were Royal Nepalese Army. landscaped park with rowing boats for said, as a 'Monument to the Queen's glory usually tied up or behind thick doors that Postscript hire on the lake below Vanbrugh's Grand (rather) than a private Habitation', and had been closed prior to our arrival. In one Since our visit, HMG Nepal has opened Bridge; a narrow-gauge railway took pas­ Vanburgh was also a playwright. The en­ case, the drill had failed and we were Upper Mustang for limited tourism by sengers to the old Walled Kitchen Garden trance is into the lofty Great Hall, with forced to climb very quickly up an old groups only, and several firms are offering where among other delights were a But­ splendid carved stone enrichments by ladder to avoid teeth snapping at our heels. treks to Lo Mantang. The cost of a 10 day terfly House and the World's largest sym­ Grinling Gibbons below a ceiling painted Rapid acceleration at 12,000 feet leaves trek permit alone is US$700, and numbers bolic hedge maze. (It is designed to by Sir James Thomhill in 1716 depicting one breathless but the thought of those are limited to an annual quota. The respon­ represent military trophies, based on Grin­ Marlborough proffering a plan of the powerful jaws got the adrenaline flowing. sibility, in conjunction with the Ministry ling Gibbons carvings in the Palace, but it Battle of Blenheim to Britannia. Apart The view from the roof was the most of Tourism, for tourism and development is doubtful whether one could recognise from a small suite of rooms given over to spectacular of any of my trips around has been passed to the King Mahendra them as such if one were lost inside!). an exhibition on Sir Winston Churchill Nepal. Outlying forts on surrounding hill­ Trust for Nature Conservation by wide­ There were the lovely formal gardens ad­ who was actually born in one of them in tops gave evidence of the past importance ning the Annapurna Conservation Area to jacent to the Palace, the Water Terrace 1874, progress thereafter was from one of Lo Mantang. We could see small vil­ include Upper Mustang (and also Upper fountains playing coolly in the heat, and huge grandiose gilded and painted State lages and herds of yak as well as a view Manang). Very careful management will down below, the Arboretum with the Room to another, with wonderful porce­ over the whole city. be needed if the fragile ecology of this Temple of Diana wherein Winston Chur­ lain, paintings and furniture and a superb Time was against us as during the day region is to be preserved. chill proposed to Clementine Hosier, a set of Brussels tapestries, commissioned strong winds build up preventing flying delightful Rose Garden and Capability by the 1st Duke of Marlborough himself which meant that the pilots were keen not Brown's picturesque Grand Cascade. to illustrate his campaigns and exquisite in every detail. The Long Library and the

12 13 ------~--

Chapel alone are not gilded, (perhaps the horas and jelabies; sausage rolls, hard­ THE BRITISH CEMETERY, KATHMANDU money was giving out), but nevertheless boiled eggs, salads and strawberries. by Sir Michael Scott contain beautiful stucco work by the mas­ In due course the call came to assemble ter plasterer Isaac Mansfield. for the planned games and races. It was hot A few hundred yards north of the old locally believed to be unhealthy and in­ Not everyone admires (or admired) the and once again people clustered under the British Residency (now the Indian Em­ habited by spirits. architecture of Vanbrugh or of Nicholas trees. Dr. Dhital, Pat MelIor and David bassy) and just a little further from the Within four years the need for a Chris­ Hawksmoor, his assistant at Blenheim. An Iefford worked hard to arrange a number British Embassy lies a small walled ce­ tian cemetery arose and a site was pro­ epitaph for Vanburgh by Abel Evans of running races, the participant children metery on a forward slope facing across vided. The earliest inscription dated 1820 (1679-1737) reads: willing, the adults perhaps less so. The the Kathmandu Valley towards the Hima­ reads: rough grass and numbers involved made layas. It is in a quiet area served by an Under this stone, reader, survey each event quite exciting; several took a unmetalled road which leads to the fields Robert Stuart Esquire Dead Sir John Vanburgh's house of clay. tumble but no-one hurt more than his or and tracks on the floor of the valley. 3rd son of Sir John Stuart, Bart., Lie heavy on him, Earth! for he her pride! Then refreshment became The Treaty of Segauli which concluded ofAllenbank, North Britain Laid many heavy loads on thee! necessary once more and people began to the 1814-1816 war between Britain and and Assistant to the 1 st British Resident drift back to their picnic spots to quench Nepal included a clause which was ac­ at the Court of the Raja of Nipal By contrast, out in the park all was free­ their thirst and, all too soon, to embark on cepted only with great reluctance by the who died at this capital on the dom and lightness. A large group of Yetis the coaches for the return trip to London, Nepalese Durbar. It was for an exchange 14th March, 1820 were having their photograph taken or their cars for home. of accredited Ministers which meant the against Capability Brown's classic land­ It had been a splendid day, enjoyed by permanent presence in Kathmandu of a (There follows a lengthy eulogy on one scape of bridge, lake and, in the distance, everyone, and many grateful thanks are British Resident. In keeping with their who seems to have had many fine the Column of Victory. Families and due to Pat MelIor, Harish Karki, and to all displeasure the Nepalese allocated him qualities) friends were gathered under trees, chat- _ those others who so kindly helped to or­ land in an outlying area called Lainchaur, Stuart's successor as Assistant to ting and picnicking; curry, samosas, pak- ganise it for us all. Gardiner, the Resident in 1820, was the great Brian Houghton Hodgson, FRS (1800-1894) who himself became the Resident in 1833 and stayed for ten years. His studies and records of the people, languages, customs, flora and fauna of Nepal were so accurate and detailed that to this day they provide mines of valid ______-lforktfJginNijJd{sXtice19 71 material for scholars. :Binnie &: Partnernl13sabistory spa~riing over 100y~rsof Among the inscriptions on the grave­ $1l~e~s$fllllycompletedprf)Jects tQ illlprove t"e~nviron1l1entwe _live in. stones are many which reveal the hard­ <,'.:":'':':;''' .. ::: <" ..':.... . > .~ ,::: ships and heartbreaks of life in a remote .:·

