The Gurkhas

Gurkha regional selection: becoming a Gurka

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How to become a Gurkha. This [obviously] isn’t my video, i’ve uploaded it only to make access easier to those that may be interested in seeing how some of the worlds toughest warriors get to be so.

The Gurkhas: Nepal’s Legendary Warrior Class

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18 mei 2023
 
Discover the legendary Gurkhas, the fearsome warriors from Nepal who have fought alongside the British Empire and beyond. Explore their heroic tales, challenges faced, and the incredible selection process to join their ranks.

“The Gurkhas” refers to the Gurkha soldiers, who are known for their bravery, loyalty, and distinctive history as a legendary military force. Here are some key points about the Gurkhas:

  1. History: The Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal who have been serving in the British Army for over 200 years. The relationship between the British and the Gurkhas dates back to the early 19th century, when the British East India Company started recruiting Gurkhas as soldiers for their military campaigns.

  2. Bravery: The Gurkhas are renowned for their unmatched bravery and fighting skills. They have a long-standing reputation as fearsome warriors and have earned numerous awards for their courage in battle, including the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valor in the British Army.

  3. Loyalty: The Gurkhas are known for their unwavering loyalty to their comrades, commanders, and the British Crown. They are renowned for their discipline, professionalism, and dedication to duty, and are highly respected by their fellow soldiers.

  4. Service in the British Army: The Gurkhas have served in various conflicts around the world as part of the British Army, including both World Wars, the Falklands War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have also served as peacekeepers in many countries and have been deployed in various United Nations missions.

  5. Cultural significance: The Gurkhas have a unique cultural heritage, with their own language, customs, and traditions. They are known for their distinctive uniforms, which include the traditional “khukuri” knife, a symbol of their identity and prowess as warriors.

  6. Recruitment and training: Gurkhas are recruited from Nepal, and the selection process is highly competitive, with rigorous physical and mental tests. Those who are selected undergo intense training in Nepal and the United Kingdom to prepare them for their role in the British Army.

  7. Gurkha Welfare: The welfare of Gurkha soldiers and their families is a significant aspect of their service. Over the years, there have been various campaigns and movements to improve the pay, pension, and overall welfare of Gurkha soldiers and their families.

  8. Retirement and settlement: Gurkhas who serve in the British Army for a certain period of time are eligible for retirement and settlement in the United Kingdom. Many Gurkhas choose to settle in the UK after their retirement and contribute to their local communities.

Overall, the Gurkhas are known for their legendary bravery, loyalty, and service to the British Army, and they continue to hold a special place in military history and popular culture.

1 Nepal’s Mighty Gurkhas | 101 East

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Every year, thousands of young Nepalese men endure gruelling physical training, punishing runs and relentless scrutiny for what they see as a chance of a lifetime – the opportunity to become a Gurkha soldier in the British Army.
 

Only 432 will make it.

For boys from remote mountain villages, it can be a pathway out of poverty – not just for them, but for their entire families.

But first, they must survive a brutal selection process.

Major Sandy Nightingale, who runs the recruitment process, adopts a no-holds-barred approach when telling the candidates what to expect.

“If you join the British Army Brigade of Gurkhas, you have to be prepared to sacrifice your life to protect the UK, your fellow soldiers and the Gurkhas Brigade,” he tells them.

Kamal Gurung, who comes from a family of farmers, has been training for this moment for years. He is desperate to help lift his family out of poverty and transform their lives in one of the world’s poorest countries.

“If I succeed, I’ll be able to give my family a normal life, and all the happiness they deserve. They’ll feel like their hard work finally paid off,” he says.

But will he make it through the punishing endurance tests and stringent medical examinations?

2 History of the Gurkhas British Army(full documentary)HD

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25 sep 2016


Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters? “Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army. They still carry into battle their traditional weapon – an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to “taste blood” – if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath. Now, the Gurkhas say, it is used mainly for cooking.

