Learning about the Gorkhas is mandatory in Nepal's social studies curriculum. Students learn about Prithivi Narayan Shah’s unification campaign, the brave defence by Balabhadra Kunwar at the Nalapani fort, and the significant contributions of Gorkhali soldiers in World War I and World War II.

The Gorkhas’ legendary valour, strength, and tenacity are well known, and their stories are a source of immense pride for Nepalis. Yet, the stories of their grief and the struggles faced by the Gorkha community as they resettle around the world often remain unrecognised.

In ‘The Gorkha Grief’, Tim Gurung endeavours to close the gap in our knowledge of the Gorkhas’ bravery by shedding light on the struggles of the Gorkhalis who have resettled in India.

This book is a sequel to his first, ‘Ayo Gorkhali: A History of the Gorkhas,’ published in 2020.

In this book, Gurung begins by tracing the historical migration of Nepalis across the Teesta River into India. He then extends his research through firsthand explorations and interviews in Dehradun, Nainital, Sikkim, Assam, Banaras, and Darjeeling, uncovering the adversities and sufferings encountered by the Gorkhalis.

Gurung, a former Gorkha soldier himself, currently resides in Hong Kong. In the introduction to this book, he writes that discussing the grief of his people is never easy and, unfortunately, feels compelled to do so: “For nobody will, if I do not write about them.”

Gurung emphasises the recruitment process and the Gorkha battalions' crucial role in the security and defence of a larger India in the book. He also talks about how the Gorkhas were given land by the British in Northeast India, highlighting their significance and role in maintaining security and peace in the area.

Gurung emphasises a crucial distinction between Nepali migrant workers of Nepali origin and Indian-domiciled Gorkhas of Nepali origin. He believes that conflating these two groups under a single name is incorrect and unjust.

According to him, this misunderstanding has led to significant issues, resulting in unprecedented discrimination against Indian-domiciled Gorkhas. Their sufferings, as a consequence, are devastating.

In the book, he also talks about the loss of identity faced by the Gorkhas. Gurung states that an identity crisis is inevitable when Gorkhas are treated as “second-class citizens.” He discusses how this “loss of identity” is prevalent throughout Gorkha communities worldwide.

Gurung emphasises that this loss of identity is particularly severe for Gorkhas living in India due to the severe and unfair discrimination they face.

He talks about how using words like “Bahadur” derogatorily when it means “brave” in Nepali and stereotyping them into roles like security guards and taxi drivers is disrespectful.

It is not mere discrimination that he brings up in the book, he brings up severe problems that affect the Gorkha community.

He highlights the primary Gorkha grievance: not being able to own land and being treated as foreigners in a land they have lived in for over 200 years.

In tribal states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, the Gorkhas have no land ownership rights or the right to vote. He believes that while the Gorkhas themselves bear some responsibility for this issue, the relevant authorities should be held accountable.

He argues that it is not merely gross negligence that prevents the Gorkhas from owning land or voting but a crime on the government’s part.

To address this, he offers a solution, suggesting that to prevent unfair discrimination, the Gorkhas must change their way of life from farming and animal husbandry to a new one that guarantees their position.

This statement overlooks the deep-rooted cultural practices and traditions of the Gorkhas, implying that their way of life is somehow inferior or inadequate without understanding its significance to their identity and community cohesion.

Although Gurung presents many other solutions and explains why this situation arose, this particular solution felt tone-deaf coming from him.

He also talks about how 5,000 to 7,000 Gorkhali women are trafficked in India every year. He highlights the exploitation of Nepali workers in menial jobs and calls for the government to take action against these injustices.

Though informative, this book seems confused about its focus, as Gurung shifts from discussing the Indian Gorkhas to the British Gorkhas to the Gorkhas of Hong Kong.

The book is also very repetitive. The Indo-Nepal Treaty for Peace and Friendship of 1950 is repeatedly mentioned, and it would have been more effective to discuss related matters together. Gurung keeps reiterating that “we must do something,” a line that appears in almost every chapter.

He mentions travelling to various areas to collect information and personal accounts, but this is only evident in the first chapters. There are also a few pictures at the beginning, but they stop appearing after a while. This disorganisation can be frustrating for the reader.

While combining historical facts, personal narratives, and societal analysis could have been compelling, the writing's disorganised nature diminishes its allure.

‘The Gorkha Grief’ shines a light on a significant yet often overlooked topic: the anti-foreigner movements that unjustly targeted Gorkhas. It highlights direct attacks suffered by the community, such as the events in 1986-87 when Gorkhas in Shillong, Jowai, and other parts of Meghalaya were attacked by the Khasi tribe.

These attacks included killings, burning of Gorkhali villages and schools, and deportations of Gorkhas. It's indeed heartbreaking to read about these events.

It's crucial for Nepali youth, who often learn about Gorkha's bravery and pride, to also be aware of and stand up against the injustices faced by the Gorkhas. Understanding these historical injustices can foster empathy and drive efforts toward justice and equality.

Gurung ends the book on a note of hope and faith, expressing his heartfelt wish that the Gorkha people can one day live a simple, dignified, and honourable life without having to leave their homes.

He believes this would be the happiest day of his life, a sentiment that reflects the struggles and aspirations of his community.

The Gorkha Grief

Author: Tim Gurung

Year:2024

Publisher: Vitasta Publishing

Pages: 232