14 15 ment of Bengal Native Infantry, was only in Hindu fashion on the banks of the Bag­ 20 at his death on 31 March 1840. mati River. Because Nepal remained a closed king­ A solution to the problem would have dom until the mid-20th Century, only a been to create more space by terracing the handful of British and virtually no other mound but applications to the Common­ foreigners lived in the country and Chris­ wealth War Graves organisation and the tian burials were infrequent. However, British Government for financial help by the mid-1970s the level ground was were rejected. Elsewhere cemeteries find almost used up and only a half a dozen support from the local church but the resi­ dent British community in Kathmandu was very small and there was no parish church to provide a focus and a source of income. It seemed in 1974 that only Providence could help. In November of that year one John Best Wishes for a Very Successful Year Sims of London who was an experienced trekker died at the age of 54 in the Shanta Bhavan Mission Hospital in Kathmandu from altitude sickness suffered while trek­ king up towards Everest Base Camp. His brother, Peter Sims of Beaconsfield, at­ tended the funeral at the British cemetery. Shortly afterwards he wrote to the Ambas­ sador seeking advice on a suitable memo­ rial for his brother whose many colleagues and friends in the City had donated several hundred pounds for the purpose. The hand of Providence was manifest. Agreement was quickly reached on the allocation of the fund. A donation was Memorial to Robert Sturart: made to the Shanta Bhavan hospital. Then See inscription on previous page a plinth was designed by John Sanday, a British architect then carrying out restora­ suitable burial sites remained, the area tion of the Hanuman Dhoka, a Royal Pa­ being taken up by a steep mound. The lace in the old city. The plinth represents recurrent nightmare of successive British Mount Everest and a marble facing carries Ambassadors (who were entirely respon­ the inscription: sible for the cemetery without the help of 10hnSims official funds) was of a major disaster 1920-1974 claiming the lives of numerous victims. This stone was placed by his brother and The only alternative to burial in the ab­ friends whose generosity has enabled the sence of a crematorium was a funeral pyre extension of this cemetery

