The Nepali Village will be a place where anyone can take a break from their busy daily lives and experience rural Nepal. Greenery, hiking, Nepali-style structures, original culture, meditation, fairs, festivals, family gatherings, and an environment that reflects Nepal will be the main attractions of this project.
LONDON:- Former Gurkha Khushiman Gurung is involved in a campaign to fulfill the dream homes of Nepalis living in the UK through the proposed ‘Nepali Village’. In his own words, ‘Nepali Village UK’ was conceived with the aim of keeping the original Nepali identity, culture, and traditions alive in Wales, UK.
According to Major Khushiman Gurung (MVO), Managing Director of ‘Nepali Village UK’, this is not a project of any one individual, organization, caste, religion or region, but a common dream of all Nepalis.
Its goal is to become a cultural, educational and entertainment center that introduces Nepali culture, history, traditions and lifestyle to Nepalese living in the UK, their future generations, the local British community and tourists from around the world.
A large number of Nepali communities are living in the UK and various countries in Europe. Former Gurkha soldiers of the British Army, students, businessmen and Nepalis who have settled here for employment are making a significant contribution to the development of Europe.
However, Nepalis living in the UK for a long time had a common desire: to have their own place to celebrate holidays, spend time with family, introduce their children to Nepali culture and give a glimpse of Nepal. The concept of building a ‘Nepali Village’ was based on this dream.
According to Major Gurung, the Nepali Village will be a place where anyone can take a break from their busy daily lives and experience rural Nepal. Greenery, hiking, Nepali-style structures, original culture, meditation, fairs, festivals, family gatherings, and an environment that reflects Nepal will be the main attractions of this project.
Nepali Village UK is a community-based, commercial and long-term project that aims to create structures that reflect the major religious, cultural and historical heritages of Nepal, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Mount Everest, Chautari, the historic Dhungedhara, Dharahara, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and the 108 streams of Muktinath. In addition, plans have been put forward to build meditation centers, hotels, well-equipped halls for weddings and gatherings, places for worship, fairs, and various Nepali festivals.
The main objective of this project is to establish an entertainment and educational center that introduces Nepal to Wales. The Nepali Village aims to be a destination where both Nepali and non-Nepali communities can closely understand Nepali culture, history, traditions and rural lifestyle. Here, there will be opportunities to spend a holiday in a peaceful environment, learn about local Welsh culture and Nepali culture, go hiking and participate in community activities.
The first phase of this project, which is being carried out in three phases, is almost complete, while the second and third phases are planned to be carried out simultaneously. Under the first phase, about 195 ropanis (24 acres) of land have been purchased by collecting share capital.
According to Major Gurung, the first phase of this project, which was put forward as a 10-year plan, has been completed earlier than expected. The required amount has been raised in about five months and 461 shares have been sold so far. According to him, based on the current progress, the 10-year plan is likely to be completed within 6 to 7 years.
Major Gurung said that the shareholders include Nepalis living in the UK, as well as Nepalis and local mayors in countries including the US, Malta, etc. According to him, this shows the confidence in the project and the international level of interest.
The second phase of the project has progressed with planning permission and construction work. The local planning process has taken some time as the land purchased is located in a national park area. However, the necessary preparations and submissions for planning approval to the local authority have been completed. In the UK, it usually takes 3 to 4 years to obtain planning permission.
Once planning permission is granted, there are plans to build a new entrance, car park, large courtyard, pond, historic stone stream, tourist houses built in both Nepali and Welsh styles, exhibition halls, offices, cafes and an organic farm. A symbol of Mount Everest will be installed at the top of the Nepali Village. There is also a plan to present a glimpse of the religious pilgrimage sites of the eastern part of Nepal in the eastern region and the religious structures found in the western part of Nepal in the western region. Under this, important heritage sites found in various places in Nepal will be established in the respective regions.
यसैगरी प्रदर्शनी हल निर्माण गरि नेपाल र वेल्सका संस्कृति, इतिहास र कलाकृतिहरू प्रदर्शित गरिनेछन्। भविष्यमा यस क्षेत्रमा रहेको हालको घरलाई नेपाली शैलीमा पिँढीसहित पुनर्निर्माण गर्ने, नेपाली र वेल्सका ऐतिहासिक सामग्री प्रदर्शन गर्ने वा क्याफेका रूपमा सञ्चालन गर्ने योजना पनि छ। यस क्षेत्रमा पानीघट्टा राख्ने सोचसमेत अघि सारिएको छ। पैदलयात्राका लागि उपयुक्त ठूलो क्षेत्र भएकाले यस परियोजनाले प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य र सांस्कृतिक अनुभवलाई एकै ठाउँमा जोड्ने उद्देश्य राखेको छ।
The third phase plans to build structures such as a hotel, wedding and other function venues, training and seminar halls, meditation centers, and wellness centers. However, organizers are also studying alternative possibilities, as local planning authorities are sensitive to the construction of new and large structures within national park areas.
In this context, the process of purchasing a 22-room building for sale near the Nepali Village UK premises has been initiated. The building is considered very suitable for the third phase of the project. The purchase process has been initiated as it has the potential to be developed as a hotel, meditation center, wellness center, and event venue.
Nepali Village is not just about building physical infrastructure. Its main objective is to connect future generations with Nepali history, culture and traditions. The project is designed to help young people of Nepali origin born and raised in the UK understand Nepal not just through stories but through direct experience.
The project also aims to create jobs, conduct environmentally friendly activities, preserve biodiversity and promote tourism to Wales and Nepal. According to the organizers, this place will become a suitable center for auspicious weddings, cultural programs, fairs, worship, meditation camps, community gatherings and educational tours in the future.
The project is being discussed with various agencies including the local community, council, Nepal Embassy, Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism and others. The Welsh Government has also shown positive interest in the project. The main aim of the organisers is to develop the Nepali Village as a means of further strengthening cultural ties between Wales and Nepal.
As additional capital is required to complete the entire project, a campaign has also been launched to attract new shareholders to join the project. Under this campaign, new shares are being put on sale until December. The price per share is set at 5,500 pounds, and two names can be included in one share. There are plans to engrave the names of shareholders in marble on a stone fountain to be built in the near future.
Major Khushiman Gurung has urged everyone to support Nepali Village UK to make it a common asset for the entire Nepali community. According to him, this project will not only establish Nepal’s identity in the UK, but will also serve as a powerful medium to convey Nepal’s culture, tourism, identity and pride to the international community.
According to Major Gurung, about four million tourists visit this area annually. This place is also considered particularly important from a tourism perspective as the highest peak in Wales is also located in this area.
Nepali Village Wells, located about a three-hour drive from London, is expected to become a proud center for the Nepali community, a cultural school for the next generation, and a living museum that introduces Nepal to the world community.
