Gorkha Welfare Sociey was formed in New Delhi

 The Gorkha youth of residing in New Delhi has recently formed an organisation called Gorkha Welfare Society. According to a report, they have started this noble cause at a time where there is a dearth of community welfare NGOs for the ethnic Nepalis in the heart of India. Gorkha Welfare Society has been formed in Delhi by the Gorkhas youths from Darjeeling and north eastern states who are the Indian residents.

The aims and objects as follows:
Vision:

This organization would be a non-political and non-profitable social body, which will collectively address educational, employment and social issues concerning the Gorkhas today and will also act as a platform to nurture and promote culture, art, language, sports and other talents.

Structure:

The organization will consist of general members, an executive body and an Advisory panel. A general member will be enrolled on payment of a nominal annual membership fee. An executive body would be formed from the general members on nomination basis. An advisory panel will consist of respected citizens of experience and wisdom who may or may not be a general member.

Aims and objectives

Education and Employment:

The Organization will act as nodal body regarding dissemination of information with respect to education and employment. An individual can obtain information on the website or by the medium of Internet, telephone or personal contact. Post that necessary help and guidance will be provided by the executive body.ls, guest houses and houses on rent. Members will find easy and reliable information regarding accommodation in different parts of the city.

Combat Racial Discrimination:

This menace has always been part of our daily life. Therefore we have plans to educate people by writing articles and if necessary protest against in a legal way. Protect and provide help to our young girls in the capital, just the way the North Eastern groups have formed their 'Boys protection brigade'.

Drug Eradication:

A large population of our youth, staying away from home without parental supervision, has been observed taking drugs and other intoxicating products. Our aim is to provide proper counseling in association with rehabilitation centers in Delhi.

Promotion of Art, Culture and Sports:

To create a platform to nurture and promote language, culture, art, sports and others talents. It's only when our boys and girls take up sport like cricket and tennis which is getting all the media attention will our countrymen see us more than soldiers. Language, art and culture are the platform on which a community is built and by promoting the same will not only strengthen our existence but will also enable other communities to know us more.

For your cooperation and Feedback :
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Contact us at : gorkhawelfaresociety@gmail.com
Bishal Rai : 98733 20 866
Praneem Subba : 011 650 50682 - 324 37323
Uttam Chhetri : 98112 26 015
Nelson : 98992 26312 / 99531 14043
Raju Chettri : 98734 54 914
Rohit Gurung : 99534 13 44

In-Depth Citizenship Issues plague Nepali speaking Indians too WHO YOU? The MNIC has led to bonafide Indian citizens being clubbed with other illegal migrants’ citizenship Identity Crisis

- by Jyoti Thapa Mani

KIRTI SINGH BIST, DEVENDRA GUSAIN AND KULDIP Singh Rana are among 48 residents of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand who, despite holding identity cards issued by the Election Commissioner of India, have been categorized as foreigners and have had their ration cards cancelled by the district supply officer.

Why? Because they speak the Nepali language.  

In neighboring Pithoragarh district, in village Darim-Khola, Karam Chandra Baral, a fifth-generation Indian domicile resident (whose ancestors came from Nepal), owns a portion of land duly registered and mutated in his name. However, he cannot build his house
on it, because the revenue authorities and Pithoragarh Police identified him as a Nepalese citizen. Baral is also threatened with dispossession of his lawfully purchased land.

In Nagpur, Maharashtra, Sitaram Thapa, a permanent employee at Kishen Gurunanak School since 1995, worked as a night guard on a gross monthly salary ofRs 6,000. He was told his salary was to be reduced to Rs 2,500 as a casual labourer because the Maharashtra Education Department had no provisions for employment of guards.
When the matter was taken up in the Nagpur Lower Court, the school in its affidavit claimed that Thapa was a Nepalese citizen. Subsequently, in January 2008, the Court asked Thapa to prove his Indian citizenship.
All three acts happen to be unconstitutional.

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists Nepali among 22 recognized Indian languages. And the 1950 India-Nepal Friendship Treaty allows citizens of both countries full access to all privileges on both sides of the border.

Article 7 of the Treaty states: "The Governments of India and Nepal agree to grant, on reciprocal basis, to the nationals of one country in the territories of the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature:'  Says D.S. Garbiyal, district magistrate of Chamoli, "The ration card cancellation is under enquiry at the sub-divisional magistrate's court:' Meanwhile, the 48 Nepali-speaking people in Chamoli continue to starve.

Nepalese and Indians have common ethnic roots from time immemorial. In fact, Uttarakhand, parts of Himachal Pradesh and Nepal formed one country, duly recognized as such by the British- India rule. In 1815, by virtue of the Treaty of Sagauli signed between Nepal and
British-India, Nepal had to cede Kumaon, Garhwal, today's Himachal Pradesh, the Terai region and Sikkim- Darjeeling to British India.

The Treaty of 1860 returned the Terai lowlands to Nepal. And then came the 1950 Treaty. Today, Nepal performs the role of service
provider to India, especially to Indian defence, while Indians are largely business investors in Nepal. Top Indian industrial houses, such as Dabur and lTC, have substantial business presence in Nepal. The Nepali-speaking population in India comprises mainly of Indian Gorkhas (descendants of the Indian Gorkha regiment from the 19th century), India-domiciled Nepalese migrants, Nepali-speaking Indians of non-Nepalese descent and Nepalese citizens serving in India. The fourth is the only foreign category, but is still protected by Article 7 of the 1950 Treaty.

