750 kms, 9 days cycling, Dharan to Pokhara via Paklihawa to raise money for GWT.

Challenge that I have decided to take on, perhaps foolishly I hear some of you thinking.  Most of you probably have an image of a British Gurkha soldier retiring to a comfortable life in major cities in Nepal and the UK.  You would not be wrong in assuming that for most ex-servicemen who retired from the British Army after the 80s.  But the ones who made the name "Gurkha" synonymous with bravery and loyalty during the First and Second World Wars live an entirely different lives in the remote hills of Nepal.  Most were made redundant with very little or no compensation at all.  With nothing to fall back on, they had no option but to suffer miserable existence since their enforced and premature retirement.

Gurkha Welfare Scheme (GWS) under Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) provides welfare pensions, medical facilities and run various other programmes in the remote villages of Nepal to assist these brave but unfortunate veterans.  Having traveled extensively in Nepal, from Taplejung in the east to Surkhet in the west, in last year and a half, I have witnessed at first hand the tremendous job GWS is doing in supporting these brave men and their families at the twilight of their years.

2015 marks 200 years of outstanding and loyal Gurkha service to the British crown.  Most of you probably have your own opinions on service in a foreign army.  One overwhelming fact remains though - British Gurkha soldiers have also served their motherland economically and socially but above all as ambassadors and made Nepal know world over.  So I thought it was only appropriate to do my bit for these brave warriors.  Hence the challenge I have decided to take on.

I am expecting all my families and friends to dig deep and contribute to a very worthy cause.  Regardless of how little you think your contributions are, believe me, it means a lot and go a long way.  I am sure you all will support my endeavour.  Please be generous!

I thank you all in advance.