THE WORLDS TOUGHEST SOLDIERS

 

The bond of friendship between Gurkha and British soldiers began in 1815 with the raising of the first Gurkha regiment. It is a friendship that has survived countless battles, the Indian mutiny, two world wars and the partition of India in 1947. For many years, the Gurkhas were primarily associated with the Far East. However, since the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 the Brigade of Gurkhas has been based in the United Kingdom. Now with a Firm UK focus, the Gurkhas have become fully integrated into the wider Army and today the Brigade of Gurkhas participates fully in the Army.

3 The Life-Changing Journey Of Being Selected As A Gurkha | Forces TV

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30 dec 2019

Every year 10,000 Nepalese men apply to take on Gurkha selection and join the British Army. It can be the start of a life-changing career or the end of a dream. This year, 400 were selected – the largest amount to join the British Army in 30 years. We joined them to get a close look at their journeys.

4 Gurkha fights off more than a dozen Taliban fighters

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25 mrt 2011

A Gurkha who single-handedly fought off an attack by more than a dozen Taliban fighters, has been awarded Britain’s second highest military medal – the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. As the name suggests, it is given for acts of ‘conspicuous gallantry’ and is second only to the Victoria Cross, which is awarded for ‘most conspicuous bravery’.

In over fifteen minutes of fighting Acting Sergeant Dipprasad Pun fired four hundred rounds of ammunition, 17 grenades and, when his rifle jammed, threw his tripod at the enemy knocking one of his attackers down.

Earning The Kukri: Learning To Use The Iconic Weapon • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

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For the past 11 weeks, Gurkha training riflemen in Catterick have been confined to the barracks (bar for their one culture lesson beyond the wire) but this week the class of 2018 successfully ‘passed off the square’.

Uphill Struggle For Nepali Recruits | Forces TV

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Nepal’s infamous doko race is considered one of the toughest physical selection tests in the British Army. It is an uphill challenge which forms part of the selection process for those wanting to join the Brigade of Gurkhas. Over the last few weeks hundreds of potential recruits have been trying out for the Army in Pokhara.

5 The One-Man Gurkha Army: The Stand of Sgt. Dipprasad Pun | September 2010

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22 sep 2020

In September 2010, Sergeant Dipprasad Pun, serving with the 1st Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, was on sentry duty at a patrol base in the North of Helmand Province. Suddenly, from out of the darkness, a Taliban force began advancing on the base; an enemy force Sergeant Pun held off alone for 17 minutes, despite being outnumbered 1:15.

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Music licensed from Artlist.io
– The Conversation by Theatre of Delays
– Reflection by Oliver Michael

6 A Soldier Who Brought a Machete to a Gun Fight and Still Won

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24 mei 2021

During World War II, 27-year-old Nepalese-British Gurkha soldier Lachhiman Gurung single-handedly withstood a Japanese force of 200 men with only one arm and a rifle.

The Gurkhas were part of the Commonwealth’s manpower. Renowned for their unique kukri knives and close-quarter combat skills during World War I, the Gurkhas were essential in driving the Japanese back from India and Asia during the Burma campaign of World War II.

During the conflict, 13 Nepalese Gurkhas were awarded the British Army’s highest military decoration: the Victoria Cross.

And Lachhiman Gurung was one of them.

Pinned down and surrounded by vengeful Japanese soldiers, Gurung stood his ground even as he was hit by enemy grenades while fighting from his trench. He returned two of them, but a third one blew off his arm and injured his right eye.

Wounded and almost blind, Gurung reloaded his Enfield rifle and bravely faced the incoming Japanese battalion…

– As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. –

United Kingdom Royal Gurkha Rifles “Better to die than to be a coward”

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24 feb 2020

Thank you for watching!

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The Royal Gurkha Rifles are considered by most to be the world’s deadliest soldiers. With their legendary battlefield reputation, they’re known to be fearless and not deterred by death. Gurkhas will fight to the death against any enemy, terrifying those who come up against them.

During the Anglo-Nepalese War, Gurkhas fought to their death against British forces, showing no signs of fear. This impressed the British and during the peace treaty in 1816, the British Army recruited thousands of Gurkhas to fight alongside them.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles have three battalions. The 1st Battalion (1 RGR) is based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone in Kent and is apart of the 16 Air Assualt Brigade, specializing in Air Assualt.

