British Gurkha Nepal Ex-Servicemen’s Association UK (BGNESA-UK) is the association of all British Gurkhas, who are from Nepal, joined the British Army, retired and live in the UK. The Association covers all the Gurkhas over the UK and its office is in South East London. It is associated with Nepal Ex-Servicemen’s Association (NESA) in Nepal. The NESA is made up of all retired British Gurkhas, Indian Army Gurkhas and Nepal Army. Its central office is in Kathmandu. The Association have more than 60 district branches all over Nepal. It works for welfare, benefits and rights of all retired army personnel.
In October 2004, the British Government graciously granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and resident permits to those Gurkhas, who had served in the British Army for minimum four years and retired after July 1997. Since then, most of the retired British Gurkhas have moved to the UK to work and settle permanently. Many of the members of the NESA also moved to UK between 2004 and 2007 and started to work together for the welfare, benefits and rights of the British Gurkhas. For these purpose, in July 2007, in co-ordination of Mr Kesh Bahadur Gurung, NESA UK Branch was officially formed.
The first NESA UK Branch founder executive committee members were Mr Kesh Bahadur Gurung (Chairman), Mr Bhim Bahadur Gurung (Vice chairman), Mr Sur Bahadur Ghale (Secretary), Mr Tanka Prasad Gurung (Member), Mr Kush Bahadur Gurung (Member) and Mr Indra Prasad Gurung and late Mr Ananda Prasad Gurung (Advisors).
From the beginning, NESA-UK was campaigner and also an active participant in Gurkhas Equal Pension and Right camapaign in the UK, working alongside campaigns led by British Actress and Auther Joanna Lamond Lumley OBE FRGS (daughter of British Officer who served with Gurkhas in India) and How & Co Solicitors and other British Gurkha Associations. The campaigns were also supported by than Conservative Party leader Mr David Cameron and Liberal Democrats Party leader Mr Nick Clegg. They both initiated motions of no confidence vote for the Gurkhas issues in the Parliament on 9th May 2009. The British Parliament voted in favour of the settlement rights of pre-July 1997 Gurkhas. Finally, all the Gurkhas (including those who retired before July 1997) were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and resident permits in the UK.
In April 2016, NESA-UK was renamed as British Gurkha Nepal Ex-Servicemen’s Association UK (BGNESA-UK) by the 5th general convention of the NESA Central Committee.
Notice Board Section
British Gurkhas Nepal Ex-servicemen’s Association UK (BGNESA-UK) are planning to run Coronavirus awareness program for elderly Gurkhas in Nepali language for those who do not understand English and unaware of UK Governments guidelines and Covid-19 updates. For this reason, BGNESA are liaising with some Doctors how this awareness program can be effective and informative. How an effective information can be delivered without meeting and talking in person with elderly Gurkhas.
Individual thoughts have been discussed and the following two methods are considered to be used for passing information.
- A paper leaflet containing all information about the Coronavirus’s diagnosis, preventive measures and governments guidance in Nepali language will be printed and then it can be delivered and posted to their addresses.
- Once the paper leaflet reached to the elederly Gurkhas, then a volunteer member needs to call him and confirm he understand the Covid -19 information and can take preventive measures and stay safe.
We need volunteer members to run this program. Please contact Mr Kesh Bahadur Gurung on 07411914620.