Indian Idol Prashant Tamang & Other Nepalese Indian Heroes

Who Made us Proud

Prashant Tamang, an Indian of Nepalese origin, once again

gave Nepalese around the world reason to be proud of our

glorious past. By profession a policeman and singer,

Prashant is the first contestant of Nepalese-Indian origin

to win the coveted title "Indian Idol 2007".

India's modern history is not complete without calling up

the names of many brave and talented Indians of Nepalese

origin. Many of us are unaware that the composer of India's national anthem and the song 'Jana Gana

Mana', was the late Capt. Ram Singh Thakur, also of

Nepalese origin.

During the Indian Independence Movement, thousands of

Nepalese and Indians of Nepalese origin fought the

colonial British Raj and sacrified their lives for the freedom of India. Nepalese Indian martyrs Major Durga

Malla (executed in Old Delhi Jail, near Delhi Gate-August

24, 1944) and Capt. Dalbahadur Thapa (executed at Central jail, near Lal Killa, Delhi-May 3,

1945) were among the Indians who were executed by British

Raj.

77 years ago (1930) when Mahatma Gandhi launched his famous

Salt Satyagraha (Salt March), the most inspiring event in

the history of the freedom movement of India, there were

two Nepalese (Mahavir Giri and Kharag Bahadur Singh Giri)

among 78 other satyagrahha marchers.

2500 years ago, Gautam Buddha, who is known as 'Light of

Asia', was born in Lumbini, Nepal but his enlightenment was

attained in Bodh Gaya, India. Most of his life-long preaching took place in Northern India and

thus enriched the ancient Indian philosophy by spreading

the message of love and peace.

Cheers,

Pradeep Thapa

Editor, NepalDirectory.Org, NepalWhoisWho.Org,

NepalAbroad.Org