We may have to give it up.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Thanks to the Maoists things have gone to hell. The kamis are so nervous they can't make decent knives anymore. We can't get supplies and we can't get our khukuris shipped. This may be the end of Birgorkha as we know it.

It's looking more and more like time to retreat or give up.

I know one of my mottos is never quit and never give up. And I say there is no disgrace in gettin knocked down but in not getting up.

But when you've been knocked down 100 times sometimes it's better to take the count.

It's looking more and more like it's time to move or quit.

Hang onto your HI khukuris!

I'm sick.
 
Hang in there Bill, lets play the hand for as long as we can. The Maoist haven't won yet, and you and Pala have built up alot of goodwill over the years.

n2s
 
Uncle,

New info, or over-cogitating?

Moving sure beats quitting. The kamis and theirs should move if its that bad. I can't imagine they will be any better off than now if the unmentionables take charge.

Haven't heard of any sightings of the fat lady, and she doesn't always sing.....
 
DON"T YOU DARE GIVE UP!!!!!!

Himalayan Imports can't die! There has to be something that can be done!!!!! Can Pala pack up and move the shop now? Get the kamis and family and just do it...just take what they can and rebuild in a safe place!

Uncle Bill please tell us if we can do anything at all to help!!! Heck I'll send my whole pay check if it means survival and I think everyone else on this forum will do the same!!!!! We are a FAMILY and we will stick together!!!!!!!:( :mad: :confused:
 
I'll just echo the thoughts expressed above.

And add, a move to India seems to be in order - hopefully things in Nepal will improve, but it seems that there will be much chaos for quite some time even in the best case scenario.

I think we all want this to work - and many here are willing to do whatever we can to help, I think I can safely say.

--B.
 
Uncle Bill, has Pala raised sufficeint funds to move the shop somewhere (Darjeeling) safe??? The maoists can't keep Nepal in a shutdown state for very long ...it would work against them. 'Cause fear turns to anger very quickly when basic human needs are being denied ...people still need to feed their families regardless of political climate. So this stoppage will pass soon enough and when it does, can HI secure vehicles and staples for the journey to India??? Perhaps the sooner the better, that the move occurs. The situation in Nepal will probably continue and get worse for some time yet.

If Pala is not able to move BirGorkha ...then perhaps being prepared to play possum might be a consideration. That is to say, BirGorkha will only be a valuable target to the insurgents as long as it's operational and represents a political statement. Although noone can accurately estimate how long it will take to quell the maoists, it might actually be cheaper for Pala to temporarily close up shop (I'm tlking about wrapping and burying equipment to keep it safe) if things get too hot around BirGorkha and pay the kamis a small periodic stipend so they can feed their families ...than having to recover from the total disaster of a bombing and possible murder. Then when this crisis passes, regroup and reopen. Surely an old Gurkha like Pala knows who to pay to gather reliable, accurate info ...to keep abreast of potential danger?

Just thinking outloud, thats all... :(
 
PLEASE DONT CLOSE HI UNCLE, get some vehicles and pack up the Kamis and their families and move. Today !!!
 
Uncle Bill, I know it is not possible for us in the land of the free to fully comprehend what is happening. We can only imagine. The stress must be enough to take the wind out of your chest, your stomach is in knots, your hands begin to shake, a nervous twitching jerk occurs...........I've been scared myself a few times.

But after the initial schock you can survive and overcome.

""It's looking more and more like it's time to move or quit.""

No not quit, but a thoughtful well planned, careful move. The tools and equipment in the photos, do not look to be to difficult to move to another location. The kamis skill is the true treasure.

Give it some thought, dicuss it with Palla and then come to us for assistance. Drills, grinders, and hammers can be replaced. This group in the cantina come for the friendship not just to pass the time.

Let friends help freinds. WE all wish you and the Big Gorhka all the best.

SAM
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
..........
It's looking more and more like time to retreat or give up.

I know one of my mottos is never quit and never give up. And I say there is no disgrace in gettin knocked down but in not getting up.
............
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First things first. Safety is always first consideration. I believe Pala and the kamis should pack it in and move to a better (safer) location/country. There is no disgrace. Strategically it makes sense. They don't have the resources or training to stay and fight. The most likely scenario is that they will be killed or injured if they stay. Don't go down with the ship.

There will be a day when this mess is over. Pala and the kamis need to be around to see it.
 
Hey, don't give up. Remember the insurmountable odds in the tales of Gurkhas and their khukuris.

This is one of those moments. It is darkest before dawn, as they always say.
 
Uncle Bill,

The news on the forum and on the net describing the current problems in Nepal makes me sad. The fact that HI may shut down or be forced to move as a result of that doesn't really improve either. We all have our busy little lives and problems, but in comparison to the problems these people face, our 'problems' are pretty small.

For me, as a 'rich' ignorant westerner, Nepal was just a country on my wish-list for a trek someday. HI, however, is more than just a store for selling great khukuris. The site alone is full of information about the living conditions of the local people and so are the forum threads. That means education for a lot of us. To me therefore, Nepal has become more alive and I got more involved. Reading the forum practically every day for some time now, I get the impression that I am not the only one.

If the decision is made to close the store, keep in mind that you also close a unique 'window' on Nepal. I think Nepal and other countries need more of these 'windows' to educate and involve people all over the world. Education breeds understanding and involvement and for this, the internet can be an essential tool as shown by the site and this forum.

Moving the shop to India, I expect that this is not only a matter of money or logistics, but also a matter of families willing to leave their homes or land behind and give up life as they know it. That is a though decision to make, but Nepali people are though.

Make the move if you have to, survive, and strike back with even more information on Nepal. Provide links on your site to various initiatives and enterprises. Finally, offer more high-quality products from the region to us. There is a market, there is involvement and lots of people are willing to help.

Strength and support,
-Emile
 
I am not going to make any recomendations. I can see this from too many sides to be objective. All I can give is prayer, and from what I have seen in life, that is the best thing I could do. It is all in God's hands. Uncle Bill, if you can call on me to do something else that is specific or concrete in this physical world, let me know.
 
I'm sick.
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I feel for you, Yangdu, Pala and the Kamis Uncle:( Worst damn news I've heard in a long time.

I agree with the idea of shutting down to save lives, and I also think regrouping in India and reopening is a good idea. I imagine everyone will have to lay low for awhile until its safe. My prayers are with all involved with HI in Nepal and Reno.

Things may get worse before they get better, but I hope the move to India becomes a reality, and then things can get back to something close to normal for Kamis and families.
 
Originally posted by Semper Fi
There will be a day when this mess is over. Pala and the kamis need to be around to see it.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Double ditto.

Obviously we're not in a position to give advice or make suggestions about what the kamis should do. HOWEVER, we will be here to support Birgorkha and all the people who rely on them, whenever and whereever it becomes possible to resume production. It's the least we can do.

'Nuf said.
 
Uncle,
I am sure there is some way that they can move either to another location in Nepal, or to India.
It may take messages with hidden meaning via snail mail to get them cash and to make sure they have everything that we can get to them to make their travel easier. But we can figure out something.

This is too good a cause to let this go slipping through the cracks.
 
Bill,

I have been the bearer of bad news, but of good news also.

Change can lead to growth and to unanticipated good things, although it may be uncomfortable at the time.

You have been instrumental in bringing some of the treasures of Nepal to the attention of the world. HI has been a significant influence for good. It may continue to be. Maybe not.

I still think this is a good time for a special Bishwakarma puja.
 
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