Joanna Lumley received a hero's welcome when she landed in Nepal on Sunday (26Jul09) - three months after she won a landmark victory over the U.K. government to give Gurkha veterans the right to remain in the country.
The Absolutely Fabulous star, whose father fought alongside the Nepalese soldiers in the British army, has long campaigned for them to be allowed to stay in the U.K. after they end their duties.
The Indian-born actress' battle led to a vote in the House of Commons in April (09), which saw Members of Parliament (MPs) overrule the government and back plans to give 36,000 Gurkha soldiers and their families the right to live in Britain.
Lumley flew to Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday for a six-day trip during which she will will meet the country's president and prime minister.
The star was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers and Gurkha veterans at the airport, many carrying flowers and placards reading, "Goddess Joanna" and "Thank you".
Lumley called her first visit to the country a "homecoming".
She says, "I am delighted to be here. It's just incredible. I've never been to Nepal before, and this is really going to be just stunning.
"I feel so humbled by the fact I'm going to meet so many ex-Gurkhas and their families, and see where they are and how they live. I don't think it can be anything other than wonderful."
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