6 GRRA Nepal AGM

6 GR REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEPAL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020

SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at Hotel Gurkha Haven, Dam Side, Pokhara, on Saturday 21 March 2020. Unlike previous AGMs, it was a minigathering with just 22 members attending including three UK members who were here visiting their friends and relatives. Sadly, this very low attendance, the lowest since the formation of 6 GR Regimental Association Nepal some 23 years ago, was due to the restriction of a maximum of 25 people at any gathering placed by the Nepali authorities to prevent the possible spread of deadly Covid-19 virus in Nepal.

Even with very low attendance anticipated and exclusion of some elderly members, we were compelled to go ahead due to legal requirements governing the functioning of ‘associations’ in Nepal. Many of our ‘old and bold’ living in the vicinity, who were eager to attend and would have very much graced the function, had to be politely asked not to come due to the nature of coronavirus affecting the elderly more than the ‘not so elderly’. This meeting also marked the 23rd anniversary of the formation of the 6 GR Regt Association of Nepal.

A month earlier, committee members and Area Representatives from Kathmandu, Chitwan and Butwal had met at this very venue to plan the AGM and simultaneous ‘6 GR Reunions’ at all three locations a week later. Attendance at the AGM at that time was anticipated at 200 members, with most coming from nearby the districts of Baglung, Parbat, Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun. And to cater for this number, we planned on hiring a local ‘Party Palace’. The Area Reps had been busy informing members in their respective areas, finding suitable venues and making necessary arrangements for a successful gathering. The Chairman had already nominated committee members to attend these ‘Reunions’ to show our solidarity and the central committee’s presence there. But as the crisis loomed and restrictions became known, we hurriedly altered

our plans and relocated the AGM to Gurkha Haven and postponed the ‘Reunions’ until such time that the situation is back to normal and restrictions no longer extant.

Prior to the commencement of the AGM, all committee members gathered at ‘Gurkha Memorial Museum’ at 0900 hours to review the site for future placement of the ‘6 GR Memorial’. Many pros and cons of the allocated site were discussed and the final decision will be forwarded by the coordinator, Major Gopal Gurung MBE, for consideration by the UK team.

Although the 6 GR AGM 2020 had the least number of members attending and no ladies at all, it was a very enjoyable and wonderful gathering of old friends of all ranks. Over a few beers and a delicious curry lunch we relived our happy days and cherished memories as members of 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles. Everyone took time to reflect on the good old bygone days and reinforced the bonds and camaraderie that forever bind us together as 6 GR family.

Finally, the Chairman and all members of the central committee thanked Major Gyanbahadur Gurung for so graciously and continuously allowing 6 GR Regimental Association, Nepal, to use the premises and facilities at Hotel Gurkha Haven gratis for all functions undertaken and as our de facto permanent base in Nepal.

Jai Sixth!

Lalit Dewan