Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale Pictures...........

By:Mentari

Joanna Lumley And The Gurkhas of Nepal

Joanna Arrives in Nepal

Joanna Lumley had originally planned a "quiet, private visit" to Nepal, but following her campaign for Gurkha veterans' rights in Britain, she has become a hero in Nepal. She was met at Kathmandu airport by more than a thousand Gurkha veterans and supporters, people who had walked for days, trekking from Annapurna's mountain villages to thank her.

Joanna attended a number of presentations where she was bedecked in silk scarves, garlands of flowers and greeted with applause. There were scores of people holding placards depicting words of thanks, featuring her new nickname "Ayo Goddess Joanna". One placard was amusingly affable: "We admire British Public totally."

A small plane was chartered to fly her across the Himalaya, so she could visit the Gurkha veterans in several small villages, and see some of the amazing landscape that makes Annapurna treks so breathtaking. At Dharan, the entire town was waiting to welcome her.

The Gurkhas

Gurkhas have served in the British and Indian armies for more than sixty years, although the tradition of Gurkhas serving alongside British troops dates back as far as the early nineteenth century. The Nepalese men, from whom the Gurkha regiments are assembled, are reputably tough and exhibit remarkable endurance. This is a strength that is common to both the Gurkha and Sherpa peoples of Nepal, and is often demonstrated by them while serving as guides or porters on an Annapurna trek in the Himalaya. They are capable of carrying large loads over long distances and steep slopes in thinning air, a feat that never fails to impress the western visitors trekking in Annapurna.

The village of Ghandruk, which you may visit while on an Annapurna trek, is at the centre of the Gurkha tradition. The village is a recruiting centre for the Gurkhas, where boys and young men volunteer for tests of physical prowess to impress the recruiters. There is great competition for places. Serving in a foreign army provides an opportunity to prove themselves, bringing pride to their families and a welcome wage in one of the world's poorest countries.

Until recently, veteran Gurkhas that retired before 1997 had no right to stay in Britain, despite having served for the country. This situation left many veterans homeless because they had been denied permission to work in the UK while they applied for residency there. Thanks to the recent change in policy, all Gurkhas that have served four years in the British military have the right to apply for residency in Britain when they retire.

Lumley's Legacy

Joanna Lumley, who took up the Gurkha's cause because her father owed his life to a Nepalese soldier in the Second World War, was very moved by the appreciation of the Nepalese people. She was overwhelmed when she arrived at Pokhara, which is the starting point for several Annapurna treks routes into the Annapurna region. Joanna learned that a hill in Pokhara was to be re-named in her and her father's honour. Mattikhan Hill will now be known as Mattikhan Lumley View.

After the welcome she received in Nepal, Joanna was reticent to leave. 'I want everyone to know how beautiful Nepal is. I'd love to go back, but next time to do more looking rather than being looked at.'

If Joanna were to go trekking in Annapurna, she would not have to go far from her hill in Pokhara to find the families of the people her campaign has helped. The popular Annapurna trek route to sanctuary lodge would introduce her to the owner of the Mountain View Cafe who was a Gurkha and has a family connection with the British army; his father was awarded the Military Cross for his service in World War one. It is veterans like these that Joanna Lumley has helped by pressing the government into action.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Joanna-Lumley-and-The-Gurkhas-of-Nepal&id=2760575

Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra Ambrosio Pictures......................



By:Mentari

Adrianne Curry

Adrianne Curry Pictures.................................


By:Mentari

Alicia Keys

Adriana Lima

Adriana Lima Pictures.........................



By:Mentari

Adriana Fonseca

Adriana Fonseca Pictures.....................




By: Mentari

Abigail Clancy

Abigail Clancy Pictures..............................

Interesting Facts About Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, fashion designer and television producer. She had been nominated for Golden Globe and Grammy Award.

Lopez is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood and has sold over 48 million albums worldwide. She won the 2003 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and the 2007 American Music Award for Favorite Latin Artist.

Born on July 24, 1969, in New York City, to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodríguez, a kindergarten teacher, and David Lopez, a computer specialist, she has appeared in numerous films, and has won ALMA Awards for outstanding actress for her work in Selena, Out of Sight, and Angel Eyes.

Lopez made her debut in the big screen in the 1995 drama My Family and then appeared opposite Wesley Snipes in the action film Money Train. She played roles in Francis Ford Coppola's 1996 comedy Jack starring Robin Williams, and the 1997 thriller Blood and Wine with Jack Nicholson.

She did the lead role in the 1997 film Selena for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for "Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy" in 1998.

Lopez's debut album, released on June 1, 1999, and On the 6, a reference to the 6 subway line she used to take growing up in Castle Hill reached the top ten of the Billboard 200.

Lopez's first marriage was to Cuban-born Ojani Noa on February 22, 1997. They divorced in January 1998. Later she had relations with hip-hop mogul Sean Combs, former backup dancer Cris Judd, actor Ben Affleck and singer Marc Anthony.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Interesting-Facts-About-Jennifer-Lopez&id=1922001

An Yixuan

An Yixuan Pictures.................................

Britney Spears

Britney Spears Pictures....................................