Gorkhas Delegation meets President Kalam

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) A delegation of Nepali-speaking Indian Gorkhas today met President A P J Abdul Kalam to apprise him of the problems faced by the community all over India.

In spite of a rich contribution to the nation, the Gorkhas have to contend with such adjectives as ''immigrants'' or ''foreigners,'' the nine-member delegation told President Kalam.

In a memorandum submitted to the President, the delegation, led by president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha Dil Kumari Bhandari and representing Gorkhas from Darjeeling, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Delhi, demanded that a special state for the Gorkhas, comprising Darjeeling Hill areas and Dooars, be formed, Ms Bhandari said.

The memorandum said that the Indian Gorkhas had not been accorded due recognition in terms of appointments as Governors or Ambassadors.

''No Gorkha has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha either,''they said.

According to Ms Bhandari, President Kalam, who gave them a patient hearing, said he acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Gorkhas in nation building. He also assured that he would study the matter.

UNI AR MSJ MIR RAI1905