The Gurkha Memorial Park is located north west of Dharan Bazaar. It nestles on a verdant 710 meter high ‘Macha Mara Danda’ about 4 km from ‘Mangalbare’. A small river, Sardu Khola, has to be crossed before an uphill winding motorable road up the park. For now, there is still a short distance rough unpitched road that leads up to the park. The local governing body has already sanctioned construction of the remaining unpitched road.
The idea of establishing a memorial park was brought by a small group of the British Ex-servicemen. Later, a committee of 11 members (currently, 17 members), comprising retired Gurkha Officers and all ranks and members (including spouses) of the Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force (GCSPF), was formed to take up the task. This Committee is an independent body and is not affiliated to any organisation political or otherwise. All members are unpaid volunteers residing in Dharan.
The aim of the Gurkha Memorial Park is to preserve the legacy of the Brigade of Gurkhas in Dharan for posterity before it is forgotten and lost forever. Historically, Dharan hosted the Brigade of Gurkhas recruiting depot for Eastern Nepal from 1960 until its closure in 1989. It is also the place where a large number of former Brigade personnel, mostly from Eastern Nepal, chose to settle on retirement. Today, Dharan has transformed from a sleepy town on the way to Dhankuta to a bustling and vibrant mini city with a teaching hospital located in the former British Gurkha Camp area.
The Gurkha Memorial Park covers an area of 8 hectors and was acquired from donations and contributions from serving and retired members of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Visitors on entering the main gate, under a massive ‘Victoria Cross’, will be greeted by statues of two soldiers in No. 2 Dress uniform before walking on a bridge over a small artificial pond and arriving at the main arena.
In the main arena, there is a gigantic statue of a charging Gurkha soldier from WW II carrying a Rifle in one hand and a ‘Khukri’ in the other, raised to strike the unseen enemy. The statue sits atop a large plinth which gestures the Gukha ‘motto’ and ‘ethos’:
- ‘Better to Die than be a Coward’
- ‘When you go home, tell your family, we gave our today for your better tomorrow’
- ‘If a man says he is not afraid, he is either lying or a ‘Gurkha’
In the external area of the main arena, some regiments have constructed their historical monuments reflecting individual battle honours they acquired from the WW I. In order to be self-reliant and start generating funds for the upkeep at the earliest date, the following construction work will be undertaken as a follow-up:
- Perimeter fencing – the park is bordered by other private properties
- Open auditorium – for use by Regimental Associations and the public
- Children’s park – for children’s activities
- VC garden – will feature local flora with military theme
- Camping/ picnic sites – for leisurely activities and for those starting off on trek
- Gurkha Museum – to collect, preserve and promote the Gurkha historical significance for the study and education of the public
For potential donors/sponsors, the committee offers them a range of projects to choose from and once it is agreed, donors are fully responsible for the execution of the project until completion. Committee members will also be frequently involved overseeing the project.
Committee members are also looking at offering trekking services with routes of various lengths, durations and difficulty commencing from the park area. Visitors may also stay overnight at the park for the relaxation and enjoy the local delicacies.
Anyone wishing to contribute or donate towards the Gurkha Memorial Park may contact Captain Jagmohan Rai by Phone +977 9841939505 or by email: jmrai53@yahoo.com