The 2nd Battalion(2 RGR) is based at the British garrison in Brunei. They specialize in Light Infantry. (1 RGR and 2 RGR rotate between Brunei and Folkstone.)

The 3rd Battalion (3 RGR) will operate as part of the Specialised Infantry Group providing training and mentoring support for indigenous forces in partner nations.

Music: Zack Hemsey – “Vengeance (Instrumental)”

Stories that Prove Gurkhas are the Fiercest Fighters

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4 jun 2022

Stories that Prove Gurkhas are the Fiercest Fighters
The British Army attempted to invade Nepal in 1815, but the Gurkhas, Nepal’s warriors, quickly defeated them. So, if they couldn’t beat them, the British officials resolved to enlist the Gurkhas’ help. They accepted to be recruited into the Crown’s military after a peace accord ended all British conquest in Nepal. The Gurkhas have impressed everyone around them as some of the world’s most fierce soldiers. Here are some of the most courageous Gurkha troops and stories ever told

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:23 DIPPRASAD PUN
01:22 AFGHAN AMBUSH
02:14 LACHHIMAN GURUNG
03:11 WWII BURMA (BHANBHAGTA GURUNG)
04:14 AGANSING RAI
05:11 GANJU LAMA
06:17 GAJE GHALE
07:10 PETER JONES
07:57 BISHNU SHRETA

7 Harry Visits Gurkhas In Nepal | Forces TV

29 mrt. 2016

Prince Harry has spent the day honouring the Gurkhas – staying overnight in a hillside village before paying his respects to the Brigade at the British Camp in Pokhara. His Royal Highness has served alongside them during his first tour of Afghanistan.

8 UK’s Prince Harry continues visit to Nepal

17 nov. 2016

AP Archive

(21 Mar 2016) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

UK POOL – AP CLIENTS ONLY
Leurani village, northwest of Kathmandu – 21 March 2016
1. Various of Britain’s Prince Harry visiting Leurani village
2. Various of cultural show of dancing and music by local villagers
3. Various of Prince Harry dancing
UK POOL – AP CLIENTS ONLY
Pokhara – 21 March 2016
Bardia National Park, western Nepal – 21 March 2016
4. Various of Elephant with writing on side reading (English) “Your Royal Highness welcome to Bardia National Park”
5. Various of Prince Harry getting into dinghy
6. Prince Harry rafting down the Khauraha River
7. Deer crossing river
8. Raft
STORYLINE:
Britain’s Prince Harry continued his five-day trip to Nepal on Monday, visiting a Gurkha village in Lamjung district where he was expected to spend the night.
Harry is due to stay at the home of a former Nepalese Gurkha soldier who had served in the British army.
The prince danced with villagers and later feasted with the family of Mangali Tamang, the 86-year-old widow of a former soldier.
Nepal abolished its centuries-old monarchy in 2008 and Harry is the first British royal to visit Nepal since then.
Earlier on Monday, Harry visited Bardia national park where he discussed conservation with local officials and rode on a boat.
Harry has already met Nepal’s president and prime minister as well as attending an official function to mark 200 years of friendship between Nepal and Britain.
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9 Video: Training to be Gurkhas

 

29 jun. 2013

Every year, thousands of young Nepalese hopefuls try their luck at becoming a Gurkha with the British army and go through a painstaking “free, fair and transparent” selection process, based on physical and educational tests to accomplish this.

10 Will These Men Make It Into The British Army? • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

11 okt. 2018

More than 10,000 young Nepali men have applied for just 320 places in the Brigade of Gurkhas this year. Forces News was given exclusive access to join a selection day in the city of Dharan, to see the potential recruits being put through their paces…
 

11 Cold Awakening For Britain’s Newest Gurkha Recruits | Forces TV

 

27 feb. 2018

The British Army’s newest Gurkha recruits have arrived in the UK from Nepal. This year’s intake numbers 270, but that is expected to rise in future years as Gurkha numbers are increased by 25 percent.

