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| DISCOUNT ON MRI SERVICE AT MTH |
Manipal Teaching Hospital Pokhara has recently announced that it will provide 25% discount on MRI charges for all GWS patients. The discount will be provided upon submission of GWS Medical Treatment Certificate (GWS Form 26). All ex-Servicemen and dependants requiring MRI services should be aware of this discount facility.
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| PLANNED MEDICAL CAMPS |
The following free medical camps are scheduled to take place:
Place Date
Patrol Base Trishuli 07-09 Dec 09
AWCs Bhojpur & Gulmi 14-17 Dec 09
Patrol Base Ghorahi 02-04 Mar 10
AWC Khandbari 15-17 Mar 10
AWC Taplejung 01-03 Jun 10
AWC Syangja 14-16 Jun 10
Patrol Base Beni 25-27 Aug 10
AWC Phidim 06-08 Sep 10
AWCs Diktel & Bheri 13-15 Dec 10
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| Employment With The Gurkha Welfare Scheme As Area Welfare Officers And Assistant Area Welfare Officers |
The Gurkha Welfare Scheme(GWS) relies on the support of retired members of the Brigade to run GWS and to deliver individual and community aid to the retired community in India and Nepal. These posts are challenging and require all the initiative and enthusiasm that servicemen are used to applying to their job.
These notes are designed to give a flavour of the GWS TACOS. Full details are available by contacting the Deputy Field Director GWS at BGPokhara or by e-mail dep.fd.dir@hqgws.org
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| INCREASE IN WELFARE PENSION |
The GWT (UK) Trustees meeting held on 24 Apr 09 has approved an increase in the rate of Welfare Pension. As of Jul 09, the Welfare Pension is to be raised from NCR 3,800 to 4,000 per month. With this increase, a Welfare Pensioner will now receive a lump sum of NCR 12,000 in each Welfare Pension Paying quarter.
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| Appointment of New Director |
 NEW DIRECTOR GWS COLONEL ANDREW MILLS( Click to Enlarge) NEW DIRECTOR GWS
COLONEL ANDREW MILLS
The Gurkha Welfare Scheme Nepal welcomes its new Director, Colonel Andrew Mills. Col Mills took over the appointment from Col R J J Ellis Late QG SIGNALS with effect from 23 Nov 09.Educated at Oundle School and Leeds University, Andrew Mills was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1982; he served on operations in the Falkland Islands, the Balkans and Afghanistan. After junior command tours with the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers and 20 Field Squadron he was
appointed Commanding Officer of 28 Engineer Regiment in 2000. Later in 2005 he took over command of 12 (Air Support Engineer Group), with which he deployed to Afghanistan to build the British bases and facilities in Kandahar and Helmand
Province; a task which was formally recognised by an award from the British Construction Industry. In 2008 he commanded a joint Romanian / American Task Force in Zabul Province Afghanistan. Recent staff appointments have been: a member
of the directing staff at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham; Military Assistant to Deputy Commander (Operations) in Bosnia; Colonel Royal Engineers Manning and Career Management Division; and Deputy Chief of Staff (Reconstruction and Development) in Regional Command (South) Afghanistan. He is currently taking up the joint appointments of Defence Attaché Kathmandu, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal and Director of the Gurkha Welfare Scheme. A bachelor, Andrew Mills enjoys offshore sailing, distance running and hill walking. He is an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, and a Yachtmaster Examiner. A former Commodore of the Royal Engineer Yacht Club, he skippered the Army Antarctic Expedition in
2007/08.
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| BGN/GWS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009 |
 Participants of the BGN/GWS Annual Conference - Sep 09( Click to Enlarge) This year, the BGN/GWS Annual Conference was held over the period 14 - 18 Sep 09 at British Gurkhas Pokhara. All AWOs and key personnel from BGN, BGP, GWS and a representative from GCSPF attended the conference. The aim of the conference was to act as a forum for the passage of up-to-date information about the Bde of Gurkhas, BGN and the GWS. The first phase of the conference was focused on the GWS Seminar and Training. Fd Dir GWS, Lt Col A P M Griffith RGR opened the seminar by highlighting the GWS’ mission and his directive for AWOs. It was then followed by various training and updates by concerned Head of Departments.
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| MEDICAL CAMP AT AWC GORKHA |
 ( Click to Enlarge) A medical camp was held at AWC Gorkha over the period 2 - 4 Sep 09. The camp provided free medical check ups, eye surgery, dental care, treatment of minor gynaecological diseases and medicines for all ex-Servicemen, their dependants and locals residing in the area.
During the three-day camp, a total of 1,519 patients from Gorkha, Dhading, Lamjung and Tanahun districts, of which 65% were female, benefited from the Medical Camp. Of note, a 96 years old Welfare Pensioner, IA 47398 Lnk Dalbahadur Ghale Ex 1/4 Gurkha Rifles was the oldest patient attending the camp and 91 years old Welfare Pensioner, widow Chandramaya Thapa w/o IA 72875 Rfn Gangabahadur Thapa Ex 4/6 Gurkha Rifles was the oldest eye patient to receive a cataract operation.
