Heartfelt letter of thanks from a Gurkha’s granddaughter
The late Ramsingh Gurung had celebrated his 100th birthday, with granddaughter Lilamaya and others present.
A letter of appreciation
We were delighted to receive a touching letter from Lilamaya Tamang, the granddaughter of World War II veteran Ramsingh Gurung. Lilamaya thanked our team for providing Ramsingh with a pension and medical support, which helped him live with dignity in his later years. Sadly, Ramsingh recently passed away, but Lilamaya writes how she remains grateful for the Trust’s work:
To The Gurkha Welfare Trust,
On behalf of our beloved Centenarian and veteran, my late grandfather Ramsingh Gurung, we would like to thank the entire Gurkha Welfare Trust team wholeheartedly for their support and care (both emotionally and financially) that our family and my late Grandfather received throughout these years.
Born in the rural village of Tikhadhunga, Dhading, Nepal in the year 1923 AD, our late grandfather Ramsingh Gurung joined the Gurkha Regiment Army and fought during World War II with the utmost bravery and honour during the years 1943 AD – 1946 AD. After the conclusion of World War II, he retired and returned home to his family in the village and continued living a simple yet peaceful and beautiful life. At the time of his return, he was not aware of any pensions/benefits he should have received for his service during World War II as a Gurkha Rifleman. However, after almost six decades later from his retirement, in the year 2007 AD, I was able to establish his contacts with The Gurkha Welfare Trust office located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The team at The Gurkha Welfare Trust were very kind, respectful, empathetic and did their very best to assist my grandfather in receiving his Welfare Pension from the office regularly.
Back then, we didn’t have access to electricity and proper road transportation in our village. The team from The Gurkha Welfare Trust had to trek for a day from the nearby town to hand in medications, seasonal clothing, and a welfare pension to my grandfather. Yet, the team continued to deliver their utmost care and kindness to my ageing grandfather and a few other veterans around the neighbouring villages. The team showed genuine support and care both financially and emotionally during the times of various calamities and illnesses, such as the earthquake in 2015 and the Covid-19 pandemic. Our late grandfather was hospitalised during the Covid-19 outbreak, but he came out triumphant and we were able to celebrate his glorious 100th Birthday with all the family members around. It was truly a magical and blessed moment for us all. During his final days he was again admitted to the hospital in Kathmandu and peacefully passed away on the 21st of December 2022. In all those difficult times, The Gurkha Welfare Trust always provided their presence and support.
Ramsingh wearing a warm hat, one of the Trust’s previous Winter Allowance gifts.
Once again, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thankfulness to The Gurkha Welfare Trust (all the team members) for providing a Welfare Pension, financial and health services from the year 2007 AD to 2023 AD and making my late grandfather’s final years comfortable and memorable.
Our best wishes that The Gurkha Welfare Trust continues their great humanitarian and social services among the communities in need.
Kind regards and best wishes,
Lilamaya Tamang
(Granddaughter of late Ramsingh Gurung)