12 Gurkha Recruits Take Their First Steps Into British Society • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

24 apr. 2018
 

13 When Gurkhas See The Sea For The First Time • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

3 jun. 2018
 

14 Catterick Says Goodbye To Its LARGEST EVER Gurkha Intake | Forces TV

25 nov. 2019

Read more about the Gurkas leaving Catterick here 👉https://www.forces.net/news/catterick… And here👉https://www.forces.net/news/largest-g…
 
The largest intake of Gurkhas ever trained at Catterick has passed out in a ceremony in North Yorkshire. Days later, the record group of 399 were then assigned their new regiments. All but one of the original 400 recruits passed out, with one remaining rifleman having to wait a couple more months to recover from a broken leg.

15 Is This The British Army’s ‘Sorting Hat’? • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

17 sep. 2018

Gurkha recruits in Catterick have discovered which units they will be heading to when their training is complete. In two months time, each recruit will be sent to one of six units in the Brigade of Gurkhas…

16 Emotional Day As Gurkhas Leave Catterick | Forces TV

 

17 okt. 2016

As the MOD prepares to increase the Gurkha intake by 25%, the British Army’s newest recruits left their training centre in Catterick for the last time. ‘Gurkha Company’, Gurkha soldiers in training at Catterick, has just come to the end of their time at the camp.

17 The Moment The Gurkha Class Of 2018 Became Riflemen • GURKHA SELECTION | Forces TV

15 nov. 2018

 
A new group of 267 riflemen have been celebrating with family and friends after they successfully passed out from Gurkha Company in Catterick after nine months of intense training.

18 Prince Charles Awards Operational Honours To Royal Gurkha Rifles | Forces TV

9 jul. 2019

 
Prince Charles has presented Operational Service Medals to soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR). The Prince of Wales met troops from 1RGR at their home, Sir John Moore Barracks in Shorncliffe, Kent, presenting medals to them for their work on Operation Toral in Afghanistan.

19 Charles And Harry Honour Gurkhas With Afghan Service Medals | Forces TV

15 mrt. 2017

20 Military Cross Awarded for Acts of Bravery | Forces TV

 

27 jan. 2014

A Gurkha who took on an Afghan insurgent in hand to hand combat has been presented with his Military Cross at Buckingham Palace. His was just one of two remarkable stories of bravery heard at the palace.
 
Investiture footage courtesy British Ceremonial Arts Ltd

21 Prince Harry visits Nepal 2016,

28 mrt. 2016

Prince Harry visits Nepal 2016, Help Earthquake Song by Shishir Yogi

22 Deadliest Journeys – Nepal, precipice of the damned

24 mrt. 2018

“I’ve never had a worse journey in my life,” says the old man sitting in the rear of the jeep, clinging tightly onto the fittings of the SUV. “What with rock falls, landslides, crashed trucks, snowfall on the high ground… that road is a real nightmare!” The Karnali Highway, in the North West of Nepal is the most dangerous road in the country. It’s 250 kilometres long and links the town of Surkhet, in the valley, to Jumla, altitude 3,000 metres. It sometimes takes five days to make the trip. Hewn out of the rock on the flank of the mountain set in an outstanding natural background, this road, opened barely two years ago, is finally allowing the population of this, the poorest region of Nepal to open up to the rest of the country, to move about and, above all, to bring in supplies of every type. Drivers of trucks, jeeps and even tractors, travellers, shopkeepers who go down to the valley for supplies, public transport, columns of people on foot walking for several days to get to their village… for them the road, despite everything, is the safest and fastest way of getting around this mountainous region. For several weeks, we accompanied all those who, willingly or otherwise, take this “impossible highway”. –

23 What Happens when an Army that Doesn’t Allow a Knife to Sheath Unless There’s Blood on it Wages War

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You’ve heard of the Gurkhas and their vicious forward-curving knives before, but it’s possible you’re unfamiliar with the extent of their involvement in the Second World War. In this video, we’re going to provide you with an overview of the theatres the infamous Gurkhas fought in, and pepper in the stories of some Victoria-Cross-winning Gurkhas as we go.