The free flow of people between the two countries has created another problem. There are millions of people of Nepalese origin living in India for decades and vice versa, who do not posses either Indian or Nepali citizenship papers. They face dissolution of their property, non-grant of ration cards or even pensions, alongside the trauma of suddenly being categorised as illegal migrants.

The introduction of the Muti-purpose National Identity Card (MNIC) by the UPA government in 2006 has made matters worse. The objective of this card is to increase national security, manage citizen identity and facilitate e-governance.

In simple words, flush out infiltrators. This pilot project has been launched in 20 select infiltration-prone sub-districts of 13 states and Union Territories. The MNIC has led to bonafide Indian citizens being clubbed with other illegal migrants, especially because when MNIC was introduced, no details of the 1950 Treaty were provided to the various states.

It seems like the 1950 Treaty, though still existent on paper, has ceased to be functional on I the ground, leading to harassment of vulnerable people by exploiters, land-grabbers, and politicians playing ethnic games.

First General meeting of Gorkha Welfare Society

March 09, 2008: A general body meeting of Gorkha Welfare Society was held at Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, wherein Gorkhas from different parts of the county joined hands for a common purpose of creating social awareness among the Gorkha community. This is the first time that a Gorkha Welfare Society is being proposed to be made in the capital – New Delhi representing and for the welfare of Gorkhas from all India. 

Col. Ramesh Ale, from Kalimpong presided the meeting wherein he described this meet as a historical meet as Gorkhas from different parts of country were present to discuss the social and educational upliftment of our community. 

Mr. Binu Sundas, a research scholar in HIV from J.N.U.  extended his unconditional help for admission in colleges and other educational matters. He also extended his help to set up a Gorkha Help Desk at the time of admission in different colleges in Delhi just as the North Eastern students have a help desk.

 Ms. Jyoti Thapa Mani, Design Director, Business Words, and Gorkha Heritage Research Scholar gave a brief introduction about Gorkha history and extended her selfless help for the upliftment of Gorkha community. She also emphasized highlighting the developmental and importance of Darjeeling in International media.She suggested that the Gorkha Welfare Society could take up the matter of neglect of Darjeeling Hills and the world heritage sites in and around Darjeeling to help the inhabitants of Darjeeling which are mostly Gorkhas. In particular she emphasized highlighting.

 1.       Darjeeling Railways, a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO 'The first and only world heritage site in North – Eastern India.

2.       Site of world famous "Darjeeling Tea" .

3.       Proposed World Heritage Site for "Kanchenjunga National Park"

 Rashmi Dewan, Deputy General Manager, Reliance Energy, suggested organizing cultural programs and sports activities so that more of our youth get recognition and the Gurkhas are seen not just as "guards". We should promote/sponsor and help scout talent amongst out youth and give them a platform to showcase their talents.

 The Gorkha Society should also honour and highlight the achievements of Gorkhas in our community who are doing great work eg – Ms.Jyotsna Sitling - IFS (Forest Services) recipient of  Ms. Jyotsna Sitling getting the Indira Gandhi Parayavaran Awards for environment protection in the individual category this year for her work in preserving the bio-diversity of the Valley of Flowers. (You can google for Jyotsna Sitling & get her details.)

 Also talk about and recognize the playwright who has just last year won the National Award for his script. We need to have funds to be able to promote and help deserving candidates.

 It was decided that the Gorkha Welfare Society will soon get registered in order to make it a legal entity Mr. Mahendra Gautam has kindly consented to help with the paper work regarding the registration.

With the consent of about 83 members present the following members were handed the following responsibilities on ad-hoc basis.

 Treasure:

Y.K. Shrestra,

Managing Partner,Connect Pro Management Consultants,Delhi

Advisor: Col. Ramesh Aley, Rashmi Dewan, General Manager, Reliance Energy

 Jyoti Thapa, Design Director, Business Words, and Gorkha Heritage Research Scholar

 Samdup Wangi (Sandy),Govt. Employee, Swaroop Chamling,London, U.K.

 Primula Bhandari,Director,Reliance Insurance, North Bengal Region.

 Nisha Chettri,Free lance Photographer,Mahendra Gautam,Retention Manager,Vodafone, Delhi,

 Binu Sundas,Research Scholar in HIV from J.N.U.  Barun Roy, Administrator,  

 becononline.wordpress.com

Executive Body: Niel Rana,Kiran Rai,Raju Chettri,Roshan Sundas,Kamal Pradhan,Samir Joshi,

Bishal Rai 'Kirath' 

Contributors to Gorkha Welfare Society

1.       1. Jyoti Thapa Mani- Rs.1000/-  2.       Y.K. Shrestra-Rs.1500/-        

3.       3.Nisha Chettri- Rs.151/- ,4.       Manendra Gautam -Rs.300/-

5.       5.Ramesh Pradhan -Rs.301/- ,6.       Bishal Rai-Rs.302/-

7.       7. Kiran Rai-Rs.302/- ,8.       Kavita Raya - Rs.150/-

9.       8. D. Limboo-Rs.100/- ,10.   Rickey Chettri -Rs.200/-

11.   11.Manohar Chettri-Rs.101/- ,12.   Sandeep Thapa - Rs.100/-

13.   13.Prakash Biswakarma-Rs.300/- ,14.   Col. Ramesh Aley-Rs.200/-

15.   Niraj Bharti-Rs. 100/- ,Rashmi Dewan- Rs.1500/-