Kathmandu, 15 March: Former British Gurkha soldier Captain Purna Prasad Limbu (Fawen Phago), who has long been involved in social service, songwriting and acting, has been nominated as a proportional representation Member of Parliament by the Labour Culture Party. The party submitted his name to the Election Commission on Sunday.
Reacting to the nomination, the 63-year-old Limbu said he is not a person who understands political language or political maneuvering. “I served 28 years in the British Army and another 16 years as an officer at the Gurkha Welfare Office. I will perform my role as a Member of Parliament honestly,” he said.
Limbu was born in Maidaney of Chainpur-4 in Sankhuwasabha district (formerly Siddhapokhari-3). He joined the British Gurkha Infantry in May 1980 and served for nearly three decades before retiring in February 2008 with the rank of captain.
After retirement, he did not seek employment in the Gurkha Reserve Unit in Brunei. Instead, the Gurkha Welfare Trust, operating through the British Embassy, appointed him as a Gurkha Welfare Officer in Nepal. He retired from that position three years ago.
While working as a welfare officer in Dharan, Limbu oversaw activities in districts such as Bhojpur, Khotang, Sankhuwasabha and Terhathum. From the Kathmandu office, he also worked in Dhading, Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, Dolakha and Nuwakot. The welfare office primarily focuses on improving drinking water, health and education services in rural communities.
Limbu said he became connected with Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang during efforts to address the city’s drinking water shortage. After Sampang was elected as an independent mayor in the 2022 local elections, they met while discussing possible support from the Gurkha Welfare Trust for drinking water projects.
Later, under Limbu’s initiative, the Gurkha Peace Foundation and the Harka Sampang Support Committee were formed to raise funds for drinking water management in Dharan. Gurkha veterans from the United Kingdom, India and Singapore actively participated in the campaign.
With their support, water tanks and other infrastructure were built, while the Gurkha Welfare Trust also contributed significant funding for a reservoir project with a capacity of 400,000 liters.
Limbu has also been active in other social initiatives, including disaster management and the construction of a residential home for elderly Gurkha veterans in Dharan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical supplies worth around Rs 30 million were distributed through the trust.
Apart from social work, Limbu has written songs and acted in several films. He also produced and acted in the film Namlo, donating the income generated from it to support drinking water management in Dharan.
Although his wife, two sons and extended family live in the United Kingdom, Limbu has continued to stay in Nepal and remain active in social service. He believes his nomination to parliament is an opportunity to represent former Gurkha soldiers and contribute to the welfare of Nepal and its people.
