March 09, 2007: 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.
Darjeeling Railways, a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO ‘The first and only world heritage site in North – Eastern India.
Site of world famous “Darjeeling Tea”
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 Alay
Rashmi Dewan,
General Manager, Reliance Energy
Jyoti Thapa,
Design Director, Business Words, and Gorkha Heritage Research Scholar
Samdup Wangi (Sandy),
Govt. Employee
Swaroop Charmling,
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,
Author/Blogger/Journalist,
http://beacononline.wordpress.com
Executive Body:
Niel Rana
Kiran Rai
Kamal Pradhan,
Samir Joshi,
Bishal Rai ‘Kirath’
Avinash Mukhia
