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आयो गोर्खाली! Ayo Gorkhali!-२

Victoria Cross Winner Pun Recovering in London

Dear Pradeep ji,

At the moment, I am staying Hounslow London at the resident of Tulbahadur Pun VC. In my presence in London hospital, his both eyes were operated and now he can see nicely and clearly. He was given ear phones and now he can hear perfectly. He is very happy. In the mean time, his mind and body both perfectly functioning.

Now I am assigned to look after Pun VC. He is here with his wife and son Bikas. Recently, Bikas has gone to Nepal and he is supposed to return next month. Now I am like his second son as I am serving him day and night.

Occasionally, we have to arrange VC baba's meeting with other parties. We cannot take him anywhere unless the permission of Doctors. So my job here is to fix the appointment by taking permission from the Doctors. We have arranged a meeting with the father of Mr Dave Lucas on January 23. His father Major Lucas who was a Major in the 3rd Battalion of 6th Gurkha Rifles who was involved in WW II in the same war where VC Pun was awarded Victoria Cross. I have to liase the parties. For interpretation and liase I must be in the meeting.

Due to above reason I am not able to send you article regularly. However, my next article is coming in the following week. Thanks.

-CB Gurung

London, UK, Sat, 19 Jan 2008

Dr. Chandra Bahadur Gurung, ex-Gurkha and former lecturer at Prithvi Narayan University, Pokhara earned his Ph.D. in British Military History from the Dublin Metropolitan University, London in 2006.
He can be contacted at: cbgurung10@hotmail.com, Or, 98 Cholmeley Road, Reading Berkshire, RG1 3LY. U.K.

London foto feature is coming soon!

One evening with VC Tulbahadur Pun Magar in Pokhara, Nepal

Pradeep Thapa in Jersey City, NJ, USA
Editor-in-Chief, USNepalOnline.Com & NepalDirectory.Org

I had an opportunity to spend a memorable evening and the following morning with 91-year-old Tulbahadur Pun Magar, VC, the winner of the British Army's highest bravery award, the Victoria Cross. We met at his home in Pokhara City, Nepal in 2006. It was my first meeting with VC Pun buba in more than seven years. He was recovering from illnesses but since then his health has further deteriorated.

He was once denied a visa to go to Britain but when newspapers and ex-Gurkhas stood beside him criticizing the British government's ridiculous and dishonourable policy toward its own war hero, he was finally granted a visa to go to London for treatment. Eventually, he was granted permanent residency by the UK and is now recuperating in a London hospital. I wish him good health and many more years!

Below are fotos that I took during my 2006 visit:

VC Pun spends an hour every morning in his Puja Kothi chanting his mantras, calling all 33 koti Devi-Deutas. From Buddha to Manakamana, Kali to Pashupati, all god and goddesses come to his prayers for peace and prosperity to all family members, relatives, and people he knows.

He is giving a Tika to his grand child after his Puja (prayer).

Younger Daughter-in-law is receiving a Tika after his Puja.

VC Pun buba and his wife Mrs Pun ama and Pradeep Thapa

VC Pun's Pokhara home, built by his son Arjun Pun who lives in Japan with his wife.

VC Street, named after his award Victoria Cross where his Pokhara home is located.

Gurkha Memorial Museum next to British Camp in Pokhara where VC Pun has his residence.

Pokhara, the city of breathtaking views of Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) snow mountain has a beautiful lake called Phewa Taal which reflect the mountain on its waters.
आयो गोर्खाली! Ayo Gorkhali!-१: Ayo Gorkhali! Where Do We Stand Now?
आयो गोर्खाली! Ayo Gorkhali!-२: One evening with VC Tulbahadur Pun Magar in Pokhara, Nepal

तपाईंको भनाइ लेखी छाड्‍न र अरुको भनाइ पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस्
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