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SPEECH DELIVERED BY TUL BAHADUR PUN VC IN LONDON
24 November 2007, Gurkha Memorial, Whitehall
First of all, I would like pay my heartfelt tribute to all my brothers who lost their lives and were "disappeared" while fighting for Britain.
I feel proud to be here today in the UK with the support of the British public, the Daily Mirror campaign and other media as well as ARRSE, PPRUNE, GAESO and its legal team.
All my major medical treatments have now been completed. I can now see with both my eyes.
The struggle of the Gurkhas does not end with my victory. There are many of my brothers and sisters in Nepal living in destitution. They should all be able to come to the UK like me to settle and get the best medical treatment that is their's by right.
It is wrong on the part of the UK government to say that those who retired prior to 1997 should not be allowed to come to this country and that this right is only available to those who retired post-1997. All British Gurkhas, irrespective of their year of retirement, should be allowed to come to the UK.
More importantly, the pension of all British Gurkha soldiers should be the same as that of their British counterparts.
I will be fighting together with GAESO till these rights are conceded. You should all lend your hands to GAESO in this struggle. You have to continue fighting.
I would like to urge the British public to continue giving their support.
And, there is one more very important matter. My VC medal has been kept by my Regiment without my consent through official manipulation. It is now lying in The Gurkha Museum. My medal must be returned to me.
Finally, I would like to thank the British public and my Gurkha brothers and sisters as well as all Nepalis living in the UK for their support to our cause.
Jai Gurkha! Jai GAESO!!
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