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| MOBILE DOCTORS AT WORK |
 Dr. Abindra Rumdali Rai MBBS( Click to Enlarge) Dr. Abindra Rumdali Rai MBBS performing a minor procedure on
ex-Serviceman 21138752 Rfn Karnabahadur Rai Ex 7GR at AWC
Bhojpur. Karnabahadur had complained of severe pain in his foot from an
ingrowing toe nail for over 12 years.
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| KASKI RESIDENTIAL HOME |
 A 3-D impression of the Kaski Home( Click to Enlarge) Introduction: Kaski Residential Home is a purpose built modern building using traditional Nepali construction materials. It is co-located with one of our Key Area Welfare Centres at Kaski on 3 ropani of prime land in Pokhara valley. The mild weather, breathtaking view of the Himalayas and close vicinity to interesting places makes Pokhara the most popular place in Nepal to visit or indeed to live.
Objective: As life goes on, it brings many challenges, physical, intellectual and emotional. Our dedicated team of carefully selected staff will take the time to help you meet your challenges and improve the quality of every day life. At Kaski Residential Home you will have the piece of mind to know, that we make every effort to ensure your stay with us is filled with happiness and security. You will not be alone at Kaski Residential Home; you will meet new friends and have the opportunity to join in with our regular activities and entertainment. Visitors are welcome at any time and contact with friends and families is encouraged.
Eligibility. The opportunity to spend your retirement in a Kaski Residential Home is open to all Welfare Pensioners, however, there are certain criteria that must be met, namely, he or she must be a widower or a widow, generally able to carry outdaily life routine unaided and living without family support andgenerally, must be 80 years of age or over.
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| COMMUNITY AID |
 Mr Alistair Maclean opening the new building of Singha Devi Primary School( Click to Enlarge) OPENING OF SINGLA SCHOOL
Mr Alistair Maclean opening the new school building of Singha Devi Primary School at Singla village of Gorkha on 13 Nov 09. This four-roomed building with furniture set and an incinerator was built in memory of Rifleman Thaman Gurung VC with funds from the GWS and 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) Regimental Association.
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| FAREWELL TO COLONEL & MRS R J J ELLIS |
 ( Click to Enlarge) On Sat 21 Nov 09, a traditional function was organised at AWC Kaski to bid farewell to Director GWS, Col R J J Ellis Late QG SIGNALS and his wife Fiona Memsahib. Col Ellis left Nepal on successful completion of his 5 years tour as Commander British Gurkhas Nepal, Defence Attaché Kathmandu and Director of the GWS.
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| farewell function held at BG Pokhara. |
 Hon Lt(QGO) Bhimprasad Rai Ex 10GR receiving the Certificate of Appreciation ( Click to Enlarge) Fd Dir GWS, Lt Col A P M Griffith RGR presented a Certificate of Appreciation (COA) to Hon Lt(QGO) Bhimprasad Rai Ex 10GR during his farewell function held at BG Pokhara. Bhimprasad saheb joined the GWS in Oct 93 as an AAWO Dharan. In Dec 02, he was promoted to AWO and served at AWC Tehrathum until his retirement, 30 Nov 09. We wish Bhimprasad saheb all the best for his retirement.
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| WELFARE PENSION TO RIFLEMAN DILLIMAN RAI EX 7 GR |
 RIFLEMAN DILLIMAN RAI EX 7 GR( Click to Enlarge) 21138226 Rifleman Dilliman Rai ex 1/7GR comes from Foksi village in Okhaldhunga. He was enlisted into the Brigade of Gurkhas in 1943 and served in India, Burma and Malaya. In 1950, he was sent to Nepal as an escort to Rifleman Manbahadur Rai from Okhaldhunga area who was being discharged due to tuberculosis.
Unfortunately whilst in Nepal Dilliman became severely ill with malaria and also suffered the loss of his father. As a result he never rejoined his battalion and remained absent without leave. Since then Dilliman spent his entire life in his village as a farmer and raising his family. Sadly his wife died some 15 years ago and with all his 3 sons married and living separately, he is now living with his married grand-daughter who is unable to provide the level of care needed as she has got her own family to feed and look after.
Dilliman, frail 85 years old without any regular source of income and unable to take care of himself approached AWC Rumjatar seeking help in Sep 08. After a thorough investigation by AWO Rumjatar he was confirmed as an ex-Servicemen and his application for Welfare Pension processed. His application was approved and he collected his very first Welfare Pension in Jun 09. Dilliman has expressed his sincere gratitude to the GWS and now looks forward to spending his final few years in dignity.
