The legendary Gurkha soldiers in the British Army are still going strong, with successful recruitment from a large pool of men interested in joining Her Majesty’s troops. Last year 17,349 applied and 230 were accepted. Recently the Gurkhas have had success in their campaign for pensions equivalent to their British counterparts and the right to live in Britain after retirement. And, in a true sign of modern times, females are going to be recruited starting in 2010. A pilot program attracted hundreds of interested Nepalese women last year.