16 17 ------

THE ANNUAL NEPALI SUPPER by Mayura Brown On the day of our NepaU Supper, February (The plan requires the most careful con­ 22nd, the skies were leaden and it was sideration on several points - its potential s nowing. Undeterred, o ur members environmental impact on a sensitive area, travelled to London from distant parts in­ its benefits or otherwise to the local com­ cluding Scotland. We found S1. Col­ munities, attention to the tectoni c plate in umba's Hall warm and welcoming. Our the Himalayas, and the high risk of sincere thanks to our lady members who floods). ( decorate the Hall so skilfully, and to Mr In his speech, Sir Neil spoke of our aid Tony Wieler who donates the flora1 dec­ to flood relief. A preliminary donation of , orations generously every year. £500 was g iven to the Ambassador's Our Chairman, Sir Neil Thorne, Flood Relief Fund. A larger sum, sub­ greeted the Nepalese Ambassador, Ma­ scribed by our members, was forwarded dame Shrestha, the Embassy party, and to Nepal later. We raised £1 ,250 for the our members and guests while the pipers Lakshmi Thapa School outside Bhakta­ of the 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own pur, and a similar amount for GAP (See Gurkha Rifles kepi us entertained. After a Appeal pp 29-30 Journal 1992). Our delicious supper, prepared and served C hainnan introduced the three NepaU with the usual care and attention by Mr teachers brought to Britain by GAP. They Ishwar Manandhar and family, our Chair­ were Mrs Sudha Regmi from Surket, Mr man read the gracious message of good Norchung Lama from Sindhupalchok, wishes from Her Majesty the Queen. Then and Mr RN. Yogi from Ghorahi, Dang. In additi on, twenty-three small marble Nepal and for their families. They also the Nepalese Ambassador was invited to They were warmly applauded when they relieved the British Ambassador for some plaques were provided for those graves speak. He referred 10 the long-standing stood up to be recognised, and we were which although known and recorded in time to come of a nagging concern. friendship belween the two countries "al­ delighted to know how much they enjoyed the Embassy archives were unmarked by As the photograph (page 15) shows most 200 years" and his appreciation of the evening with us. headstones. there is an old and impressive entrance the help given by the Society and its inter­ The Nepal-Britain Society's message The major part of the donation was arch. There is a wall round the cemetCJy est in the well-being of Nepal. Effons of greetings and good wishes was read to devoted to terracing the mound inside the and nowadays a resident chowkidar en­ were in hand to lessen the pollution that the assembly, and the two loyal toasts sures the security of the site. Considering I cemetery. When the work was completed , afflicts the Kathmandu Valley. (This were drunk. Another happy evening was in 1975 space had been created for sixty their age, the monuments and headstones seems to have become a universal prob­ over. We said our farewells with promises additional graves. Peter Sims and all are in remarkably good condition and rec­ lem). The Ambassador also mentioned the to meet at next year's Supper. ords of all burials are retained in the those who had contributed 10 the memory proposed Anm 3 Hydro-Electric Project. of lohn Sims performed at the same lime archives of the British Embassy. The ce­ a great service to those unfortunates who metery remains a quiet and peaceful cor­ may lose their lives while working, holi­ ner of the Kathmandu Valley and can be daying or trekking in the Kingdom of visited on application 10 the Embassy.

" 19 AID IN NEPAL - THE GURKHA WELFARE SCHEME by Captain Sean Elliott Most members of the Britain-Nepal So­ funding and functions. GWS now works ciety will be aware of the existence of a with and on behalf of a number of member ~R!I Charity established specifically for the charities and organisations besides the benefit of Gurkha Ex -Servicemen, The original UK based Gurkha Welfare Trust, LIGHT TJF nEPIHL Gurkha Welfare Trust. Most will have a including The Kadoorie Agricultural Aid reasonable idea of how Gurkhas have Association, The Overseas Development served the British Crown over the past 180 Agency, The Gurkha Welfare Trust (Ca­ odd years, and all will no doubt have more nada), Gurkha Welfare Trust Foundation than a passing interest as to what the future (USA) and Hong Kong's charitable fund holds for Gurkhas. Naturally there is con­ raising endurance event 'Exercise Trail- cern for those still serving, their Regi­ ments and traditions, but what of the unavoidable Ex"Servlcemen legacy that is sent back to Nepal at the end of the pro­ duction line? Although unable to match the welfare state facilities available in UK to 'fully fledged' ex-members of Her Ma­ jesty's Armed Forces, the field arm of The Gurkha Welfare Trust operating in Nepal goes some way to bridging the gap. Its Headquarters collocated in the idyllic settings of British Gurkha recruit­ ment and pension paying camp at the northern end of Pokhara, The Gurkha Welfare Scheme (GWS) works to a central aim which gives rise to two main func­ tional sub-divisions, Individual Aid and Welfare pensioner Tekbahadur Gurung TANDOORI AND CURRY Community Aid. Simple, if at first glance in a jersey presented by the Naval Wives RESTAURANT appearing a touch elitist, that aim is: of Hong Kong (Fully Air Conditioned) 'The alleviation of poverty and distress Private room available for amongst Gurkha Ex-Servicemen of the walker'. Even the Ministry of Defence up to 40 persons. British Crown and their dependants by acknowledges its commitment to the wel­ Parties catered for rendering aid to individuals and their com­ fare of Ex-Servicemen and provides GWS 268 KING STREET. HAMMERSMITH munities in Nepal'. with an annual contribution towards staff LONDON W6 OSP Since its modest beginnings in 1969 salaries and administration, as well as two TELEPHONE: 081-748 3586. 081-741 2057 when the need was first recognised (or Brigade of Gurkhas serving British Of­ rather the obligation first honoured), ficers. The group currently has a total staff GWS has grown and diversified consider­ of over 220 and is perhaps the only part of ably. The result is a unique melting pot of