24 The Gurkhas – Full Documentry


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7 jun 2013

After great feedbacks from my previous Gurkha videos I decided to upload another one, this time more in depth and informative. Thanks for all the support guys and enjoy 😀

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters?

“Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army.

They still carry into battle their traditional weapon – an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri.

In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to “taste blood” – if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath.

25 Gurkhas – Part 1/2 (HD)

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Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters?
 
Gurkha Motto: “It’s better to die than to be a coward”
 

26 Gurkhas – Part 2/2 (HD)

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Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters? Gurkha Motto: “It’s better to die than to be a coward”

27 A history of the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles (in English)

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A history of the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles. It contains unique archive material and was made to mark the 200th anniversary of the raising of the regiment – originally called the Cuttack Legion – in 1817. Narrated by Gordon Corrigan.

28 The Gurkhas (BBC 1995)

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29 QOGLR Public Duty 2019 I Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and St.James Palace, London

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10 QOGLR has recently had the privilege and the honour to have carried out the duties of the Queen’s Guard from the 5th May 2019 to 12th July 2019.

This film has been made to capture some of the moments that we experienced during the Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and St.Jame’s Palace.

30The Gurkhas – Full Documentry


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7 jun 2013

After great feedbacks from my previous Gurkha videos I decided to upload another one, this time more in depth and informative. Thanks for all the support guys and enjoy 😀

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters?

“Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army.

They still carry into battle their traditional weapon – an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri.

In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to “taste blood” – if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath.

31 – 9 SHOCKING STORIES THAT PROVES WHY GURKHAS ARE THE FIERCEST FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD

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There is a famous saying “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha”- Sam Manekshaw. Gurkhas come from Nepal and fighting for the world, check out these awesome 9 Gurkhas stories that will blow your mind.
 

32 Khukuri – the pride of the Gurkhas | Documentary by KHHI, Nepal


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8 mrt 2018

This documentary is made by Khukuri House (KHHI), Nepal.

Khukuri- The pride of Gurkhas, explains and showcase the histroy, importance and the role of kukri during the World War and back.

The correlation of Gurkha and Khukuri.

See the Gurkhas VC talk about the khukuri, how it was used in the wars, the iconic weapon of the fearless Gurkhas.

33 Gurkhas – Part 1/2 (HD)

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Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters?

34 Gurkhas – Part 2/2 (HD)

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10 mei 2013

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters?

Gurkha Motto: “It’s better to die than to be a coward”

If you could leave a Rating and a Comment it would be very much appreciated, thanks guys 😀

35 The Gurkhas – Fiercest Soldiers in Modern History – DOCUMENTARY

36 What Happens when an Army that Doesn’t Allow a Knife to Sheath Unless There’s Blood on it Wages War

37 British Army Royal Gurkha Rifles vs U.S. Marines – Mock Battle between U.S Marines and Allies

 

28 okt 2015

British Army Royal Gurkha Rifles vs U.S. Marines – Mock Battle between U.S Marines and Allies

British Army Royal Gurkha Rifles, Lithuanian forces and U.S. Marines from the Black Sea Rotational Force conduct Exercise Saber Strike at the Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, June 9, 2015. The allies coordinated multipronged attacks on enemy positions during the exercise More than 7,000 service members from NATO and participating nations will join in Saber Strike exercises across Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland between June 8-19. Approximately 3,000 service members are currently locked in a series of highly-realistic training scenarios with their U.S. Marine partners in Lithuania.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) is a rifle regiment of the British Army, forming part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Unlike other regiments in the British army, soldiers are recruited from Nepal, which is neither a dependent territory of the United Kingdom nor a member of the Commonwealth. Their motto is: Better to die than live a coward.

38 Gurkha recruits find out which regiments they will join

39 Fashion Disaster Attack Prank

7 jun. 2012

A fashion expert disapproves of women’s choice of clothing. He’s mocking them for the shirts and dresses they pick. 
 
A presentation of JustForLaughsTV, the official Just For Laughs Gags YouTube channel. Home of the funniest, greatest, most amazing, most hilarious, win filled, comedy galore, hidden camera pranks in the world!

Nepal

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Honey hunting

The Earthquake

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Nepal – Life as it is