Kuwait monarch seeks Nepali soldiers for security

Their valour and daredevilry have earned the Gurkha soldiers from Nepal lot of fans worldwide. And now the ruler of Kuwait-the oil rich west Asian nation wants them for his security.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2010, 16:54:55 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Their valour and daredevilry have earned the Gurkha soldiers from Nepal lot of fans worldwide. And now the ruler of Kuwait-the oil rich west Asian nation wants them for his security.

Kuwait has requested the Nepal government for 200 serving Nepali soldiers who are to be employed in providing security to Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah-the ruling monarch.

The proposal has been forwarded by the Nepal embassy in Kuwait to the army headquarters through the foreign ministry. Reports say that the defence ministry has responded positively to the request.

The soldiers would have to be less than 35 years of age and served in the army for 12 to 15 years with specialized training on providing security to VVIPs.

"Kuwait has asked for some 150 to 200 incumbent soldiers as body guards. We are positive on that," the *Nagarik *daily quoted defence ministry spokesperson Sreedhar Prasad Pokhrel.

This is not the first time that services of Nepali soldiers have been sought by ruling families of oil-rich nations in Asia. There have been similar instances in the past as well.

Four years back 55 serving Nepali soldiers were given retirement and sent to United Arab Emirates to serve as guards at the palace of the country's ruler Sheikh Khalifa II bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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