In Pokhara, Nepal, the sound of about 60 young men doing jumping jacks fills the chilly late November air at a picturesque playground. These teenagers are being trained by an instructor for the Gurkha recruitment programme, which could lead to them joining the British Army or the Singapore Police Force. Shishir Bhattari, a 19-year-old from central Nepal, is among those training at the Salute Gorkha Training Center. His dream of joining the army was inspired by his mother and a visit from a member of the British Army to his school. However, with the suspension of Gurkha recruitment to the Indian Army, Shishir’s options have been limited. Retired Gurkha captain Krishna Bahadur, who now trains young men at the center, criticizes the new recruitment system introduced by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it “all politics” and warning of the negative impact on young boys in Nepal. Despite the challenges, these young men continue to train hard, hoping for an opportunity to serve in the armed forces abroad.
