Though fewer in number than their counterparts in the Indian Army, the Royal Gurkhas ~ the Brits spell it with a ‘u’, Indians prefer to use ‘o’ ~ will soon have one additional claim to fame. Come 2020 and the elite regiment will have women soldiers wielding the celebrated khukri.
In keeping with the rest of the British army the regiment, better known as the Brigade of Gurkhas, will deploy women in combat roles. Recruitment is expected to commence in Pokhara next year, those selected will proceed to Catterick, North Yorkshire, for a 10-week training programme.
In keeping with the tough, hardy, image which those renowned warriors from Nepal have ever enjoyed, there will be no place for softies in the women’s battalion: among the physical tests to be administered to aspiring recruits will be a five-kilometre race ~ running uphill ~ carrying a load of 25 kilograms of sand.
“The Gurkhas are renowned as one of the best fighting forces in the world with a proud history of serving Her Majesty, and it is right that women have the opportunity to serve in this elite group” said Gavin Williamson, the UK’s Defence Secretary.
The Colonel Commandant of the Brigade, Lt.Gen Nick Pope (who is also Deputy Chief of the General Staff) said the induction of women was part of a larger policy decision, even though there are now a mere 3,000 “Royal Gurkhas”: at least on this count there will be cause to claim “discrimination”.
It, however, remains to be seen if the men retain the traditional sub-continental reservations over woman breaching a traditional male bastion. But who knows, in time to come, there may even be Britain-born Gurkhas in the Royals ranks.
After all, if the men who complete their “colour service” are now permitted to reside in Britain the women soldiers will surely be similarly entitled. While like their men, the women will largely perform infantry duties, units of engineers and communications specialists are also planned.
The British army, perhaps of necessity, has marched with the times. India’s military managers will be closely following developments, for if the customarily conservative and simple women from Nepal successfully adapt themselves to the rugged military way of life, a key argument could crumble against women performing combat duties in the Indian forces ~ the Indian army has progressed no farther than raising a unit of “military policemen” to tackle women protesters in the Kashmir Valley: the police and paramilitary have long abandoned their male-only configuration.
Back to the Brits, they have consistently hailed and lauded the Gurkhas. Story goes that a warship once transiting the Suez Canal heard a “who goes there” caution ~ a spotlight picked a lone Gurkha rifleman ~ his weapon pointed at the intruder. Yes, for years has Johnny Gurkha been romaticised, now it is time to joyfully welcome Jenny Gurkha.