20 21 r the British Brigade of Gurkhas which is tingly hand in hand with breakfast - a row or their widows who will be capable of expanding. of radishes amongst the marigolds is not working the land and providing their To achieve its aim GWS has a network uncommon! The buildings themselves, of families with a subsistence level of in­ of 23 Area Welfare Centres spread over western design and specification, stand­ come from it. Successful land purchase the Eastem, Central and Mid Western re­ out amongst their surroundings in rural grants are cheaper in the long term than gions of Nepal in what are considered to Nepal. In the towns meanwhile the prac­ pensions, they do not create a welfare mirror the recruiting and retirement areas ticalluxuries of methane biogas for cook­ dependency and they provide for suc­ of Gurkhas. Many are located at what ing or solar heated water add a certain cessive generations. have subsequently become roadhead status. Above all though, it is perhaps the So much for the straight forward and towns simply by virtue of their role as straightforward approach of the Centre's largely predictable needs oflife and grow­ county towns, while others are more staff that eventually earns the respect and ing old. A subsistence agricultural exist­ remote - Area Welfare Centre Pirthi, set in support of the community. The implemen­ ence in Nepal is highly susceptible to the wilds of mid-eastern Nepal where tation of the aid package adheres to harsh, natural disasters such as floods, land­ development has yet to take its toll, is a but fair guidelines - distinctly un-Nepali slides, earthquakes and fire, anyone of full day's walk from the nearest motorable but much appreciated anyway: But what which can threaten the delicate balance road and remote in every sense of the word of the aid itself? (see front page). The majority of GWS The main thrust of Individual Aid at staff are based in these Centres which is present is in the form of Welfare Pensions indicative of where the bulk of the work Khamba Gurung looks with dismay at given mainly to those who fought in the load lies. Theirs is the un-achievable task his fields destroyed by flooding last war (or their widows), but who now at of attempting to meet a never ending an average age of over 73 may be too old stream of welfare requirements - finan- . Centres is a year-round display of brightly orinfirm to support themselves. A Welfare cial, medical, domestic and educational to coloured flower-beds and highly produc­ Pension represents a basic life-line of es­ name but a few. tive vegetable gardens. With a local pig sential support for such veterans and is Each Centre has a mixed staff of Ex­ loose in the back yard, a buffalo or goat achieved in Nepal for the equivalent of Servicemen and civilians, but with a local tethered on the lawn, a small coop of around £9 per month. Tekbahadur Thapa hierarchy that has its origins very firmly chickens and the occasional rabbit hutch, served with the 2nd Gurkha Rifles from in the military. The Area Welfare Officer many Centres verge on 'home farm' status 1940-46. Now aged 74, he and his wife of leads his team and is supported by an - the more adventurous have tried any­ 64 are entirely self-dependant, their two Assistant or two, a Medic and an Office thing from fish-farming to coffee plants. daughters having married and moved Runner. Where the Kadoories have spon­ Where the Kadoories have set up an agri­ away to look after their in-laws as is tradi­ sored an agricultural programme there cultural programme, based mainly around tional. With only half an acre of poor land may also be an Agricultural Assistant to a piggery, many Centres have become to farm and a wooden hut to live in, their nurture the orchards and tend the pigs. The self-supporting while some even make a life was becoming increasingly harder as Centres are primarily designed as GWS net profit from the sale of their fruit or the years went by. The regular income a Six year old blind girl Anuradha field operating bases but also serve as a livestock. The pineapples of Area Welfare Welfare Pension provides has gone some Gurung is helped by the Blind Schools display of 'excellence' to the local com­ Centre Tanahun took the honours in a way to reducing this hardship. GWS cur­ Matron munity in a more general sense. The locals local competition while Area Welfare rently has just over 9,000 such Welfare are free to take full advantage of the un­ Centre Beni was on to a winner with a tree Pensioners on its books - a substantial but between self-sufficiency and ruin. usually well-ordered and beautiful sur­ bearing over 100 papayas. In all cases necessary drain on resources. Khamba Gurung lost almost his entire rice roundings to have their photographs taken practicality and sound practise are the key As an alternative to a Welfare Pension, crop, and much of the paddy in which it or simply relax, and many do just that. The ingredients, and often beauty goes unwit- Land Purchase Grants are made to was growing when the Daraundi River tightly fenced off land surrounding the younger and able-bodied Ex-Servicemen

