Ram Galami served in the British Army for 17 years with 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles mainly serving in Hong Kong, Brunei as well as the UK. He’s now our Gurkha UK Employment Advisor and is part of a passionate team who supported over 22,384 clients into meaningful employment last year at the Forces Employment Charity.
In 2004, the government announced that Gurkhas might stay in the UK. Subsequently, Gurkha families began to settle in the UK in significant numbers. As a chairman of Reading Gurkha, Ram helped Gurkha veterans find work, homes, schools, and other support. He mostly helped elderly Gurkha veterans with benefits matters with excellent communication with community leaders throughout the UK.
Ram Galami works specifically in the Ex-Forces Employment programme and adds, “I am inspired by Gurkha Veterans; they are highly motivated individuals who are open to working in any kind of employment. They have strong family support and save money for the worst. Their links to the community are excellent.
“We provide regionally-based comprehensive employment support to all who have served in HM Armed Forces. This means we can offer a more personal service with face-to-face meetings, as well as a unique understanding of the local job market and area.”
A typical day for Ram
Meeting with Gurkha communities, local support organisations and employers who are looking to employ Gurkhas. Attend job fairs and weekend Gurkha events. Ram helps veterans, connects them with job searches, and participates in both remote and in-person meetings. All employment advisors at the Forces Employment Charity research the job market, carry out job matching, training, support for writing a CV, advice on interview techniques, expert industry knowledge and updates.
“Gurkha veterans face more challenges due to cultural differences, language barriers and a lack of basic computer experience,” Ram says. “I encourage clients to obtain further civilian qualifications and to enrol in English and computer classes. To watch English TV and read books in order to grow their vocabulary.
“A client and his wife separated. He lost his home and job, which made surviving difficult. I assisted him in reviewing his CV, helping him to prepare for an interview, which resulted in a job offer, including accommodation!”
Personal insights and motivation
Meeting many Gurkha veterans and supporting them across the UK is a great reward for Ram. Initially, cascading our support for veterans across the Gurkha communities was quite difficult. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of good communication skills in English and basic computer knowledge among some clients. As a result, some clients are obligated to receive extra support. To successfully navigate these areas to develop, Ram is often found on his phone talking with clients to support and encourage them, creating CVs and online applications.
Advice to veterans – top tips
Search for job opportunities and find out what is currently available in the job market. Before leaving the military, look for a course that motivates you and obtain the qualification to support it. Try to find a placement and gain experience if possible. Attend the job fairs and get involved in social media, including local communities. In order to have your CV reviewed, keep in touch with the CTP Career Consultant. CV writing assistance is also available at no cost through the National Career Service (NCS).
Future goals for Ram
Ram’s goal is to organise frequent employment workshops with potential employers for Gurkha veterans and to hold regular meetings with Gurkha communities across the UK. Veterans will benefit from current information and job prospects.
Personal Interests and Fun
My passion is supporting people who need assistance. I especially enjoy helping elderly veterans who are unable to help themselves. I have good communication with many local Reading communities and Gurkha communities across the UK.
Book or film?
I’m not a great reader or movie watcher. But lately, I’ve been reading a book called ‘Leaver to Leader’ (LTL) by Samuel T. Reddy.
Ghurkas and their Legacy
The British Army has been recruiting Gurkha soldiers from Nepal since 1815. Approximately 360 young, highly-picked Gurkhas from Nepal enlist in the British Army each year. Gurkhas have served with distinction throughout the world, earning an incredible 13 Victoria Crosses. Approximately 4,000 Gurkhas are serving currently.
Training as a Gurkha is one of Nepal’s most challenging physical and mental exercises. Each person is joining a legacy of warriors, which our ancestors developed over 200 years ago when we joined the British East India Company in 1816. Although our values are based on the British Army, the qualities of a Gurkha are based on our resilience from growing up in the hills region of Nepal. This daily condition is what makes the community mentally strong and physically fit. Gurkhas exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and a strong sense of teamwork. The concept of ‘Kaida,’ which emphasises professional excellence and a caring community, fosters a unique bond among Gurkhas, ensuring they work cohesively as a unit.
Why the legacy of the Gurkhas is important to recognise and celebrate
To fully understand the legacy of Gurkhas, we must travel back to the Anglo-Nepal War. The first Gurkha awarded the Victoria Cross was Rifleman Kulbir Thapa – 1915 for rescuing wounded soldiers while injured during WWI. His statue in Aldershot means a lot to us. So far, 13 Nepalese Gurkhas have won the VC, a testament to our courage and legacy to support others within the military during the most challenging time. It’s unfortunate that civilian society does not know much about this. However, it’s crucial for the community to be recognised and valued, and Ram is grateful for social arms like Op Belonging that are working tirelessly to support its people and help us become integral members of the community.
How Ram celebrates his own Gurkha heritage
Ram signs off with these words. “Culturally, we are very grounded, and we have a strong faith. Families are our number one priority. Everyone living in the UK today is responsible for his family back home. We raise our children to be the same. Being a Gurkha and living in the UK means I can see things from two different angles. As a global citizen, if you want, one angle is South Asian, and the other is UK. Our Brigade and Trust work together to celebrate who we are as a nation. As Samuel T. Reddy says in his book Leavers to Leaders, we have now entered the age of individualism, where everyone is to be celebrated. As someone seen as a community pillar, many Gurkhas come to me for advice after leaving the military, and I do my best to help them.”
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