'She raised her voice for the Gurkhas,' Rai said. 'So the veterans here asked her to visit Nepal and see their miserable condition so that she can tell the British people how the soldiers who fought for Britain have been discriminated against.'

It is estimated that nearly 10,000 former soldiers will flock to Kathmandu, Birtamod in Jhapa district and Pokhra town in Kaski where Lumley is scheduled to hold mass meetings.

Arriving in Kathmandu Sunday, she will also meet Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and be felicitated by the chairman of the constituent assembly, Subhash Nembang, at a ceremony organised by the grateful Gurkhas.

Lumley will receive a royal welcome on her arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where Rai said nearly 2,000 Gurkha veterans will turn up to receive her.

The actress will leave for Britain Aug 1.