22 23 near Gorkha flooded during the late mon­ ther consultation many Centres are now soon 1993. To cope with this type of able to have regular weekly clinics mak­ eventuality GWS makes one-time distress ing use of fully-qualified local Doctors, relief payments to redress the imbalance - and allowing the Ex-Servicemen and their at the same time being careful not to be families to make mUlti-purpose visit to the perceived as an insurance company, ex­ Welfare Centre. The journey may be some pected to replace in full exactly what has 2 or 3 days walk over far from easy been lost. In cases where there is real country, and to be able to collect a welfare hardship, however, timely intervention to pension, sort out your ailments and meet help rebuild a house or repair fields will up with old friends all at the same time is negate the need for more costly help in the very good for morale! Finally, for more future. complicated medical cases, hospitalisa­ With the lack of readily available state­ tion or long-term treatment, GWS assists driven medical facilities in many places, Ex-Servicemen through means-related GWS runs a scheme aimed at providing financial reimbursement. medical support. Area Welfare Centre GWS started a Sponsorship Scheme Medics are well trained and capable of for individuals early in 1993 with the aim basic diagnosis, treatment and first aid to of seeking private or corporate sponsors cope with anything from boils and burns to take on individual welfare cases. Al­ to gastric disorders and scabies. For fur- though more demanding to administer A minor school project - Chitrapokari Middle School near Gorkha proudly displays new furniture

than non-tied aid, direct sponsorship of cated. Her brother Amarchan has also individuals be it for veterans, orphans or been moved to Pokhara where he is at the disabled is assuming an important role boarding school, also funded by individ­ in the GWS aid package. To many donors ual sponsorship. Finally, on behalf of a it provides a far more satisfactory service mixed bag of funds and donors, GWS by facilitating personal interest, contact administers aid to individuals in the form and interaction if required. Six year old of student grants or scholarships. About Anuradha Gurung is blind and an orphan. 550 children benefit annually from a firm Her father who had served with 3rd commitment that is made to those who are Gurkha Rifles during the war died in 1990 academically suitable to see an education and his second wife, Anuradha's mother, through to its natural conclusion. The died in 1992. Alone apart from her 8 year scheme thus targets those who would old brother, who was working as kitchen otherwise be unable to receive schooling hand in a local hostel to feed them both, in a country where the value of education her future was bleak. GWS was quickly is still highly treasured and appreciated. able to find a sponsor for her and re-locate Making up a major part of the home her to a specialist Blind School in Pokhara grown Community Aid package and where in caring and stable surroundings funded by The Overseas Development A major school project - Mane Danra Primary School in Taplejung Zilla was built she has flourished and will be fully edu- Agency, GWS has designed and built 20 from scratch (June 94)

