On Purkha Diwas, Gurkhas commemorate their past
Started in Hong Kong, Purkha Diwas is a day of Nepali remembrance
What started as a small act of remembrance in Hong Kong a decade ago has grown into a major commemoration for Gurkhas across the world.
Gurkha communities in Brunei, Britain and Nepal now observe Purkha Diwas, which translates to Ancestors' Day, to commemorate the Nepali soldiers renowned for their skill in combat but often overlooked in history.
"We did it to blend in with the local culture, but also to remember our history and our people," said Amod Rai, secretary of the Gurkha Cemeteries Trust Hong Kong. "We also want to tell our next generation about where we are from."
Purkha Diwas started in 2004 when the trust was able to secure funds to clean and landscape the Gurkha Cemetery, which had fallen into decay. Hundreds turned up yesterday at the Gurkha Cemetery, including Gurkha veterans from the British and Indian regiments.
The Gurkha Cemetery at San Tin , which contains approximately 700 marked graves, is extremely hard to access because a PLA barracks stands in the way.
Some 30,000 Nepalis live in Hong Kong, most of them related to the Gurkhas who were stationed here by the British. After fighting the Gurkhas in Nepal from 1814 to 1816, the British started employing them as soldiers, considered them the toughest and deadliest in battle.