Colonel Commandant Brigade of Gurkhas Award
Mr Bhimraj Rai - Head SRA and Province 1 Commander Recruit Cell BGP
Mr Bhimraj Rai is recommended for the Colonel Commandant’s Award in recognition of his exceptional and sustained service to the Brigade of Gurkhas, both during his 19 years military career and in his subsequent 18 years of outstanding service to British Gurkhas Nepal as a civilian Senior Recruiting Assistant (SRA).
As Head SRA for Recruit Intake 2024 and Recruit Intake 2025 and Provincial Commander for Koshi Province since 2020, Mr Rai holds responsibility for the daily leadership and management of BGNs 35 SRAs. He is the most experienced and knowledgeable member of the Recruit Cell and is universally regarded as a cornerstone. His leadership is characterised by absolute reliability, tireless work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to our recruiting principles of Free, Fair and Transparent selection.
Mr Rai has consistently led from the front, motivating both his fellow SRAs and potential recruits under demanding and often challenging conditions. His calm authority, professionalism and attention to detail ensured high standards were maintained at every stage of selection, safeguarding the Potential Recruits, the recruiting process and assuring the quality of soldier selected into the Brigade of Gurkhas. He has served in the role of Senior Recruiting Assistant through some of the most significant challenges faced by the organisation, notably; the 2009 Swine-flu outbreak, the 2015 Earthquake, the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic, the 2024 public unrest in Dharan during Registration and the 2025 “Gen-Z” national crisis during Initial Selection. He applied initiative and safety protocols at the tactical level rigorously while maintaining momentum and morale across his teams.
Mr Rai’s leadership has had a measurable and enduring impact. Under his stewardship, the number of suitable applicants at application stages from the Eastern Provinces has increased significantly since Recruit Intake 2023, reversing previous decline and broadening the recruiting base into previously underrepresented communities. This success can be directly attributable to his personal credibility, his ability to build trust, and his commitment to engagement at community level. Without his contribution, the current quality and effectiveness of recruiting outcomes in the region would not have been achieved.
Beyond his formal duties, Mr Rai is a natural mentor and role model. He builds strong relationships based on trust, open communication and quiet authority, and is respected and appreciated equally by junior SRAs, potential recruits and officers. His candour, sense of humour and professionalism have been instrumental in maintaining continued cohesion and motivation with all elements of the wider recruiting team that is temporarily formed from across Nepal, BGN and wider defence throughout the high pressure, fast paced periods of delivery.
Mr Bhimraj Rai’s contribution to the Recruiting Cell, British Gurkhas Pokhara, and to the wider Brigade of Gurkhas has been exceptional. His sustained excellence, integrity and selfless service have significantly enhanced the reputation and effectiveness of Gurkha Recruiting. It has been a privilege to serve with him, and he is fully deserving of the Colonel Commandant’s Award.