24 25 rural potable water schemes per year for projects meanwhile make funds for self­ HIMALAYAN VOICES the past 6 years. As most contamination of help projects such as general building An Introduction to Modern Nepali Literature, by M.I. Hutt, water occurs between collection at the tap maintenance, the construction of furniture University of California Press, Berkeley 1991. stand and consumption, a vital element of or re-roofing. (Reviewed by Mark Temple) the projects is the visit and instruction GWS fulfils a somewhat unique charit­ provided by the Supporting Health and able role in providing an enormously This introduction to the Literature of the A Glimpse Hygiene Promotion Teams. Two teams of wide-ranging welfare package to a rela­ Nepali Language was written by the lec­ (by Kedar man Vyathit) three specifically trained women and a tively select group of people - we of GWS turer in Nepali at the School of Oriental Fickle as a mountain stream, man follow up recently completed pro­ however are in little doubt that they and African Studies, London University. affectionate as the earth, jects promoting the hygienic use of water. deserve it! Ever mindful of the need to It will to some extent replace Abhi lovely like ripened crops GWS has enjoyed a long and close adapt the aid package to what is actually Subedi's Nepali Literature: Background shy like bending straw association with the Kadoorie family and required, GWS has recently computerised and History published in Kathmandu in a girl with a basket their Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Associ­ its Headquarters to permit accurate bud­ 1978. An article by Michael Hutt ap­ climbs up the hill .... ation (KAAA). Working to two specific geting as well as take a lead in predicting peared in this journal in 1991. target areas each year, KAAA usually future dependency through a demography Nepali, or Gurkhali as it is known in Poetry was also an important vehicle for completes six pedestrian bridges and study. What the long term future holds for regiments of the British Army for histori­ political thought during the repression of twenty water systems per year. The GWS is more difficult to predict although cal reasons, is not just the language of the Ranas and the Panchayat Raj. strength and efficiency of personal com­ careful planning now will be essential to Nepal, but is widely spoken in Darjeeling Since Britons in Nepal have a good mitment by all in the Kadoorie organisa­ see the Second World War veterans District of West Bengal, Sikkhim, Bhutan, tradition of mastering the language, some tion is a fine example to all aid through their time of need. It will also be As sam and parts of upper Burma. It is also readers ofthe Iournal may feel inclined to organisations and their affiliation with necessary to keep a look-out, and antici­ spoken wherever Nepali communities read the poems in Nepali which is the only GWS is highly treasured. pate both where and when the next main live in numerous cities of the sub-conti­ way to fully appreciate them. I recom­ The GWS School Building Programme cry for help will come. With the majority nent such as Dehra Dun and Calcutta. mend the poet Bhupi Sherchan as a good consists of a balance of minor and major of Gurkhas now retiring on a Service Pen­ The book is in two parts, poetry and starting point because of the simplicity of projects. The former involve the complete sion it is arguable that a time will come short stories. In each section the foremost the language and the quality of his poetry. rebuild of a derelict school to GWS speci­ when GWS can reduce its operations authors are introduced with a brief profile The short stories bring Nepal alive in a fications and under the watchful eye of a considerably. That said, we aim to be and essay on their work followed by trans­ brilliant manner. Ramesh Bikal's 'A GWS construction engineer. The average operating in Nepal well into the next lated poems or short stories. Splendid Buffalo' describes how an offi­ cost of such a major project is around century, and certainly as long as Gurkha The short stories work better in trans­ cial in a hill village cheats a poor farmer £4,500 and the solidly built results are Ex-Servicemen or their dependants are lation than the poetry. In a paper to a of his fine new buffalo. B.P. Koirala's more than simply value for money. Minor in genuine need of our help. linguistics symposium in Kathmandu story from the 1940's 'To The Lowlands' in 1989 Michael Hutt quoted a famous tells of an encounter on a hill path be­ Italian saying 'translation is treachery'. tween a widow and four coolies/beggars The poem is the most important medium on their way to search for their fortunes in in modern Nepali Literature but the trans­ the plains. She gets robbed. In these and lation of poetry is notoriously difficult. other stories you can hear the authentic Nevertheless, the rich tradition ofNepali voices ofthe ordinary people of Nepal. poetry comes through in some of the This is the book discerning trekkers excerpts:- will be packing in their rucksacks. The paperback edition weighs in at 1 lb 3 ounces!