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| A NEW HOUSE FOR WP ABIR THAPA |
 Abir’s house after fire( Click to Enlarge) Welfare Pensioner (WP) Rifleman Abir Thapa aged 84 years lives with his youngest son’s family in a remote village called Maulabang of Gam VDC in Rolpa. On 27 Nov 08 at around 6 p.m. whilst the adult members were inside the hut the grandchildren were playing with fire outside the house. Suddenly the bundle of thatching straws that were against the wall of the house caught fire and the strong wind spread the flame to the thatched roof of the house. The fire quickly spread to rest of the house but fortunately no one was hurt and they managed to salvage some of their belongings but were unable to save the house.
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| KAAA BGN PROJECTS COMPLETED IN FY 08/09 |
For many years, KAAA BGN has been assisting to improve the lives of people living in rural areas of Nepal through many Community and Individual Aid Projects. Trail Bridges, Cliff Tracks, Drinking Water Supply, Micro-Hydro Electricity and Solar Home Lighting System are main Community Aid Projects. In FY 08/09, KAAA BGN constructed 20 Trail Bridges, 1 Gravity Ropeway, 6 Cliff Tracks, 12 Drinking Water Supply Projects including 2 Electric Pump System, 5 Micro-Hydro Electricity and 4 Mills (Oil expeller,Rice Huller, Flour Mill) in addition to numbers of repair and maintenance of old projects. A brief introduction of few representative projects carried out in FY 08/09 are given below.
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| GWS PROPOSED COMMUNITY AID PROJECTS FOR 2009/10 (B.S. 2066/67) |
 Map of Nepal( Click to Enlarge) Through the generosity of its donors and dedication of its staff, the GWS continues to provide the valued support to ex-Servicemen, their dependents and communities. The GWS will be constructing over 159 major Community Aid Projects at an estimated cost of NCR 519,034,493 in the year 2009/10. This is an overall increase of approximately NCR 61 million from last year’s budget. Besides these major projects, the GWS will carry out other minor projects which include 160 Minor Schools Projects, 10 school toilets and 50 routine repairs of foot bridges.
These projects although funded by the GWS are only possible with the sustained effort of the local communities that they benefit. The local community help is very important for the construction phase but even more important is the maintenance which they should carry out after the project has been constructed and handed over to them.
The GWS aims to spread its resources throughout Nepal and you can see from the map below how this will be achieved in the forthcoming year.
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| SOME MINOR SCHOOL PROJECTS |
 Shree Jorpati Primary School at Tallodanda( Click to Enlarge) This 3 roomed school building of Shree Jorpati Primary School at Tallodanda, Purtighat - 5, Gulmi was built under the Minor School Extension Project in FY 08/09. The total cost of this project was Rs. 811,748 of which Rs. 500,000 was contributed by the GWS.
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| MS JOANNA LUMLEY’S VISIT TO GWS ON 29 JUL 09 |
 warm welcome to Ms Joanna Lumley( Click to Enlarge) A warm welcome to Ms Joanna Lumley, “Nepalki Cheli” (daughter of Nepal) and her entourage by Welfare Pensioners (WPs) on their arrival at AWC Kaski, Pokhara.
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| A MAJOR SCHOOL PROJECT AT DANDA BAZAR |
 Shree Bhanu Higher Secondary School of Danda Bazar( Click to Enlarge) Shree Bhanu Higher Secondary School of Danda Bazar, Dhankutta district was selected for the Major School Project from the East for FY 08/09. The construction work of this six-roomed two storey school building was started in the first week of Nov 08 and completed by end of May 09 at a cost of NCR 4,350,000 of which NCR 350,000 was raised by the community.
This school is one of the oldest schools in the district, established on 25 Nov 53 as a primary school in a single hut by a retired Gurkha Captain Budhi Bahadur Limbu Ex 3/10GR. It sits on a very scenic ridgeline at an altitude of 5,870 ft. with the Kanchanjunga mountain ranges in the far distant north, and serves an area heavily populated by ex-Servicemen. The school boasts of educating more than a hundred Gurkhas out of which a dozen plus are officers. The earthquake of 21 Aug 88 had destroyed most of the infrastructure leaving few remaining blocks with cracks.
On 6 Jun 09, Field Director GWS, Lt Col A P M Griffith RGR opened the new building to the delight of the local community.
In helping the school this way it is felt that the GWS has made a significant contribution towards raising the quality of education in the neglected hill community.
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| MEDICAL ASSISTANTS’ REFRESHER TRAINING |
 Med Assts pose for a group photograph ( Click to Enlarge) This year, the GWS Medical Assistants’ (Med Assts) Annual Refresher Training was held at HQ GWS and Manipal College of Medical Sciences (MCOMS), Pokhara over the period 02 – 13 Feb 09. With the aim of improving the skill and ability of the medical staff, a refresher training package is run every year with the generous funding of the Veta Baily Charitable Trust.
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