26 27 r NEPALESE TEXTILES by Susi Dunsmore - £16.95 British Museum Press ®@[M]~iJ~OOO@ (Reviewed by Mayura Brown) A great deal of careful research was ob­ beauty and subtlety of the latter can rarely viously required to produce such a fasci­ be imitated'. ®[F)~©O~~ ~~~ nating book. We are introduced to Nepal's Examples of the weaver's art, the early history and legends with comments gentle colours, and the intricate patterns on the apparel worn in the distant past. are charmingly illustrated in many colour ~ plates. The villagers, who are the guard­ SUMMIT HOTEL This is followed by the observations ofthe privileged few who were able to visit the ians of these crafts, must be persuaded to and country later. pursue their ancient traditions and jeal­ SUMMIT TREKKING PVT. LTD. Mrs Dunsmore's expert knowledge of ously preserve them. It is sad that the textiles and her sympathetic appreciation . attractive Dumber Kumari Chappa which KUPONOOLE HEIGHT, LALlTPUR P.O. BOX 1406, KATHMANOU, NEPAL of the traditional rural crafts of Nepal en­ was so popular when I was young, is dif­ TEL: 521894, 521810 ables the reader to evaluate the techniques ficult to obtain nowadays. The influx of FAX: 977·1·523737, TLX: 2342 SUMMIT NP that have existed in the country for cen­ tourists and 'modern' ideas mean that turies. The Allo (Nettle) cloth still made some Nepalese prefer to buy imported today was mentioned in the Hindu epic, material rather than their own more dur­ the Ramayana, where its beauty was able and distinctive woven cloth. praised. She explains with clarity the Our gratitude is due to Mrs Dunsmore methods used to employ the indigenous for presenting to us an important Nepalese plants for spinning and weaving, giving craft which must be encouraged to flour­ their names and the areas in which they ish, and never allowed to decline. This grow. There is a short chapter dealing with book is not only for those interested in the vegetable dyes and the manner of their textiles. Readers will find in its pages a production. In the past natural dyes were momentary escape to hidden valleys, always used, but are being superseded by where village life, despite a demanding COROMANDEL chemical dyes from India. Mrs Dunsmore environment, continues in timeless says (p8I): 'Although thefastness ofthese tranquillity. The experts in tailor-made travel to Nepal and the dyes surpasses that of the natural dyes, the subcontinent. Tours by private car with driver a speciality. Agents for Mountain travel group and private treks.

Brochure from Coromandel Andrew Brock Travel Ltd 54 High Street East Uppingham LE159PZ Tel 0572-821330 (24 hours) ATOL 1585 AlTO ADTA 16070

28 29

[ WARS BRING SCARS byE.D Smith £6.95 R.J. Leach & Co THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY (Reviewed by Lt. Col. T.M. Lowe) 'I remember Pat shouting and then we those happy warriors in 'the savage wars plunged like a stone on to the pad: there of peace' that have troubled the world ever wishes was a loud splintering crash: one minute since 1945. Moreover, the current plans to we were gazing at the sky, then trees raced cut the Brigade of Gurkhas to a mere at us as the Wessex somersaulted down the shadow of its former strength can only add steep slope. A momentary glimpse of to fears for their long-term future in the The Royal Gurkha Rifles whirling sky and jungle and then, a terrible British Army. pulverising blow on my right arm. So this A limited number of signed copies can is an accident and I am being killed ... ' be obtained direct from the author - but But the author, Birdie Smith, did sur­ please add 75p to your cheque to cover vive, albeit after some jungle surgery, to postage. (The author gives £1 on each write this sequel to his much-acclaimed copy sold from his house to the Gurkha 'Even The Brave Father'. In 'Wars Bring Welfare Trust). Scars', Birdie Smith covers some of his experiences in counter-insurgency oper­ E.D. Smith ations with the 7th Gurkha Rifles in 2 Balfour Mews Greece (1945), Malaya during the Emer­ Station Road, Sidmouth gency, and in Borneo where the Wessex Devon EXlO 8XL helicopter, in which he was travelling, crashed in April 1964. His rehabilitation Copies can be obtained from the Publisher at RAF Headley Court enabled him to - whose address is as shown - or order at a great and glorious future and sends its greetings to the: return, once more, to Borneo, this time as any book shop. Commandant 112 KEG Gurkha Rifles. His story ends when he handed over com­ Publisher: R.J Leach and Co mand in 1968. 73 Priory Grove First Battalion in Hong Kong With so much of his service spent with Ditton Second Battalion in Brunei the Gurkhas of Nepal, this book gives an Aylesford insight into what it was like serving with Kent ME20 6BD Third Battalion at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Church Crookham

30 31 ADDRESSES

The King Mahendra U.K The Britain-Nepal Otology Trust for Nature Service (BRINOS) Conservation 2 West Road 26 Little Chester Street Guildford London GU11AU SWIX7AP Tel: (071) 823 2454 The Gurkha Welfare Trusts Room 017 Ripley Block School of Oriental and African Old Admiralty Building Studies Whitehall University of London London Thornhaugh Street SWIA2BL Russell Square Tel: (071) 218 4395 For more tha~ seven years, we have been successfully leading treks 'off the beaten track' to Nepal, with both London groups and private individuals. WClHOXG KEEP (UK) 72 Newhaven Road Our programme of trips is now even more comprehensive than before including Western Nepal, Rara Lake' Yeti Association Edinburgh Langtang and Holy GosaikWJd· The Kingdom of Mustang (Nepali Association in U.K.) EH65QG • Rolwaling and Bigu Gornpa • The Upper Dolpo Dr. Raghav Dhital Tel: (031) 5549977 Everest base camp and Mani Rimdu Festival- A 48 Cheyne Avenue Christmas adventure... South Woodford The Wilderness Trust For a full colour brochure of these and other treks in the London IParkholme Himalaya, contact Dept NPI E182DR Fairfield Road Eastbourne GAP House BN207LU 44 Queens's Road Tel: (0323) 647801 Berkshire RG14BB Tel: (0734) 594914

The Britain-Nepal Medical Trust 16 East Street The Gurkha Museum Tonbridge Peninsula.Barracks Kent Romsey Iioad TN9lHG Winchester Tel: (0732) 360284 Hams hire S0238TS Tel: (0962) 842832

32 33 OBITUARY 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 We were greatly grieved last November to hear of the death of Joyce, widow of John Our aim is to promote and foster good • a Spring or Summer outing to a place Boyd Denson, (British Ambassador to relations between the people ofthe United of interest; Nepal 1977-1983). Mr Peter Roberts rep­ Kingdom and Nepal. The Society was • receptions and hospitality for visitors resented the Society at her funeral. It is sad founded in 1960, under the patronage of from Nepal; to lose old friends, especially those His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bik­ • the AGM in November and an annual devoted to Nepal. Among our earliest ram Shah Deva of Nepal during his State supper party in February or March. members, the Densons always kept in Visit to London: Lord Hunt became the We keep in touch with the Nepal-Bri­ touch with me wherever they happened to first President. tain Society in Kathmandu which the late be to have news of the Society. I am sure British and Nepalese subjects, and H.H. Field Marshal Sir Kaiser, a Life the many years they spent in Nepal were business firms or corporate bodies are Member of the Society, founded shortly amoung the happiest of their lives. We eligible for membership. before his death. value the memory of these good friends Members include serving and retired The Britain-Nepal Society has a grow­ who are sadly missed. Gurkhas, mountaineers, members of the ing membership and there is tremendous Diplomatic Service, schoolmasters, doc­ enthusiasm for Nepal. Our meetings, Mayura Brown tors, nurses, businessmen and scholars. which are usually well attended, provide Ordinary members pay a subscription an excellent opportunity for members and of£IO per annum. Life members - a single their guests to get together. Our member­ payment of £150 and Corporate Members ship, not counting Honorary Members and £25. The Journal is sent free to all mem­ Corporate Members, is now well over five EXOTIC MEALS IN A bers. hundred. ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE Members of the "YETr' Association The President of our Society is His for Nepalis resident or staying in Britain Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, are welcome at all functions. They are GVCO. For Authentic Nepalese Food eligible to join as full members in the usual The Committee welcome new mem­ Come to Johnnie Gurkha's way. They have a flourishing organisation bers amongst people with a genuine inter­ oftheir own and publish their own attract­ est in Nepal. The address of the Honorary at Down-Town area, ive journal. Secretary is: Victoria Road The Society's programme includes: Mrs E.P. MelIor • monthly lectures or events from Oc­ 3c Gunnersbury Avenue, Aldershot, Hampshire. tober to May in London; Ealing Common, London W5 3NH Telephone: Aldershot (0252) 28773/23191

We open 7 days a week for Luncheons and Dinners. We cater for large parties. Functions and Banqueting.

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 Paul Broomhall Esq. AR.H. Kellas Esq., CMG Brigadier AB. Taggart, MC Sir George Bishop, CB, OBE Lieutenant Colonel H.e.S. Gregory, OBE, KSG Mrs. Celia Brown Colonel I.M. Evans MC

Committee Chairman: Sir Neil Thorne, OBE, ID, DL Vice-Chairman: Roger Potter Esq. Honorary Secretary: Mrs. Pat MelIor Honorary Treasurer: Ae. Durston Esq.

Mrs. Iris Bolton Mrs. Minu Chhibber David Iefford Esq. H.B. Karki Esq. Madhab P. Khanal Esq. Minister Counsellor, Royal Nepalese Embassy( ex officio) Lieutenant Colonel Guy Pearson (ex officio) Sir Michael Scott KVCO, CMG Ms Alina Stonor

Editor of Journal: Lieutenant Colonel H.e.S. Gregory, OBE, KSG.

Produced by Glenburn Design and Electronic Publishing

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